Articulated Saddle Tree Modules for Horse Morphology Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saddle trees do not adapt to changes in a horse's morphology over time, leading to potential muscle and bone injuries and discomfort due to uneven pressure distribution on the horse's back.
Innovation Solution
A saddle tree with articulated support modules and adjustable fixing supports that dynamically adapt to the horse's shoulders and withers, using ball joint mechanisms and elastic deformation to distribute weight evenly and prevent stress concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rigid saddle tree is used, then the structural strength and stability are maintained, but the saddle cannot adapt to changes in the horse's morphology, causing pressure points and potential injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle tree incorporates articulated support modules with ball-joint mechanisms that enable dynamic movement and rotation, allowing the rigid structure to adapt to changes in the horse's morphology while maintaining structural integrity. The ball-joints provide controlled mobility that accommodates muscle movement and conformation changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The saddle tree is divided into modular components including articulated support modules attached to the legs, with individual pads that can move independently. This segmentation allows different parts of the saddle tree to adapt independently to the horse's back contours while maintaining overall structural strength.
2Stress or pressure
If the saddle tree is made rigid to ensure mechanical resistance, then structural stability is improved, but pressure distribution becomes uneven on the horse's back, causing discomfort and potential injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated support modules with ball-joint mechanisms enable dynamic adjustment of pressure distribution. As the horse moves and its muscles contract or relax, the ball-joints allow the pads to shift position automatically, maintaining even pressure distribution while the overall saddle tree structure remains stable.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball-joint mechanisms change the positional parameters of the pads relative to the horse's back during movement. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures continuous optimal pressure distribution across the withers and shoulders, preventing stress concentrations while maintaining structural stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the saddle tree structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different horse conformations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle tree is manufactured as separate modular components including articulated support modules that can be attached to the legs. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing of individual components while enabling conformation adaptation through the articulated joints and adjustable pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated support modules serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable conformation adaptation through ball-joint movement, and distribute pressure evenly. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple modular design that can be manufactured efficiently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures continuous adaptation to the horse's changing morphology, preventing injuries and discomfort by evenly distributing the weight of the saddle and rider, and allowing for easy integration into existing saddle designs.
Implementation Method 1
Each articulated support module has a pad (21) connected to a leg (120) by a ball-joint mechanism (22), extending from the leg
Implementation Method 2
These mounting brackets also possess elastic deformation capabilities to accommodate the movements of the horse's muscles and bones during movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a saddle tree (10) for a riding saddle comprising a body which extends between a cantle (11) and a pommel (12), said pommel (12) having a median portion on either side of which two legs (120) extend, said saddle tree (10) being characterised in that it further comprises an articulated support module (20) rigidly connected to each of said legs (120), each articulated support module (20) comprising a shoe (21) configured to interface with the horse's back, said shoe (21) being connected to a foot (120) by a joint mechanism (22) in a swivel-type mechanical linkage, in the extension of said foot (120), and being configured to promote the distribution of the forces exerted against the back of a horse to which said riding saddle is intended to be fitted.