Bicycle Saddle Interchangeable Damping System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle saddle damping systems are costly and complex to modify, with elastic elements that deteriorate over time, requiring removal of screws and replacement of entire components to adjust comfort settings.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable damping system using elastic washers that can be easily stacked and adjusted along pins to modify the saddle's elastic characteristics, allowing for customizable comfort without the need for extensive disassembly or replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic elements are used to dampen vertical bumps and shaking, then comfort is improved, but the complexity of replacing and customizing the damping system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system is segmented into modular components: elastic elements, connection bridges, and mounting brackets. Each elastic element can be independently replaced by removing only the connection bridge, without affecting other parts of the saddle or requiring removal of mounting brackets. This modular segmentation enables easy customization while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional elastic elements are used, then damping function is achieved, but the cost and complexity of replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic elements are extracted as independent, replaceable components from the overall damping system. Each elastic element is connected to the saddle rails through a connection bridge that can be easily removed. This extraction allows users to replace only the worn elastic elements without replacing the entire damping system or other components, significantly improving ease of repair and reducing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If elastic elements with different characteristics are used, then comfort customization is improved, but manufacturing cost and characterization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection bridge and mounting bracket design provides universal compatibility for different elastic element types. The same connection bridge structure can accommodate various elastic element configurations (single element, multiple elements in series or parallel). This universality allows comfort customization through simple element selection and arrangement without requiring different mounting hardware for each configuration, maintaining ease of manufacture.
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
Enables simple and cost-effective customization of the saddle's damping properties, maintaining consistent performance over time by allowing users to adjust the number, orientation, and preload of elastic washers, ensuring optimal comfort without the need for complex replacements.
Implementation Method 1
elastic elements make it possible to dampen the bumps and shaking in the vertical direction that the saddle undergoes, dissipating and diminishing them
Implementation Method 2
dampen vertical bumps or shaking, caused for example by the asperity of the ground
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A saddle (2) for bicycles, comprises a support body (6) having a front portion (3) and a rear portion (4), a pair of pins (12) spaced apart from one other which project downwards from the bottom of the support body (6) at the rear portion (4) thereof, a saddle rail (7), an interchangeable damping system (1), first connection elements (15) for connecting the saddle rail (7) to the front portion (3) and second connection elements (16) for connecting the saddle rail (7) to the rear portion (4), wherein the second connection elements (16) comprise a pair of bushes (20) and respective adjustment ring nuts (28), suitable for compressing at least one elastic element (25) stacked along the pins (12).