Bicycle Seat Assembly Simplified Tube and Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle seat assemblies have complex structures that increase manufacturing costs, require frequent adjustments of components, and complicate process control due to the need for precise matching of dimensions between the seat tube and plug member.
Innovation Solution
A simplified seat assembly design featuring a seat tube with an end portion having angularly-spaced through holes and a plug member with a chamber that can be easily inserted and fixed, allowing for simultaneous formation of the through holes and chamber, enabling easier assembly and adaptation to various sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seat tube has a complex structure with multiple grooves and holes, then the plug member can seal the seat tube, but the manufacturing cost increases and the plug member dimensions must be adjusted frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the complex seat tube structure and relocates it to the plug member. The seat tube is simplified to have only a through hole, while the plug member incorporates a sealing ring that engages with the simplified tube structure, thereby maintaining sealing capability while reducing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the sealing function into a separate component (sealing ring) that can be independently designed and manufactured. The sealing ring is installed on the plug member, allowing the sealing capability to be maintained while the seat tube structure is simplified, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Reliability
If the plug member dimensions are adjusted to match changed seat tube sizes, then the sealing capability is maintained, but the preparation and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of the sealing mechanism by using a sealing ring with an elastic or adaptable material property that can accommodate different seat tube sizes. This allows a single plug member design to work with multiple seat tube dimensions without requiring frequent adjustments, thereby maintaining sealing capability while improving manufacturing flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The plug member with the sealing ring is designed to be universal, capable of fitting multiple seat tube sizes. The sealing ring's design allows it to adapt to different dimensions, making the plug member a multi-functional component that reduces the need for multiple specialized parts, thus lowering preparation and storage costs
3Ease of manufacture
If the seat tube structure is simplified, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the plug member must still seal the simplified structure effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the seat tube structure and placed on the plug member via a sealing ring. This allows the seat tube to be simplified for easier and cheaper manufacturing, while the sealing capability is preserved through the dedicated sealing component on the plug member
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring acts as an intermediary between the simplified seat tube and the plug member. It provides the necessary sealing capability without requiring complex features on the seat tube, thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining reliable sealing performance
4Adaptability or versatility
If the plug member is designed to fit various sizes, then the adaptability increases, but the process control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed with adaptable parameters (such as elastic material properties or adjustable geometry) that allow it to accommodate various seat tube sizes. This design approach maintains process control by using standardized manufacturing parameters for the sealing ring while achieving high adaptability across different applications
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a seat tube, a plug member and a saddle. The seat tube extends along an axis, and has an end portion formed with an opening that has a center coinciding with the axis, and a plurality of angularly-spaced apart through holes that surround the axis. The plug member is plugged into the opening, and has a chamber in spatial communication with the through holes. The saddle includes a saddle body, and a connecting portion connected to the saddle body. The connecting portion has a covering segment covering the end portion, and an inner segment disposed in and connected to the covering segment and filled in the through holes and the chamber.