Bicycle Seat with Segmented Tongue-Shaped Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle saddles cause pathological issues due to compressive forces and friction on anatomical areas, leading to chronic pain and tissue lesions, and fail to provide adequate support and stability, especially during static positions.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle seat with two separate seat elements, each featuring a tongue-shaped surface with a horizontal proximal and upwardly curved distal portion, allowing for better distribution of compressive forces and improved stability by supporting the user's ischial tuberosities and outer thigh areas, with the ability to pivot for optimal alignment and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fixed saddles are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but compressive forces concentrate on limited anatomical areas causing pathologies
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into two separate seat elements instead of a single unified saddle. Each element can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the compressive forces to be distributed across multiple contact points (proximal and distal seating surfaces) rather than concentrating on a limited area. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by reducing harmful compressive forces while accepting increased structural complexity through multiple components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If articulation mechanisms are added to reduce body swaying, then stability during pedaling improves, but compressive forces on sensitive anatomical areas increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the traditional continuous saddle surface that contacts the perineal area. By using two separate seat elements with tongue-shaped surfaces positioned laterally, the design removes the harmful compressive contact zone while maintaining stability through the articulated support of the two elements. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating harmful compression while preserving stability benefits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single saddle design is used, then manufacturing and installation are simple, but adaptability to different users and morphologies is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The two seat elements are designed as universal components that can be independently adjusted and positioned to accommodate different user morphologies, anatomical variations, and cycling styles. Each element can be separately mounted at different positions and angles, providing multi-functional adaptability for various users without requiring completely different seat designs. This universality resolves the contradiction by enhancing adaptability while managing complexity through standardized adjustable components.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If wider seat surfaces are used to distribute forces, then contact area increases, but support for static stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single broad horizontal support surface to two elongated tongue-shaped surfaces extending in the longitudinal dimension. This dimensional change allows force distribution along the length of each tongue-shaped surface while maintaining adequate lateral support width. The proximal and distal surfaces create a distributed support system that enhances both force distribution and static stability through extended contact zones in the longitudinal direction.
Data Source
AI summary
An ergonomic seat for a cycle and a manufacturing method of said seat comprise two seating surfaces that are curved upward and forward to allow a user to be supported continuously in the precise anatomical regions situated under each ischium, under the upper dorsal part of the thighs as far as a ventro-lateral part of the thighs in the region of the acetabulums, and passing via each of the creases of the superficial dorso-lateral region of the body which join the thigh to the buttock.