Height-adjustable seatpost with shock absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjustable bicycle seatposts often result in a discrepancy between the rider's expected and actual saddle height after adjustment, leading to the saddle being raised unexpectedly due to the release of pressure from the shock absorber when the rider gets off, causing an unintended increase in saddle height.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable seatpost design featuring an outer and inner tube with a stop flange and stopper mechanism, combined with a shock absorber, ensures that the inner tube's position relative to the outer tube remains consistent before adjustment, minimizing the difference between expected and actual travel distances, thereby preventing unexpected saddle height changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shock absorber is used to provide preload and absorb shocks, then riding comfort is improved, but the saddle height becomes unpredictable when the rider gets off
Solution Approach 1:
The stop flange is pre-positioned to abut against the stopper, creating a mechanical constraint that prevents the inner tube from moving upward when the shock absorber releases. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the unwanted upward movement before it can occur, ensuring the saddle returns to its original position rather than jumping to an unexpected height.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop flange and stopper mechanism is pre-configured in the system to establish a defined travel limit for the inner tube. This preliminary action sets up the boundary conditions that control the inner tube's movement, ensuring predictable saddle height behavior both during and after adjustment operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner tube moves up due to shock absorber pressure release, then the saddle height increases, but the actual height differs from expected height
Solution Approach 1:
The stop flange abutting the stopper creates a mechanical constraint that prevents excessive upward movement of the inner tube. This preliminary anti-action ensures that even when the shock absorber releases pressure, the inner tube cannot move beyond the predetermined stop position, thereby maintaining precision in saddle height adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop flange acts as an intermediary element between the inner tube and the stopper, providing a controlled interface that limits the inner tube's upward travel. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the saddle height precision is maintained by preventing uncontrolled movement while still allowing the necessary adjustment range.
3Ease of operation
If the rider gets off the saddle to adjust height, then the pressure on the shock absorber is released, but the inner tube moves up unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The stop flange and stopper are pre-positioned to create a mechanical constraint that counteracts the upward movement tendency of the inner tube when shock absorber pressure is released. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the saddle position remains stable during the adjustment process, even when the rider is not applying weight to the seat.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on the shock absorber's elastic recovery force to control the inner tube position, the invention inverts the approach by using a mechanical stop (stop flange and stopper) to limit the movement. This inverted approach prioritizes mechanical constraint over elastic force control, ensuring predictable behavior during adjustment operations.
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
This design effectively reduces the likelihood of the saddle being raised to an unexpected height by maintaining the inner tube's position relative to the outer tube, ensuring a consistent adjustment experience and improved rider comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorber (40) having two ends respectively abutted against the head (21) of the inner tube (20) and the stopper (34)
Data Source
AI summary
A height-adjustable seatpost with shock absorption includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a height adjustment mechanism, and a shock absorber. The inner tube is vertically movable disposed in the outer tube and includes a head located outside the outer tube and a bottom situated inside the outer tube. The height adjustment mechanism is located inside the inner tube and is configured to drive the inner tube to move relative to the outer tube. The height adjustment mechanism includes a stopper positioned above a stop flange on an inner wall of the inner tube and can be abutted against the stop flange. The shock absorber has two ends respectively abutted against the head of the inner tube and the stopper. The above-described design of the seatpost can prevent the saddle from being raised to an unexpected height for the rider.