Horse Bit Shackle Linear Concave Profile Reduces Mouth Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horse bits often cause discomfort due to high pressure on the horse's mouth tissues, leading to mouth opening, as they typically have circular or elliptic cross-sectional profiles with small radii of curvature, resulting in single-point contact and concentrated pressure.
Innovation Solution
A horse bit shackle with a linear or concave cross-sectional profile that increases the surface area of contact, reducing pressure and improving stability by distributing force more evenly across the tongue and lip tissues, thereby enhancing comfort and effectiveness in conveying rider commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a circular or elliptic cross-sectional profile with small radius of curvature is used, then the bit structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the contact area with mouth tissue is small resulting in high pressure and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies the principle of curvature by transitioning from a circular/elliptic cross-sectional profile with small radius of curvature to a profile with large radius of curvature (such as rectangular, square, or D-shaped). This increased curvature radius directly enlarges the contact area with the horse's mouth tissue, distributing the applied force over a larger surface and reducing contact pressure, thereby eliminating discomfort and mouth-opening behavior.
2Ease of manufacture
If a circular or elliptic cross-sectional profile is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the bit causes discomfort leading to mouth opening and reduced effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the shackle cross-section from circular/elliptic shapes with small radii to shapes with large radii of curvature (rectangular, square, D-shaped). This parameter change increases the contact surface area with the horse's mouth, improving comfort and keeping the mouth closed, which in turn enhances the reliability of command transmission from rider to horse without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Stress or pressure
If a larger surface area contact profile is used, then pressure distribution improves and comfort increases, but the mouthpiece profile becomes thicker
Solution Approach 1:
By adopting cross-sectional profiles with large radius of curvature such as rectangular, square, or D-shaped sections, the invention achieves enhanced pressure distribution across the mouth tissue. The increased curvature radius naturally provides a larger contact area that improves comfort while the geometric efficiency of these shapes allows maintaining or even reducing the overall mouthpiece thickness compared to traditional circular profiles.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a horse bit comprising a shackle (20) configured to be inserted into a horse's mouth. The shackle (20) extends along a longitudinal path (A) and has a first end (22) and a second end (24) for attachment of cheeks (120, 130, 140, 150). In a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal path (A) the shackle (20) has at least one shackle surface region (30) comprising a linear or a concave surface profile section (32, 34).