Vehicle Saddle Molding Using Support Component Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing support elements for the human body, such as bicycle saddles, face challenges in maintaining dimensional stability of padding materials, making it difficult to couple with support bases, and complicating the trimming process due to the soft nature of the padding.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a moulding unit with a punch element and a die component, where a support component is integrated with the padding, ensuring dimensional stability and facilitating the trimming process by providing a rigid guide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the padding is extracted from the mould and bound to the plastic base later, then the padding can be made separately, but it loses dimensional stability and becomes difficult to couple with the plastic base

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparate production of paddingVSAvoiddimensional stability of padding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a support component with a predetermined shape and size before the padding production. This support component is positioned in the mould cavity to define the exact dimensions and shape that the padding must conform to, ensuring dimensional stability is established in advance before the padding material is applied and cured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the padding is made of soft material, then it provides comfort, but trimming becomes difficult as the tool lacks a rigid guide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of paddingVSAvoidtrimming process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the support component as an intermediary element during the trimming process. The support component, being rigid and structurally stable, serves as a guide for the trimming tool, allowing precise trimming of the soft padding material. The support component mediates between the soft padding and the trimming tool, providing the necessary rigidity for accurate cutting while the padding itself retains its soft comfort properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the support component is integrated with the padding, then dimensional stability is maintained, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stability of paddingVSAvoidstructure of support element
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support component with the padding by integrating them into a single unified structure. The support component is positioned within the mould cavity and the padding material is applied over it, creating a combined assembly where the support component provides structural stability and the padding provides comfort. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces overall structural complexity despite the integration of multiple functional elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The method allows for the production of high-quality support elements with improved precision and speed, enabling easier assembly and ensuring consistent quality, even when padding and support bases are not coupled immediately.

Implementation Method 1

providing a support component (122) having a predetermined shape and size... ensuring dimensional stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDimensional stability:

Implementation Method 2

facilitating the trimming process by providing a rigid guide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRigid guide:

Data Source

PatentEP4359190B1Method for making a support element for the human body, such as a saddle of a vehicle, support element so obtained and relative molding unit
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 SELLE ROYAL SPA
  • EP4359190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4359190B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4359190B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing a support element for the human body, a support element for the human body obtainable by the above-mentioned method, and a moulding unit for producing a support element for the human body.