Bicycle Saddle Snap-Engagement Frame for Stress Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle saddle frames experience instability and high stress concentration due to rigid but elastic rail connections, requiring complex pre-tensioning and calibration, which adds weight and restricts performance, especially in competitions.

Innovation Solution

A frame structure with snap engagement means at the shell and rails for easy and stable connection, eliminating the need for receptacles and pre-tensioning, allowing optimized stress distribution and reduced weight, featuring a shell with a top user-supporting surface and bottom surface with projecting fins or edges for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid but elastic saddle rails are used for connection, then connection stability is improved, but stress concentration increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidstress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible snap engagement means that can elastically deform during assembly and then lock into place. The shell includes snap elements that flex outward to allow rail insertion, then snap back to engage the rails securely, providing both flexibility during assembly and rigid stability during use, while distributing stress across the snap engagement surfaces rather than concentrating it at single points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If receptacles are provided on the shell for rail connection, then connection stability is improved, but saddle weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidsaddle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the traditional receptacle structure entirely from the shell. Instead, the snap engagement means are integrated directly into the shell body as protruding elements, and the rails contain corresponding engagement features. This extraction of the receptacle concept reduces material usage and saddle weight while maintaining secure connection through the snap mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If pre-tensioning step is used for rail mounting, then connection stability is improved, but assembly complexity and equipment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The snap engagement means are designed to be self-assembling without requiring external tensioning equipment. The shell's snap elements are pre-configured to flex outward automatically when rails are inserted, allowing the connection to be made by simple manual insertion. After insertion, the snaps automatically lock into place on the rails, providing stable connection without any pre-tensioning step or specialized assembly equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If snap engagement means are used for connection, then assembly simplicity is improved, but connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The snap engagement system employs dynamic elements that transition from a flexible state during assembly to a rigid locked state during use. The snap elements on the shell are designed to flex outward dynamically to accommodate rail insertion, then snap back forcefully to engage the rails with significant locking force. This dynamic behavior provides both ease of assembly and strong connection strength, combining the benefits of simple assembly with robust mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 snap engagement mechanism provides a lightweight, compact, and stable connection that simplifies assembly, reduces stress on the shell, and optimizes pressure distribution, enhancing performance without the need for pre-tensioning, making it suitable for competitions.

Implementation Method 1

said shell having a front portion and a rear portion... means for stable connection between said rails and said shell... snap engagement means at least at one of said front and rear portions of said shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7918500B2Quick-mount frame structure, particularly for bicycle saddles or similar supports, process of making such structure and saddle incorporating same

Publication Date: 2011.04.05 SELLE ROYAL SPA

AI summary

A quick-mount frame structure, particularly for bicycle saddles and similar supports. The structure comprises at least one shell (2) having a top user-supporting surface (6) and a bottom surface (7), said shell (2) having a front portion (8) and a rear portion (9), saddle rails (3) for attachment of said shell (2) to a movable or stationary support, said rails (3) having an outer peripheral edge (10) and means for stable connection between said rails (3) and said shell (2). The connection means include snap engagement means (11) at least at one of said front (8) and rear (9) portions of said shell (2) for quick connection between the shell (2) and the rails (3). A process for making the above structure, and a saddle incorporating such structure.