Exercise Bicycle Seat Post With Nested Connector Extensions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Exercise bicycles often require additional structural components or inefficient manufacturing processes to provide sufficient support for multiple users, which can be costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A seat post for exercise bicycles featuring a multi-component structure with elongated extensions in the connector, where the lower and upper extensions have lengths at least two-thirds the width of the connector, providing structural integrity and support without additional components, and are designed to fit securely within the vertical and horizontal posts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If additional structural components are added to provide sufficient support for multiple users, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector merges the vertical post and horizontal post into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate structural elements. This unified design provides sufficient support for multiple users while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is segmented into elongated extensions that fit within the posts, creating internal structural support without adding external components. This segmentation allows the single component to provide the structural integrity of multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If additional structural components are added to provide sufficient support for multiple users, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple structural elements into a single connector component, the manufacturing process is simplified. This reduces the number of parts to manufacture, assemble, and inventory, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the vertical and horizontal posts, provides structural support, and accommodates elongated extensions for internal bracing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If elongated extensions are used in the connector, then the structural support is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated extensions are nested within the connector and posts, fitting into internal cavities rather than requiring external alignment. This nesting approach provides structural support through internal geometry that is less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances compared to external joint alignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20240383552A1Exercise bicycle seat post
Publication Date: 2024.11.21 PELOTON INTERACTIVE INC
  • US20240383552A1 patent drawing
  • US20240383552A1 patent drawing
  • US20240383552A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus, such as a seat post for an exercise bicycle, is described. The seat post may comprise a vertical post, which is coupled to a frame of the exercise bicycle, a horizontal post, which supports a seat or saddle of the exercise bicycle, and a connector between the vertical post and the horizontal post. The connector may include elongated extensions, such as extensions that are greater than half a width of the connector.