Positive-Lock Seat Post Lever Assembly for On-Bike Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle seat post designs require significant time and effort to adjust the seat height, often necessitating the rider to be off the bike, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A seat post assembly featuring an inner tube axially movable within an outer tube, with a locking member and actuator system that allows for secure engagement and release at multiple positions, enabling quick and easy height adjustments while the rider is on the bike.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional rigid seat post design is used, then the seat post provides stable support, but adjusting the seat height requires significant time and effort and often necessitates the rider being off the bicycle
Solution Approach 1:
The seat post transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable system with an inner tube that can move axially within the outer tube, allowing height adjustment while maintaining stability through locking members at different positions
Solution Approach 2:
The seat post is divided into separate components: an outer tube, an inner tube, and locking members, allowing independent movement and adjustment of the inner tube relative to the outer tube for height modification
2Adaptability or versatility
If a locking member system is added to enable adjustable positions, then seat height can be changed at multiple locations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members automatically engage with the outer tube at predetermined positions when the inner tube is moved to corresponding locations, eliminating the need for complex manual locking procedures or additional actuating mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a seat post assembly that is adjustable to an upper, intermediate, and lower seat post position using a locking member and a sleeve member coupled to an actuator for securing and releasing an inner tube with respect to an outer tube. The actuator may move the sleeve member to release the locking member from engagement with the outer tube to adjust the inner tube and thus the seat post assembly to the upper, intermediate, or lower seat post positions. The actuator and the sleeve may be biased into an initial position that urges the locking member into engagement with outer tube to lock the inner tube to the outer tube.