Segmented Contact Elements for Equine Back Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing riding supports fail to provide optimal pressure distribution, ventilation, and massage effects for riding animals, particularly for narrow-built horses and during show jumping, where increased padding and air circulation are necessary to reduce rider weight impact and prevent pressure points.
Innovation Solution
A support with a base body and spaced, parallel contact elements that protrude beyond the base area, providing even pressure distribution, ventilation channels, and a massage effect, designed to adapt to the anatomy of the riding animal, with materials like leather, silicone, or cotton for cushioning and anti-slip properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If additional cushioning layers or separate gel cushions are arranged to provide pressure distribution, then the pressure distribution improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is segmented into multiple contact elements (protrusions) distributed across the surface, each independently providing cushioning support. This segmentation allows pressure distribution without requiring complex layered structures, as each contact element acts as an independent cushioning unit that can be simply attached to the base body.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pad structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the ventilation and massage effects deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is designed with a porous or perforated structure that allows air circulation between and around the contact elements. This porous design provides ventilation channels without requiring complex additional components, maintaining ease of manufacture while enabling effective air flow to prevent sweating and provide cooling effects.
3Stress or pressure
If contact elements are made wider to increase cushioning area, then the pressure distribution improves, but the ventilation channels become narrower reducing air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements have varying dimensions and distributions across different regions of the base body. Contact elements under high-pressure areas are wider for better pressure distribution, while regions requiring ventilation have narrower elements or larger spacing. This local variation optimizes both pressure distribution and air circulation according to the specific functional requirements of different zones.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2e
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AI summary
The invention relates to a support (1) for placing on the back of a riding animal, comprising - at least one base body (2) and - a plurality of contact elements (7), wherein the base body (2) is adaptable to the anatomy of the back of the riding animal and at least partially covers the back of the riding animal, wherein the contact elements (7) are arranged on an underside (6) of the base body (2) so that the contact elements (7) can be brought into contact with the back of the riding animal, wherein the contact elements (7) each protrude at least partially beyond a base surface (8) of the underside (6) of the base body (2).In order to provide a pad (1) that is suitable for riding both with and without a saddle and that is characterized by a good massage effect and good ventilation properties, it is provided that at least one group (11) of spaced-apart and parallel contact elements (7) are arranged on both sides of a central axis (4) of the base body (2), wherein the contact elements (7) are each sewn to the base body (2) along at least one connecting line (15).