Segmented Saddle Tree with Articulated Bridges for Dynamic Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saddle trees fail to distribute weight optimally on a horse's back without causing additional forces or pressure peaks, especially during dynamic movements, leading to discomfort and potential injuries for the horse.
Innovation Solution
The saddle tree system is divided into segments that can adapt to the horse's back shape changes by using articulated bridges and segments that distribute weight evenly, allowing for deformation without additional forces, and incorporating a flexible layer to minimize friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid saddle tree is used to maintain structural stability, then the saddle can support the rider's weight, but it cannot adapt to the dynamic changes in the horse's back shape during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle tree is divided into multiple segments (front segment, rear segment, and connecting elements) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the rigid structure to adapt to dynamic changes in the horse's back shape while maintaining overall structural stability to support the rider's weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The saddle tree incorporates dynamic connecting elements (such as articulated joints or flexible connectors) between segments that allow controlled movement and rotation. This enables the saddle tree to dynamically adjust its configuration in response to the horse's back deformation during movement, transitioning from a static rigid structure to a dynamically adaptable one.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the saddle tree is made flexible to adapt to back shape changes, then adaptability improves, but the ability to distribute weight optimally deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the saddle tree into distinct rigid sections connected by flexible joints, each segment can independently maintain its shape to distribute weight effectively, while the connections allow adaptation to back shape changes. This prevents the weight distribution deterioration that would occur with a fully flexible structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the saddle tree have different properties: the segments are rigid for optimal weight distribution, while the connecting elements are flexible for adaptation. This local differentiation of rigidity and flexibility allows the system to simultaneously achieve both weight distribution and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional forces are applied to deform saddle components for adaptation, then adaptability to back shape changes improves, but harmful factors increase due to additional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic connecting elements allow the saddle tree segments to move and rotate passively in response to the horse's back deformation, rather than requiring active forces to deform the components. The adaptation occurs through the natural movement capabilities of the articulated structure, eliminating harmful additional forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The saddle tree structure is designed to adapt to back shape changes through its own inherent mechanical properties (articulated joints, segment mobility) without requiring external forces or active control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the horse's natural movement to drive the adaptation process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the saddle is designed to fit individual back shapes, then adaptability to different horses improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmented design allows the saddle tree to be manufactured as standardized components that can be assembled in different configurations. This reduces manufacturing complexity compared to creating entirely custom saddles for each horse, while still achieving individualized fit through the adjustable segment arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated segments and connecting elements can be configured to accommodate various back shapes through adjustment mechanisms, allowing a single saddle design to serve multiple horses with different back conformations. This universal design approach reduces the need for completely different saddles for each horse.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a saddle tree system for a riding or carrying saddle, wherein each of the individual heel regions left and right of the spine consist of a plurality of, preferably three to ten, flat thin shell-like and inherently rigid heel segments (1), which are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction on each side and are slightly separated or slightly overlap in the longitudinal direction, and each of which is adapted to the shape of the back carrying region covered thereby, and each of the adjacent adjacent heel segments on the left and right of the spine is connected to an inherently rigid bridge, wherein said heel segment bridge (2), which also provides the spine freedom, rests in an articulated manner (16) with the ends thereof approximately in the centre of the surface of the heel segments or is rigidly connected (5) to the heel segments, and together with said heel segments forms a saddle tree segment (3). According to the invention, the saddle tree system is able to adjust to a shape of a horse back without impairing the optimum distribution of the weight to be carried.