Shape-Memory Saddle with Differential Rigidity for Thigh Rub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedal-driven vehicle saddles cause discomfort due to continuous rubbing and localized irritations, especially at the inside thigh areas, and have complex constructions and high manufacturing costs, with previous solutions failing to provide user-customized comfort and efficient production processes.
Innovation Solution
A shape-memory saddle structure with a substantially rigid support frame, a yielding pad, and a cover layer, featuring differently deformable portions made of fibrous material and elastomeric material, which can change rigidity and conform to the user's anatomy, combined with a process involving thermoplastic and thermosetting resin to create customized deformable areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid support frame is used to provide structural strength, then the saddle can support user body weight, but it causes discomfort and rubbing at the inside thigh areas
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle employs a differential rigidity system where the support frame has different rigidity characteristics at different locations. The rear portion maintains high rigidity for structural support, while the front portion includes elongate extensions with reduced rigidity to accommodate inside thigh areas and prevent rubbing. This local variation in rigidity resolves the contradiction between overall structural strength and local comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The saddle incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows the front portion to rotate relative to the rear portion, enabling dynamic adaptation to user movements during pedaling. This dynamic capability allows the saddle to maintain contact with the user's body while accommodating thigh movements, reducing rubbing and discomfort while preserving structural support.
2Ease of operation
If a pivoting saddle is used to accommodate rider body movements, then user comfort increases, but mechanical parts wear early and construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle is divided into distinct segments: a rigid rear support portion and a movable front portion with elongate extensions. This segmentation allows the pivoting function to be isolated to specific areas, simplifying the overall mechanical design compared to fully pivoting saddles, while still providing comfort through localized movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting mechanism is extracted and concentrated in the front portion of the saddle, separating the comfort function from the structural support function. This extraction allows the rear portion to remain simple and rigid, while only the necessary front area incorporates the complex pivoting mechanism, reducing overall construction complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic members are placed outside the saddle structure to provide cushioning, then compression is reduced, but the saddle construction becomes more complex and aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning function is merged with the structural frame by incorporating elongate extensions directly into the support frame structure. These extensions are formed as integral parts of the frame, combining the structural and cushioning functions into a single unified structure, thereby eliminating the need for separate external elastic members and reducing construction complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The saddle employs composite construction where the support frame is formed from materials with different rigidity characteristics. The elongate extensions use materials with reduced rigidity compared to the main frame, creating a composite structure that provides both structural support and cushioning within a single integrated component, avoiding the need for separate elastic members.
4Ease of operation
If the base material of the frame is elastically yielding to fit user anatomy, then user comfort is optimized, but the frame cannot permanently maintain the customized conformation
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle employs a two-state material system that transitions from a rigid base state to a deformed customized state during use, then maintains that deformed state permanently. The material exhibits dynamic behavior where it can be temporarily deformed to fit user anatomy during the pedaling process, then retains the customized conformation afterward, combining adaptability with permanent stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame material undergoes parameter changes in its rigidity and deformability characteristics. During manufacturing and initial use, the material allows elastic deformation to fit user anatomy. After deformation, the material's physical or chemical parameters change to lock in the customized conformation permanently, enabling both adaptability and long-term stability.
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 saddle structure effectively reduces discomfort by customizing to the user's body, maintaining optimized structural conformation, and offering a cost-effective, simple construction process, enhancing comfort and durability.
Implementation Method 1
said fibrous material being susceptible to elastic deformation in response to a compression stress by a user, so as to take a final deformed configuration
Implementation Method 2
which is adapted to locally change the rigidity of the membrane by elastically holding it at least partly in the deformed configuration
Implementation Method 3
opening said mold and depositing at least one layer of thermoplastic material therein
Implementation Method 4
impregnating said membrane with a thermosetting resin
Data Source
AI summary
A shape-memory saddle structure, particularly for pedal driven vehicles, comprising a substantially rigid or semirigid support frame (2), means (4) for connecting said frame (2) to a vehicle, a yielding pad (7) secured to the upper face (S) of the frame (2), and a cover layer (5) laid over the yielding pad (3). The frame (2) has one or more portions (6, 6′, 6″) having a different deformability from that of the rest of the frame (2). The portions (6, 6′, 6″) include at least one membrane of fibrous material, which is susceptible to permanent deformation in response to a compression stress by a user, so as to take a deformed configuration. The membrane (7) is closely joined to at least one layer of elastomeric material (8), which is adapted to locally change the rigidity of the membrane (7) by elastically holding it at least partly in the deformed configuration, to customize the frame (2) to the specific user's body.