Split Bicycle Saddle Adjustment for Pelvic Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional single platform bicycle saddles lack support for the ischial tuberosities, ischiopubic rami, and nearby regions, leading to discomfort, numbness, pain, and erectile dysfunction due to pressure on soft tissue, arteries, and nerves, and fail to adjust to individual variations in size and shape.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable saddle design featuring independently adjustable saddle halves with arcuate adjustment channels and fasteners, allowing for pivotal and translational adjustments to accommodate varying pelvic shapes and riding positions, reducing pressure on sensitive areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional single platform saddle design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it does not provide specific support for the ischial tuberosities and ischiopubic rami, leading to discomfort and health issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesaddle structure simplicityVSAvoidsoft tissue pressure and nerve compression
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The saddle is divided into two separate adjustable halves (first saddle half and second saddle half) that can be independently positioned. Each half can be adjusted to provide specific support for the ischial tuberosities and ischiopubic rami, eliminating the need for a single fixed platform design while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The saddle halves are made dynamically adjustable through the arcuate adjustment channels and fasteners, allowing the saddle width and angle to be modified based on individual rider anatomy. This dynamic adaptability ensures proper support for pelvic structures while avoiding soft tissue compression, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and harmful pressure effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a conventional single platform saddle is used, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot adjust to variations in the size and shape of ischiopubic rami of different individuals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesaddle adjustment mechanismVSAvoidaccommodation of individual pelvic variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The saddle incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms with arcuate adjustment channels that allow each saddle half to be independently repositioned. This enables the saddle to adapt to various pelvic structures and riding positions while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the use of straightforward mechanical adjustment systems with fasteners and channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The saddle allows for parameter changes in width and angle through the adjustment channels and fasteners. By modifying these geometric parameters, the saddle can accommodate different sizes and shapes of ischiopubic rami across various riders without requiring complex adaptive mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable saddle design with independently adjustable halves is implemented, then adaptability to individual pelvic structures is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization to pelvic shapeVSAvoidadjustment mechanism components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable saddle is segmented into two independent halves, each with its own adjustment mechanism. This segmentation provides high adaptability to individual pelvic structures while managing device complexity by using repeated, standardized adjustment components (fasteners and arcuate channels) rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism uses universal components (fasteners and arcuate adjustment channels) that serve multiple functions: positioning the saddle halves, allowing width adjustment, and enabling angle modification. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability to different pelvic shapes and riding positions.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3350068B1Adjustable saddle
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 PETTY JON A
  • EP3350068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3350068B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3350068B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An adjustable saddle may include a front mounting bracket with first and second apertures that receive first and second fasteners and a rear mounting bracket with third and fourth apertures that receive third and fourth fasteners. The adjustable saddle may also include first and second saddle half bases that each pivotally attach to the front mounting bracket and slidably translate relative to the rear mounting bracket through first and second arcuate adjustment channels.