Spring-Loaded Stirrup Bracket for Jump Impact Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing riding saddles do not effectively dampen impact loads, particularly during a horse's jump, while maintaining normal functionality during other phases of movement.
Innovation Solution
A saddle with a damping device between the stirrup bar and saddle tree, or between the saddle flap and knee roll, using cams and sliding pieces to distribute and dampen load during specific phases, such as when the horse lands after a jump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damping device is added to the saddle to dampen impact loads during jumping, then the comfort and safety during jumping is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is nested within the existing stirrup bar structure. The rocker arm is integrated with the stirrup bar, and the spring element is positioned within the space created by the rocker arm's movement path, allowing the damping function to be added without requiring separate external components or significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirrup bar is transformed from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic system with a rocker arm that can pivot and a spring element that can compress and extend. This dynamic configuration allows the structure to adapt its stiffness characteristics based on the riding phase - providing flexibility during impact absorption while maintaining structural integrity during normal riding.
2Reliability
If a damping device is added to dampen impact loads, then the load distribution over time is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to potential interference with normal riding
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is designed to activate periodically only during impact phases such as landing after a jump. The spring element compresses during impact events and then returns to its original position, creating a periodic damping action that coincides with the periodic nature of jumping activities while remaining inactive during normal riding phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffness parameter of the stirrup bar system is changed dynamically through the spring element. During normal riding, the spring remains in its uncompressed state, maintaining the standard firmness of the stirrup bar. During impact, the spring compresses, changing the effective stiffness to absorb impact energy, thereby adapting the mechanical properties to the specific riding conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the stirrup bar is made rigid for normal riding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to dampen impact loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrup bar is segmented into multiple functional components: a fixed portion attached to the saddle tree, a pivoting rocker arm portion, and a spring element. This segmentation allows different parts to serve different functions - the fixed portion provides stable mounting, the rocker arm provides pivoting motion for damping, and the spring element provides elastic energy storage and release for impact absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-positioned and pre-loaded in a compressed state ready to absorb impact before it occurs. During normal riding, the spring is in its initial compressed position, providing readiness to cushion. When impact occurs, the spring can immediately begin compressing further to absorb the impact energy, eliminating the need for active control or reaction time.
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 provides effective damping during impact phases without interfering with normal riding, ensuring comfort and safety by distributing load over time.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (11), in particular a tension spring, a compression spring or a gas spring
Implementation Method 2
damping device (100) according to one of the preceding claims
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A riding saddle comprising a saddle tree, a seat arranged thereon, and, on each side of the saddle, a stirrup holder attached to the saddle, which is particularly designed in the form of a hook. The saddle is characterized by one or a common damping device on each side of the saddle between the saddle tree and each stirrup holder and/or between the saddle tree and a saddle flap supporting a knee roll and/or between a saddle flap and a knee roll attached thereto, which damping device has a guide.