Variable Damper Seat Post for Cycling Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bicycle saddle pillars are fixed, leading to discomfort, pain, and reduced pedaling efficiency due to repeated collisions between the hip bones and the saddle, as well as friction and vibration transmission during cycling.

Innovation Solution

A variable damper seat post with a flexible damper made of materials like rubber or elastomer, integrated between the saddle rail and the saddle pillar, allowing the saddle to move in response to pedaling, ensuring continuous contact with the ischial tuberosity and reducing friction and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed saddle pillar is used, then the saddle is stably held in position, but the cyclist experiences pain and discomfort due to repeated collisions between the hip bones and the saddle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesaddle position stabilityVSAvoidhip bone collision pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed saddle pillar with a variable damper seat post that allows the saddle to move dynamically in response to cyclist motion. The damper mechanism enables the saddle to follow the natural movement of the cyclist's hip bones during pedaling, eliminating repeated collisions and pain while maintaining stable support through controlled damping action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by introducing a damper mechanism that changes the positional parameter of the saddle based on cycling conditions. The damper adjusts the saddle position dynamically, allowing it to move forward and backward to accommodate the cyclist's hip bone movement, thereby preventing pain while maintaining reliable support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a fixed saddle is used, then the structure is simple, but friction is generated between the hip bones and saddle causing loss of pedaling force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesaddle structure simplicityVSAvoidpedaling force loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The variable damper seat post enables the saddle to move dynamically with the cyclist's hip bones, reducing friction during pedaling. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the sliding friction that occurs with fixed saddles, thereby reducing energy loss and improving pedaling efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful friction effect into a beneficial one by allowing controlled movement. Instead of preventing all movement (which causes friction), the damper enables smooth, controlled motion that reduces friction and energy loss during the pedaling cycle, turning potential energy waste into efficient power transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed saddle pillar is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but vibrations from irregular road surfaces are transmitted continuously to the cyclist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesaddle pillar manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidvibration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damper mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing vibrations from irregular road surfaces before they are transmitted to the cyclist. The damping action prepares for and mitigates shock and vibration impacts, reducing discomfort and fatigue while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process compared to active suspension systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution prevents pain and fatigue by maintaining continuous contact between the saddle and the ischial tuberosity, enhances pedaling efficiency by reducing friction, increases cycling speed, and absorbs vibrations, while being compatible with standard saddles and improving safety during braking.

Implementation Method 1

a damper interposed between the post (10) and the seat connecting body (20) to cause a position of the seat (2) to be varied in response to movement of the buttocks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The variable damper seat post includes a post 10, a seat connecting body 20 coupled to a seat 2 on which buttocks of a cyclist are placed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3530555B1Variable damper seat post

Publication Date: 2024.05.22 LEE SANG ILL

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AI summary

The present invention aims to provide a variable damper seat post, which comprises: a damper base (12) provided at an upper end portion of a post (10); a seat connecting body (20) disposed on the damper base (12) of the post (10) and coupled to a seat (2) on which buttocks of a passenger are seated; a fixing unit (40) for fixing the seat connecting body (20) to the damper base (12); and a damper (30), interposed between the damper base (12) and the seat connecting body (20), for varying positions of the seat (2) depending on the movement of the buttocks on the seat (2), wherein the damper (30) is composed of an elastic member that is pressed when a pressing force is applied and returns back to its original shape when the pressing force is released, and is interposed between the damper base (12) and the seat connecting body (20).