Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Recent Patents on Engineering

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1872-2121
ISSN (Online): 2212-4047

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Research Article

Novel Structural Design of a Bicycle Saddle to Fulfill Cyclist Physiological Requirements

Author(s): Wei-Long Chen and Fang-Lin Chao*

Volume 15, Issue 3, 2021

Published on: 19 August, 2020

Page: [396 - 403] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/1872212114999200819154905

open access plus

Abstract

Background: The perineum area that interacts with the saddle is vulnerable; compressing neurovascular tissues has been asserted as the link to pathologies. Existing saddle designs are mainly based on the hole blocks, which are composed of two materials. These composite combined structures increase manufacturing difficulty.

Objective: The injection molding technology is suitable for mass production. We proposed a saddle design to meet the ergonomic requirements of cyclists. Saddle frames present a continuous curvature geometry to ensure improved injection modeling.

Methods: Static numerical calculations and measurements were employed for vertical load evaluations with different stiffness regions acquired using perforated chain patterns. Two-step plastic injection molding was utilized with proper bonding and processing compatibility. In prototyping, the first and second shots are PC and TPE, respectively.

Results: The frame sustains vertical loadings from bending and provides adequate stiffness and proper flexibility. The computer-aided design mold increases the contact area, and annular grooves increase the adhesion between two materials. The outer frame exhibits high rigidity; the middle area exhibits flexibility and high deformation.

Conclusion: This question is widely noticed and various answers have been proposed. By investigating the patent database and searching journal papers on saddle designs, the authors confirmed the novelty of the proposed structure.

Keywords: Bicycle saddle, structural design, cyclist needs, patent analysis, physiological requirements, novel structure.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
https://www.letour.fr/en/
[2]
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/izn20140123-All-Cycling-Are-you-sitting-comfortably--0
[3]
N.J. Dettori, and D.C. Norvell, "Non-traumatic bicycle injuries: a review of the literature", Sports Med., vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 7-18, 2006.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200636010-00002] [PMID: 16445308]
[4]
F.P. Carpes, F. Dagnese, J.F. Kleinpaul, Ede.A. Martins, and C.B. Mota, "Bicycle saddle pressure: effects of trunk position and saddle design on healthy subjects", Urol. Int., vol. 82, no. 1, pp. 8-11, 2009.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000176017] [PMID: 19172089]
[5]
https://sqlab-usa.com/pages/saddle-ergonomics-explained
[6]
S. Chen, The seat pressure is used to explore the design of saddles for different bicycle types and human factors, M.S. thesis, Institute of Industrial Design, Datong University, 2001.https://hdl.handle.net/11296/uf8xm4
[7]
L.R. Keytel, and T.D. Noakes, "Effects of a novel bicycle saddle on symptoms and comfort in cyclists", S. Afr. Med. J., vol. 92, no. 4, pp. 295-298, 2002.
[PMID: 12056361]
[8]
B.D. Lowe, S.M. Schrader, and M.J. Breitenstein, "Effect of bicycle saddle designs on the pressure to the perineum of the bicyclist", Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 1055-1062, 2004.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000128248.40501.73] [PMID: 15179177]
[9]
J. Lin, Design and finite element analysis of new wheelchair saddle cushion, M.S. thesis, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan County, 2000.https://hdl.handle.net/11296/eebbzc
[10]
J.P. Roop, "Computational aspects of F.E.M. approximation of fractional advection-dispersion equations on bounded domains", J. Comput. Appl. Math., vol. 193, no. 1, pp. 243-268, 2006.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cam.2005.06.005]
[11]
M. Heitzer, and M. Staat, "FEM-computation of load carrying capacity of highly loaded passive components by direct methods", Nucl. Eng. Des., vol. 193, no. 3, pp. 349-358, 1999.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0029-5493(99)00190-9]
[12]
J. Martínez, J. Dumas, S. Lefebvre, and L-Y. Wei, "“Structure and appearance optimization for controllable shape design”, A.C.M", Transactions on Graphics, vol. 34, no. 6, p. 229, 2015. [TOG].
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2816795.2818101]
[13]
J.J. Darrow, "The neglected dimension of patent Law’s standard", Harv. J. Law Technol., vol. 23, no. 1, 2009.
[14]
T. Raymond, Importance and functions of the court in the patent system: Court’s perspective, patent seminar, Taipei, 2015.
[15]
S. Li, and Z. Zhang, Progressive judgments methodology - review the United States, Germany and Taiwan, and learning from the practice of Taiwan, vol. 242. Yudan Legal magazine, 2015, pp. 227-259.
[16]
H. Milton, "Patent preparation mandated by the law", J. Pat. Trademark Off. Soc., vol. 89, p. 809, 2007.
[17]
https://twpat-simple.tipo.gov.tw/tipotwoc/tipotwkm?!!FR_542139
[18]
https://twpat-simple.tipo.gov.tw/tipotwoc/tipotwkm?!!FR_I312744
[19]
https://twpat-simple.tipo.gov.tw/tipotwoc/tipotwkm?!!FR_I317710
[20]
https://twpat-simple.tipo.gov.tw/
[21]
https://twpat-simple.tipo.gov.tw/tipotwoc/tipotwkm?!!FR_I402197
[22]
F.P. Carpes, F. Dagnese, J.F. Kleinpaul, Ede.A. Martins, and C.B. Mota, "Effects of workload on seat pressure while cycling with two different saddles", J. Sex. Med., vol. 6, no. 10, pp. 2728-2735, 2009.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01394.x] [PMID: 19627469]
[23]
J.R. Dettori, T.D. Koepsell, P. Cummings, and J.M. Corman, "Erectile dysfunction after a long-distance cycling event: associations with bicycle characteristics", J. Urol., vol. 172, no. 2, pp. 637-641, 2004.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000130749.37731.9f] [PMID: 15247750]
[24]
U. Schwarzer, F. Sommer, T. Klotz, C. Cremer, and U. Engelmann, "Cycling and penile oxygen pressure: the type of saddle matters", Eur. Urol., vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 139-143, 2002.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0302-2838(01)00028-8] [PMID: 12074400]
[25]
E. Bressel, S. Bliss, and J. Cronin, "A field-based approach for examining bicycle seat design effects on seat pressure and perceived stability", Appl. Ergon., vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 472-476, 2009.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2008.10.001] [PMID: 19013548]
[26]
G. Sequenzia, G. Fatuzzo, S.M. Oliveri, and R. Barbagallo, "Interactive re-design of a novel variable geometry bicycle saddle to prevent neurological pathologies", Int. J. Interactive Des. Manuf., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 165-172, 2016.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12008-015-0293-0]
[27]
R.D. Wilkinson, M. Marcus, J. Williams, and T. Carver, "Effect of chamois design on rider comfort and saddle pressure during sub-maximal cycling", Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., vol. 51, no. 6, pp. 52-53, 2019.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000560648.07734.02]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
6
1
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy