Adaptive Air Cushion Pressure Control for Peak Force Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for minimizing force concentrations on the human body using air bladder systems are inadequate, as they do not effectively account for forces transferred to adjacent cells when pressure is adjusted in individual cells, leading to suboptimal distribution of load weight and increased force concentrations on other cells.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive cushion system with a matrix of individually pressurizable air bladder cells and an array of surface force sensors, where an electronic control system dynamically adjusts the inflation pressures of each cell based on real-time force measurements to minimize force concentrations across the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If real-time force measurements are implemented for each cell, then dynamic pressure adjustment is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Force sensors are integrated into the structure of each air bladder cell, serving dual functions: monitoring force concentrations and triggering pressure adjustments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing and actuating systems, thereby managing complexity while enabling real-time adaptive pressure control across all cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically processes force sensor data and adjusts air bladder pressures without requiring external intervention or complex manual calibration. The system self-regulates by interpreting sensor feedback and making real-time pressure adjustments, reducing the operational complexity for users while maintaining high adaptability.
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 system effectively reduces peak forces on body parts by dynamically adjusting air pressures in each air bladder cell, minimizing tissue damage and discomfort by optimizing the distribution of weight across the cushion.
Implementation Method 1
A body force minimization apparatus according to the present invention includes an adaptive cushion for placement on a mattress or chair, the cushion having a matrix of air bladder cells which are individually pressurizable by means of an air compressor and valves to variable pressures.
Implementation Method 2
The array having at least one sensor in vertical alignment with each air bladder cell of the cushion. The sensor array includes stretchable fabric row and column conductors which have sandwiched between inner facing conductive surfaces thereof a stretchable fabric sheet coated with a piezoresistive material.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive cushion for reducing pressure on body parts of a person positioned on a chair or bed includes an overlay cushion having a plurality of individual air bladder cells, each having thereon a force sensor. The cushion includes a controller for inflating and deflating individual air bladder cells to air pressures that tend to reduce the interface pressures sensed by the force sensors. A pressure reduction method includes varying the inflation pressure in a first air bladder cell while measuring the sum of the interface pressures exerted on all or a plurality of the air bladder cells, re-pressurizing the first cell to that air pressure for which a minimum total interface pressure was obtained, repeating this process for the remaining air bladder cells.