Body Support Membrane with Variable Stiffness for Weight Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body support structures, such as seating systems, face challenges in achieving healthy posture while maintaining structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness, often resulting in complex designs that are heavy and costly, and may encourage unhealthy postures due to lack of stability and adaptability to user weight.
Innovation Solution
A body support structure featuring two supporting arms with a fabric or membrane stretched between them, utilizing a kinematic mechanism with levers and connecting links that allow the seat to adjust its angle and position in response to user movement, distributing weight evenly without the need for spring-based energy storage, thus providing stability and comfort across varying user weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a seat is automatically adapted to body weight using complex mechanisms, then adaptability to different users is improved, but device complexity and weight increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the membrane material itself to achieve adaptability. By using a membrane with specific elastic properties, stretch characteristics, and tensioning mechanisms, the system automatically adapts to different body weights without complex mechanical adjustments. The membrane's inherent material properties enable it to conform to various user weights and body shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical spring-based suspension systems with a membrane-based system that relies on material elasticity and tensioning. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, articulations, and spring mechanisms while achieving the same load-supporting and adapting functions through the membrane's physical properties.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spring-based energy storage mechanisms are used for weight distribution, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes spring-based mechanical energy storage and release mechanisms with a membrane system that distributes weight through continuous elastic deformation and tensioning. The membrane absorbs and releases energy through its material properties rather than through discrete spring components, eliminating the need for complex spring assemblies while maintaining weight distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes from discrete spring elements with specific force characteristics to a continuous membrane with distributed elastic properties. By adjusting membrane tension, material selection, and geometric configuration, the system achieves weight distribution adaptability without the complexity of multiple spring components and their associated mounting mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structural elements are used for stability, then structural integrity is improved, but adaptability to user movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a membrane as the primary structural element that provides both stability and adaptability. The membrane maintains structural integrity through tensioning and proper boundary conditions while simultaneously adapting to user movement through its flexible nature. This eliminates the need for rigid structural elements that would compromise adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from static rigid structures to a dynamic membrane system that continuously adjusts its configuration in response to applied loads. The membrane's ability to deform and redistribute stresses allows it to maintain stability while adapting to various user positions and movements, creating a dynamically stable structure.
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 enables comfortable seating for individuals of different weights without requiring adjustments for specific weights, promoting healthy posture by distributing weight kinematically and maintaining structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a stretchable, flexible membrane (56) which is connected to the laterally spaced beams (6) so as to define a body support surface
Implementation Method 2
The side edges (290) of the membrane (56) are folded over and overmolded with a carrier member (294)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A body support structure comprising a membrane having a first region with a first stiffness and a second region with a second stiffness, wherein said second stiffness is greater than said first stiffness.