Cellular Cushion Support Material for Stable Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular cushions for individuals in wheelchairs often lack stability and can cause tissue breakdown due to uneven weight distribution, especially for users with deformities or lack of muscular strength, as they may bottom out when pressure is decreased, and are costly to manufacture with contoured surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A cellular cushion design featuring a flexible base with hollow cells in flow communication, coupled via channels, and containing support material within the cells to enhance stability and prevent bottoming out, with the option to adjust pressure for immersion depth control and ergonomic contour changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cells are made with varying heights or contoured outer surfaces to provide additional support and stability, then user stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing support material selectively within specific cells rather than making all cells uniformly contoured. This allows targeted support in areas needing additional stability while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to manufacture. The support material is inserted into individual cells based on the user's specific needs, providing localized enhancement without complex manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If pressure in cells is decreased to allow user control of immersion depth and posture, then user comfort and positioning are improved, but users with deformities or weak muscles may bottom out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-placing support material within the cells before the user sits down. This support material acts as a backup mechanism that prevents bottoming out before it can occur. When users with deformities or weak muscles decrease the pressure, the support material is already in position to prevent complete cell compression and maintain reliable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical properties of the cells through the addition of support material. This changes the compression characteristics and pressure distribution parameters of the cells, allowing them to maintain support reliability even when pressure is decreased for user positioning control. The support material alters how the cells respond to compression forces.
3Ease of manufacture
If all cells are at the same pressure to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing ease is improved, but stability for the seated individual decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by maintaining uniform cell pressure for easy manufacturing while introducing local quality through selective support material placement. The support material creates localized variations in cell properties without requiring different manufacturing processes for each cell. This allows all cells to be manufactured identically at the same pressure while still achieving enhanced stability through the strategically placed support material in specific cells.
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 cushion provides increased stability and comfort by distributing weight evenly, preventing bottoming out and allowing for adjustable pressure distribution, while being cost-effective to manufacture and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of cells are coupled together in flow communication via a plurality of channels extending between the cells
Implementation Method 2
The support material is inserted within at least one of the hollow cells. The second layer coupled to the first layer such that the support material is between an inner surface of said at least one of the hollow cells and the second layer
Data Source
AI summary
A cellular cushion includes a base, a plurality of hollow cells, and support material. The base includes at least a first layer and a second layer. The plurality of hollow cells are coupled to, and extend outward from, only one of the first layer and the second layer. Each of the plurality of cells extends from a root defined at only one of the first layer and the second layer outwardly to an outer end. The plurality of cells are coupled together in flow communication via a plurality of channels extending between the cells. The support material is inserted within at least one of the hollow cells. The second layer coupled to the first layer such that the support material is between an inner surface of said at least one of the hollow cells and the second layer.