Compliant seating structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seating structures have rigid frames or shells that limit flexibility and comfort, restricting the ability of body-supporting structures to adapt to user movement and providing hard contact points that reduce ergonomic responsiveness.

Innovation Solution

A seating structure featuring a dual shell design with biasing arrays between the central portion and outer peripheral edges, allowing for independent deflection and flexibility, and incorporating connectors that enable relative movement between support members, providing a soft edge and adjustable support across various body regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid frame or shell is used to support the seat or backrest, then structural strength and stability are improved, but flexibility and comfort are worsened due to hard contact points and restricted movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid frame is segmented into multiple support members connected by flexible connectors, allowing the structure to be divided into movable segments that can adapt to user movement while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces rigid frames with flexible membrane structures that can deflect and conform to body shapes, eliminating hard contact points while providing necessary support through the membrane's inherent flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid central spine is used to allow some twisting, then torsional movement is improved, but hard contact points are created at the connection to the body support member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorsional movementVSAvoidhard contact points

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid central spine is replaced with a flexible membrane structure that provides torsional movement through material flexibility rather than mechanical joints, eliminating hard contact points at connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the support structure by using materials with appropriate flexural and tensile properties that allow controlled twisting and deflection without creating rigid contact points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid shell supporting a cushion is used, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to flex and support the user's body during movement is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility to support user movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid shell is replaced with a flexible membrane structure that maintains stability through its continuous surface while allowing flexing and conforming to user body movements, providing both stability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a static rigid shell to a dynamic flexible membrane structure that can change shape and flex in response to user movement, providing adaptive support while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 dual shell structure enhances user comfort by eliminating hard contact points and allowing for flexible support, enabling the seating structure to adapt to user movements and provide optimized support in specific regions like the lumbar, thoracic, and pelvic areas.

Implementation Method 1

The connectors provide for relative movement between the support members, and in one embodiment define pivot joints, for example living hinges, such that the support members are pivotable about the connectors relative to each other and/or to the central portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11771227B2Compliant seating structure

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 STEELCASE INC

AI summary

A body support structure includes a pair of laterally extending load bearing support segments each having an outer portion coupled to a support structure and an inner portion. Each of the load bearing support segments extends laterally inwardly from the outer portion, and the inner portions are laterally spaced apart so as to define a gap therebetween. A body support member is spaced forwardly from the pair of load bearing support segments. A plurality of links connect the load bearing support segments to the body support member.