Control unit, posture improvement assistance device, and control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing posture notification systems can detect inappropriate seating postures but fail to inform occupants how to correct them, leading to a lack of specific guidance for posture improvement.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that calculates a lumbar curve value from pressure signals using a calculation equation and outputs a schematic human body diagram to visually inform occupants of their posture, along with text indicating the posture type, and applies stimuli through movable bodies to relieve lower back pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to detect posture, then posture detection capability is improved, but the ability to provide specific posture correction guidance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by displaying a schematic human body diagram that visually represents the detected posture. The control unit receives pressure sensor data, calculates lumbar curve values, determines posture types, and feeds back this information through visual displays showing the occupant's current posture state and correction guidance, enabling the occupant to understand and adjust their posture accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that transforms raw pressure sensor data into meaningful posture information. The control unit acts as an intermediary that calculates lumbar curve values from pressure signals, determines posture types based on these values, and generates visual representations that bridge the gap between sensor detection and human understanding of posture correction needs.
2Ease of operation
If only alarm output is used to notify posture issues, then notification capability is improved, but visual perception of actual posture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual display technology that uses color and graphical representations to show the occupant's posture. The control unit outputs schematic human body diagrams that visually depict the detected posture state, allowing the occupant to perceive their actual posture configuration rather than just receiving an alarm notification, thereby enabling informed posture correction.
3Measurement precision
If lumbar curve value calculation is implemented, then quantitative posture determination is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives pressure sensor signals, calculates lumbar curve values, determines posture types, and generates visual displays. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the patent achieves quantitative posture determination without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the control unit acts as a multi-functional processing center.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided a control unit, a posture improvement assistance device, and a control method that can notify a seated occupant of a posture of the seated occupant. A control unit can determine a posture of a seated occupant seated in a chair, and control a display device to output a determination result. The control unit includes an acquisition unit that acquires pressure signals output by pressure sensors provided in a plurality of respective movable bodies built into the chair; a calculation unit that calculates a lumbar curve value, which is an index related to the posture of the seated occupant, by inputting a plurality of the pressure signals into a predetermined calculation equation; a determination unit that determines the posture of the seated occupant based on the lumbar curve value; and an output control unit that controls the display device to output a schematic human body diagram corresponding to a determination result of the determination unit.