Dual-Hinged Elastomeric Spring for Dynamic Seating Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seating solutions fail to adequately incorporate movement, which is recognized as essential for cognitive development and comfort, particularly for children and adults, as they often restrict natural physical activity and do not provide the necessary dynamic support for optimal cognitive function and relaxation.
Innovation Solution
A dual-hinged spring assembly comprising elastomeric arcs with upward and downward ends, forming an ovoid spring that compresses under pressure, allowing for cyclic motion when secured to a surface, providing a rocking motion that can be adjusted for amplitude and frequency to enhance cognitive abilities and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional seating solutions are used, then structural stability is maintained, but natural physical movement is restricted leading to reduced cognitive performance and increased occupational injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static seating structure into a dynamic system by incorporating springs with dual hinges that allow cyclic compression and rocking motion. The springs enable the seating to adapt dynamically to user movement while maintaining stability through their elastic properties and hinge mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring assembly is divided into multiple segments including upper and lower arcs with dual hinges, allowing independent movement at each hinge point. This segmentation enables complex rocking and compression motions while distributing structural loads across multiple connection points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If movement is incorporated into seating, then cognitive development and comfort are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables cyclic compression for cognitive enhancement, allows rocking motion for comfort, and adapts to different user weights and movement patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The springs are designed with specific elastomeric material properties and geometric parameters (arc radii, hinge positions, thickness) that can be adjusted to optimize different movement characteristics. By changing these parameters, the same basic spring structure can accommodate various cognitive enhancement requirements and user preferences.
3Reliability
If dual-hinged springs are used to enable movement, then occupational injuries are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The springs utilize elastomeric arcs that can be manufactured as flexible thin-walled structures. These elastomeric components can be produced using molding techniques, allowing complex curved geometries with hinges to be manufactured in a single process step, reducing assembly complexity despite the intricate shapes required for safe movement.
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-hinged spring assembly promotes cognitive enhancement and comfort by allowing natural movement, reducing occupational injuries, and providing a calming effect, suitable for various applications from childcare to office seating, with customizable amplitudes and frequencies for different uses.
Implementation Method 1
two elastomeric arcs including an upper arc having downward ends, and a lower arc having upward ends, the upward ends of the lower arc being movably connected to the downward ends of the upper arc
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-hinged spring assembly. One assembly comprises two elastomeric arcs including an upper arc having downward ends, and a lower arc having upward ends, the upward ends of the lower arc being movably connected to the downward ends of the upper arc, thereby forming an ovoid spring. Further, when the lower arc is secured against a supporting surface, pressure against the upper arc causes the dual-hinge spring to compress.