Dual-Shell Seating Structure With Flexible Biasing Arrays
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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
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame or shell structure is used to provide structural support, then structural integrity and strength are improved, but flexibility and comfort are worsened due to hard contact points and restricted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The seating structure is divided into multiple support members arranged in biasing arrays, with each support member independently connected to the shell. This segmentation allows each member to flex and adapt to user movement while collectively providing structural support, eliminating the need for a single rigid frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are configured to be movable relative to the shell and to each other, enabling the seating structure to dynamically adapt to user movement. The biasing arrays allow the support members to pivot and deflect, providing continuous adjustment rather than fixed rigid support.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid frame with hard contact points is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but comfort and ergonomic responsiveness are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid frames with flexible support members that can be integrated into the shell structure. These support members are configured to flex and conform to user body shapes, providing ergonomic responsiveness while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through integral formation with the shell.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the shell periphery is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then stability is improved, but the ability to flex and adapt to user movement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are positioned at specific locations within the shell, providing localized structural support where needed while allowing other areas to remain flexible. This local reinforcement approach maintains overall structural stability without compromising the flexibility needed for user adaptation.
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, ergonomic support, enabling the seating structure to adapt to different loads and user positions without compromising structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one connector connecting adjacent support members within each array... The connectors provide for relative movement between the support members, and in one embodiment define pivot joints, for example living hinges
Data Source
AI summary
A seating structure includes a shell having a central portion, opposite outer peripheral edges laterally spaced from opposite sides of the central portion, and at least one biasing array disposed between each of the opposite sides of the central portion and a respective outer peripheral edge. Each of the biasing arrays includes a plurality of spaced apart support members and at least one connector connecting adjacent support members within each array. The biasing array may include a plurality of biasing arrays, with at least one connector connecting adjacent biasing arrays. A second shell may be connected to the outer peripheral edges of the first shell, with an open space defined there between. Each of the opposite outer peripheral edges is independently deflectable in response to a load being applied to the second shell.