Elastomeric Fabric Support Surface With Nonlinear Load Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elastomeric fabric load bearing surfaces deflect excessively under load, causing discomfort due to 'hammocking' and requiring tighter stretching to minimize this effect, which reduces cushion-like feel and increases discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer load bearing surface with varying layers and configurations, including elastomeric fabrics and non-linear patterns, to provide a tunable non-linear force/deflection profile, allowing for regional control and increased support as load increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric fabric is stretched tighter to minimize hammocking and hip rotation, then support and reduction of hammocking is improved, but cushion-like feel is reduced and comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The load bearing surface is divided into multiple elastomeric fabric layers with different properties. The first layer provides initial cushioning and comfort, while the second layer provides additional support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between support and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure of multiple elastomeric fabric layers, where each layer may have different filament compositions, weave patterns, or elastomer content. This composite approach enables the surface to exhibit both cushioning characteristics (from the first layer) and enhanced support characteristics (from the second layer), simultaneously achieving comfort and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If elastomeric fabric is stretched less tightly to maintain cushion-like feel, then comfort is improved, but hammocking increases and support performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support function across multiple layers, the first layer can be stretched less tightly to maintain cushioning and comfort, while the second layer is positioned and configured to provide the necessary support and prevent excessive hammocking. Each layer operates in its optimal tension range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional aspect by stacking multiple layers in the vertical dimension. This allows the system to provide both cushioning (from the compliant first layer) and support (from the second layer) without requiring a single layer to be stretched to extreme tensions, thereby maintaining comfort while improving support performance.
3Device complexity
If single-layer elastomeric fabric is used to simplify construction, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but ability to provide both cushioning and support simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The load bearing surface is segmented into multiple elastomeric fabric layers, each potentially with different properties such as filament type, weave density, or elastomer content. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each layer for specific functions (cushioning vs. support) while maintaining a relatively simple overall construction that can be manufactured using standard techniques.
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 solution provides a comfortable, ventilated, and lightweight load bearing surface that mimics conventional cushion support characteristics, reducing pressure points and enhancing support without compromising comfort, suitable for seating applications.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomeric fabric elastically deflects to provide a resilient, somewhat cushion-like response to a load
Data Source
AI summary
An elastomeric fabric load bearing surface having a non-linear force/deflection profile. In one embodiment, the load bearing surface includes multiple layers, at least one of which is an elastomeric fabric. The various layers cooperate with one another to define a non-linear force/deflection profile. In one embodiment, the load bearing surface includes an upper layer of elastomeric fabric and a lower layer of elastomeric fabric, and the two layers are stretched in different directions. In a second aspect, the load bearing surface includes at least one layer of elastomeric fabric that follows a non-linear pattern. In one embodiment of this second aspect, the fabric defines a body-supporting surface and includes a plurality of undulations away from the body-supporting surface.