Floor Systems Using Mechanical and EAP Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stress reduction, such as neuro-feedback and physical relaxation techniques, are often impractical for immediate use, and existing therapeutic body support structures fail to effectively induce relaxation in a convenient manner.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mechanical transducers and electro-active polymer (EAP) transducers integrated into body support structures, such as floors and beds, that generate tactile stimulation through tonal vibrations in response to tonal frequency signals, providing a convenient means for stress reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If neuro-feedback and physical relaxation techniques are used for stress reduction, then stress levels can be reduced, but these methods are impractical for immediate use and require significant time investment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical relaxation methods (manual massage, physical exercise) with electro-active polymer transducers that generate tactile stimulation through electrical activation. This substitution enables immediate stress reduction without requiring physical effort or time investment from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect user stress levels and trigger appropriate tactile stimulation patterns without requiring user intervention. The body support structure serves itself by monitoring and responding to user needs, making stress reduction accessible immediately when needed.
2Ease of operation
If therapeutic body support structures provide tactile stimulation through transducers, then relaxation can be induced conveniently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transducer system with the body support structure itself, integrating electro-active polymer transducers directly into the mattress or chair. This combination eliminates the need for separate relaxation devices while providing therapeutic tactile stimulation, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The body support structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, monitors user physiological states through sensors, and delivers therapeutic tactile stimulation through transducers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If existing body support structures are used without transducers, then device complexity remains low, but they fail to effectively induce relaxation in a convenient manner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and response characteristics of the body support structure by incorporating electro-active polymer transducers that respond to electrical signals with tactile movements. This parameter change enables the structure to actively induce relaxation while maintaining relatively simple integration with the existing support framework.
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 integration of transducers into body support structures effectively induces tactile stimulation, facilitating relaxation and stress reduction by transmitting musical tonal frequencies, making it a practical solution for immediate stress relief.
Implementation Method 1
generating tonal vibrations in said mechanical transducer in response to a tonal frequency signal that is applied to said mechanical transducer so that said tonal vibrations relating to said tonal frequencies are transmitted to said vibrational plate and to said floor deck
Implementation Method 2
generating tonal vibrations, in said EAP transducers in response to said tonal frequency signal, that are transmitted to said floor deck to induce said tactile stimulation of said user
Implementation Method 3
attaching isolators to said floor deck to isolate said floor deck from a floor base
Data Source
AI summary
Transducers and resonators are embedded in body support structures in contact with a user to for the purpose of conveying musical sound energy to a user's body at selected frequencies and in selected patterns. Body support structures comprise beds, pillows, chairs, and other structures typically used to support people. The sound may be audio tones and/or music. The transducers and resonators may be incorporated into a foam component or in a coil spring component of the body support structure. Latex-type foams and beds made with springs are candidate body support structures for receiving transducer's and resonators. Electro-active polymers are also used as transducers. Floor systems are activated by both mechanical transducers and electro-active polymers.