Fluid-Connected Bearing Apparatus for Balanced Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure-bearing systems for human bodies, such as chairs, fail to balance pressure evenly across asymmetrical body parts, leading to discomfort and posture issues due to inconsistent weight distribution and pressure on the hips, despite independent height adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A balancing pressure bearing apparatus with a connecting base containing a volume-incompressible fluid, semifluid, or elastic element, and separate bearing components made of elastic or rigid materials, which transmit pressure equally across the body, providing balanced pressure and a comfortable contact sensation through Pascal's principle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If independent height adjustment is provided for left and right cushion portions, then total weight-bearing area is increased and pressure is reduced, but pressure balance between left and right sides is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent connects previously independent left and right cushion portions through a fluid communication system, merging them into a unified pressure balancing mechanism. The fluid connection allows pressure equalization between sides while maintaining independent height adjustment capability, thus resolving the contradiction between increased weight-bearing area and pressure balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) system to transmit and equalize pressure between left and right cushion portions. This allows the system to automatically balance pressure distribution across the weight-bearing surface while maintaining the increased total area benefit, directly addressing the pressure balance issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compression springs are used for height adjustment, then automatic adaptation to hip differences is achieved, but pressure distribution remains uneven due to linear stress-strain relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces or supplements the compression spring mechanism with a fluid communication system that can provide non-linear pressure distribution. The fluid system allows for more sophisticated pressure management that can compensate for asymmetrical body weights and hip positions, achieving both automatic adaptation and even pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of pressure transmission from linear (springs) to fluid-based, allowing for dynamic adjustment of pressure distribution characteristics. This enables the system to adapt to various body types and positions while maintaining balanced pressure across the bearing surface.
3Ease of manufacture
If symmetrical chair surface is used, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot adapt to asymmetrical human body structure causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the chair surface into separate left and right cushion portions that can be independently adjusted in height. This segmentation allows each side to adapt to the user's specific body asymmetry while maintaining a relatively simple symmetrical base structure for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capability to the previously static symmetrical chair surface. The independent height adjustment mechanisms allow the chair to dynamically adapt to the user's body position and asymmetry, transforming a fixed manufacturing simple design into an adaptable system.
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 apparatus effectively reduces and balances pressure on asymmetrical body parts, enhancing comfort and promoting correct posture by ensuring equal pressure distribution across supportive surfaces, suitable for use as cushions, seats, backrests, or mattresses.
Implementation Method 1
a Pascal (Pa) phenomenon may be generated to enable the pressure applied to the fluid, semifluid or elastic element inside the connecting base to be transmitted equally to each portion
Data Source
AI summary
A balancing pressure bearing apparatus including a connecting base and bearing components is provided. Inside the connecting base is any material selected from a volume-incompressibe fluid, semifluid and elastic element, and arranged thereabove is each bearing component. The bearing components have bearing surfaces for supporting any pressing-down human body part and pressure reduction. When the connecting base is pressed down, a Pascal phenomenon is generated for a pressure applied to the fluid, semifluid or elastic element inside the connecting base to be transmitted equally in all directions. Each portion thereof has the same pressure for balancing pressure of the supportive bearing surfaces pressed by any two human body parts, thereby reducing and balancing pressures thereon to achieve a more comfortable contact sensation of pressure release and a correct posture effect. Hence, the invention can serve as a cushion, seat, backrest, mattress or pillow product.