Foldable Portable Cushion With Deformable Wall Voids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable seat cushions lack the ability to efficiently fold and unfold for compact storage and use, and their deformable materials do not adequately adapt to provide consistent cushioning and support.

Innovation Solution

A portable cushion design featuring two planar portions that fold relative to each other, with deformable wall members made of elastomeric material that can displace into voids upon deformation, allowing for compact storage and effective cushioning, and optionally including a cover and stabilizing cross-members for enhanced support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional portable seat cushions use simple folding mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to efficiently fold and unfold for compact storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding and unfolding efficiencyVSAvoidfolding mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion is divided into multiple planar portions (first portion, second portion, etc.) that can be independently folded relative to each other. Each portion contains deformable wall members that can be displaced into voids, allowing the cushion to be segmented into compact sections for storage while maintaining structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion employs dynamic deformable wall members made of elastomeric material that can change shape and displacement characteristics based on applied forces. These wall members can be displaced into voids during folding operations and return to their original positions during use, providing adaptive cushioning while enabling efficient folding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If deformable wall members are made from traditional cushioning materials, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adapt and provide consistent cushioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning adaptation capabilityVSAvoidmaterial fabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable wall members are constructed from elastomeric material with specific physical parameters including elongation properties and durometer hardness (e.g., 20-40 Shore A). These parameter changes enable the material to be displaced into voids upon deformation and return to its original shape, providing consistent and adaptive cushioning while remaining manufacturable through standard elastomeric fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the cushion is designed for compact folding, then storage convenience is improved, but the structural stability during use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion portions are designed to fold into a nested configuration where the first portion and second portion can be disposed adjacent to each other in separate planes when folded. The deformable wall members can be displaced into voids between portions, allowing compact nesting for storage while maintaining structural stability when unfolded for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion combines elastomeric material for deformable wall members with void spaces and planar portions to create a composite structure. This composite design allows the cushion to achieve both compact folding capability and structural stability during use, as the elastomeric material provides flexibility for folding while the overall structure maintains integrity when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 cushion can be easily folded and unfolded for storage and use, providing consistent and adaptive support due to the elastomeric material's ability to recover shape and displace into voids, enhancing user convenience and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the deformable wall members comprises an elastomeric material. The deformable wall members are located and configured to define voids therebetween, such that the deformable wall members may be displaced into adjacent voids upon deformation of the deformable wall members.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9051169B2Portable cushions including deformable wall members, and related methods

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 PURPLE INNOVATION LLC

AI summary

Portable cushions include first and second portions that may be folded relative to one another between a folded state in which the cushion may be carried by a user and an unfolded state in which the cushion may be used to cushion the body of a person or another object. Each of the first and second portions of the cushion includes deformable wall members that are located and configured to define voids therebetween, such that the deformable wall members may be displaced into adjacent voids upon deformation of the deformable wall members during cushioning. Methods of manufacturing such portable cushions include the formation of such first and second portions of a cushion.