Human balance work stool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sit-stand devices fail to provide adequate support and mobility for workers, leading to rearward tilt of the pelvis, spinal kyphosis, and limited access to large muscle groups, resulting in discomfort, fatigue, and increased risk of back pain and repetitive strain injuries.
Innovation Solution
A sit-stand device with adjustable height, embedded sacral support, and pneumatic seat post that allows for forward tilt and sacral-pelvic support, combined with spring-loaded casters for stability and portability, enabling users to maintain balanced posture and range of motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sit-stand devices are designed with basic seat and back structures, then they provide some back support, but they fail to provide adequate sacral-pelvic support resulting in rearward tilt of the pelvis and spinal kyphosis
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into multiple functional zones: a seat pan for basic seating, a sacral support portion specifically designed to support the sacral-pelvic region, and a backrest. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function, with the sacral support portion preventing rearward tilt of the pelvis and maintaining proper spinal alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacral support portion is specifically shaped and positioned to provide targeted support to the sacral-pelvic region. It includes a forwardly extending portion that contacts the sacrum and a rearwardly extending portion that contacts the pelvis, creating local quality support where needed rather than uniform support across the entire seat.
2Stability of the object's composition
If sit-stand devices use fixed height designs, then they provide stable support, but they limit user mobility and range of motion required for modern workplace tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a height adjustment mechanism that allows the seat to be dynamically adjusted to different heights. This enables the device to adapt to various workplace configurations and user needs while maintaining stability at each selected height position, providing both stability and versatility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If sit-stand devices lack forward tilt capability, then they maintain upright seating posture, but they cannot accommodate forward-leaning positions typical for modern workers
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is designed with forward tilt capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust from an upright position to a forward-leaning position. This enables workers to maintain proper posture whether sitting upright or leaning forward for tasks, accommodating the dynamic nature of modern workplace activities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stools are used to provide workplace mobility, then workers gain mobility, but they lack back support resulting in muscular strains
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the mobility characteristics of a stool with the back support features of a chair. It includes a seat pan for mobility, a backrest for upper back support, and a sacral support portion for pelvic support, combining the benefits of both stool and chair designs into a single integrated device.
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 device enhances spinal posture, reduces discomfort and fatigue, improves balance and coordination, and increases productivity by providing continuous support and mobility across various work positions.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic seat post
Implementation Method 2
spring-loaded casters
Data Source
AI summary
Novel sit-stand seating devices, more particularly, to sit-stand seats or stools that can tilt forward to provide balanced support for seated to near-standing postures and methods of their use are disclosed. The sit-stand devices are useful, inter alia, to provide stabilized worker positioning to carry out a task for a range of sitting through standing postures in an environment associated with a task for a worker in need thereof.