Lattice Body Support Structure for Ergonomic Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body support structures, such as chairs, often feature rigid frames and hard contact points that limit flexibility and ergonomic responsiveness, restricting the ability to comfortably support users as they move, and require complex assembly processes with multiple parts and costly tooling.
Innovation Solution
A body support structure incorporating a lattice structure with a structural lattice, a compressive lattice, and a skin lattice, connected by angled connectors, allowing for flexibility and compliance, and manufactured using additive manufacturing to eliminate the need for complex tooling and reduce assembly costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame is used to provide structural support, then strength and stability are improved, but flexibility and ergonomic responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid frame is segmented into multiple lattice structures comprising vertical members, horizontal members, and diagonal members that can independently deform. This segmentation allows the frame to maintain overall structural strength while enabling localized flexibility and ergonomic responsiveness through the coordinated deformation of individual lattice elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure transitions from a static rigid frame to a dynamic system where members can deform elastically under load. The vertical, horizontal, and diagonal members are configured to allow controlled deformation that adapts to user movement, providing ergonomic responsiveness while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected lattice geometry.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hard contact points are used in the frame, then structural stability is improved, but comfort and ergonomic responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure implements local quality by configuring vertical, horizontal, and diagonal members with specific geometric relationships that create zones of varying stiffness. Areas requiring comfort and ergonomic responsiveness are designed with member arrangements that allow greater deformation, while areas requiring structural stability maintain tighter geometric configurations, providing both comfort and stability within the same frame.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple assemblies and parts are used to achieve desired functionality, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into the lattice frame structure itself. The vertical, horizontal, and diagonal members collectively provide structural support, ergonomic adaptation, and mechanical functionality in a single integrated assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate assemblies and parts, reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining functional versatility through the geometric configuration of the lattice elements.
4Reliability
If conventional manufacturing with multiple parts is used, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice frame structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through the interconnected members, enables ergonomic adaptation through controlled deformation of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal elements, and reduces manufacturing complexity by functioning as an integrated assembly. This multi-functionality allows a single lattice structure to replace multiple separate components, meeting all functional requirements while simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A body support structure includes a structural lattice structure having a first stiffness, and a compressive lattice structure supported by the structural lattice structure and having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. A skin lattice structure is supported by the compressive lattice structure, wherein the skin lattice structure is resistant to shear deformation in response to a normal force and is expandable in a direction transverse to the normal force.