Asymmetrical Lumbar Cushion Rotation for Adaptive Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lumbar support belts lack adaptability to the evolving needs of the wearer and specific activities, requiring multiple belts for different support configurations, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A cushion designed for lumbar support belts with removable assembly means on a compression band, featuring asymmetrical support zones that can be rotated to change their configuration, allowing for varied support distributions and intensities without the need for multiple belts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lumbar support belt uses a fixed cushion configuration, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different wearer needs and activities
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion employs an asymmetrical arrangement of support zones around its main axis, creating multiple distinct configurations that can be obtained by rotating the cushion through different angles. This asymmetrical design allows a single cushion to provide differentiated support patterns (e.g., concentrated support, distributed support, unilateral support) without requiring multiple separate cushions or complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is designed with multiple support zones arranged asymmetrically so that a single cushion component can serve multiple functions by being rotated to different angular positions. The same cushion can provide various support configurations (first configuration, second configuration, and intermediate configurations) to address different wearer needs and activity requirements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cushions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lumbar belts are used to provide different support configurations, then various support needs are met, but the quantity of equipment increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is designed with multiple support zones arranged asymmetrically so that a single cushion component can serve multiple functions by being rotated to different angular positions. The same cushion can provide various support configurations (first configuration, second configuration, and intermediate configurations) to address different wearer needs and activity requirements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cushions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cushion support zones are arranged symmetrically, then the design is simpler and more balanced, but it cannot provide differentiated support intensities in specific directions
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion employs an asymmetrical arrangement of support zones around its main axis, creating multiple distinct configurations that can be obtained by rotating the cushion through different angles. This asymmetrical design allows a single cushion to provide differentiated support patterns (e.g., concentrated support, distributed support, unilateral support) without requiring multiple separate cushions or complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion features support zones with different local characteristics (different support intensities, different angular sectors) arranged asymmetrically around the main axis. Each support zone can be optimized for specific directional support needs, allowing the cushion to provide localized differentiated support when positioned in appropriate orientations.
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~6b
Figure 7~9b
AI summary
The cushion (10) has a principal axis (A) and comprises several distinct support zones (21a-c) arranged on the cushion in an asymmetrical arrangement rotating about the principal axis (A) by at least one non-zero angle α. Thus, the cushion can be removably assembled onto the front face (3) of a support band (2) of a lumbar support belt (1): - in a first position, in which the support zones (21a-c) of the cushion define a first configuration; - and at least a second position, obtained from the first position after rotating the cushion (10) by an angle α about the principal axis (A), in which the support zones (21a-c) of the cushion (10) define a second configuration different from the first configuration.