Lumbar Support Cushion with Nested Foam Members for Adjustable Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable lumbar support cushions, particularly inflatable ones, fail to provide the same level of comfort as resilient foam cushions and lack the flexibility to adjust support according to user needs.
Innovation Solution
A lumbar support cushion made of closed cell polyethylene foam with D-shaped support members that nest into each other, housed within an L-shaped cushion cover with a hinged flap and hook and loop closure, allowing easy removal and replacement of support components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable cushions are used to provide lumbar support, then the degree of support can be adjusted by inflating or deflating, but they do not provide the same level of comfort as resilient foam cushions
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support system is divided into multiple removable foam members (first lumbar support member, second lumbar support member, etc.) that can be independently selected and inserted into the cushion cover. This segmentation allows users to choose different support levels by selecting appropriate members while maintaining the comfort of resilient foam material.
2Reliability
If resilient foam cushions are used to provide lumbar support, then comfort is improved, but the ability to adjust support according to user needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion cover is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple different lumbar support members with varying degrees of support. The cover includes a opening and closure mechanism that works with any of the foam members, allowing a single cover to serve multiple functions with different support levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lumbar support members are provided for different support levels, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support members are designed to nest within one another or be stored compactly together. The members can be inserted into the cushion cover sequentially or stored in a nested configuration, reducing the space required to store multiple support members and simplifying the overall system structure.
4Reliability
If the lumbar support member is made hollow to provide greater resiliency, then comfort is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support members are made from closed-cell polyethylene foam material that provides resiliency through its cellular structure. This porous foam material achieves the desired resiliency and comfort without requiring hollow cavities, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the required mechanical properties.
Data Source
AI summary
A lumbar support cushion with a cushion cover capable of forming an L shaped cushion that fits on a chair or vehicle seat. A cushion cover encloses a poly foam padding member and more polyethylene closed cell foam lumbar support member. The cushion cover includes a hinged flap to allow for the insertion and removal of the lumbar support member. In a preferred embodiment, the lumbar support member is D shaped In one embodiment the D shaped lumbar support member is comprised of a plurality of nesting D shaped members.