Support cushion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body supports often underutilize visco-elastic materials due to poor design and material choices, failing to provide optimal comfort and pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
A body support comprising two layers: a top layer of open-celled non-reticulated visco-elastic foam for comfort and temperature responsiveness, and a bottom layer of reticulated non-visco-elastic foam for heat dissipation and stability, which can be secured together using various methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single layer of visco-elastic foam is used, then the body support conforms well to the user and distributes pressure, but heat dissipation is insufficient and comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The body support is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a top layer of visco-elastic foam for pressure distribution and conformability, and a bottom layer of open-celled foam for heat dissipation and ventilation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the body support have different material properties tailored to local needs. The top layer uses visco-elastic material where conformability and pressure distribution are critical, while the bottom layer uses open-celled material where heat dissipation and airflow are prioritized.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional foam materials are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the capabilities of visco-elastic materials are underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines two different foam materials with complementary properties: visco-elastic foam for pressure relief and conformability, and open-celled foam for breathability and heat dissipation. This composite structure maximizes the benefits of each material while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard layering and bonding techniques.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temperature-sensitive visco-elastic material is used, then the body support changes shape based on temperature, but heat buildup reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The open-celled bottom layer acts as an intermediary that facilitates heat transfer away from the visco-elastic top layer. This intermediate layer provides a thermal pathway that prevents heat buildup while allowing the temperature-sensitive visco-elastic material to maintain its shape-changing properties in response to body temperature.
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 combination of layers enhances comfort, pressure distribution, and heat management, providing a more effective body support that conforms to the user while maintaining stability and dissipating heat effectively.
Implementation Method 1
visco-elastic material is used, providing the body support with an increased ability to conform to a user and to thereby distribute the weight or other load of the user. Some visco-elastic body support materials are also temperature sensitive, thereby also enabling the body support to change shape based in part upon the temperature of the supported body part.
Implementation Method 2
Some visco-elastic body support materials are also temperature sensitive, thereby also enabling the body support to change shape based in part upon the temperature of the supported body part.
Implementation Method 3
a bottom layer of reticulated non-visco-elastic foam for heat dissipation and stability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2~2B
AI summary
A support cushion (1602), comprising: a first layer of flexible material (1610) having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the first layer of flexible material (1610) comprising a reticulated cellular foam; and a second layer of flexible material (1612) having top and bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the second layer of flexible material (1612), the second layer of flexible material (1612) located adjacent the first layer of flexible material (1610), at least partially supported by the first layer of flexible material, and comprising a non-reticulated visco-elastic cellular foam.