Multi-Layer Upholstery Covering for Moisture-Resistant Shape Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current upholstery materials, such as leather and cotton, are sensitive to environmental factors like moisture and heat, leading to shape changes, shrinkage, and brittleness, particularly in outdoor applications like marine and garden furniture, where they may stretch, shrink, or become brittle.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered covering material comprising a skin-friendly outer layer prone to shape changes and a resistant inner layer, connected through stitching or gluing, where the inner layer acts as a load-bearing material to prevent shape alterations under environmental influences, using materials like glass fibers or polyester meshes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If skin-friendly materials like leather or cotton are used for upholstery, then comfort and aesthetic appeal are improved, but shape stability deteriorates under environmental influences such as moisture and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a skin-friendly outer layer (leather or textile) with a shape-stable inner layer (foam core or rigid substrate). This composite structure allows the outer layer to provide comfort while the inner layer maintains shape stability, resolving the contradiction between comfort and shape retention under environmental influences.
Solution Approach 2:
The upholstery is segmented into distinct functional layers: an outer skin-friendly layer for comfort and an inner shape-stable layer for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, with the outer layer providing tactile comfort and the inner layer preventing deformation under moisture and heat.
2Ease of operation
If natural materials like leather are used, then aesthetic appeal and skin friendliness are improved, but resistance to environmental factors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system where the outer natural material layer (leather or cotton) provides skin friendliness and aesthetic appeal, while the inner synthetic or treated layer (foam core, rigid substrate, or coated material) provides resistance to moisture, heat, and other environmental factors, thus resolving the contradiction between skin friendliness and environmental resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers of the upholstery are assigned different material qualities appropriate to their function: the outer layer uses natural materials for skin contact, while the inner layer uses moisture-resistant or thermally stable materials for environmental protection, allowing each local region of the material to have optimized properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If covering material is made from single layer, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but functional performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The upholstery is divided into multiple functional layers, each manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows for optimized material selection and processing for each layer's specific function, improving overall functional performance while maintaining reasonable manufacturing simplicity through standardized assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction with multiple layers bonded together, where each layer contributes specific functional properties. This composite approach enhances overall functional performance by combining the advantages of different materials while maintaining manufacturability through established composite material fabrication techniques.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Multi layered covering material for upholstery solves above referenced technical problem by combining two materials: one which is friendly to skin or to touch, and prone to stretching or other types of shape change under environmental influence, and one which is not - so friendly material can perform function of being friendly, and the other material provides support so friendly material would not change its shape even if, for example, wet. This patent application also covers process for making multi covering material for elements making furniture more comfortable comprising upholstery, cushions, blankets, and similar elements, said multi layered covering material comprising steps of aligning outer layer (1) comprised of at least one user friendly material prone to change shape under environmental influence, preferably moisture over inner layer (2) comprised of material essentially resistant to shape change under environmental influence, and connecting said layers together.