Oriented Elastomeric Load Surface for Directional Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load bearing surfaces, such as seating and bed surfaces, often lack durability, comfort, and tunability to provide optimal support characteristics, with molded plastic surfaces offering limited ergonomic support and elastomeric fabrics experiencing undesirable 'hammocking' that reduces comfort.
Innovation Solution
A decoupled elastomeric load bearing surface is created by orienting a molded elastomeric membrane to increase crystalline structure alignment in one direction, reducing creep and allowing for varying elasticity in different directions, and incorporating mechanical structures like slits, channels, or nodes to provide 'slack' and adjust support characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a molded elastomeric membrane is oriented to increase crystalline structure alignment in one direction, then elasticity and creep resistance are improved in that direction, but elasticity is reduced in the perpendicular direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally creating different mechanical properties in different directions through uniaxial orientation. The membrane is stretched in one direction to align crystalline structures, resulting in high elasticity and creep resistance in the oriented direction while maintaining different characteristics in the perpendicular direction. This asymmetric property distribution allows the membrane to provide targeted support where needed while maintaining comfort in other directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing direction-dependent mechanical properties within the same membrane structure. Different regions of the membrane exhibit different elasticity and creep resistance based on the orientation direction, allowing localized optimization of support characteristics without requiring multiple different materials or components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If elastomeric fabric is stretched tightly to minimize hammocking, then support stability is improved, but comfort is reduced due to loss of cushion-like feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating asymmetric mechanical properties through uniaxial orientation. The membrane provides high stability in the oriented direction (resisting hammocking) while maintaining elasticity and cushion-like comfort in the perpendicular direction. This allows the surface to resist unwanted deflection while preserving comfort characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the elastomeric material through orientation-induced crystalline alignment. This transformation modifies the force-deflection profile from linear to non-linear, enabling the membrane to exhibit different mechanical behaviors in different directions and under different load conditions, thus achieving both stability and comfort.
3Ease of manufacture
If molded plastic surfaces are used to provide inexpensive seating, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but ergonomic support and comfort are insufficient due to linear force-deflection profile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the mechanical parameters of the molded plastic material through uniaxial orientation, changing the crystalline structure alignment and resulting in a non-linear force-deflection profile. This parameter change enables the inexpensive molded surface to provide ergonomic support and comfort characteristics typically associated with more expensive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating direction-dependent mechanical properties in the molded surface. The orientation process imparts different elasticity and support characteristics in different directions, allowing the surface to provide ergonomic support where needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness through a single molded construction.
4Strength
If material thickness is increased to provide better support, then load bearing capacity is improved, but cost and heat retention increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the material through orientation-induced crystalline alignment, which dramatically improves creep resistance and load bearing capacity. This allows the use of thinner materials that provide equivalent or superior support performance while reducing material costs and heat retention associated with thicker sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The oriented elastomeric membrane effectively creates a composite-like structure within a single material system. The aligned crystalline regions provide enhanced strength and creep resistance similar to reinforcement fibers, allowing thin-gauge construction with high load bearing capacity.
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 solution provides a strong, flexible, and comfortable load bearing surface with adjustable support characteristics, reducing material costs and heat retention, while minimizing creep and enhancing ergonomic support by allowing different elasticity in different directions.
Implementation Method 1
the molded elastomeric membrane may be oriented by compressing or stretching the membrane in one direction to the extent necessary to increase the alignment of the crystalline structure of the elastomer
Implementation Method 2
The decoupled elastomeric material exhibits support characteristics that are particularly well suited for use in seating applications because it provides different degrees of elasticity and support in different directions
Data Source
AI summary
An elastomeric load hearing surface with different load support characteristics in different directions. In one embodiment, the surface includes an elastomeric membrane that is oriented in only a single direction, for example, by compression or stretching. In another embodiment, the surface includes mechanical structures, such as connectors and variations in thickness that vary the load support characteristics in different directions. In another embodiment, a surface is both oriented and includes mechanical structures.