Paper-Substrate Chair with Accelerometer for Posture Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ergonomic chairs often require frequent maintenance, have redundant moving parts, and fail to promote user awareness of posture and physical activity, leading to reduced physical and mental awareness and potential harm from improper adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A chair made from folded paper substrate with a counterweight and a single accelerometer for position data transmission to a computing device, providing feedback for ergonomic alignment and activity awareness without mechanical parts, customizable for individual users, and sustainable in production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional ergonomic chairs use mechanical adjustment mechanisms and moving parts to provide comfort and adaptability, then adjustability and support are improved, but maintenance requirements increase and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidmaintenance needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a digital system. An accelerometer sensor detects chair tilt angle, and a processor automatically adjusts chair parameters (such as lumbar support, seat height, or backrest angle) based on the detected position, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustments and moving parts that require maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The chair system monitors its own state through the accelerometer and automatically makes adjustments without user intervention. The processor continuously reads sensor data and autonomously controls the chair's ergonomic parameters, making the system self-regulating and reducing the need for manual maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If ergonomic chairs maximize comfort through adjustability and support, then user comfort is improved, but user awareness of posture and physical activity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidposture awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer continuously monitors the user's posture and chair position, providing real-time feedback data. This information can be displayed to the user through a display device or transmitted to a remote device, making the user aware of their posture without compromising comfort. The system creates a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains comfort while informing the user of their physical state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If ergonomic chairs use multiple mechanical components and adjustment mechanisms, then adaptability to individual users is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizabilityVSAvoidmechanical parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with a simplified digital control system. Instead of multiple mechanical components for adjusting seat height, backrest angle, and lumbar support, the system uses a single accelerometer sensor and processor that digitally control these parameters, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If traditional chairs use non-renewable materials such as plastic and metal, then structural strength and durability are improved, but sustainability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidsustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials that combine renewable resources (such as bamboo, wood, or recycled materials) with minimal metal or plastic components. The structural design utilizes the natural strength properties of these composite materials to maintain chair durability while reducing dependence on non-renewable resources, thereby improving sustainability without sacrificing structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 chair reduces maintenance needs, promotes user awareness and physical activity through feedback, and is customizable and sustainable, enhancing ergonomic alignment and overall health monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a single accelerometer for providing position data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10368650B2Ergonomic chair made from paper substrate with embedded sensor, computer readable medium for interacting with the chair, method of making the chair or other structures from paper substrate

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 DANIELSON PATRICK ALLEN

AI summary

There is provided an ergonomic chair which is produced from flat components. The components may be made of paper. The components are designed using parametric equations which take the targeted user's proportions into account. The components are then folded, joined, and coated with strengthening material. The chair has a seat, a base, and three legs connecting the seat to the base. The base contains a counterweight mass for keeping the chair in a default upright position. The base contains an accelerometer which can transmit data to a computing device to track a user's posture and other health-related data.