Pelvic Air Bladder Assembly for Neutral Sacral Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat designs fail to effectively support the sacrum and direct the sacroiliac joint to achieve a correct neutral seating posture, leading to potential hyper-flexion between the sacrum and L5 vertebrae, which can cause discomfort and improper spinal alignment.
Innovation Solution
An air bladder assembly comprising a central sacral bladder with an elongated tapered portion and a pair of side iliac bladders, where the central bladder's support surface is inclined relative to the side bladders' support surface when inflated, providing support that directs the sacrum and pelvis into a neutral position, and a method involving sensors to adjust bladder pressure for optimal occupant posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional single bladder design is used, then the structure is simple, but it fails to effectively support the sacrum and direct the sacroiliac joint to achieve neutral seating posture
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder assembly is divided into three separate bladders: a central sacral bladder and two side iliac bladders. Each bladder independently supports specific pelvic regions, allowing precise control over sacral and iliac positioning to achieve neutral seating posture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each bladder is designed with specific geometric characteristics tailored to its function. The central sacral bladder has a tapered portion and enlarged width portion to match sacral curvature, while the side iliac bladders have different orientations to support the iliac crests, providing localized support quality optimized for each anatomical region.
2Reliability
If the central bladder support surface is parallel to side bladders, then the structure is symmetric and simple, but it cannot effectively direct the sacrum into neutral position
Solution Approach 1:
The central sacral bladder is oriented at an angle relative to the side iliac bladders, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric orientation allows the central bladder to effectively direct the sacrum into neutral position while the side bladders provide lateral support, optimizing sacral alignment accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed bladder pressure is used, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot adapt to different occupant seating positions and weight distributions
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder pressure system transitions from fixed to dynamic and adjustable. Sensors detect occupant seating position and weight distribution, and the control system adjusts bladder pressure in real-time to adapt to different occupants and seating configurations, enhancing posture adaptation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors provide feedback on occupant seating position and weight distribution to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the pressure in each bladder to optimize support and maintain neutral seating posture, creating a closed-loop adaptive system.
Data Source
AI summary
An air bladder assembly for a seat comprising is provided. A central sacral bladder has a support surface defined by an enlarged width portion connected to an elongated tapered portion, wherein the tapered portion is defined by elongated lateral sides. A pair of side iliac bladders is provided so that one of the side bladders is positioned adjacent each of the elongated sides of the central bladder. A support surface of the central air bladder is not parallel to a support surface of the side air bladders when the air bladder assembly is inflated.