Recessed Positioning Cushion for Stable Support Without Pressure Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning cushions for infants and impaired individuals lack adaptability to changing sizes and shapes, often causing pressure points and instability, and are limited in placement without additional support structures.

Innovation Solution

A positioning pad with a recessed design that accommodates buttocks through elastic deformation, featuring a rigid base and cover filled with beads for stability, allowing adjustment to various positions and locations without external frames, and optionally including straps for securement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid seat shell is used to provide stable positioning, then the person is secured in position, but pressure points occur on the person's skin leading to injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidpressure points on skin
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible cover filled with beads instead of a rigid shell. The cover can deform elastically to accommodate the person's body shape while the beads inside provide structural support and distribute pressure evenly, preventing pressure points while maintaining positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning cushion combines multiple materials with different properties: a flexible outer cover, bead filling material for pressure distribution, and potentially different bead materials (plastic, glass, metal) to achieve optimal balance between flexibility and structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If a fixed shape positioning cushion is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to changing sizes of the person

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to changing sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning cushion is designed with dynamic characteristics through its bead-filled structure. The beads can shift and redistribute internally, allowing the cushion to adapt its shape and size to different body dimensions while maintaining a simple overall structure without mechanical adjustment components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion's physical parameters (shape, volume, density distribution) can change in response to different users. The bead filling allows the cushion to modify its effective size and contour to match infants, children, or adults without requiring structural changes to the cushion itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a rigid base with fixed shape is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the positioning pad cannot be placed at various locations without additional support structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidplacement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cover allows the positioning cushion to conform to different surfaces and locations (sofas, chairs, beds, floors) without requiring rigid support structures or frames. The cushion can be placed anywhere while maintaining its positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning cushion is designed as a universal device that can be used at multiple locations and on various surfaces without additional support structures. The simple base design combined with flexible covering material enables placement on sofas, chairs, beds, or floors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the positioning pad deforms to accommodate the buttocks, then comfort is improved, but the stabilizing effect is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cover deforms elastically to accommodate the person's buttocks and body shape, providing comfort through conforming to the body. Simultaneously, the bead filling and base structure maintain sufficient rigidity to provide stabilizing effect and prevent rolling off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of flexible cover material and bead filling creates a composite structure where the outer layer provides comfort through deformation while the inner filling maintains structural integrity and stabilizing effect.

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 pad provides stable seating or lying positions by centering the person's gravity within the pad, preventing falls and pressure points, and allowing movement without displacement, while being adaptable to different sizes and locations.

Implementation Method 1

The positioning pad comprises a cover filled with beads, which beads have a defined friction with one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

so that the buttocks of the person are introduced into the recess by elastic deformation of the positioning pad

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2818080B1Cushion
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 HINTERBAUER ANITA
  • EP2818080B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2818080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Positioning cushion (1) for a person (2) for assuming a sitting or lying position on the positioning cushion (1), the positioning cushion (1) having a base (3) and a seat or lying surface (4) arranged on the opposite side of the base, on which the person (2) assumes the position, and side surfaces (5) extending between the base and the seat or lying surface (4), wherein the seat (4) has a sufficiently large recess (7) to accommodate the buttocks (6) of the person (1) by adapting a recess (7) to the buttocks (6) of the positioning cushion (1), which recess (7) is designed as a depression of the positioning cushion (1) and has a surface (9) arranged inside (8) the positioning cushion (1), so that by positioning the center of gravity (10) of the sitting or lying person (2) in the area of ​​the recess (7) the person (2) assumes a stable position,wherein the surface (6) is located in an area between half the height of the support cushion (1) and near the base surface (3) of the support cushion.