Sacral Air Bladder Assembly for Neutral Seat Posture 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.
Innovation Solution
An air bladder assembly with a support surface defined by an enlarged width portion and an elongated tapered portion, positioned in the seat back and bottom, which inflates to provide inclined support, directing the sacrum and sacroiliac joint into a neutral position, and includes a power pneumatic system with actuators and sensors for adjustable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing seat designs are used, then the seat structure is simple, but the sacrum and sacroiliac joint cannot achieve correct neutral seating posture
Solution Approach 1:
The air bladder is divided into multiple functional regions including an enlarged width portion and an elongated tapered portion, each serving specific purposes for sacral support and posture correction
Solution Approach 2:
The air bladder is designed to be inflatable and deflatable, allowing dynamic adjustment of support characteristics to achieve and maintain neutral seating posture
2Ease of operation
If air bladder with enlarged width portion and elongated tapered portion is used, then neutral seating posture is achieved, but the air bladder structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air bladder features an asymmetric design with an enlarged width portion and an elongated tapered portion, creating the necessary inclination when inflated to direct the sacrum into neutral position
3Ease of operation
If air bladder is positioned adjacent the bite line, then sacral support is improved, but the positioning precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air bladder is strategically positioned adjacent the bite line where it can most effectively support the sacrum and direct the sacroiliac joint into neutral position
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 air bladder assembly effectively supports the sacrum, directing the sacroiliac joint into a neutral position, reducing or eliminating hyper-flexion between the sacrum and L5 vertebrae, ensuring correct seating posture and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
When the air bladder is inflated, the support surface is inclined from the taper portion to the enlarged width portion relative to the seating surface
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom and a seat back mounted adjacent the bottom. The seat back and seat bottom are provided with an occupant seating surface. At least one air bladder is oriented in a sacral region the seat bottom or the seat back. The air bladder has a support surface defined by a enlarged width portion and extends to an elongated tapered portion. When the air bladder is inflated, the support surface is inclined from the taper portion to the enlarged width portion relative to the seating surface.