Seat assembly for task-oriented seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current task-oriented seating options fail to provide sufficient support and comfort over long periods, especially for users who need to ingress and egress frequently, and do not adequately adapt to varying user shapes, sizes, and usage methods without increasing complexity or expense.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a movable seat supported by force-absorbing mounts, featuring a cushion molded over an armature with multiple bias elements, allowing for differential deflection across the seat to accommodate anatomical variations and prevent pressure buildup, while maintaining stability and support through adjustable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the seat is made rigid to provide stable support, then stability is improved, but comfort and adaptability to different users deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into multiple independent deflection zones (front, middle, rear) with different stiffness characteristics. Each zone is supported by separate bias elements that can deflect independently, allowing the seat to adapt to different user anatomies while maintaining overall stability through the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seat are given different mechanical properties: the front and middle zones have higher stiffness for stability, while the rear zone has lower stiffness for comfort and adaptability. This local differentiation allows the seat to provide both stability and user-specific adaptation simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If the seat is made soft and compliant to improve comfort, then comfort is improved, but support and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seat employs locally differentiated stiffness: softer rear bias elements for comfort at the contact point, while maintaining stiffer front and middle structural support. This allows comfort without sacrificing overall support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias elements are designed to deflect dynamically under load, providing soft initial contact for comfort while progressively engaging the stiffer structural support system as load increases, thus delivering both comfort and support.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform deflection is provided across the seat to simplify design, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but user comfort and anatomical adaptation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than manufacturing a single uniform deflection structure, the seat is segmented into multiple zones with different deflection characteristics. Each zone can be manufactured independently with standardized components, making the complex deflection pattern achievable without proportionally increasing manufacturing difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
Different deflection characteristics are implemented in different zones through localized structural variations in the bias elements and armature, allowing anatomical adaptation without requiring complete redesign of the entire seat structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If the seat structure is simplified to reduce cost, then expense is reduced, but support and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seat uses a segmented structure with multiple independent bias elements that can be manufactured as standardized, cost-effective components. This segmentation allows for economies of scale in manufacturing while providing superior support through the combined action of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias elements utilize changes in material and geometric parameters (stiffness, deflection distance) to provide varied support characteristics across different zones, achieving high-quality support through parameter optimization rather than complex structural additions.
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 enhanced comfort, support, and adaptability to different users and tasks, reducing pressure on thighs, preventing sliding, and ensuring effective blood flow, thus improving user experience and well-being.
Implementation Method 1
The armature has a center rib positioned along a medial axis of the seat and a series of radially spaced shorter ribs on both sides of the center rib... at least some of the multiple bias elements can be positioned in the rear area to be individually deflectable to support the user's ischial tuberosities
Implementation Method 2
The seat can be coupled to the seat support by multiple force absorbing mounts and/or force isolating mounts. The mounts can comprise resilient bushing members.
Implementation Method 3
The seat can be coupled to the seat support by at least one slide on the armature positioned to slidingly engage a ramp on the seat support. The slide can be positioned, when the seat is in use, to move laterally or vertically on the ramp relative to a medial axis of the seat, as well to rotate relative to one or both of two horizontal axes.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly (104) for task-oriented seating comprises a seat support (222) and a seat (108) coupled to the seat support (222). The seat (108) is movable under load, such as from the user's weight and movements, relative to the seat support (222). The seat (108) has a cushion (242) molded over a supporting armature (240) with multiple bias elements. The seat (108) and seat support (222) are configured to deflect by predetermined amounts at defined locations over an extent of the seat assembly (104). In this way, the seat assembly (104) provides for a range of comfortable and effective positions for users engaged in different active motions and having different preferences and sizes.