Seat cushion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat cushions with pressure sensors face measurement data misalignment due to material wear and decreased sensitivity over time, affecting posture sensing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical modules that transmit and receive optical signals to sense sitting posture, allowing for non-contact detection and maintaining measurement accuracy regardless of material aging, comprising a seat cushion design with optical modules, a processor, and a conversion circuit to analyze and interpret the optical signals for posture assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to sense sitting posture, then posture detection function is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to material wear and sensor sensitivity decrease over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensing system with an optical sensing system. Optical modules (including transmitters and receivers) are positioned in the lower pad to detect posture through optical signals passing through the transparent upper pad, eliminating contact between the sensing element and the user. This substitution resolves the degradation issue because optical components do not suffer from material wear or sensitivity loss over time like pressure sensors do.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary transparent pad structure that allows optical signals to pass through while maintaining user comfort and support. The upper pad is made of transparent material that transmits optical signals from the optical modules below, enabling non-contact posture detection without direct interaction between the sensing system and the user's body, thus preventing contamination and wear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure sensors are embedded in the cushion, then posture sensing is enabled, but the sensing system becomes susceptible to material aging effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensing system with an optical sensing system. Optical modules (including transmitters and receivers) are positioned in the lower pad to detect posture through optical signals passing through the transparent upper pad, eliminating contact between the sensing element and the user. This substitution resolves the degradation issue because optical components do not suffer from material wear or sensitivity loss over time like pressure sensors do.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary transparent pad structure that allows optical signals to pass through while maintaining user comfort and support. The upper pad is made of transparent material that transmits optical signals from the optical modules below, enabling non-contact posture detection without direct interaction between the sensing system and the user's body, thus preventing contamination and wear.
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
This solution ensures accurate posture detection without being affected by material aging, providing reliable and consistent feedback on sitting posture through the use of optical modules and a processor that generates detection information and comparison signals for appropriate posture indication.
Implementation Method 1
The transparent area (140) is disposed in a hollow portion of the main body area (120)... The optical modules (200) are located below the upper pad (100) and are disposed corresponding to the transparent areas (140)... users sitting postures are detected by the optical modules, that is, the optical modules transmit sense signals and receive optical signals corresponding to the sense signals
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A seat cushion (10) is provided. The seat cushion (10) includes an upper pad (100), a lower pad (300), a support structure (400), a plurality of optical modules (200), and a processor. The upper pad (100) includes a plurality of transparent areas (140). The lower pad (300) is provided with a plurality of grooves (320) to accommodate the optical modules (200). The support structure (400) is connected between the upper pad (100) and the lower pad (300). The optical modules (200) are located below the upper pad (100) and are disposed corresponding to the transparent areas (140). The optical modules (200) respectively transmit sense signals (SO) and respectively receive feedback signals corresponding to the sense signals (SO). The processor is coupled to the optical modules (200) and is configured to collect optical signals (S1).