Seat cushion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat cushions with pressure sensors face measurement data misalignment due to material wear or decreased sensitivity over time, affecting posture sensing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating optical modules and a processor into the seat cushion, which transmit and receive optical signals to detect user posture without contact, ensuring measurement accuracy is not affected by material aging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to detect sitting posture, then posture sensing function is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates over time due to material wear and sensor sensitivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensor system with an optical detection system. Optical modules with transmitters and receivers detect posture by measuring optical signal changes caused by cushion deformation, eliminating contact between sensors and user. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing a non-contact measurement method that does not suffer from material wear or sensitivity degradation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical signals as an intermediary to detect cushion deformation and user posture. Instead of direct mechanical contact between pressure sensors and the user, optical modules transmit light through the cushion material and detect changes in optical properties. This intermediary approach allows indirect measurement of posture while avoiding the reliability issues of direct mechanical sensing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure sensors are embedded in cushion material, then posture detection is enabled, but measurement data misalignment occurs due to material aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensors embedded in the cushion with optical modules positioned above the cushion surface. The optical system detects cushion deformation through changes in light transmission or reflection properties, eliminating the need to embed sensors within the cushion material. This resolves the data misalignment issue caused by material aging while maintaining posture sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the cushion's deformation state by measuring how light interacts with the cushion material. Instead of directly measuring mechanical pressure, the system captures optical information that replicates the deformation pattern, providing a reliable indirect measurement that is not affected by material aging or sensor degradation.
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 optical module-based system provides accurate and non-contact posture detection, maintaining measurement precision even as cushion materials degrade, enhancing user posture feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The optical modules respectively receive an optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A seat cushion is provided. The seat cushion includes an upper pad, a lower pad, a support structure, a plurality of optical modules, and a processor. The upper pad includes a plurality of transparent areas. The lower pad is provided with a plurality of grooves to accommodate the optical modules. The support structure is connected between the upper pad and the lower pad. The optical modules are located below the upper pad and are disposed corresponding to the transparent areas. The optical modules respectively transmit sense signals and respectively receive feedback signals corresponding to the sense signals. The processor is coupled to the optical modules and is configured to collect optical signals.