Vehicle Seat Expandable Elements for Spinal Mobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prolonged sitting leads to adverse stress on the lumbar spinal region and compression of intervertebral disks due to the tilting of the pelvis and subsequent compression of intervertebral disks, which can result in loss of fluid and health issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus for a vehicle seat featuring a plurality of expandable elements filled with a medium, such as viscoelastic gel or air, that can be sequentially actuated to move individual regions of the seat, providing micro-movements to mobilize the spinal column, relieve intervertebral disks, and improve mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat occupant sits for a prolonged period, then the pelvis tilts toward the rear and the spinal column is adversely stressed, but the intervertebral disks are compressed leading to loss of liquid and health issues
Solution Approach 1:
The massage system applies periodic mechanical actions through expandable elements that are sequentially pressurized and depressurized. This creates rhythmic massage movements that periodically relieve compression on intervertebral disks, counteracting the continuous harmful compression caused by prolonged sitting in a fixed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static sitting position into a dynamic massage treatment. The expandable elements are sequentially actuated to create moving massage patterns that travel across the backrest, dynamically relieving compression on the spinal column and intervertebral disks during prolonged sitting.
2Reliability
If a massage system with multiple pressurizable elements is implemented, then the spinal column can be mobilized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is divided into multiple zones with expandable elements arranged in rows and columns. Each element can be independently controlled to create specific massage patterns. This segmentation allows targeted mobilization of different spinal regions while maintaining overall system reliability through distributed control.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple expandable elements are controlled in coordinated sequences to create unified massage patterns. The control system merges the actions of individual elements into cohesive therapeutic sequences, achieving effective spinal mobilization through combined rather than isolated element actions, thereby managing complexity through systematic coordination.
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 apparatus effectively mobilizes the spinal column, relieves intervertebral disks, and improves mobility by transmitting forces to intervertebral bodies and muscles through controlled movements, reducing discomfort and promoting spinal health during prolonged sitting, including during autonomous driving.
Implementation Method 1
The medium is a viscoelastic gel, for example
Implementation Method 2
The actuation can take place pneumatically, hydrostatically or mechanically. For example, an actuation of the expandable elements causes the medium to be pressurized, as a result of which the expandable elements carry out a movement relative to the seat occupant
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a vehicle seat for mobilizing at least one region of a spinal column of a seat occupant sitting in the seat may have a plurality of expandable elements, which may be each filled or fillable with a medium. The expandable elements are drivable sequentially. A method for sequentially driving the apparatus and and a vehicle seat are also provided.