Vehicle Seat Oscillating Support for Prolonged Sitting Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional massaging supports for vehicles are only comfortable during the massage phase and are not suitable for long-term use due to continuous stress on the driver's legs, glutes, and lower back, especially when operating pedals for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat with oscillating zones and collapsible, pneumatically controlled elements that alternate between compressed and expanded configurations to provide periodic massage-like stimulation, maintaining comfort even when not actively massaging, using deformable polymeric materials and electronic control for expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a seat is designed for stable support, then stability is improved, but comfort during prolonged static sitting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support incorporates periodic oscillating movements that can be applied to the backrest and/or seat cushion during prolonged sitting periods. These rhythmic movements simulate natural walking motions, periodically varying the stress distribution on the user's body, thereby maintaining comfort and preventing the discomfort associated with static sitting while preserving overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows transition from a static stable configuration to a dynamic oscillating configuration. During normal stable support mode, the backrest and seat cushion maintain fixed ergonomic angles for stability. When comfort is needed during prolonged sitting, the system activates oscillating movements that dynamically adjust the support angles, providing comfort without compromising the fundamental stable structure.
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 seat provides continuous comfort and reduces stress on the driver's body by mimicking the natural movement and variation of stress experienced while walking, enhancing comfort and preventing pressure sores, even when not actively massaging.
Implementation Method 1
said inner portion (30) being deformable and made of polymeric material; said outer casing (31) consisting of a flexible gas-tight membrane; said massaging support (1) also comprises volume variation means (4) of the inner portion (30), preferably suitable for extracting and/or introducing gas into the casing (31)
Implementation Method 2
The casing 31 then collapses under the ambient pressure. In a second half-period the collapsible element 3 is brought into an expanded configuration. This expansion occurs by opening the valve 41, which preferably takes place by removing the previously entered closing command, and by switching off the pump 40
Data Source
AI summary
Massaging support including: a contact surface for a user, the contact surface including an oscillating area, at least one collapsible element, inside the massaging support and placed below each oscillating zone, the collapsible element including: an inner portion including elastically compressible material, to allow geometric variation of the oscillating zone, a casing, including the inner portion and including a gas-tight membrane, and volume variation apparatus for extracting and/or introducing gas into the enclosure, and including: a pump exclusively for extracting gas from the casing, a valve, for allowing or blocking the introduction of gas into the casing, the massaging support further including controller, to repeat several times, on command, the operations of: in a first half-period of time to contract one of the collapsible elements, placing it in depression, and, in a second half-period of time, to open the valve and expand the collapsible element.