Seat Support Structure With Variable Stiffness for Body Weight Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load support structures, such as seating structures, face challenges in adapting to different body weights without excessive complexity and cost, often resulting in unhealthy postures due to the need for complex mechanisms and high construction costs.
Innovation Solution
A seat design featuring a rocking mechanism with supporting arms that change spring forces or characteristics automatically, allowing for active movement and deformation to compensate for body weight differences, eliminating the need for weight-dependent spring presets and promoting healthy posture through a seesaw-like movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism with rocking device is used to automatically change spring forces for different body weights, then adaptability to different users is improved, but device complexity and construction costs increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arm automatically changes its spring characteristics by altering its bending stiffness through geometric nonlinearity. As the seat element moves from basic position to resting position, the supporting arm transitions from a less bent state (higher stiffness) to a more bent state (lower stiffness), providing automatic adaptation to different body weights without complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting arm is designed as an elastic, deformable structure rather than a rigid component. It dynamically changes its shape and stiffness characteristics during operation, allowing the seat to automatically adapt to loading conditions. The elastic deformation enables the structure to provide different restoring forces for different body weights
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid supports are used in the supporting arm, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different body weights and active movement capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arm incorporates elastic, deformable regions that can bend and change shape. These flexible regions allow the structure to adapt its stiffness characteristics while maintaining overall structural integrity. The elastic deformation capability enables automatic adaptation to different body weights without sacrificing structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting arm is divided into different regions with distinct functions: rigid regions (for structural stability and force transmission) and elastic/deformable regions (for adaptation and movement). This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve stability and adaptability
3Loss of energy
If the front seat part is actively pulled back by the supporting arm, then potential energy loss compensation is improved, but the complexity of the supporting arm mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arm uses its own elastic deformation and geometric nonlinearity to generate the pulling-back movement. The structure automatically compensates for potential energy loss through its inherent mechanical properties without requiring external power sources or complex control mechanisms. The elastic recovery of the supporting arm provides the necessary restoring force
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 design provides comfortable and healthy posture for individuals of varying weights by automatically adjusting to body weight changes, reducing the need for complex mechanisms and lowering the restoring force required, thus enhancing user experience and reducing construction costs.
Implementation Method 1
The core of the invention is a seat with at least one supporting arm by means of which an active movement of the front seat part can be produced by a largely defined change in shape
Data Source
AI summary
A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane has a first region with a first stiffness and a second region with a second stiffness. The second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.