Sensor-Integrated Chair Cushion for Wireless Movement Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chair cushions with movable elements, designed to provide subliminal movements for muscle training, face challenges in optimizing settings for individual users and efficiently evaluating movement data, particularly due to compatibility issues with different smartphones and lack of quick access to measurement data.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sensors into the cushion to detect position changes and transmit data wirelessly for precise recording and evaluation, allowing for immediate feedback and adjustment of the chair's settings, and using a computer program to control and display movement data for user guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are integrated into the cushion for precise movement detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement data recording precisionVSAvoidcushion structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is integrated into the cushion element, nesting the measurement device within the existing cushion structure. This allows precise movement detection while minimizing additional complexity by incorporating the sensor into the already-present movable components of the cushion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electronic sensors that can detect position and movement data more precisely. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving measurement precision through electronic sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If wireless data transmission interface is added to the cushion, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access convenienceVSAvoidcushion system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A wireless data transmission interface is introduced as an intermediary between the sensor and external devices. This intermediary enables convenient data access and evaluation without requiring direct physical connection, improving ease of operation while isolating the complexity of wireless communication in a dedicated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to detect different cushion elements, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensors continuously detect position changes of cushion elements without interruption, providing ongoing measurement data. This continuous detection eliminates the need for repeated measurement cycles, improving precision while reducing overall processing time through uninterrupted data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of measurement data as it is collected, rather than processing all data at once. This preliminary processing reduces the total time required for complete data evaluation while maintaining high measurement precision through continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables precise recording and evaluation of movement data, facilitating optimal chair settings and enhanced user feedback, improving muscle training effectiveness and convenience by providing immediate and intuitive adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor being coupled to an interface for the wireless output of measured values

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless transmission:

Implementation Method 2

a pneumatic wobble cushion, which has a plurality of deformable air chambers connected to one another and on an elastically deformable hollow body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

the hollow body serves as a pump to inflate the air chambers. Every time you get up from the chair, the hollow body fills with air again due to its elastic expansion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3648638B1Cushion and method for using same, chair comprising a cushion of this type and computer program product
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 III SOLUTIONS
  • EP3648638B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3648638B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3648638B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for using a cushion, in particular for a chair, said cushion having a first cushion element (6) that can be moved with an associated degree of freedom. In said method, a sensor (98a, 98b, 98c, 98d) integrated into the cushion is used to sense the position or the change in position relative to at least one first cushion element (6), with respect to at least one degree of freedom associated with said element. The sensor (98a, 38b, 98c, 98d) is coupled to an interface (93) for the wireless output of measured values. The sensor (98a, 98b, 98c, 98d) senses measured values and sends at least some of the measured values over the interface (93) to a device (70, 80) outside the cushion, said device (70, 80) receiving and evaluating the measured values and emitting an output signal.