Stackable Lift Seating for Differential Ischial Tuberosity Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cushioning devices exacerbate back and hip pain by providing equal-sided support, failing to address the misalignment of the sacral/lumbar complex, which worsens discomfort during prolonged sitting.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support that differentially adjusts the height of the ischial tuberosities using stackable or expandable lifts to re-align the sacral/lumbar complex, providing a corrective repositioning by elevating one side to relieve pressure on pain-sensitive structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If soft cushioning is used to relieve pressure on the ischial tuberosities, then comfort is improved, but the misalignment of the sacral/lumbar complex is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cushioning the ischial tuberosities to relieve pressure (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using rigid supports to elevate the tuberosities and correct their alignment. This inversion transforms the problem from pressure relief through softening to alignment correction through rigid elevation, thereby resolving the contradiction between comfort and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the support structure from soft and compressible (cushioning) to rigid and elevating. By changing the stiffness parameter and introducing height adjustment capability, the support structure can simultaneously provide comfort through proper alignment while maintaining the rigidity needed to correct the sacral/lumbar complex alignment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If equal sided cushioning is provided to support both ischial tuberosities, then symmetry is improved, but differential misalignment cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic adjustability to the seat support system, allowing each side's support height to be independently adjusted. This transforms the static, symmetric cushioning into a dynamic system that can adapt to asymmetric alignment needs, enabling correction of differential misalignment while maintaining operational simplicity through incremental adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different support heights to different sides of the seat, creating local quality variations. Instead of uniform cushioning across the entire seat, each side can be independently configured with appropriate elevation to correct specific alignment issues, thereby achieving both symmetry in design and asymmetry in function as needed.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid supports are used to correct alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but comfort is reduced due to lack of cushioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies rigid support only where needed for alignment correction (at the ischial tuberosity contact points) rather than making the entire seat rigid. By limiting the rigid support action to specific localized areas and combining it with cushioning in other regions, the system achieves alignment precision without sacrificing overall comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support for differentially adjusting the height of a user's ischial tuberosity to relieve pain from sitting is disclosed. The support includes an adjustable left and right platform, each including at least one stackable lift having a stiffness sufficient to provide pressure to lift the sitz bone(s). Each lift is shaped and sized so that it can be securely stacked on top of the other. The stackable lifts may be connected along an inner edge in a hinged manner or can be received within at least one pouch and movable between the left and right platforms. To lift the height of the lower sitz bone the right and left platforms have a differential height between them, determined by the amount of adjustment needed. The differential adjustable seating height creates a counterbalancing repositioning of the sitz bones relieving the asymmetrical pressure of the sacral/lumbar complex caused by misalignment.