Support cushion having a disposable absorbent layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support cushions for individuals with urinary incontinence or moisture issues often concentrate moisture, leading to skin irritation and difficulty in cleaning due to liquid permeability, and lack adequate separation between the user and absorbed liquid.
Innovation Solution
A support cushion design featuring a first liquid-permeable and impervious member, a second air- and liquid-permeable member, and a third liquid-absorbent member with a superabsorbent polymer, where the second member is positioned between the first and third to absorb liquids, and a detachable liquid-impermeable cover to prevent seepage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a liquid impermeable barrier material is used on the outside of the support cushion to prevent liquid penetration, then the interior of the support cushion remains dry, but moisture or liquid concentrates under the user where weight creates a concave depression, leading to skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into multiple functional layers: a liquid impermeable outer barrier layer, a middle layer for liquid distribution, and an inner absorbent layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the outer layer prevents external liquid penetration while the inner layers manage moisture distribution and absorption, eliminating the concave depression problem that causes skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
A middle layer is introduced between the liquid impermeable outer barrier and the absorbent inner layer. This intermediary layer distributes liquid evenly across the absorbent layer, preventing concentration of moisture under the user's weight and eliminating the skin irritation problem while maintaining the barrier's liquid protection effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If an absorbent layer is placed on the top layer of the support cushion structure to allow liquid absorption, then liquid can be absorbed on the top surface, but if liquid increases beyond absorption capacity, liquid seepage into the support cushion occurs making cleaning difficult and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion structure is pre-configured with multiple absorbent layers and liquid distribution mechanisms before liquid contact occurs. The layered absorbent structure is designed in advance to handle increasing volumes of liquid, and the liquid impermeable outer barrier is pre-installed to prevent seepage, making the cushion inherently easy to clean regardless of liquid volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple absorbent layers are positioned throughout the cushion structure in advance to provide progressive liquid absorption capacity. The liquid impermeable barrier layers are also pre-positioned to prevent seepage before it occurs, ensuring that even large volumes of liquid will not penetrate the support cushion structure and require cleaning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the absorbent top layer conforms to the user's body to provide comfort, then user comfort is improved, but the distance of separation between the user and the liquid reduces materially increasing skin contact with moisture
Solution Approach 1:
A middle distribution layer is positioned between the user's body and the absorbent layers. This intermediary layer receives and distributes liquid evenly across the absorbent layers, preventing direct contact between the user's skin and concentrated moisture while maintaining the conforming comfort structure against the user's body.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers of the cushion have different functional qualities: the outer layers conform to the user's body for comfort, while the inner absorbent layers are positioned to absorb and distribute liquid away from the user's skin. This local differentiation of properties allows simultaneous achievement of comfort and skin protection.
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 design effectively absorbs and separates liquid from the user, facilitating easy cleaning and prolonged comfort by using a disposable absorbent layer that can be replaced, reducing skin irritation and simplifying maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
liquid passing through the first and second members is absorbed by the third member
Implementation Method 2
the third member comprises a superabsorbent polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid absorbent support cushion for a user is disclosed comprising a first member having first and second surfaces, the first member constructed of a first material in which the first member is substantially liquid permeable and the first material is substantially liquid impervious. The cushion includes a second member having first and second surfaces, the second member constructed of a second material in which the second member is substantially liquid permeable and the second material is substantially liquid impervious. The cushion also includes a third member, the third member is liquid absorbent; and wherein the second member is positioned between the first and third members and wherein the first, second and third members are constructed such that liquid passing through the first and second members is absorbed by the third member.