Support cushion liners comprising artificial muscles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure distribution adjustment technologies for individuals with limited mobility, such as bedridden patients, are complex, bulky, and inadequate in providing selective and targeted relief, often requiring manual intervention to prevent bedsores and fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A support cushion liner with artificial muscles that include a housing with an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, actuated by an electrode pair to apply customizable pressure, utilizing dielectric fluid and pressure sensors for selective pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pneumatic or electric motor devices are used for pressure distribution adjustment, then pressure adjustment capability is provided, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the cushion into multiple independent cells, each capable of independent pressure adjustment. This segmentation allows complex pressure distribution control to be achieved through multiple simple, identical units rather than one complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional pneumatic or electric motor mechanisms with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the cushion material interact with a movable arm containing opposite polarity magnets, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuators, hoses, or electrical motors while achieving the same pressure adjustment function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pressure distribution devices are used, then general pressure adjustment is possible, but selective and targeted relief capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into multiple independently controllable cells, each with its own set of magnets and adjustable mechanism. This allows selective activation of specific regions to provide targeted pressure relief exactly where needed, rather than adjusting the entire cushion uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cell can be independently adjusted to have different pressure characteristics, allowing the cushion to provide locally optimized support and pressure relief. The magnetic mechanisms in each cell can be positioned at different distances from the seating surface to create varied pressure profiles in different regions.
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 support cushion liner effectively adjusts pressure distribution to prevent bedsores and reduce fatigue by providing customizable and selective pressure application, improving comfort and mobility for individuals with limited mobility.
Implementation Method 1
The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region
Implementation Method 2
expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the outer layer of the liner body
Data Source
AI summary
A support cushion liner includes a liner body having a cavity disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed in the cavity of the liner body. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles include a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the outer layer of the liner body.