Support Device Control System for Muscle Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for support devices such as seats and beds do not address muscle fatigue or circulation issues, despite providing adjustments for comfort and safety.

Innovation Solution

A system that senses a person's body pose and heat distribution to estimate muscle stress or circulation, and adjusts the support device settings or environmental temperature to minimize muscle stress and improve circulation, using sensors, an estimator, and a controller in a feedback loop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adjustable support devices are provided for comfort, then basic comfort is improved, but muscle fatigue and circulation issues are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidmuscle stress prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors body pose and heat distribution through sensors, processes this information to estimate muscle stress and circulation status, and automatically adjusts support device settings based on the estimated conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to proactively address muscle fatigue and circulation issues rather than merely providing static comfort adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors (body pose sensor, body temperature sensor), an estimator, and a controller to automatically adjust support device settings. This substitution enables continuous monitoring and dynamic adjustment without requiring user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual adjustment is required for comfort, then device complexity is reduced, but user convenience and continuous adaptation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanismVSAvoidcontinuous adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring body pose and heat distribution, estimating muscle stress and circulation conditions, and modifying support device settings without requiring user input. The controller autonomously executes adjustments based on sensor data and estimation results, enabling the device to adapt continuously to changing physiological conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The support device integrates multiple functions including body pose sensing, temperature monitoring, muscle stress estimation, circulation assessment, and automatic adjustment control into a single system. This multi-functional integration allows the device to simultaneously perform monitoring, analysis, and adjustment tasks that would otherwise require separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If no physiological monitoring is implemented, then device complexity is minimized, but muscle stress and circulation issues remain undetected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor systemVSAvoidphysiological condition detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an estimator as an intermediary component that processes sensor data (body pose and temperature information) and generates estimates of muscle stress and circulation conditions. This intermediary layer translates raw sensor measurements into meaningful physiological assessments, enabling the controller to make informed adjustment decisions without requiring direct physiological sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively reduces muscle stress and improves circulation, preventing conditions like muscle fatigue, headache, and dizziness, and enhancing comfort and safety in various environments like vehicles and hospital settings.

Implementation Method 1

sensing body heat distribution of the person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

body temperature sensor configured to sense body heat distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9854995B2Non-invasive, non contact system, electronic control unit, and associated methodology for minimizing muscle stress and improving circulation

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A method, system, and process are described to decrease muscle fatigue and improve circulation of an individual resting on a support device, such as an adjustable chair or bed. The body pose and heat distribution of the individual are determined and used to estimate muscle fatigue and circulation. The estimated muscle fatigue and circulation are then used to determine settings for the support device or the temperature of the environment.