Support structure, apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of mobility devices experience discomfort due to the build-up of heat and moisture, which can lead to pressure sores and skin atrophy, as existing systems fail to effectively distribute air and remove moisture, often causing uneven cooling and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a tapered fluid flow channel and a fluid dispersion layer that disperses air over a wider area, using a fan or pump system to provide controlled airflow and moisture removal, with a design that includes flexible and resilient materials to minimize obstruction and enhance comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air flow rate is increased by fan and air outlet arrangement, then cooling effect is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to localized over-cooling and irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is divided into multiple segmented outlets distributed across the support structure surface, with each segment capable of independent or coordinated operation. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be distributed across multiple zones, preventing localized over-cooling while maintaining overall cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support structure have air outlets with different flow characteristics tailored to local requirements. The tapered channels and variable outlet configurations provide locally optimized airflow patterns, ensuring appropriate cooling intensity at each location rather than uniform high-intensity cooling that causes discomfort.
2Productivity
If air outlet is concentrated on one area, then cooling efficiency is improved, but temperature distribution becomes uneven causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrated air outlet is segmented into multiple distributed outlets across different areas of the support structure. This maintains the overall cooling efficiency by utilizing the same total airflow volume while distributing it across multiple emission points to achieve uniform temperature distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow distribution is transitioned from a single-point (0D) or localized (2D) outlet to a distributed array across the surface area (2D/3D distribution). This dimensional expansion of the outlet configuration enables efficient cooling to be achieved across the entire surface rather than concentrated in one area.
3Area of stationary object
If fluid flow channel width is increased, then air distribution area is improved, but moisture removal effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow channel parameters are dynamically varied along its length, with the width increasing and depth decreasing in a tapered manner. This parameter transformation allows the channel to provide wide area distribution at the outlet while maintaining sufficient flow velocity and pressure throughout the channel to effectively remove moisture.
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 solution effectively reduces heat and moisture build-up, providing uniform cooling and comfort to users by dispersing air and moisture over a wider area, reducing the risk of pressure sores and skin atrophy.
Implementation Method 1
The channels are tapered, with the maximum width of each channel being located at the inlet and the minimum width of each channel being located at the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure for supporting the user of a mobility device or the like, the support structure comprising a fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein at least part of the fluid flow channel is tapered, the at least part tapered fluid flow channel comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least part tapered fluid flow channel being located proximal to the fluid inlet and the second end of the at least part tapered fluid flow channel being located distal to the fluid inlet, and wherein the width of the second end of the at least part tapered fluid flow channel is greater than the width of the first end of the at least part tapered fluid flow channel.