Suspension Seat Assembly With Tunable Elastomeric Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load bearing assemblies for body support structures, such as chairs and beds, often have a linear force/deflection profile, leading to uncomfortable and ergonomically unacceptable seating due to limited tunability of physical characteristics, and require costly and time-consuming attachment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A body support assembly featuring a pair of spaced frame members with elastomeric members extending across the opening, where the elastomeric members are attached via retention portions through loops on the frame members, allowing for secure and adjustable attachment without additional materials or manufacturing steps, and optionally encapsulated with cushion material and relief channels for enhanced comfort and deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional attachment mechanisms such as screws or adhesives are used to attach suspension members to the support structure, then secure attachment is achieved, but manufacturing cost and time increase due to additional materials and manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension member is integrated with the support structure through a unified attachment mechanism where the suspension member itself forms the attachment feature. The retention portion of the elastomeric member engages directly with the frame member without requiring separate screws, adhesives, or additional fastening components, thereby combining the suspension function and attachment function into a single integrated solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric member's retention portion is designed to self-attach to the frame member through its own structural features. The retention portion engages with the frame member in a self-retaining manner that does not require external attachment mechanisms, allowing the suspension member to attach itself to the support structure without additional materials or complex manufacturing steps.
2Reliability
If foam or other structures are used to encapsulate the body support assembly, then physical characteristics can be compensated for, but the ability to tune the characteristics is limited and difficult to predict
Solution Approach 1:
The body support assembly transitions from a static foam-encapsulated structure to a dynamic system where the elastomeric member can deflect and adjust to applied loads. The suspension member's elastic properties allow it to dynamically respond to user weight and positioning, providing tunable support characteristics that adapt to different users and applications rather than being fixed by pre-molded foam properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical characteristics of the body support assembly are controlled by changing parameters of the elastomeric member such as material composition, thickness, and geometric configuration of the retention portion. These parameters can be adjusted to tune the force-deflection profile and support characteristics, providing greater adaptability and predictability compared to conventional foam encapsulation methods.
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 provides a durable, cost-effective, and ergonomically improved body support assembly with adjustable physical characteristics, enhancing user comfort by allowing for better load distribution and reduced stress concentrations, while simplifying the attachment process.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric member extending across the opening between the pair of spaced apart members
Implementation Method 2
rotating the retention portion with respect to the frame members without decoupling the retention portion from the loop
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension seating structure having a body support assembly which includes a membrane formed from at least one strap spanning across an opening. Each strap is coupled to a frame member through a retaining structure. The retaining structure is coupled with or forms part of each frame member and provides a structurally secure body support assembly. A cushion material encapsulates the membrane, where the cushion material contains relief channels to permit the membrane to respond more freely in response to a load.