Toroidal seating cushion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat cushions fail to provide adequate support and stability for both the coccyx and central buttocks areas, leading to discomfort and poor posture, as they often prioritize reducing pressure on one area over the other, resulting in an unstable seating position.
Innovation Solution
A toroidal seat cushion with a central elongated ellipsoid aperture, leg support cutouts, and a rear cutout to reduce pressure, combined with a high-resilience upholstery foam core and cushion cover, designed to promote healthy posture and alleviate pressure on the coccyx and central buttocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If existing cushion designs include a significant slant to reduce pressure on the coccyx, then pressure relief on the coccyx is improved, but the seating position becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into distinct functional zones: a rear cutout for coccyx relief, a central aperture for buttocks pressure reduction, and leg support cutouts for stability. This segmentation allows each zone to independently address specific needs without compromising overall seating stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cushion have different structural properties tailored to local needs. The rear portion has a cutout for coccyx relief, the center has an aperture for buttocks support, and the sides have leg support cutouts. This local differentiation enables pressure relief in critical areas while maintaining stability through strategically placed support structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing cushion designs lack adequate leg support features, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the overall seating posture and spine alignment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion includes dedicated leg support cutouts positioned at the front corners, separating the leg support function from the main seating surface. This segmentation allows the leg support feature to be integrated into the existing cushion structure without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg support cutouts are positioned at specific locations (front corners) with specific orientations to provide localized support for the thighs and knees. This local differentiation enables proper leg positioning and spine alignment while maintaining the overall simplicity of the cushion design.
Data Source
AI summary
A toroidal seat cushion, in the shape of a ring-torus, can include a central aperture, a right leg support cutout, a left leg support cutout, and a rear cutout, which can allow a person sitting in the cushion to experience reduced pressure on the person's coccyx and central buttocks, while having support and guidance to the position of the legs. The features of the cushion may promote a healthy sitting posture, proper spine alignment, and may reduce or prevent pain in the lower back and central buttocks. Also disclosed is a method for configuring a support contour of a cushion.