Vacuum-Adjustable Ergonomic Pad to Reduce Custom Support Inventory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and storage requirements of maintaining a variety of custom support pads for manufacturing workers, along with the inconvenience of transporting multiple pads or using unsuitable ones, highlight the need for a more versatile and customizable ergonomic solution.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic pad system featuring a bladder filled with a pliable material and granular packing material, equipped with a port for air evacuation and a sealable opening, allowing for customization and adjustment of shape to fit different users and work areas, using a vacuum source to conform to surfaces and maintain stiffness or flexibility as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple custom support pads are maintained for different users and tasks, then ergonomic support quality is improved, but cost and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support pad incorporates a bladder that can be inflated to different volumes and filled with varying amounts of granular material, allowing a single pad to adapt to different body types, positions, and ergonomic requirements. This universal design eliminates the need to maintain multiple custom pads for different users and tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad's ergonomic properties are adjusted by changing physical parameters: the bladder inflation level and granular material quantity can be modified to alter the pad's shape, firmness, and contour. These parameter changes enable one pad to provide customized ergonomic support equivalent to multiple pre-configured pads.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple custom support pads are maintained for different tasks, then task-specific ergonomic support is improved, but device complexity and management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single support pad with adjustable characteristics replaces the need to transport and select from multiple task-specific pads. The bladder and granular material system enables the same pad to be configured for various tasks including kneeling, sitting, and positioning in different work environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large selection of custom support pads is maintained, then user-specific ergonomic support is improved, but acquisition and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
One adjustable support pad replaces the need to acquire and maintain multiple custom pads for different users. The cost of purchasing and maintaining one versatile pad with adjustable characteristics is significantly lower than acquiring multiple specialized pads.
Solution Approach 2:
User-specific ergonomic support is achieved through adjusting the bladder inflation and granular material quantity rather than manufacturing different pads. This parameter adjustment approach eliminates the need for expensive custom manufacturing and maintenance of multiple user-specific pads.
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
This system reduces the need for multiple pads, optimizes storage space, and allows a single pad to be adapted for various tasks and users, providing effective ergonomic support while minimizing the risk of injury and surface damage.
Implementation Method 1
activating a vacuum source that is in fluid communication with a port of the ergonomic pad to extract air from the bladder
Implementation Method 2
Positioning the bladder with respect to surfaces in a work area. Positioning the bladder with respect to the surfaces causes a material disposed in the bladder to settle into a position conformed to the surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An ergonomic pad includes a bladder formed of a pliable material and a granular material disposed within the bladder and at least partially filling the bladder. A port is coupled to the bladder and configured to enable evacuation of air from the bladder. The bladder also includes a sealable opening distinct from the port to add or remove the granular material.