Patent Application
20160229126
The present disclosure relates to seat cushions, and more specifically, to customized seat cushions designed as per ergonomics of a user.
In general, seat cushions are attached with a seat (also called a chair) as an additional support to provide added comfort and support to an operator (also called a user). During day to day operations, the seat cushions closely accommodate and support the operator, and thereby provide comfort to the operator.
Currently, the operator suffers from fatigue and other occupational hazards that are caused by poor ergonomically fitted seat cushions. In most of the cases, the design of the seat cushions is unable to accommodate a variety of the operators. The seat cushions available today are designed as one size fits all. The seat cushions are not designed as per the ergonomics of the operator, and hence unable to offer a practical solution. Further, there are various machines that require different types of seat cushions that make the one size fits all option unworkable. Further, there is a need for a method for customizing seat cushions.
PCT Publication Number “WO2015171856” (hereinafter referred as '856) discloses a seat structure and a process for forming a frame. The seat structure includes at least one frame having one or more thin walled complex geometry structures. The thin walled complex geometry structures include one or more of multiple internal channels and ribs that defines a structure for supporting elements within the frame. The multiple channels and ribs defines one or more of structural loading paths and a channel for one or more of transporting fluids and receiving one or more components. Further, the process for forming the at least one frame via an additive manufacturing process is also disclosed. The '856 reference discloses the seat structure and the process for forming the frame. Therefore, there is a need for designing seat cushions according to the ergonomics of the user.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a seat cushion for a user is provided. The method comprises positioning the user on a test seat, scanning a plurality of pressure points of the user while the user is seated on the test seat, recording the plurality of pressure points to generate a pressure map, and manufacturing, using one of an additive manufacturing process, an additive manufactured tool and a molding process, the seat cushion conforming to the pressure map of the user.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The pressure points 60 of the pressure map 58 are used to create a profile of the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 specifically suiting the user 36. A software program develops a 3D cloud on the basis of the pressure map 58, which is then converted into a 3D model. A seat cushion profile is created using a 3D printing which is then fed into an additive manufacturing machine in which an object is created by laying down successive layers of materials. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the pressure map 58 is used for designing of the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 using other techniques, not limited to, additive manufacturing processes and control software, such as 3D printing, scanning technologies known in the art without departing from the meaning and scope of the disclosure.
A designer uses a process in which the pressure map 58 is used to create a model for the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 and this process is more manual. Further, additive manufacturing creates a tool/mold to create the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24. The materials used for additive manufacturing include, but are not limited to, different polymer types, metals, elastomers, and materials with varying density and hardness levels which are strategically placed or used in customizing the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 to optimize user ergonomics. The pressure map 58 determines areas where high/moderate support is required and model a series of supporting structures (i.e. ribs, honeycomb) to provide support or flexibility where needed. There are also some 3D cloud programs that give the ability to add inputs as constraints to achieve specific design or functional requirements (i.e. loads, stresses).
The seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 are fabricated after analyzing the pressure map 58 of the user 36. Alternatively, the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 are defined by having the user 36 sit on a mold material to get desired pressure patterns that are further processed. The seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 may be made from plastic, or foam, or a low hardness elastomeric material, The seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 may be manufactured from other processes or fabrication techniques, software other than described herein without departing from the meaning and scope of the disclosure.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the measurements of the pressure map 58 may also be taken on a vehicle (not shown) during operation not necessarily in the test room. During vehicle operations, the test seat 40 and along with the test pad 38 are fitted in the vehicle and the pressure points 60 are scanned and saved in a storage device for further processing without departing from the meaning and scope of the disclosure. Further, the method for creating the pressure map 58 takes into account dynamic machine motion that is helpful in designing the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24. It is also possible to use a machine simulator to generate the dynamic machine motion.
Referring to
At step 72, the user 36 is positioned on the test seat 40.
At step 74, the pressure points 60 of the user 36 are scanned.
At step 76, the pressure points 60 of the user 36 are recorded to generate the pressure map 58.
At step 78, the seat cushion, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24 are manufactured conforming to the pressure map 58 using an additive manufacturing process or an additive manufactured tool and a molding process.
Referring to
Further, the method disclosed herein offers cost effective way for customizing the seat cushions, i.e. the first seat cushion 12, the second seat cushion 14 and the head rest cushion 24. Further, advancements in 3D printing and scanning technologies enables optimized seat cushion design and minimizes wastages.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
