EP3851085A1 - Élément d'amortissement - Google Patents

Élément d'amortissement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3851085A1
EP3851085A1 EP20152487.3A EP20152487A EP3851085A1 EP 3851085 A1 EP3851085 A1 EP 3851085A1 EP 20152487 A EP20152487 A EP 20152487A EP 3851085 A1 EP3851085 A1 EP 3851085A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cushion element
electrode plates
open
cushion
interface surface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20152487.3A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ioannis STERGIOU
Thomas Parkel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Centre Suisse dElectronique et Microtechnique SA CSEM
Original Assignee
Centre Suisse dElectronique et Microtechnique SA CSEM
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Centre Suisse dElectronique et Microtechnique SA CSEM filed Critical Centre Suisse dElectronique et Microtechnique SA CSEM
Priority to EP20152487.3A priority Critical patent/EP3851085A1/fr
Publication of EP3851085A1 publication Critical patent/EP3851085A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1043—Cushions specially adapted for wheelchairs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1091—Cushions, seats or abduction devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cushion element according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for its manufacture according to the preamble of claim 16.
  • an optimal seat interface is essential.
  • wheelchair specialists try to build the best possible seat interface, to provide good comfort and avoid decubitus skin defects caused by pressure overload on prominent anatomical spots (ischial tuberosity/ sitting bone and coccyx).
  • skin temperature and transpiration have a big impact on healthy skin condition. Therefore air circulation at the body interface, which is the key to control skin temperature and skin moisture, is an essential requirement, which however is not met by today's standard cushions.
  • Today's seat cushion designs still haven't found a solution to reducing body heat build-up on the seating interface.
  • a monitoring cushion for persons at risk of developing pressure ulcers is known from GB 2558614 A . It comprises a pressure sensor consisting of two conductive sheets separated by several insulating layers made of resilient polymeric foam. The insulating layers comprise a plurality of through apertures, through which the two conductive layers can come into contact when sufficient pressure is applied to the cushion.
  • the disadvantages of this known cushion are manifold, namely:
  • the optional incorporation of a sensor should not complicate the manufacture of the device and should allow more sophisticated measurement of compression or humidity.
  • the invention solves the posed problem with a cushion device comprising the features of claim 1 and with a method for its manufacture comprising the features of claim 16.
  • Air and liquid can flow through the open celled structure of the cushion element with the following benefits:
  • the cushion element according to the invention has the following further advantages: It is adapted to the patient anatomy, leading to a better pressure distribution, and improves air circulation due to its open cell structure.
  • the cushion element is equipped with a compression sensor, which is seamlessly integrated into the seat cushion by FFF 3D printing using conductive material.
  • the sensor can provide valuable information on statics, sitting too long in one posture (risk of skin defects) and helps reducing or preventing pressure ulcers.
  • the cushion element comprises several zones, two of which at least are exhibiting different physical properties.
  • At least two of the several zones and preferably all of the several zones consist of the same polymeric material.
  • the polymeric material is a thermoplastic material.
  • the thermoplastic material is thermoplastic polyurethane.
  • the Young's modulus of the several zones is minimum 2x10 -4 MPa and maximum 10 -1 MPa.
  • the thickness of the walls of the open cells is minimum 0.4 mm and preferably maximum 1.2 mm.
  • At least two of the several zones differ in one or more of the following physical properties: (i) density; (ii) geometrical structure; (iii) uni-, di-, ortri- directional orientation of the cell structure; (iv) mean size of the open cells; and (v) mean thickness of the walls of the open cells.
  • the cushion element having a through-going open-cell structure has been obtained by an Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology and preferably by Fused Filament Fabrication (FF).
  • AM Additive Manufacturing
  • FFF Fused Filament Fabrication
  • the cushion element comprises a polymeric material with a melting point of minimum 150° C, preferably of minimum 200° C.
  • the cushion element comprises a polymeric material with a melting point of maximum 240°.
  • the cushion element comprises a polymeric material with a Shore A hardness of minimum 60, preferably of minimum 80.
  • the cushion element comprises a polymeric material with a Shore A hardness of maximum 100, preferably of maximum 90.
  • the cushion element further comprises two electrode plates which comprise an electrically conductive material seamlessly positioned within the cushion element, the two electrode plates being arranged essentially parallel to the interface surface at a given distance from each other and electrically isolated from each other by the polymeric cellular material between the two electrode plates.
  • the polymeric cellular material between the two electrode plates is resilient so that upon exertion of pressure to the interface surface the distance between the two electrode plates is reduced thereby allowing a capacity measurement in response to the magnitude of the pressure exerted.
  • the polymeric cellular material between the two electrode plates is stiff so that upon exertion of pressure to the interface surface the distance between the two electrode plates remains essentially constant thereby allowing a capacity measurement in response to the humidity in the open-cell structure.
  • the electrode plates have an open-cell structure.
  • the electrode plates are perforated.
  • the electrode plates are obtained via the 3D printing manufacturing process.
  • the electrode plates are wired to the outer surface by means of 3D printed conductive ribbons.
  • NFC electronic near field communication
  • the electrode plates comprise thermoplastic material or filaments, preferably polyurethane resins and additionally one or more of the following substances: carbon black, silica cristobalite and silver particles.
  • the electrode plates are obtained via the 3D printing manufacturing process.
  • the cushion element additionally comprises an air ventilator which is either integrated in the open-cell structure or arranged exterior of the cushion element with an air inlet at the cushion element.
  • the electrode plates have a surface area of 480 mm 2 to 4'800 mm 2 .
  • the electrode plates have a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm.
  • the electrode plates are arranged at a distance of 10 mm - 80 mm from each other.
  • step b2) selecting points of interest to place and designing one or more capacitive sensors (10).
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the cushion element 1 according to the invention, which comprises a polymeric material and which has an interface surface 2 for contacting a human and a free surface 3 opposite to the interface surface 2.
  • the cushion element 1 is configured as the interface between the backside of the driver and the wheelchair 4.
  • the cushion element 1 has a through-going open-cell cellular structure which allows air-circulation between the interface surface 2 and the free surface 3, wherein the through-going open-cell structure is obtained by a 3D printing manufacturing process.
  • the entire seat cushion element 1 is printed with a fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology with TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) material in the shore hardness of 85A.
  • FFF fused filament fabrication
  • TPU Thermoplastic Polyurethane
  • the cushion element 1 can be realized with other 3D printing technologies or Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology_and with other materials.
  • AM Additive Manufacturing
  • Cellular structures are omnipresent as a building block in nature. Adapting their principles into product design optimizes resulting properties, such as the weight-to-strength ratio, and energy absorption.
  • the design of cellular structures is a unit cell-based periodic design that is arranged in two- or three-dimensional (3D) arrays. Not having the unit cells completely encapsulated, but deliberately designed to be opened.
  • figs. 2 - 5 Particular types of open-cell cellular structures are illustrated in figs. 2 - 5 , wherein fig. 2 illustrates a lattice comprising cubic algebraic structure of cylinders with the parameters: "cylinders' diameter, cylinders' length, nodes' shape and size, orientation", fig. 3 illustrates a 3D re-entrant auxetic with the parameters "height h, length I and angle ⁇ , whereas fig. 4 illustrates a configuration of tiled spheres having a set of spheres on a regular grid, being subtracted from a specified volume with the prerequisite "spheres' diameter” > "Spheres' center distance from each other” and with the parameters "spheres' diameter, spheres' center distance from each other, orientation” and fig.
  • TPMs gyroid a gyroid with the parameters "unit-cell size or fill ratio, and thickness".
  • TPMs gyroid gyroid
  • Other open celled cellular structures with a low Young's modulus, resulting to damping/soft-foam properties can be used as well.
  • Stochastic foam Body-centered cubic (BCC)
  • BCC Body-centered cubic
  • TPMS P-type TPMS I-WP type
  • Open-cell cellular structures allow air-circulation with low fluidic resistance across the material.
  • an air-flow-resistance measurement was carried out with a Ventilator (turbine), an AWM720P1 Flowmeter, and a Frame.
  • the Frame was a cubic construction of 50mm side, with one face opened to atmospheric pressure and the opposite face featuring a central cylindrical opening, with a diameter of 19 mm for air connection to the vent.
  • the air-flow measurement is taken between the vent and the Frame. When the Frame is empty, the air flow was measured and represented 100 liters per minute. Filling the Frame with a 50 mm cubic-shaped open-cell cellular structure as used in one embodiment of the present invention, resulted in a limited reduction of the airflow of less than 2 liters per minute.
  • FIG. 6 A further embodiment of the cushion element 1 according to the invention is illustrated in fig. 6 which differs from the embodiment of fig. 1 only therein that the cushion element 1 comprises a perforated surface 6 and an inner structure.
  • the perforated surface 6 creates a pattern of holes while the inner structure includes four zones 5a - 5d, which are exhibiting different physical properties.
  • zones 5a - 5d are realized by different open-cell cellular structures types with different dimensions, wherein zone 5a (lower front part of the cushion element 1) forms the most dense area, zones 5b (adjoining zone 5a towards a rear part and at the rear part of the cushion element 1) forms a dense frame area, zone 5c (lower central part of the cushion element 1) forms a soft zone (Ischium) and zone 5d (upper front part of the cushion element 1) forms a very soft zone (15 mm Stimulite).
  • the four zones 5a - 5d consist of the same polymeric material.
  • the holes of the perforated surface 6 have a smaller diameter than the open cells of the open-cell cellular structure of zone 5d.
  • Zone 5a - 5d Dimensions for these zones 5a - 5d are as follows: Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 5c Zone 5d Min. element thickness in mm 1.55 0.89-1.00 0.85-1.10 0.93-1.00 Cellular size in mm 3 5.31 3 5 3 6 3 7 3
  • Figs. 7 - 11 illustrate a further embodiment of the cushion element 1 according to the invention which differs from each of the embodiments of figs. 1 - 6 only therein that the cushion element 1 additionally comprises a plurality of electrode plates 7 in the form of 3D printed capacitive sensors 10 which are provided with ribbon connectors 8 (signal roots) that are directly integrated into the open-celled design of the cushion element 1.
  • These ribbon connectors 8 each comprise an interface to a desired output area of the cushion element 1 so as to provide access points 9 for all sensors for signal transmission which are accessible from the outer surface of the cushion element 1 ( fig. 11 ).
  • the sensor signals are processed and interpreted in a separate mobile device (not shown) to provide add-on information to the driver and or to the medical team for further sitting optimization.
  • the electrode plates 7 are made of a conductive material seamlessly positioned within the cushion element 1, wherein each two electrode plates 7 are arranged at a given distance from each other and electrically isolated from each other by the polymeric cellular material between the two electrode plates 7.
  • the polymeric cellular material between each two electrode plates 7 is resilient ( fig. 9 ) so that upon exertion of pressure to the interface surface 2 the distance between respective two electrode plates 7 is reduced thereby allowing a capacity measurement in response to the magnitude of the pressure exerted that is causing the difference in distance of the electrode plates.
  • the sensors 10 are integrated into the open-celled structure of the cushion element on point of interest locations as illustrated in fig. 7 .
  • the sensor electrode surfaces consist of conductive areas (electrode plates 7) which are 3D printed with conductive FFF filaments.
  • the electrode plates 7 are surrounded by open-celled non-conductive TPU material, not facing the surface of the cushion element 1.
  • Each electrode plate 7 has one or more ribbon connectors 8 that lead from the electrode plate 7 to the desired output area on the surface of the cushion element 1.
  • the electrode plates 7 are located directly below the surface of the cushion element 1, but the essence is the same even if there was some distance from the surface. Alternatively, there is some open-cell cellular structure between the electrode plates 7 and the perforated surface 6 of the cushion element 1.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates a particular embodiment of a sensor 10 with a TPU flexible structure between the two electrode plates 7.
  • Each two 3D printed electrode plates 7 are aligned with a fair distance to each other within the cushion element 1.
  • the shape of the electrode plates 7 is square and the electrode plates 7 are perforated ( fig. 10 ).
  • the electrode plates 7 can be non-perforated and the shape of the electrode plates 7 can be round or any other shape.
  • the electrode plates 7 can be contoured.
  • the electrode plates 7 are made from a thermoplastic polyurethane resin and comprise as an electrically conductive material carbon black. Alternatively or additionally, as electrically conductive material silica cristobalite and/or silver particles can be added.
  • the dimensions of the electrode plates were 50 x 50 x 1.2 mm.
  • the electrode plates were covered up with one non-conductive layer and the distance between the electrode plates 7 was 30 mm. In alternative embodiments the distance between the electrode plates 7 can be between 15 mm and 100 mm.
  • each electrode plate 7 comprises one printed ribbon connector 8 which is made of an electrically conductive material and which extends from the electrode plate 7 to the surface of the cushion element 1.
  • each electrode plate 7 can comprise a plurality of ribbon connectors 8.
  • NFC near field communication
  • the printed integrated sensors 10 function as capacitive sensors.
  • a capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field.
  • the capacitance is a measurable property of a capacitor, which is a function of the geometry of the device (e.g. area of the plates and the distance between them) and of the permittivity of the dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor.
  • Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate another embodiment of the cushion element 1 according to the invention which differs from the embodiment of figs. 7 - 11 only therein that the polymeric cellular structure between each two electrode plates 7 is stiff so that upon exertion of pressure to the interface surface the distance between each two electrode plates 7 remains essentially constant thereby allowing a capacity measurement in response to the humidity in the open-cell structure.
  • a device e.g. a standard chicken (open-source electronics platform), is monitoring the capacitive change over time in [pF] picofarad. Its values can be translated in mm distance.
  • a multi-channel capacitive measurement device can show all sensor information and interpret a shift of compression values into change of position ( fig. 7 ). It can also detect a certain time period without any weight dislocation (distance change) and send out a warning signal to prevent pressure skin defects.
  • an air ventilator to actively control the temperature and humidity can be integrated. Ambient air is transferred through the cushion structure to transport body temperature and moisture from the open celled cushion body interface back to the ambient (exhaust).
  • the ventilator is integrated into the seat cushion whereby the air streams through the inner structure along the body interface surface till it exits the cushion element.
  • the ventilator can be arranged exteriorly of the cushion element, e.g. integrated in a wheelchair, wherein in this case a main air inlet is positioned at a surface of the cushion element.
  • a customized multi soft zone open celled cushion element that can be placed on any sitting/rest device functioning as a soft interface for weight load distribution: This can be on mobile or static devices like any type of wheelchair, rest-beds, couch. It will be used to prevent skin and musculoskeletal defects on patients that are at least partially immobilized or have the tendency to be forced to rest longer period on certain body areas (paralyzed, coma patient, handicapped people, professional drivers).
  • a customized multi soft zone open celled cushion element that can be placed on any sitting/rest device functioning as a soft interface for weight load distribution.
  • the integrated sensor(s) are used to monitor the weight distribution but can also sense temperature and humidity.
  • the sensor data can be computed and useful information to prevent skin and musculoskeletal defects can be provided to the users:
  • This interface can be integrated on mobile or static devices like any type of wheelchair, rest-beds, and couch.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
EP20152487.3A 2020-01-17 2020-01-17 Élément d'amortissement Withdrawn EP3851085A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20152487.3A EP3851085A1 (fr) 2020-01-17 2020-01-17 Élément d'amortissement

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20152487.3A EP3851085A1 (fr) 2020-01-17 2020-01-17 Élément d'amortissement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3851085A1 true EP3851085A1 (fr) 2021-07-21

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EP20152487.3A Withdrawn EP3851085A1 (fr) 2020-01-17 2020-01-17 Élément d'amortissement

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11364828B2 (en) * 2020-02-04 2022-06-21 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seat assembly having cushion supports with integrated air bladders for pneumatic activation

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006013391A2 (fr) * 2004-08-06 2006-02-09 Connaught Engineering Ltd. Structures conformables
WO2010045741A1 (fr) * 2008-10-24 2010-04-29 Elmedex Ltd. Système de contrôle pour la prévention d'escarre de décubitus
GB2558614A (en) 2017-01-10 2018-07-18 The Helping Hand Company Ledbury Ltd Cushion
WO2018183803A1 (fr) * 2017-03-30 2018-10-04 Dow Silicones Corporation Procédé de préparation d'un article en silicone poreux et utilisation de cet article en silicone
US20190054847A1 (en) * 2017-08-15 2019-02-21 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Cushion With Spatially Varying Lattice Structures

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006013391A2 (fr) * 2004-08-06 2006-02-09 Connaught Engineering Ltd. Structures conformables
WO2010045741A1 (fr) * 2008-10-24 2010-04-29 Elmedex Ltd. Système de contrôle pour la prévention d'escarre de décubitus
GB2558614A (en) 2017-01-10 2018-07-18 The Helping Hand Company Ledbury Ltd Cushion
WO2018183803A1 (fr) * 2017-03-30 2018-10-04 Dow Silicones Corporation Procédé de préparation d'un article en silicone poreux et utilisation de cet article en silicone
US20190054847A1 (en) * 2017-08-15 2019-02-21 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Cushion With Spatially Varying Lattice Structures

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11364828B2 (en) * 2020-02-04 2022-06-21 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seat assembly having cushion supports with integrated air bladders for pneumatic activation

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