Enhanced comfort of seating systems through variable shape and compliance
Name
46973063-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
12.55 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
302266f320630d017734f5e24d5c1676
Author(s)
Bush, Michael T. (Michael Thomas)
Advisor(s)
Woodie C. Flowers.
Date Issued
1996
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
A new type of seat cushion has been developed. The present use of the cushion is in wheelchair seating, but it may ultimately have application to general seating, particularly in situations where comfort is a significant consideration. The cushion is intended to optimally distribute the interface pressure on the seat of a wheelchair user, as well as to provide an opportunity for active pressure management. The principal goal in developing this cushion is the prevention of pressure sores (decubitis ulcers). The theoretical and design considerations upon which the cushion was developed are presented. Experimental materials data, as well as results of a prototype system, are supplied. A prototype cushion has been produced, and additional work is ongoing. The cushion uses vacuum to manipulate the elastic/collapse properties of open-cell foam; effectively setting a maximum pressure at the human interface. Assuming appropriate auxiliary hardware, pumps, controllers, and sensors it would be appropriate to use this cushion as the basis of an actively controlled seating system.
Description
Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1996.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-74).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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