V-ray Renders

Final Concept Idea

This is a Rhino image of a final concept idea I am purposing. The middle part of the pad in made from vac forming plastic and the blue material is made from silicone. The middle section is flat with the blue section tapering off and raising the pad by a few millimetres. This different in heights will allow the vacuum to be created while the user sits on the pad. The silicones frictional properties will also help to keep the pad in place.

Universal Attachment

So to make this add-on universal the attachment method is the key. The Vac forming plastic is very easy to work with, it keeps its shape, and is cheap so is a good material choice for the base. To secure the base into place I will try and make a seal using RTV silicone, hopefully by doing this it will make a secure joining force between the chair and the base. The silicone has frictional qualities and creating a seal, theoretically it will create a small vacuum as force is applied to it (the user sitting on the add-on).







To attempt to create this seal I used a router to cut a small indent 5mm deep into a piece of MDF, this being the mould for the Silicone. I then took a scrap piece of plastic and heated it under the strip heater. I created a wave within the end of the plastic which I will then cover in silicone. The reason for creating the wave is to join the silicone to the plastic, as the silicone alone does not stick.

The result of this experiment worked very well, however i still need to find some kind of adhesive that will join the plastic to the silicone.

Clipping Base

The Velcro method of attachment used in my previous model worked well but however this will not transfer will onto a marketable product. I used the same mould as before but used the excess lips of the base and heated them to form clips around the chair. This provided a sturdy well attached base which became part of the chair when attached.

However well these clips work this method only suits this exact chair, the most effective solution would be something universal, something that will work with all temporary chairs, all chairs with plastic or even wood finished surface bases.

Finalised "Core" shape

The core module that I have decided to use is the one pictures above, its curves are less intrusive and it has a softer overall shape, which I feel will make it work better when thinking of the position it will be in. Again I decided to look at the X frame folding chair and by using 1.5m think vac forming plastic I moulded this around a wooden block which I made using the CNC machine. To get an idea of how the shape would work I simply cut off the edges and used some Velcro to attach the plastic to the seat base. The results were very positive and I can now say that I have found the final form of the “Core” which is the term I will now use for the raised part of the plastic base.

Refined Module Shapes

Before I can finalise a solution and the design of the slouch prevention concept the modules had to be refined, making them more uniform and flowing. The two modules above will be produced in the same way as I produced the limpets and by then testing these again in by attaching them onto some seating I will hopefully be able to highlight a winning design of the modules and then go forward with ideas on how to integrate the modules into a existing chair. Whether this is done with fabric, plastics or some kind of rubber, this still has to be looked into.

Web Concept

Above is a concept for the slouch stopping module. The webbing offers a uniform griping method onto the chair, and in the centre the slouch stopping module is positioned in the required position to help stop slouching. By discussing the module in the web this may help view the module as more attractive.