P.D.S.

Technical Document 1

Parametric Design Solutions

Autopoietic Lumbar Support System Prototype Proposal

contact: alexandercollier12@gmail.com
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Index

❏ Document Notes:​ ​Summary of terms and technology used to create and describe the prototype.

❏ C​ompany Mission: ​C​ompany goals.

❏ Autopoietic System?: ​A few selected references describing autopoietic systems and theory as understood in several design

disciplines. Unfortunately some technical jargon is necessary.

❏ Prototype Illustrative Diagram:​ ​Diagram of primary fabricated components and sourced parts for the prototype.

❏ Lumbar System Schematic: ​General operational schematic.

❏ Lumbar System Mounted In Office hair Illustration: ​Prototype mounted in generic office chair.

❏ Products That Need Autopoietic Optimization: ​Products in the marketplace that are ready for autopoietic optimization.

Document Notes

❏ Looks-Like Prototype Proposal​: ​The goal of this prototype proposal is to illustrate the general concepts underlying the system.

As such, while parts were created with general manufacturing principles in mind, this model is not representative of
P.D.S's engineering for manufacture and design capabilities.
❏ Terminology​: Unfortunately the field of parametric design is saturated with unnecessary technical jargon. Effort was taken to

introduce as few novel terms as possible.

❏ Digital Technology​: ​Solidworks and Rhino Grasshopper were used to construct this model.

❏ Illustrated Model - ​As pictured the​ lumbar support system​ is embedded within an office chair. The chair is designed by
P.D.S but in this proposal serves ​only​ as an illustrative tool.

Company Mission

P.D.S.​ research is primarily concerned with optimizing kinetic structures, fabric, and forms using algorithmically
controlled mechanical systems and materials.Two trends are leading to the integration of parametric design techniques in
product design and product engineering: ever increasing processing capabilities of computers, advanced ​c​n​c ​machining,
and the development of advanced industrial polymers resistant to mechanical fatigue.
If it bends, folds, or adapts dynamically to forces external to it’s form it will soon be parametrically optimized and
engineered by ​P.D.S.

Autopoietic System?

❏ Dictionary​:​ the property of a living system (such as a bacterial cell or a multicellular organism) that allows it to maintain and

renew itself by regulating its composition and conserving its boundaries.

❏ Patrik Schumacher:​ The Autopoiesis of Architecture: A New Framework for Architecture

❏ Peter S. Stevens: ​Patterns In Nature

Prototype Illustrative Diagram

❏ Linear Potentiometer​:​ A matrix of ball joints and linear potentiometers are used to relay the distortion of the lumbar support to

the computer.
❏ Linear Actuator:​ (4) Linear actuators are used to kinetically manipulate the lumbar support system.

❏ Ball Joint​:​ (10) Ball joints are used to mount the lumbar support system to the office hair, while still allowing the system to

flex and bend.

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❏ Flexible Plastic Structure​:​ Mounted before the ​Lumbar Support​ this piece of plastic is crafted from a mildly rigid polymer to

support the linear actuators and aluminum mounted ball joints.

❏ Lumbar Support​:​ ​C​rafted from a highly malleable plastic this is the element of the system that rests directly against the

user's lumbar (lower back). The piece of plastic is molded with a specific ‘parametric’ (a gradient pattern of geometric
shapes) pattern that is optimized for specific kinetic properties. In this crude model, the smaller holes in the middle limit
flex capabilities while the larger holes towards the center allow for greater kinetic manipulation.

Lumbar System Illustrative Diagram

❏ (1)​ ​Chair occupant places pressure on lumbar support, making direct contact with only the parametric gradient plate.
❏ (2)​ Both polymer layers of the lumbar support distort as a function of occupant applying physical pressure
❏ (3)​ As the two polymer layers distort the distance between each node in the ​potentiometer matrix ​changes. This change is
recorded by each potentiometer as a number.
❏ (4)​ Onboard computer compiles potentiator information into an approximation of the system's distortion.
❏ (5)​ Onboard computer analyzes the distortion approximation and compares it to either; ​(a)​ A desired stasis point relative
to a separate integrated matrix composed of pressure solenoids measuring users engagement with the lumbar support.
(b)​ ​An archived lumbar support shape.
❏ (6)​ Computer rationalizes current shape of lumbar support relative to desired shape, and engages linear actuators to
achieve desired goal.
System repeats autopic logic loop at a set interval
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System Mounted in Office chair Illustration

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Products That Need Autopoietic Optimization

(1)​ ​Office chair with back support

(2)​ ​Airless tires

(3)​ ​Sneaker shoe sole

(4)​ ​Automobile tires with snow shoes

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(5)​ ​Bicycle helmet

(6)​ ​Pneumatic suspension system