Active Seating Post-to-Base Locking Assembly for Tool-Free Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active seating apparatuses, such as wobble chairs, face challenges with secure assembly and easy disassembly, often relying on frictional or interference fits that can lead to difficulty in disassembly over time and safety concerns due to unintended disassembly or the need for additional parts and tools.
Innovation Solution
An active seating apparatus with a post locking feature at its lower end and a base featuring an upwardly-opening receiver with a locking mechanism, allowing for selective and secure assembly with minimal surface-to-surface contact, enabling easy disassembly without tools or additional parts, using angled ramps and recesses for sliding engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If frictional or interference fit is used to assemble the post and base, then initial assembly is simple, but disassembly becomes difficult over time due to increased engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a frictional engagement zone for initial assembly and a positive locking zone for secure connection. The post includes a locking feature (protrusion) and the base includes a corresponding receiver feature (recess) that are spatially separated from the main frictional contact surfaces, allowing independent operation of assembly and locking functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking features are pre-configured in specific positions and orientations on the post and base components. The protrusion and recess are designed with predetermined geometries that guide their engagement sequence, ensuring that the positive locking action occurs automatically at a specific point during the assembly process before final frictional engagement is achieved.
2Reliability
If additional parts or fasteners are used to secure the post and base, then assembly security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function and the structural connection function are merged into a single integrated feature set. The locking protrusion and receiver recess are formed as integral parts of the post and base respectively, eliminating the need for separate fasteners, screws, or clips. This integration maintains high security while minimizing part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking features serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide positive mechanical interlocking to prevent unintended disassembly, guide proper alignment during assembly, and maintain structural integrity under load. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If large surface-to-surface contact area is used for locking engagement, then assembly security is improved, but frictional engagement increases making disassembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surfaces are differentiated into zones with different functional qualities: a small localized locking zone with high geometric constraint for security, and larger frictional contact zones for structural connection. The locking features (protrusion and recess) are designed with precise dimensional tolerances and specific geometries that create strong mechanical interlocking with minimal surface area, while the surrounding frictional surfaces provide structural support without excessive engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
An active seating apparatus having a seat, a post configured for selectively engaging and supporting the seat and having a lower end opposite the upper end and seat formed with a post locking feature, and a base having an upper wall and an upwardly-opening receiver formed in the upper wall configured for selective removable receipt of the lower end of the post, the receiver having a receiver locking feature configured for selective locking engagement with the post locking feature upon insertion of the post within the base in selectively and securely assembling the post on the base through engagement of the post and receiver locking features, the surface-to-surface locking engagement between the post locking feature and the receiver locking feature being no more than twenty percent of the overall surface-to-surface contact between the lower end of the post and the receiver of the base.