Actuating mechanism or system for a powered furniture seating piece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating mechanisms for powered furniture seating are complex, costly, and difficult to assemble, particularly in theater or stadium seating, and lack a simplified linkage assembly for moving seat sections, back supports, and extendable footrests between retracted and extended positions.
Innovation Solution
A simplified linkage assembly using a linear actuator with a telescopic rod, pivot links, and control links to move seat sections and back supports between tilted and reclined positions while extending or retracting a footrest, combined with a modular base design for easy assembly and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional actuating mechanisms are used for powered furniture seating, then the seating can move between positions, but the mechanism becomes complex, costly, and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of moving the seat and footrest between positions while removing the complex redundant linkage mechanisms. By taking out only the necessary components (actuator, base, seat, footrest) and eliminating unnecessary intermediate linkages, the design achieves the required positional movement with significantly reduced complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator in this patent serves multiple functions simultaneously: it moves the seat between positions, controls footrest extension and retraction, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full operational capability.
2Reliability
If traditional actuating mechanisms are used for powered furniture seating, then the seating can move between positions, but the mechanism is costly to manufacture and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuating mechanism into distinct modular components: the actuator unit, the base, the seat assembly, and the footrest assembly. Each segment can be manufactured independently using standard components and then assembled through simple connections, significantly improving ease of manufacture and assembly while reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components such as standard actuators, simple linkages, and basic structural elements. These components are designed to be cost-effective and easy to replace if needed, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying assembly procedures while maintaining sufficient durability for the application.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simplified linkage assembly is used, then manufacturing and assembly become easier and more cost-effective, but the ability to coordinate seat tilt and footrest extension may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of seat positioning and footrest extension into a single integrated actuating system. The actuator is mechanically linked to both the seat and footrest through a unified linkage structure, ensuring that when the actuator moves, both components coordinate their movements automatically. This merging maintains full adaptability while simplifying the overall mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a intermediary linkage structure that connects the actuator to both the seat and footrest. This intermediary mechanism translates the single actuator's linear motion into coordinated angular movements of the seat and extension movements of the footrest, maintaining the required coordination between components while keeping the overall system simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating mechanism or system for moving components of a powered furniture seating piece, such as, for example, a seat section and a back support fixedly connected to the seat section, and an extendable footrest or leg support, between a first position or state at which the seat section and back support are not tilted or reclined, and the footrest or leg support is disposed at a retracted or closed position, and a second position or state at which the seat section and back support are both disposed at tilted or reclined positions, while the footrest or leg support is disposed at an extended position.