Ergonomic Seating Assembly With Adaptive Tilt and Lumbar Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating assemblies are designed for a single or limited range of orientations, failing to provide adequate support and comfort for users performing different tasks, leading to improper posture, static stress injuries, and back pain due to restricted movement and prolonged sitting.
Innovation Solution
The seating assemblies feature a frame component with a spring member and a tilt mechanism, including leaf springs and a spring contact assembly, which allows for adjustable compression and tilt, providing integrated compression adaptation and dynamic support to accommodate various user orientations, including forward-leaning and reclined positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a seating assembly uses a rigid back support and seat fixed relative to each other, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to user orientation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The back support is designed to be movable relative to the seat through a tilt mechanism, allowing the assembly to dynamically adapt to different user orientations (forward-leaning, fully-seated, reclined) while maintaining structural integrity through controlled mechanical movement
Solution Approach 2:
The seating assembly is divided into separable components (seat, back support, tilt mechanism) that can move independently relative to each other, enabling the back support to tilt at different angles while the seat remains stable on the base
2Device complexity
If a seating assembly is designed for a single orientation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different tasks is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of multiple fixed-position seats, a single seat with a dynamic tilt mechanism allows the back support to adjust to various orientations, achieving task adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt mechanism enables a single seating assembly to perform multiple functions by supporting users in forward-leaning, fully-seated, and reclined orientations, allowing one device to serve multiple task requirements
3Stability of the object's composition
If a seating assembly restricts user movement, then the structural stability is improved, but the user comfort is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt mechanism provides controlled movement between fixed tilt positions, giving users the ability to adjust their orientation for comfort while the mechanism maintains structural stability through defined mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member provides automatic compression adaptation to user weight and orientation, adjusting support forces without user intervention to maintain both stability and comfort across different positions
4Manufacturing precision
If a seating assembly uses fixed compression support, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to user weight and orientation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member's compression characteristics change dynamically based on user weight and back support orientation, providing adaptive support forces that automatically adjust to different users and positions without requiring precision adjustment mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These assemblies offer long-term comfort, stability, and support by maintaining proper lumbar curvature, reducing stress on the spine, and allowing users to perform tasks without discomfort, thereby preventing back pain and improving posture.
Implementation Method 1
The spring member can have at least one undulation or arc, providing integrated compression adaption to a user
Implementation Method 2
The tilt mechanism can include one or more leaf springs and a spring contact assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Seating assemblies and methods are disclosed. A seating assembly can comprise a seat, a back support, and a frame component. The frame component can extend from a bottom portion, positioned near an underside of the seat, to a top portion, configured to maintain the back support at a position above the seat. The back support can laterally extend from a left edge portion to a right edge portion and can include a spring member at or near each of the left and right edge portions. The spring member can include at least one undulation or are providing integrated compression adaptation to a user. The seating assembly can further comprise a tilt mechanism, engaged with the frame component, including one or more leaf springs and a spring contact assembly. The spring contact assembly can be positioned on a top side of the one or more leaf springs.