Adjustable Lateral Support Bracket for Adaptive Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seats for physically disabled individuals lack adjustable features to accommodate varying physical support needs, such as reclining and tilt adjustments, which are essential for comfort and safety.
Innovation Solution
A seat design featuring a backrest angle adjustment system with guides and a quick release pin, a tilt in space mechanism with a linear actuator, lateral support brackets for adjustable positioning, and a footrest with a tilt adjustment system, allowing for customizable angles and positions to suit individual needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a seat is designed with fixed support structure, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying physical support needs of different users
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral support bracket is divided into three distinct portions (first, second, and third portions) that can independently adjust. Each portion serves a specific function: the first portion provides lateral support adjustment, the second portion connects to the backrest, and the third portion attaches to the seat frame. This segmentation allows the structure to accommodate varying user needs while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through pivot joints and sliding mechanisms. The first portion can pivot relative to the second portion, and the third portion can slide along the second portion, enabling the structure to adapt to different user requirements. This dynamic design transforms a static support structure into an adaptable system that responds to individual user needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate different disabilities, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral support bracket is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides lateral support, angular adjustment, and positional adaptation. By integrating these functions into a single bracket structure rather than separate mechanisms, the design achieves universality - one component serves multiple purposes for accommodating different disability types without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple adjustment functions into a single integrated bracket assembly. The pivot joint and sliding mechanism are merged within the three-portion structure, allowing lateral support and angular adjustment to occur through coordinated movement of integrated components rather than separate mechanisms. This merging reduces the number of independent adjustment systems needed.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable components are incorporated, then ease of operation improves, but reliability may decrease due to more moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket design enables self-adjustment through its mechanical structure. The pivot joints and sliding mechanisms are configured to allow easy movement and positioning without requiring complex control systems or multiple actuators. The structure itself facilitates the adjustment operation, making the system easy to operate while maintaining reliability through straightforward mechanical design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a seat, backrest, lateral support bracket, and footrest that are able to be adapted to suit the needs of a physically disabled user. In general, the seat comprises a base frame, a seat base that is supported by the base frame, and a backrest. The backrest may be adapted to tilt with respect to the seat base and comprises a backrest angle adjustment system including a vertically extending angle adjustment slot located centrally on the backrest support and a pair of links pivotally attached to the seat frame and the angle adjuster wherein the angle adjuster comprises a lock with a projection through the angle adjustment slot and a fastener that engages with the projection.