Adjustable Lumbar Assembly With Secure Sliding Chair Back Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lumbar devices for chairs lack optimal comfort, ease of manufacturing and assembly, smooth adjustability, and durability, often failing to provide secure and effective support.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable lumbar assembly with a transition shell and flexible wires, paired with a back support system featuring an overlap joint connection and wave ridges for smooth adjustment and secure positioning, along with wire retainers that form a curved surface for active lumbar support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lumbar device is made adjustable and flexible, then comfort and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar device is divided into multiple horizontal flexible wires segmented within wire retainers, allowing independent adjustment while maintaining overall structural simplicity. Each wire can be individually positioned to provide customized lumbar support without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The lumbar device incorporates a dynamically adjustable mechanism where the lumbar assembly can slide vertically along the back support between predetermined positions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to adapt to different user needs while maintaining a relatively simple fixed-structure framework.
2Ease of operation
If a lumbar device allows smooth adjustment between positions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and secure positioning may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar device features periodic positioning along wave ridges with multiple predetermined stop positions. The user can easily slide the lumbar assembly to any desired position, and the wave ridge structure provides periodic engagement points that securely hold the device in place, preventing unintended movement while maintaining adjustment ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave ridges act as an intermediary mechanism between the lumbar assembly and the back support. This intermediary structure facilitates smooth sliding movement while simultaneously providing secure positioning through its ridged geometry, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and position security.
3Reliability
If a lumbar device is made durable and robust, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar device is segmented into modular components including horizontal wires, wire retainers, and a lumbar assembly that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for durability while simplifying the overall assembly process, as components can be pre-manufactured to high standards and then quickly assembled using the attachment mechanism.
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
The solution provides a comfortable, durable, and easily adjustable lumbar support system that maintains its position securely while allowing smooth transitions between settings, enhancing user experience and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible wires positioned in the wire retainer wells and held in a horizontal position to form a curved surface which pushes in the direction of the cushion assembly to provide live lumbar support
Implementation Method 2
an outside surface including oppositional tabs for slidably engaging a wave ridge of a back support to hold the lumbar device in a selected position
Data Source
AI summary
A chair includes a lower back frame, a back construction, including a back support attached to the lower back frame, a cushion assembly attached to the back support, and a vertically adjustable lumbar frame positioned between the back support and the cushion assembly. The lumbar frame includes a transition shell and a vertically sliding lumbar device having a plurality of horizontal flexible wires. A lower edge of the transition shell is positioned on top of an uppermost horizontal flexible wire of the lumbar device. The lumbar device is operably slidably mounted between the outer shell and cushion assembly and the transition shell upper edge slides between the outer shell and the upholstery cushion assembly. Also disclosed is a chair including a Y-shaped lower back frame having two uprights and a cross-piece attached to the back support. The uprights and cross-piece of the lower back frame include an overlap flange and the back support includes a channel-shaped flange having detents. The overlap flange and channel-shaped flange mate to form an overlap joint, including a box beam for added structural support.