Apparatus with weight responsive changeable adjusting characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture designs, particularly task chairs and adjustable seating, face challenges in accommodating users of varying weights, leading to inefficient and time-consuming manual adjustments, which can result in suboptimal comfort and balance, and complicate user operation, while also increasing manufacturing costs and compromising quality.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable apparatus with a frame, a first component (seat) and a second component (backrest) that can be adjusted using a spring assembly with a leaf spring that changes its effective length based on the force applied, requiring a varying force to reconfigure the chair, ensuring self-adjustment according to the user's weight, thereby simplifying the adjustment process and enhancing user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjusting mechanisms (knobs, levers, springs) are provided to accommodate different user weights, then adaptability to different users is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The chair automatically adjusts tilt tension and lock position based on the user's weight without requiring manual intervention. The variable spring assembly and weight-sensitive mechanism self-regulate to provide optimal support for different weights, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust knobs or levers.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting mechanisms automatically change their physical parameters (spring force, tilt tension, lock position) in response to variations in user weight. The system detects weight changes and相应地 adjusts mechanical parameters to maintain optimal comfort and support across different user sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manual adjusting mechanisms are provided for different components, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adjusting functions (tilt tension, lock position, armrest height) are automated to respond to user weight without requiring separate manual adjustments. The system performs what would traditionally require multiple manual operations automatically, making the chair equally easy to use for all users regardless of their weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed adjusting characteristics are used in the design, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability to different user weights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chair transitions from fixed adjusting characteristics to dynamic, weight-responsive characteristics. The variable spring assembly and weight-sensitive mechanisms allow the chair to automatically adapt its behavior based on the user's weight, providing customized support without requiring multiple fixed-configured chair models.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair's mechanical parameters (tilt resistance, lock engagement force, armrest positioning) automatically change in response to user weight variations. This allows a single chair design to serve multiple weight ranges effectively, maintaining manufacturing efficiency while improving adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable spring assembly with changing effective length is used, then adaptability to different weights is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly transitions from a fixed-length component to a dynamic component whose effective length varies with applied load. This allows the same physical spring to provide different force characteristics for different user weights, achieving adaptability through mechanical dynamics rather than multiple fixed components.
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 allows for automatic self-adjustment of the chair based on user weight, reducing the need for manual adjustments, improving user comfort and balance, while maintaining affordability and reliability, and simplifying the operation of adjustable components in furniture and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
a spring assembly with a leaf spring that changes its effective length based on the force applied
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable apparatus having: a frame; at least a first component on the frame upon which a force is applied in a first manner in using the apparatus for its intended purpose; and at least a second component on the frame that is movable relative to the at least first component and/or the frame and upon which a force can be applied in a second manner to reconfigure the apparatus by moving the at least second component relative to the at least first component and/or the frame. An adjusting assembly cooperates between the at least first component and the at least second component and is configured so that as an incident of the force being applied in the first manner changing, the force being applied in the second manner required to reconfigure the apparatus changes.