Back support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating structures often fail to provide adjustable lumbar and sacral support, leading to user discomfort and poor posture due to slouching, which can cause fatigue, muscle strain, and long-term back issues.
Innovation Solution
A back support structure with independently adjustable lumbar and sacral support pads, connected via a yoke and adjustment mechanism, allowing continuous and infinite adjustment to fit the user's spine contours, using a combination of flexible materials and pivoting mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible backrest is used to accommodate user movements, then adaptability is improved, but lumbar and sacral support is insufficient leading to user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is segmented into multiple independent support pads (lumbar support pad and sacral support pad) that can be individually adjusted. This segmentation allows each pad to be positioned independently to provide targeted support to specific regions of the user's back, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and adequate support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support pads are made dynamically adjustable through the yoke mechanism, allowing users to modify the position and configuration of lumbar and sacral support according to their needs. This dynamic adjustability maintains adaptability while ensuring proper support to prevent discomfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lumbar and sacral supports are made adjustable, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms for both lumbar and sacral support pads are merged into a single integrated yoke structure. This allows both pads to be adjusted simultaneously using one unified mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to provide customized support for user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The yoke serves multiple functions: it acts as both the adjustment mechanism and the structural connection element between support pads and the backrest. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device while enabling adjustable lumbar and sacral support.
3Device complexity
If a single pad is used for back support, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to differentiate support in lumbar and sacral areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single pad, the support structure is segmented into multiple independent pads (lumbar pad and sacral pad) that can be individually positioned. This segmentation enables region-specific support for different areas of the back while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the shared yoke adjustment mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A back support structure includes a frame, a support, a fulcrum member, and an adjustment mechanism. The support includes an upright member having a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of the upright member is connected to the frame at a first location. A support pad is connected to the upper end of the upright member. The fulcrum member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the frame at a second location spaced vertically above the first location. The fulcrum member includes a fulcrum engaging the upright member between the upper and lower ends. The fulcrum member is moveable between a plurality of fulcrum positions. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to the frame and the lower portion of the fulcrum member. The adjustment member is adjustable to move the fulcrum member to the plurality of fulcrum positions.