Electromechanical Backrest Lift for Independent Headrest Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for upholstered furniture with reclining backrests, adjustable headrests, and extendable footrests require interconnected movements, leading to bulky designs, material inefficiency, and aesthetically undesirable gaps, failing to allow independent movement of the backrest/headrest from the seat and footrest.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring an upper and lower frame with rail systems and an electric linear actuator piston, allowing the backrest/headrest to move longitudinally and vertically independently of the seat and footrest, eliminating the need for physical connection and reducing overall dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing mechanisms are used to move the backrest and headrest of upholstered furniture, then the backrest and headrest can be moved, but the mechanisms are particularly bulky and need a considerable amount of material for their realisation
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a first mechanism for moving the backrest and a second mechanism for moving the headrest. These segmented mechanisms can be independently optimized and controlled, reducing overall material consumption while maintaining full movement capability for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanisms employ dynamic elements including a piston-cylinder arrangement for the backrest mechanism and a scissor-like structure for the headrest mechanism. These dynamic components enable efficient motion transformation with minimal material, replacing bulky static structures with lightweight movable parts.
2Ease of operation
If existing mechanisms are used to move the backrest and headrest of upholstered furniture, then the backrest and headrest can be moved, but the mechanisms are particularly bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest mechanism is nested within or adjacent to the backrest mechanism structure. The piston-cylinder arrangement and scissor-like structure are compactly integrated, allowing one mechanism to occupy space partially within the volume of the other, thereby reducing the total volume occupied by the mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of dynamic scissor-like structures and piston-cylinder arrangements allows the mechanisms to achieve large movement ranges from compact base volumes. The mechanisms expand and contract during operation, maintaining small footprint when not in use while providing full movement capability when activated.
3Ease of operation
If existing mechanisms are used to move the backrest and headrest of upholstered furniture, then the backrest and headrest can be moved, but the designs of the upholstered furniture must have specific shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanisms are designed as universal, self-contained units that can be integrated into various furniture configurations. The piston-cylinder and scissor-like structures are adaptable to different furniture shapes and sizes, allowing the same basic mechanism design to serve multiple furniture styles without requiring specific predetermined shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the movement mechanisms into independent, modular units for the backrest and headrest, the design allows each mechanism to be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation enables adaptation to various furniture layouts and shapes without compromising the movement functionality of either component.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the backrest is mechanically connected to the seat or loin rest, then the structure is stable, but the backrest cannot move independently of the seat base or loin rest movement
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is separated from the seat and loin rest through independent mounting on the base. The first mechanism mounts the backrest directly to the base rather than to the seat or loin rest, creating a segmented structure where each component (seat, loin rest, backrest) can move independently while maintaining overall structural stability through their respective support systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The base serves as an intermediary mounting structure that supports both the seat/loin rest assembly and the backrest through separate mechanisms. This intermediary base allows independent movement of the backrest relative to the seat and loin rest while maintaining stable support for all 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
This solution enables a more compact, ergonomic, and aesthetically pleasing design by reducing the depth of upholstered furniture by approximately 10 cm, using less material and maintaining comfort and support without the need for a fissure at the rear, while allowing independent movement of the backrest/headrest.
Implementation Method 1
an electric linear actuator piston (70), which upper frame is designed to move longitudinally along the axis of said rail systems
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~4A
AI summary
The present invention concerns the field of electromechanical devices, particularly electromechanical lift mechanisms, designed to allow vertical movement of the backrest, also functioning as a headrest, of an upholstered item of furniture (such as a sofa or an armchair), which upholstered item of furniture also comprises a seat base, a reclining loin rest and an extendable footrest; more specifically, the present invention refers to a mechanism suitable to be installed in an upholstered item of furniture and designed to allow vertical movement of the backrest/headrest, wherein said backrest/headrest is not anchored or mechanically connected to the seat base and to the loin rest and wherein said backrest/headrest can be moved, by means of said mechanism, independently of the movement of said seat base or of said loin rest. In another independent aspect, the present invention relates to an upholstered item of furniture comprising a backrest/headrest, a seat base, a reclining loin rest and an extendable footrest and also incorporating an electromechanical lift mechanism for vertically moving said backrest/headrest independently of the movement of said seat base or of said loin rest.