Office Seat Backrest Shell With Integrated Flexible Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing height-adjustable seat mechanisms in office furniture require a separate control member for height adjustment, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity due to the need for additional assembly steps and components.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a flexible zone within the shell of the seat, acting as a push button, which cooperates with a pivoting lever to unlock and lock the backrest, eliminating the need for a separate control member and simplifying assembly by using a flexible portion of the shell as the control mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate control member is used for height adjustment, then the functionality of height adjustment is ensured, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control member function directly into the shell by creating a flexible zone that acts as a push button. This integration eliminates the need for a separate control member, reducing the number of components while maintaining the height adjustment functionality. The flexible zone is formed as an integral part of the shell structure, combining what were previously separate elements into one unified component.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is given multiple functions: it serves as both the structural housing and the control mechanism for height adjustment. The flexible zone within the shell acts as a push button, allowing the shell to perform both protective/structural roles and control operations. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while ensuring all necessary functions are present.
2Ease of operation
If a separate control member is used for height adjustment, then the height adjustment mechanism is complete, but the manufacturing cost increases due to additional assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the control function into the shell through the flexible zone, the patent eliminates the need for separate assembly of a control member. The flexible zone is formed as part of the shell manufacturing process, reducing assembly steps and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining complete height adjustment functionality.
3Strength
If the shell is made rigid for structural stability, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ability to provide tactile feedback and visual indication for height adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local flexibility to a specific zone within the otherwise rigid shell. The flexible zone is created at the control location, allowing it to deform under finger pressure to provide tactile feedback and visual indication of the control action. The rest of the shell maintains its rigid structural integrity, so the local modification does not compromise overall strength while enabling the necessary operational feedback.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and complexity by eliminating an additional component and assembly step, while maintaining the functionality of height adjustment, thereby improving the economic viability and assembly efficiency of the seat.
Implementation Method 1
the shell comprises a flexible zone capable of cooperating with a pivoting lever ensuring the locking/unlocking of the backrest with respect to its support arm, said flexible zone being provided for actuating said lever when it flexes
Data Source
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AI summary
The seat has a height adjustable backrest including an intermediate plate (2) whose opposed faces are respectively provided with a padded covering support (1) and a slide (4). A movable lever (5) is pivoted with respect to the plate between an actuating position in which the lever liberates a support arm in the slide, and a rest position in which the lever locks the arm. A case (3) is made of flexible synthetic material, and covers the face carrying the slide. The case has a flexible rectangular zone (6) cooperated with the lever for actuating the lever by deflection of the zone. USE : Seat for use in an office. ADVANTAGE : The flexible rectangular zone of the case is cooperated with the lever for actuating the lever by deflection of the zone, thus eliminating the need for installing a separate control unit at the time of assembling the seat, and hence assembling the seat in a simple manner, while reducing the fabrication and maintenance cost of the seat. The configuration of the seat permits adjustment of seating position of users so as to improve the comfort of the users, thus improving the working environment. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows an exploded perspective view of a seat backrest comprising an intermediate plate provided with a padded covering support and a case having a U-shaped flexible zone. 1 : Padded covering support 2 : Intermediate plate 3 : Case 4 : Slide 5 : Movable lever 6 : Flexible rectangular zone.