Backrest and chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chairs with thick frames have low flexibility, obstructing body movements such as turning or stretching, due to the rigidity of the backrest which does not adequately follow body movements.
Innovation Solution
A backrest design with a central area of greater thickness for rigidity and thinner areas at the ends for deformability, using thermoplastic elastomer materials, allows for stable support while minimizing obstruction during body movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the backrest uses a thick frame structure, then the backrest has high rigidity and can stably support the back, but the backrest becomes inflexible and obstructs body movements such as turning or stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest employs different thicknesses in different regions: a thicker central area (first area) for rigidity and support, and thinner end areas (second area) for flexibility and movement accommodation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both structural strength and movement freedom in appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest is divided into multiple areas with different thickness characteristics - a first area with greater thickness and a second area with lesser thickness. This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific function: support or flexibility, thereby resolving the overall contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the backrest uses a thick frame structure, then the backrest maintains stable support in normal seated posture, but the left and right corners cannot follow body movement
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest employs different thicknesses in different regions: a thicker central area (first area) for rigidity and support, and thinner end areas (second area) for flexibility and movement accommodation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both structural strength and movement freedom in appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest transitions from a static uniform structure to a dynamic differentiated structure where different regions have different degrees of flexibility. The thinner end areas can dynamically adapt to body movements while the thicker central area maintains stability, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the back board thickness is uniform, then the manufacturing is simple, but the backrest cannot provide both support and movement flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest employs different thicknesses in different regions: a thicker central area (first area) for rigidity and support, and thinner end areas (second area) for flexibility and movement accommodation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both structural strength and movement freedom in appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest varies the thickness parameter across different regions of the back board. By changing this geometric parameter, the design achieves both support and movement flexibility functions without requiring complex additional structures, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and functional versatility.
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 design enhances flexibility at the ends of the backrest, reducing obstruction during body movements and maintaining support, thus improving user comfort and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
A first area including a laterally central area of the back board has a thickness greater than a thickness of a second area of the back board located closer to each of left and right ends than the first area. This configuration allows the second area to be relatively deformable.
Data Source
AI summary
A backrest for use in a chair includes a back board arranged in a position to abut a back of a seated person on the chair. A first area that is a laterally central area of the back board has a thickness greater than a thickness of a second area of the back board located closer to each of left and right ends of the back board than the first area.