Office Chair Arm Assembly With Multi-Axis Adjustable Armrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional office chairs face challenges in accommodating the diverse physical characteristics and comfort preferences of users, as existing arm assemblies lack sufficient adjustability in height, angular, longitudinal, and transverse positions.
Innovation Solution
The arm assembly features a height-adjustable design with a vertically elongate column slidably received within a tubular support post, incorporating a latch mechanism and a multi-layer plate arrangement for angular, longitudinal, and transverse adjustments, allowing for comprehensive configurability and comfort customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single chair configuration is used, then manufacturing cost and design simplicity are improved, but it cannot satisfy the diverse comfort preferences and physical characteristics of different users
Solution Approach 1:
The arm assembly is divided into multiple independent adjustment mechanisms: vertical height adjustment via the support post and liner, angular adjustment via the pivot plate and detent, longitudinal adjustment via the slide plate and detent, and transverse adjustment via the subcap plate and detent. This segmentation allows each degree of freedom to be adjusted independently, providing comprehensive adaptability while maintaining modular manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm assembly transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic multi-adjustable structure. The arm cap can be dynamically repositioned in four directions (vertical, angular, longitudinal, transverse) to adapt to different user needs, while the quick-release latch mechanism allows rapid reconfiguration without complex tools or procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate different user preferences, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanisms on the pivot plate, slide plate, and subcap plate are designed to automatically engage with corresponding recesses in the liner, providing self-locking functionality. The quick-release latch mechanism allows users to easily disengage and reposition the arm cap without requiring tools or complex procedures, making the complex multi-directional adjustment system user-friendly and simple to operate.
3Device complexity
If the armrest is made fixed relative to the seat, then structural simplicity is improved, but it cannot maintain proper orientation during chair reclining
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot plate mechanism allows the arm cap to rotate angularly relative to the support post, enabling the armrest to maintain a horizontal or comfortable orientation even when the chair is reclined. This dynamic angular adjustment capability ensures user comfort during reclining operations while adding only a single rotational degree of freedom to the structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An office chair is provided with includes a chair arm assembly on each opposite side thereof for supporting the arms of a user. The arm assemblies each include a latching assembly to permit adjustment of the height of an arm cap thereof while maintaining the arm cap at a selected elevation. The latch assembly is engageable with an inner liner provided within a support post. Further, the armrest assembly has a plurality of interconnected and relatively movable plates which permit adjustment of the angular orientation of the arm cap along with adjustment of the arm cap in the front-to-back direction and the side-to-side direction.