Chair Armrest Width Adjustment Using Bracket and Lever Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current chair designs do not adequately address user comfort by failing to provide a simple and effective mechanism for adjusting the width of armrests, which is crucial for personalized seating experience.

Innovation Solution

The chair design incorporates a bracket system with glides and a lever that allows the armrest assembly to be securely coupled to the chair seat, enabling adjustable width settings, ensuring the armrests can be easily adjusted and locked into desired positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed armrest design is used, then the chair structure is simple, but user comfort and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest width adjustabilityVSAvoidbracket and lever mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest assembly is designed with movable capability through the bracket system, allowing it to transition between fixed and adjusted positions. The lever mechanism enables dynamic repositioning of the armrests to different widths, transforming a static structure into an adaptable one that responds to user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest assembly is separated into independently adjustable components that can be positioned at different widths. The bracket system divides the adjustment function into discrete positions, allowing the armrests to be segmented and repositioned without moving the entire chair structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable armrest mechanism is added, then user comfort is improved, but the risk of accidental removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest width adjustmentVSAvoidarmrest retention security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lever mechanism is designed to be operated by the user themselves without requiring tools or additional assistance. The user can easily engage and disengage the armrest adjustment by manipulating the lever, making the system self-servicing while maintaining secure retention when locked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lever acts as an intermediary element between the user and the armrest assembly. It provides a controlled interface that allows the user to intentionally adjust the armrest position while preventing accidental removal, as the lever must be deliberately actuated to release the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the armrest assembly is made permanently fixed, then structural stability is maintained, but user customization capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest adjustment easeVSAvoidarmrest assembly stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lever mechanism is designed as a simple, durable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. It provides a cost-effective solution for enabling adjustment functionality without requiring complex mechanical systems that would compromise structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10772434B2Arm width adjustment

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a chair for assembly by a user. The chair for assembly by a user may include a bracket configured to releasably couple an arm rest assembly to a chair seat and facilitate adjusting a width for the arm rest assembly relative to the chair seat.