Chair Back Shell and Elastomer Cover for Flexible Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chair designs fail to provide adequate flexibility and comfort, particularly in the back and seat areas, as they lack the necessary structural components to support users effectively across various positions, such as upright and reclined positions, leading to discomfort and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
The chair assembly incorporates a back shell member with a laterally extending top and bottom portion and longitudinally extending side portions, covered by a mesh fabric upholstery with elastomeric material, and a flexible back shell that is rigid laterally but flexible fore-to-aft, along with a seat assembly featuring a resilient outer seat shell and a spring support assembly to allow for vertical flexure, ensuring comfort and support across different positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid back shell member is used to provide structural support, then strength and stability are improved, but flexibility and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The back shell member is designed with flexible material properties that allow it to bend and conform to the user's back in various positions (upright, reclined, etc.), providing both structural support and adaptability. The shell maintains sufficient strength while incorporating flexibility through material selection and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The back shell member's physical parameters (such as material composition, thickness, and structural geometry) are optimized to achieve a balance between strength and flexibility. By adjusting these parameters, the shell can provide adequate structural support while simultaneously adapting to different user positions and comfort requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible mesh fabric cover is used to provide comfort, then adaptability and comfort are improved, but structural support is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The upholstery assembly combines mesh fabric material with a back shell member structure. The mesh fabric provides comfort and flexibility while the back shell member provides structural support. This composite structure allows both materials to contribute their respective strengths without compromising either comfort or structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional chair designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but user comfort and support across various positions are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The back shell member is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to flex and adapt to different user positions (upright, reclined, etc.). This dynamic design provides improved support across various positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using conventional processes.
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 solution provides enhanced comfort and support by allowing the back and seat to flex appropriately, accommodating users in various positions, thereby improving overall user experience and reducing fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
the cover comprises an elastomeric material having a longitudinal direction compliance to lateral direction compliance ratio of at least 3:1
Implementation Method 2
mesh fabric upholstery coverings
Implementation Method 3
a spring support assembly to allow for vertical flexure
Implementation Method 4
the back shell member is substantially rigid in a lateral direction and substantially flexibly resilient in a fore-to-aft direction
Data Source
AI summary
A chair assembly includes a back shell member including a laterally-extending top portion, a laterally-extending bottom portion and a pair of longitudinally-extending side portions extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and cooperating therewith the defined open space therebetween, and a cover having a first surface adapted to support a seated user and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the cover is positioned over the back shell member to cover at least a portion of the open space, and wherein the cover comprises an elastomeric material having a longitudinal direction compliance to lateral direction compliance ration of at least 3:1.