Chair Back Flex Wing Design for Adaptive User Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chair designs often fail to provide adequate flexibility and support for users, leading to discomfort and potential injuries from prolonged sitting, as they lack effective mechanisms to adjust to user movement and weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
A chair design featuring a substantially flexible back support and rigid upright frame with flex wings that secure the back support to the frame, allowing the chair to flex in response to user engagement, providing adjustable support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the back support is made rigid to provide structural stability, then the chair maintains its shape and support, but it cannot flex to adjust to user movement and weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The back support is divided into multiple segments including a rigid upright frame and flexible components (flex wings, web portions, side portions) that can move independently. This segmentation allows different parts to serve different functions - the rigid frame provides structural stability while the flexible segments adapt to user movement and weight distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The back support transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the flex wings and web portions can move and flex in response to user engagement. The flexible components allow the back to adapt its shape and provide varying levels of support as the user shifts position or leans back.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the back support is made flexible to adapt to user movement, then the chair provides comfort and adjusts to user engagement, but it may compromise structural stability and support
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the back support into rigid and flexible segments, the invention maintains structural stability through the rigid upright frame while allowing flexibility through the flexible components. Each segment is optimized for its specific function, preventing compromise of overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the back support have different mechanical properties - the upright frame is rigid for stability while the flex wings and web portions are flexible for adaptation. This local differentiation of material properties allows the structure to simultaneously provide both stability and flexibility where needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed support structures are used to maintain chair integrity, then manufacturing is simplified, but the chair cannot provide adjustable support for different user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The back support is constructed from multiple separable components (upright frame, flex wings, web portions, side portions) that can be manufactured independently using standard processes, then assembled together. This modular approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling adjustable support through the flexible components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the back support is made completely flexible, then it can fully adapt to user engagement, but it loses the ability to provide firm support and maintain proper posture
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented structure with rigid upright frame and flexible components allows the system to provide firm support through the rigid elements while adapting to user engagement through the flexible elements. The combination maintains both support capability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The back support combines rigid and flexible materials or structural elements to create a composite system that exhibits both strength and flexibility. The rigid upright frame provides structural strength while the flexible flex wings and web portions provide adaptability to user engagement.
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 chair design effectively distributes user weight and movement, enhancing comfort and reducing the risk of injury by allowing the back to flex and adjust, thus providing better support and reducing strain on the user.
Implementation Method 1
The flex wing flexes during user engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A chair back that includes a back support, an upright frame, and at least one flex wing. The back support is substantially flexible and has a first side portion and a second side portion. The upright frame is substantially rigid and has a first frame side and a second frame side. The flex wing is located between the first frame side and the first side portion, where the flex wing includes a front portion coupled to the first side portion, a back portion coupled to the first frame side, and a web portion interconnecting the front portion and the back portion. The flex wing flexes during engagement by a user.