Chair Base with Retractable Foot Support for Mobility and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chairs often fail to provide comfortable foot support for individuals with short legs, and moving chairs with seated occupants can be difficult and uncomfortable due to foot interference with the floor.
Innovation Solution
A chair base with a retractable foot support mechanism, comprising a base framework, caster wheels, and a linear actuator, allows the foot support to move between stowed and deployed positions, ensuring comfortable seating and mobility without foot-floor interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person with short legs sits in a chair, then the person's feet cannot engage the floor for proper support, but adding a fixed foot support would increase device complexity and prevent chair mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The foot support is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between a retracted position beneath the chair base and a deployed position extending forward. This dynamic configuration allows the foot support to adapt to different usage scenarios: providing support when needed while maintaining chair mobility when the support is retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot support is implemented as a separate, modular component that can be independently deployed or retracted, rather than being integrated permanently into the chair base structure. This segmentation allows the foot support function to be added without permanently increasing the complexity of the chair base framework.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a person's feet engage the floor while seated, then stable support is provided, but the feet interfere with moving the chair from one location to another
Solution Approach 1:
The foot support transitions between static (retracted) and functional (deployed) states. When retracted beneath the chair base, it does not interfere with chair movement. When deployed, it provides stable foot support for seating. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between stability and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot support is extracted as a separate deployable component rather than being permanently attached to the chair base. This extraction allows the foot support to be removed from the active workspace during chair movement, eliminating interference while maintaining availability when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the foot support is extended to support feet, then comfortable seating is achieved, but the foot support occupies space that would otherwise allow chair movement
Solution Approach 1:
The foot support dynamically adjusts its position between retracted and extended states. When retracted, it occupies minimal space within the chair base footprint. When extended, it provides necessary foot support while occupying space only during actual use, not permanently increasing the chair's footprint.
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 retractable foot support comfortably supports a person's feet when seated, whether stationary or moving, preventing foot interference and enhancing chair mobility.
Implementation Method 1
a linear actuator, having a motor end operatively connected to the rearward frame member and a rod end operatively connected to the foot support
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of caster-type wheels are provided beneath the four corner regions of the base framework so as to enable the chair to be readily and easily moved or ambulatory along a floor or platform
Data Source
AI summary
A chair having a chair base comprises a retractable foot support which is movable between a fully retracted or stowed position at which the foot support is disposed beneath the chair base framework, and a fully extended or deployed position at which the retractable foot support projects outwardly from the chair base framework so as to be disposed in front of the chair. In this manner, the retractable foot support is able to comfortably support the feet of a person seated within the chair when the chair is stationary, as well as to comfortably support the feet of the person seated within the chair when the chair is being moved from one location to another location.