Chair Column Coupling with Spherical Support for Compact Rocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing chair designs with spherical support elements and adjoining axle elements require a large amount of horizontal space, which is often not available, and existing rocking mechanisms are not space-efficient.
Innovation Solution
The chair features elongate cuboid-shaped axis elements with elastically deformable elements and strip-shaped connecting elements, allowing for a more compact coupling element design by using hemispherical half-shells and reducing the overall space requirements through the use of elastically deformable bearing elements in both half-shells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a spherical support element with adjoining axle elements is used, then the coupling element can support the seat, but the horizontal space required is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is segmented into a spherical body with integrated axle elements that extend from its surface. This segmentation allows the axles to be positioned optimally for structural support while the spherical core maintains compact dimensions, reducing the overall horizontal footprint compared to conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element employs a nested structure where the spherical support element is housed within a coupling mechanism that integrates the axle elements. This nesting allows the components to be compactly arranged, minimizing the horizontal space occupied while maintaining the necessary support and rotational functions.
2Ease of operation
If a rocking mechanism is added between the seat support and pedestal, then mobility is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rocking mechanism is merged with the coupling element itself, where the spherical support element acts as both the structural support and the rocking component. The axle elements integrated into the spherical body serve dual functions as both structural connectors and rocking pivots, eliminating the need for separate rocking mechanism components and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical support element is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the structural support for the seat and the rocking mechanism for mobility. The integrated axle elements provide both structural connection and rotational functionality, allowing a single component to fulfill multiple roles and thereby reducing device complexity.
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
This design significantly reduces the space needed for the coupling element, enabling a more compact chair configuration while maintaining mobility and stability through the use of elastically deformable elements and connecting strips.
Implementation Method 1
elastically deformable elements are inserted into the lower half-shell, which have rectangular support surfaces for the undersides of the cuboid axis elements
Data Source
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AI summary
A chair with a chair column (10) on which a coupling element (2) supporting a seat element (1) is mounted, which includes: - a support element (3) with an outer surface having spherically shaped sections, - two opposing, rigidly connected lower and upper half-shells (6, 7) each with hemispherically shaped inner surface sections, between which the support element (3) is movably mounted, - two axis elements (4) arranged on the support element (3) and aligned along a first axis (X), and two further axis elements (5) arranged on the support element and aligned along a second axis (Y) intersecting the first axis (X) at right angles, and - elastically deformable elements as bearings for the axis elements (4, 5), such that the seat element (1) can be pivoted about both axes (X and Y) against the restoring forces of the elastically deformable elements.characterized in that the axis elements connect to section planes which were created by separating spherical caps (spherical segments) from a support element (3) virtually designed as a sphere.