Chair with Forward-Adjustable Back Support for Front-Seat Sitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chairs fail to provide adequate back support when occupants sit on the front portion of the seat cushion, leading to fatigue and discomfort, particularly for individuals like card dealers who frequently lean forward.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable chair with an adjustable lumbar back support that can be moved forward or rearward, equipped with a translating mechanism and biasing device, allowing the back support to be positioned optimally to support the user's back when sitting on the front section of the seat cushion, eliminating the need for sliding rearward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the back support is positioned at a fixed rearward location, then the chair structure is simple and stable, but it cannot provide adequate support when the occupant sits on the front portion of the seat cushion
Solution Approach 1:
The back support is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned between a rearward position (for normal sitting) and a forward position (for front-seat sitting). This dynamic adjustment capability enables the back support to adapt to different sitting positions and provide appropriate lumbar support in both scenarios, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and adaptive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The back support system is divided into separable components that can be independently positioned. The back support can be detached from its fixed location and repositioned along the seat cushion, allowing flexible placement to match the occupant's sitting position. This segmentation enables the system to provide support at multiple locations without requiring a completely complex new structure.
2Ease of operation
If the occupant slides rearwardly along the seat cushion to contact the back support, then back support is provided, but time is lost and convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The back support is pre-positioned in multiple possible locations along the seat cushion, including forward positions that anticipate where the occupant will need support. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for the occupant to slide rearward to find support, as the back support is already positioned optimally for front-seat sitting or can be quickly adjusted to the correct position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically or easily adapt to the occupant's preferred sitting position without requiring significant effort from the user. The back support can be quickly repositioned or is already positioned to match common sitting habits, allowing the chair to serve the occupant's needs without time-consuming adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If the back support is positioned forward to support the occupant on the front section, then comfort is improved, but the chair cannot effectively support occupants who sit back on the cushion
Solution Approach 1:
The back support system is designed to perform multiple functions by being positionable at different locations along the seat cushion. It can be positioned in a rearward location to support occupants who sit back on the cushion, or repositioned to a forward location to support occupants who sit on the front section. This multi-functionality allows a single back support to serve diverse sitting preferences and occupational needs effectively.
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 effectively reduces or eliminates lower back fatigue and discomfort by providing customizable back support, allowing users to sit comfortably upright on the front portion of the seat without requiring rearward sliding, enhancing usability for various occupations and activities.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment mechanism can bias the seat in a forward direction such that the back support moves forwardly against the user's back.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable chair can support an occupant that sits on a front portion of a seat cushion. When the user leans back, the chair can provide back support without requiring that the user slide rearwardly along the seat cushion, thereby providing back support to minimize, limit, or substantially eliminate lower back fatigue, discomfort, or the like. A back support of the chair can be located at a desired forward/rearward position based on the user's position on the seat. In some settings, the chair can be used by a card dealer who tends to sit on a forward portion of the seat when dealing cards. The back support can be positioned to comfortably support the dealer's back when, for example, the dealer sits generally upright. The chair can also be used by other individuals that frequently sit on the front of the seat cushion.