Synchronized Chair Seat-Backrest Motion Without Lever Mechanisms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chairs with synchronized seat and backrest movement mechanisms are complex and costly due to the use of lever mechanisms and multiple elastic elements, leading to increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

A chair design featuring a base structure with lateral uprights, a backrest with hinge portions made of elastically deformable plastic for backward inclination, and a seat connected via guides and elastic connecting elements that allow synchronized movement without the need for articulated mechanisms or additional elastic elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If lever mechanisms and multiple elastic elements are used to achieve synchronized movement of seat and backrest, then the synchronized movement function is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronized movement functionVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex lever mechanism from the chair structure and replaces it with a simplified elastic connection system. The elastic element directly connects the seat and backrest, eliminating the need for intermediate lever arms and articulated joints while maintaining the synchronized movement function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical lever system with an elastic mechanical system. Instead of using rigid levers and hinges, the invention uses an elastic element that provides both the connection and the restoring force, substituting a complex mechanical transmission system with a simpler elastic deformation-based system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If lever mechanisms and multiple elastic elements are used to achieve synchronized movement, then the synchronized movement function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronized movement functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes multiple elastic elements and lever components from the design, reducing the bill of materials. The simplified structure requires fewer parts to manufacture, assemble, and quality-check, directly lowering production costs while maintaining the core synchronized movement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of multiple components (lever arms, hinges, and multiple elastic elements) into a single integrated elastic connection system. This merging reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If articulated mechanisms are used for synchronized movement, then the movement synchronization is achieved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement synchronizationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the articulated mechanism components from the chair design, replacing them with a direct elastic connection between the seat and backrest. This eliminates intermediate connection elements and reduces the total component count while preserving the synchronized movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the seat and backrest, provides the restoring force for return movement, and enables the synchronized motion through its elastic deformation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate components that would otherwise be required in a traditional articulated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design achieves synchronized movement of the seat and backrest using fewer components, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining comfort through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms and additional elastic elements.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastic connecting element fixed to the support panel and to the seat panel and configured to move the seat panel along said longitudinal direction as a result of the oscillation of the support panel about said transverse axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9462889B2Chair with a seat and backrest movable in a synchronized way
Publication Date: 2016.10.11 PRO CORD SPA
  • US9462889B2 patent drawing
  • US9462889B2 patent drawing
  • US9462889B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A chair comprising: a base structure having two lateral uprights fixed relative to the base structure, a backrest comprising a support panel, two connecting portions fixed to respective side uprights of the base structure, and two hinge portions located between the support panel and said connecting portions, wherein said hinge portions allow a backward inclination of the support panel about a transverse axis (A) under a backward thrust applied by the user, a seat panel connected to the base structure by at least one guide, which allows a movement of the seat panel with respect to the base structure in a longitudinal direction (B), and at least one elastic connecting element fixed to the support panel and to the seat panel and configured to move the seat panel along said longitudinal direction (B) as a result of the oscillation of the support panel about said transverse axis (A).