Office Chair Seat Support With Self-Aligning Lockable Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chairs lack the ability to allow users to individually adjust and lock their seat position dynamically, limiting the flexibility and comfort of the sitting experience.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning bearing system with elastic bushings, allowing the seat and backrest to pivot both within and outside the chair's main plane of symmetry, combined with a locking device to secure preferred seating positions, enabling dynamic sitting and preventing lateral pivoting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed bearing is used to connect the seat support to the chair column, then the structure is simple and stable, but the seat position cannot be adjusted dynamically in multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into two functional components: a fixed bearing component providing stable support and a self-aligning bearing component enabling multi-directional adjustment. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic self-aligning mechanism that allows the seat to pivot freely within certain limits. The self-aligning bearing enables automatic adaptation to user position changes while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is allowed to pivot freely in all directions, then dynamic sitting is enabled, but lateral pivoting cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing design applies different constraint qualities in different directions: it allows free pivoting in the vertical and forward-backward directions while providing lateral guidance to prevent unwanted side-to-side movement. This directional differentiation of bearing properties resolves the contradiction between dynamic adjustment and lateral stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no locking device is provided, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot preserve preferred seating positions
Solution Approach 1:
The self-aligning bearing system provides automatic position adjustment and stabilization without requiring active user intervention or complex locking mechanisms. The bearing's inherent self-aligning properties enable it to maintain preferred positions naturally, reducing the need for additional locking devices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid connection is used between seat support and chair column, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the chair cannot accommodate individual user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The self-aligning bearing acts as an intermediary element between the seat support and chair column, accommodating manufacturing tolerances while enabling precise user-adjustable positioning. This intermediary component absorbs dimensional variations and provides smooth, controlled movement.
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
Enables users to customize their seating position for optimal comfort and dynamic movement, enhancing the chair's flexibility and usability by allowing adjustable and secure seating configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing part (46) is articulated on a front seat support part (12) as a self-aligning bearing (118) in such a way that a seat (5) together with a backrest (7) can be pivoted
Data Source
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AI summary
A chair, in particular an office chair, comprises a base (1), a seat support (4) supported thereon by means of a chair column (3), the seat support having a front and a rear seat support part (12, 13) connected to each other via a pivot axis (20), a seat (5) supported on the seat support parts (12, 13), a backrest (7) attached to the rear seat support part (13), a length-adjustable energy storage device (27) articulated to the seat support parts (12, 13) at a distance from their pivot axis (20) for the mutual adjustment of the backrest (7) and seat (5), a receptacle (47) provided on a seat support part (12) for the upper end of the chair column (3), wherein the receptacle (47) is articulated to the seat support part (12) via a pivot axis (49) arranged parallel to the pivot axis (20) of the front and rear seat support parts (12, 13), and a connecting element (49) between the seat support part (12, 13) and the seat support part (12, 13). (12) and the recording (47) effective locking device for locking orfor releasing different inclinations of the seat support (4) provided with the receptacle (47) relative to the chair column (3), wherein the locking device is a toothed rack locking device (49a), wherein the pivoting of the receptacle (47) on the seat support part (12) is designed as a pendulum bearing (118).