Chair Support Assembly With Self-Locking Ergonomic Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a chair that combines traditional appearance with modern ergonomic benefits and functionality, while being cost-effective, and addresses issues with complex adjustment mechanisms in lumbar, head, or neck supports that can be inadvertently adjusted when leaning.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support assembly with a mounting member, a support, and a carrier with engagement features, biased by a biasing arrangement that enhances engagement upon rearward force application, and a moulded article with strain-oriented straps for a compliant support surface, allowing for recline mechanisms and adjustable resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a friction-type adjustment mechanism is used for height adjustment, then the support can be adjusted by applying force, but the support height may inadvertently change when the occupant applies force with an up or down component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-type mechanical adjustment mechanism with a spring-biased engagement mechanism. The carrier includes an engagement member that selectively engages with engagement features on the support at discrete positions. A spring biases the engagement member toward the support, and when the occupant applies rearward force, the engagement between the engagement member and engagement features increases, locking the support at the desired height without inadvertent changes.
2Reliability
If an actuator-release mechanism is used for support adjustment, then the support position can be securely locked, but the adjustment mechanism becomes mechanically complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuator and release mechanism from the adjustment system, eliminating the need for complex mechanical locking components. Instead, the spring-biased engagement member automatically engages with the engagement features on the support, providing secure positioning without requiring user actuation or release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-regulating. The spring automatically biases the engagement member toward the support, and the increasing engagement force upon rearward application automatically secures the support at the desired position without requiring user intervention for locking or securing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modern mechanistic chair design is used, then ergonomic benefits and adjustability are provided, but the appearance challenges user understanding and may be perceived as high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies traditional design aesthetics to specific portions of the chair while incorporating modern ergonomic mechanisms in concealed or integrated ways. The engagement features, carrier, and spring mechanism are designed to be compact and potentially aesthetically pleasing, allowing the chair to maintain traditional appearance characteristics while providing modern ergonomic functionality.
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 solution provides a cost-effective chair with enhanced ergonomic support and adjustable features that maintain a traditional appearance, ensuring proper support without complex mechanisms and offering adjustable recline resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing arrangement comprises a biasing member that acts on the engagement member to bias the engagement member toward the support
Implementation Method 2
the first and second biasing members are oppositely oriented torsion springs
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support assembly for use in a chair has a mounting member 602, a support 605 for supporting part of the body of a chair occupant, and a carrier 611 slidably carrying the support 605. The support has a plurality of engagement features 621 and the carrier has an engagement member 615 that is selectively engageable with the engagement features to enable the support to be selectively positioned relative to the carrier at a plurality of positions. A biasing arrangement 607 operatively connects the carrier 611 to the mounting member 603 and forwardly biases the carrier 611 and support 605. The engagement between the engagement member 615 and an engaged engagement feature 621 increases upon application of rearward force to the support.