Office Chair Swing Arm Linkage for Seat Depth and Recline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current office chairs with reclining and seat movement features often require complex mechanical linkages, increasing manufacturing and assembly costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An office chair design featuring a stationary seat base, a seat pan assembly with roller guides and support rails, a bias spring for upright positioning, and a swing arm assembly that pivots to recline the chair back while moving the seat forward, utilizing a curved support bar and roller system for smooth movement, along with adjustable components like lumbar and headrest pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical linkages are used to couple chair back and seat movement, then reclining and seat movement functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the chair back pivot movement and seat forward movement into a single integrated mechanism. The seat pan is directly coupled to the backrest assembly, so that when the backrest pivots rearward, the seat automatically moves forward without requiring separate mechanical linkages. This merging of functions reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides chair back reclining, seat forward movement, and automatic coordination between these movements. The single mechanism handles what would traditionally require multiple separate linkages, making the system more universal and less complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical linkages are used to couple chair back and seat movement, then reclining and seat movement functions are achieved, but assembly time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the reclining and seat movement functions into a single integrated mechanism, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. The simplified structure with fewer components directly translates to easier manufacturing and faster assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair is divided into distinct modular assemblies (seat pan assembly, backrest assembly, pedestal assembly) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. The integrated mechanism is designed as a cohesive unit that simplifies the assembly process compared to multiple separate linkage systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment devices are added to tailor chair to user, then adjustability and user comfort are improved, but mechanical complexity and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated mechanism provides multiple adjustment functions (backrest angle, seat position) through a single coordinated system. This multi-functional approach achieves user adjustability without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each adjustment type.
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
Simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining user comfort and adjustability, reducing costs through a more straightforward mechanical design that effectively integrates reclining and seat movement functions.
Implementation Method 1
A bias spring is positioned between the seat base and the seat pan to create a bias force that urges the seat pan to a retracted position. Since the chair back is coupled to the seat pan through a swing arm assembly, the bias spring also urges the chair back to the upright support position.
Implementation Method 2
A series of roller guides and support rails allows the seat pan to move relative to the stationary seat base.
Implementation Method 3
The swing arm assembly is pivotally mounted to the seat pan assembly at both a first end and a second end. When a user exerts a force against the seat back, the entire swing arm pivots about its connection to the seat pan. The pivoting movement of the swing arm causes the chair back to recline.
Data Source
AI summary
An office chair including a linking mechanism between a movable chair seat and a pivotable chair back. The mounting arrangement between the chair back and the chair seat includes swing arm assembly that is pivotally connected to the chair seat. When the chair seat moves forward, the swing arm assembly moves with the chair seat and causes the chair back to pivot and move relative to a stationary support arm. The stationary support arm includes a curved support face that moves within a movement slot formed on the swing arm assembly. The movement slot includes a roller that helps guide relative movement between the two components. The chair seat includes a thigh support portion that allows the user to adjust the seat depth as desired.