Chair with Translating Back Support for Front-Seat Sitting Comfort
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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 mechanism that can be moved forward or rearward to support the user's back, featuring a translating back support system with a biasing device to automatically adjust the position, allowing the back support to be positioned above the seat cushion when the user sits on the front section, thereby eliminating the need for sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
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 transformed from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure that can move between a rearward position (for normal sitting) and a forward position (for front-seat sitting). The translating mechanism allows the back support to dynamically adapt to different sitting positions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair is divided into functionally independent segments: the seat cushion, the back support, and the translating mechanism. This segmentation allows the back support to be independently positioned relative to the seat, enabling it to provide support at multiple locations without redesigning the entire chair structure.
2Ease of operation
If the occupant slides rearwardly along the seat cushion to contact the back support, then back support is achieved, but this action is time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The back support is preliminarily positioned in multiple possible locations through the translating mechanism, which can place it in a forward position anticipating where the occupant needs support. This eliminates the need for the occupant to slide rearwardly, as the support is already in position, thereby saving time and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The translating mechanism automatically positions the back support based on the occupant's sitting position. The system serves itself by detecting when the occupant is sitting on the front portion and automatically adjusting the back support to the appropriate position, without requiring manual intervention from the occupant.
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 support to users who sit on the front portion of the seat cushion, enhancing comfort and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
An adjustment mechanism can be used to lock the back support at various positions. In one embodiment, 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.