Collapsible Chair Locking Mechanism for Carry-On Mobility Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pre-existing collapsible chairs are not suitable for travelers with decreased mobility, as they often have a collapsed configuration that is too large for airline carry-on luggage and an extended configuration that lacks adequate support for users with mobility issues, and their mechanisms for transitioning between configurations are complicated and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible chair design featuring a handle that extends away from the seat, pivotally connected to the legs via a joint with a locking mechanism, allowing for easy transition between extended and collapsed configurations, with the locking mechanism involving a lock plug and trough that secures the handle in place, and a seat that pivots to align with the legs for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If pre-existing collapsible chairs use a traditional collapsed configuration, then the chair can be transported, but the collapsed size is too large to fit in airline carry-on luggage
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is divided into separable components (seat, backrest, legs, handle) that can be independently positioned and locked during collapse. This segmentation allows the components to nest within each other, achieving a compact collapsed configuration that fits airline carry-on dimensions while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly for transportation
Solution Approach 2:
The chair employs dynamic locking mechanisms that allow smooth transition between extended and collapsed states. The locking system enables the chair to be easily collapsed by simple handle manipulation, making the dynamic size change operation simple enough for users with decreased mobility while achieving the required compact volume
2Strength
If pre-existing collapsible chairs use a traditional extended configuration, then the chair can provide seating, but the extended configuration does not provide adequate support for users with mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The chair features an asymmetric handle design that extends away from the seat at an optimized angle and position. This asymmetric configuration provides a convenient grip point that users can easily grasp and manipulate for transitioning between configurations, while the handle's position and orientation specifically accommodate users with decreased mobility by reducing the effort and range of motion required
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through simple handle depression and flipping motions. The mechanism automatically engages and disengages locks during the collapsing and extending processes, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and making the operation accessible to users with limited strength or dexterity while maintaining structural support integrity
3Reliability
If pre-existing collapsible chairs use traditional locking mechanisms, then the chair can be secured in configurations, but the mechanisms are complicated and inconvenient to operate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated locking mechanism controlled by the handle. The mechanism combines depression motion and flipping motion to simultaneously engage and disengage locks, securing the chair in extended or collapsed configurations through a unified simple operation rather than separate complex controls, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A chair operable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration includes one or more legs, a handle and a locking mechanism. The one or more legs support a seat and the handle extends away from the seat opposite the one or more legs. The locking mechanism includes a lock plug disposed in an elongate trough. Movement of the handle between the extended and collapsed configurations involves depressing the lock plug and flipping the trough to an opposite side of the lock plug.