Stowaway compact rocker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible rocking chairs compromise structural integrity, safety, and comfort due to design limitations, especially on soft surfaces like sand or dirt, and lack the ability to maintain full contact with the ground, leading to instability and reduced portability.
Innovation Solution
A stowaway compact rocker design with a stationary and movable chair frame base, utilizing spring rods and compliant members for rocking motion, allowing adjustable tension for user comfort, and a collapsible mechanism for easy transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional beach and lawn chairs are designed to be foldable and portable, then transportability and storage convenience are improved, but rocking capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is divided into stationary and movable portions, with the seat and backrest forming a movable assembly that can rock relative to the stationary base. This segmentation allows the chair to maintain portability while adding rocking functionality through the relative motion between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair transitions from a static foldable structure to a dynamic system where the movable seat assembly can rock back and forth. The compliant members enable this dynamic motion while maintaining the overall portability of the folded structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rocking components are added to conventional foldable chairs, then rocking motion is enabled, but structural integrity and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Compliant members are strategically positioned at specific locations within the chair frame where they can provide controlled flexibility for rocking motion without compromising the overall structural integrity. The stationary base maintains rigidity while the movable seat assembly incorporates compliance only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair design changes the mechanical parameters of specific components by incorporating compliant members with controlled flexibility. These members have specific elastic properties that allow rocking motion while maintaining sufficient stiffness to support user weight and ensure safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rocking components are integrated into foldable chairs, then rocking capability is achieved, but the chair cannot maintain full contact with the ground, leading to instability on soft surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is segmented into a stationary base that maintains ground contact and a movable seat assembly that rocks. This segmentation allows the base to remain stable on soft surfaces while the seat assembly provides rocking motion, resolving the conflict between rocking capability and ground contact stability.
4Ease of operation
If lightweight materials are used to improve portability, then transportability is enhanced, but structural strength and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The design changes the mechanical parameters of lightweight materials by incorporating compliant members with specific elastic properties. These members are engineered to have optimal stiffness-to-weight ratios, providing sufficient structural strength for safety while maintaining the lightweight characteristic needed for portability.
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 design maintains structural integrity and safety while enabling rocking motion on various surfaces, with easy setup and collapse for compact storage and transport, optimizing comfort and portability.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing spring rods and compliant members for rocking motion
Data Source
AI summary
A stowaway compact rocker having a set-up condition and a collapsed and bundled condition comprises a stationary chair frame base; a movable seating chair frame adapted for rocking movement relative to the stationary chair frame base; and a rocker mechanism operatively connected between the stationary chair frame base and the movable seating chair frame. The stationary chair frame base comprises a central axle tube; a pair of leg plates disposed on the central axle tube; front leg tubes; and rear legs tubes, each leg tube being adapted for connection to a leg plate. The movable seating chair frame comprises a pair of seat tube plates mounted on the central axle tube for rotation thereabout; seat member tubes, each being adapted for connection to a respective one of the seat tube plates; and back-rest tubes, each being adapted for connection to a respective one of the seat tube plates.