Contoured Mesh Chair Backrest for Lumbar Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mesh chairs lack adequate ergonomic support due to their flat geometry and uncontrolled stretch, which fails to provide necessary lumbar support and accommodate various body shapes, leading to unhealthy seating postures.

Innovation Solution

The use of contoured membranous panels, either alone or combined, to form chair components such as seats, backrests, and headrests, which adapt to the user's shape through carefully designed seams and frames, providing lumbar support without additional solid structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single expanse of mesh fabric is stretched across a frame, then the chair provides comfort through mesh stretch, but the seat and back rest remain substantially flat and lack ergonomic support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemesh stretch abilityVSAvoidseat geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh support surface is divided into multiple separate mesh panels instead of using a single expanse of fabric. These panels are positioned and connected to form contoured surfaces that provide ergonomic support while maintaining the comfort benefits of mesh stretch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh panels are arranged and contoured to create curved, three-dimensional surfaces rather than flat planes. This curvature enables the seat and back rest to conform to the natural contours of the human body, providing lumbar support and ergonomic positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mesh is allowed to stretch uncontrolled to conform to body shape, then comfort is improved, but unhealthy seating conformations are also accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody shape accommodationVSAvoidposture support

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the mesh into multiple panels that are strategically positioned and connected, the system creates structured zones of support. The connections between panels provide controlled flexibility, allowing the mesh to adapt to body shape while maintaining reliable posture support through the geometric arrangement of panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If solid support structures are added to provide lumbar support, then ergonomic support is improved, but the mesh benefits are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelumbar support contourVSAvoidstructural components

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates lumbar support contours through the curved arrangement and positioning of mesh panels themselves, rather than adding separate solid support structures. The contoured configuration of multiple mesh panels provides the necessary ergonomic support while maintaining the simplicity and comfort benefits of the mesh construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Shape

If multiple mesh panels are combined to form contours, then ergonomic support is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent contourVSAvoidpanel assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 ergonomic support by adapting to individual body shapes, maintaining beneficial contours and pressure distribution, thereby promoting healthy posture and comfort without the need for additional structural components.

Implementation Method 1

a mesh support surface forming a yieldable resilient surface that deforms when sat on

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8240771B2Mesh chair component

Publication Date: 2012.08.14 HUMANSCALE CORP

AI summary

A mesh chair component having contours that support a user appropriately can be made by combining a plurality of mesh panels to form the component. For instance, in a preferred embodiment of the present inventions, three preformed mesh panels are combined to form the back rest of a chair that provides its user with lumbar support without the necessity of additional structural support. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, mesh panels are used in combination with a beneficially contoured frame to provide a chair seat with a waterfall front.