Convertible chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional convertible chairs require complex mechanisms and multiple operations to transition between sitting and kneeling configurations, leading to inconvenience and instability due to altered user center of gravity and increased footprint.
Innovation Solution
A convertible chair with a releasable catch and control mechanism allowing single-handed conversion between sitting and kneeling configurations, featuring a pivot arm, seat coupling, and connecting arm to ensure stability and ease of use, with a base support and suspension mechanism for flexibility and space optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism with multiple adjustment knobs and independent movement is used to enable conversion between sitting and kneeling positions, then the chair can provide both sitting and kneeling functions, but the device complexity increases and the conversion process becomes lengthy and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seat and knee-back rest into a single integrated structure that moves together as one unit. The seat is pivotally connected to the base support, and the knee-back rest is also pivotally connected to the same base support, allowing both components to transition simultaneously between sitting and kneeling configurations through a single pivotal movement rather than requiring independent adjustment of multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat and knee-back rest structure serves multiple functions: it provides both sitting support and kneeling support through its dual configuration capability. The same structural components (seat, knee-back rest, pivot arm) fulfill different functional roles depending on the configuration, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the center of gravity and pivot point are located to the rear of the user in upright seated position, then the chair can achieve stable conversion between configurations, but the footprint/base of the chair becomes larger than conventional chairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the chair structure from a two-dimensional base support to a three-dimensional spatial configuration by positioning the pivot point at the front of the base support and extending the seat and knee-back rest upward and backward. This vertical and diagonal arrangement allows the center of gravity to be optimized for stability without increasing the horizontal footprint of the base support.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual adjustment of locking pin is required to convert from upright seated position to sit-kneel position, then the chair can provide stable conversion, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The chair structure utilizes the user's own weight and the gravitational force acting on the seat to automatically engage and disengage the locking mechanism. When the user shifts their weight or moves into the desired position, the force generated by their body weight causes the locking pin to engage or disengage automatically, eliminating the need for manual operation of separate locking controls.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the base of the chair protrudes from the rear of the user when in upright position, then the chair remains stable when converted to sit-kneel configuration, but the footprint becomes larger than conventional chairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the pivot point at the front of the base support rather than centrally or at the rear, creating an unbalanced but stable configuration. The seat and knee-back rest are positioned to extend backward from this front pivot point, creating an asymmetric layout that optimizes the center of gravity for both sitting and kneeling configurations while minimizing the overall footprint of the base support.
Data Source
AI summary
A convertible chair adapted for conversion between a sitting configuration and a kneeling configuration includes_a base support, a knee-back rest movably coupled to the base support by a pivot arm, a seat movably coupled to the base support by a coupling mechanism, and a connecting arm linking the pivot arm and the seat. The seat is arranged to move relative to the base support between a first seat position corresponding to the sitting configuration and a second seat position corresponding to the kneeling configuration. The pivot arm is arranged to pivot relative to the base support between a first pivot arm position in which the knee-back rest is in a first knee-back rest position for use as a back rest and a second pivot arm position in which the knee-back rest is in a second knee-back rest position for use as a knee rest.