Method and system for footrest stretching device for convertible sofa seating unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sofas with fixed footrests fail to accommodate users of different ages and heights, leading to discomfort as users' feet either cannot reach or exceed the footrest, limiting market appeal.
Innovation Solution
A footrest stretching device for convertible sofas, featuring three movable plates (middle, inner, and outer footrests) connected via levers and rotating shafts, allowing the footrest area to expand and contract, ensuring users of varying heights can comfortably rest their feet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed single-plate footrest is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate users of different ages and heights
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is divided into multiple detachable plates (inner footrest plate, middle footrest plate, outer footrest plate) that can be independently adjusted and combined. Each plate can be positioned at different locations along the support rod, allowing customization for different user heights and ages while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The footrest transitions from a static fixed plate to a dynamic adjustable structure. The support rod with sliding grooves and sliding blocks enables the footrest plates to move along the rod and be positioned at different heights, providing adaptability while keeping the mechanism simple through straightforward sliding and locking components.
2Area of moving object
If the footrest area is expanded to accommodate taller users, then user comfort is improved, but the storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is segmented into multiple plates that can be distributed along the support rod. When in use, the plates are spaced out to provide a large supporting area for taller users. When not in use, the plates can be detached and stored separately in compact spaces, significantly reducing the storage volume requirement compared to a single large fixed footrest.
Solution Approach 2:
The footrest structure dynamically changes between an extended configuration during use (providing large supporting area) and a compact configuration during storage (minimizing volume). The sliding and detaching mechanisms enable this transformation, allowing the footrest to occupy minimal space when not in use while providing ample support when needed.
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 device provides a larger adjustable footrest area, enhancing user comfort and market appeal by accommodating different user heights, while maintaining a compact design for storage.
Implementation Method 1
the third foot lever and the fourth foot lever rotate, and correspondingly, the first footrest connector and the second footrest connector start their motion
Implementation Method 2
the sliding post is disposed in the sliding slot and can slide along the sliding slot
Data Source
AI summary
A footrest stretching device used for a convertible sofa including a left-side component and a right-side component; the left-side component and the right-side component are each provided with identical parts as follows: a mounting side-plate, a third foot lever and a fourth foot lever, with one end of the third foot lever and one end of the fourth foot lever being rotatably connected to the mounting side-plate; the footrest stretching device includes a first footrest connector connected to the other end of the third foot lever, and a second footrest connector connected to the other end of the fourth foot lever; an outer footrest mounting member is connected to the other end of the first footrest connector; a middle footrest mounting member is connected to the other end of the second footrest connector; a third footrest connector is rotatably connected onto the second footrest connector; a fourth footrest connector is connected onto the third footrest connector; an inner footrest mounting member is rotatably connected to the other end of the fourth footrest connector.