Convex Seat Surface Geometry for Hip Mobility and Postural Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating furniture designs, particularly those with a saddle-like shape, restrict leg movement and enforce a one-sided sitting position, leading to discomfort and reduced mobility during prolonged use, and lack adaptability to individual needs or applications.
Innovation Solution
A seating furniture design featuring a convex seat surface with a straight median crest line, allowing for increased seat depth and width, enabling lateral and forward/backward movements, and adjustable dimensions to accommodate various postures and users, including children, with optional recesses and adjustable height for enhanced comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a saddle-like seat shape is used to support pelvis and spine, then ergonomic support is improved, but leg mobility and freedom of movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a convex curved surface (barrel shape) instead of a flat or saddle-shaped seat. This curvature allows the sitter's legs to naturally splay outward while maintaining contact with the seat surface, thereby improving hip joint mobility without compromising pelvic and spinal support. The convex shape creates multiple contact points that accommodate various leg positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a movable platform that allows the seat to rock and pivot freely in multiple directions. This dynamic capability enables the sitter to change positions actively, moving from one ergonomic posture to another, thereby maintaining leg mobility and freedom of movement while continuously receiving ergonomic support.
2Reliability
If a narrow seat width is used to support only pelvis and spine, then focused ergonomic support is improved, but freedom of movement and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the seat with a convex surface that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the pelvis, spine, and thighs; allows leg splaying; enables rotation; and accommodates various sitting positions. This multi-functional design provides both focused ergonomic support and extensive freedom of movement without requiring multiple separate seating solutions.
3Ease of operation
If a convex seat surface is used to promote leg splay, then hip joint mobility is improved, but seat stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the stability concern by making the entire seat movable rather than fixed. The movable platform allows the seat to rock and pivot in response to the sitter's movements, providing dynamic stability. This means the seat adapts to the sitter's position changes rather than resisting them, maintaining stability while fully accommodating hip joint mobility and leg splaying.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a seating furniture comprising a seat and a support frame 4 holding the seat 1. The seat 1 has a seating surface 2 with a median center line. The seating surface 2 is convex, with the center line representing the apex 6 of the convex curve 16. The apex 6 represents the seat depth 8 of the seating surface 2. The seating surface 2 has a seat width 9 such that it forms lateral contact surfaces 20 on both sides in its lower region for at least partial support of the thighs of a sitter. (Fig. 1)