Adjustable Dental Stool Armrest With Variable-Friction Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental practitioners face challenges with conventional seating that is not adjustable, mobile, and accommodating for varying practitioner sizes and preferences, requiring a seating solution that is highly adjustable and allows easy ingress and egress in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable armrest assembly and stool design featuring a pivot axis adjustment mechanism with variable friction, allowing lateral repositioning and height adjustment of armrests, along with a tilt-adjustable seat back, to accommodate different practitioner sizes and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed seating is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different practitioner sizes and preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly incorporates a pivot connection that allows the armrest support to rotate relative to the armrest base, enabling dynamic adjustment between supported and unsupported positions. This dynamic mechanism allows practitioners to customize their seating position according to their size and preference without requiring completely different seating structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is divided into distinct segments: the armrest base, the armrest support, and the armrest itself. The pivot connection creates a joint between the base and support, allowing independent adjustment of each segment. This segmentation enables adaptability while maintaining relative structural simplicity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If highly adjustable armrests are implemented, then adaptability to practitioner preferences is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connection provides a simple rotational joint that enables the armrest support to move between fixed angular positions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism is mechanically simple yet provides sufficient adaptability for different practitioner preferences regarding armrest position and angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot connection allows changes in the angular parameter of the armrest support relative to the base. By varying this angle, practitioners can adjust the armrest position to match their preferences. This single parameter change provides multiple adjustable positions without requiring complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If fixed friction resistance is used in pivot connection, then structural simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to adjust resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The friction resistance parameter of the pivot connection can be adjusted by varying the clamping force applied to the armrest support. This allows practitioners to change the friction characteristic from low (for easy movement) to high (for stable positioning) depending on operational needs, without requiring a completely different mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanical locking system with multiple components, the patent uses friction-based resistance control. By adjusting the normal force in the pivot connection, friction resistance is controlled to provide both ease of movement and stable positioning, replacing what would otherwise require a more complex mechanical locking mechanism.
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 a highly adjustable and mobile seating option that supports practitioners effectively, allowing for quick changes in position and comfort, enhancing productivity in dental environments by accommodating a range of user sizes and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment assembly has a variable friction member that applies a selected degree of resistance to the adjustable pivot connection
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable armrest assembly for a stool or chair comprises an armrest base, an armrest support member and an adjustment assembly. The armrest base is connectible to the stool or chair and has a first opening. The armrest support member has a first end with a second opening. The first end is positionable with the second opening aligned with the first opening. The armrest support member has a second end opposite the first end and extending distally to support an armrest. An adjustment assembly is positionable to extend through the second opening and the first opening to define a pivot axis and an adjustable pivot connection between the support member and the base. The assembly is movable within at least one of the first opening and the second opening to laterally reposition the pivot axis. A variable friction member applies a selected degree of resistance to the adjustable pivot connection.