Dynamic Chair Back Lumbar Support for Reclining Spine Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reclining chair designs fail to match the natural curvature of a user's spine during reclining, as the chair back does not dynamically adjust to the user's lumbar region, leading to inadequate support and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A chair back system with a flexible frame portion and a rigid support member that reclines, allowing the flexible frame to dynamically adjust its curvature to match the user's lumbar region, featuring a mesh element and seat attachment members that synchronize with the seat's movement, ensuring proper lumbar support during reclining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the chair back maintains a stationary shape throughout reclination, then the chair structure is simple and stable, but the lumbar support does not match the natural curvature of the user's spine during reclining
Solution Approach 1:
The chair back incorporates a flexible frame portion that dynamically changes its curvature as the chair reclines. The flexible frame includes a first portion affixed to the rigid support member and a second portion that flexes freely, allowing the lumbar support to adapt to the user's spine curvature during reclination while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid support member and linkage assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair back is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid support member for structural stability, a flexible frame portion with first and second portions for dynamic curvature adjustment, and a linkage assembly for coordinating motion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together to provide adaptive lumbar support.
2Reliability
If the chair back uses a flexible frame portion that dynamically adjusts curvature, then lumbar support matches spinal curvature during reclining, but the chair back structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the rigid support member with the flexible frame portion through strategic attachment points. The first portion of the flexible frame is affixed to the rigid support member, creating a hybrid structure that combines the stability of rigid components with the adaptability of flexible elements, thereby ensuring reliable lumbar support without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that coordinates the motion between the rigid support member and the flexible frame portion. It ensures that the flexible frame dynamically adjusts its curvature in synchronization with the reclining motion, providing reliable lumbar support through controlled mechanical interaction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seat moves in synchronization with the rigid support member at a different rate, then the flexible frame member dynamically adjusts to match lumbar curvature, but the coordination mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage assembly provides a mechanical feedback mechanism that automatically coordinates the motion of the seat and rigid support member. As the chair reclines, the linkage transmits and transforms the motion signals, ensuring the flexible frame portion dynamically adjusts its curvature to match the user's lumbar region without requiring external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization mechanism utilizes dynamic motion coordination where the seat and rigid support member move at different rates controlled by the linkage assembly. This dynamic coordination allows the flexible frame to naturally assume the correct curvature for lumbar support throughout the reclining range, adapting automatically to user position.
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 dynamic adjustment of the chair back system provides enhanced comfort by closely matching the user's spinal curvature, minimizing misalignment and improving support in the lumbar region, thus enhancing the overall reclining experience.
Implementation Method 1
a second portion of the flexible frame member flexes freely with respect to the rigid support member, such that the at least one seat attachment member contacts at least part of the second portion of the flexible frame member
Data Source
AI summary
A chair back according to embodiments of the present invention includes a rigid support member for reclinable attachment to a base, a flexible frame member having a flexible frame and a mesh, the mesh at least partially spanning the frame, and a seat attachment member moving in synchronization with the rigid support member at a different rate than the rigid support member during reclining of the rigid support member, wherein a first portion of the flexible frame member is affixed to the rigid support member, wherein a second portion of the flexible frame member flexes freely, wherein the seat attachment member contacts at least part of the second portion of the flexible frame member, wherein the first portion moves with the rigid support member and the second portion moves with the seat attachment member such that a curvature of the second portion increases as the rigid support member reclines.