Elastic Stool Mounting Piece for Mobility Without Component Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chair components, such as those in chair legs, often require complex adjustments to achieve mobility for ergonomic benefits, which is not feasible without adapting existing immovable components.

Innovation Solution

An intermediate, movable piece is inserted between standard components, utilizing a Morse taper interface with a rubber element and mechanical restrictions to enhance mobility and stability, allowing for adjustable height and lateral oscillation without altering existing parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobility is integrated into conventional chair components (foot, column, or seat mechanism), then ergonomic benefits are achieved, but complex adjustments to the components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidcomplex adjustments
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate piece with a conical bore as a mediator between the gas lift and the seat mechanism. This intermediate piece provides the mobility function without requiring modifications to the existing standardized components, thus achieving adaptability while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobility function is separated into a distinct intermediate piece rather than being integrated into the existing chair components. This segmentation allows the mobility feature to be added independently without affecting or requiring adjustments to the conventional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing immovable components are used, then component simplicity is maintained, but added value for mobility cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidcomponent adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate piece serves as a mediator that adds mobility functionality without requiring adaptation of existing components. By placing this intermediate element between the gas lift and seat mechanism, the patent achieves added value while maintaining ease of manufacture of the original components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a resilient intermediate piece is inserted between standardized components, then mobility and ergonomic benefits are achieved, but the standardized interface dimensions must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidstandardized dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate piece has different properties at different locations: the outer diameter matches the standardized gas lift dimension (28mm) for compatibility, while the inner conical bore provides the mobility function. This local differentiation allows the piece to maintain manufacturing precision for standardized interfaces while providing adaptive mobility functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution enables added mobility and ergonomic benefits to existing chair components by providing a resilient, adjustable, and stable interface that enhances user comfort without requiring complex adaptations, utilizing standardized dimensions and materials like 60-90 Shore rubber and mechanical wedges for prestressing and movement restriction.

Implementation Method 1

The mobility of the intermediate part 2 and thus of the entire upper part of the chair is vulcanized with a prestressed Rubber 7, the hardness of which is preferably 60-90 Shore

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The wedge 8 causes on the one hand a direct mechanical reduction in the possibilities of movement of the rubber 7 and on the other hand the wedge 8 increasingly restricts the possibility of the rubber mass of the rubber 7 to move outwards and thus also makes the rubber 7 harder and adjustable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2355677B1Feathery intermediate mounting piece for rotating stools
Publication Date: 2012.10.31 TEPE WALSER SILVIA
  • EP2355677B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2355677B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3A
  • EP2355677B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A feathery intermediate mounting piece for use in a rotating stool comprising a stool column with a gas lift (1) and a standard cone and comprising a seat mechanism with a conical sleeve, wherein the intermediate mounting piece comprises an elastic element for ensuring a feathery connection between the stool column and the seat mechanism by way of the intermediate mounting piece. The intermediate mounting piece comprises a sleeve (3) for accommodating the standard cone of the stool column (9), wherein the sleeve (3) is surrounded at least partially by an elastic rubber element (7). The intermediate mounting piece also comprises a housing that has, in an upper area, a cone (4) for insertion into the conical sleeve of the seat mechanism, said housing at least partially radially surrounding the sleeve (3) and the elastic rubber element (7) in the lower area.