Load support structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional load support structures, such as seating structures, face challenges in adapting to different body weights without excessive complexity and cost, often resulting in unhealthy postures due to lack of intrinsic stability and requiring complex mechanisms to adjust spring forces.

Innovation Solution

A load support structure featuring a seat with a complex mechanism that includes a rocking device with supporting arms, guide elements, and connecting links, allowing for active movement and deformation to compensate for body weight variations, thereby maintaining comfortable posture without the need for spring adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex mechanism with rocking device and guide elements is used to actively adjust seat position, then comfort for varying body weights is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different body weightsVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a rocking device that enables active movement and deformation of the seat structure. The supporting arms with arcuate profiles and guide elements create a dynamic system that automatically adapts to different body weights through controlled motion, eliminating the need for static adjustments or complex spring mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seat structure is segmented into multiple functional components: supporting arms divided into upper and lower portions, separate guide elements for controlling movement, and distinct rocking device components. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional spring mechanisms are used to compensate for body weight, then basic support is provided, but manufacturing cost and construction complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasic compensation for body weightVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional spring mechanisms with a purely mechanical rocking device system. The active movement and deformation are achieved through the kinematic arrangement of supporting arms, guide elements, and connecting links, eliminating the need for elastic elements or complex spring assemblies while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the backrest is designed with articulations and skins without inherent stability, then adaptability to body contours is improved, but structural strength decreases leading to unhealthy postures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to body contoursVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements counterbalancing through the rocking device mechanism. The supporting arms and connecting links create a system that actively counteracts the lack of inherent stability in the articulated backrest, providing the necessary structural support to maintain healthy postures while preserving contour adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentUS10856662B2Load support structure

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 MILLERKNOLL INC

AI summary

A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane includes different regions with different stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.