Ergonomic motion chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ergonomic chairs fail to provide a wide range of dynamic movement while seated without requiring constant user effort to maintain a desired position, often compromising comfort and health benefits due to limited axes of motion and restrictive designs.
Innovation Solution
The ergonomic motion chair features a seat that can be adjusted side-to-side and forward-back along defined pivot axes positioned above the seat plane, with biasing structures to facilitate easy movement and maintain neutral positions, allowing for infinite positions and reduced user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is allowed to tilt and toggle in all directions about a toggle point, then user movement and exercise are improved, but back support and comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chair divides the movement functionality into two separate mechanisms: a first pivot mechanism that allows side-to-side movement, and a second pivot mechanism that allows forward-and-back movement. This segmentation enables each mechanism to be optimized independently, providing comprehensive movement range while maintaining stable seating positions with adequate back support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single toggle-point mechanism to a two-pivot system that operates in different dimensional planes. The first pivot enables rotation about a lateral axis (side-to-side), while the second pivot enables rotation about a longitudinal axis (forward-and-back), thereby expanding the movement range without compromising stability in either dimension.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is required to balance on a ball or ball joint, then exercise benefit is improved, but user fatigue and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The chair implements dynamic movement capabilities through two independent pivot mechanisms that allow the seat to move side-to-side and forward-and-back. These dynamic movements provide exercise benefits by engaging core muscles, while the controlled ranges of motion and stable pivot points prevent excessive teetering that would cause fatigue during prolonged sitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the movement parameters by defining specific pivot points and allowable rotation ranges for each axis. This controlled parametric approach enables sufficient movement amplitude to provide exercise benefits while limiting extreme positions that would cause user fatigue and discomfort during extended use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is allowed to slide forward and backward relative to a preset seatback, then forward and back movement is improved, but the user's position relative to the seatback changes, compromising comfort and fit
Solution Approach 1:
The chair separates the forward-and-back movement function into a dedicated second pivot mechanism that is independent of the seatback adjustment mechanism. This allows the seat to move forward and back relative to the floor while the seatback remains preset at the optimal angle and position, maintaining consistent back support and comfort throughout the range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention decouples the forward-and-back movement from the seatback angle by implementing rotation about a longitudinal pivot axis rather than sliding along the seatback. This dimensional change allows the seat to move in the fore-aft direction while maintaining a constant relationship with the seatback, preserving comfort and fit.
4Ease of operation
If the bucket is required to rotate front-to-back about a fixed pivot point, then slouching prevention is improved, but the range of movement in other directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The chair divides the posture control function between two independent pivot mechanisms: the first pivot for side-to-side movement and the second pivot for forward-and-back movement. This segmentation allows each mechanism to contribute to posture control in its respective plane while collectively providing a comprehensive range of motion that exceeds the capabilities of a single fixed-pivot bucket design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention expands from a single-axis rotation system to a two-axis system by adding the first pivot mechanism that enables side-to-side movement about a lateral axis. This dimensional expansion complements the existing forward-and-back rotation, providing enhanced posture control and significantly increased range of movement in multiple directions.
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 design enables a wide range of dynamic movement, improving user comfort and health benefits by allowing natural gravity and user weight to balance the seat, reducing fatigue and maintaining optimal fit and support throughout various positions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing structure, such as a spring, that holds the seat in a desired neutral position
Implementation Method 2
allowing natural gravity and user weight to balance the seat
Data Source
AI summary
A chair that provides movement side-to-side about a first pivot axis positioned above the seat plane allows the user a wide range of dynamic movement, but does not require constant or excessive action on the part of the user to maintain a desired position. In addition and concurrently thereto, the structure may include a second pivot that is also positioned above the seat plane and that provides forward-and-back movement of the seat. The first and second pivot axes can be engaged synchronously or independently by the user as desired delivering infinite degrees of angles of movement. Said pivot axes are more closely adjacent to the human body pivot joints and axes. The seat and seat back may be joined together to a central spine frame that moves about the second pivot, thereby maintaining the seatback position and seat position relative to each other during forward-and-back movement of the spine along the second pivot. One or more biasing structures may be provided to urge the seat into forward-and-back and side-to-side neutral positions. If desired, the location of this forward-and-back neutral position can be statically adjusted by a user, and at least one of the biasing structures can hold this forward-and-back neutral position at a desired tension level thereby allowing a user to select the amount of force required to move the seat out of this defined forward-and-back neutral position. Moreover, an adjustment structure may be provided that allows for static adjustment of the seatback's position on the spine.