Flexible Backrest with Vertical Slits for Folding Chair Lumbar Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding chairs with increased backrest height for lumbar support are hindered by the need for a single curvature in the backrest panel to maintain deformability between use and storage positions, preventing the inclusion of anatomically shaped lumbar support.
Innovation Solution
A flexible backrest panel with opposing curvatures in horizontal and vertical planes, featuring vertical through-slits to allow deformation between curved and extended configurations, enabling both comfort-enhancing lumbar support and storage compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the backrest height is increased to provide lumbar support, then user comfort is improved, but the storage volume increases because the backrest overlaps with the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is designed as a flexible panel that dynamically changes its configuration between use and storage positions. During use, the backrest assumes a curved configuration with lumbar support; during storage, it transitions to an extended planar configuration that reduces overlap with the seat, thereby reducing storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest panel utilizes three-dimensional spatial transformation by curving in multiple dimensions. The panel curves horizontally to provide lumbar support and vertically to adjust height, allowing it to fit into a compact storage space while maintaining full functionality during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest panel is made with single curvature to allow deformation between positions, then deformability is improved, but lumbar support capability deteriorates because anatomically shaped lumbar support requires opposing curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest panel is segmented into multiple independent elements or zones that can deform relative to each other. This segmentation allows different portions of the panel to have different curvatures - the lumbar zone can maintain convex curvature for support while other zones remain concave for overall deformation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the backrest panel are given different local curvatures tailored to their specific functions. The lumbar support region has convex curvature to match the user's anatomy, while the upper and lower regions have concave curvature to enable the panel's overall deformability between positions.
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 improved comfort through anatomically adapted lumbar support while maintaining the flexibility to transition between use and storage positions without increasing storage volume.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible backrest (14) having a panel (26) capable of deformation between a curved configuration and an extended planar configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible backrest for a folding chair includes a flexible backrest panel which can assume a curved configuration of use and an extended storage configuration. The flexible backrest panel has a support surface having a concave shape in a cross-section in a horizontal plane, and a convex shape in a cross-section in a vertical plane; and the flexible backrest panel has a plurality of vertical through-slits forming a plurality of vertical slats.