Flexible Chair Frame for Posture Support Without Point Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ergonomic chairs do not evenly distribute body weight, leading to point loading on specific areas like the spine and neck, causing discomfort and potential chronic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A chair with a flexible structural frame that adjusts to conform to the occupant's shape and weight, featuring a mechanized ring rotation assembly, inflatable bladders, and adjustable components to allow for recumbent positions that disperse weight and reduce physiological stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ergonomic chairs are designed to support the lower back and promote good posture, then posture support is improved, but body weight is not evenly distributed resulting in point loading on the body
Solution Approach 1:
The chair employs a flexible structural frame with multiple articulation points that dynamically adapt to the occupant's body shape and weight distribution. The frame elements can rotate and adjust their positions independently, allowing the chair to conform to the occupant's contours while distributing weight evenly across the seating surface, eliminating point loading while maintaining posture support.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair utilizes adjustable parameters including seat angle, backrest angle, and frame element positions that can be modified to optimize both posture support and weight distribution. By changing these geometric parameters, the chair achieves a balance between providing ergonomic support and preventing concentrated pressure points on the body.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the chair frame is made rigid for structural stability, then structural integrity is improved, but the chair cannot conform to the occupant's body shape and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The chair frame is divided into multiple segmented elements connected by articulation points, allowing each segment to move independently while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the frame to adapt to various body shapes and weights while preserving the necessary structural strength through the interconnected rigid segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair employs a flexible structural frame design where thin, articulated frame elements can bend and rotate at specific joints. This creates a structure that appears rigid overall but can flex and conform to the occupant's body shape, combining structural integrity with adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the chair allows recumbent positions for weight dispersal, then point loading is reduced, but the complexity of the structural frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated structural frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables various seating positions including recumbent positions, and distributes weight evenly across the body. By integrating these functions into a single frame system rather than separate components, the design achieves weight dispersal capabilities without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 chair effectively reduces point loading on the body, minimizing discomfort and internal stresses by dynamically adapting to the occupant's shape and weight, promoting better posture and reducing muscle fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
A chair can include a seating surface or combination of seating surfaces capable of flexing or otherwise deforming to conform to a weight and shape of an occupants body
Implementation Method 2
a force generating mechanism, such as a mechanized ring rotation assembly, can be integrated or physical coupled to the structural frame to cause displacement or rotation of elements of the structural frame
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable chair frame with a back and seating surfaces that flex to conform to the shape, weight and movement of an occupant is disclosed. The chair form and proportions provide for a recumbent position that disperses the weight of the occupant more evenly, thereby reducing external and internal physiological point loading. The form also provides ergonomic articulation to minimize internal physiological stresses such as neck/back vertebral compression. Eccentric connections driven by a motor assembly allow positioning adjustment of the components of the chair. Additionally, an air pump assembly may be included to automatically adjust one or more air bladders provided on the interior of the chair frame.