Flexible Finger Backrest for Self-Conforming Seating Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chair designs fail to provide adequate comfort and support for varying users due to lack of self-adjustment mechanisms, leading to sub-optimized seating experiences in collaborative and short-term settings, and often restrict user posture and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A seating unit back comprising flexible finger elements and a retainer that distributes load and adapts to the user's shape, allowing for independent flexibility and collective support, enabling the back to conform to different users and accommodate various postures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are provided in chairs, then comfort and support for varying users is improved, but device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is divided into multiple independent flexible finger elements that can individually deflect and conform to the user's back shape. Each finger element acts as an independent segment that provides localized support, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while adapting to different user sizes and postures.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the flexible finger elements can continuously adjust their position and orientation in response to applied loads. This dynamic adaptation allows the backrest to automatically conform to various user body shapes without requiring manual controls.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed orientation seating is used to maintain furniture appearance, then aesthetic consistency is improved, but user posture flexibility and alternative orientations are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest incorporates flexible finger elements that enable dynamic movement and rotation, allowing users to adopt various postures and orientations while the overall furniture piece maintains its fixed position and aesthetic appearance in the space.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible finger elements can change their geometric parameters (deflection angle, position) in response to user interaction, enabling the backrest to adapt to different user postures while the furniture's external appearance and location remain stable.
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 enhanced comfort and support by adapting to individual users' shapes and postures, improving ergonomic suitability and allowing for flexible orientation, thus addressing the limitations of traditional chair designs.
Implementation Method 1
a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element.