Flexible Finger Chair Back for Self-Adjusting Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chair designs fail to provide adequate comfort and support for varying individuals with disparate postures, especially in short-term and collaborative settings, as they often require complex adjustments and do not accommodate different user heights and orientations, leading to sub-optimized seating experiences.
Innovation Solution
A seating unit with a back comprising flexible finger elements and a retainer that adapts to the user's shape, allowing independent flexing and load distribution to conform to the body, providing adjustable support and accommodating different postures through a combination of flexible materials and structural design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are provided to accommodate varying user heights and postures, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is segmented into multiple independent adjustable sections (upper backrest, lower backrest, lumbar support) that can be adjusted separately. Each section has its own adjustment mechanism, allowing granular customization of support positions and angles to accommodate different user body types and postures without requiring a single complex monolithic adjustment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest sections are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing users to modify the position and angle of each section during use. The adjustment mechanisms enable continuous or multi-position adjustment along vertical and angular dimensions, providing adaptability for varying user needs without fixed static configurations.
2Ease of operation
If adjustment mechanisms are provided to optimize comfort for each user, then comfort is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest adjustment system is designed for self-service operation, where users can independently adjust each backrest section to their preferred position using simple manual mechanisms. The design eliminates the need for complex electronic controls or assistance, allowing users to quickly configure the seating to match their body dimensions and comfort preferences.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed orientation seating design is used to maintain aesthetic consistency, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest sections are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing users to modify the position and angle of each section during use. The adjustment mechanisms enable continuous or multi-position adjustment along vertical and angular dimensions, providing adaptability for varying user needs without fixed static configurations.
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 enables a self-adjusting chair back that effectively supports users of different heights and postures, enhancing comfort and usability in collaborative environments by distributing loads and allowing for flexible seating orientations.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the flexible finger elements may flex a distance independent of the other flexible finger elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3A
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.