Flexible member with adjustable stiffness for lying and/or sitting furniture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible members in lying and/or sitting furniture with adjustable stiffness require complex mechanisms and significant space, limiting their adaptability to user preferences and anatomy.

Innovation Solution

A flexible member with adjustable stiffness comprising inner and outer helical springs, a rotating part with rails and hinges, allowing for adjustment of compression stiffness by rotating the part between blocking and unblocking positions, which reduces radial displacement and enhances compressive strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing mechanisms are used to adjust stiffness of flexible members, then stiffness adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirement increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the support structure movable between a first position (providing radial support) and a second position (releasing radial support). The support element is configured to move along the generator of the cylindrical surface, dynamically changing the stiffness characteristics of the flexible member based on operational requirements rather than being fixed in a single state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the radial support parameter through the movement of the support element. When the support element is in the first position, it provides radial support that increases stiffness; when moved to the second position, radial support is released, decreasing stiffness. This allows the same flexible member to operate with different stiffness parameters depending on the support element's position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing mechanisms are used to adjust stiffness of flexible members, then stiffness adjustment capability is improved, but space requirement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nesting principle by integrating the support element within the existing structure of the flexible member. The support element is positioned inside the cylindrical surface defined by the flexible member, utilizing the internal space rather than adding external components. This nested arrangement allows stiffness adjustment functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall volume of the flexible member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dimensionality change by moving the support element along the generator (lengthwise dimension) of the cylindrical surface rather than adding radial or circumferential space. The support element travels along the axial dimension of the flexible member, transitioning between positions that provide or release radial support, thereby achieving stiffness adjustment without increasing the cross-sectional area or overall footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 a simple, space-efficient mechanism to adjust the stiffness of the flexible member, offering greater compressive strength in the blocking position and improved user comfort by allowing customizable firmness in furniture such as mattresses and bed bases.

Implementation Method 1

one or more inner spring(s) oriented along a central axis, one or more pair(s) of outer helical springs about the central axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The inner springs may be helical, comprise at least two springs disposed in series and/or at least two springs disposed in parallel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11553803B2Flexible member with adjustable stiffness for lying and/or sitting furniture

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 TOURNADRE STANDARD GUM

AI summary

The invention relates to a flexible member with adjustable stiffness for lying and/or sitting furniture. This member includes one or more inner spring(s) oriented along a central axis, one or more pair(s) of outer helical springs about the central axis, and a rotating part able to rotate, about the central axis, between a blocking position and an unblocking position. Each pair of outer helical springs includes an upper outer helical spring and a lower outer helical spring, connected by a corresponding hinge, which has a pivot axis orthogonal to the central axis. In the blocking position, the rails engage the corresponding hinges of the pairs of the outer helical spring, so as to prevent radial displacement, relative to the central axis, of the corresponding hinges, while the unblocking position allows the radial displacement of each corresponding hinge.