Flexible support device for chair back tilting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chair back tilting mechanisms using metal springs cause fatigue, noise, and are heavy with high fabrication costs.

Innovation Solution

A flexible support device for chair back tilting utilizing a supporting frame, seat mounting, and base, incorporating a flexible sheet made of plastic or carbon fiber, with a spring system that reduces fatigue and noise, and lowers production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal springs are used for chair back tilting, then the tilting function is achieved, but fatigue and noise occur after prolonged use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of tilting mechanismVSAvoidfatigue and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional metal spring mechanical system with a flexible sheet mechanism. The flexible sheet, made of materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber, provides the necessary elasticity and restoring force without the fatigue and noise associated with metal springs. This substitution eliminates the harmful factors while maintaining the tilting function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters from metal to composite flexible materials. The flexible sheet uses materials with different elastic properties, damping characteristics, and noise transmission properties compared to metal springs, thereby reducing fatigue and noise while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If metal springs and pull studs are used for chair back tilting, then the tilting mechanism functions properly, but the weight increases and fabrication cost becomes high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performance of tilting mechanismVSAvoidweight of tilting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes heavy metal components (springs and pull studs) with a lightweight flexible sheet mechanism. The flexible sheet, along with connecting elements like the first connecting element and second connecting element, provides the necessary mechanical function with significantly reduced weight, improving the overall weight characteristics of the chair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials for the flexible sheet, such as fiberglass or carbon fiber composites. These materials offer high strength-to-weight ratios and appropriate elastic properties, enabling the mechanism to function effectively while minimizing weight compared to traditional metal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If metal springs are used for chair back tilting, then the tilting mechanism is robust, but the fabrication cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of tilting mechanismVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials for the flexible sheet that provide the necessary strength and elasticity at lower cost than metal springs. These composite materials can be manufactured through processes like molding or lamination, which are cost-effective and scalable, reducing fabrication costs while maintaining robust functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive metal spring assemblies with a simpler flexible sheet mechanism. This substitution reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and assembly requirements, thereby lowering overall fabrication costs while maintaining the necessary strength and functionality for chair back tilting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 flexible support device effectively mitigates fatigue and noise while being lightweight and cost-effective by using a plastic or carbon fiber flexible sheet with a spring system.

Implementation Method 1

a second end of the spring being connected with a center of a first side of a flexible sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a flexible sheet made of plastic or carbon fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12557910B2Flexible support device for chair back tilting

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 DONGGUAN KENTEC OFFICE SEATING

AI summary

A flexible support device for chair back tilting contains: a supporting frame, a seat mounting, and a base. The supporting frame includes a back portion, two peripheral extensions, two rotatable edges, two first coupling orifices, and two second coupling orifices. The seat mounting includes a first fixing portion, a second fixing portion, two connecting fences, two rotatable locating portions, two defining orifices, two joining elements, two slide orifices, and a drive protrusion. The base includes two locating fringes with two first positioning orifices, two second positioning orifices, a holder connected with a first end of a spring, and a second end of the spring is connected with a flexible sheet. The flexible sheet has two peripheral sections. The base further includes two connection segments, and the two connection segments have two openings. Two connectors are configured to accommodate the flexible sheet and have two pegs.