Foldable Bench Seat with Deployable Caster Base for Flexible Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bench seating structures are heavy, bulky, and immobile, limiting their use in flexible and multi-purpose spaces where furniture needs to be frequently rearranged or stored.
Innovation Solution
A seating assembly with a pivot link mechanism that allows the seat to pivot relative to a mobile base, transitioning between a sitting position and a mobile position, enabling vertical movement of the mobile base to facilitate relocation and storage, and incorporating biasing and dampening mechanisms for easy adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional bench seating structures are made heavy and bulky, then stability and fixed positioning are improved, but mobility and flexibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The bench seat incorporates a mobile base with casters that can be deployed or retracted based on operational needs. The base transitions between a retracted state during seating use and a deployed state for mobility, enabling the furniture to dynamically adapt between stable and mobile configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bench seat is divided into distinct functional components: a seat portion, a backrest, and a mobile base with casters. This segmentation allows the base to be independently controlled and deployed only when mobility is required, while remaining integrated with the seat structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional bench seating structures are fixed in place, then furniture layout stability is improved, but ease of relocation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile base with casters is designed to be deployed only when relocation is needed. During normal use, the base remains retracted to maintain layout stability. When relocation is required, the base deploys to enable easy movement of the bench seat.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile base is added to enable flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile base serves multiple functions: it provides mobility when deployed and structural support when retracted. The casters are integrated into the base structure, allowing the same component to enable movement while maintaining structural integrity during seating use.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile base is integrated with the seat and backrest structures, combining mobility functionality with the existing furniture framework. This integration reduces the need for separate mobility mechanisms and simplifies the overall structure.
4Ease of operation
If the seat is made to pivot for mobility, then ease of operation is improved, but stability during seating is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism is designed to allow rotation only when the mobile base is deployed and casters are in contact with the ground. During normal seating, the pivot is constrained to prevent rotation, ensuring stability. The system dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on operational conditions.
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
Enables flexible seating arrangements by allowing the bench to be easily moved and stored, enhancing usability in environments requiring frequent layout changes.
Implementation Method 1
A pivot link is pivotally connected between the seat and the mobile base. As the seating assembly is adjusted between the sitting position and the mobile position, the pivot link pivots relative to the seat and the mobile base to impart vertical movement of the mobile base
Implementation Method 2
The support member of the mobile base moves along the bore of the stationary base as the mobile base moves vertically relative to the stationary base and the ground surface
Implementation Method 3
a biasing member along the bore between the stationary base and the mobile base. The biasing member urges the mobile base away from the stationary base toward the ground surface to bias the frame toward the mobile position
Implementation Method 4
a dampening mechanism between the frame and the seat. The dampening mechanism engages as the seating assembly approaches the sitting position to dampen pivotal movement of the seat relative to the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly includes a frame supporting a seat and a backrest. The frame includes a stationary base and a mobile base. A pivot link pivotally connects between the seat and the mobile base. The seating assembly is adjustable between a sitting position and a mobile position. In the sitting position, the stationary base supports the seating assembly, the sitting surface extends parallel to the ground, and the mobile base is vertically spaced from the ground. In the mobile position, the seat is pivoted relative to the frame toward the backrest, the mobile base supports the seating assembly, and the stationary base is vertically spaced from the ground. As the seating assembly is adjusted between the sitting and mobile positions, the pivot link pivots relative to the seat and the mobile base to impart vertical movement of the mobile base relative to the stationary base and the ground.