Foldable Chair Support Structure for Compact Telescopic Seating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Telescopic seating systems and foldable chairs face challenges in providing comfortable seating while maintaining a compact stowaway profile and ensuring power and data connections with minimal flex points and exposure to chair occupants.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a structural frame with a spring structure and a membrane that limits movement, along with a cushion to support occupants, and centrally located power and data connectors between chairs to reduce flex points and exposure, allowing for comfortable seating and compact storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the spring structure extends into the space between the chair surfaces to provide comfortable seating, then the seating comfort is improved, but the chair profile becomes bulkier and harder to stow compactly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating comfortVSAvoidchair stowage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring structure is nested within the chair frame structure, with the membrane limiting its extension into the space between chair surfaces. When folded, the spring compresses within the frame, allowing compact stowage while maintaining comfort functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A membrane is attached to the chair frame to limit the movement of the spring structure, preventing it from extending beyond a predetermined point into the space between chair surfaces. This thin film constraint allows the spring to provide comfort while maintaining a compact profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If power and data connectors are located at individual chair positions for easy access, then ease of use is improved, but the interconnecting wires have more flex points and greater exposure to occupants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector accessibilityVSAvoidwire durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power and data connectors are extracted from individual chair locations and consolidated into a centralized location between adjacent chairs. This reduces the number of flex points in interconnecting wires and minimizes exposure to occupants while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple connector functions (power and data) are merged into a single centralized location between adjacent chairs, reducing wire complexity and improving reliability by minimizing flex points and exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the cushion is made thicker to improve comfort and conform better to the occupant, then seating comfort is improved, but the chair becomes bulkier and less compact when folded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating comfortVSAvoidchair thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion incorporates a spring structure that dynamically adjusts to occupant weight and position, providing enhanced comfort through controlled deformation. When folded, the spring compresses to minimize the overall thickness of the chair assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution provides comfortable seating, reduces exposure to pinch points and impacts, and maintains a compact profile while ensuring reliable power and data connections with minimal flex points, enhancing user experience and system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an occupant support having a spring structure attached to the structural frame that extends into a space that is defined as being below the first surface and being above the second surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a membrane, attached to the second surface of the structural frame, that limits movement of the spring structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS9326610B2Telescopic seating systems, and foldable chairs and related components for use within telescopic seating systems

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 JACOBS FREDERICK

AI summary

The telescopic seating systems, and foldable chairs and related components for use within telescopic seating systems, of the present disclosure may incorporate occupant support elements within a space between a top surface of a seat frame structure and a bottom surface of the seat frame structure. Springs may be attached to the top surface of the chair frame structure and configured to extend into the space. Alternatively, or additionally, a chair cushion may extend into the space.