Foldable Chair Locking Mechanism for One-Handed Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable highchairs are cumbersome to fold and transport due to complex mechanisms and increased weight, requiring both hands to unlock and manually move components, making them inconvenient to use and store.
Innovation Solution
A foldable chair design featuring a locking seat with engaging portions and a slide member driven by an actuator, allowing single-handed operation to lock and unlock the chair, reducing its height and size when folded, using a biasing member to maintain the folded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional foldable mechanism with link unit and pedal is used, then the chair can be folded, but the construction becomes complicated and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is divided into independent modular components: locking seat with engaging portions, slide member, and biasing member. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the complex folding operation to be broken down into simple sequential actions that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a pedal mechanism where the user actively pushes to fold, the invention inverts the approach by using a slide member that moves along the front leg to automatically trigger the folding action through disengaging locking portions. This passive triggering mechanism simplifies the user's task while reducing mechanical complexity
2Ease of operation
If both hands are used to unlock locking mechanism and one foot to step on pedal, then the chair can be folded, but the operation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The slide member is designed to automatically perform multiple functions as it moves along the front leg: it disengages the first engaging portion to unlock the carrier frame, triggers the folding motion, and engages the second engaging portion to lock the folded position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual operations, allowing folding to be accomplished with a single hand movement in less time
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the single slide member component: unlocking the carrier frame, initiating the folding motion, and locking the folded position. By combining these previously separate operations into one integrated mechanism, the user can fold the chair with a single action, significantly reducing both the time required and the inconvenience of multi-step operations
3Volume of moving object
If manual movement of seat on front leg is required to reduce height, then the chair can be compacted, but the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The height reduction function is merged with the existing folding operation. As the slide member moves and the carrier frame pivots forward to fold, the support frame and seat automatically descend along the front leg, reducing the overall height. This integration eliminates the need for separate height adjustment mechanisms or manual seat movement, achieving compact dimensions as a byproduct of the folding action itself
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame and seat are pre-positioned on the front leg such that they automatically descend to the correct lower position as the folding motion begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that height reduction occurs concurrently with the folding operation, achieving compact storage dimensions without requiring additional user actions or complex adjustment mechanisms
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 easy, one-handed folding and unfolding, reducing the chair's size and weight, making it more convenient for transport and storage while maintaining a compact form.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member provided on the slide member and accumulating a biasing force when the slide member is moved to disengage the first and second engaging portions of the locking seat
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable chair includes a rear leg connected pivotally to a front leg, a carrier frame retained pivotally on the rear leg, a locking seat provided on the front leg and formed with first and second engaging portions, and a slide member mounted to a front arm part of the carrier frame and movable to selectively engage and disengage the first and second engaging portions. The slide member engages the first engaging portion to lock the carrier frame to the front leg for holding the foldable chair at an unfolded state. The slide member is disengaged from the first engaging portion so as to permit pivoting movement of the carrier frame and the front and rear legs for disposing the foldable chair at a folded state, and engages the second engaging portion when the foldable chair is disposed at the folded state.