Folding chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding chairs do not allow users to easily change directions while seated, and they tend to sag or tilt when weight is focused in a particular direction, making it inconvenient for use and storage.
Innovation Solution
A folding chair design featuring a lower block with a first stopper part and an upper block with a second stopper part, connected via hinge pins, which limit leg and support part rotations, along with an elastic member to maintain stability and facilitate easy direction changes and storage by folding the support parts in a central downward direction with the legs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the supports are allowed to rotate freely in the downward direction about the hinge connection, then the folding chair can be easily assembled and disassembled, but the chair sags or tilts when user weight is focused in a particular direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rotational parameter of the supports by introducing stopper parts that limit the rotation angle. The stopper parts constrain the supports to rotate only within a specific angular range (e.g., 0-45 degrees) rather than allowing free rotation, thereby preventing sagging while maintaining folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the support structure dynamically adjustable by allowing rotation within limited angles defined by the stopper parts. The supports can dynamically adapt to user positioning needs while the stopper parts prevent excessive rotation that would cause sagging, creating a balanced dynamic system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supports are constrained to prevent sagging in a predetermined direction, then the chair maintains stable posture, but the user cannot easily change directions while seated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rotational parameter by allowing multiple discrete angular positions (e.g., 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees) rather than complete freedom of rotation. The stopper parts define specific angular checkpoints that provide both stability at each position and the ability to transition between positions for direction changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous rotation range into discrete angular intervals using stopper parts. Instead of allowing continuous rotation, the supports can only occupy specific angular positions defined by the stopper locations, providing stable posture at each segment while enabling transitions between segments for direction changes.
3Volume of moving object
If the folding chair is designed with multiple components that can be folded in the central downward direction, then the storage volume is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the folding function into the existing support structure by integrating stopper parts onto the supports themselves. Rather than adding separate folding mechanisms, the stopper parts are combined with the support members, allowing them to perform both the structural support function and the folding limitation function simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper parts serve multiple functions: they limit rotation to prevent sagging, enable controlled folding for compact storage, and provide stable angular positions during use. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added folding capability.
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 users to easily change directions while seated without sagging and allows for efficient storage by folding the chair, maintaining a stable posture and reducing the overall volume.
Implementation Method 1
a lower block (10) equipped with a first stopper part (11) which is connected via a first hinge pin (h1) with an end of each of a plurality of legs (12)
Implementation Method 2
along with an elastic member to maintain stability and facilitate easy direction changes
Data Source
AI summary
A folding chair enables a user to easily change directions in a sitting state. The user's posture can be supported to prevent sagging in response to the weight of the sitting user. The folding chair includes a lower block having a first stopper connected with an end of each of the legs of the chair. The first stopper parts limit the other ends of the legs from rotating in the lower central direction. An upper block has a second stopper that horizontally rotates based on an axial connection to the lower block and is connected to an end of each of a plurality of support parts. The second stoppers limit the other ends of the support parts from rotating in the lower central direction. A seat connects the other ends of the support parts. The legs and the support parts can be folded or unfolded in the same directions.