Folding Chair with Coplanar Pivot Axes for Flat Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding chair designs are overly bulky when folded, fail to fold into a substantially flat configuration, are complex to manufacture and assemble, and lack aesthetic appeal, making them unsuitable for many applications.
Innovation Solution
A folding chair design featuring a front leg assembly, rear leg assembly, and seat assembly with pivotally connected components that allow for a compact, flat folded configuration, including inner rail members, pivotally connected legs, and a seat assembly with movable pivot axes, enabling efficient reconfiguration between deployed and folded orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional folding chair designs use multiple linkages and hinged support members to enable folding, then the chair can be reconfigured between open and closed positions, but the folded configuration becomes overly bulky and fails to achieve a substantially flat configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is divided into distinct modular components: a seat assembly, a backrest assembly, and a base assembly. Each assembly can be independently folded and collapsed, allowing the entire chair to be compacted into a substantially flat configuration that fits within a carrying case, dramatically reducing folded volume while maintaining folding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism employs a nested structure where the seat assembly nests within the backrest assembly, and both nest within the base assembly when folded. This nested doll approach allows each component to be contained within the previous component, achieving a compact flat profile that minimizes folded volume while preserving the ability to reconfigure between positions
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional folding chair designs include numerous linkages, scissor-like support members, and pivotable components to enable folding, then the chair can be reconfigured between positions, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate linkages, scissor mechanisms, and complex pivotable components from traditional folding chair designs. By using a simplified direct folding mechanism where assemblies fold relative to each other without intermediate linkages, the manufacturing and assembly complexity is significantly reduced while the chair retains its ability to reconfigure between open and closed positions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple small linkages and joints to achieve folding, the invention inverts the approach by having entire assemblies (seat, backrest, base) fold directly relative to each other. This reversal of the traditional mechanism approach simplifies the overall structure, reducing manufacturing and assembly complexity while maintaining full folding functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional folding chair designs use complex mechanisms with numerous components to enable folding, then the chair can be reconfigured between positions, but the assembly time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By removing unnecessary intermediate linkages, scissor mechanisms, and complex pivotable components, the number of parts requiring assembly is dramatically reduced. The simplified structure with direct folding assemblies allows for faster assembly operations and reduced manufacturing time, improving productivity while maintaining the chair's reconfigurability between positions
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional folding chair designs use multiple support members and linkages to enable folding, then the chair can be reconfigured between positions, but the aesthetic appeal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing the visual clutter of multiple linkages, scissor mechanisms, and exposed pivot points from traditional folding chairs, the design achieves a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The simplified structure with smooth lines and minimal visible mechanical components enhances aesthetic appeal while the chair retains its full folding and reconfiguration 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
The design results in a compact, aesthetically pleasing folding chair that can be easily stored and assembled, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while providing enhanced structural integrity and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second arms include central portions pivotally connected to the first and second inner rails, respectively, about a third pivot axis parallel to and substantially coplanar with the first pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A folding chair comprises a front leg assembly having spaced inner rail members, a rear leg assembly, and a seat assembly. The rear leg assembly comprises spaced legs pivotally connected to the inner rail members about a first pivot axis, which is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axes of the inner rail members. The seat assembly comprises spaced arms having distal ends pivotally connected to upper ends of the legs about a second pivot axis, and central portions pivotally connected to the inner rails about a third pivot axis substantially coplanar with the first pivot axis. The third pivot axis is moveable along the longitudinal axes of the inner rail members and toward and away from the first pivot axis as the chair is reconfigured between its deployed and folded orientations.