Folding Chair with Telescoping Backrest and Rotating Support Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable chairs are heavy, cumbersome, and difficult to operate, failing to easily change from an unfolded to a folded state and often lack desirable features like sun shades, armrests, and storage due to weight and foldability constraints.
Innovation Solution
A foldable chair design featuring a frame with a backrest that telescopes, a front support that rotates, and a rear support that translates, allowing for easy conversion between seating and storage positions, along with integrated features like a sun shade, armrests, and storage pouches, using a hub with a torsion spring and actuator to facilitate recline and folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional foldable chairs use metal frame and fabric covering, then structural strength is maintained, but weight becomes excessive and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional metal and fabric to aluminum extrusions with plastic components. This parameter change reduces weight while maintaining structural strength through the inherent properties of aluminum and plastic materials, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair employs composite construction combining aluminum extrusions for the frame, plastic for seats and backrests, and plastic latches for folding mechanisms. This composite material approach allows optimization of each component for its specific function while achieving overall weight reduction without sacrificing structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional foldable chairs use complex folding mechanisms, then foldability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in transitioning between unfolded and folded states
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is divided into separable modules connected by folding joints, allowing independent movement of seat, backrest, and legs. This segmentation enables simple folding operations where each module can move independently, reducing operational complexity while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism is designed to be self-latching and self-releasing through plastic latches that automatically engage and disengage during folding operations. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual operations or additional actuators, improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional foldable chairs are designed for portability, then compactness for storage is improved, but desirable features like sun shades, armrests, and storage are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The chair integrates multiple functions into a single portable structure: the frame provides structural support and folding capability, plastic components provide seating and backrest functions, and the same structure accommodates optional accessories like sun shades, armrests, and storage pouches. This multi-functionality allows the chair to maintain compact storage volume while providing versatile features.
Solution Approach 2:
Optional features such as sun shades, armrests, and storage pouches are designed to nest within or attach to the existing chair structure when not in use. This nesting approach allows additional features to be integrated without significantly increasing storage volume, as the accessories collapse or attach to the main chair body.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional foldable chairs use traditional materials and design, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but product competitiveness deteriorates due to lack of modern features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes material parameters from traditional metal and fabric to aluminum extrusions and plastic components. These parameter changes enable modern features like integrated latches, contoured seats, and accessory mounting points while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through extrusion and injection molding processes that are well-established in industry.
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 chair is lightweight, easy to operate, and compact for carrying, maintaining user comfort with integrated features that fold flat for storage without occupying additional space, enhancing portability and usability across various terrains.
Implementation Method 1
the hub may include a torsion spring that biases the backrest toward the folded position
Data Source
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AI summary
A folding chair includes front and rear supports that fold and/or retract into central beams to reduce the space occupied by the chair in a folded configuration. A backrest is coupled to the central beams with a hub that allows an angle of the backrest relative to the central beams to be selected and for the backrest to be folded flat relative to the central beams. One or more actuators and pin actuators may control the relative movements of the backrest, front support, rear support, and central beams.