Full-Flat Recline Linkage for Level Seat and Backrest Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art rocker-recliner chairs are unable to provide a fully flat seating surface in the full reclined position, restricting users to lying on their back in a partially upright position and preventing comfortable lying on their side or front due to the inability to achieve a backrest angle greater than 30° and the inclination of the seat portion.
Innovation Solution
A linkage mechanism including a seat support linkage, a backrest support linkage, and an ottoman linkage with a full-flat lift link that pivots to rotate the backrest and raise the seat, allowing for a nearly flat seating surface when combined with an extended footrest, enabling a full-flat recline position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional linkage mechanism is used in rocker-recliner chairs, then the chair can achieve three positions (upright, TV position, and full recline position), but the backrest angle is limited to about 30° and the seat portion remains inclined, preventing a fully flat seating surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the linkage mechanism movable and adjustable through multiple pivot points. The linkage includes a seat support linkage, backrest support linkage, and ottoman linkage that can dynamically change configuration between upright, TV position, and full-flat recline positions. This allows the backrest angle to exceed 30° and achieve a fully flat seating surface while maintaining structural integrity through controlled motion at each joint.
2Ease of operation
If the footrest is extended to a height well above the seat portion to achieve a 30° backrest angle, then the chair can recline, but the seat portion is inclined and users cannot lie fully flat on their back or on their side/front
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reclining function into separate controllable components: seat support linkage, backrest support linkage, and ottoman linkage. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component to achieve a fully flat configuration where the backrest, seat, and extended footrest form a continuous horizontal surface, enabling users to lie fully flat on their back, side, or front for comfortable sleeping positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the chair is designed to provide a fully flat seating surface, then users can lie comfortably in various positions, but the linkage mechanism requires additional components (full-flat lift link, laterally extending flange, cam pin interaction)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated linkage components. The full-flat lift link combines lifting and positioning functions, while the laterally extending flange with its generally annular perimeter integrates cam surface engagement and structural support. The interaction between the cam pin and the flange's annular perimeter provides both motion control and structural stability, reducing the need for separate components while achieving the fully flat seating capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A linkage that provides a fully flat reclined position is described. The linkage includes a full-flat lift link pivotally coupled to a seat support link. A backrest support link couples to the lift link through an oblong aperture to provide additional range of motion. The lift link includes a laterally extending flange, the perimeter of which acts as a cam surface for a cam pin that obstructs reclining of the backrest support link when the rocker-recliner is in an upright position. When fully reclined, the linkage configures a footrest, seat portion, and backrest portion in a generally equal plane to provide a fully flat seating surface.