Hidden Leg Rest Linkage for Reclining Armchair Support Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armchair designs with swiveling and reclining mechanisms often require complex mechanisms and do not provide a smooth, harmonious operation, especially when the leg rest is retracted, which can obstruct the armchair's elegant appearance and make operation cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The armchair features a leg rest with a thigh and calf part that pivots together, allowing the calf part to swivel from a parallel to a horizontal position beneath the seat surface, enabled by a simple mechanism involving sliding mountings and a Z-shaped lever, allowing for smooth swiveling and extension without disturbing the visual appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the leg rest is retracted beneath the seat surface, then the visual appearance is improved, but the support surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The calf part is nested beneath the seat surface in the retracted position, allowing the leg rest to be stored within the available space under the seat while maintaining a clean visual appearance. The calf part can be swiveled from a parallel position beneath the seat to a horizontal support position, effectively nesting the support structure when not in use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism is used to enable swiveling and reclining, then the range of motion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swiveling mechanism of the leg rest is merged with the reclining mechanism of the seat. The same structural elements and movement principles that enable the seat to recline are also used to enable the leg rest to swivel, eliminating the need for separate independent mechanisms and reducing overall complexity while maintaining full range of motion.
3Length of stationary object
If the calf part is positioned parallel to the seat surface beneath the seat, then the clear height is improved, but the leg rest visibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calf part is positioned in a different spatial dimension (parallel to the seat surface beneath the seat) rather than extending outward, which maintains clear height while reducing visual impact. By utilizing the vertical space beneath the seat, the design achieves both functional and aesthetic goals.
Data Source
AI summary
Armchair with a seat surface and a leg rest which can be pivoted out, wherein the armchair can be pivoted between a sitting position and a reclining position, for which purpose the seat surface can be displaced to the rear in relation to a fixed frame and is articulated in the front region via erecting levers. The leg rest is coupled to the seat surface in such a manner that it is pivoted when the seat surface is displaced to the rear. The leg rest is connected to the erecting levers by a first sliding mounting and is articulated on the fixed frame by a second sliding mounting. The first sliding mounting is connected pivotably to the second sliding mounting, and the second sliding mounting is configured in such a manner that its orientation changes during the pivoting operation. The leg rest has a thigh part and a calf part that are connected pivotably to each other in such a manner that, when the seat surface is displaced to the rear, the calf part is pivoted from a position arranged approximately parallel to the seat surface and below the seat surface into an approximately horizontal position.