Seating Leg Rest Link Mechanism for Injury Risk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating furniture with electric drives face challenges in flexible construction and installation, particularly due to limited space requirements and the risk of injury from moving parts, especially when designed for specific types of seating.
Innovation Solution
A seating furniture design with a base that can be stationary or rotatable, featuring a leg rest element connected via a link mechanism driven by an electric motor, allowing for tilting and reclining configurations with a low-pivoting displacement mechanism that minimizes movement space and reduces the risk of injury, and can be adapted for various seating types without significant adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electric motors are used to drive link mechanisms in seating furniture, then automation and ease of operation are improved, but the risk of injury from moving parts and gear mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric motor from the visible furniture structure and relocates it to a concealed installation space. The motor is positioned in a recessed area where it can drive the link mechanism through a transmission element, thereby automating the leg rest movement while removing the motor and moving parts from the user-accessible area, significantly reducing injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the electric motor is housed within a recessed installation space that is integrated into the furniture base. The transmission element extends from this nested motor housing to connect with the link mechanism, allowing the motor to be concealed while still providing automated drive function.
2Force
If large gear mechanisms are used for electric drive, then sufficient torque and driving force are achieved, but the gear parts form outer contours and increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission element as an intermediary between the electric motor and the link mechanism. This transmission element acts as a force amplifier, converting the motor's output into sufficient driving force for the link mechanism without requiring large gear mechanisms. The transmission element is positioned in a recessed area, keeping the overall structure compact and simple.
3Area of stationary object
If seating furniture is designed from the outset with electric components, then installation space for motors is optimized, but adaptability to different seating types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal mounting structure with a recessed installation space that can accommodate electric motors in various seating furniture types. The mounting structure and transmission element arrangement are configured to work with different base designs, allowing the same motor assembly to be adapted to various seating types without requiring significant design changes, thereby achieving both space optimization and versatility.
4Ease of repair
If link mechanisms are positioned externally for easy access, then ease of maintenance is improved, but the risk of finger pinching and injury from moving parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric motor and places it in a recessed installation space that is not accessible to users. The transmission element connects the concealed motor to the link mechanism, allowing the motor to be positioned away from user-accessible areas. This eliminates the pinching hazard while maintaining automated functionality, and the design allows for maintenance access through service ports without exposing moving parts during normal use.
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 enables flexible attachment to different types of seating furniture, reduces the risk of injury, and optimizes installation space by using a central arrangement of mechanical components, allowing for efficient operation with minimal adjustments to existing models.
Implementation Method 1
An electric motor is provided on the piece of seating furniture below the seat to drive the link mechanism
Implementation Method 2
This acts via a push rod on the bracket mechanism in order to thereby drive the at least one pivoting bracket in the direction of the use position of the leg rest element
Implementation Method 3
The at least one lug is attached pivotably on both sides, namely about an axis extending in the transverse direction of the furniture on an attachment section associated with the seat element and also about an axis extending in the transverse direction of the furniture on an attachment section associated with the leg rest element
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture (100) having a base (10) for stationary positioning, a seat element (30) with a seat surface (32) which can be moved in a tipping manner relative to the base (10), and a leg-rest element (70) with a leg-rest surface (72) which can move relative to the seat element (30). The leg-rest element (70) is connected to the seat element (30) by means of a linkage mechanism (40), wherein the leg-rest element (70) can be moved between a stowed position below the seat element (30) and a use position in front of the seat element (30) by means of the linkage mechanism (40), wherein an electric motor (80) is provided below the seat surface (32) which acts on the linkage mechanism (40) via a thrust rod (86). In order to connect the leg-rest element (70) to the seat element (30), the linkage mechanism (40) has at least one pivot linkage (48) which is arranged at times in a slot (78), partially penetrating the leg-rest surface (72), during the transition of the leg-rest element (70) from the stowed position into the use position.