Adjustable Lumbar Support Linkage for Thick Upholstery Padding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lumbar support systems in furniture are inadequate in providing sufficient support across the lower lumbar region due to mechanical limitations and thick padding, leading to occupant discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable lumbar support mechanism featuring a lumbar support member coupled with links and an actuating mechanism, allowing the lumbar support member to extend from a retracted to an extended position, positioning it towards the seat to provide enhanced support across a substantial portion of the seat back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If current lumbar support systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the lumbar support strength is insufficient to penetrate thick padding
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support member is designed to be dynamically adjustable between retracted and extended positions through an actuating mechanism. This allows the support strength to be increased on demand when needed, rather than maintaining constant high strength that would require a permanently complex structure. The dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing strong support only when the occupant activates it.
Solution Approach 2:
The lumbar support system is segmented into multiple components: lumbar support member, lumbar support links, mounting plates, and actuating mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the support member can be designed for maximum strength while the actuating mechanism remains relatively simple. The modular structure resolves the contradiction by distributing complexity across separate elements rather than requiring a monolithic complex design.
2Ease of operation
If current lumbar support systems provide support across a small portion of the lower region, then the device complexity is low, but occupant comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support member is designed with varying properties across its length, with different sections providing support at different positions. The member can be extended to provide support across multiple regions of the lumbar area simultaneously, with each section tailored to provide appropriate support characteristics. This local quality approach resolves the contradiction by enhancing comfort in specific areas without requiring a complete redesign of the entire system.
3Strength
If the lumbar support member is positioned away from the back frame towards the seat, then lumbar support effectiveness is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases due to pivotable components
Solution Approach 1:
Lumbar support links and mounting plates serve as intermediary elements between the actuating mechanism and the lumbar support member. These intermediaries translate the linear motion of the actuator into the rotational motion needed to position the support member away from the back frame. The intermediaries resolve the contradiction by providing a mechanical advantage that achieves effective support positioning without requiring the actuator itself to be highly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable lumbar support mechanism and motion upholstery furniture having the same are provided. The adjustable lumbar support mechanism includes a lumbar support member that is coupled to a lumbar support link. The lumbar support link is coupled to a lumbar support mounting plate. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the lumbar support link such that when an extendable shaft of the actuating mechanism shifts from a retracted to an extended configuration, the lumbar support member rotates away from a back portion of a seat back and towards the seat to provide lumbar support to an occupant sitting in the furniture.