Mesh Chair Back Support With Twisting Arms for Ergonomic Flex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Office chairs with rigid peripheral frames and woven mesh backrests often lack torsional flexibility, leading to discomfort and limited adjustability, as the rigidity restricts the flexibility of the back support and the cushioning provided by the mesh.
Innovation Solution
A back support system featuring a flexible frame with independently twisting support arms and a molded, tensioned suspension mesh, which provides ergonomic support and adjusts to user posture without a rigid frame, combined with a customizable upholstery cover that enhances flexibility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid peripheral frame is used to support the mesh fabric in tension, then the structural stability and support capability are improved, but the torsional flexibility and range of movement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral frame is divided into multiple independent flexible support arms that can move relative to each other. Each support arm is a separate element that can be independently positioned, allowing the frame to segment and adapt to torsional forces while maintaining overall structural integrity through the tensioned mesh fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to move between different angular positions. This dynamic adjustment enables the frame to adapt to user movements and provide torsional flexibility while maintaining structural stability through controlled tension in the mesh fabric.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a rigid peripheral frame is used to support the mesh fabric, then the long-term cushioning and support are maintained, but the comfort and flexibility for posture adjustment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms incorporate dynamic positioning mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment during use. Users can move the support arms to different positions to adjust their posture, and the system maintains long-term cushioning through the elastic tension of the mesh fabric that continuously adapts to the new configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the support structure by adjusting the angular positions of the support arms. This parameter adjustment allows posture modification while the mesh fabric's tension properties maintain consistent cushioning characteristics over time through elastic deformation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support arms are spaced apart to allow independent flexing, then the torsional flexibility is improved, but the structural rigidity and support strength are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flexible support arms are combined with the tensioned mesh fabric to create a unified support system. The support arms provide independent flexing capability while the mesh fabric merges their individual strengths into a collective structural system that maintains overall support strength through distributed tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines rigid support arm elements with flexible mesh fabric to create a composite structure. The support arms provide structural integrity and positioning, while the mesh fabric provides continuous surface support and distributes loads, creating a composite system that achieves both flexibility and strength.
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 solution offers increased torsional flexibility and comfort by allowing the back support to conform to the user's posture, providing a wide range of motion while maintaining long-term cushioning and support, accommodating various user types and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
The support arms are spaced apart from one another such that each of the support arms can be independently flexed at the periphery. The one or more upright support posts may include a pair of spaced apart support posts that generally define a central opening therebetween, wherein the support arms may extend outwardly from one of the upright posts. In such an embodiment with two spaced apart support posts, the posts may each form an axis about which each support post can twist—independent of one another—in response to movements by a user that place a load on the support arms
Implementation Method 2
The suspension mesh may be supported in tension by the flexible portion of the back support frame—without the need for a rigid peripheral frame. The mesh material may be molded and flexible. These components can be individually tuned to provide the back support with desired support characteristics
Implementation Method 3
The tensioning of the supports arms prior to the user sitting in the chair creates a predetermined reactionary force that biases the suspension mesh towards the ergonomic contour when a user places a load on the back support. More particularly, the tensioning of the support arms provides a reactionary force that increases exponentially with an increase in load from a user
Data Source
AI summary
An office-type chair including a back support having a suspension mesh back support and a back support frame. The suspension mesh back support has an integral retaining channel disposed at a peripheral edge thereof, and the back support frame includes a central pair of upright support posts and wedge base for mounting to a chair frame. The back support frame includes a plurality of flexible and spaced support arms extending laterally outward from the upright support posts. The support arms each have a peripheral edge configured for fastenerless attachment in a tensioned state within the suspension mesh retaining channel. An upholstery cover encapsulates the suspension mesh and back support frame. The office chair also includes a lumbar mechanism including a resilient cushion that may be positioned in the space between the suspension mesh and the support frame and adjusted along the vertical extent of the back support by rolling the resilient cushion on the rear of the suspension mesh.