Modular Insert Elements for Customizable Office Chair Seat Contours
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass-produced office chairs often fail to provide ergonomic comfort for a wide range of users due to uniform design, as they are typically optimized for the average person, neglecting individual anatomical differences and comfort needs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of adjustable and replaceable insert elements for seating furniture, which can be customized based on user-specific data, allowing for tailored seat and backrest contours through computer-assisted manufacturing and various attachment methods, enabling adaptation to different body sizes and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mass production of uniform office chairs is used, then manufacturing cost and productivity are improved, but adaptability to different user anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is divided into modular components: a standardized support structure and interchangeable insert elements. The insert elements can be detached and replaced according to different users' anatomical needs, allowing mass production of the base structure while customizing specific components for individual users.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of insert elements. This universal base structure maintains economies of scale in manufacturing while the interchangeable insert elements provide adaptability to different user requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individually manufactured office chairs are produced, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the chair into standardized support structures and customizable insert elements, the system reduces production complexity. The standardized components can be manufactured using conventional mass production methods, while only the insert elements require customization, significantly lowering overall production complexity compared to completely individualized manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable insert elements are added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment functionality is extracted from the main support structure and placed into separate, removable insert elements. This allows the basic chair structure to remain simple and standardized, while adjustment capabilities are provided through interchangeable components that can be easily selected and installed based on user needs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an upholstered seating furniture (1), in particular an office chair, with a seat (2) and a backrest (3), each having a support structure (11), wherein the support structures (11) each have a usable side (4) and wherein at least one of the usable sides (4) has a receiving area (5), with at least one upholstery cover (6) that covers at least one of the support structures (11) at least on its usable side (4), with at least one insert element (7) for adapting to the seat contour of the seating furniture (1), which is designed and shaped such that it is inserted into a space (8) between one of the support structures (11) and the corresponding upholstery cover (6) and is fixed in the receiving area (5). The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an insert element (7) for an upholstered seating furniture (1).The present invention further relates to a method for changing the seat contour of an upholstered seating furniture (1).