Modular Sofa with Compartmented Cover to Eliminate Rigid Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sofas require rigid frames for structural integrity, making them difficult to transport and increasing weight, while alternative designs like air sofas and bean bags face issues with leakage and constant re-filling.
Innovation Solution
An assembled sofa system with a breathable cover and dividers that confine cushions within inner compartments, eliminating the need for a rigid frame and minimizing leakage, using a breathable outer skin filled with foam blocks and a perforated region to allow air escape during filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame is used to provide structural integrity, then the sofa maintains its shape and support, but the weight and difficulty of transport increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sofa is divided into separate modular components (cushions, cover, dividers) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single heavy rigid frame while maintaining structural integrity through distributed support elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible cover with integrated dividers instead of a rigid frame. The cover material and divider configuration provide structural definition and support while remaining lightweight and flexible for easy transport and storage.
2Strength
If a rigid frame is used to provide structural integrity, then the sofa maintains its shape and support, but the ease of transport decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sofa components are designed as separate modules that can be easily separated, assembled, and stored. This modular approach enables simple transport without requiring disassembly of a rigid frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sofa transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic modular system that can be configured as needed. The components can be easily moved, repositioned, and reassembled, providing adaptability for different transport and storage scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If air sofas or bean bags are used to eliminate rigid frames, then portability improves, but leakage and constant re-filling become issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cover with integrated dividers that creates confined compartments for cushions. This design provides structural definition and support without relying on air pressure, eliminating leakage and re-filling issues while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior space is divided into multiple compartments using dividers, which confine cushions and provide structural support. This segmentation eliminates the need for sealed air chambers required in air sofas, thereby preventing leakage problems.
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 provides a portable, structurally supportive sofa that can be disassembled and shrunk for transportation without requiring a rigid frame or complex seals, maintaining structural integrity and reducing the need for constant re-filling.
Implementation Method 1
The outer skin may include a perforated region, wherein the perforated region is more perforated than other regions of the outer skin
Implementation Method 2
Removing the air from inside the air-tight bag may include vacuuming the air through an outlet valve in the air-tight bag with a vacuuming device
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for an assembled furniture. The assembled furniture includes a cover having a plurality of inner compartments and a plurality of dividers. The assembled furniture also includes a plurality of cushions disposed within respective inner compartments of the cover, where the plurality of cushions are confined in the inner compartments by the plurality of dividers. The plurality of inner compartments may include a back inner compartment, a left arm inner compartment, a right arm inner compartment, and a bottom seat compartment. The left arm inner compartment may be adjacent to an end of the back inner compartment. The right arm inner compartment may be adjacent to an opposite end of the back inner compartment. The bottom seat compartment may be disposed below at least the back, left arm, and right arm inner compartments. The assembled furniture is easily compressible and highly transportable.