Monolithic Seat Support for Dynamic Sitting Without Mechanical Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating devices, particularly office chairs, require complex mechanical components to achieve dynamic sitting, which complicates production, assembly, and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A support component with a base support and seat support integrated as a single piece, connected by deformable connecting elements that allow reversible deformation and a restoring moment, enabling pivoting or wobbling movements without additional mechanical parts, using a single plastic material for injection molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spring elements or elastic rubber components are used to achieve dynamic sitting, then the desired movement is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the base support and seat support into a single monolithic component manufactured by injection molding. The connecting elements are formed as integral parts of this single component, eliminating the need for separate spring elements, rubber components, or multiple assembled parts. This merging achieves dynamic sitting capability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic support component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables pivoting movement, and incorporates the connecting elements that facilitate dynamic motion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical components, resolving the contradiction between achieving dynamic sitting and reducing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If complex joint arrangements with numerous pivot points are used, then dynamic sitting is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements (base support, seat support, and connecting elements with pivot capabilities) into a single injection-molded component. This eliminates the need for complex joint arrangements and numerous pivot points that would require separate manufacturing and assembly steps, thereby simplifying both production and assembly while maintaining dynamic sitting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical joint systems with pivot points with an integrated monolithic structure where the connecting elements are formed as part of the injection-molded component. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical assemblies while preserving the desired dynamic movement characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for base support and seat support, then assembly flexibility is improved, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base support and seat support into a single monolithic component manufactured by injection molding. The connecting elements are formed as integral parts of this single component, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining assembly flexibility through the integrated design that allows easy installation as a single unit.
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
Provides a structurally simple and comfortable dynamic sitting experience without perceivable mechanical resistance, allowing users to freely choose their seating position and ensuring uninterrupted movement, while being lightweight and visually appealing.
Implementation Method 1
the number of connecting elements allows a pivoting or wobbling movement of the seat support relative to the base support by deforming when the seat support is loaded
Implementation Method 2
the connecting elements are subjected to bending and/or torsion when the seat support is loaded
Implementation Method 3
the connecting elements are subjected to bending and/or torsion when the seat support is loaded
Implementation Method 4
the number of connecting elements are subjected to a restoring moment when the seat support is loaded, whereby the connecting elements allow the seat support to move back into the initial position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a support component for a seating device, in particular for a stool.In order to provide an ergonomically advantageous seating device (1), in particular a stool, from the perspective of "dynamic sitting", a support component (4) is proposed, comprising a base support (5) placeable on a foot section (2), in particular on a chair column (3), and a seat support (7) arranged on the base support (5), wherein the seat support (7) is formed integrally with the base support (5), thereby forming a base support-seat support unit (5, 7), and wherein the base support (5) is connected to the seat support (7) via a number of connecting elements (21), wherein the number of connecting elements (21) allow a pivoting or wobbling movement of the seat support (7) relative to the base support (5) by deforming when the seat support (7) is loaded, wherein the number of connecting elements (21) are subjected to a restoring moment when the seat support (7) is loaded.