Motorized Furniture Support Sections With Independent Pivot Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motor-adjustable support devices for furniture lack the ability to independently adjust multiple support parts to fully adapt to ergonomic and physiological conditions, limiting their effectiveness in providing personalized comfort.

Innovation Solution

Assigning separate actuating elements to each support part, allowing for independent pivoting of at least two parts, with actuating elements interacting with the drive to enable sequential or simultaneous pivoting of support parts, and utilizing rod-shaped elements and spindle drives for efficient force transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common actuating element is used to adjust multiple support parts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to ergonomic conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidadjustment options
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The common actuating element is segmented into multiple separate actuating elements, with each support part having its own dedicated actuating element. This segmentation enables independent adjustment of each support part while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as each actuating element follows a similar design pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If multiple support parts are adjusted simultaneously by a common actuator, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision of individual adjustment positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment operationVSAvoidadjustment position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating elements are designed to enable dynamic, independent adjustment of each support part. Each actuating element can be controlled separately to achieve precise positioning of its associated support part, allowing for dynamic adaptation to different ergonomic requirements while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate actuating elements are assigned to each support part, then the adaptability to ergonomic conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic adaptationVSAvoidactuating mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separate actuating elements are designed with homogeneous characteristics, following the same structural pattern and design principles. This homogeneity reduces the overall complexity despite having multiple actuating elements, as they can be manufactured and assembled using similar processes and components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP2418983B1Support device adjustable by an electric motor
Publication Date: 2013.03.06 BIONICAL SYST
  • EP2418983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2418983B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2418983B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a support device (2) which can be adjusted by an electric motor for the cushioning arrangement of an item of furniture for sitting or lying on. Said support device comprises a base body which comprises a first support section for supporting the head or upper body region of the person resting on said support device and a second support section for supporting the calf/leg area of the person resting on the support device. A stationary third support section is arranged between the fist support section and the second support section. The first support section and/or the second support section comprises at least three support parts (6, 8, 34 - 40) which can pivot in an articulated manner and in relation to each other about the pivotoable axes and/or in relation to the third support section, in addition to an electric motor drive for adjusting the support parts (6, 8, 34 - 40) in relation to each other. According to the invention, a separate actuation element is associated with the individual support parts (6, 8, 34 - 40) for pivoting the respective support parts (6, 8, 34 - 40). Said actuation elements are operatively connected to the drive in such a manner that at least two support parts (6, 8, 34 - 40) can be pivoted independently from each other.