Nested Tensegrity Chair Structure for Portable Stable Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable seating solutions are limited in seating area and portability, making it difficult for individuals with limited mobility to access convenient seating options in various settings, such as airports and outdoor public areas.
Innovation Solution
A portable seating device featuring a tensegrity structure composed of rigid compression members with successively smaller diameters and flexible side tension members, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and storage, with end caps and sleeves for secure engagement and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If current portable seating solutions are used, then portability is achieved, but seating area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compression members are designed with nested structures where smaller diameter members fit inside larger diameter members, allowing the chair components to be compactly stored and transported while maintaining adequate seating area when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The chair is divided into separate modular components including compression members, tension members, seat, and base that can be independently assembled and disassembled, enabling both adequate seating area and easy portability
2Ease of operation
If portable seating devices are designed for easy assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chair employs a dynamic tensegrity structure where compression members and tension members work together in a balanced system, allowing the complex structure to self-stabilize and reducing the need for complex assembly mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The compression members serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable nesting for compact storage, and can be used as walking aids or hiking poles when removed from the chair assembly, reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a seating device having a group of three or more rigid compression members with successively smaller outer diameters that are sized to form a single nested structure. The seating device further has a seat having three or more seat connection points spaced about a flexible supporting web, a base having three or more base connection points, the three or more base connection points being connected by base tension members, and three or more flexible side tension members. Each compression member is removably engaged between a combination of a selected seat connection point and a selected base connection point, and each side tension member is engaged between a combination of a selected seat connection point and a selected base connection point, the combination of connection points engaged by each side tension member being different than the combination of connection points engaged by each compression member.