Human Support Structure With Non-Parallel Link Axes for Compact Arcuate Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rocking, gliding, and swinging motion devices for users of all ages face safety concerns, bulkiness, and limited comfort due to complex motion mechanisms and large footprints, making them impractical for small living spaces and obstructing visibility and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A movable human support structure featuring a base and a first motion transmitting assembly with non-parallel link members that guide movement in a non-straight path, allowing for controlled arcuate motion and optional secondary motion assembly with converging axes for adjustable motion paths, enabling compact design and enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a seat or cradle is attached and suspended above the ground from the top of a frame to create an arcuate swinging motion, then the swinging motion range is extended and smoothness is improved, but the overall frame must be made larger and taller, presenting safety concerns and blocking visibility
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of suspending the seat from above the user (top-down configuration), the patent inverts the configuration by attaching the seat to the frame at or near the user's level, with motion mechanisms positioned below or at the seat rather than above it. This inversion maintains the arcuate swinging motion while eliminating the need for a tall frame structure.
2Ease of operation
If a cradle or seat is provided on a frame and attached on the sides thereof to enable front-to-back and/or side-to-side motion in a glider design, then the seated user is not obstructed from view or accessibility, but structural parts of the frame may trap or pinch a body part of the user and motion is limited to short ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal gliding motion to a vertical arcuate swinging motion, where the seat moves in an upward and forward arc rather than horizontally. This dimensional change allows the frame structure to be positioned below the user, eliminating pinching risks between horizontal frame parts and the user's body, while providing a longer, smoother motion path.
3Duration of action of moving object
If taller swings are used to provide a stable support and longer swinging motion, then the swinging range is improved, but the swings may be top heavy, thus presenting safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional swing configuration by positioning the motion mechanisms and frame structure below the seat rather than above it. This eliminates the top-heavy condition while maintaining structural stability, as the frame now supports the seat from below rather than requiring the seat to be suspended from a tall upper structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex motion mechanisms and large footprints are used in current rocking, gliding, and swinging motion devices, then motion functionality is provided, but safety concerns arise and they become impractical for small living spaces while obstructing visibility and accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple motion functions (rocking, gliding, swinging) into a single integrated arcuate motion mechanism. The linkages and motion transmitting assemblies provide compound motion that achieves the benefits of multiple motion types without requiring separate mechanisms, thereby reducing the overall footprint and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic linkages and motion transmitting assemblies that allow the support structure to move through a controlled arcuate path. The link members are configured to be movable relative to each other around non-parallel axes, enabling the structure to adapt its motion path while maintaining a compact form factor.
Data Source
AI summary
A movable human support structure has a support against which at least a part of a human can be borne in use, a base, and a first motion transmitting assembly acting between the support and the base. The first motion transmitting assembly has at least one link member connecting between the base and the support. The at least one link member is configured to be movable: a) relative to the support around a first axis; and b) relative to the base around a second axis. The first and second axes are non-parallel to each other. The first motion transmitting assembly is configured to guide movement of the support relative to the base in opposite directions in a non-straight path.