Chair, particularly conference or office chair, and method for manufacturing a chair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional office swivel chairs with pivoting mechanisms require large installation spaces, resulting in a bulky design and are difficult to handle, especially when unloaded, and often necessitate armrests for biasing, which complicates the design and usability.

Innovation Solution

A chair design featuring a flexibly elastic storage member integrated into the transmission system that allows the backrest and seat supports to pivot between upright and backward positions using a predetermined sequence of movements, eliminating the need for additional biasing springs and enabling a slimmer, more aesthetically pleasing design by forming a kinematic chain with articulated rotation points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional pivoting mechanism with integrated spring is used, then the synchronizing function is achieved, but the base and link become massive requiring large installation space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronizing functionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the transmission mechanism for synchronization and the elastic storage member for biasing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining the synchronizing function through the transmission mechanism alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic storage member is integrated directly into the transmission mechanism, combining the biasing function with the synchronization components. This merging eliminates the need for separate massive spring housings and base structures, achieving compact design while preserving both synchronizing and biasing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a massive pivoting mechanism is used, then the synchronizing sequence is maintained, but the overall construction becomes bulky and design-unfriendly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequence of movementsVSAvoidoverall construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission mechanism uses dynamic geometric relationships between moving components to maintain the synchronized sequence of movements. Instead of relying on massive rigid structures, the patent employs articulated links and rotation points that dynamically preserve the movement sequence through their kinematic configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic storage member functions as a flexible structural element that provides biasing force without requiring massive rigid construction. This flexible approach allows compact design while maintaining the necessary mechanical function, enabling slender overall construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Force

If armrests are added to provide bias in unloaded position, then the biasing function is achieved, but the chair design becomes more complex and harder to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebias forceVSAvoidchair design

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing function is extracted from the armrests and relocated to the elastic storage member integrated in the transmission mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need for complex armrest structures designed for biasing, simplifying the overall chair design while maintaining the necessary biasing force in the unloaded position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission mechanism serves dual purposes: it provides both the synchronizing function and the biasing function through its integrated elastic storage member. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate biasing components, reducing design complexity while achieving the required force characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 slender and functional chair design that maintains the functionality of synchronizing mechanisms while reducing bulkiness and simplifying handling, allowing for flexible material usage and easy production, making it suitable for both office and private sectors.

Implementation Method 1

a flexibly elastic storage member is provided and installed at the transmission which, when the supporting means is charged, provides a force restoring to the upright position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10820703B2Chair, particularly conference or office chair, and method for manufacturing a chair

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 SEDUS STOLL

AI summary

A chair, such as a conference or office chair, includes a seat support; a backrest support; a storage member formed as a force storage element; and a transmission coupling the seat support with the backrest support which allows a pivoting of the backrest support and the seat support between an upright position and a backwardly pivoted position according to a predetermined sequence of movements. The force storage element is coupled with the seat support and the backrest support such that the predetermined sequence of movements is facilitated and the storage member provides a force restoring in the upright position and wherein the flexibly elastic storage member forms in conjunction at least with a first articulated rotation point of the transmission a kinematic chain.