Office Chair Backrest Support for Lateral Tilting Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing office chairs with synchronous mechanisms for forward and rearward tilting do not adequately support lateral tilting movements, leading to discomfort and potential 'shirt pulling' effects, and lack adaptability to different seating positions.

Innovation Solution

The office chair features flexible, articulated support arms that allow lateral tilting of the backrest, combined with a V-shaped or trapezoidal arrangement and a system of curved ribs in the seat and backrest shells, which absorb and distribute user weight, preventing relative movement between the user and backrest, and allowing for adjustable lumbar support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a synchronous mechanism is used for forward and rearward tilting, then the seating dynamics are improved, but lateral tilting support is insufficient causing discomfort and shirt pulling effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating dynamicsVSAvoidlateral tilting support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest support is divided into two separate support arms that are spaced apart laterally. Each support arm can independently accommodate lateral tilting movements, allowing the backrest to adapt to side-to-side movements while maintaining forward and rearward tilting functionality through the synchronous mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms are arranged in a V-shape or trapezoidal configuration with lateral spacing, adding a lateral dimension to the tilting mechanism. This geometric arrangement enables the backrest to move not only forward and backward but also laterally, converting a one-dimensional tilting system into a multi-dimensional adaptive support system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid support arms are used for backrest support, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different seating positions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to seating positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are designed with flexible characteristics, allowing them to bend and articulate laterally. This flexibility enables the rigid-looking support structure to adapt to lateral tilting movements and different seating positions while maintaining overall structural stability and load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms incorporate articulated joints or flexible sections that allow dynamic movement. The arms can statically support the backrest in upright positions while dynamically adapting to lateral tilting when the user shifts weight or leans sideways, providing both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If support arms are spaced closely together, then device complexity is reduced, but lateral tilting range and comfort are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport arm configurationVSAvoidlateral tilting range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are arranged in an asymmetric V-shape or trapezoidal configuration rather than a symmetric vertical arrangement. This asymmetric spacing optimizes the lateral tilting range by positioning the arms to accommodate side-to-side movements while maintaining structural efficiency and avoiding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This design provides enhanced comfort and adaptability by allowing lateral tilting without 'shirt pulling,' ensuring a comfortable seating experience with active support that adjusts to user load, maintaining a stable seating surface and backrest alignment.

Implementation Method 1

a system of curved ribs in the seat and backrest shells, which absorb and distribute user weight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

flexible, articulated support arms that allow lateral tilting of the backrest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2717743B1Seat, in particular an office chair

Publication Date: 2019.04.10 HAWORTH INC

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a seat (1), in particular an office chair, comprising a seat support (3) for a seating surface (6) and comprising a backrest support (4) of a backrest (5), which is held on the seat support (3) so as to be able to move in a tiltable manner to the side, wherein the backrest support (4) comprises two support arms (4a, 4b) which are configured to be flexible and/or articulated laterally and spaced apart from one another. Preferably, the seating surface (6) and/or the backrest (5) comprises a curved seat shell and/or backrest shell (6a, 5a) provided with a cover (6b, 5b) with a number of flexible curved ribs (15, 16) on the edge of the shell, wherein the cover is stretched by the seat shell and/or backrest shell (6a, 5a) such that when the cover (6b, 5b) is loaded, the bending of the curved ribs (15, 16) is altered.