One-Piece Elastic Actuator for Simplified Backrest Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backrest height adjustment mechanisms in seating furniture, such as office chairs, are complex, costly, difficult to maintain, and bulky due to the large number of components required, making them aesthetically undesirable and challenging to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A backrest device with a simplified design featuring a one-piece elastic actuator that adjusts between blocking and movement positions, allowing vertical movement of the backrest along a support arm, using a latching row and engaging piece for height adjustment with minimal components, facilitating easy installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then backrest height can be adjusted, but the device becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (latching, releasing, and actuating) into a single integrated actuator component. The actuator includes an engaging piece that interfaces with the latching row, eliminating the need for separate locking levers, buttons, and spring mechanisms found in traditional designs. This merging of components directly reduces device complexity while maintaining height adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator performs multiple functions: it engages with the latching row to lock the backrest at desired heights, releases the latching engagement to allow movement, and provides the actuating force through its elastic material. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then backrest height can be adjusted, but the device becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating the latching mechanism, releasing mechanism, and actuating mechanism into a single actuator component, the patent simplifies maintenance. Instead of needing to service multiple separate components (locking lever, button, springs, etc.), maintenance personnel only need to service one integrated actuator, significantly improving ease of repair while preserving height adjustment functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then backrest height can be adjusted, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple mechanisms into a single actuator component naturally reduces the overall volume required. Instead of accommodating separate locking levers, buttons, springs, and associated linkages, the patent achieves the same functionality within a compact single-component structure, reducing the space occupied by the height adjustment mechanism.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then backrest height can be adjusted, but the device becomes expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a actuator as a 'one-piece component' that can be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques. This merging of multiple traditional components into a single printable object eliminates complex assembly processes, reduces manufacturing steps, and enables cost-effective production. The single-component design simplifies both manufacturing and assembly, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and ease of manufacture.
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 enables efficient height adjustment of backrests with fewer components, reducing complexity and space requirements, while allowing for easy maintenance and a more aesthetically pleasing design by using a single actuator to block or allow movement, ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator is in particular manufactured in one piece from an elastic material, in the movement position the actuator being elastically deformed by a force that is typically manually applied
Data Source
AI summary
A backrest device includes a backrest carrier having a support arm, a backrest mounted on the support arm, and an actuator that is adjustable between a blocking position and a movement position. The support arm is equipped with a latching row. The backrest is movable along the support arm. The actuator is connected to the backrest and has an engaging piece. In the blocking position, the engaging piece is engaged with the latching row, so that a movement of the backrest along the support arm is blocked. In the movement position, the engaging piece is disengaged from the latching row, so that the backrest is movable along the support arm. The actuator is manufactured in one piece from an elastic material, in the movement position the actuator being elastically deformed by a manually applied force, so that the engaging piece is moved out of the latching row.