Orthopedic Seat Support with Spring-Locked Pivot Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopedic seat supports require labor-intensive adjustments and take up significant space when folded for transportation or storage, making them inconvenient for use and storage.

Innovation Solution

A support system for orthopedic seats featuring a pivotally mounted body with a locking mechanism, comprising pins, guides, and compression springs, allowing for quick folding and unfolding of the supports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the support is designed to be folded for transportation, then the storage space is reduced, but the adjustment process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidadjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support system incorporates compression springs that automatically push the support body during the unfolding process, enabling the support to assist its own adjustment without requiring significant manual effort. The springs store mechanical energy during folding and release it during unfolding, making the system self-serving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The support transitions between static locked positions (folded and unfolded) through a dynamic unlocking mechanism. The pin-and-opening locking mechanism allows the support to be quickly released from the folded position, enabling rapid transition between storage and operational states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support uses a locking mechanism to maintain position, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a pin mounted on the support body, an opening in the mounting element, and compression springs in separate guides. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is extracted as a separate mechanism from the main support structure. The pin-and-opening locking system operates independently from the support body's primary functions, allowing the locking mechanism to be simplified and focused solely on its locking purpose without interfering with other support functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables easy adjustment of orthopedic seat supports to a folded position for compact storage and transportation, while allowing for quick reconfiguration to their original supportive position, enhancing user convenience and space efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first compression spring for moving the upper slider toward the mounting element is located in the upper guide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second compression spring for moving the bottom slider toward the mounting element is located in the bottom guide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4570224A1A support for orthopedic seats
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 LIW CARE TECH
  • EP4570224A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4570224A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4570224A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support for orthopedic seats comprising a body (10) and a mounting element (30) for mounting the support to the orthopedic seat, wherein the mounting element (30) is mounted pivotally to the body (10), wherein it comprises a locking mechanism for blocking the rotation of the body (10) relative to the mounting element (30), wherein the locking mechanism comprises: at least one pin (41) mounted immovably to the body (10) and cooperating with an opening (31) located in the mounting element (30); an upper guide (42) and a lower guide (43) which are mounted pivotally to the mounting element (30) on one side; an upper slider (44) mounted slidably in the upper guide (42) and mounted immovably to the body (10), wherein a first compression spring (46) for moving the upper slider (44) toward the mounting element (30) is located in the upper guide (42), between the upper slider (44) and the wall of the upper guide (42) which is opposite the mounting element (30); a bottom slider (45) mounted slidably in the bottom guide (43) and mounted immovably to the body (10), wherein a second compression spring (47) for moving the bottom slider (45) toward the mounting element (30) is located in the bottom guide (43) between the bottom slider (45) and the wall of the bottom guide (43) which is opposite the mounting element (30).