Pivoting Chair Back Support With Gas Cylinder Lumbar Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chairs often fail to provide adequate support for the lower back when a user is seated close to a work surface, leading to poor posture and discomfort, especially during long periods of work.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable back support assembly is integrated into the chair, featuring a curved back support pivotally connected to the chair back via a hinge, with a gas cylinder system that allows the back support to rotate away from the chair back upon user activation, providing customizable support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user sits close to the work surface, then the user can access the work surface more conveniently, but the lower back loses support and posture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The back support is designed as a movable component that can dynamically adjust its position from a retracted state (when not needed) to an extended state (when the user leans forward). The gas cylinder mechanism enables smooth transition between positions, allowing the support to adapt to the user's changing posture requirements while maintaining comfort and proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas cylinder acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's body weight and the back support structure. It provides controlled force to extend and retract the back support, mediating the interaction between the user's leaning motion and the support's positional response, thereby enabling convenient work surface access while maintaining lower back support.
2Device complexity
If a fixed back support is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide support when the user's back is spaced from the chair back
Solution Approach 1:
The back support transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. By incorporating the gas cylinder mechanism, the support can extend and retract based on user needs, providing adaptability for different seating positions while maintaining relatively simple integration with the existing chair frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable back support system serves multiple functions: it provides support when the user leans forward, retracts when not needed to avoid interference, and can potentially accommodate various seating positions and user preferences. This multi-functionality enhances adaptability without requiring completely separate support systems for different scenarios.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable back support is added, then support is provided when needed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas cylinder serves as a compact intermediary component that provides the necessary mechanical advantage and controlled movement. It mediates between the user's body weight and the back support structure, enabling smooth extension and retraction with minimal space requirement and relatively simple integration into the chair's existing framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas cylinder utilizes pneumatic principles to provide controlled, smooth motion with minimal manual intervention. The gas pressure mechanism enables the back support to extend and retract with controlled force, reducing the need for complex mechanical linkages or manual adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 adjustable back support assembly effectively maintains correct posture and reduces lower back pain by allowing the user to selectively position the back support, ensuring comfort and support regardless of seating position relative to the chair back.
Implementation Method 1
a linear pushing force generated by the piston causes the back support to rotate at the hinge and move from a first position lying adjacent the chair backing to a second position lying adjacent the back of the user
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable back support assembly coupled to the back of a chair in which a user sits with his back spaced from the chair back. The adjustable back support assembly includes a back support that is pivotally connected to the back of the chair by a hinge. The back support is rotatable at the hinge away from the chair back and towards the back of the user to provide support thereto. The back support assembly also includes a gas cylinder having a retractable piston. The gas cylinder is connected between the back support of the adjustable back support assembly and an upstanding rigid chair backing within the back of the chair. When the retractable piston is forced outwardly from the gas cylinder, a linear pushing force is correspondingly generated by the piston to cause the back support to rotate away from the chair back and towards the back of the user.