Pivoting Sled Back Support for Parallel Lumbar Alignment in Chairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seating structures often lead to user discomfort and poor posture due to inadequate support, particularly in the lumbar region, resulting in issues like fatigue, muscle strain, and long-term back pain, as they fail to accommodate the natural curvature of the spine effectively.
Innovation Solution
A back support system for chairs featuring a frame with a central opening, a suspended membrane, and a sled mechanism that pivots to adjust between positions, providing customizable support by moving between a low sacral and high lumbar position, ensuring the central portion remains parallel to the membrane, thus aligning with the user's back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible backrest is used to accommodate user movements, then adaptability is improved, but lumbar support effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is divided into multiple independent support members including a lumbar support member and a sacral support member. Each segment can independently adjust and provide targeted support to specific regions of the user's back, maintaining support effectiveness while allowing flexibility for user movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are configured to be adjustable in position and orientation. The lumbar support member can be positioned at different heights and angles, and the sacral support member can be adjusted independently, allowing the system to adapt to different user positions and movements while maintaining proper lumbar support.
2Ease of manufacture
If the backrest structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but postural support capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is segmented into multiple support members (lumbar support member, sacral support member) that can be manufactured as separate, standardized components. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes, while the combination of segments provides comprehensive postural support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed with universal adjustment capabilities that allow them to serve multiple functions. The same lumbar support member can be positioned to support different users with different postures, eliminating the need for complex custom-made components for each user.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed backrest positioning is used, then structural stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest support members are designed to be dynamically adjustable by the user. The lumbar support member can be moved to different positions and angles, and the sacral support member can be adjusted independently, allowing users to customize the support according to their comfort needs while maintaining structural stability through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be user-operable without requiring external assistance or complex controls. Users can independently adjust the position and angle of the support members to achieve optimal comfort, making the system self-adapting to individual user needs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A back support for a chair includes a cover (44) configured to be coupled to opposing sides of a chair frame. A strap (42) is connected to the cover (44). A sled (40) having a central portion is coupled to the strap (42), the sled (40) is configured to pivot with respect to the chair frame and provide support to a user's back. The cover (44) is configured to moveably connect to the chair frame between a low position and a high position. The sled (40) is configured to pivot as the cover moves between the low position and the high position so that the central portion of the sled (40) is substantially parallel to at least a portion of a membrane connected to the frame between the low position and the high position.