Powered chairs for public venues, assemblies for use in powered chairs, and components for use in assemblies for use in powered chairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional powered recliner chairs require multiple motors for multi-positional functions, leading to large and expensive units, and lack remote control capabilities, making them inefficient for venue management and user comfort.
Innovation Solution
An electric powered chair assembly control system with a controller, user interface, and power supply that allows for local and remote operation, energy management, and integration with sensors and actuators for automated functions, reducing the need for multiple motors and enhancing venue management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are used for multi-positional functions, then the chair can provide lift, tilt, leg rest, and reclining functions, but the chair becomes extremely large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A single motor is designed to perform multiple functions (lift, tilt, leg rest extension, and reclining) through a linkage mechanism that translates motor rotation into coordinated movement of multiple chair components. This universal motor replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate motors, thereby reducing chair size and cost while maintaining multi-positional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the single motor and the multiple chair components. The linkage translates the motor's rotational output into coordinated linear and angular movements required for lift, tilt, leg rest, and reclining functions, enabling one motor to control multiple degrees of freedom without requiring direct mechanical connection to each component.
2Ease of operation
If power drive and power return functions are incorporated, then the chair can extend and retract components, but the drive mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between power drive mode (extending components) and power return mode (retracting components). The controller manages these periodic actions by directing the motor to perform extension movements followed by return movements, eliminating the need for separate mechanical return mechanisms and simplifying the overall drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism dynamically switches between drive and return functions through electronic control of the single motor. The motor's operational state changes periodically between providing driving force for extension and providing returning force for retraction, allowing one motor to fulfill roles that would traditionally require separate mechanical systems.
3Device complexity
If a single motor is used instead of multiple motors, then the chair becomes smaller and more cost-effective, but the motor must support heavy loads during lift and tilt functions
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism serves as a mechanical intermediary that provides force multiplication and load distribution. It translates the single motor's output force into coordinated movements while mechanically advantageously supporting heavy loads during lift and tilt functions, allowing one motor to handle loads that would traditionally require multiple motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism incorporates curved or arc-shaped components that follow the natural movement paths of the chair during lift and tilt operations. This curved geometry allows the single motor to efficiently transmit force through arcuate motion paths, optimizing force application and load support while maintaining compact dimensions.
4Device complexity
If chairs are controlled only via local controller, then the control system is simple, but venue management and user comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow remote controllers to communicate with the chair's local controller. Sensors detect chair position and operational state, transmitting this information back to the remote controller, enabling users to remotely monitor and adjust chair functions while maintaining coordinated control between multiple chairs through the venue management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture is designed with universal communication protocols that enable the same controller to function at multiple levels: local chair control, remote individual chair control, and venue-wide coordinated control. This multi-level universal control system allows a single control platform to manage everything from individual chair adjustments to synchronized venue operations without requiring separate control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Powered chairs, assemblies for use in the powered chairs, and components for use in the assemblies are provided. Electrical systems for use in the powered chairs, and components for use in the electrical systems are provided. Control systems and methods for operating powered chairs are also provided. Any given chair may be locally and/or remotely controlled.