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 heavy load support and venue management.
Innovation Solution
An electrical system for powered recliner chairs that includes a power demand management device, remote user interfaces, and energy storage devices, allowing for local and remote control of chair orientations and incorporating smart power supplies to manage energy distribution efficiently across multiple chairs.
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 extension, 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 unified drive mechanism, eliminating the need for separate motors for each function. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall number of components, decreases chair size, and lowers cost while maintaining full multi-positional capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single integrated motor assembly that can sequentially or simultaneously execute lift, tilt, leg rest, and recline operations. By merging these functions into one motor system with a unified control algorithm, the chair achieves complex multi-positional functionality without the bulk and expense of multiple separate motors
2Ease of operation
If power-assisted chairs incorporate a drive mechanism for extending leg rest and reclining, then the chair provides enhanced comfort functions, but the chair requires multiple motors resulting in large and expensive units
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor assembly is programmed to execute leg rest extension and reclining movements through coordinated actuation sequences. The control system manages the timing and magnitude of motor output to achieve both leg rest and backrest positioning functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated motors for each comfort function
3Productivity
If remote control capability is added to powered chairs, then venue management efficiency improves, but the electrical system becomes more complex requiring power demand management
Solution Approach 1:
A power demand management device is introduced as an intermediary component between the remote control interface and the motor assembly. This mediator monitors power consumption, manages energy distribution, and coordinates remote control signals with electrical system capacity, enabling efficient venue-wide chair management while preventing electrical overload and maintaining system reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Powered recliner chairs, assemblies for use in the chairs, and components for use in the assemblies are provided. Electrical systems for use in the chairs, and components for use in the assemblies are provided. Control systems and methods for operating powered recliner chairs are also provided. Any given chair may be locally and/or remotely controlled.