Extendable Recliner Footrest Linkage for Compact Chair Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reclining mechanisms in seating units face challenges in extending footrests adequately in chairs with smaller frames, off-the-floor styles, or low seat heights, where space constraints limit footrest extension and compatibility with multiple chair styles.
Innovation Solution
A reclining seating unit with a series of pivotally interconnected links that includes an upper and lower footrest extension link, a main footrest bracket, control link, rear and front auxiliary footrest swing links, and an auxiliary footrest bracket, allowing the footrest to extend significantly in front of the seat while retracting into a small space in the upright position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the footrest extension mechanism is designed to extend significantly in front of the seat, then the footrest provides adequate support in reclined positions, but the mechanism requires more space beneath the seat which conflicts with chairs having limited space (off-the-floor styles, low seat heights)
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest linkage is designed to nest within the chair frame when retracted, with the upper and lower extension links folding into a compact configuration that fits within the limited space beneath the seat, while still providing significant extension distance when deployed
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reclining mechanism uses a complex series of pivotally interconnected links to achieve multi-position reclining, then the chair provides versatile reclining capability (upright, TV position, fully reclined), but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reclining mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: upper footrest extension link, lower footrest extension link, control link, and auxiliary footrest swing links. Each segment performs a specific function in the sequence of movements required to achieve the three reclining positions, making the complex motion controllable and manufacturable
3Adaptability or versatility
If the footrest linkage includes multiple swing links and extension links for adequate footrest extension, then the mechanism functions with multiple chair styles, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest linkage is designed as a universal mechanism that can be adapted to multiple chair styles including off-the-floor styles, low seat height chairs, and chairs with swiveling bases. The same basic linkage configuration provides adequate footrest extension across different chair designs, reducing the need for style-specific custom mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A reclining seating unit includes: a frame; a backrest; a seat; main and auxiliary footrests; and a reclining linkage connected between the frame, backrest, seat, main footrest and auxiliary footrest. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links and is configured to move the seating unit between an upright position, a TV position, and a fully reclined position. The reclining mechanism includes a footrest linkage that includes: an upper footrest extension link; a lower footrest extension link; a main footrest bracket on which the main footrest is mounted, the upper footrest extension link and the lower footrest extension link being pivotally connected to the main footrest bracket; a control link pivotally interconnected to the lower footrest extension link; a rear auxiliary footrest swing link pivotally attached to the main footrest bracket and to the control link; a front auxiliary footrest swing link pivotally attached to the main footrest bracket; and an auxiliary footrest bracket to which the auxiliary footrest is mounted, the rear and front auxiliary footrest swing links being pivotally attached to the auxiliary footrest bracket. This configuration can enable the footrest to extend a significant distance in front of the seat in the TV and fully reclined positions.