Reclining Relaxation Chair Control for Refresh After Rocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional relaxation apparatuses provide a relaxing effect but fail to effectively transition users to a refreshed state, such as awakening, following relaxation.

Innovation Solution

A relaxation apparatus with a body-supporting unit and a reclining mechanism controlled by a controller to alternate between reclining and raising motions, adjusting speed and amplitude, and incorporating air bags for enhanced stimulation, allowing for a refresh effect after relaxation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the relaxation apparatus uses only rocking motion at low frequency (1 Hz or less), then the user experiences relaxation effect, but the user cannot transition to a refreshed state such as awakening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelaxation effectVSAvoidrefresh effect capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus dynamically changes the rocking frequency from low frequency (1 Hz or less) during relaxation phase to high frequency (more than 1 Hz) during refresh phase. The controller adjusts the rocking unit's operating parameters in real-time to transition the user from relaxed state to refreshed state, making the system adaptable to different physiological states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus employs periodic alternation between relaxation mode (low frequency rocking) and refresh mode (high frequency rocking). The controller periodically changes the rocking frequency and amplitude according to predetermined patterns, creating cyclic transitions that facilitate both relaxation and refresh effects in sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the back portion is moved rapidly in the direction of raise, then the refresh effect is enhanced, but abrupt blood pressure changes and physical burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefresh effectVSAvoidblood pressure change and physical burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air bags are inflated in advance before the back portion is rapidly raised. This preliminary inflation provides supportive force to the user's body, preparing the cardiovascular system for the upcoming rapid motion and reducing the shock to blood pressure and physical burden during the raise operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air bags provide cushioning support during the transition phases of back portion movement. By being inflated beforehand, they cushion the user's body against abrupt changes in position and pressure, mitigating harmful effects on blood pressure and reducing physical burden during rapid raise operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2168550B1Relaxation apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.07.13 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

A relaxation apparatus includes a body-supporting unit (13) with a seat portion (30) on which a user can sit and a back portion (31) is fixed at a rear part of the seat portion, the back portion being reclined about the rear part of the seat portion by a reclining mechanism (34), a rocking unit (12) for rocking the body-supporting unit and a controller (24) for controlling the rocking unit to rock the body-supporting unit. The controller controls the reclining mechanism to move the back portion in directions of raise and reclining alternatively to refresh the user in a relaxed state. The controller may control the reclining mechanism to raise the back portion stepwise with time while moving the back portion in the directions of raise and reclining alternatively.