Rocker fitting for the movable arrangement of a seat part on a frame of a chair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rocker fittings for chair seats require multiple components, leading to increased manufacturing and assembly efforts, as well as maintenance needs due to relative mobility between parts, resulting in wear and potential instability.

Innovation Solution

A rocker fitting design featuring a plate-shaped spring element with multiple fastening sections that connects directly to both the base and the seat part, utilizing elastic properties for mobility without articulated components, thereby reducing complexity and maintenance requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiple individual parts and hinged components are used in the rocker fitting, then the structural complexity and mobility are increased, but the manufacturing cost, assembly effort, and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual parts into a single integrated rocker fitting component. The spring element is formed as one piece with multiple mounting sections, eliminating the need for separate hinged components and reducing the total number of parts. This integration directly reduces manufacturing complexity and assembly effort while maintaining the required mobility function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple individual parts with relative mobility are used, then the mobility function is achieved, but wear and tear increase requiring regular maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidmaintenance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By combining all mobility-functioning parts into a single spring element with multiple mounting sections, the patent eliminates relative movement between separate hinged components. The spring element deforms elastically as a unified structure, preventing wear at connection interfaces and eliminating the need for maintenance of moving joints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical hinged connection system with an elastic deformation system. Instead of using joints and hinges that rely on mechanical contact and friction, the mobility is achieved through the elastic bending of the spring element, which has no wear-prone contact surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If hinged components with relative mobility are used, then the rocking motion is enabled, but play and instability occur reducing security perception

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidconstruction precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the hinged mechanical connection system with an elastic spring element that provides continuous contact and support. The spring element's elastic deformation creates a compliant connection that eliminates play and gaps between components, providing stable and precise rocking motion without the instability inherent in hinged assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design minimizes components and assembly effort, providing a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution with a play-free structure that enhances user experience through secure and stable mobility.

Implementation Method 1

The actual movement between the frame and seat of a chair equipped with this mechanism relies solely on the elastic properties of the spring element's base, which is at least partially deformable.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4385365A1Rocker fitting for the movable arrangement of a seat part on a frame of a chair
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 ALFONS VENJAKOB GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4385365A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385365A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4385365A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The rocker fitting (1, 100, 200, 300) for the movable arrangement of a seat part on the frame of a chair, in particular a swivel chair, comprises a base (2) provided for at least indirect connection with the frame and a spring element (3) mounted at least indirectly on the base (2) and provided for at least indirect connection with the seat part. The spring element (3) has a plate-shaped base body (4) with at least two fastening sections (7a - 7d), wherein the spring element (3) is connected to the base (2) via at least one of the fastening sections (7a) and the further at least one fastening section (7b) is designed for connecting the spring element (3) to the seat part.