Rotatable Carrier Profiles for Adjustable Furniture Spring Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional supporting spring systems for furniture lack the ability to be individually adjusted for varying levels of comfort, as the carrier profiles are not easily modifiable in terms of stiffness to accommodate different loads and preferences.
Innovation Solution
The system features elongated, resilient carrier profiles with reinforcements that can be rotated about their longitudinal axis or parallel axes to change flexural stiffness, allowing for continuous or step-wise adjustment of stiffness, and can be coupled to form units with different flexural properties, enabling adjustment of stiffness in multiple directions and angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If carrier profiles are made with uniform structure and material, then manufacturing is simple, but stiffness cannot be adjusted for different comfort preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier profile incorporates a reinforcement element (such as a rod or rib) that is positioned at a specific location within the profile cross-section. This reinforcement is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, creating non-uniform local properties that increase stiffness in specific directions while maintaining overall structural integrity. The reinforcement may be made of different material or have different cross-sectional properties than the base profile material, enabling localized stiffening without complicating the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier profile is designed to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis or an axis parallel thereto. By rotating the profile, the reinforcement element changes its orientation relative to the loading direction, thereby dynamically adjusting the flexural stiffness. This allows the same physical structure to provide different stiffness characteristics depending on its rotational position, enabling adaptability without requiring multiple different profile designs.
2Strength
If carrier profiles are made very stiff to support heavy loads, then load-bearing capacity increases, but comfort for lighter loads decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable reinforcement element allows the carrier profile to transition between different stiffness states. When the reinforcement is oriented perpendicular to the loading direction, it provides maximum stiffness for heavy load support. When rotated parallel to the loading direction, it provides minimum stiffness for enhanced comfort with lighter loads. This dynamic reconfiguration enables a single profile design to accommodate the full range from heavy load-bearing to light load comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexural stiffness parameter of the carrier profile is made variable through rotation of the reinforcement element. The moment of inertia of the cross-section changes with the angular position of the reinforcement, directly altering the flexural stiffness parameter. This allows continuous or discrete adjustment of the stiffness parameter to match different load conditions and comfort preferences, resolving the contradiction between high strength and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lattice frame spring systems are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but individual adaptability for different users is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable carrier profile provides a mechanically simple adjustment mechanism that can be operated by the user. The rotation may be achieved through manual manipulation, a simple locking mechanism, or integration with existing furniture adjustment systems. This dynamic adjustment capability allows individual users to customize their comfort preferences without requiring complex control systems, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving adaptability.
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
This solution allows for precise adjustment of the spring system's stiffness, providing a wide range of comfort settings from hard to soft, enhancing user adaptability and comfort by allowing continuous or incremental changes in stiffness, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
When there is pressure on the padding, the carrier profiles deflect resiliently or bend in a sprung manner
Implementation Method 2
The reinforcements are in particular tension-resistant inlays in walls or overlays on walls of the carrier profiles
Data Source
AI summary
A supporting spring system for furniture for sleeping, sitting or reclining, having a plurality of elongated, resilient carrier profiles that have a longitudinal axis and that run parallel to each other, form a common plane, and preferably are mounted on a frame or on longitudinal members. The carrier profiles have at least one reinforcement that is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, and the profiles can be rotated about the longitudinal axis or an axis parallel thereto in order to change their flexural stiffness against a force in the direction perpendicular to the common plane.