Rotatable Seating Locking Profiles for Reliable Stand-Up Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating furniture solutions with switchable blocking devices for rotational mobility are expensive and often unreliable, and their assembly can be difficult due to complex mechanisms like additional electric motors or helical springs.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective and reliable blocking device is achieved through a form-fitting coupling of two profiles with non-rotatably connected inner and outer profiles that can be axially displaced between a rotationally coupled and released position, utilizing a spring device and a switch carrier for easy operation, allowing the blocking device to be integrated with a stand-up aid function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional electric motor is used to create a switchable blocking device, then the rotational mobility can be controlled, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor (electrical system) with a purely mechanical blocking device consisting of a locking element, spring, and cam mechanism. The blocking and releasing actions are achieved through mechanical interaction between these components, eliminating the need for additional electric motors and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device is designed to be self-actuating through the stand-up aid mechanism. When the seat unit is raised vertically, the stand-up aid automatically triggers the blocking device to engage or disengage through mechanical coupling, without requiring separate control systems or additional actuators
2Reliability
If a helical spring is used for frictional connection, then the blocking function is achieved, but the assembly becomes difficult due to spring expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is divided into separate modular components: a locking element with cam surface, a spring, and a switch carrier. These segments can be assembled independently and then coupled together, avoiding the difficulty of assembling compressed springs into tight spaces. The modular design allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the frictional blocking function
3Ease of manufacture
If the blocking device is designed with form-fitting profiles, then the assembly is simplified and cost is reduced, but the device must ensure reliable positive coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element and switch carrier feature asymmetric cam surfaces with specific geometric profiles. These asymmetric profiles engage in a predetermined sequence, ensuring reliable positive coupling through form-fitting interaction. The asymmetric geometry prevents incorrect assembly and ensures that the blocking function is reliably activated when the profiles engage
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 solution provides a robust, inexpensive, and easy-to-assemble blocking mechanism that ensures the seat unit remains stable during standing, with the ability to lock in multiple rotational positions, enhancing user safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device and a switch carrier for easy operation, allowing the blocking device to be integrated with a stand-up aid function
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5
AI summary
A piece of seating furniture having a base and a seating unit, and a rotary mounting arrangement including a base-side bearing device and a seating-unit-side bearing device via which the seating unit is rotatable with respect to the base, and the rotary mounting arrangement has a switchable blocking device for blocking the rotatability of the bearing devices. The blocking device has two profiles including an inner profile attached to one of the two bearing devices in a rotationally fixed manner, and an outer profile attached to the other of the two bearing devices in a rotationally fixed manner. The outer profile and the inner profile are displaceable with respect to one another such that they are axially movable between an engaging relative position rotationally coupled in a form-fitting manner and a releasing relative position.