Saddle-Shaped Seat Structure With Tensioned Mesh Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seating furniture fails to provide a balance of comfort, ergonomics, and flexibility, often resulting in pressure points and inadequate support for users, particularly in work settings where long periods of sitting are required.

Innovation Solution

A saddle-shaped seat design with a seat surface stretched between front and rear saddle rails, using flexible materials like mesh fabric, which is clamped and optionally glued or welded to the rails, allowing for optimal distribution of tensile stress and preventing tearing, while also being adjustable for individual comfort and featuring a rolling frame for mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a conventional saddle seat or standing seat is used, then the structure is compact and simple, but the seating area is too small and does not support the entire buttocks area, causing discomfort and seat cavity formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating areaVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is divided into two separate saddle rails (front and rear) that are independently supported, allowing the seat surface to be stretched between them to create a larger seating area that supports the entire buttocks region while maintaining structural simplicity through modular construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If rigid materials are used for the seat surface, then structural strength is high, but pressure points are created and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seat surface is made from a flexible covering material that is stretched and tensioned between the saddle rails, creating a membrane structure that distributes loads evenly across the surface, eliminates pressure points, and provides the necessary flexibility while maintaining structural integrity through tension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the covering is made thin and flexible, then comfort and flexibility are improved, but the load-bearing capacity is reduced and tearing is more likely

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The covering is pre-tensioned between the saddle rails during assembly, creating initial prestress that significantly enhances the load-bearing capacity of the thin flexible material. This preliminary tensioning prevents tearing by distributing stresses uniformly across the covering before the user applies additional loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If the seat surface is fixed rigidly to the saddle rails, then connection strength is high, but stress peaks are created that can tear the covering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidstress peaks
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the covering and saddle rails is designed with localized fastening areas rather than uniform attachment throughout. This allows the covering to be securely connected at specific points while maintaining flexibility and stress distribution in other areas, preventing stress peaks that would lead to tearing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

5Adaptability or versatility

If traditional seating furniture is used, then basic seating function is provided, but ergonomic support is inadequate and comfort requirements are not met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic adaptabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing users to modify the tension and configuration of the seat surface to match their individual ergonomic requirements. This dynamic adaptability enhances comfort and support while maintaining a relatively simple overall design through adjustable rather than fixed components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhanced comfort and ergonomic support by distributing weight evenly, preventing pressure points, and allowing for adjustable tension to accommodate different users and settings, while maintaining stability and flexibility, thus promoting sustained and fatigue-free sitting.

Implementation Method 1

the covering, through which the seat is formed, to be connected to the front saddle rail between a first end of the front saddle rail and a second end of the front saddle rail, in particular continuously and uninterruptedly to the front saddle rail along a first fastening area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTensile stress distribution: Tension

Implementation Method 2

the covering has breathable properties, so that body heat given off by the user's body can be optimally dissipated through the covering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2901892B1Seating furniture with a saddle-shaped seat base
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 ZWICK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2901892B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2901892B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2901892B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to seating furniture (1) with a saddle-shaped seat (2), the seat (2) being arranged on a seat post (3). The seat (2) is stretched between a front saddle rail (4) on a front rail support (5) and a rear saddle rail (6) on a rear rail support (7).