Seat Chassis Footrest Pivot Mechanism for Slim Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seating/reclining furniture chassis designs lack a compact and versatile mechanism for adjusting footrests, which limits their application range and design flexibility while increasing production complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A seating/reclining furniture chassis with a base, a seat frame movably attached via standing levers, a pivotally mounted bracket, and a pivot gear coupled with a damping unit and helical spring, allowing the seat frame to pivot from a retracted to an extended position, with a support mechanism that includes a gas spring or electric motor drive for efficient adjustment and a slim design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional footrest adjustment mechanism is used, then the footrest can be adjusted, but the design becomes complex and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication rangeVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the footrest support function with the seat frame pivot mechanism into a single integrated assembly. The support is directly pivotally connected to the seat frame, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability across different furniture applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated support and seat frame pivot mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables seat frame pivoting, and acts as the footrest support. This multi-functionality allows the same mechanism to be used across various seating and reclining furniture types, increasing adaptability without adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If the footrest is fully retracted under the seat frame, then the design becomes compact, but the mechanism requires precise positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretracted footprintVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a retaining spring to create a stable equilibrium position for the support in its retracted state. The spring force balances the gravitational and mechanical forces, holding the support firmly in its retracted position without requiring complex positioning mechanisms. This achieves compact retraction while maintaining positioning stability through force balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Length of moving object

If a slim design is implemented, then the front seating area becomes narrower, but the mechanism has limited adjustment range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront area widthVSAvoidpivoting angle range
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic pivoting mechanism that allows the support to rotate through a wide angle range (90°, 120°, or 180°) relative to the seat frame. The pivotal connection enables the support to adapt its position dynamically, achieving both a slim design when retracted and full adjustment range when extended, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and versatility.

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

This design enables a wide range of applications with a compact, slim, and adjustable footrest mechanism that can pivot by 90°, 120°, or 180°, ensuring the footrest is fully retracted under the seat frame, reducing rework and allowing for a particularly narrow and stable construction with improved ease of movement.

Implementation Method 1

the swivel gear is coupled to the seat frame via a damping unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the support is held in the retracted position by a support retaining spring, and the support retaining spring is designed as a helical spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage: Spring

Implementation Method 3

The damping unit can have at least one damping element and at least one energy storage element, wherein the damping element can be a gas spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas spring elastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2356922B1Seat or lounger chassis
Publication Date: 2012.05.09 HEKO
  • EP2356922B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2356922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2356922B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The seat or couch furniture chassis (1) has a lower frame, a seat framework, which is movably attached at the lower frame over condition levers, a support (12), which is installed at the seat framework over a support framework around a drag axis in tiltable manner and a panning drive. The panning drive is coupled over an absorption unit with the seat framework, and the support is held in the brought in position by a support retaining spring.