Seating Furniture Backrest with Anisotropic Textile for Lumbar Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seating furniture designs do not adequately enhance ergonomics and comfort, particularly in providing effective lumbar support, as the textile material used is equally elastic in both horizontal and vertical directions, lacking resistance when a user leans against it.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a section of textile material between the frame parts that is less elastic in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction, specifically in the lower area to form a lumbar support, using polyester filament threads that are less stretchable than the rest of the material, and an adjustable tension mechanism to increase tension and reduce elasticity further.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the textile material is made equally elastic in both horizontal and vertical directions, then the comfort and flexibility of the seating furniture is improved, but the lumbar support function is insufficient because the material lacks resistance when a user leans against it

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidlumbar support function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The textile material is designed with different elasticity characteristics in different directions: less elastic in the horizontal direction and more elastic in the vertical direction. This anisotropic elastic property allows the material to provide resistance for lumbar support horizontally while maintaining comfort and flexibility vertically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the textile material is made less elastic in the horizontal direction to provide lumbar support, then the lumbar support function is improved, but the overall comfort and flexibility of the seating furniture is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelumbar support functionVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The textile material is designed with different elasticity characteristics in different directions: less elastic in the horizontal direction and more elastic in the vertical direction. This anisotropic elastic property allows the material to provide resistance for lumbar support horizontally while maintaining comfort and flexibility vertically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the textile material is made less elastic in the horizontal direction to provide lumbar support, then the lumbar support function is improved, but the complexity of the seating furniture structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelumbar support functionVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elasticity parameters of the textile material are changed by selecting specific fiber types and knitting patterns. The material uses a combination of elastic and inelastic fibers arranged in a specific knitting structure to achieve different elastic properties in horizontal and vertical directions, avoiding the need for additional mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides improved ergonomics and comfort by creating a more resistant area for lumbar support, enhancing user posture and overall seating experience.

Implementation Method 1

at least one section of the textile material extending between the two frame parts is less elastic in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

it to contain so-called, preferably horizontally running filament threads in section 1.3.1... the filament threads are designed to be less stretchable than the rest of the textile material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial elasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the adjustment mechanism 2 is designed to apply additional tension to the textile material... making it even less elastic at this point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3818909B1Seating furniture
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 KONIG NEURATH AG
  • EP3818909B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a seating furniture comprising a backrest (1) having two frame parts (1.1, 1.2) between which a textile material (1.3) is stretched to form a back support surface for a user. According to the invention, at least one section (1.3.1) of the textile material (1.3) extending between the two frame parts (1.1, 1.2) is less elastic in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction.