Seating Device Tilting Mechanism for Independent Sit-to-Stand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with limited arm muscle power face difficulties in sitting down and rising from a seated position, and existing seating devices either require assistance or are cumbersome and expensive due to motorized mechanisms or heavy construction.

Innovation Solution

A seating device with a movable foot support that allows individuals to tilt the seat using their body weight by pressing down on a foot-operated pressure surface, eliminating the need for arm power and incorporating a compact operating mechanism that includes a rotatable seat and a guide system for easy movement and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a motorized tilting mechanism is used to assist sitting down and rising, then the ease of operation is improved, but the weight and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sitting down and risingVSAvoidweight of seating device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motorized mechanical system with a purely mechanical lever system. The foot support acts as a lever that converts vertical foot pressure into horizontal force to tilt the seat. This eliminates the need for motors, batteries, and electronic controls, significantly reducing weight and cost while maintaining the assistive function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the user's own body weight and foot pressure as the power source. By pressing down on the foot support with their feet, the user actively tilts the seat without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical assistance systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a motorized tilting mechanism is used to assist sitting down and rising, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sitting down and risingVSAvoidcost of seating device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components such as levers, hinges, and weight counterbalancing elements instead of expensive motorized systems. The design prioritizes affordability and simplicity, using basic mechanical principles that are much cheaper to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Weight of moving object

If manual armrest operation is used to tilt the seat, then the weight is reduced, but individuals with limited arm power cannot operate it effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of seating deviceVSAvoidease of sitting down and rising

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the user to push down on armrests with their arms, the invention inverts the mechanism so that the user pushes down on a foot support with their feet. This inversion allows individuals with limited arm power to still effectively tilt the seat using their leg strength and body weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The foot support acts as an intermediary element that transfers the user's body weight and foot pressure into the tilting force needed to move the seat. This intermediary mechanism allows users with limited arm strength to accomplish the task by using their feet and body weight instead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Volume of moving object

If a compact operating device is used to tilt the seat, then the space occupied is reduced, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by operating deviceVSAvoidcomplexity of operating mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the foot support structure with the seat tilting mechanism into a single integrated assembly. The foot support is positioned directly beneath the seat and is mechanically connected through levers and hinges, combining multiple functions into one compact unit that occupies minimal space while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating device uses dynamic mechanical elements such as springs and movable levers that allow the structure to adapt and move smoothly. The weight counterbalancing spring provides automatic return motion, and the lever mechanisms allow compact packaging of the operating forces, reducing overall device volume without increasing complexity.

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

Enables individuals with limited arm strength to safely and independently sit down and rise from a seated position without relying on arm power, while being lightweight and space-efficient, suitable for use near a toilet and adaptable for various configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the operating device is configured for moving the first support from its seating position into its transitional position, during a movement of the pressure surface from its first position into its second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the first support is arranged on the holder so as to be rotatable about a lying centre line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational Motion:

Implementation Method 3

the pressure surface of the second support is arranged on the holder so as to be at least partially linearly movable, in particular movable up and down

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTranslational Motion:

Data Source

PatentEP3988067A1Seating device

Publication Date: 2022.04.27 TOLBOOM ANTHONIUS JOHANNES

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Seating device for an individual, wherein the seating device comprises: - a holder; - a first support arranged on the holder, the first support having a support surface for supporting the buttocks of an individual; - a second support arranged on the holder, the second support having a pressure surface or support surface for a foot of the individual; - wherein the first support is movable relative to the holder between a seating position for the individual and a forwardly tilted transitional position for the individual wherein the first support surface has a predominantly higher level than it has in the seating position, - wherein the pressure surface is movable relative to the holder between a first position and a second position, wherein the pressure surface in the first position is situated at a predominantly higher level than it is in the second position, wherein the second support is part of an operating device for moving the first support between the seating position and the transitional position, wherein the operating device is configured for moving the first support from its seating position into its transitional position, during a movement of the pressure surface from its first position into its second position.