Seating Fitting With Radial Slots for Slim Chair Tilting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for tilting mechanisms in seating furniture are either bulky or defective, particularly for slimmer types like dining room chairs, compromising comfort and operation.

Innovation Solution

A slim fitting structure with radial or arcuate slots and coupling pieces allows for smooth tilting of the back, eliminating the need for locking mechanisms and providing balanced adjustment, suitable for slim seating furniture by positioning the virtual axis of rotation radially configured sliding support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tilting mechanism is added to seating furniture, then the back can be tilted for improved comfort, but the structure becomes bulky and unsuitable for slim furniture types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilting comfortVSAvoidstructure slimness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a seat frame with slots, coupling pieces with protrusions, and radial support elements. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and slim while collectively providing the tilting function, resolving the contradiction between comfort and structural slimness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional horizontal sliding mechanisms to a radial/arcuate dimensional approach. The slots are configured in radial or arcuate patterns rather than straight lines, enabling tilting motion within a compact vertical space, thus maintaining slimness while achieving the tilting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If conventional tilting mechanisms are used, then tilting function is achieved, but additional locking mechanisms are required compromising ease of use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilting operationVSAvoidlocking mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling pieces automatically engage with the radial support elements at any position along the arcuate path. The geometry of the slots and protrusions creates self-locking at each position without requiring separate locking mechanisms, allowing free tilting motion while maintaining stability at any angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism allows continuous dynamic movement along the arcuate slot path rather than fixed discrete positions. The coupling pieces can slide freely along the radial slots and engage naturally at any position, providing dynamic adaptability and eliminating the need for static locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the virtual axis of rotation is positioned correctly for balance, then tilting smoothness is improved, but the slot configuration becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilting smoothnessVSAvoidslot configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slots are configured in radial or arcuate patterns rather than straight lines, with the curvature centered on the virtual axis of rotation. This curved geometry naturally guides the coupling pieces along the correct rotational path, achieving smooth tilting motion while the radial symmetry simplifies the overall design by making all slots identical and repeatable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2725942B1A seating furniture with a fitting
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 EKORNES
  • EP2725942B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2725942B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2725942B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

A fitting (1) for a piece of seating furniture comprising a back (2) and a seat (3), which fitting (1) on its two respective sides comprises a rear slot (4) and a forward slot (5), the rear slot (4) being provided as an arcuate or radial section with its centre of rotation, and thus an imaginary pivotal point for the back (3), facing upwards in relation to the fitting (1), and the forward slot (5) being provided as a similarly directed radial or arcuate section, alternatively a linear section with a gradient in the direction of the front of the piece of seating furniture, and thus of the fitting (1), wherein in the rear slot there runs a rear coupling piece (6) coupled respectively to the back (2) and to a rear portion of the seat (3), and wherein in the forward slot (5) there runs a forward coupling piece (7) coupled to a forward portion of the seat (3).