Seating Arrangement with Flexible Shell Reclining Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating arrangements lack a flexible and efficient mechanism for reclining that maintains structural integrity and aesthetic continuity, with current designs often compromising on flexibility or requiring complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A seating arrangement utilizing a deformable four-bar linkage mechanism with flexibly resilient shell members and a rigid support system, allowing the backrest to move between upright and reclined positions while maintaining a continuous perimeter edge and minimizing wear on the seating surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional reclining mechanism is used, then the backrest can move between upright and reclined positions, but the structural integrity and aesthetic continuity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a continuous perimeter edge shell structure that flexes during reclining motion. The shell maintains its continuous aesthetic appearance while incorporating flex zones that allow controlled deformation, enabling the backrest to transition between positions without compromising structural integrity or visual continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is designed with differentiated regions including a central region and lateral regions that move differently during recline. The central region moves up relative to the lateral regions, creating a segmented motion pattern within the continuous shell structure, allowing flexible movement while maintaining overall structural coherence.
2Ease of operation
If a complex reclining mechanism is used, then reclining functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous perimeter edge shell structure serves its own dual function: it provides both the aesthetic outer shell and the structural support mechanism. The shell's inherent flexibility and geometric design enable reclining motion without requiring separate complex mechanical components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shell structure and the reclining mechanism into a single integrated component. The continuous perimeter edge shell incorporates the reclining function through its flexible design, eliminating the need for separate mechanical linkages and reducing overall device complexity.
3Shape
If the shell is made continuous for aesthetic purposes, then visual appeal is improved, but flexibility and wear resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shell features locally differentiated properties with specific flex zones positioned in the central region while maintaining continuous lateral edges. This local variation in flexibility allows the shell to adapt during reclining motion while preserving aesthetic continuity in the visible lateral portions, resolving the conflict between appearance and flexibility.
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 a flexible reclining mechanism that maintains structural integrity and aesthetic continuity, offering enhanced user comfort and durability while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of flexibly resilient shell members, a flexibly resilient support member and a rigid support member that cooperate to form a deformable and flexibly resilient four-bar linkage
Data Source
AI summary
A seating arrangement includes a base, a lower shell having a portion fixedly coupled to the base, and an upper shell supported entirely by the lower shell, the upper shell comprising a seating portion, a backrest portion moveable between an upright position and a reclined position, and a curved transition portion extending between the seating portion and the backrest portion, wherein a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots are located in portions of the seating portion and the transition portion thereby defining a central region and laterally spaced side regions, wherein the central region moves up relative to the side regions during recline.