Seating Furniture Leg Unit Linkage for Larger Hidden Footrest Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating furniture designs face challenges in providing a sufficiently large leg support surface without the need for a displaceable end segment or a changeable leg unit size, especially in scenarios with limited space below the seat unit.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical configuration using an intermediate support with two pivoting guides, one between the seat unit and the base, and another between the intermediate support and the leg unit, allows the leg unit to be displaced between storage and use positions while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation, eliminating the need for a displaceable end segment and allowing a longer seat support length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a separately moveable end segment is added next to the leg unit to obtain a sufficiently large leg support surface, then the leg support surface area is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement mechanism is segmented into two independent pivoting guides: a first pivoting guide for the intermediate support relative to the seat unit, and a second pivoting guide for the leg unit relative to the intermediate support. This segmentation allows each guide to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall mechanism compared to a single complex guide system.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate support is introduced as a mediator between the seat unit and the leg unit. This intermediate support carries the first pivoting guide and provides a stable reference frame for the second pivoting guide, enabling the leg unit to achieve horizontal displacement without requiring complex direct connection mechanisms.
2Area of moving object
If the leg unit is designed to be changeable in size to achieve sufficient leg support surface, then the leg support surface area is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing the leg unit with changeable size, the invention uses a dynamic movement mechanism with two pivoting guides that allows the leg unit to be displaced horizontally between storage and use positions. The leg unit maintains a fixed size but achieves variable positioning, simplifying manufacturing while providing the required functionality.
3Area of moving object
If the seat height is increased to accommodate a longer seat support length for larger leg support surface, then the leg support surface area is improved, but the overall furniture dimensions and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a vertical arrangement (increasing seat height) to a horizontal arrangement (displacing leg unit forward). By using two pivoting guides that enable horizontal movement, the leg support surface area is increased without increasing the vertical dimension, allowing the furniture to fit within standard height constraints while providing adequate leg support.
Data Source
AI summary
An item of seating furniture, including a base fixed in position during use, a seat unit with a seat surface, and a leg unit moveable in relation to the seat unit and having a leg support surface. The leg unit is displaceable via a movement mechanism between a storage position and a use position.The movement mechanism is designed for transferring the leg unit from the storage position into the use position. The movement mechanism has an intermediate support displaceable in relation to the seat unit or the base via a first pivoting guide. The pivoting guide has a first rear pivot lever between the intermediate support and the seat unit or the base, and the leg unit is displaceable relative to the intermediate support via a second pivoting guide. The second pivoting guide has a first front pivot lever between the intermediate support and the leg unit.