Sleeper Sofa Bridge Joint to Inhibit Frame Bowing at Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable furniture, such as sleeper sofas, tends to bow or bend at the junctions between its frame sections due to applied pressure or weight, especially when in the unfolded sleeping position, which is exacerbated by the length and width of the furniture.
Innovation Solution
A bridge joint mechanism is introduced that couples two frame members with a pivot beam, anti-buckling pin, and pivot guide, allowing one member to pivot up to 180 degrees relative to the other, providing support at the seam and resisting bending or bowing by engaging an anti-buckling pin within a track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If foldable furniture is designed with multiple frame sections that can unfold, then the furniture provides multiple positions and convertibility, but the frame sections tend to bow or bend at the junctions when weight or pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple foldable sections (head section, torso section, leg section) that can be separated and reconfigured. This segmentation enables the furniture to transform between sofa and bed configurations while maintaining structural integrity through dedicated joining mechanisms at each interface.
Solution Approach 2:
A bridge joint mechanism serves as an intermediary element between frame sections. This bridge joint includes a bridge beam with a track and an anti-buckling pin that prevents buckling of the pivot beam, thereby preventing bowing or bending at the junctions while still allowing controlled folding motion.
2Area of stationary object
If the frame sections are made longer and wider to accommodate sleeping surfaces, then the furniture provides adequate sleeping area, but the bending and bowing at junctions is exasperated
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge joint mechanism introduces a vertical dimension to the junction design. The anti-buckling pin travels vertically within a track on the bridge beam, creating a three-dimensional joining structure that resists bending forces while accommodating the large horizontal dimensions of the sleeping surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge joint combines multiple structural elements (bridge beam, pivot beam, anti-buckling pin, track) into a composite joining mechanism. This composite structure distributes and resists the bending forces that would otherwise concentrate at the frame section junctions, enabling the support of large sleeping surfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a bridge joint mechanism with anti-buckling pin and track is added to prevent bowing, then the structural stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge joint mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The anti-buckling pin can move freely within the track during the folding and unfolding operations, accommodating the dynamic motion of the frame sections. Once the frame reaches its configured position, the pin's position within the track provides passive structural support without requiring additional active control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeper sofa having a bridge joint to inhibit bowing between frames in a sleeper position is provided although other folding articles are contemplated. The sleeper sofa has a first frame section and a second frame section foldable/pivotable from a first sitting position to a second sleeping position. When in the sleeping position, the bridge joint extends under and between the first and second frame section to provide support to inhibit bowing at the junction between the first and second frame section. The bridge joint includes a pivot axle and an anti-buckling member coupled to a pivot guide having a track. The anti-buckling member travels in the track as the first and second frames are unfolded about the pivotal axle.