Sleeper Sofa Frame With Sliding Support for Firm Bed Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art sofa-beds are uncomfortable for sleeping due to insufficient rigidity in their bed frames and are complex, unstable, and difficult to manufacture, making them heavy and user-unfriendly.

Innovation Solution

A convertible sofa-bed design that allows easy conversion between sofa and bed configurations, featuring a buttock-foot member that slides between retracted and extended positions, with a foldable section comprising a head rest member and back rest member that can be locked in place, providing firm support through hard flat members or wood slats, and utilizing a biased mechanism to aid in conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the bed frame uses a spring system to support the bed cushion, then the sofa-bed can be converted between sofa and bed configurations, but the springs are not sufficiently rigid to support a person laying down, causing backache and unpleasant sleep experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion between sofa and bed configurationsVSAvoidrigidity of bed frame

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bed frame is divided into three separate support portions that can be independently positioned and configured. Each support portion can be adjusted to provide optimal support, allowing the frame to transition from a compact sofa configuration to a fully supported bed configuration with adequate rigidity for sleeping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bed frame incorporates rotating parts and movable support portions that allow dynamic reconfiguration between sofa and bed modes. The support portions can be rotated and positioned to achieve the desired configuration, providing both adaptability and structural integrity when in bed mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the bed frame is folded into the sofa base portion with numerous rotating parts and accordion-style folding, then the sofa-bed can be compactly stored, but the bed frame becomes complex and unstable, adding manufacturing complexity and weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompact storage of bed frameVSAvoidcomplexity of bed frame structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bed frame support portions are designed to nest within the sofa base portion when in the sofa configuration. The three support portions can be folded and stored compactly within the available space, similar to nested dolls, achieving space efficiency without requiring excessive rotating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support portions serve multiple functions: they provide structural support when extended for bed configuration, and they fold compactly for storage in sofa configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bed frame consists of three separate support portions folded in accordion fashion, then the bed can be compactly folded into the sofa, but the multiple support portions and pedestals add instability and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capability of bed frameVSAvoidstability of bed frame

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support portions are pre-configured with hinge connections and stopping mechanisms that guide their movement during folding and unfolding. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when the support portions are extended for bed use, they automatically align and lock into stable positions, minimizing instability during the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8321971B2Sleeper sofa

Publication Date: 2012.12.04 RODRIGUEZ LOUIS

AI summary

A convertible sofa-bed which is easy to convert between a sofa configuration and a bed configuration is provided. From a sofa configuration, a buttock-foot member may be pulled outward. Simultaneously, a head rest member and back rest member which are initially at a generally vertical position are traversed to a generally horizontal position. When the buttock-foot member is fully traversed outward (i.e., extended position), the head rest member, back rest member and the buttock-foot member are generally substantially coplanar and generally horizontal. This provides a firm bed. From the bed configuration, head rest member and the back rest member may be buckled to allow the buttock-foot member to be pushed inward. The buttock-foot member is then pushed fully inward (i.e., retracted position) until the head rest member and the back rest member are in the generally vertical position with the buttock-foot member and back rest member forming a seat.