Pullout sleeper sofa with translatable support frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sofa-beds are uncomfortable due to insufficient rigidity in their bed frames, leading to backaches and unpleasant sleep experiences, and are complex, unstable, and difficult to use and clean, especially in large-scale settings like hotels and cruise lines.
Innovation Solution
A sleeper sofa design featuring a translatable support frame with only two pivoting sections that pivot about a single axis, allowing for easy transition between retracted and extended positions through a smooth gliding motion facilitated by wheels, with a locking mechanism to prevent unwanted movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional spring systems are used to support the bed cushion, then the bed frame can be flexible and compact, but the rigidity is insufficient leading to backache and unpleasant sleep experience
Solution Approach 1:
The bed frame is divided into multiple rigid support sections (first support section, second support section, third support section) that can be independently positioned and locked. This segmentation allows each section to provide stable rigid support while the entire frame remains compact when folded, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for comfort and flexibility for compactness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bed frame is folded into the sofa base portion with numerous pivoting parts and accordion-style folding, then the sofa-bed can transform between sofa and bed positions, but the structure becomes complex and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex accordion-style folding mechanism and replaces it with a simplified support frame that uses only two pivoting sections. The bed frame is taken out from the complicated folded structure and reconfigured as a stable, minimal-pivoting structure that maintains transformability while eliminating unnecessary complexity and instability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of folding the entire bed frame into the sofa base in an accordion fashion, the invention inverts the approach by using a support frame that pivots minimally and stores in a more open configuration. The lockable support sections are positioned to provide stability when folded, reversing the conventional approach that prioritized compact folding over structural stability.
3Volume of moving object
If the bed frame has three separate support portions folded upon each other in accordion fashion, then the bed can be compactly stored, but the structure becomes unstable and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is segmented into three distinct support sections (first, second, and third support sections) that can be independently locked in place. This segmentation provides stability when the bed is in use, while the sections can still be folded compactly when not needed, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and operational stability.
4Volume of moving object
If numerous pivoting parts are used to fold the bed under the sofa base, then the bed can be stored compactly, but the device becomes heavy and not user friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes numerous unnecessary pivoting parts from the conventional design, retaining only two essential pivoting sections. This extraction of redundant components significantly reduces the weight of the bed frame while maintaining the ability to fold and store compactly under the sofa base, making the device lighter and more user-friendly.
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 design enhances comfort by providing a more stable sleeping surface, simplifies deployment and storage, reduces the complexity and instability of the bed frame, and facilitates easier cleaning by allowing straightforward access to the bed portion, making it more user-friendly and efficient for frequent use in hospitality settings.
Implementation Method 1
a guide plate defining an arcuate guide slot, which communicates with a guide post connected to the second section of the bed frame. The guide post travels in the guide slot to lower and raise the second section of the bed frame as the bed frame moves between the retracted and extended positions.
Implementation Method 2
with a locking mechanism to prevent unwanted movement
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a sleeper sofa including a sofa frame, a main support frame, and a bed frame engageable with the sofa frame and main support frame. The sofa frame includes first and second arm portions, and a backrest portion extending therebetween. The main support frame is connected to at least one of the first and second arm portions to fixedly connect the main support frame to the sofa frame. The bed frame includes a first section and a second section pivotally connected to the first section via a hinge. The sleeper sofa further includes a guide plate defining an arcuate guide slot, which communicates with a guide post connected to the second section of the bed frame. The guide post travels in the guide slot to lower and raise the second section of the bed frame as the bed frame moves between the retracted and extended positions.