Convertible Sofa Armrest Repositioning for Wider Bed Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture designs fail to efficiently convert into a 'longitudinal sleeper' configuration with sufficient lying width, as they require complex mechanisms or result in a narrow lying surface due to the limitations of armrest height and length.
Innovation Solution
Conically widening guides on the furniture frame interact with conical guides on the armrests, allowing the armrests to be rotated and inserted to maximize lying width, while a pivotable board supports the armrests and a pull-out shelf provides additional storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If an additional extendable carriage with cushion is provided to supplement the bed surface, then the lying length is increased, but the device complexity increases due to relatively complicated movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The armrests are segmented from the main furniture structure, allowing them to be independently removed, rotated, and repositioned. This segmentation enables the lying surface to be extended without requiring complex movement mechanisms for additional carriages, as the existing armrest components are repurposed instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrests are designed with dynamic reconfigurability, transitioning from a fixed lateral position to an extended position on the lying surface. This dynamic adaptation allows the furniture to transform into a longitudinal sleeper configuration using simple rotational movement rather than complicated mechanical mechanisms.
2Area of stationary object
If armrests are pivoted into the space between backrest and seat cushion frame, then the lying surface is supplemented, but the lying width is limited to a relatively narrow width depending on armrest height
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of utilizing the vertical height of armrests to determine lying width (one-dimensional limitation), the invention rotates the armrests 90° and extends them horizontally along the lying surface. This dimensional transformation allows the full length of the armrests to contribute to lying width, significantly increasing the available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The lying surface is formed by combining the original seat cushion frame with the repositioned armrests and backrest elements. This composite configuration creates a unified longitudinal sleeping surface that maximizes the use of all available components, achieving sufficient lying width without requiring additional furniture elements.
3Area of stationary object
If the seat cushion frame is extended to create a wide lying surface for cross sleepers, then the lying width is increased, but the conversion mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The armrests serve multiple functions: they provide lateral support in sitting position, act as structural elements during transformation, and extend the lying surface in longitudinal sleeper configuration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each configuration change, simplifying the overall conversion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrests are pre-configured with conical guides that interact with corresponding guides on the furniture frame. This preliminary design enables smooth, guided rotation and positioning during conversion, reducing the complexity of the transformation mechanism by eliminating the need for additional alignment or adjustment components.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A piece of seating furniture that can be converted into a bed has a furniture frame (1) and a seat cushion frame (2) supported on the floor, which carries the seat cushion (4) and can be moved into and out of the furniture frame (1). A backrest (10) which can be pivoted into the lying position is also provided. Padded armrests (3) are detachably arranged on the furniture frame (1) and the seat upholstery frame (2) can be pulled out to such a distance from the swiveled backrest (10) that the armrests (3) fit into the space between the backrest (10) and the seat upholstery frame ( 2), can be inserted to supplement the lying surface. Such furniture can be converted into a bed with little effort.