Sofa bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sofa beds face issues such as increased rear occupation when folding, mechanical complexity, need for additional storage for cushions, excessive depth or width in configurations, and discomfort due to articulation placement, especially when transitioning between sofa and bed modes.
Innovation Solution
A sofa bed design featuring a support structure with a foldable leg rest, a cushioned flexible body, and automatic unfolding mechanisms, including parallel mechanisms and adjustable height arms, allowing for a wide bed configuration without excessive depth or storage needs, and providing leg support in intermediate positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the back is folded horizontally coplanar with the seat using a sliding non-return ratchet, then the bed width is increased, but the occupation towards the rear increases requiring separation from the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The bed base is divided into two separate sections that can be independently articulated. The first section remains stationary while the second section is folded back, allowing the bed to achieve sufficient width without requiring the entire structure to move rearward, thus maintaining wall proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of folding the entire back horizontally coplanar with the seat (one-dimensional movement), the invention articulates only the second section of the bed base at an angle (two-dimensional movement), achieving bed width through angular positioning rather than full horizontal folding.
2Area of moving object
If the articulation is arranged in the longitudinal center of the bed, then the bed width is maximized, but discomfort occurs in the area where the bed is most commonly used
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanism is extracted from the longitudinal center of the bed and repositioned to the rear section. This removes the source of discomfort from the primary usage area while preserving the bed width function through the articulated second section.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation is placed locally at the rear section of the bed base rather than uniformly in the center. This localized positioning allows the bed width to be maximized through rear articulation while keeping the front usage area free of mechanical components that would cause discomfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism with springs is used to articulate the bed base, then the bed can be folded into sections, but the mechanical complexity increases and cushions require additional storage
Solution Approach 1:
The bed base utilizes a dynamic articulation mechanism that allows flexible positioning between sofa and bed configurations. The articulated second section can be positioned at different angles to achieve either configuration, providing adaptability without requiring complex folding mechanisms or additional storage spaces for cushions.
Data Source
AI summary
A sofa bed including a support structure configured to be placed on the floor, a main seat base arranged on the support structure, a front foldable leg rest fixed to the structure by a first articulation, and a cushioned flexible body that covers the main base and the leg rest is disclosed herein. The first articulation includes parallel mechanisms configured to provide a movement on a vertical plane with a combined movement of folding and a forward motion of the leg rest, the leg rest includes at least one lower leg, the cushioned flexible body includes machined parts and an upper layer with a greater elasticity than the rest of the cushioned body in an area that coincides with the first articulation. The sofa bed further includes foldable support elements located under the cushioned body in an area coinciding with the at least one machined part.