Sofa bed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sofa beds require user force to switch between configurations and do not provide a uniform sleeping surface in the bed configuration, with center sections being thinner and less firm than others.
Innovation Solution
A sofa bed design featuring a base frame, middle frame, seat-and-foot frame, back-and-head frame, and springs coupled between these sections to assist in transitioning between configurations, ensuring a uniformly flat sleeping surface by aligning top surfaces in the bed configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing sofa beds rely solely on user force to move between configurations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to excessive user effort required
Solution Approach 1:
A spring mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element between the frame sections to assist in the movement between sofa and bed configurations. The spring provides mechanical assistance that reduces the user force required while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as a counterweight mechanism that offsets the weight and resistance encountered during configuration transitions. By positioning the spring to engage with specific frame sections, it provides upward force that counteracts the downward force needed to collapse or expand the frame.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing sofa beds use non-uniform cushion thickness in center sections, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the sleeping surface uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The design specifies that all cushion sections including center sections have uniform thickness and firmness characteristics. This homogeneity ensures that the sleeping surface is consistent across the entire bed configuration, eliminating the thin, less firm center sections found in conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is specifically positioned to apply force to center sections of the frame, ensuring that these areas achieve the same elevation and cushion alignment as outer sections. This localized application of mechanical assistance ensures uniform sleeping surface without requiring different cushion specifications.
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 reduces the user's effort to switch configurations and provides a consistently firm and level sleeping surface by using springs to assist in the transformation and ensuring uniform cushion thickness and pliability across all sections.
Implementation Method 1
a spring coupled between at least two of the base frame, the middle frame, the seat-and-back frame, and the back-and-head frame
Data Source
AI summary
A sofa bed is configured to be switched between a sofa configuration and a bed configuration. The sofa bed includes a base frame, a middle frame rotatably coupled to the base frame, a seat-and-foot frame rotatably coupled to the middle frame, a back-and-head frame rotatably coupled to the base frame, and a spring coupled between at least two of the base frame, the middle frame, the seat-and-back frame, and the back-and-head frame.