Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating furniture, such as sofas, lack integrated power and data connectivity options, making it inconvenient to use electrical devices like heating pads, electric blankets, and mobile devices, which also pose safety risks due to the need for extension cords and visibility of sockets.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a concealed socket within the rear wall of the seating furniture, accessible only when the back part is folded forward, providing a secure and dust-protected power and data connection that remains hidden in the seated position, with a multifunctional design including USB and network connections, and a strain-relieved mains connection cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a socket is permanently installed in a wall and accessed via extension cable, then electrical devices can be powered, but tripping hazards and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is extracted from the wall and integrated into the seating furniture itself, specifically in the rear wall. This eliminates the need for extension cables running across the floor, removing the tripping hazard while maintaining power accessibility for devices used on the sofa.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket is nested within the rear wall structure of the seating furniture, concealed behind the back part when in normal use position. This allows the socket to be integrated into the furniture without creating external protrusions or visible cords that could cause safety issues.
2Ease of operation
If a socket is always visible on seating furniture, then accessibility is improved, but security requirements are not met and visual impression deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The socket's accessibility is made dynamic through the adjustable back part. When the back part is in the vertical position, the socket is concealed for security. When the back part is folded forward, the socket becomes accessible for plugging devices. This dynamic concealment/res exposure mechanism satisfies both security and accessibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket is positioned in a specific location (rear wall) that allows it to be concealed by the back part during normal use, providing security when not needed. The local positioning enables selective accessibility only when the back part is folded forward, rather than being permanently exposed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the back part is made adjustable between sitting and folded forward positions, then functionality is improved, but tensile and compressive stresses on the connection cable increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection cable is nested within the rear wall structure, running from the socket through the rear wall to the base frame. This protected routing shields the cable from the tensile and compressive stresses generated by the back part's adjustment movements, maintaining connection strength while preserving adjustability functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture, in particular a sofa, with a base frame (13) having a rear wall (15), at least one seat part (17), at least one back part (19) which can be adjusted between a sitting position and a folded-forward position, and one in the rear wall or Socket (25) integrated in the back part, which is covered in the sitting position and accessible in the folded forward position.