Split Seat Chair Mechanism for Stable Lateral Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chair designs with lateral pivoting movements require constant user cooperation to prevent tipping and restrict freedom of movement due to rigid seat structures, compromising safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A chair design featuring independently movable right and left seat sides, pivotally mounted about a knee-axis parallel to the user's knees, with ball joints and spring systems allowing for independent pivoting and adjustment to accommodate different user weights, ensuring stability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the seat is designed as a rigid structure with centralized swivel joint, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the freedom of movement and adaptation to body movements is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into two independently movable halves (left and right sides), each capable of pivoting about the knee axis. This segmentation allows each side to move independently, providing freedom of movement while maintaining overall structural stability through the coordinated operation of both halves.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat design incorporates dynamic elements including resilient means (springs) that allow the seat halves to move independently and return to neutral position. The pivoting mechanism about the knee axis enables continuous adjustment, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamic system that adapts to user movements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat allows lateral pivoting movement, then the adaptation to natural movements is improved, but the safety and stability in upright position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Resilient means (springs) are incorporated to provide counteracting forces that return the seat halves to their neutral upright position after lateral pivoting. This counterweight mechanism ensures that the seat maintains stability in the upright position while still allowing natural lateral movements during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustment of the resilient means to modify the strength and characteristics of the restoring force. This parameter adjustment capability enables optimization of both the lateral movement freedom and the stability in upright position, allowing users to customize the balance between adaptability and safety.
3Device complexity
If the entire seat tilts as a rigid element, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the independent movement of seat sides is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into two independent halves that can pivot separately about the knee axis. This segmentation enables each side to move independently, providing enhanced adaptability to natural body movements while maintaining relatively simple individual structures for each half.
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 allows for natural three-dimensional movement while maintaining safety in the upright position, enabling comfortable sitting with independent seat and backrest mobility, and adjustable spring systems for personalized fit.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring system being provided between the base support and the seat and a second spring system being provided between the seat and the backrest
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1e
Figure 1f~1g
AI summary
The chair has a seat (1) and a seat mechanism (2), where the seat mechanism permits a sideways pivoting movement of the seat. The seat and the seat mechanism are formed such that one side of the seat is movable independently of the other side of the seat, during the sideways pivoting movement of the seat. The seat mechanism is formed so that the seat is mounted to be pivotable about a rotation axis lying parallel to a knee axis of a user. The seat has a seat surface (10) and a backrest (11), where the backrest and the seat surface are movable relative to one another.