Spring-Biased Chair Arm Rest for Reclining Shoulder Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical chairs, such as those used in dentistry and ophthalmic surgery, lack effective arm and shoulder support systems that maintain comfort and control in both inclined and reclined positions, leading to inadequate arm and shoulder positioning during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A self-tensioning and self-adjusting chair arm rest system with a spring-biased arm rest post and sling that pivots and adjusts as the chair reclines, ensuring ergonomic support for the user's arms and shoulders throughout various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the chair is reclined to a flat position for surgical procedures, then the user can be positioned for comfort during surgery, but the arm members fail to tension the chair arms to pivot for a comfortable position and the straps are not properly tensioned to hold the arms and shoulder
Solution Approach 1:
The arm rest post is made movable with spring bias, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and tension as the chair reclines. The post pivots on the base and can rotate along its longitudinal axis, automatically adapting to different chair angles and maintaining proper arm and shoulder support throughout the recline range.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased arm rest post automatically self-adjusts and self-tensions as the chair reclines. The spring mechanism provides continuous force to maintain proper tension on the arm support structure without requiring manual intervention, ensuring the arms and shoulders remain properly positioned throughout the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the arm rest is positioned parallel to the seat bottom for comfort in upright position, then the user has comfort during examination, but the arm rest cannot provide proper support when the chair is reclined
Solution Approach 1:
The arm rest system transitions from a fixed position to a dynamic, adjustable position. The spring-biased post automatically changes its orientation relative to the seat bottom as the chair reclines, maintaining optimal support angles for both upright examination positions and reclined surgical positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the arm rest configuration dynamically. As the chair recline angle changes, the arm rest post automatically adjusts its angle and position parameters through spring bias, ensuring continuous ergonomic support across different operational states.
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 system provides continuous comfort and control by maintaining proper arm and shoulder positioning, reducing the risk of injury during procedures by adapting to the chair's range of movement, ensuring ergonomic support in both inclined and reclined positions.
Implementation Method 1
The arm rest post is spring-biased towards the horizontal chair member but pivots in opposition of the spring towards the vertical chair member
Data Source
AI summary
A chair arm rest system containing a chair having a vertical chair member hingedly connected to a horizontal chair member. A base proximal to the vertical chair member is attached to the horizontal chair member. The arm rest post is spring-biased towards the horizontal chair member but pivots in opposition of the spring towards the vertical chair member. A distal end of the arm rest post is pivotally attached to the top end of the base. An arm rest surface is attached to a proximal end of the arm rest post. A first end of a sling is attached to the vertical chair member. A second end of the sling is connected to the arm rest surface. In operation, by moving the vertical chair member relative to the horizontal chair member, the sling self-adjusts and the spring-biased arm rest post pivots towards the vertical chair member.