Spring Component with Lateral Arms for Dynamic Seating Furniture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seating furniture lacks the ability to provide a comfortable and ergonomic experience that supports dynamic, moving sitting, as existing designs do not effectively accommodate resilient and adjustable seating surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A spring component for seating furniture featuring a component body with a base component, support member, lateral spring arms, and hollow chambers, allowing for resilient displacement in three spatial directions, combined with a pivot axis for independent movement of seat components, and manufactured from plastic for cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional rigid seating furniture is used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the seating surface cannot support dynamic sitting and lacks ergonomic comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the rigid seating structure into a dynamic system where the support component can pivot and move independently in multiple directions. The lateral spring arms enable the support component to resiliently move relative to the base component, allowing the seating surface to adapt to user movements and provide ergonomic comfort through controlled motion rather than static rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the seating furniture into distinct functional components: a base component, a support component, and lateral spring arms connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the base provides stability, the support component creates the seating surface, and the spring arms enable resilient movement - thereby achieving ergonomic complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If resilient and adjustable seating surfaces are implemented, then dynamic sitting is supported, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic sitting supportVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of plastic material to achieve resilient functionality. The lateral spring arms are designed with specific geometric parameters that allow them to flex and return to their original position, providing dynamic sitting support through material property optimization rather than complex mechanical assemblies, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material principles by using plastic material that combines structural rigidity with elastic flexibility. The plastic component is engineered to exhibit both strength for load-bearing and elasticity for resilient movement, eliminating the need for separate metal springs or complex joint mechanisms and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining dynamic sitting support capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If multiple independent seat components are mounted on spring components, then ergonomic comfort is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidcomponent assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the spring component assembly as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously provides structural support, enables dynamic movement, and creates ergonomic seating. The base component and support component work together to fulfill multiple functions - load bearing, motion enabling, and comfort provision - reducing the need for separate specialized components and simplifying the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables the creation of an ergonomic seating furniture with an elastically resilient seat surface that allows for dynamic sitting, supporting movement and comfort through the use of injection-molded plastic components and a multi-dimensional pivot system, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

lateral spring arms (11) integrally molded onto the base component (9) and the support component (10), with which the support component (10) is resiliently received on the base component (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an arrangement of hollow chambers (13, 17) located in an intermediate space (12) that is at least partially bounded by the base component (9), the support component (10), and the lateral spring arms (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3991604A1Chair, spring component and arrangement for a chair
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 FROLI KUNSTWERK HEINRICH FROMME
  • EP3991604A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3991604A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3991604A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a spring component (3) for a piece of furniture (1), comprising a component body (4) which includes: a base component (9); a lower mounting surface (19) formed on a bottom side of the base component (9) and designed for mounting on a furniture base (2); a support component arranged above the base component (9); a bearing surface (20) arranged on a top side of the support component and forming a seat mounting surface for mounting a seat component (5) providing at least a partial seat surface (6); lateral spring arms integrally formed on the base component (9) and the support component, respectively, and with which the support component is resiliently received on the base component (9); and an arrangement of hollow chambers arranged in an intermediate space which is at least partially bounded by the base component (9), the support component, and the lateral spring arms (11).Furthermore, an arrangement for a piece of seating furniture and a piece of seating furniture (1) are disclosed.