Stackable Active Seat with Convex Rocking Surface and Nesting Notch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seating solutions lack versatility and compact storage options, particularly for active seating that allows user movement while seated, such as tilting, and do not efficiently stack for space-saving purposes.

Innovation Solution

A stackable active seat design featuring a convex surface defining multiple rocking paths and a stacking notch, allowing for compact storage and easy orientation of multiple seats in a 90-degree rotational offset configuration, with resting surfaces for enhanced stability during stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the seat is designed to allow user movement and tilting, then user freedom of movement is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser freedom of movementVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a convex surface with a specific radius of curvature that defines a rocking path, allowing the seat to tilt in multiple directions. This curved geometry enables passive rocking motion without requiring complex mechanical joints or actuators, thus maintaining structural simplicity while providing user freedom of movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat incorporates a rocking mechanism that allows dynamic movement between a first position and a second position along a defined rocking path. This dynamic capability is achieved through the interaction between the convex surface and the stacking notch, enabling the seat to tilt forward, backward, and laterally without fixed mechanical constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the seat is designed for compact storage through stacking, then storage efficiency is improved, but the stability during stacking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidstability during stacking

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stacking notch with a flat surface that is recessed laterally inwardly from the outer periphery of the body. This asymmetric feature creates a stable stacking configuration when multiple seats are nested, as the recessed flat surface provides a precise mating interface that prevents lateral shifting and enhances stack stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The seat is designed with a stacking notch that allows another seat to be nested within it, creating a compact stacked configuration for storage. The convex surface and recessed flat surface work together to enable this nesting arrangement, allowing multiple seats to be stored in a space-efficient manner while maintaining stability through the defined geometric interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11045005B2Stackable active seat

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 PROPHET CORP

AI summary

An active seat includes a seat disposed at a first end of a body; a convex surface disposed at a second end of the body; and a stacking notch defined at an intermediate location along the body. The convex surface defines at least a first rocking path about which the active seat tilts. The stacking notch defines a flat surface recessed laterally inwardly from an outer periphery of the body taken at the first and second ends.