Chair assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight-responsive pivoting chair designs are costly to manufacture due to complex mechanisms and are not easily stackable, limiting their convenience and storage capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A chair assembly with a leg support and biasing element that includes multiple pivot points and a biasing element extending between the seat and legs, allowing for recline of the back relative to the seat while being stackable, utilizing a crossbar or protrusions for support and pivot axes that facilitate easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex mechanisms are used to control chair back and seat movement, then recline functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and stackability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chair assembly is divided into distinct modular components: a seat assembly with seat pan and seat back, a leg assembly with separate front and rear legs, and a support assembly. Each component can be manufactured independently and assembled through simple connection mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex integrated mechanisms while maintaining recline functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair components are designed to nest within each other when stacked. The seat assembly nests between the front and rear legs, and the entire chair can be stacked with other chairs. This nesting design achieves compact storage without requiring complex mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between functionality and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If complex mechanisms are used under the seat, then weight-responsive pivoting is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chair utilizes the user's own weight to automatically trigger the recline mechanism. When the user sits on the chair, their weight causes the seat back to pivot backward and the seat pan to tilt forward through the weight-responsive connection at the rear leg. This self-activating mechanism eliminates the need for expensive motors, sensors, or control systems while maintaining the weight-responsive pivoting function.
3Ease of operation
If complex mechanisms are used for chair pivoting, then recline control is improved, but stackability and storage convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is segmented into discrete components (seat assembly, front legs, rear legs, support assembly) that can be independently handled during stacking. The connection points are designed with simple interfaces that allow for easy alignment and connection, enabling stackability without requiring complex locking mechanisms or disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the chair to lock in place during stacking, the design allows the chair to naturally nest and rest on supporting surfaces. The rear legs are positioned to support the chair when stacked, and the seat assembly naturally rests between the legs, eliminating the need for complex stacking mechanisms while maintaining recline control 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 provides a cost-effective, stackable, and ergonomic chair design that allows for comfortable recline functionality without the complexity of traditional mechanisms, enhancing user experience and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing element extends from the leg support to a lower portion of the seat... The biasing element includes a lower bend section that transitions to an extension portion and an upper bend section that transitions each extension portion to a raised portion
Data Source
AI summary
Stackable or nestable single person seating assemblies that include a leg support defined by a plurality of legs and a crossbar that extends between the plurality of legs. The seat assembly includes a back that is rotatably coupled to the plurality of legs and a seat that is rotatably coupled to the back. A biasing element extends from the leg support to the seat and is coupled to a respective leg. Respective portions of the biasing element provide a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis that are activated when the back is reclined relative to the seat.