Stadium Seat Hinge and Lock Design for Flexible Assembly Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stadium chairs lack flexibility in configuration, as they either have a fixed seat or a fixed backrest, and often require complex hinge mechanisms with springs for tilting movements, making them difficult to assemble and transport.
Innovation Solution
A stadium chair design utilizing a hinge and locking unit with interchangeable hinges and locks, allowing for both tilting seats and backrests, using a single construction set, and incorporating a foldable frame made of bent sheet metal without welds, along with an optional lighting unit powered by a photovoltaic cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex hinge mechanism with spring is used for tilting movement, then the tilting function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is extracted from the hinge mechanism and placed separately in the socket, allowing the hinge itself to be a simple pin connection. This separates the tilting function (hinge) from the return force function (spring), simplifying the hinge design while maintaining the tilting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the hinge (for tilting movement), the spring (for return force), and the locking unit (for position fixation). Each component is independently designed and assembled, reducing overall complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Ease of operation
If different shapes for seat and backrest are used, then specific functional requirements are met, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket design is universal and can accommodate both seat and backrest attachments. The same socket type is used for both components, allowing interchangeable mounting and flexible configuration arrangements while meeting different functional requirements through positioning rather than shape differentiation.
3Device complexity
If a fixed seat or fixed backrest is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat and backrest are designed with dynamic capabilities through the hinge and locking unit combination. The hinge allows tilting movement when needed, while the locking unit enables fixed position when required. This dynamic design provides both fixed and movable configurations using the same structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism and locking unit are merged into a single integrated assembly. The hinge provides the tilting capability while the locking unit, when engaged, fixes the position. This combination allows one mechanism to provide both fixed and movable states, maintaining structural simplicity while increasing adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of parts are required for assembly, then configuration flexibility is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket design is universal and can accommodate both seat and backrest attachments. The same socket type is used for both components, allowing interchangeable mounting and flexible configuration arrangements while meeting different functional requirements through positioning rather than shape differentiation.
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
Enables versatile assembly configurations, easy production, transport, and use in various seating arrangements, including traditional and drawer bleachers, while reducing production complexity and enhancing functionality with independent lighting.
Implementation Method 1
a separate lighting unit with a photovoltaic cell is mounted below the seat
Implementation Method 2
a spring mounted in the sockets in which the hinges are mounted, one end of which is placed in a recess located in one of the socket walls, and the other is based on one of the hinge pins
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a stadium chair with a hinge and locking mechanism, having a seat and backrest and an assembly frame. The seat (1) and the backrest (2) with the same shape of the thickenings (4) and the mounting sockets (5), generally rectangular in shape, have on two tangential vertices thickenings (4) containing the mounting sockets (5) of the hinge or lock, having in the middle the hole (6) is surrounded by a sleeve (7) and a concentric collar (8). Hinges (11) or locks (16) in the shape of a circle are embedded in the sockets (5), where the hinges (11) are equipped with pins (12) with a shape corresponding to the shape of preferably half of the free spaces (13) formed between the walls (9) and flanges (8) of sockets (5) and having a through hole in the middle (14) extended towards the pins (12) with a sleeve (15), and the locks (16) are equipped with pins (17) with a shape corresponding to the shape of the free spaces (13) formed between the walls (9) and flanges (8) of the sockets (5) and have a through hole (18) in the middle. The hinges (11) and the locks (16) have projections (20) on the side opposite the pins (12) and (17). The mounting frame consists of two shaped two-arm brackets (3), the horizontal arms (3b) of which include the mounting sockets (5) located in the thickenings (4) of the rear part (4) of the seat (1), and the vertical arms (3a) cover the mounting sockets (5). ) located in the thickenings (4) of the lower part of the backrest (2).