Adjustable Toggle Link for Quiet Recliner Leg Rest Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional leg rest mechanisms for reclining furniture are complex, heavy, noisy, and prone to mechanical failure due to numerous moving parts, requiring significant manufacturing time and cost, and often fail to maintain desired positions without proper tension, leading to user discomfort and increased risk of mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
A simplified actuation mechanism using a single biasing element with a toggle link and adjustable apertures to vary spring tension, combined with a stop member assembly for a positive stop feature, reduces the number of parts, weight, and noise, while allowing incremental adjustment of spring force to accommodate different loads and users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of moving parts are used in the leg rest mechanism, then the mechanism can provide biasing force and position control, but the manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (biasing force, position control, and mechanical advantage) into a single integrated toggle mechanism with a biasing element, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining full functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle mechanism serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides biasing force through the spring element, creates mechanical advantage for smooth operation, and enables position control through its geometric configuration, making a single component perform what previously required multiple parts
2Reliability
If a large number of moving parts are used in the leg rest mechanism, then the mechanism can provide biasing force and position control, but the weight of the furniture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate components (biasing element, linkage arms, pivots) into a single integrated toggle mechanism, directly reducing the total weight of moving parts while maintaining all necessary functions for leg rest operation and control
3Reliability
If a large number of moving parts are used in the leg rest mechanism, then the mechanism can provide biasing force and position control, but noise is generated during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated toggle mechanism eliminates multiple separate moving parts that would generate noise through friction and impact, reducing noise by consolidating motion into a single smooth toggling action with fewer contact points and less vibration
4Adaptability or versatility
If a ratchet/pawl device is used to hold the leg rest at multiple positions, then functional positions can be reached, but the device may not function properly without proper tension
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle mechanism dynamically adapts to different positions through its geometric configuration, allowing the same simple structure to provide stable holding at multiple positions without requiring separate ratchet/pawl devices or adjustable tension mechanisms for each position
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 results in a more reliable, quieter, and user-friendly leg rest mechanism that is easier to manufacture and maintain, with reduced risk of mechanical failure and improved comfort by allowing smooth operation and precise position control.
Implementation Method 1
a single biasing element with a first end and a second end
Implementation Method 2
A biasing element spring tension is varied by selecting different ones of the apertures of the toggle link
Data Source
AI summary
A biasing element assembly for an article of furniture includes an actuation mechanism to enable a leg rest assembly to move between a stowed position and an extended position and be retained in intermediate positions. The mechanism includes a support shaft, a drive rod spaced apart from the support shaft, and a toggle link coupled to the drive shaft. Multiple apertures are aligned on the toggle link. The biasing element assembly includes a single biasing element having first and second ends. The first end is connected to one of the toggle link apertures. The biasing element second end is a hook that slides along the support shaft. A biasing element spring tension is varied by engaging the first end to different ones of the toggle link apertures. The biasing element slides to align itself on the support shaft where a biasing element length is minimized.