Zero-Wall Recliner Motor Mounting for Stable Low-Stress Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized zerowall recliner chairs face operational difficulties due to large forces, stresses, and torques on drive motor components, and lack of stabilization when transitioning from upright to reclined positions, with complex linkage arrangements contributing to instability.

Innovation Solution

A zerowall motorized multi-position recliner chair mechanism with a drive motor pivotally mounted on an integral structural unit, allowing it to pivot around a coaxial pivot point, and a simplified linkage system that stabilizes the motor relative to the base rails, eliminating significant positional movement and asymmetrical moments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the chair is moved from upright to reclined position in conventional motorized zerowall chairs, then the seat back and headrest can be inclined, but large forces, stresses, and torques are impressed upon the drive motor components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechair reclining functionVSAvoidforce on drive motor components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional linkage arrangement by making the drive motor the fixed reference point and having the linkage system move relative to it. The motor is mounted to the base rail and remains substantially fixed, while the linkage components pivot and move to enable chair reclining. This inversion eliminates the large forces and torques that were previously impressed upon the motor components during chair position transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Area of stationary object

If the chair transitions from upright to reclined position, then the chair can be disposed close to a wall, but the drive motors move significantly relative to the base rails causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing between chair and wallVSAvoidchair stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by making the drive motor fixed to the base rail rather than allowing it to move significantly. The motor is mounted to the base rail and remains substantially fixed during chair position transitions, while the linkage system moves to enable the zero-wall function. This provides proper structural stability while maintaining the ability to dispose the chair close to a wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If conventional linkage arrangements are used to facilitate chair movement, then the chair can transition between positions, but the drive systems comprise relatively complex linkage arrangements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechair position transitionVSAvoidlinkage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the linkage system by inverting the conventional arrangement. Instead of having the motor move through complex linkages, the motor is fixed and the linkage components pivot and move relative to it. This inversion reduces the complexity of the drive system while maintaining the ability to transition the chair between upright and reclined positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Area of stationary object

If the drive motor is allowed to move relative to base rails, then the chair can achieve zero-wall positioning, but substantially large forces and torques are impressed upon the drive motor components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing between chair and wallVSAvoidforce on drive motor components

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting the conventional arrangement. The drive motor is mounted to the base rail and remains substantially fixed, eliminating large forces and torques on the motor. The linkage system is designed to move relative to the fixed motor, enabling the chair to achieve zero-wall positioning without subjecting the motor to excessive mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9433295B2Zerowall motorized multi-position recliner chair mechanism

Publication Date: 2016.09.06 L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO

AI summary

A zerowall motorized multi-position recliner chair mechanism is disclosed wherein, in accordance with a first embodiment, the chair seat rails are stably supported by means of a pair of oppositely disposed support linkage systems connected to the chair base rails. In addition, the rear sections of the pair of oppositely disposed support linkage systems are pivotally connected to the base rails at first pivot points, while the drive motor is pivotally mounted upon an integral structural unit so as to permit the drive motor to pivot around a second pivot point which is coaxially disposed with respect to the first pivot point. In this manner, the drive motor is substantially fixed, or at least positionally constrained, at a predetermined position with respect to the base rails, thereby providing additional stability to the chair. In accordance with a second embodiment, the drive motor is attached directly to the rear base rail.