GB2564728A

GB2564728A - Seat device

Info

Publication number: GB2564728A
Application number: GB1720889.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liao Chun-Yi
Original assignee: Karma Medical Products Co Ltd
Current assignee: Karma Medical Products Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-19
Filing date: 2017-12-14
Publication date: 2019-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-14
Also published as: GB2564728B; GB201720889D0; CN208726087U; TWM554785U

Abstract

A seat device in includes seat 2 and backrest 3 modules. The seat 2 includes a seat unit 21 with two frames 22 at its dies. The backrest module 3 comprises a back unit 31 with compensation units 4 located at its sides and connected with the supports 22. Two drivers 32 on the frames 22 control movement of the adjusters 4. Each adjustment unit includes a mount 41 pivoted to a rocker 42, which in turn can rotate about a lower portion 222 of one of the frames 22. The bracket 41 includes an indicating portion 411 proximate to the back of the seat 21 that moves from behind the seat 21 when the backrest 3 is upright to below the seat 21 when the back 3 is reclined. Link members 44 connect each mount 41 with the upper portion 221 of a corresponding frame. Driving units 32 are provided on the inner frames 22 for controlling the backrests 3.

Description

SEAT DEVICE

The disclosure relates to a seat device, and more particularly to a reclining seat device.

A conventional reclining seat device includes a seat module for supporting the lower body of a user, and a backrest module that is pivoted to the seat module at a seat pivot point for supporting the upper body of the user.

However, since the seat pivot point about which the backrest module pivots relative to the seat module is spaced apart from a body pivot point about which the upper body of the user pivots relative to the lower body,

..........when.....the backrestmodule pivots relative to the seat 15 module to adjust a recline angle thereof, a relative slide movement between the upper body of the user and the backrest module would, occur to cause discomfort to the user.

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide

a. seat device that can alleviate the drawback of the prior art.

According to the disclosure, the seat device includes a seat module and a backrest module. The seat, module includes a seat unit, and two inner frames that are 25 respectively located at left and right sides of the seat unit. The backrest module includes a backrest unit that is located at a rear side of the seat unit, two compensation units that are respectively connected to left and right, sides of a bottom portion of the backrest unit and that are respectively connected to the inner frames, and two backrest driving units that are 5 respectively provided on the inner frames for respectively driving the compensation units. Each of the compensation units includes a mount member that is connected to the backrest unit, a rocker member that is pivotally connected to a bottom portion of the mount member and a lower portion of the corresponding one of the inner frames, and a link member that is pivotally connected to a front portion of the mount member and an upper portion of the corresponding one of the inner frames. The mount, member of each of the compensation units has an indication portion that is proximate to a rear portion of the seat unit. The backrest unit is movable relative to the seat, module between an upright position and an inclined position. The indication portion of the mount member of each of the compensation 20 units is located behind the sea t unit when the backrest unit is at the upright position. The indication portion of the mount, member of each of the compensation units is located below the seat unit when the backrest unit is at the inclined position.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the seat device according to the disclosure;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, partly exploded perspective, view illustrating the first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view illustrating a backrest unit of the first embodiment at an upright position and a seat module of the first embodiment at a non-tilted. position;

Figure 4 is another fragmentary side view illustrating the backrest unit at an inclined position;

Figure 5 is still another fragmentary side view illustrating the seat module at a tilted position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view illustrating a backrest unit of a second embodiment of the seat device according to the disclosure at an upright position; and

Figure 7 is another fragmentary side view illustrating the backrest unit at an inclined position.

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference, numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics .

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the first embodiment of the seat device according to the disclosure is configured as a wheelchair. In a modification, the seat device may be configured as a medical chair, an electric vehicle, a leisure chair or an office chair. The first embodiment of the seat device includes a base module 5 1, a seat module 2 and a backrest module 3.

The base module 1 includes two outer frames 11 that are spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction, two front, wheels 12 each of which is rotatably mounted to a front portion of a respective one of the 1.0 outer frames 11, and two rear wheels 13 each of which is rotatably mounted to a rear portion of a respective one of the outer frames 11. Each of the outer frames 11 has upper and lower rods 111, 112 that are spaced apart from each other in a top-bot.to.rn direction, a front 15 rod 113 that is connected between front portions of the upper and lower rods 111, 112 and that permits the corresponding one of the front wheels 12 to be rotatably mounted thereon, a rear rod 114 that is connected between rear portions of the upper and lower reds 111, 112 and 20 that permits the corresponding one of the rear wheels to be rotatably mounted thereon, and front and rear guide plates 115, 116 that are spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction and that are connected between the upper and lower rods 111, 112. The front 25 guide plate 115 of each of the outer frames 11 is formed with an arc-shaped front groove 117 . The rear guide plate 116 of each of the outer frames 11 is formed with an rj arc-shaped rear groove 118. For each of the outer frames 11_f the front and rear grooves 117, 118 are centered at the same point.

The seat module 2 is pivoted to the base module 1, and is disposed between the outer frames 11 of the base module 1. The seat module 2 includes a seat unit 21 for supporting the lower body of a user, two inner frames 22 that are respectively located below left and right sides of the seat unit 21 and that are located between the outer frames 11 of the base module 1, two connecting units 23 that are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and that are connected among the seat unit 21 and the inner frames 22, two pivot units each of which pivotally interconnects a respective

15	one of the inner frames	22 and a	α or responding	on	e o f
	the outer frames 11, and	two seat	driving units :	2 5	that
	are respectively mounte	d to the	outer frames	11:	for

respectively driving the inner frames 22.

The seat unit 21 includes two seat rods 211 that extend in the front-rear direction and that are respectively located above the inner frames 22, and a seat pad 212 that is mounted on the seat rods 211.

Each of the inner frames 22 has upper and lower bars

221, 222 that are spaced apart from each other in the top-bottom direction, a front bar 223 that is connected between front portions of the upper and lower bars 221,

222, a rear bar 224 that is connected between rear portions of the upper and. lower bars 221, 222, a front guide member 225 that is disposed on the lower bar 222 and that slidably engages the front groove 117 of a corresponding one of the outer frames 11, a rear guide member 226 that is disposed on the rear bar 224 and that slidably engages the rear groove 118 of the corresponding one of the outer frames 11, and a limiting member 227 that is disposed on a junction between the upper bar 221 and the rear bar 22.4.

Each of the connecting units 23 is configured as a scissor-linkage, and includes two support links 231 that are pivoted to each other. The support links 231 of each of the connecting units 23 are respectively connected to the seat rods 211 of the seat unit 21 and respectively connected to the lower bars 222 of the inner frames 22 .

When the connecting units 23 are folded, the inner frames are close to each other, and the seat unit 21 is folded.

When the. connecting units 23 are unfolded, the inner frames 22 are spaced apart from each other, and the seat 20 unit 21 is unfolded.

Each of the pivot units 24 pivotally interconnects the upper rod 111 of a respective one of the outer frames 11 and the upper bar 221 of a corresponding one of the inner frames 22. Each of the pivot units 24 includes

2.5 an outer lug 241 that is fixedly provided on the upper rod 111 of the respective one of the outer frames 11, an inner lug 242 that is fixedly provided on the upper bar 221 of the corresponding one of the inner frames 22, and a pivot pin 243 that pivotally interconnects the outer lag 241 and the inner lug 242 and that passes though a pivot point at which the front and rear grooves

117, 118 of the respective one of the outer frames 11 centered, such that the corresponding one of the inner frames 22 is pivotable relative to the respective one of the outer frames 11 about the pivot pin 243. In a modification, the outer and inner lugs 241, 242 of each of the pivot units 24 can be omitted, and the pivot pin 243 of each of the pivot units 24 directly and pivotally interconnects the upper rod 111 of the respective one of the outer frames 11 and the upper bar 221 of the corresponding one of the inner frames 22.

Each of the seat driving units 25 is configured as a pneumatic cylinder that has two opposite ends respectively connected to the upper rod. Ill of a respective one of the outer frames 11 and. the lower bar 222 of a corresponding one of the inner frames 22. The 20 configuration of each of the seat driving units 25 is not limited to such.

The backrest module 3 includes a backrest unit 31 that is located at a rear side of the seat unit 21 for supporting the upper body of the user, two compensation 25 units 4 that are respectively connected to left and right sides of a bottom portion of the backrest unit 31 and that are respectively connected to the inner frames 22, and two backrest driving units 32 that are respectively provided on the inner frames 22 for respectively driving the compensation units 4.

The backrest unit 31 includes two backrest rods 311 that respectively extend upwardly from rear sides of the seat rods 211, and a backrest pad 312 that is mounted on the backrest rods 311.

Each of the backrest driving units 32 is configured as a pneumatic cylinder that has two opposite ends 10 respectively connected to the upper bar 221 of a respective one of the inner frames 22 and a cor responding one of the compensation units 4. The configuration of each of the backrest driving units 32 is not limited to such.

Each of the compensation units 4 includes a mount member 41 that is connected to the backrest unit 31, a rocker member 4 2 that is pivotally connected to a bottom, portion of the mount member 41 and the lower bar 222 of the corresponding one of the inner frames 22, an adjusting pin 43 that pivotally interconnects the mount member 41, the rocker member 42 and the corresponding one of the backrest driving units 32, a link member 44 that is pivotally connected to a front portion of the mount member 41 and the upper bar 221 of the corresponding 25 one of the inner f rames 22, and a connecting pin 45 that pivotally interconnects the mount member 41 and the link member 44, In one embodiment, for each of the compensation units 4, the mount member 41 cooperates with the rocker member 42, the link member 44 and the correspending one of the inner frames 22 to constitute a double-rocker four-bar linkage.

For the sake of brevity, only one of the compensation units 4 is described in the following paragraphs.

The mount member 41 has an indication portion 4'11 that, is proximate to a rear portion of the seat unit 21, a mount portion 412 that is located above the 10 indication, portion 411 and that is fixedly connected to a bottom portion of a respective one of the backrest rods 311, a first pivot portion 413 that is located below the indication portion 411 and that is pivotally connected to the rocker member 4 2 and the corresponding 15 backrest driving member 32, a second pivot portion 414 that is located, between the indication portion 411 and the first pivot portion 413, and a limiting groove 415 that is located behind the indication portion 411 and that is engaged, with the limiting member 227 of the 20 corresponding inner frame 22.

The rocker member 42 has a lower portion 421 that is pivotally connected to the lower bar 222 of the corresponding inner frame 22, and an upper portion 422 that is pivotally connected to the first pivot portion 25 413 of the mount member 41. An angle Θ (see Figure 3) formed between a rear side of the rocker member 42 and a rear side of the mount, member 41 is smaller than 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle Θ may be equal to ISO degrees.

The adjusting pin 43 pivotally interconnects the first pivot portion 413 of the mount member 41, the upper 5 portion 422 of the rocker member 42 and the corresponding backrest driving unit 32.

The link member 44 has a front portion 441 that is pivotally connected to the upper bar 221 of the corresponding inner frame 22, and a rear portion 442 10 that is pivotally connected to the second pivot portion 414 of the mount member 41.

The connecting pin 45 pivotally interconnects the second pivot portion 414 of the mount member 41 and the rear portion 442 of the link member 44.

The backrest unit 31 is movable relative to the seat module 2 between an upright position (see Figure 3) and an inclined position (see Figure 4) . When the backrest unit 31 is at the upright position, each of the backrest driving units 32 is extended, the indication portion 20 411 of the mount member 41 of each of the compensation units 4 is located behind the seat unit 21, and. the rocker member 4 2 of each of the compensation units 4 is inclined rearwardly.

Referring to Figure 4, to move the backrest unit 31 toward the inclined position, each of the backrest driving units 32 is retracted tc· pivot the corresponding rocker member 42 forwardly, so as to drive the backrest unit 31 to incline rear«ardl*/. When the backrest unit is at the inclined position, the indication portion

411 of the nsourr. member 41 of e*.'n of the compensation units 4 is located below the seat unit 21, and the angle

Θ (see Figure 4) formed between the rear side of the rocker terrier 42 and the rear side of the. n.oimt nmmher is reduced. The relative movement between the indication portion 411 of the mount memoei '· 1 of each of the compensation units 4 and the seat unit 21 is not limited to such, during the movement of the backrest unit 31 between the. upright position, and. the inclined position, the limiting member 227 of each of the inner frames 22 moves between two opposite ends of the limiting groove 415 of the cor responding compensation unit 4, so as to limit the range of movement of the backrest unit 31 relative to the seat module 2.

The seat module 2 is. movable relative to the base module 1 between a non-tilted position (see Figures 3 and 4) and a tilted position (see. Figure 5; . When the seat module 2 is at the non-tilted position, each of the seat, driving units 25 is extended, the front guide member 225 of each of the inner frames 22 is at a rear or J vf the front, groove 111 of the corresponding outer frame 11, and the rear guide member 226 of each of the inner frames 22 is at a rear end of the rear groove 118 of the corresponding outer frame 11.

Ke'Vm i η-. 1·Ή pure 5, to move the seat module 2 toward

1. 2 the tilted position, each of the seat driving units 25 is retracted so that the seat module 2 pivots rearwardly relative to the base module 1 about the pivot units 24.

When the seat module 2 is at the tilted position, the front guide member 225 of each of the inner frames 22 is at a front end of the front groove 117 of the corresponding outer frame 11, and the rear guide member 226 of each of the inner frames 22 is at a front end of the rear groove 118 of the corresponding outer frame

11. In a modification, the seat module 2 may be conf i gured to pivot forwardly relative to the base module 1 about the pivot units 2 4 for aiding the user to leave the seat device .

it should be noted that the movement between the base module 1 and the seat module 2 and the movement between the seat module 2 and the backrest unit 31 are independent, and the position of the seat module 2 and the position of the backrest unit 31 can be individually adjusted.

It should be further noted that, by virtue of the compensation units 4, an equivalent center of rotation of the backrest unit 31 relative to the seat module 2 during the movement of the backrest unit 31 between the upright position and the inclined position is relatively close to a body pivot point about, which the upper body of the user pivots relative to the lower body . Therefore, the relative slide movement between the upper body of the user and the backrest unit 31 during' the movement of the backrest unit 31 between the upright position and the inclined position can be considerably alleviated.

Referring to Figure 6, the second embodiment of the seat device according to the disclosure is similar to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the .-e?';/ : u. ’ i ¢: ' mount member 41 of each of the compensation units 4 to which the rear portion 442 of the corresponding link member 44 is pivoted is located above the indication portion 411. By such, the equivalent center of rotation of the backrest unit 31 relative to the seat module 2 during the movement of the backrest unit 31 between the upright position (see Figure 6) and the inclined position (see Figure 7) is much closer to the body pi vot point about wh ich the upper .body of the user pivots relative to the lower body.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of 20 the embodiments. It will he apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments maybe practiced without some of these specific details.

It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, ’'an embodiment, an embodiment with an indication of an '1 u 11· =i l nurii'e-' and so forth me^rs that a particular feature, structure, or .. s.. - . b ' . < * d in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of 5 streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects.

Claims

1. Ά seat device comprising: a seat module including a seat unit, and two inner frames that are respectively located at left and right 5 τ'1 a i' . t m unit; and a I . ’ ?> d. .e .:. ' ’ no a o.i ’ ·. ..1 ..:. : ‘ 1 .. is located at a rear side of said seat unit, two compensation units that are respectively connected to left and right sides of a bottom portion of said backrest unit, and that 10 are respectively connected to said inner frames, and two backrest driving units that are respectively provided on said inner frames for respectively driving said compensation units, each of said compensation units including a mount member that is connected to said 15 backrest unit, a rocker member that is pivotally connected to a bottom portion of .said mount member and a lower portion of the corresponding one of said inner frames, and a link member that is pivotally connected to a front portion of said mount member and an upper 20 portion of the corresponding one of said inner frames, said mount member of each of said compensation units having an indication portion that is proximate to .a rear portion of said seat unit; wherein said backrest unit is movable relative to 25 said seat module, between an upright position and an inclined position, said indication portion of said mount member of each of said compensation units being located

1 6 behind said seat unit when said backrest unit is a c. the upright position, said indication portion of said mount member of each of said compensation units being located below said seat unit when said backrest unit is at the

5 Inclined position.

2. The seat device as claimed in. claim 1, wherein, each of said inner frames has upper and lower bars that are e v. i ' 2 4 r ; ; '1 h< r in a top-1 or t 'η e 1i< «. a _<?n ,

10 said mount member of each of said compensation units further having a mount portion that is located above said indication portion and that is x vmm-ilel to said t.k'M'rct amt , and a first pivot portion that is L·' xr i d 1 o lew e i n 1 . m .m' pun m m/; mat vS

15 pivotally connected to said rocker member and a cor responding one of saidbackrest driving members , said rocker member of each c>f said compensation units having a 1 ower ρor tion that is pivota 11 y connected to said 1 ower bar of the corresponding one of said inner frames, and

20 an upper portion that is pivotally ’ o s ·. ί f i r. s t pi vo t portion of said corresponding mount member, an angle formed between a rear side of said rocker member of each of said compensation units and a rear side of said corresponding mount member being smaller than 180

25 degrees, said angle at the time that saidbackrest unit is at the incl ined position being smaller than said angle at the time that said backrest unit is at the upright.

position .

3. The seat device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said r n.n + ver» In v 1 ' t . 'mg < ns i+ '. :. ..a : n c :

5 has a second pivot portion that is located below said

indication portion, said 1 ink member of each of said compensation units having a f r o nt portion that is oivota’Iv connected to sal d. upper bar of the cor responding one of said .1 η n e r frames, and a rear

10 portion that is pivotally connected, to sard second pivot portion of said corresponding mount member.

4. The seat device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said mount member of each of said compensation units further

15 has a second pivot portion that is located above said indication portion, said link member of each of said compensation units having a front portion that is pivotally connected to said upper bar of the cor responding one of said inner frames, and a rear

20 portion that is pivotally connected to said second pivot portion of said corresponding mount member.

5. The seat device as claimed in any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein said mount member of each of said

25 compensation units further has a limiting groove that is located behind said indication portion, each of said inner frames further having a limiting member that

1 8 < ης . $ ν ’ Ιο. c ' tin >. ο: : * ''t < ·> > Ό , η^.

of said compensation units, during the movement of said backrest unit between the upright, position and the inclined position, said limiting member of each of said

5 inner frames moving between two opposite ends of said limiting groove of the corresponding one of said compensation unit so as to limit the range of movement of said backrest unit relative to said seat module.

10

6. The seat, device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base module, said base module including two outer frames between which said inner frames of said seat module is disposed, said seat module further including two pivot units each of which pivotally EC interconnects a respective one of said inner frames and a corresponding one of said outer frames, and two seat driving units that are respect! velymounted to said outer frames for respectively driving said inner frames, said seat module being movable relative, to said base module 20 about said pivot units between a. non-til ted position and a tilted position.

7, The seat device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said outer frames is formed with an arc-shaped front 25 groove and an arc-shaped rear groove that are .spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction and that are centered at a respective one of said pivot units,

1 9 each of said inner frames of said seat module further including a front guide member that slidably engages said front groove of a corresponding one of said outer frames, and a rear guide member that slidably engages

5 said rear groove of the cor respond! ng one of said outer frames, when said seat module moves between the nori-tilted position and the. tilted posi t ion, said front guide member of each of said inner frames moving between two opposite ends of said front groove of the

10 corresponiing one of said outer frames and said rear guide member of each of said inner frames moving between two opposite ends of said rear groove of the ouiKbpo.ilimi one of said outer frames.

15 8. The seat device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said base module further includes two front wheels each of which is rotatably mounted to a front portion of a respective one of said outer +' v d e s each of which is rotatably mounted to a rear portion 20 of a respective one of said outer frames.