Design for IKEA
Ergonomic Motion Armchair
Product Development (Group Assignment)
2017/10/09-2017/12/19
Introduction
"To create a better everyday life for the many people", this is the IKEA vision.
Most of the IKEA armchairs offer comfort and longer relaxation by having a rather low and deep sitting position, but in the meantime, it can be difficult for people to sit down and get up on the chairs, especially for those who are older or occasionally need an extra hand.
IKEA wishes to develop a compact "mechanism" which can be integrated into several armchair models without taking over the original design, to offer assistance during sitting down and standing up. The solution should be simple and intuitive to use. The solution should be beautiful, appealing and comfortable to everyone. The solution should be affordable for most consumers. The solution shouldn't require any motor such as electric. And more importantly, the function shouldn't be signalled unless it is needed.
The models BJÖRKSNÄS and OMTÄNKSAM have been given as design references.
Development & Results
In order to complete this design task, plenty of individual concepts were generated and classified into 3 main research categories: 1. Use armrests as levers to lift the seat up; 2. Rocking chair; 3. Use the pivot point on the seat. And the whole class was divided into 3 groups, each one focusing on studying one category which mentioned above. I was assigned into category number 3 and here below are the conceptual sketches I made for the mid-presentation.
AESTHETICS
ROCKING CHAIR CONCEPT
TORSION SPRING CONCEPT
After this ideation round, category 1 and 2 were discarded due to feasibility issue, and the class was dedicated into improving the 'pivot point' category. A large amount of prototypes and tests were conducted during this stage, and later on we came to a solution which was named 'Uppsving' as it shows in the illustrations below.
Magnets
Lock Handle
8 Torsion Springs
Integrated Lock
Rotation Lock
Stoppers
With the help of 8 torsion springs, 23Kg of weight can be removed from one person's entire body weight when the 'clamp' is forced to close. And with the help of a locking system, the clamp can be locked when this function is not in use.
After finalising the functionality of Uppsving, we also put effort in designing the details regarding aesthetics of the armchair when this mechanism is integrated in. During the design phase, I was responsible for selecting and testing exterior fabrics and foam to optimize seating comfort, ensure ergonomic support, and minimize environmental impact.
SEAT CUSHION
BACKREST
The opening to fit in Uppsving
Velcro in the bottom and
4 leather strips attached to the chair skeleton.
SIDE COVER
Folded elastic material.
Safer for children and pets.
BOTTOM CUSHION
Fixed on the chair frame.
Here are some photographs of the final prototype.
Final Result
This design was refined and released on the market by IKEA in Q4, 2021. A new product name -- UPPBUREN was given to this armchair. Here are some product details from IKEA's official webpage.
Link: https://www.ikea.com/se/sv/p/uppburen-fatoelj-med-lyftfunktion-40509992/
Locked Position
Lock Handle
Unlocked Position
Side Pocket
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Side Project
In the meantime, in order to fulfil the requirements from school for grading the performance within the course Design communication, we also visualised the rocking chair concept named 'Vista Kulle'.
Here is the studio photography of the 1:10 scale model of Vista Kulle.
