Compactly Foldable Chair Based on Kirigami and Bennett Linkage

This paper introduces an innovative design for a foldable chair that can be compactly folded into a walking stick, aiming to assist the growing elderly population. The chair utilizes a modified compact-folding Bennett Linkage as its framework, ensuring a single degree of freedom for ease of folding. The surface is crafted from thick-panel folding inspired by kirigami, providing a rigid and comfortable sitting surface with a backrest. The design addresses the lack of portable seating options with back support in the market, ensuring both comfort and portability. The paper discusses the mechanisms involved in the chairs folding process, the design of the flat foldable thick-panel chair surface, and the connection between the surface and frame. Additionally, the paper presents force simulations to validate the structural integrity of the chair frame made from wood and 1060 aluminum alloy. The study concludes that the proposed design offers a wearable, foldable chair solution with improved load-bearing capabilities and reduced degrees of freedom for stability and ease of use.