5 Common Types Of Office Chair Tilt Mechanisms

The Office Chair Tilt Mechanisms are generally applied to the gas lift, allowing users to adjust the chair to the preferred, ergonomically correct position. And they are one of the important parts for your office chair assembly and production.

When choosing office chairs, users usually pay attention to appearance, function and price. While experts know that the technical core of office chairs lies in the design and manufacture of the office chair tilt mechanism, and the core of safety lies in the class of the gas cylinder. As long as customers grasp these two key points, they can pick out seats are generally durable, comfortable and safe.

There are many choices in Chair Tilt Mechanisms of different styles and designs. Most of you know the tilt mechanisms can be classified by their functions, to make it easier for you to search the suitable mechanisms for your chairs, we have divided it into 4 categories:

1. Swivel Tilt Mechanism: Swivel Tilt Mechanisms allow users to raise or lower seat to a desired height and lock the seat into the starting position. It’s adjustable with different locking positions. The great design point is at the centre of the seat. Besides, the angle between the backrest and the seat will remain the same while users tilting backwards.
2. Knee Tilt Mechanism: Knee Tilt Mechanisms allow users’ feet to stay flat on the floor when the chair is tilted backward. And they are great for supporting the natural position of people’s bodies. They are ideal for general office chairs, task chairs and executive seatings.
3. Synchro Tilt Mechanism: The seat and back of the office chair are linked with a synchro tilt mechanism which can allow users tilt simultaneously as users lean back. This kind of synchro tilt mechanisms are also height adjustable, which can fit for most users of various height. It can be an important part for an ergonomic office chair.
4. Multifunction Tilt Mechanism: Multifunction tilt Mechanisms are distinct from other kinds of mechanisms. Because they are ergonomic and multifunctional which include the functions of all types of mechanisms. They give users a full control over both the seat height and the angle of the backrest.

But you may not know they can be also sorted by the number of functions. And this is what we’re going to introduce to you.

Chair Butterfly Mechanism.

The chair tilt mechanism is installed under the seat and linked to the cylinder. This kind of construction is very obvious as shown in the video below. And we can know from the video how to use a multifunctional tilt mechanism. But it is invisible when a person is sitting on a seat. When people buy chairs, they are in a similar situation, which is ignored by most people.

When choosing office chairs, laymen usually pay attention to appearance, function and price.

While experts know that the technical core of office chairs lies in the design and manufacture of the office chair tilt mechanism, and the core of safety lies in the class of the gas cylinder. As long as you grasp these two key points, you can pick out seats are generally durable, comfortable and safe.

1. Types of Office Chair Tilt Mechanisms

To make it more clear for you to have a basic understanding of the tilt mechanisms with different functions, we have summarized the 5 functions and make a table to show them. Then, we will explain all of them in detail.

1.1. General Lifting Tilt Mechanism – One function

Only the control height of the seat (high and low), the seat cushion can be raised and lowered freely.

Press the button of the chair cylinder in order to release the pressure inside the cylinder.

It’s commonly used in bar chairs, laboratory chairs.

Let’s take the Swivel Tilt Mechanism as example and watch the video to learn about how this kind of one-function tilt mechanism works.

1.2. Hot-selling Two-function Tilt Mechanism – Two function

This tilt mechanism has a control lever. The seat cushion can be raised and lowered freely like the above one.

Also set with a rotation control device, it can control the back elasticity by spring which may control manual. However, it cannot lock the back leaned angle.

This kind of tilt mechanism is the current popular tilt mechanism. It has three adjustment functions: backward locking, seat cushion lifting, and backward elasticity adjustment.

Besides, the appearance design of such type of tilt mechanism is very diverse. Its three functions can be realized by one Lever or two Levers, plus a Knob.

The above three different tilt mechanisms all have a KNOB to adjust the spring force when tilting.

Rotate the cylindrical knob at the bottom of the tilt mechanism clockwise to increase the elasticity of the back of the chair. And rotate it counterclockwise to decrease the elasticity of the back of the chair.

1.4. Ergonomic Four-function Tilt Mechanism

Compared with the general three-function tilt mechanism, the ergonomic four-function tilt mechanism adds the front and rear adjustment function of the seat cushion.

The depth adjustment function of the seat cushion makes it suitable for users with different leg lengths. The user makes the thigh fully seated on the cushion through moderate adjustment. Increasing the contact area between the body and the seat cushion is the best way to reduce the pressure of the lower limbs. A smaller pressure makes the user feel more comfortable and the sitting time is longer.

The cushion depth adjustment function is one of the main differences between ordinary office chairs and ergonomic office chairs.

There are many styles of four-function tilt mechanism with ergonomic wire control. They may be operated by buttons, levers, wheels, or wire control technology.

And that prevents the conventional tilt mechanism from directly extending the control device from the mechanism. And then cause problems that the location of each control function is scattered and unsightly.

1.5. Ergonomic Five-function Tilt Mechanism

In addition to the original four adjustment functions, the five-function tilt mechanism also adds a seat cushion angle adjustment function. And that can adapt to the special needs of different users from more indicators.

For example, when you need to write and read at the desk, it is more convenient for users to adjust the seat cushion to lean forward slightly. While watching a movie or take a break, adjust the seat cushion to tilt backward to feel more comfortable.

For the four types of tilt mechanisms mentioned above, the seat plate can only be tilted backward with the backrest passively. However, the seat plate of the five-function tilt mechanism can not only tilt backward, but more importantly, it can tilt forward independently. The chair can be tilted forward ensures even distribution of the pressure on legs and keeps the feet firm to the ground. As a result, your legs will feel more comfortable while sitting on this chair.

Advantages of the 5-function tilt mechanism for users:

• Allow user in a comfortable posture
• Relief user from back pain
• Improve blood circulation

The ergonomic computer chair with seat cushion angle adjustment function requires the tilt mechanism and seat cushion design to be closely linked.

So when it is produced in the factory, the tilt mechanism, seat cushion, and seat back are generally pre-assembled.

After the customer gets the seat, he only needs to connect the tripod to the upper part of the seat with a pneumatic bar, which is very easy to install.

2. Office Chair Tilt Tension?

Generally, most people actually don’t truly know how the office chairs work when they are purchasing.

Office chairs are made in various shapes and sizes. They are also with many unique features, which make them able to greatly benefit users! It’s really worth to understand how certain features of an office chair can work.

For example, a lumbar support is great and indispensable for those who have back problems. And it can also prevent these issues in the first place effectively.

Therefore, we’re going to discuss the tension tilt features and the following issues:

2.1. What is the tilt tension and how it works?

First, let’s learn about the definition of a ‘tension tilt’. With the ’tilt’ part, users can rock back and forth on the chair, and also recline.

Where does the tension come in? Actually, the ‘tension’ feature is a knob. Users can use it to adjust, increase or decrease the force needed to tilt. Thus, a tension tilt feature basically allows users to decide how much they want to recline on a chair, and how much force is required to do so.

2.2. Why is tilt tension important?

Tilt tension works according to your individual weight. Therefore, a heavy user will require a tighter tension. While a lighter one will require tighter control. If the tension is set wrong for your weight or height, you may experience an unpleasant sensation of tipping backwards! What’s worse, you may get an opposite result and hard to recline at all.

It would be recommended that you adjust your chair until you can easily recline and change positions. After all, you should be as comfortable and supported as possible when working. It’s crucial for your chair to be ergonomic for maximum productivity. So we should fully understand that the tension tilt is a really important feature.

3. Conclusion

The different kinds of tilt mechanisms mentioned above are sorted by the number of functions that they can realize. They can meet varying degrees of adjustment needs.

Before you purchase a tilt mechanism for your office chair, you should take the “2 What” into consideration:

• What is your budget?
• What functions do you need?

After that, you can get the right one for your office chair.