Office Chair Mechanics and How They Work

Ergonomic or pneumatic office chairs are an essential part of the modern office and are important to ensure we stay comfortable throughout the day. Many of us are used to working eight or nine hours a day at a desk, five days a week, without a good office chair we will inevitably suffer from neck and back pain, as well as general discomfort throughout the day.

We understand why office chairs are an important part of office life, but how do office chairs work? This article discusses how each of our chairs is specifically designed to ensure maximum comfort for its users.
Seat Height

Office chairs are built around a single acting cylinder (an air-filled spring). This is connected to the piston, which then moves into the cylinder when the lever is activated. The piston then compresses the air in the chamber, moving the seat up, and when released, the air will decompress and the seat will lower. The optimal seat height should allow the user to place both feet on the floor and place their hands comfortably on the table. Adjustable height is important for users so they can maintain a comfortable posture throughout the work day, so they don't hunch or squat while doing their work.
Adjustable Tilt Tension and Tilt Lock

The tilt mechanism is the key to the rock or recline function of office chairs. This is usually modified with a large round knob or lever located under the seat base. By using the tilt tension lever, you will increase or decrease the amount of force required to make the chair rock or lean back. Tilt lock uses a bar or pin to lock the chair in a certain upright position, combined with tilt tension to allow the user to adjust the back of the chair depending on the task at hand. Locking the chair in an upright position can be useful for typing, but leaving the chair reclined can provide comfort when sitting in meetings.
Lumbar Support and Back Height Adjustment

Any decent office chair has lumbar support, but how does it work? Because the lower part of our spine naturally curves towards the abdomen, lumbar supports are designed to support good posture and fill the gap between the lumbar spine and the seat of the chair. When positioned correctly, they help keep our ears, shoulders and pelvis aligned, while supporting the natural curvature of the spine. Many chairs come with lumbar support and back height adjustment. Often modified by turning a knob on the backrest frame, the backrest and lumbar support can be raised or lowered to meet the user's personal needs. Ratchet back height adjustment is popular on modern office chairs, this works by adjusting the height of the back then locking it into position. You can also purchase a portable lumbar support which is a curved cushion that attaches to the back of the chair.

Adjustable Armrests

While it may seem like a small feature, having adjustable armrests on your chair can make a big difference in terms of posture and comfort. There are several types of armchairs, usually the loop or T-Arm design is adjustable and works on a simple lever. Usually located on the armrest itself, pulling this lever allows you to raise or lower the armrest to the optimal height before locking it into position. You can also purchase armrests with adjustable width and pivot, as well as 360 rotation. Having armrests at the right height is important to avoid stress injuries and neck and shoulder pain, so you can work comfortably for longer periods of time.

This article will help you understand the science and technology behind how office chair mechanics help you stay comfortable all day at work. A sign of a good quality office chair is more ergonomic features to help you customize your comfort. Furniture At Work has a huge range of industry-leading office chairs at unbeatable prices, stock up on your workplace to help ensure a productive and motivated work environment.