Office Chair Wheel Explosion: Translation and Analysis

The wheels of an office chair do not explode on their own; explosions are typically caused by defects in the gas lift cylinder components. Here is a detailed analysis:

1. The core component causing explosions is the gas lift cylinder, not the wheels
The essence of an office chair explosion is the sudden rupture of the gas lift cylinder in a pneumatic height-adjustable swivel chair due to design or manufacturing defects. Common causes include:

• Material defects: The cylinder wall is too thin to withstand internal high pressure; the purity of the inert gas (such as nitrogen) is insufficient, or it is replaced by compressed air, leading to decreased stability.
• Improper use: Frequent height adjustments cause a sudden increase in the internal temperature of the gas lift cylinder, or prolonged exposure to high temperatures (such as direct sunlight), accelerating material aging.
• Lack of safety devices: The absence of an explosion-proof steel plate (according to a sampling inspection by the State Administration for Market Regulation, in 2020, 17 batches of swivel chairs posed risks due to substandard high- and low-temperature resistance of the gas lift cylinders and the lack of explosion-proof steel plates). The explosion-proof steel plate can block flying debris in the event of a cylinder rupture, reducing the risk of injury.
• Poor-quality products: Some "counterfeit swivel chairs" imitate genuine products but cut corners, using inferior gas lift cylinders or omitting key safety components.

2. Wheels are not directly related to explosions
No cases have been found where wheels directly caused explosions. The function of wheels is to assist the chair in moving. Their structure is simple (usually composed of plastic or metal hubs and rubber wheel surfaces) and does not involve high-pressure gases or complex mechanical structures. When an explosion occurs, the wheels may detach due to the overall breakage of the chair, but they are not the source of the explosion.

3. Typical cases are all related to gas lift cylinders

• The 2015 case of Ms. Liu in Xiamen: A height-adjustable chair exploded, with parts shooting into her buttocks; the root cause was a ruptured gas lift cylinder.
• The 2009 case of a teenager in Jiaozhou, Shandong: While adjusting a pneumatic chair, the top rod pierced into his body, causing death; the direct cause was the loss of control of the gas lift cylinder.
• The 2010 case of a woman in Fujian: A pneumatic chair exploded, causing injuries to her buttocks, rectum, and vagina, also triggered by a gas lift cylinder failure.
• The 2017 case in Anhui: An office chair exploded, damaging a computer case; the explosion point was located at the gas lift cylinder.

4. Safety recommendations

• Choose genuine products: Prioritize brand-name swivel chairs priced above 200 yuan and avoid purchasing "three-no" products (products without a manufacturer's name, production address, or quality certification).
• Inspect the gas lift cylinder: Height adjustments should be smooth without jamming or abnormal sounds; ensure that an explosion-proof steel plate with a thickness of at least 2 millimeters is installed between the seat cushion and the gas lift cylinder.
• Avoid high-temperature environments: Do not place the chair in direct sunlight or near heating sources for extended periods to prevent excessive internal temperatures in the gas lift cylinder.