Electrical operating panel

Abstract

An electrically operated unit comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the two parts can be adjusted in relation to each other. The operated unit (1) comprises a first part, which is constructed as a housing (2), which accommodates an electrical device with at least one electrical switch, and a second part, which is constructed as a mounting unit (3) for the first part. The two parts are interconnected around a shaft (17), so that they can be rotated in relation to each other. When the operated unit is mounted, the housing (2) will assume a first position, i.e. an initial position. By pressing the housing (2), it is rotated around the shaft (17) and into a second position, i.e. an activated position, in which one or more switches are activated since they are pressed against the second part (3). For this embodiment of the operated unit, the parts of the furniture can be adjusted in either direction by pressing the housing (2). In addition to functioning as a switch, the housing (2) can also be equipped with other switches and displays.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application entitled "Electrical Operation Panel", with an international filing date of May 15, 2018, international application number PCT / DK2018 / 000014, and national application number 201880025837.8. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical control panel, particularly for furniture, comprising at least one electrical switch and a first portion and a second portion, wherein the two portions are interconnected about an axis so that they can rotate relative to each other. Background Technology

[0003] A seated / standing table (where the height is adjusted via a motor-driven lifting column, more precisely, the height of the tabletop above the ground) can be adjusted via an operation panel or via a computer such as a PC (see, for example, EP 0 922410 A2 granted to Svenska Kennab), a laptop, a telephone, etc. However, it has been shown that a separate operation panel is the preferred adjustment device, which allows the table to be operated independently of a computer. Examples of such operation panels are known from US 5,323,695 granted to Borgman et al., which discloses an operation panel as a separate unit set on the tabletop. DE 298 18 567 granted to Vibradorm GmbH discloses an operation unit in which the keyboard portion is removably positioned in a mounting portion fixed to the edge of the tabletop. A more uniquely designed operation unit is disclosed in EP 1 470 766 A1 granted to Walter Koch, which is mounted on the edge of the tabletop and has membrane switches on the top and bottom surfaces of the tabletop, respectively. WO 03 / 093619 A1, granted to Linak A / S, discloses an operating unit comprising a first portion with a keyboard and a second portion through which the operating unit (among other things) can be mounted, and the two portions are hinged together. The operating unit is intended to be mounted under a desktop such that the keyboard protrudes entirely or partially outward from the front edge of the desktop, with the keyboard facing upward, so that it can be operated from above. One technical challenge is that the two portions are hinged together so that the portion with the keyboard can be positioned at various angles according to the user's wishes and still maintain its proper position when the user operates the keys on the keyboard. Another challenge is the electrical equipment, which is very space-consuming, occupying space in another portion in addition to the keyboard portion. This is inherently inappropriate when the electrical equipment must be divided into two portions and further, an electrical connection must be established between the two portions (a connection that should take into account the angular position between the two portions). Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrical operating unit that overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages and further has a simple structure that is convenient for users and easy to install.

[0005] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by an electrical operating unit comprising a first portion and a second portion having at least one electrical switch, wherein the two portions are interconnected about an axis, thereby enabling them to rotate relative to each other, wherein the first portion is configured as a housing and the second portion is configured as a mounting unit, interconnected with the first portion (hereinafter referred to as the housing) such that the housing can be positioned in a first position, i.e., an initial position, and the housing can be rotated about the axis from the first position to a second position, i.e., an actuation position where the switch is activated. Thus, the operating unit is clearly separated, wherein the housing can accommodate the entire electrical device, and the mounting unit is used to mount the operating unit. In its simplest embodiment, the operating unit may simply consist of the mounting unit and the housing, wherein the housing actuates the electrical switch(s) when tilted about the axis. When more operational possibilities are desired, the embodiment also allows for better integration of various operating components (such as additional switches, displays, and touch panels) into the operating unit. In one embodiment, the electrical device includes, among other things, a printed circuit board located within the housing. The printed circuit board may, in principle, contain the entire necessary device.

[0006] In one embodiment, the housing is constructed as two parts: an upper portion including surrounding sidewalls and a bottom portion also having surrounding sidewalls, wherein the contours of the two sidewalls correspond to each other, allowing them to be joined together, for example by welding or gluing, making the joint dustproof and waterproof. This typically simplifies the installation of electronic devices, as the devices can usually be assembled in one of the parts (e.g., the bottom portion), and the joint between the bottom and upper portions can be dustproof and waterproof, for example by gluing or welding. Edges in this joint may, for example, be constructed with tenons and grooves or designed with corresponding steps for mounting together in the joint.

[0007] In one embodiment, the upper portion of the housing is provided with a recess for the mounting unit, as opposed to an embodiment where the recess extends throughout the entire housing. In this embodiment, the bottom portion is continuous. This allows for easy installation of the mounting unit. As described above, all electronic devices can, for example, be clustered in the bottom portion of the housing, while the mounting unit can be installed independently of the electronic devices in the upper portion.

[0008] In one embodiment, the groove is limited by sidewalls that project upwards from the housing and may also project inwards. Therefore, dust and liquids still have difficulty entering the housing if not completely prevented. For example, if fluid spills on a table and flows to the edge, the fluid tends to move downwards, where it may drip or flow onto the top surface of the housing. The sidewalls thus prevent fluid from flowing into the housing.

[0009] In one embodiment, the mounting portion is configured as a flat, box-shaped block with surrounding sides and a flat bottom, and the interior of the block may be equipped with an array of reinforcing ribs. This is a simple yet robust structure. The top surface of the mounting portion can be open, which simplifies the manufacture of the mounting portion. During installation, the upper portion is placed against the surface on which the mounting portion is secured via its top surface, and the top surface is thus closed.

[0010] In one embodiment, the side of the mounting element facing the housing or protruding into the housing is equipped with a pin for actuating one or more electrical switches. When the housing tilts about the axis, the electrical switch contacts the pin, thereby actuating the switch. When the housing is released, the housing rotates back, and the switch thus releases the pin. Typically, there will be a pin for each electrical switch, but one or more pins can also operate two or more electrical switches. This can be, for example, as a precaution or for activating more functions simultaneously. In this case, the pin can also be configured with a small retraction mechanism so that one function is activated first, and then another function is activated by subsequent movement in the first switch. It should be understood that, in this case, the movement of the pin after it has activated the first switch must be adapted such that continuous movement for activating the next switch does not cause damage or overload to the first switch.

[0011] The mounting element can be secured in various ways, such as with double-sided tape, Velcro, elastic materials, screws, etc. In embodiments for screw-based fixation, the bottom is provided with holes for the screws at two diametrically opposite corners, wherein these holes are surrounded by circular walls in an array of reinforcing ribs. This ensures a secure fixation because the screws are offset relative to each other, thereby significantly reducing the risk of cracking in the surface between the two screws, and also reducing the tendency of the operating unit to rotate accidentally.

[0012] In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the bottom is provided with a countersunk hole for the screw head so that the screw does not protrude into the housing after installation. That is, when the screw is properly screwed in, the screw is prevented from interfering with the electronic equipment in the housing, just as the screw may interfere with the tilt of the housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the bottom portion of the housing has two holes surrounded by a surrounding wall inside the lower portion, and these holes are positioned such that they are aligned with screw holes in the mounting unit when assembled with the top portion and mounting unit. This simplifies the installation of the operating unit, as it can be installed in its assembled state. This avoids the need for subsequent installation of loose components.

[0014] The operating unit is installed by placing the top surface of the mounting unit against the surface on which the operating unit is to be mounted. The operating unit is secured by tightening screws through holes in the housing for the purpose described above and through holes in the mounting unit, and as it is tightened to the surface on which the operating unit is mounted, the screws are guided through the housing until the head of the screw is placed in a countersunk hole on the mounting unit.

[0015] In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the mounting unit is equipped with a ridge integrated therein, the ridge having a through tubular channel for the shaft, and the ridge extending along the center of the bottom and from side edge to side edge of the mounting unit. Because the shaft extends in the through channel extending from one side of the mounting unit to the other, a firm and stable mounting of the shaft is ensured. For example, there is no risk of the shaft buckling; it remains straight regardless, and any possible bending of the shaft will self-correct during mounting in the channel. This ridge with the tubular channel helps strengthen the mounting unit and the shaft, which also has the advantage of allowing the mounting unit to be manufactured relatively thin.

[0016] In one embodiment, an array of reinforcing ribs is also present between the sidewalls of the recess in the housing and the sidewalls in the upper portion of the housing, and at each of the oppositely positioned sides of the upper portion, a cylindrical hole for the shaft of the mounting unit is provided in the centerline of the recess, and the cylindrical hole is disposed in the sidewalls forming the contour of the upper portion and the sidewalls forming the contour of the recess, as well as in the reinforcement for this purpose between the two sidewalls. This embodiment further facilitates the stable and secure mounting of the end of the shaft to the upper portion of the housing. The reinforcement between the corresponding sidewalls also helps to reinforce the edges of the upper portion. In another embodiment, the pivot shaft consists of two pins. In the case of a through shaft and two pins, a hinge can be constructed such that the shaft or the pins can be guided laterally into the hinge through the recess. The width and shape of the recess and the shaft or the two pins are respectively adapted such that the shaft or the pins are locked in the hinge by a snap-fit ​​effect. However, it should be noted that such a structure is relatively large, and it inevitably creates the risk that the shaft or pin may detach from the hinge due to strong and unintentional impacts.

[0017] In one embodiment, the shaft is a through-hole steel shaft, wherein the mounting unit is fixed in a groove in the upper portion, and the shaft is mounted such that it extends from one side of the top portion through a cylindrical hole for this purpose, through a cylindrical channel in the mounting unit, and into a cylindrical hole on the other side of the upper portion. Using a steel shaft allows for a relatively thin construction of the operating unit.

[0018] In one embodiment, the housing is mounted with its center of gravity relative to the axis between the housing and the mounting unit, such that the housing will assume an initial position due to gravity. This is a simple construction, but on the other hand, it must be ensured that the center of gravity corresponds to the housing; otherwise, the housing will naturally tilt to one side or the other. Furthermore, the operating unit is typically connected to the controller via a cable, which also influences the housing through forces, the magnitude and direction of which depend, among other things, on how the cable is secured.

[0019] In one embodiment, the operating unit includes at least one spring element that compresses the housing by spring force when the housing is in the activated position, and rotates the housing back to the initial position when the housing is no longer compressed into the activated position. This is a relatively simple way to ensure that the housing is in its initial position when it is not activated. Furthermore, when the housing is pressed toward the activated position, the housing is subjected to the impact of the spring force, which will give the user a definite feeling when operating the housing.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one switch is a dome switch, wherein the dome in the switch serves as a spring element. This avoids the need for a separate spring element and thus the inconvenience of modifying the construction to integrate the separate spring element into the housing. When installing the dome switch, it should be positioned such that it is only pressed when the operating unit is activated.

[0021] In one embodiment, the two dome switches are arranged such that they are positioned on either side of the shaft, more precisely on either side of a plane passing through the shaft, wherein the plane is perpendicular to the housing. That is, when the user wishes to adjust in one direction, the housing is pressed upwards, and when the housing should be adjusted in another direction, the housing is pressed downwards.

[0022] Furthermore, when the operating unit is installed, the housing is in a central position, i.e., the initial position, because the two dome switches are positioned on either side of the pivot axis. The spring force in the dome switches holds the housing in this position. By pressing the housing to tilt it toward the surface on which the operating unit is mounted, the nearest dome switch is pressed against a pin on the mounting unit, thus activating that dome switch. If the housing is released, it is pressed back to the initial position away from the dome switches due to the spring force in the dome switches, and therefore the dome switches are no longer activated. If the housing begins to swing about the axis when the housing is released, the spring constant in the dome switches is suitable such that these dome switches are not activated, and the housing remains stationary. Moreover, the weight of the housing is small enough that the impact force on the dome switches due to the swinging of the housing is barely enough to activate the dome switches. Activation requires significant pressure on the housing. When the housing is pressed away from the surface on which the operating unit is mounted, the second dome switch is activated in a corresponding manner when it is pressed against another pin on the mounting unit.

[0023] One characteristic of dome switches is their rather blunt operating mode, which is due to the elastic switching of the dome switch. This undesirable bluntness is avoided in this invention because the housing acts as an arm or lever, providing greater movement and requiring less force to activate the switch, making operation more comfortable. Therefore, a low-cost dome switch is transformed into a switch with significantly more comfortable operation in a simple manner.

[0024] In one embodiment, the mounting unit is installed in the recess within the housing such that it protrudes a certain distance above the top surface of the housing, and also protrudes a certain distance above the surrounding sidewalls when the recess is surrounded by them. Therefore, the housing of the operating unit will be positioned at a certain distance from the surface on which it is mounted, which simplifies the operation of the housing because there is space for fingers between the housing and the surface on which the operating unit is mounted. This is also possible if, for some reason, it is desired that the operating unit be placed completely below the surface on which it is mounted. For example, in the case of an adjustable table, it may be desirable to position the operating unit as far under the tabletop as possible so that the user will not accidentally come into contact with it, or that it will not bump into anything when moving or switching furniture.

[0025] When the operating unit is activated, it is important that the user experiences a reverse pressure while operating the housing. The more the housing rotates about its axis, the greater this reverse pressure should preferably be. However, it is equally important that the user does not press too hard against the housing and unintentionally overload the operating unit. In one embodiment, the groove across which the axis of the mounting portion spans is slightly larger than the mounting element, but only large enough that the edge of the groove still acts as a mechanical stop for the housing when it is rotated. This prevents the user from unintentionally applying excessive pressure to the housing.

[0026] In one embodiment, the sidewalls on the top or bottom surface of the upper portion (forming the contour of the groove across the axis of the mounting portion) are slightly larger than the mounting element, but only large enough that the sidewalls on the top or bottom surface of the upper portion act as mechanical stops for the housing when it is rotated. The angle at which the housing can rotate about the axis is limited so that, for example, a dome switch will not be damaged by being pressed too hard against a pin on the mounting unit. This is achieved by adjusting the width of the mounting unit and the width of the hole in the housing in the transverse direction along the axis, the height of the mounting unit above the axis, and the height of the sidewalls that finally surround the groove for the mounting unit, such that the sidewalls strike the mounting unit and thus prevent further rotation of the housing.

[0027] In one embodiment, a printed circuit board (PCB) is mounted in the bottom portion of the housing, wherein the PCB has holes at two opposite diametrically opposed corners, allowing it to be mounted through these holes onto the circular wall of a screw hole. The PCB is thus secured in the bottom portion and can be further secured by snap-fit ​​fasteners that clamp onto the PCB. The snap-fit ​​fasteners can be configured for a circumferential edge at the top of the circular wall of the screw hole or in the sidewall of the housing. The PCB can be placed on a rib array in the bottom portion. This ensures easy and stable mounting of the PCB.

[0028] In one embodiment, the two dome switches are positioned in two diametrically opposed angles opposite the mounting holes and are positioned such that they are positioned opposite pins in the mounting unit. When the top and bottom portions of the housing are assembled, two pins on the mounting unit will be positioned opposite the dome switches. By pressing the housing, as described above, one or more dome switches will be pressed upward against the pins on the mounting unit for this purpose. The chosen placement ensures good and stable mounting of the dome switches because the mounting screws are positioned in two additional diametrically opposed angles.

[0029] In one embodiment, the front portion of the housing forms an angle with the remainder of the housing such that the front portion faces away from the surface on which the operating unit is mounted. Most importantly, this embodiment facilitates the activation of the operating unit because the angled portion acts like a handle. Furthermore, the angled embodiment allows the housing of the operating unit to be placed quite close to the surface, as the angled portion of the housing faces away from the surface and thus provides good access for operating it.

[0030] In one embodiment, the front portion of the housing is equipped with additional operating switches and / or light indicators and / or displays. This could be a switch for retrieving information, such as information about a specific user, where the furniture automatically adjusts itself after that user. The display can show various information, such as the adjustment of the furniture, and the light indicators can be used to indicate when the adjustment of the furniture has been changed.

[0031] The present invention further relates to an actuator system comprising at least one lifting column or actuator driven by an electric motor, a control unit connected to the lifting column or actuator driven by the electric motor, and an electrical operating unit as described above, connected to the control unit such that the lifting column or actuator driven by the electric motor can be activated via the electrical operating unit.

[0032] The present invention further relates to a height-adjustable table, comprising at least a tabletop and an actuator system as described above. Therefore, a user can adjust the height of the tabletop by activating the electrical operating unit.

[0033] In one embodiment of the height-adjustable table, the operating unit is mounted on the bottom surface of the tabletop at the edge of the tabletop.

[0034] In one embodiment of the height-adjustable table, the edge of the tabletop is at least partially (where the operating unit is mounted) sloped towards the bottom surface of the tabletop. All other things being equal, this slope provides more space for operating the operating unit. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The invention will now be described more fully with reference to embodiments of the operating units shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0036] The attached diagram shows:

[0037] Figure 1 The operating unit is shown in the perspective views from the front and from above.

[0038] Figure 2 The operating unit is shown in the perspective view viewed from the rear and from below.

[0039] Figure 3 The operating unit, shown directly from the side, is in its placement position.

[0040] Figure 4 Through a cross-sectional view of the operating unit, the operating unit is in its placement position.

[0041] Figure 5 ,and Figure 4 The same, but in this case, the operating unit is activated to raise the desktop.

[0042] Figure 6 ,and Figure 5 The same, but in this case, the operating unit is activated to lower the desktop.

[0043] Figure 7 An exploded view of the operating unit shown from the front and top in a perspective view.

[0044] Figure 8 Exploded views of the operating unit shown from the front and from below in the perspective view, and

[0045] Figure 9 A rough sketch of the table. Detailed Implementation

[0046] As seen in the accompanying drawings, the operating unit 1 includes: a first part 2 configured as a housing housing containing the electronic devices required for the function of the operating unit; and a second part configured as a mounting unit 3, wherein the mounting unit is configured as a flat, box-shaped block having surrounding side edges 4 and a flat bottom 5, and the interior of the block is equipped with an array of reinforcing ribs 6. At two opposite corners of the bottom 5, there are holes 7, 8 for screws, wherein these holes are surrounded by annular walls 9, 10 in the array of reinforcing ribs 6. Countersunk holes 11, 12 for screw heads are provided at the bottom 5 so that the screws do not protrude into the housing 2 after installation. At the two corners opposite to the screw holes 7, 8, the bottom surface of the bottom 5 is equipped with two pins 13, 14, the function of which will be described below. On the bottom surface of the bottom 5, there is a transverse ridge 15 integrated with the bottom surface, having a through tubular channel 16 for a shaft 17. The ridge 15 extends along the center of the bottom 5 and from the side edge of the mounting unit 3 to the side edge.

[0047] The housing 2 consists of two parts: an upper portion 18 with surrounding sidewalls 19 and a bottom portion 20 with surrounding sidewalls 21. The contours of the two sidewalls 19, 21 correspond to each other so that they can be joined together. The upper portion 18 is provided with a recess 22 for mounting the unit 3. The recess 22 is limited by a sidewall 23 that protrudes both into the housing 2 and upward from the housing 2. Because the sidewall 23 protrudes upward from the housing 2, it serves, among other things, to prevent dust and possible liquids from cleaning fluids or spilled fluids (such as coffee or tea) from moving into the recess 22. An array of reinforcing ribs 24 is also present between the sidewalls 23 in the recess 22 and the sidewalls 19 in the upper portion 18. At each opposite side of the upper portion 18, a cylindrical hole 25 for mounting the shaft 17 of the unit 3 is provided in the centerline of the recess 22. A cylindrical hole 25 is provided in the sidewall 19 that forms the outline of the upper portion 18, the sidewall 23 that forms the outline of the groove 22, and the reinforcing member 26 for this purpose between the two sidewalls. The mounting unit 3 is fixed in the groove 22 of the upper portion by placing it in the groove, so that the shaft 17 can be inserted from one side of the upper portion 18 into the cylindrical hole 25, through the cylindrical channel 16 in the mounting unit 3, and into the cylindrical hole 25' on the other side of the upper portion 18. The mounting unit 3 is positioned such that its bottom 5, with two pins 13, 14, protrudes into the housing 2.

[0048] The bottom portion 20 of the housing is provided with two holes 27, 29, which are surrounded by circumferential edges 28, 30 inside the bottom portion 20. The two holes 27, 29 are positioned such that they are positioned opposite the screw holes 7, 8 in the mounting unit 3 during the assembly of the bottom portion 20 with the upper portion 18 into which the mounting unit 3 is inserted.

[0049] A printed circuit board 31 is mounted in the bottom portion 20 of the housing, with holes 32 and 33 at two opposite corners of the board. These holes allow the board to be mounted above the surrounding edges 28 and 30 of the threaded holes 27 and 29, and to rest on the rib array in the bottom portion 20. The printed circuit board 31 is thus secured in the bottom portion 20 and can be further secured by snap-fit ​​fasteners. Two dome switches 34 and 35 are positioned at two other diametrically opposite corners of the printed circuit board 31. When the top portion 18 and the bottom portion 20 of the housing are assembled, two pins 13 and 14 on the mounting unit 3 are positioned opposite the dome switches 34 and 35.

[0050] One end (front end 2a) of the housing 2 is inclined relative to the rest of the housing (which is flat 2b). The inclined front end 2a of the housing is intended to serve as a handle for activating the operating unit. The inclined front end 2a of the housing is designed such that it faces away from the side on which the mounting unit 3 is mounted. When the operating unit is mounted on a surface, the inclined front end 2a of the housing will therefore face away from the surface, and thus make it easier to operate.

[0051] The operating unit 1 is installed by placing the top surface of the mounting unit 3 against the surface on which the operating unit is to be installed. The operating unit is secured by tightening screws through holes 27 and 29 in the housing 2 for this purpose and through holes 7 and 8 in the mounting unit 3, and as the screws are tightened into the surface on which the operating unit is to be installed, the screws are guided through the housing 2 until the head of the screw is placed in the countersunk holes 11 and 12 on the mounting unit 3.

[0052] When the operating unit is installed, the housing 2 is in the middle position (initial position) because the two dome switches 34, 35 are positioned on either side of the pivot shaft 17. The spring force in the dome switches 34, 35 holds the housing 2 in this position. By pressing the housing 2 (the bottom surface of the beveled front end (handle 2a)) so that it tilts towards the surface on which the operating unit is mounted, the nearest dome switch 34 is pressed against the pin 13 on the mounting unit 3, thereby activating the dome switch. If the housing 2 is released, it will be pressed back to the initial position by the spring force in the dome switch 34, and therefore the dome switch will no longer be activated. If the housing 2 begins to swing about the shaft 17 when the housing 2 is released, the spring constant in the dome switches 34, 35 is adapted such that these dome switches will not be activated and the housing 2 will immediately come to a stop. Activation requires significant pressure on the housing 2. When the surface of the operating unit 1 mounted on it is pressed against the housing 2, the second dome switch 35 is activated in a corresponding manner when it is pressed against another pin 14 on the mounting unit.

[0053] The angle at which the housing 2 can rotate about the axis 17 is limited so that the dome switches 34, 35 are not damaged by being pressed too forcefully against the pins 13, 14 on the mounting unit 3. This is achieved by adjusting the width of the mounting unit 3 and the width of the hole 22 in the housing 2 in the lateral direction along the axis 17, the height of the mounting unit 3 above the axis, and the height of the sidewall 23 that finally surrounds the groove 22 for the mounting unit 3, so that the sidewall 23 impacts the mounting unit 3 and thus prevents further rotation of the housing.

[0054] The attached diagram Figure 9A schematic diagram of a height-adjustable desk (also known as a sit / stand desk) is shown, in which a desktop 36 is mounted on a lower frame, the lower frame including a lifting column 37 and legs 38 on each side. Such lifting columns, configured as desk legs, are now well-known and include telescopic guides and a drive unit, which can be a spindle unit driven by an electric motor, or alternatively a chain- or rim-based drive unit also driven by an electric motor. When the chain / rim is moved, the two rods will move the telescopic guide outward or retract it depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor. In different embodiments, the lower frame of the height-adjustable workbench may be equipped with two lifting columns driven by a single electric motor, each lifting column being connected to the electric motor via a transmission. The drive unit is typically connected to a control box containing a controller and power supply. It is typically used to connect the operating unit to the control box via wires, or alternatively via a wireless connection (thus omitting the cable). In the case of a wireless connection, the operating unit, on the other hand, will have to include a power supply, which can be a battery. In an embodiment of the operating unit according to the invention, cable 39 is guided through a recess 40 in the wall 21 of the bottom portion 20. Cable 39 can be directly connected to an electrical device, such as a printed circuit board 31, or cable 39 can be equipped with a plug for insertion into a socket in the recess 40 in the wall 21 of the bottom portion 20 of the housing 2. In both cases, insertion of cable 39 is restricted to a cutout in the bottom portion of the housing 2 for the operating unit. Lifting columns 37 can be interconnected with a frame on which a desktop 36 is mounted, or lifting columns 37 can be designed such that they are directly mounted on the bottom surface of the desktop 36. Operating units 1 for the two lifting columns 37 are mounted at the front edge of the desktop 36 (i.e., the side of the table where the user is located). (See the accompanying drawings.) Figure 4-6 In the middle, desktop 36 is shown and Figure 4 The image shows the beveled surface 36a of the front edge of the desktop. Even when the operating unit is positioned completely or partially under the desktop 36, resting against the front edge 36a of the desktop 36, the beveled front end (handle 2a) of the operating unit 1 and the beveled front edge 36a of the desktop 36 (which bevels in the opposite direction to the front end 2a of the operating unit 1) ensure a relatively large clearance for operating the operating unit 1. The desktop 36 will generally have a uniform edge that extends around the entire desktop, but in the case of a sharp front edge, a portion may be beveled, which simultaneously indicates where the operating unit 1 should be mounted.

[0055] As described above, the front portion of housing 2 (handle 2a) can be equipped with an additional operating switch, for example, located in the front edge formed by two surrounding sides 19, 21 on the upper and lower portions of the housing. A display can be mounted in the surface of the top surface of handle 2a, and a light indicator can be built into the edge. As described above, this can serve as a switch for retrieving information, such as information about a specific user, where the furniture automatically adjusts itself after that user. The display can show various information, such as the adjustment of the furniture, and the light indicator can be used to indicate when the adjustment of the furniture is changed.

[0056] Therefore, the present invention provides a simple and easy-to-install operating unit.

[0057] Although the invention has been described herein in particular in conjunction with a height-adjustable table, it should be understood that the operating unit can of course be used in conjunction with other types of furniture. The operating unit is mounted such that the pivot axis is horizontal, but it should be understood that it can of course also be mounted such that the pivot axis is in a vertical position.

Claims

1. An electrically operated unit comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and the second part are adjustable to each other, the operating unit comprising a first part and a second part and at least one electrical switch, wherein the first part and the second part are interconnected around an axis (17) so that they are rotatable to each other, characterized in that, The first part is configured as a housing (2) and the second part is configured as a mounting unit (3) interconnected with the first part, such that the housing (2) is able to present a first position, i.e., an initial position, and is able to move from the first position to a second position, i.e., an activation position, by rotating about the axis (17), such that the electrical switch is activated. The housing (2) includes an upper portion (18) and a bottom portion (20), in which a printed circuit board (31) is mounted. The feature is that the upper part of the housing (2) is constructed with a groove (22) for the mounting unit (3), the groove (22) being limited by a side wall (23) that protrudes upward from the housing (2) by a certain distance. The mounting unit (3) is installed in the groove (22) in the housing (2) such that the mounting unit (3) protrudes a certain distance above the top surface of the housing (2) and also protrudes a certain distance above the side wall (23). The groove (22) across the shaft (17) is slightly larger than the mounting unit (3), but only large enough that the sidewall (23) still acts as a mechanical stop for the housing (2) when the housing (2) is rotated.

2. The electrical operating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting unit (3) is equipped with pins (13, 14) on the side facing the housing (2) or protruding into the housing (2) for activating the electrical switch (34, 35).

3. The electrical operating unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electrical operating unit includes at least one spring element that impacts the housing (2) by spring force when the housing (2) enters the start position, and rotates the housing (2) back to the initial position when the housing (2) is no longer pressed into the start position.

4. The electrical operating unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one electrical switch is a dome switch (34, 35), wherein the dome in the dome switch is used as the spring element.

5. The electrical operating unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, There are two dome switches (34, 35) arranged such that they are positioned on opposite sides of the shaft, more precisely on opposite sides of a plane passing through the shaft, wherein the plane is perpendicular to the housing (2).

6. The electrical operating unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The two dome switches (34, 35) are positioned in two other diameter-opposite angles of the printed circuit board (31) opposite the holes (32, 33) for mounting the electrical operating unit, and are positioned such that they are positioned opposite the pins (13, 14) in the mounting unit (3).

7. The electrical operating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foremost portion (2a) of the housing (2) forms an angle with the remaining portion of the housing, such that the foremost portion is away from the surface on which the electrical operating unit is mounted.

8. An actuator system comprising at least one lifting column (37) or actuator driven by an electric motor, and a control unit connected to said lifting column or actuator driven by the electric motor, characterized in that, The actuator system includes an electrical operating unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-7 connected to the control unit, and is capable of activating the lifting column or the actuator driven by the electric motor via the electrical operating unit (1).

9. A height-adjustable table comprising the actuator system according to claim 8.

10. The height-adjustable table according to claim 9, characterized in that, The height-adjustable table includes a tabletop (36), and the electrical operating unit (1) is mounted on the bottom surface of the tabletop (36) at the edge of the tabletop (36).

Images