Tabletops and fixtures for display fixtures

Abstract

To provide a tabletop for furniture that allows for easy and time-lapse management of the tabletop's condition, and furniture equipped with the same. [Solution] The fixture top plate 10 according to this embodiment comprises a top plate 100 and a sensor unit 13 attached to the top plate 100 that measures the state quantities of the top plate 100 and wirelessly transmits the measurement results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a top plate for furniture and furniture.

Background Art

[0002] Furniture such as desks has been developed on the premise of being used for a long time in offices and for residential purposes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). On the other hand, in offices and residences that may be moved or expanded fluidly, there is a need for furniture that is low in price and high in design even if its durability is low, rather than expensive furniture with durability based on long-term use.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When providing customers with furniture that is low in price and high in design even if its durability is low, it is necessary to deal with the case where such furniture is damaged or deteriorated. If the user contacts the manufacturer, constructor, etc. after the furniture is damaged or deteriorated, it takes time until repair or replacement, which causes inconvenience to the user's work in the office. Therefore, it is very useful to provide furniture that can easily and over time manage the state of the furniture used in offices and residences that may be moved or expanded fluidly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a top plate for furniture that can easily and over time manage the state of the top plate, and furniture provided with the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A tabletop for furniture according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a tabletop and a sensor unit attached to the tabletop that measures the state quantities of the tabletop and wirelessly transmits the measurement results.

[0007] A piece of furniture according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a tabletop, a sensor unit that measures the state quantities of the tabletop and wirelessly transmits the measurement results, and legs that support the tabletop. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a tabletop for furniture and furniture that allows for easy and time-dependent management of the tabletop's condition. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fixture according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the furniture as seen from below in the vertical direction. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the sensor unit. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the equipment management system. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fixture according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fixture according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as necessary. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from its essence. In the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right will be based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to those shown. Also, in each drawing, the x-axis and y-axis may be horizontal, and the z-axis may be vertical. The positive z-axis direction is also referred to as "up" or "upward," and the negative z-axis direction is also referred to as "down" or "downward."

[0011] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixture using the fixture top plate of the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the fixture 1 viewed from vertically below. As shown in Figure 1, the fixture 1 comprises a fixture top plate 10 and a plurality of legs 12 that support the underside of the fixture top plate 10.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, a frame 14 may be provided to support the underside of the fixture top 10, and legs 12 may be attached to the four corners of this frame 14. In this case, the fixture top 10 is detachably mounted on the frame 14. This allows for the replacement of only the fixture top 10 as needed if the fixture top 10 deteriorates.

[0013] The fixture top plate 10 mainly consists of a top plate 100 containing resin and a sensor unit 13a attached to the top plate 100 that measures the state of the top plate 100 and wirelessly transmits the measurement results.

[0014] The tabletop 100 may be rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, or circular in a plan view from the vertical. Furthermore, if the tabletop 10 is a polygonal shape such as rectangular, triangular, or pentagonal in a plan view from the vertical, at least one of its corners may be rounded, or all of its corners may be rounded.

[0015] The furniture 1 on which the furniture tabletop 10 is used is not particularly limited as long as it has a tabletop, but for example, it is a desk. Furthermore, since the furniture tabletop 10 is lightweight, it is preferable that it is a tabletop for office furniture that is expected to be moved frequently. In other words, it is preferable that it is a tabletop for office furniture, and more preferably a tabletop for an office desk.

[0016] The tabletop 100 may contain resin, and more specifically, thermoplastic resin. For example, 90% of the weight of the tabletop 100 may be made up of resin. The composition of the tabletop 100 is not limited as long as it mainly contains thermoplastic resin, and it may also contain foaming agents, pigments, dyes, and other additives. The tabletop 100 may also be constructed by laminating multiple plates containing thermoplastic resin, for example, a laminated structure of a surface material, a tabletop body, and a back material. Additional elements such as decorative members and reinforcing members may be attached to the tabletop 100. These additional elements may also contain thermoplastic resin. By including thermoplastic resin in the tabletop 100, a low-cost tabletop 10 for fixtures is constructed, even if its durability is low. Furthermore, when the tabletop 100 is made up of a material containing thermoplastic resin, the thermoplastic resin can be melted by treating the tabletop 100 at a high temperature. It can then be recycled as a resin material by cooling and solidifying it again.

[0017] Examples of thermoplastic resins include olefin polymers such as propylene polymers and ethylene polymers; (meth)acrylic polymers such as methyl methacrylate polymers and butyl acrylate polymers; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate; polyamides; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers; polystyrene; polyvinyl acetate; and polyurethane. Among these, olefin polymers are preferred from the viewpoint of improving the lightness and load-bearing capacity of the fixture top plate 10.

[0018] Examples of the olefin polymer, which is a thermoplastic resin, include more specifically olefin homopolymers such as a propylene homopolymer composed of propylene as a monomer and an ethylene homopolymer composed of ethylene as a monomer; and olefin copolymers such as a propylene copolymer composed of propylene and another monomer and an ethylene copolymer composed of ethylene and another monomer. Among these, from the viewpoint of improving the light weight and load resistance of the top plate 10 for furniture, it is preferable to contain an olefin homopolymer, more preferably to contain a propylene homopolymer, and even more preferably to contain a propylene homopolymer and an ethylene homopolymer. Further, from the viewpoint of reducing the warping of the top plate 10 for furniture, an olefin copolymer is preferable. As such an olefin copolymer, an olefin elastomer is preferable. The olefin elastomer preferably has a hard segment which is a hard portion and a soft segment which is a soft portion. The hard segment is composed of, for example, an olefin as a monomer, and the soft segment may be composed of a diene compound such as butadiene as a monomer. Further, the olefin elastomer may be a block copolymer having the above hard segment and the above soft segment.

[0019] The thermoplastic resin may be foamed. Thereby, the top plate 100 can be made into a rough surface and can be further lightened. For example, the top plate 100 may contain a foamed olefin polymer as the thermoplastic resin. The method of foaming is not particularly limited. For example, a solvent having a low boiling point may be used when obtaining the thermoplastic resin, and the solvent may be vaporized by heating during molding to cause foaming. Alternatively, air, nitrogen gas, or the like may be blown in when obtaining the thermoplastic resin, and the mixture may be mechanically mixed and molded to cause foaming. As a commercially available product, for example, Paronia can be used.

[0020] When providing additional elements, for example, the additional elements can be provided by an additive manufacturing technique using a 3D printer or the like. By providing the additional elements by an additive manufacturing technique, equipment such as a mold that was conventionally required to form the additional elements becomes unnecessary, and moreover, the design of dimensions and the like can be freely changed, which is preferable.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the furniture 1 includes a sensor unit 13a that measures the state quantity of the top plate 10 for furniture and wirelessly transmits the measurement result. The sensor unit 13a is attached to the top plate 100. In the present specification, the sensor units are referred to as sensor units 13a to 13c according to the form of the sensor unit, but when the form is not limited, it is simply referred to as the sensor unit 13.

[0022] In the present embodiment, four sensor units 13a are arranged at the positions of the top plate 100 supported by the legs 12. Specifically, the sensor unit 13a is arranged between the top plate 100 and the legs 12. When the frame 14 exists, the sensor unit 13a is arranged between the frame 14 and the legs 12 or between the frame 14 and the top plate 100. In the present embodiment, the number of the sensor units 13a is not limited, and the sensor units 13a may be provided according to the number of the legs 12.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor unit 13 includes a sensor (measurement unit) 131 that detects the state quantity of the top plate, a control unit 132 that controls the operation of the entire sensor unit, a storage unit 133 that stores the program of the control unit 132 and the output from the sensor 131, and a communication unit 134 that wirelessly transmits the measurement result of the sensor 131.

[0024] Sensor 131 detects the state of the top plate. The state of the top plate can be any state related to the load on the top plate, for example, a state caused by the load applied to the top plate. Such state quantities can include the load applied to the top plate itself, the distortion of the top plate, the deflection of the top plate, etc. As the sensor 131 for detecting the state of the top plate, for example, a pressure sensor or a strain sensor can be used. A pressure sensor is a sensor that senses the pressure (load) applied to the top plate as a state quantity and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure. There are no limitations on the type of pressure sensor, but for example, a resistive film type in which the resistance changes according to the pressure can be used. A strain sensor detects the distortion of the top plate as a state quantity of the top plate and outputs a signal corresponding to the distortion of the top plate. A strain sensor consists of, for example, a piezoelectric element and is configured to generate a voltage corresponding to minute changes such as compression or extension (strain) of the element attached to the top plate.

[0025] In the configuration where the sensor unit 13a is positioned between the furniture 1 and the legs 12, a pressure sensor can be used as the sensor 131. When a load is applied to the top plate 100, a pressure corresponding to the load is applied to the pressure sensor positioned between the top plate 100 and the legs 12, so the load on the top plate 100 can be measured as a state variable of the top plate 100. Furthermore, by positioning the sensor unit 13a, which includes a pressure sensor as the sensor 131, between the top plate 100 and the legs 124, it becomes possible to measure the load even if the balance of the furniture 1, such as a desk, is disrupted.

[0026] The control unit 132 includes a CPU and memory, and periodically instructs the sensor 131 to acquire state values ​​of the top plate 100, stores the state values ​​of the top plate 100 acquired from the sensor 131 in the storage unit 133, and further periodically transmits the state values ​​stored in the storage unit 133 to the outside via the communication unit 134.

[0027] The memory unit 133 stores various programs necessary for executing the processing in the control unit 132, as well as measured state values ​​of the top plate 100.

[0028] The communication unit 134 transmits the state quantity detected by the sensor 131 to the outside based on instructions from the control unit 132.

[0029] Furthermore, the information transmitted to the information processing device 30 is not limited to the state of the top plate 100, but may also include, for example, the fixture ID, the sensor ID of the installed sensor, the user ID of the user of the fixture 1, and / or the date and time of data transmission.

[0030] According to the fixture top plate 10 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the state of the top plate 100 is periodically transmitted to the outside by the sensor unit 13, making it possible to manage the state of the top plate 100 externally. This makes it possible to determine deterioration or abnormalities of the top plate 100 externally.

[0031] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the equipment management system. In the example shown in Figure 4, the management system for the fixture 1 comprises the fixture 1 equipped with a sensor unit for measuring the state of the top panel 100, an information processing device 30 for managing the state of the fixture 1, an information processing terminal 40 for the user of the fixture 1, and an information processing terminal 50 for the business operator that performs services such as replacement, repair, and / or recycling of the fixture top panel (hereinafter also referred to as maintenance services).

[0032] The fixture 1, information processing device 30, information processing terminal 40, and information processing terminal 50 are able to communicate with each other via network N. Although Figure 4 shows one of each of the fixture 1, information processing device 30, information processing terminal 40, and information processing terminal 50, the number of fixtures 1, information processing devices 30, information processing terminals 40, and information processing terminals 50 included in the anomaly detection system 1 is not limited to these, and any number of each can be included.

[0033] Network N is a communication network for communication between furniture 1, information processing device 30, information processing terminal 40, and information processing terminal 50. For example, Network N may be the Internet, LAN, dedicated line, packet communication network, part of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), mobile phone network, ISDNs (Integrated Service Digital Networks), wireless LANs, LTE (Long Term Evolution), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), other communication lines, or a combination thereof. Network N may be wired or wireless.

[0034] The information processing device 30 is equipped with a program that acquires state quantities from each sensor unit 13 of the furniture 1 and determines the degree of deterioration of the furniture (desk) based on these state quantities. For example, the degree of deterioration of the furniture top 10 can be determined based on the cumulative value of the load received from the sensor unit and the period during which the load is applied, and information regarding the durability of the furniture top 10.

[0035] The information processing terminal 40 has functions that allow a user, such as the user of furniture 1, to check and analyze the status of furniture 1. The information processing terminal 40 acquires information on the degree of deterioration of furniture provided by the information processing device 30. This makes it possible for the user of furniture 1 to understand the degree of deterioration of furniture 1. Here, the computer constituting the information processing terminal 40 does not necessarily have to be a single unit, but may be composed of multiple computers distributed on the network N.

[0036] The information processing terminal 50 has a function that allows a contractor who undertakes maintenance related to the furniture, such as replacement, repair, and / or recycling, to check and analyze the status of furniture 1. The information processing terminal 50 also has a function that allows it to receive maintenance service requests from the information processing terminal 40. Here, the computer constituting the information processing terminal 50 does not necessarily have to be a single unit, but may be composed of multiple computers distributed on the network N.

[0037] According to the system shown in Figure 4, an information processing device 30 acquires the state of the top panel 100 of the fixture 1 via the network N, determines the degree of deterioration of the top panel 100, and can transmit information that the fixture 1 is deteriorated or requires maintenance to an information processing terminal 40. When the user of the fixture 1 is notified of the deterioration of the top panel 100 of the fixture 1 via the information processing terminal 40, they can transmit information requesting maintenance services to an information processing terminal 50 via the information processing terminal 40. This allows the company that performs maintenance on the fixture to promptly take action such as replacing, repairing, and / or recycling the fixture 1.

[0038] As described above, the fixture top plate 100 and fixture 1 according to this embodiment include a sensor unit 13 that measures the state of the top plate 100 and wirelessly transmits the measurement results, which contributes to the construction of a fixture management system, and enables the time-series maintenance of the top plate 100 through the fixture management system.

[0039] (Second Embodiment) Figure 5 shows the configuration of the fixture 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the fixture 1 according to the second embodiment is equipped with a support plate 110 on the underside of the top plate 100. In the second embodiment, the sensor unit 13b is not located between the top plate 100 and the legs 12, but is located between the top plate 100 and the support plate 110. Figure 5 shows an example in which one sensor unit 13b is located between the top plate 100 and the support plate 110, but multiple sensor units 13b may be located between the top plate 100 and the support plate 110.

[0040] In the configuration where the sensor unit 13b is positioned between the top plate 100 and the support plate 110, a pressure sensor can be used as the sensor 131. When a load is applied to the top plate 100, a pressure corresponding to the load is applied to the pressure sensor positioned between the top plate 100 and the support plate 110, so the load applied to the top plate 100 can be measured as a state variable of the top plate 100.

[0041] In the second embodiment, although the measurement stability is inferior to that of the first embodiment, the load on the tabletop 100 can be measured with fewer sensor units 13b compared to the first embodiment, and the condition of the tabletop 100 can be managed more easily and at a lower cost over time.

[0042] (Third embodiment) Figure 6 shows the configuration of the fixture 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, in the third embodiment, the fixture 1 has a sensor unit 13c attached to the underside of the top plate 100. In the third embodiment, the sensor unit 13c does not need to be positioned between the top plate 100 and other components (support plate 110 or legs 12), but only needs to be attached to the underside of the top plate 100. In the third embodiment, the support plate 10 as in the second embodiment is not required.

[0043] In the configuration where the sensor unit 13c is positioned on the underside of the top plate 100, a strain sensor can be used as the sensor 131. When a load is applied to the top plate 100, the underside of the top plate 100 bends and stretches, and a voltage corresponding to this stretch is output from the strain sensor. Therefore, the sensor unit 13c can measure the strain of the top plate 100 (stretch of the material / original length) as a state variable of the top plate 100.

[0044] The information processing device 30 can acquire the state quantity (strain) of the furniture tabletop 10 received from the sensor unit 13 and determine the degree of deterioration of each piece of furniture (desk) based on the state quantity (strain). For example, the degree of deterioration of the furniture tabletop 10 can be determined based on the value obtained by summing the strain received from the sensor unit and the period during which the strain occurred, and information regarding the durability of the tabletop 100. If the information processing device 30 determines that the furniture tabletop 10 is deteriorated, it can perform a maintenance service for the furniture tabletop 10 through the furniture management system shown in Figure 4.

[0045] In the third embodiment, the state of the top plate 100 can be easily and over time managed by measuring the distortion of the top plate 100 as a state variable of the top plate 100 using the sensor unit 13c. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1... Fixture, 10... Fixture top plate, 12... Legs, 13, 13a, 13b, 13c... Sensor unit, 14... Frame, 30... Information processing device, 40... Information processing terminal, 50... Information processing terminal, 100... Top plate, 110... Support plate, N... Network.

Claims

1. The tabletop and A sensor unit attached to the top plate measures the state of the top plate and wirelessly transmits the measurement results, A tabletop for display fixtures, equipped with [specific features / features].

2. The aforementioned sensor unit comprises multiple units, A tabletop for fixtures according to claim 1.

3. The sensor unit is positioned on the tabletop of the fixture, which is supported by the legs. The tabletop for furniture according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned sensor unit A sensor for detecting the state of the top plate, A communication unit that wirelessly transmits the measurement results of the aforementioned sensor, A tabletop for furniture according to claim 1, comprising the above.

5. The aforementioned sensor is a strain sensor that measures the distortion of the top plate. A tabletop for fixtures according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned sensor is a pressure sensor that measures the load applied to the top plate. A tabletop for fixtures according to claim 4.

7. The tabletop and A sensor unit that measures the state of the top plate and wirelessly transmits the measurement results, The legs that support the aforementioned tabletop, A piece of furniture equipped with [a certain feature].

8. The sensor unit is attached to the top plate. The fixture according to claim 7.

9. The frame further comprises the aforementioned top panel, The aforementioned leg portion is attached to the frame, The fixture according to claim 7.

10. The top plate is detachably mounted on the frame. The fixture according to claim 9.

Images