Adjustable lifting column and adjustable table system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting columns for furniture adjustment face challenges in achieving smooth and quiet operation, particularly in noise-sensitive environments, and require efficient power usage to handle varying loads while minimizing wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a threaded spindle assembly with concentrically arranged spindles and a telescopic tube assembly, featuring a driver mechanism with internal and external threads, allowing for sequential movement of spindles with different efficiencies to optimize power usage and reduce noise, along with a direct drive system using an axial flux motor for efficient load handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a single threaded spindle is used for lifting column adjustment, then the structure is simple, but the adjustment produces noise and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The single threaded spindle is divided into multiple concentric threaded spindles (outer threaded spindle and inner threaded spindle) that operate sequentially. Each spindle has its own threaded connection with different efficiency characteristics, allowing the system to segment the lifting motion into multiple stages, thereby reducing noise and mechanical stress compared to a single high-load spindle.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded spindles are arranged concentrically with the inner threaded spindle nested within the outer threaded spindle. This nested configuration allows multiple spindles to occupy the same radial space while maintaining independent threaded connections, achieving noise reduction without significantly increasing the overall structural footprint.
2Power
If high-power drive assembly is used to handle varying loads, then load handling capability is improved, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different threaded connections based on load conditions. The control unit monitors the lifting column's position and load, then activates only the necessary threaded spindle (inner or outer) for the current operational phase. This dynamic activation allows the system to handle varying loads effectively while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding continuous operation of high-power components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between threaded connections with different efficiencies. The inner threaded connection and outer threaded connection have different mechanical efficiency characteristics, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption by selecting the appropriate connection based on the current lifting phase and load requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If threaded connections with different efficiencies are used, then power usage is optimized, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback control by monitoring the operational state of the lifting column and automatically selecting which threaded connection to activate. The system receives feedback about the current lifting phase and load conditions, then adjusts the activation state of the inner and outer threaded connections accordingly, optimizing power usage while managing control complexity through automated decision-making.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables smooth, low-noise, and energy-efficient height adjustment of furniture, reducing wear and tear, and allowing for the use of less expensive power electronics, while maintaining a compact design suitable for various applications like tables and beds.
Implementation Method 1
Each two adjacent threaded spindles of the threaded spindle assembly have a common threaded connection. By driving one of the at least two threaded spindles with the drive assembly, the at least two threaded spindles are moved with respect to each other by means of the at least one common threaded connection.
Implementation Method 2
The outer threaded spindle also has an external thread that engages the internal thread of the driver mechanism. By means of the driver mechanism, which is connected to the middle telescopic tube and engages in the external thread of the outer threaded spindle, the three telescopic tubes are moved simultaneously.
Implementation Method 3
a direct drive system using an axial flux motor for efficient load handling
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable lifting column for adjusting a piece of furniture comprises a drive assembly, a threaded spindle assembly comprising at least two concentrically arranged threaded spindles, of which an outer threaded spindle concentrically surrounds at least one further threaded spindle, a telescopic tube assembly comprising three concentrically arranged telescopic tubes, and a driver mechanism having an internal thread. The threaded spindle assembly is located within the telescopic tube assembly. Two adjacent threaded spindles of the threaded assembly have a common threaded connection. One of the at least two threaded spindles in the threaded spindle assembly is connected to the drive assembly for driving this one threaded spindle. The outer threaded spindle also has an external thread in which the internal thread of the driver mechanism engages. The driver mechanism is connected to a middle telescopic tube of the three telescopic tubes.