Desk Cable Container With Acoustic Fabric and Flap Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work tables lack a service-friendly solution for easily accessing and modifying power supply and communication cables while ensuring safety, ergonomics, and acoustic comfort, with high material and assembly costs, and limited additional functional capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A work table design featuring a collection container made of compacted non-woven fabric with a zipper closure, sound-absorbing properties, and adjustable height, along with a cable guide system and flexible screen options, allowing for efficient cable management and reduced noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid cable duct is used to cover and protect cables, then safety and cable protection are improved, but collision impact for the user increases and ergonomics worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible cable cover made of textile material that can be folded and bent, replacing rigid cable ducts. This flexible shell protects cables while allowing gentle folding behavior that reduces collision impact and improves user ergonomics during table assembly and cable management operations.
2Ease of repair
If a collection container with repeated access is provided for cable management, then ease of maintenance and cable accessibility are improved, but device complexity and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is divided into multiple compartments separated by partition walls, allowing cables to be organized by type or function. This segmentation enables selective access to specific cable groups while maintaining overall structure simplicity, improving maintenance ease without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection container serves multiple functions: it organizes cables, provides structural support for the tabletop, and includes integrated features like cable guides and access openings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, lowering overall device complexity while maintaining ease of cable management.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sound-absorbing materials are used in the collection container, then acoustic climate is improved, but material costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is constructed from composite materials combining textile outer layer with sound-absorbing inner filling material. This composite structure achieves effective noise reduction through the porous sound-absorbing layer while the textile exterior maintains aesthetic appearance and durability, balancing acoustic performance with manufacturing feasibility.
4Ease of operation
If a textile cable cover is used instead of rigid ducts, then ergonomics and collision dampening are improved, but cable protection and structural strength worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The textile cable cover is designed as a flexible shell with sufficient tensile strength to protect cables from minor damages while maintaining foldability. The material selection balances softness for ergonomic handling with adequate strength to prevent cable exposure to sharp edges or crushing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection container incorporates padding and cushioning elements around cable routing areas before cables are installed. This pre-positioned cushioning protects cables from future mechanical stresses while allowing the flexible textile cover to maintain its ergonomic advantages.
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
The solution provides easy access to cables for maintenance, enhances ergonomics and safety, reduces noise, and allows for additional functional features like adjustable height and cable routing, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and acoustic comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The collection container consists of compacted non-woven fabric... which is sound-transmitting and sound-absorbing
Implementation Method 2
The nonwoven fabric of the collection container consists at least essentially of thermally pressed synthetic polymer fibers, e.g. polyester
Implementation Method 3
When the closure means is open, the wing lowers out of the opening by gravity in the manner of a flap
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The desk has an underframe (1), on which a desktop (3) having an upper face (30) and an underside (31) is supported, as well as an electric installation (7) for connecting incoming and outgoing power supply and/or communications cables. A receiving container (2) arranged underneath the desktop (3) is used for holding cables and connection components, the receiving container (2) having an opening (29) provided with a closing means (21) that can be repeatedly actuated. The receiving container (2) consists substantially of compressed nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric of the receiving container (2) consists at least substantially of thermally compressed polymer fibres, e.g. polyester, to which a portion of natural fibres can be mixed, and is sound-reducing and sound-absorbing. The base (20) of the receiving container (2) has a wing (200) that is cut free and can be moved when the closing means (21) is open, thus exposing the opening (29). The closing means (21) is a zipper that preferably partially surrounds the wing (200). When the closing means (21) is open, the wing (200) drops down out of the opening (29) like a flap under the force of gravity.