Electric motor adjustable support device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motor-driven adjustable support devices for seating and lounging furniture, such as slatted frames, lack a robust and efficient mechanism for adjusting under high loads and have a high installation height, limiting their retrofitting capabilities and versatility.
Innovation Solution
The support device incorporates a spindle drive with a stationary, rotatably supported threaded spindle and wedge-like lifting guide elements at the base and support parts, utilizing a tappet with rollers to achieve efficient adjustment through a wedge principle, allowing for low installation height and high load capacity, and can be retrofitted into nonmotorized support devices like slatted frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional electric motor-driven drive device is used, then the device can adjust the support part, but the installation height becomes high and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is segmented into functional components: electric motor, threaded spindle, spindle nut, and tappet mechanism. Each component performs a specific function, allowing compact arrangement and reducing overall installation height while maintaining adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism transitions from vertical motor mounting to a horizontal arrangement where the threaded spindle rotates horizontally and the tappet moves laterally. This dimensional change enables the device to achieve the same adjustment function with a lower profile.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional adjustment mechanism is used, then the device can adjust the support part, but the load-bearing capacity under high loads becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded spindle is pre-positioned and pre-loaded to engage with the spindle nut before adjustment begins. This preliminary engagement ensures that the full load-bearing capacity of the threaded connection is available from the start, enabling the mechanism to handle high loads effectively during adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tappet acts as an intermediary element between the spindle nut and the support part. It transfers and distributes the adjustment force, allowing the mechanism to handle high loads by spreading the stress across a larger contact area and through multiple contact points.
3Ease of operation
If a complex drive mechanism is used, then the adjustment functionality is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded spindle and spindle nut form a self-contained adjustment mechanism that automatically converts rotational motion to linear motion without requiring additional linkages or complex control systems. The electric motor directly drives the spindle, and the threaded connection inherently provides the motion conversion, simplifying the overall structure.
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 a robust, low-profile support device that can efficiently adjust under high loads, enabling its use in various furniture types, including beds and armchairs, and allows for easy retrofitting with electric motor-driven functionality, enhancing user assistance and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
The electric motor-driven drive device has a spindle drive that includes a stationary, rotatably supported threaded spindle that is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor of the drive device
Implementation Method 2
the invention makes use of the principle of a wedge
Data Source
AI summary
An electric motor adjustable support device for supporting padding of seating and/or lounging furniture. In particular, padding of seating and/or lounging furniture, such as the mattress of a bed. The support device has a base part and a support part that is connected to the base part, so as to be swivelable about a first swivel axis. In the region of the first swivel axis, at least one first wedge-like lifting guide element is situated at the base part. Further, at least one second wedge-like lifting guide element, opposite from the first wedge-like lifting guide element, is situated at the support part.