Force-Sensing Tabletop Control for Hidden Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrically height-adjustable tables have visually unappealing manual operating parts that complicate integration into the table's design, making them difficult to operate smoothly and aesthetically.
Innovation Solution
An operating device utilizing a force sensor and electromechanical switch or touch-sensitive area to detect user force, allowing for height adjustment without visible actuating elements, with a controller evaluating force alterations to initiate and control the movement based on applied force, and providing signaling for user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operating parts or operating elements are mounted on the table for height adjustment, then the height adjustment function is achieved, but the visual design of the table is compromised and the operating elements are difficult to integrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuating elements from the visible tabletop surface and relocates them to the underside or integrates them into the table structure where they are not visually apparent. The force sensor and actuating elements are positioned on the underside of the tabletop, allowing the top surface to maintain a clean, uninterrupted design while still enabling height adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation circuit that mediates between the force sensor input and the drive system. This intermediary component processes the force sensor signals and controls the drive motor, enabling seamless integration of the height adjustment function without requiring visible manual operating elements on the tabletop surface.
2Shape
If actuating elements are integrated into the tabletop region, then visual design is improved, but the detection of user actuation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical switches or buttons with a force sensor that detects user actuation through force or pressure application. This substitution allows actuating elements to be integrated into the tabletop region without visible protrusions, while the force sensor reliably detects user input through tactile interaction with the tabletop surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabletop surface itself serves as the actuating element through integration of the force sensor. The tabletop structure includes the force sensor within its construction, allowing the surface to detect user pressure directly without requiring separate, visible control elements. The evaluation circuit automatically detects when force is applied to the tabletop region.
3Shape
If force sensors and touch-sensitive areas are used instead of manual switches, then visual integration is enhanced, but the complexity of the operating device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using the force sensor to serve both as the actuating element and as part of the control interface. The same force sensor that detects user pressure also provides the input signal for the evaluation circuit, eliminating the need for separate actuating mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity despite the advanced sensing technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the force sensor, actuating function, and control interface into a single integrated system. The force sensor is combined with the evaluation circuit and drive control, allowing the tabletop region to serve multiple functions simultaneously - structural support, user interaction interface, and height adjustment control - thereby reducing the number of separate components needed.
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
Enables seamless and visually unobtrusive height adjustment of electrically height-adjustable tables, enhancing user experience and design integration by using force sensors and touch-sensitive technologies to initiate and control the height adjustment based on user input.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor that is designed to measure a force acting on the tabletop
Data Source
AI summary
An operating device is proposed for an electrically height-adjustable table having at least one electrical drive (EA) for adjusting the height of a table top (TP) of the table, and a controller (CTRL) for controlling the drive (EA). The operating device has an actuating element (BE, EMS, CS) to be arranged in the region of the table top (TP), a force sensor (FS), which is designed to measure a force acting on the table top (TP), and an evaluation circuit (EV). This circuit is designed to detect an actuation of the actuating element (BE, EMS, CS) during a height adjustment of the table top (TP), to receive measurement values from the force sensor (FS) within a predetermined period of time after the detected actuation, to determine a force alteration value from the received measurement values, and if the force alteration value is greater than a threshold value, to issue a control signal to the controller (CTRL) in order to initiate a height adjustment of the tabletop (TP) in a direction, depending on a sign of the force alteration value.