Furniture Actuator Drive System with Wireless Inductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems for movable furniture parts face challenges in energy supply, including complex and costly cabling for mains voltage and the difficulty of charging rechargeable batteries due to their inaccessible location.
Innovation Solution
A drive system with a wireless charging mechanism, utilizing an inductive or radio-frequency charging station to supply energy to an actuator's energy storage device, allowing for cost-effective and convenient energy replenishment without the need for physical cabling or frequent battery removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mains voltage cabling is used to supply energy to the actuator, then continuous power supply is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to visible cabling and required openings in furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical cabling system with a wireless energy transmission system. The charging station transmits energy wirelessly to the actuator's energy storage device, eliminating the need for visible cables and openings in the furniture, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous power supply and installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless energy transmission system between the power source and the actuator. The charging station acts as a mediator that transfers energy without physical contact, avoiding the need for direct electrical connections through furniture openings
2Ease of operation
If rechargeable batteries are used to supply energy to the actuator, then wireless operation is achieved, but charging becomes difficult and costly due to inaccessible actuator position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual battery removal and charging process with a wireless inductive charging system. The charging station uses electromagnetic fields to transfer energy through the furniture structure to the actuator's battery, eliminating the need for physical access to the actuator for charging purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service charging where the actuator can be recharged automatically when placed near the charging station, without requiring user intervention to remove or manually connect the battery. The wireless charging occurs automatically through the furniture structure
3Ease of repair
If batteries are removed from inaccessible locations for charging, then charging can be performed, but time and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station enables preliminary charging action by allowing the battery to be charged in place without removal. The wireless charging system can begin charging immediately when the actuator is positioned near the station, eliminating the time required for battery removal, transport, and reinstallation
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless inductive charging system replaces the mechanical battery removal process with electromagnetic energy transmission, allowing charging to occur in situ and significantly reducing the time required for the charging operation
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 eliminates the complexity and cost of cabling and the inconvenience of battery charging, enabling efficient and user-friendly energy supply for movable furniture parts by allowing wireless charging of energy storage devices within furniture, reducing operational effort and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the charging station is designed as an inductive charging station and the energy store is suitable or designed for inductive charging by the inductive charging station
Implementation Method 2
the charging station is designed as a radio transmitter for emitting radio waves and the energy store is suitable or designed for charging by means of radio waves by the radio transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system for driving at least one movable furniture part (12), in particular a drawer, door, flap or the like, is proposed, comprising at least one actuator (27) which can be coupled or connected to the associated movable furniture part (12) in such a way that a driven movement generated by the actuator (27) causes a movement of the movable furniture part (12) between a closed position and an open position, wherein at least one actuator (27) is associated with at least one energy storage device (28) belonging to the drive system (11) and designed for storing electrical energy for supplying energy to the actuator (27), wherein the energy storage device (28) is part of a storage unit (29) suitable for wireless charging, and wherein the drive system (11) has at least one charging station (30) for wirelessly charging the at least one energy storage device (28).