Furniture Coupling Mechanism for One-Side Table Top Unlocking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture adjustment devices lack a mechanism to ensure that only one actuating device is adjusted when activated, while maintaining the other device in its initial position, which is crucial for space-saving and user-friendly pivoting of table tops.

Innovation Solution

A coupling device is introduced that connects the actuating devices via a primary and secondary transmission system, where actuating one device adjusts the locking or release mechanism without affecting the other, ensuring the second device remains unchanged in its starting position through a decoupling mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two actuating devices are provided on opposite sides of the table top for unlocking, then the table top can be pivoted from either side, but both actuating devices may be adjusted simultaneously which causes unintended movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pivot from either sideVSAvoidunintended movement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device acts as an intermediary between the two actuating devices and the locking mechanism. It transmits the actuation force from one side while blocking the other side through a decoupling mechanism, ensuring only one device can adjust the locking mechanism at a time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device segments the transmission path from the two actuating devices to the locking mechanism into independent channels. Through the decoupling mechanism, it ensures that actuation from one side does not automatically transmit to the other side, allowing selective operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If actuating one device adjusts the locking mechanism, then the table top can be pivoted, but the other actuating device should remain in its starting position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle device adjustmentVSAvoiddecoupling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device serves as a mediator that connects both actuating devices to the locking mechanism while implementing a decoupling function. This allows one device to adjust the locking mechanism independently while the other remains stationary, achieving selective operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device dynamically adjusts the connection between actuating devices and the locking mechanism based on which device is being operated. The decoupling mechanism enables the system to switch between connected and disconnected states for each actuating device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2255694B1Coupling device, in particular for a furniture adjustment device

Publication Date: 2012.01.18 STEELCASE WERNDL AG

Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2

AI summary

The device (51) has a transmission and coupling device adjustable by a primary transmission device (131) during operation of an operating device (15), such that a secondary transmission device (133) and an adjusting device are adjustable. The coupling device is adjusted during operation of one of attachment-decoupling devices, while another decoupling device acts together with the coupling device in such a manner that the coupling device allows another primary transmission device (131a) and/or another operating device (15a) to be positionally-immovable. An independent claim is also included for an adjusting device comprising a coupling device.