Electric Furniture Drive Interface for Static Actuator Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture drive systems require assembly movement for identification, which can lead to improper component matching and potential damage or accidents, especially when used with varying furniture sizes and weights.

Innovation Solution

An identification device is integrated at the interface of the electric furniture drive, allowing configuration recognition upon connection without moving the components, using sensors to detect mechanical actuator parameters and adjust operating parameters accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If assembly movement is required for identification, then the identification device can detect configuration, but damage or accidents may occur during testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration detection accuracyVSAvoiddamage risk during identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing configuration identification before any movement or operation of the actuator. Sensors detect mechanical parameters (position, force, configuration) during the assembly connection phase, allowing the control device to pre-configure operating parameters before the actuator is activated, thus avoiding damage during testing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical movement-based identification with sensor-based detection. Instead of requiring the actuator to move through its range of motion to identify configuration, sensors (such as position sensors, force sensors, or encoders) detect mechanical parameters electrically/magnetically during static connection, eliminating the need for dangerous movement during identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the same drive system is used for varying furniture sizes and weights, then versatility is improved, but parameter matching becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different furnitureVSAvoidparameter adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the drive system to automatically identify and adapt to different furniture configurations. Sensors detect mechanical parameters during assembly, the control device processes this information to determine furniture type, size, and weight characteristics, and automatically configures operating parameters without requiring manual adjustment or complex setup procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting operating parameters (force, speed, position limits, acceleration) based on detected furniture characteristics. The control device modifies these parameters in real-time based on sensor feedback, allowing the same hardware to safely and effectively operate with varying furniture sizes and weights

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If identification occurs after assembly, then component matching can be verified, but time is lost during movement testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent compatibilityVSAvoididentification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs identification as a preliminary action during the assembly connection phase, before any movement testing or operation. Sensors detect configuration parameters during the connection process itself, allowing component compatibility to be verified immediately without requiring separate testing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the identification process with the assembly process. The same sensors and connection mechanisms used for physical assembly also perform configuration detection, combining two functions (mechanical connection and identification) into a single integrated process, thereby eliminating separate identification time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures safe and accurate identification of furniture configurations, preventing damage and ensuring compatible operation with different furniture sizes and weights by adjusting parameters based on detected configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one identification device has at least one sensor via which a parameter of the mechanical actuator can be detected for the at least one identification device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4330502B1Electric furniture drive
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP4330502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4330502B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4330502B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric motor-powered furniture drive (1.2) comprising: - at least one electric motor (30); - at least one interface (90) via which the electric motor-powered furniture drive (1.2) can be connected, preferably detachably connected, to a mechanical actuator (1.1); and - at least one identification device (91) for automatically identifying a configuration (K) of the mechanical actuator (1.1), at least regions of the at least one identification device (91) being located on the at least one interface (90) of the electric motor-powered furniture drive (1.2) so that the configuration (K) of the mechanical actuator (1.1) can be identified when the electric motor-powered furniture drive (1.2) is connected to the mechanical actuator (1.1).