Gas suspension system for a height-adjustable table, height-adjustable table and method for operating the gas suspension system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas spring systems for height-adjustable tables are inefficient and time-consuming to adjust the lifting force in response to changing loads, particularly requiring expensive and time-consuming manual adjustments using tools like cordless screwdrivers.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a gas spring with a gas interface for external gas introduction, a transmission cylinder with a hydraulic pump to increase pressure quickly, and a hydraulic oil check valve to prevent pressure reduction, allowing for precise and rapid adjustment of the gas spring force without the need for tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the lifting force of the gas spring is adjusted by changing the volume of the gas accumulator using a threaded spindle, then the system pressure and lifting force can be changed, but the adjustment process becomes expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting force of the gas springVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydraulic principles by introducing a hydraulic pump and hydraulic oil into the gas spring system. The hydraulic pump delivers hydraulic oil to a transmission cylinder, which moves a transmission piston to compress the gas spring piston, thereby rapidly increasing the system pressure and lifting force without manual threading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical threaded spindle adjustment mechanism with a hydraulic actuation system. Instead of using a cordless screwdriver to turn a threaded spindle, the system uses a hydraulic pump to deliver oil that moves a transmission piston, substituting complex mechanical threading with simpler hydraulic pressure transmission.

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

2Force

If the lifting force of the gas spring is adjusted by changing the volume of the gas accumulator using a threaded spindle, then the system pressure and lifting force can be changed, but the adjustment process becomes expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting force of the gas springVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydraulic principles by introducing a hydraulic pump and hydraulic oil into the gas spring system. The hydraulic pump delivers hydraulic oil to a transmission cylinder, which moves a transmission piston to compress the gas spring piston, thereby rapidly increasing the system pressure and lifting force without manual threading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical threaded spindle adjustment mechanism with a hydraulic actuation system. Instead of using a cordless screwdriver to turn a threaded spindle, the system uses a hydraulic pump to deliver oil that moves a transmission piston, substituting complex mechanical threading with simpler hydraulic pressure transmission.

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

3Speed

If the gas spring force is increased by pumping hydraulic oil into the transmission chamber, then the pressure in the gas space can be increased quickly, but the pressure may be reduced by hydraulic oil leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure increase speedVSAvoidpressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the leakage problem from the hydraulic system by introducing a one-way check valve that separates the pressure maintenance function from the pressure increase function. The check valve allows oil to be pumped into the transmission chamber to increase pressure, but prevents oil from flowing back, thereby maintaining pressure stability without requiring the entire hydraulic system to be perfectly sealed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The one-way check valve acts as an intermediary element between the hydraulic pump and the transmission chamber. It mediates the flow of hydraulic oil, allowing it to flow in one direction (into the chamber) while blocking reverse flow, thus ensuring pressure stability even if there are leakage paths elsewhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 easy and quick adjustment of the gas spring force, reducing the effort required to maintain ergonomic height adjustments under varying loads, without the need for tools like cordless screwdrivers, and ensures stable pressure through the use of a hydraulic oil check valve.

Implementation Method 1

the hydraulic pump is adapted to deliver hydraulic oil, and the transmission piston is adapted to be moved toward the first transmission chamber by the hydraulic oil delivered by the hydraulic pump to increase a pressure in the first transmission chamber and the gas space of the gas spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the gas interface being designed at least to introduce gas from outside the gas spring system into the gas spring system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compression: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 3

the gas spring system also has a hydraulic oil check valve which is arranged between the hydraulic pump and the second transmission chamber and which is designed to prevent the hydraulic oil from flowing from the second transmission chamber to the hydraulic pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3967886A1Gas suspension system for a height-adjustable table, height-adjustable table and method for operating the gas suspension system
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 KESSEBOHMER HLDG KG
  • EP3967886A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3967886A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3967886A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A gas spring system (3) for a height-adjustable table (1) comprises a gas spring (4) with a gas spring cylinder (6) having a gas chamber (9) therein, a gas spring piston (7) arranged therein, and a gas spring piston rod (8) connected thereto. The gas spring system (3) further comprises a gas interface (10) connected to the gas chamber (9), through which it introduces at least gas from outside into the gas spring system (3), a transmission cylinder (12) with a transmission piston (13), a first transmission chamber (14) and a second transmission chamber (15) separated by the transmission piston (13), and a hydraulic pump (16). The gas chamber (9) is connected to the first transmission chamber (14), and the hydraulic pump (16) is connected to the second transmission chamber (15).The hydraulic pump (16) delivers hydraulic oil and the transmission piston (13) is moved by the hydraulic oil delivered by the hydraulic pump (16) towards the first transmission chamber (14) to increase pressure in the first transmission chamber (14) and the gas space (9).