Hybrid gas pressure spring system, and item of furniture having a hybrid gas pressure spring system of said type
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas pressure springs face limitations when subjected to changing weights or axial forces, requiring significant user effort to adjust height-adjustable furniture, and existing solutions are either expensive or have low adjustment speeds.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid gas pressure spring system with a compressed gas reservoir and an electrically actuable pressure compressor, coupled with a control device that dynamically adjusts the spring force based on axial forces using a pressure sensor, allowing for balanced force regulation and efficient load adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional gas spring with fixed spring force is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the system cannot adapt to varying axial forces and requires large user effort for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring system transitions from a static fixed spring force to a dynamic adjustable spring force. The control device monitors axial force variations and dynamically adjusts the precharge pressure of the gas spring to match the current load conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying axial forces while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects the actual axial force acting on the gas spring and feeds this information to the control device. The control device processes this feedback signal and adjusts the precharge pressure accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically adapts to changing load conditions without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an electric height-adjustment mechanism is used, then the spring force can be adjusted to match loads, but the adjustment speed is low (30-40 mm/s) and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor-driven threaded spindle mechanism with a gas spring-based mechanical adjustment system. The gas spring responds instantaneously to pressure changes, enabling rapid adjustment speeds that far exceed the 30-40 mm/s limitation of electric threaded systems, while the control device manages the adaptation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the precharge pressure parameter of the gas spring dynamically based on detected axial forces. By changing the pressure parameter rather than mechanically repositioning components, the system achieves rapid adaptation to varying loads without the speed limitations of mechanical threading mechanisms.
3Force
If the compressed gas chamber is mechanically reduced in size via spindle and cordless screwdriver, then the spring force can be increased, but the process requires significant effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the axial force and provides feedback to the control device, which automatically adjusts the precharge pressure to the optimal level. This eliminates the need for manual trial-and-error adjustment via spindle and cordless screwdriver, reducing both the effort and time required to achieve the correct spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring system performs its own adjustment automatically based on sensor feedback. The control device manages the precharge pressure adjustment without requiring external manual intervention, enabling the system to self-optimize its spring force to match current load conditions instantly.
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
The system maintains a constant manual support force, enabling efficient height adjustment of furniture and supporting dynamic load cases, while offering advantages in speed and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed gas chamber (22) for a compressed gas (G) to provide a spring force (FS) with which the piston rod (16) can be acted upon
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor (53) for determining a gas pressure (P2) of the compressed gas (G) prevailing in the compressed gas chamber (22)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a hybrid gas pressure spring system (10), comprising: - a gas pressure spring (12) with a cylinder (14), with a piston rod (16) which is arranged in the cylinder (14) so as to be movable in the direction of a movement axis (16), and with a pressurized gas chamber (22) for a pressurized gas G for providing a spring force Fs with which the piston rod (16) can be acted on; - a pressurized gas store (26); - an electrically actuatable pressure compressor (24) by means of which the pressurized gas G contained in the pressurized gas chamber (22) can be conveyed into the pressurized gas store (26); - an activatable outlet valve (44) by means of which the pressurized gas store (26) can be fluidically connected to the pressurized gas chamber (22) in order to conduct the pressurized gas (G) from the pressurized gas store (26) into the pressurized gas chamber (22); and - a control device (48) with a sensor (54) for determining an axial force FA directed counter to the spring force Fs, wherein the control device (48) is programmed to activate the outlet valve (44) and the pressure compressor (24) on the basis of the determined axial force FA such that the spring force Fs and the axial force FA are in force equilibrium or have a value difference D which lies in a predefined difference interval.