Telescopic Lifting Column Slider Structure for Eliminating Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lifting columns for height-adjustable tables face instability due to dimensional tolerances and twisting of steel or aluminum tubes, leading to play between members, which is costly to address with existing solutions that often complicate the mounting process.
Innovation Solution
A resilient section with a groove in one member secures sliders, ensuring firm engagement by compensating for manufacturing and dimensional tolerances, using sliders slightly larger than the gap to eliminate play and enhance stability without increasing complexity or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard steel or aluminum tubes are used for lifting column members, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but dimensional tolerances cause large variations in gap between members resulting in play and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the slider material from rigid to elastomeric, allowing it to deform elastically to compensate for dimensional variations in the tube members. This parameter change in material properties enables the slider to adapt to gap variations without requiring high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider is made of elastomeric material that acts as a flexible element between the tube members. This flexible material compensates for dimensional tolerances and twisting by deforming to maintain proper engagement, eliminating play while keeping manufacturing costs low.
2Reliability
If adjustable sliders with wedge-shaped elements are used to counter play, then stability is improved, but mounting becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric slider automatically compensates for dimensional variations and twisting through its own elastic deformation. The slider self-adjusts to fit the actual gap between members without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or complex mounting procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple elastomeric sliders that are inexpensive to manufacture and replace. Rather than using complex adjustable mechanisms, the solution employs simple, low-cost elastomeric elements that achieve the desired stability function.
3Reliability
If tubes are processed to reduce dimensional tolerances, then play between members is reduced, but lifting column cost becomes unacceptably expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from improving tube manufacturing precision to using elastomeric material properties. By changing the physical state and material of the slider, the system compensates for dimensional variations without requiring expensive precision processing of the tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses inexpensive elastomeric sliders instead of expensive precision-processed tubes. The cost is shifted from expensive tube manufacturing to cheap elastomeric material, achieving the same stability function at lower overall cost.
4Reliability
If sliders are made slightly larger than the gap between members, then firm engagement is achieved, but mounting complexity increases due to tolerance compensation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric slider acts as a flexible element that deforms to accommodate dimensional variations. This flexibility allows the slider to be slightly larger than the nominal gap while automatically adapting to the actual gap size, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material self-adjusts to the actual gap between members through elastic deformation. The slider automatically compensates for manufacturing tolerances and twisting without requiring external adjustment or complex mounting procedures.
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 solution simplifies the mounting process and achieves a stable lifting column by using sliders with a thickness corresponding to the maximum gap width plus tolerances, ensuring the members engage firmly and remain free from play, thereby enhancing user experience and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the member to which the slider is secured is furnished with a resilient section outlined by a groove against which at least a part of the slider rests
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Lifting column, preferably for height adjustable tables, said lifting column comprising at least two relative to each other telescopically arranged members (2a, 2b, 2c). At least one slider (11) is arranged between the two members (2a, 2b, 2c), said slider being secured to one of the members (2b). The problem is play between the members (2a, 2b, 2c), resulting in an unstable lifting column. For solution of this problem the member (2b) to which the slider (11) is secured, is furnished with a resilient section (17) outlined by a groove (16,18) against which at least a part of the slider (11) rests. The resilient section (17) can push the slider (11) into firm engagement against the two members (2b, 2c), at which a stable lifting column which is free from play is achieved.