Lifting Column Slider Preload for Play-Free Table Stability
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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 difficult and costly to address with existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A resilient section with a groove in one member secures sliders, compensating for manufacturing and dimensional tolerances by preloading them between members, ensuring firm engagement and stability, even when the gap is wider than the slider, using sliders slightly larger than the gap for optimal engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard steel or aluminum tubes are used for lifting column members, then manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is high, but dimensional tolerances are large causing play between members and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the tube wall by creating a resilient section through grooving, transforming a rigid structure into one with controlled flexibility. This allows the slider to be preloaded firmly between members while accommodating dimensional tolerances, resolving the contradiction between using standard tubes and achieving stability.
2Reliability
If processing is performed on tubes to reduce dimensional tolerances, then manufacturing precision improves and stability improves, but manufacturing cost increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of processing the entire tube to reduce tolerances, the invention applies local grooving only at specific positions where sliders are mounted. This creates resilient sections locally without requiring expensive precision processing of the whole tube, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving stability at critical locations.
3Reliability
If adjustable sliders are used to compensate for gap variations, then adaptability improves and stability improves, but mounting complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient section automatically adjusts to accommodate dimensional tolerances and gap variations. The spring pressure self-regulates to firmly engage the slider between members without requiring manual adjustment, making the system self-adapting and easy to install.
4Reliability
If sliders slightly larger than the gap are used with resilient section, then firm engagement is achieved and stability improves, but the slider design becomes more sensitive to dimensional variations
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient section acts as a cushion that absorbs dimensional variations and tolerances. By providing this cushioning element beforehand, the system can accommodate sliders with varying thicknesses and still achieve firm engagement, reducing the sensitivity to slider manufacturing precision.
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
This solution simplifies the mounting process and achieves a stable lifting column by compensating for tolerances and twisting issues, providing a play-free interface without increasing costs, applicable to various cross-sectional profiles and configurations.
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. When a slider is chosen having a thickness corresponding to or larger than the width of the gap between the members, the resilient section will press the slider into firm engagement against the two members
Data Source
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.