Lifting column for a piece of furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting columns for furniture, such as tables, face challenges in efficiently compensating for the weight of the furniture, leading to complex constructions and maintenance issues, especially in manual height adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A lifting column design featuring a first and second element with a spindle and rotor system, where a leg spring prestresses the rotor to compensate for furniture weight, allowing for straightforward construction and low-maintenance operation, with manual or optional electric length adjustment through an arresting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a weight-compensating device with spring, worm wheel, and cable is used, then weight compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex worm wheel and cable components from the weight-compensating device, retaining only the essential spring element. This simplification maintains the core weight compensation function while dramatically reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the weight compensation function directly into the lifting column structure itself, integrating the spring element within the column assembly. This consolidation eliminates separate weight-compensating mechanisms and reduces the overall number of components.
2Ease of operation
If manual height adjustment is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the worm wheel and cable components that require maintenance, leaving only the robust spring element and basic mechanical structures. This extraction of problematic components significantly reduces maintenance needs while preserving manual operation capability.
3Reliability
If multiple components (spring, worm wheel, cable) are used for weight compensation, then weight compensation effectiveness is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the worm wheel and cable components that are prone to wear, degradation, and replacement needs. By retaining only the durable spring element, the system reduces material consumption and maintenance requirements while maintaining weight compensation effectiveness.
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 design effectively compensates for furniture weight, simplifies construction, and reduces maintenance, enabling easy height adjustment of furniture while preventing unintended length changes.
Implementation Method 1
At least one leg spring is clamped in between the rotor and a fastening element which is fastened on the second element, said leg spring subjecting the rotor to a prestressing force. The prestressing force of the at least one leg spring can at least partially compensate for the weight of a piece of furniture connected to the lifting column.
Implementation Method 2
The second element comprises a rotor which is mounted in a rotatable manner within said second element and which includes at least one rolling body which runs in or on a thread helix of the spindle. A rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle results in a linear movement of the second element relative to the first element.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a lifting column for a piece of furniture, in particular for a table. The lifting column comprises a first element and also a second element. The second element is introduced at least some way into the first element. The first element has a spindle, which extends along the longitudinal axis of the first element and projects at least some way into the second element. The second element has a rotor, which is mounted in a rotatable manner in it and has at least one rolling body, which runs in or on a thread helix of the spindle. A rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle gives rise to a linear movement of the second element relative to the first element. The second element also has an arresting device, which, in a first state, blocks the rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle and, in a second state, frees the rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle. At least one leg spring is clamped in between the rotor and a fastening element, which is fastened on the second element, and this leg spring therefore subjects the rotor to a prestressing force.