Ergonomic workstation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prolonged static computer work leads to discomfort, muscular pain, and osteoarthritis due to impaired blood circulation, and existing ergonomic solutions do not adequately address the need for dynamic movement patterns during both sitting and standing work.
Innovation Solution
A workstation with a movable working surface driven by motors, capable of various movement patterns, including vertical, horizontal, lateral, and angular movements, which can be adapted based on the user's position and controlled via a software unit, allowing for dynamic movement optimization during both sitting and standing tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable working surface is implemented with motor-driven continuous small movements, then blood circulation is improved and discomfort is reduced, but the workstation cannot provide adapted movement patterns for both sitting and standing positions
Solution Approach 1:
The workstation implements dynamic movement patterns that adapt to different working positions. The motor-driven working surface executes different movement sequences depending on whether the user is sitting or standing: for sitting position, the surface moves downward-forward then upward-backward; for standing position, it moves forward-downward then backward-upward. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing position-specific movement patterns that improve blood circulation while accommodating versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes movement parameters (direction, sequence, amplitude) based on the detected working position. When transitioning from sitting to standing, the control unit modifies the movement pattern parameters accordingly. This parameter adaptation allows the same motor-driven mechanism to serve both sitting and standing users effectively, resolving the adaptability limitation.
2Ease of operation
If the working surface is made movable with multiple movement patterns, then user comfort and blood circulation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single motor-driven mechanism performs multiple functions by executing different movement patterns based on the working position. The same motor unit provides both sitting-adapted movements (downward-forward, upward-backward) and standing-adapted movements (forward-downward, backward-upward), eliminating the need for separate motors for each position. This multi-functionality approach improves user comfort while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback about the working position (sitting or standing) and automatically selects the appropriate movement pattern. This feedback mechanism simplifies operation for the user while managing system complexity through automated position-based control logic, rather than requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical switches.
3Ease of operation
If the working surface executes continuous reciprocating movements, then static work discomfort is reduced, but the movement pattern may not be optimized for different vertical levels
Solution Approach 1:
The movement pattern dynamically adapts to the vertical level of the working surface. When the workstation is in sitting height, the surface executes downward-forward then upward-backward movements; when raised to standing height, it executes forward-downward then backward-upward movements. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal movement patterns for each vertical level, resolving the contradiction between reducing static discomfort and optimizing for different heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes movement parameters (sequence, direction) based on the vertical level of the working surface. The control unit detects whether the surface is at sitting or standing height and adjusts the reciprocating movement pattern accordingly. This parameter change approach maintains the beneficial continuous movement effect while optimizing for the specific vertical level being used.
Data Source
AI summary
Workstation for a user (10), in particular intended for a user's (10) keyboard work, the workstation (11) comprising a working surface (12) which is movable in relation to the workstation (11), a motor (16) arranged to drive the working surface (12) of the workstation (11), when the workstation (11) with the working surface (12) thereof is situated on a first lower vertical level (LL), downward and forward from an upper position (UTP) to a lower position (LTPSit) and from said lower position (LTPsit) back to said upper position (UTP) according to a determined length of stroke (42, 43) of a first movement pattern, wherein said motor (16) is adapted to drive said working surface (12) of the workstation (11) when the workstation (11) with the working surface (12) thereof is situated on a second upper vertical level (UL) in a second movement pattern deviating from the first movement pattern.

