Sit-Stand Desk Gas Spring Connection for Stability Under Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adjustable sit-stand desks are often less stable due to their higher center of gravity and loose moving parts, which can be exacerbated by heavy loads or impact forces, leading to instability issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of gas springs angled at non-90-degree angles to connect the desk legs to the desktop, providing stability and dampening movement, while allowing adjustable height settings between sitting and standing positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the desk is made adjustable between sitting and standing heights, then the desk provides health and productivity benefits, but the desk becomes significantly more unstable due to higher center of gravity and loose moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability between sitting and standing heightsVSAvoiddesk stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gas spring acts as a counterweight mechanism that offsets the destabilizing effect of the higher center of gravity. By providing an upward force that balances the gravitational moment, the gas spring compensates for the instability inherent in raised desk positions, allowing the desk to remain stable across its full height range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas spring is pre-loaded and positioned to provide damping force before oscillations occur. This preliminary action of the gas spring counteracts the loose moving parts and potential instability before they manifest, ensuring smooth and stable height transitions and maintaining desk stability throughout the adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If heavy objects or impact forces are applied to the desk, then the desk can support necessary equipment, but the stability is further compromised and oscillations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoiddesk stability under load
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gas spring provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-charged with energy and positioned to immediately counteract impact forces and heavy loads. When external forces are applied to the desk, the gas spring absorbs and dampens these forces, preventing oscillations and maintaining stability even under significant loading conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the gas spring is positioned at a non-90-degree angle, then the stability and damping effect is improved, but the mechanical complexity of the connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesk stabilityVSAvoidgas spring connection geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the gas spring connection from a conventional 90-degree angle to a non-90-degree angle. This parameter change optimizes the mechanical advantage and damping characteristics of the gas spring, improving its ability to stabilize the desk and reduce oscillations while still maintaining a relatively simple connection structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the stability of adjustable sit-stand desks by resisting movement and quickly dampening any oscillations, even under heavy loads, ensuring a stable working surface across various height settings.

Implementation Method 1

a gas spring connecting the leg to the desktop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas spring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

quickly dampening any oscillations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10188204B2Desk with stability feature
Publication Date: 2019.01.29 ARGOSY CONSOLE
  • US10188204B2 patent drawingFigure N/A

AI summary

A desk includes a desktop at a top end; a leg including an attachment portion and a foot portion, the attachment portion of the leg secured to the desktop and extending away from the desktop, the foot portion of the leg defining a bottom end of the desk; and a gas spring connecting the leg to the desktop.