Slider element for lifting columns
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mounting process for sliders in lifting columns, used in height-adjustable tables, is labor-intensive and requires significant individual work, leading to inefficiencies and potential visibility of mounting elements on the surface.
Innovation Solution
A slider element with a designated breaking line between two sliders, allowing for easy separation and mounting, featuring resilient elements and retentive means like studs and snap locks, which can be integrated into the profiles without visible traces, enabling flexible and efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sliders are mounted individually using traditional methods, then the mounting can be done with separate components, but the process requires quite a lot of work and is labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate sliders into a single integrated slider element with a breaking line between them. This merging allows the entire assembly to be mounted as one piece onto the profile, significantly reducing the number of individual mounting operations required and improving productivity while maintaining the ability to separate the sliders after mounting.
2Ease of operation
If traditional mounting methods are used for sliders, then individual sliders can be installed, but the mounting elements may be visible on the surface and require significant individual work
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating two sliders into one element with a breaking line, the patent simplifies the mounting procedure to a single operation. The breaking line design with pins and string allows for easy post-mounting separation without complicating the initial installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The string connecting the pins at the breaking line serves as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates easy separation of the sliders after mounting. This simple intermediary element enables the sliders to be torn apart along the breaking line without requiring complex tools or procedures.
3Strength
If the base element is made thick to provide structural stability, then the slider is more robust, but the gap between profiles increases and the slider element becomes less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the base element thickness to achieve the right balance between strength and flexibility. By carefully controlling the thickness parameter, the slider element maintains sufficient structural stability while remaining thin enough to allow easy mounting and adapt to various profile configurations.
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, ensuring a clean and smooth appearance of the lifting columns while maintaining stability and functionality, with the flexibility to adapt to various profile cross-sections and applications.
Implementation Method 1
the retentive means are constructed as a resilient element, a tongue which at an angle protrudes outside of the plane of the base element
Implementation Method 2
The designated breaking line between the two sliders can be executed in various ways. It can thus be a perforation or a weakening of the material
Data Source
AI summary
Slider element for lifting columns, preferably for height-adjustable tables, said lifting columns comprise at least two profiles 10,11 arranged telescopically relative to each other, where the slider element 1 has a first slider 2 and a second slider 3 between which there is a designated breaking line 4. The slider element is mounted with the second slider 3 on the outer side of the inner profile 10, and is subsequently guided into the hollow of the outer profile 11, by which the first slider 2 affixes itself to the inner side of the outer profile and when the two profiles are retracted further, the designated breaking line 4 between the first and the second slider 2,3 will break, by which they appear as two separate sliders mounted on a profile each. Thus, a simplified mounting of the sliders is achieved. In addition, it can be constructed such that the sliders are completely concealed within the lifting column.