Synchronized Multi-Column Lifting Frame for Height-Adjustable Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Height adjustable tables with multiple legs face issues of canting and jamming due to asynchronous movement, and two-part lifting columns with compression gas springs fail to meet minimum adjustable height requirements, as the required stroke is larger than the necessary installation dimension.
Innovation Solution
A supporting device with synchronized liner components and a drive or power assist element, such as a compression gas spring, ensures that the displacement of the components is synchronized, minimizing load on guiding devices and preventing canting, while allowing for a compact design that meets the necessary stroke requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple supporting elements are used to carry loads safely, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but asynchronous movement causes canting and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple supporting elements into a unified system where linear components from different supporting elements are coupled together. This merging ensures that when one supporting element moves, the coupled linear components transmit motion to other supporting elements, ensuring synchronous movement and preventing canting while maintaining load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces linear components as intermediary elements that connect multiple supporting elements. These linear components act as mediators to synchronize the movement of different supporting elements, ensuring they move together without canting or jamming while still carrying loads safely.
2Volume of moving object
If two-part lifting columns with compression gas springs are used, then compact design is achieved, but the required stroke exceeds the installation dimension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lifting function into multiple linear components arranged in series. Each linear component has a limited stroke, but their combined displacement achieves the required total stroke. This segmentation allows the use of compact compression gas springs with smaller individual strokes while still providing the necessary overall movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where multiple linear components are coupled in sequence, with each component nested within the overall supporting element structure. This nesting allows the system to achieve a large total stroke through the cumulative displacement of multiple smaller-stroke components, maintaining a compact installation dimension.
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 enables reliable height adjustment across the entire range without canting, reduces the burden on guiding devices, and allows for easy assembly, ensuring a stable and adjustable working surface.
Implementation Method 1
a drive or power assist element, such as a compression gas spring, ensures that the displacement of the components is synchronized
Data Source
AI summary
A supporting device for a height adjustable table (1) comprises a first (3) and a second supporting element (3′) respectively having a first, a second, and a third liner component (5, 5′, 6, 6′, 7, 7′) arranged in a manner displaceable relative to each other to cause a change of length (L) of the supporting elements (3, 3′). The first (5, 5′), the second (6, 6′) and the third liner component (7, 7′) are coupled such that a displacement of the second to the first liner component synchronously causes a displacement of the third to the second liner component. The supporting device comprises a synchronization device to synchronize the displacement of the second liner component (6, 6′) to the first liner component (5, 5′) or the displacement of the third liner component (7, 7′) to the second liner component (6, 6′) between the first and the second supporting elements.