Table Frame Brace Mount With Vibration Damping for Lateral Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tables with long legs or height-adjustable designs experience prolonged lateral vibrations due to external forces, such as being struck from the side, leading to prolonged disturbance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a vibration damping device between the connecting strut and fastening brackets, utilizing elastically yielding elements like elastic sleeves or mats to dampen lateral vibrations, reducing vibration amplitudes and duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid connection is used between the connecting strut and fastening brackets, then the structural strength is improved, but the vibration duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvibration duration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vibration damping element as an intermediary component between the connecting strut and fastening brackets. This element has a dual function: it provides mechanical connection to maintain structural strength while simultaneously damping vibrations through its viscoelastic properties, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and vibration duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration damping element is made from composite materials exhibiting viscoelastic behavior, combining elastic and viscous properties. This allows the material to both support mechanical loads (maintaining strength) and dissipate vibrational energy (reducing vibration duration), thereby resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid connection is used between the connecting strut and fastening brackets, then the structural stability is improved, but the vibration amplitude persists longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping element serves as a mediator that maintains structural stability through mechanical connection while actively reducing vibration amplitudes over time through energy dissipation, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and vibration duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of rigid connections (which transmit and prolong vibrations) into a beneficial effect by using viscoelastic materials that transform vibrational energy into heat, thereby reducing vibration duration while maintaining structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 vibration damping device effectively reduces the duration of lateral vibrations, allowing the table to return to a stable state quicker by absorbing and dissipating energy through elastic deformation.

Implementation Method 1

the vibration damping element is elastically deformed. Due to the elastic deformation of the vibration damping element, the vibration of the furniture can be effectively damped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a vibration damping device acting between the connecting strut and at least one fastening bracket for damping lateral vibrations of the piece of furniture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2793649B1Vibration-damped furniture piece in the form of a table
Publication Date: 2015.05.27 STEELCASE WERNDL AG
  • EP2793649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2793649B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2793649B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A furniture piece in the form of a table comprises a table frame (100) with two table leg structures (2a, 2b), which are connected to one another by at least one connecting brace (130). Fastening brackets (140) for fastening the connecting brace (130) are provided on the table leg structures (2a, 2b). The table frame (100) has a vibration-damping device that operates between the connecting brace (10) and at least one fastening bracket (140) in order to damp lateral vibrations of the furniture piece.