Telescopic Table Support with Cable Synchronization to Prevent Tilting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Height-adjustable tables with multiple support elements face issues of tilting and jamming due to asynchronous movement of legs, and existing solutions with gas pressure springs struggle to meet minimum adjustable height requirements due to installation dimension constraints.

Innovation Solution

A support device with coupled extension components and a synchronization mechanism using cable-like elements and deflection rollers ensures synchronous displacement of support elements, minimizing load on guides and preventing tilting, while a gas pressure spring is used to facilitate easy height adjustment with reduced installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple support elements are used to safely support and lift loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but asynchronous movement causes tilting and jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidsynchronous movement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cable-type synchronization element acts as an intermediary between multiple support elements, mechanically coupling them to ensure synchronous movement. The cable transmits displacement forces between support elements, preventing tilting and jamming while maintaining independent load-bearing capability of each element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization device provides mechanical feedback between support elements through the cable system. When one support element moves, the cable transmits this movement to other support elements, creating a feedback mechanism that ensures they move synchronously and maintain proper alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Length of moving object

If gas pressure springs with sufficient stroke are used to meet minimum adjustable height requirements, then height adjustment range is improved, but installation dimension becomes too large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable height rangeVSAvoidinstallation dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting column is divided into multiple extension components (first, second, and third extension components) that can extend and retract relative to each other. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a long adjustable height range while keeping the retracted length (installation dimension) compact, as components nest within each other when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension components are arranged in a nested configuration where the second extension component is disposed between the first and third extension components. This nesting allows multiple components to occupy minimal space when retracted, reducing the installation dimension while providing sufficient stroke for height adjustment when extended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3973817B1Supporting device for a height-adjustable table frame
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 KESSEBOHMER HLDG KG
  • EP3973817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3973817B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3973817B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A support device for a height-adjustable table (1) comprises a first (3) and a second support element (3'), each with a first, a second, and a third extension section (5, 5', 6, 6', 7, 7') arranged to be displaceable relative to one another in order to effect a change in length (L) of the support elements (3, 3'). The first (5, 5'), the second (6, 6'), and the third extension section (7, 7') are coupled such that a displacement of the second (6, 6') relative to the first extension section (5, 5') synchronously causes a displacement of the third (7, 7') relative to the second extension section (6, 6'). The support device has a synchronization device designed to synchronize between the first and second support element (3, 3'), the displacement of the second boom section (6, 6') to the first boom section (5, 5') or the displacement of the third boom section (7, 7') to the second boom section (6, 6').