Variable Height Workstation with Sensor-Driven Posture Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sit/stand devices and similar ergonomic solutions often underutilized or misused by office workers, leading to sedentary behavior due to lack of engagement and proper usage, as they do not effectively encourage gradual transitions between sitting and standing throughout the day.
Innovation Solution
A variable height platform device equipped with surface movement sensors and a controller that detects active engagement, tracks user activity, and provides recommendations to change positions, using visual and audio cues to encourage optimal usage and reduce repetitive strain through gradual height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motorized scissors type mechanism is used to raise and lower platforms, then the device can provide automated height adjustment, but the device complexity increases and requires more energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motorized scissors type mechanism with a manual pump system. The pump mechanism uses mechanical leverage and fluid pressure transmission to achieve platform height adjustment without motors, reducing device complexity and energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation through a simple hand-operated pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual pump system operates through periodic hand pumping actions to incrementally adjust platform height. This periodic mechanical action allows the user to raise or lower the platform by operating the pump in discrete strokes, providing controlled height adjustment without continuous power consumption.
2Device complexity
If the support column rises at an obtuse angle from the desk surface, then the device structure is simplified, but the device occupies more horizontal space and may interfere with user workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal/obtuse angle support column configuration to a vertical support column configuration. By changing the primary direction of the support structure to rise perpendicular to the desk surface, the device minimizes horizontal space occupation while maintaining structural simplicity and providing adequate clearance for user workspace.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire working surface is made variable height, then ergonomic benefits are maximized, but the device weight and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the working surface into separate adjustable platforms (e.g., keyboard platform and monitor platform) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows each platform to be optimized for its specific function and weight requirements, rather than requiring the entire large working surface to be adjusted as one heavy unit, thereby maintaining ergonomic adaptability while reducing overall weight.
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 device effectively promotes healthier work habits by encouraging users to alternate between sitting and standing, reducing the risk of sedentary behavior and improving ergonomic well-being by providing personalized feedback and adjustments based on user activity and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
The lift mechanism (1016) comprises a plurality of articulated members and has a lower raising force leverage in a lower part of the range of motion and a higher raising force leverage in an upper part of the range of motion
Implementation Method 2
The secondary force assist device (1018) is configured to provide an additional force to the lift mechanism (1016) directed to the variable height platform (1014) in an upward direction from the fully lowered position towards the raised position only in the lower part of the range of motion so as to compensate for the lower raising force leverage of the lift mechanism (1016)
Data Source
AI summary
A variable height workstation system includes a base, a variable height platform, a lift mechanism, and a sensor arrangement. The lift mechanism is configured to move the variable height platform within a range of motion between a fully lowered position and a raised position. The sensor arrangement is operatively connected to the variable height platform. The sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of a user on, above and around the variable height platform for outputting data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to a predetermined target position.