Workstation Supply Station Depth and Height Coupling for Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workstation arrangements require complex assembly and reduce available workspace due to fixed supply stations, which are often inaccessible due to obstruction by other equipment, especially in multi-user control rooms where ergonomic adjustments are necessary for users of different sizes.

Innovation Solution

A workstation arrangement with a vertical guide for height adjustment and a horizontal guide for depth adjustment, allowing the supply station to be spatially adjustable and coupled with the holding device, ensuring the supply station remains accessible by synchronizing its position with the depth and height adjustments of attached devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the supply station is permanently mounted on or in the work surface, then the supply station is fixed in position, but the available work area is reduced and installation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixed position of supply stationVSAvoidavailable work area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The supply station is separated from the work surface and mounted on a separate support structure with adjustable positioning mechanisms. This segmentation allows the supply station to be independently positioned without requiring permanent modifications to the work surface, thereby preserving the full work area while maintaining stable supply station placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure incorporates height-adjustable and depth-adjustable mechanisms that allow the supply station to be dynamically repositioned. This dynamic positioning system enables the supply station to adapt to different user needs and workspace configurations without requiring permanent mounting, thus maintaining full work surface availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the supply station is permanently mounted in or on the work surface, then the supply station is fixed in position, but access to the supply station becomes limited or inaccessible during daily work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixed position of supply stationVSAvoidaccessibility of supply station
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure includes height-adjustable and depth-adjustable mechanisms that enable the supply station to be dynamically repositioned. Users can adjust the supply station's position to maintain optimal accessibility even when equipment on the work surface changes configuration, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed positioning and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable support structure acts as an intermediary between the work surface and the supply station. This intermediary mechanism decouples the supply station from direct mounting on the work surface, allowing independent adjustment of the supply station's position to ensure continuous accessibility regardless of other equipment placements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the supply station is fixed on the work surface, then installation is simple, but the workstation cannot be adapted to different users or configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of installationVSAvoidadaptability to different users
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow the supply station to be repositioned in height and depth. This adjustability enables the workstation to be adapted to users of different heights and preferences, as well as to different equipment configurations, while maintaining relatively simple installation through modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable support structure serves multiple functions: it provides stable mounting, enables height adjustment for ergonomic adaptation, allows depth adjustment for accessibility, and facilitates reconfiguration for different users. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability without significantly complicating the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3395200B1Workstation
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 VERTIV INTEGRATED SYST GMBH
  • EP3395200B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3395200B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3395200B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a workstation arrangement with a work surface, a vertical guide which is arranged above the work surface, a holding device which is connected to the vertical guide and to which a large number of electronic display devices, in particular monitors, can be attached, and a supply station which has at least one socket and/or at least one data or signal interface, the holding device being arranged at a distance from the supply station and the holding device being adjustable in height relative to the work surface by means of the vertical guide. Furthermore, it is provided that a horizontal guide is provided for adjusting the depth of the vertical guide and that the supply station is at least indirectly coupled to the vertical guide and, together with this, can be adjusted in depth relative to the work surface.