The invention relates generally to an electrically-lifted desk, and more specifically to an electrically-lifted desk that can be lifted stably with low noise and great bearing power. The invention also generally relates to an electrically-lifted desk having safety-enhancing features.
With digital homes becoming more common, the household life of people is undergoing enormous changes, wherein the incorporation of digital automation design in modern digital homes is becoming the most outstanding advantage. In a household environment, the desk has been incorporated into human lives with multiple functions. On the current stage, the desk is generally used only as a dining table, a computer desk, a study desk, or the like. Therefore, the functionality of the desk is limited at present, and cannot satisfy the multi-purpose requirements.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the Chinese patent CN 102599728A discloses a motor-operated lifting desktop device comprising a lifting desktop. The lifting desktop can be lifted upwards or folded downwards under the drive of the motor device. This lifting desktop device may be suitable for use together with various computer desks, school desks, tea tables, and the like for placing a keyboard and a mouse. However, the lifting desktop device has several problems in use. First, the lifting desktop device cannot be used separately, but can only be used together with a support platform. Second, the structural design is unreasonable: the adoption of two screw rods and nuts combined with a plurality of pivot joint points cause instability when in operation and multiple fault points. Third, the lifting desktop device has limited load bearing capacity: when a certain pressure is applied on the lifting desktop, the whole lifting desktop device will swing front and back, left and right.
According to an embodiment, a desk can include a bottom plate; a face plate movably coupled to the bottom plate by one or more support members; a motor configured to selectively move the face plate upward and downward with respect to the bottom plate; and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can include a first sensor device coupled to an upper surface of the bottom plate, the first sensor device having one or more first optical sensors; and a second sensor device aligned parallel to the first sensor device and coupled to a lower surface of the face plate, the second sensor device having one or more second optical sensors in communication with the one or more first optical sensors. The control mechanism is configured to stop the motor from moving the face plate in response to an object between the first sensor device and the second sensor device.
According to an embodiment, a method for stopping movement of a face plate of a desk with respect to a bottom plate of the desk can include transmitting an optical signal between one or more first optical sensors aligned along an edge of the face plate, and one or more second optical sensors located on the bottom plate; selectively moving the face plate upward or downward with respect to the bottom plate using a motor; and stopping movement of the face plate by the motor when an object at least partially blocks the optical signal transmitted between the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors.
According to an embodiment, a desk can include a bottom plate; a face plate movably coupled to the bottom plate by one or more support members; a motor adapted to selectively move the face plate with respect to the bottom plate between a lowered position and a raised position; and a lift-assist spring coupled to the one or more support members, wherein the lift-assist spring is compressed when the face plate is in the lowered position, and the lift-assist spring is extended when the face plate is in the raised position.
Referring to
Referring to
Still referring to
The screw threads for connecting the nut sliding rod seat 131 with the screw rod 125 can be formed directly in the nut sliding rod seat 131, or can be formed by embedding a threaded object such as a nut in the nut sliding rod seat 131. For connecting the nut sliding rod seat 131 to the first guide rod 123 and the second guide rod 124, a hole can be directly punched in the nut sliding rod seat 131, or a sliding bush can be embedded after punching a hole in the nut sliding rod seat 131.
The driving source 126 can be driven by a motor 1261. Two different configurations are possible. One configuration, shown in
Referring to
With continued reference to
The desk 100 can further comprise a keyboard plate 170. The two sides of the keyboard plate 170 are respectively fixedly connected with the first desktop connecting piece 143 and the second desktop connecting piece 153. Alternatively, the keyboard plate 170 can be slidably connected with the first desktop connecting piece 143 and the second desktop connecting piece 153 via a drawer slide assembly.
Referring to
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The movement of the face plate of desk 300 is provided by the first side-support member 340, the second side-support member 350, and an intermediate support member. The intermediate support member can include a sliding rod seat 331, a first side-support piece 332, a second side-support piece 333, and a transverse link 334. The first side-support piece 332 can include two portions: a first portion 332a connected between the transverse link 334 and the sliding rod seat 331; and a second portion 332b connected between the transverse link 334 and the first guide rod 323. The second portion 332b can include a lower end having a flange 327. The flange 327 can be secured to a traveling block 325 via a fastening member 329. The flange 327 can fixedly couple the second portion 332b of the first side-support piece 332 to the traveling block 325. Movement of the traveling block 325 along the first guide rod 323 can also move the second portion 332b of the first side-support piece 332 due to the fixed connection.
The second side-support piece 333 can include two portions: a first portion 333a connected between the transverse link 334 and the sliding rod seat 331; and a second portion 333b connected between the transverse link 334 and the second guide rod 324. The second portion 333b can include a lower end having a flange 327. The flange 327 can be secured to a traveling block 325 via a fastening member 329. The flange 327 can fixedly couple the second portion 333b of the second side-support piece 333 to the traveling block 325. Movement of the traveling block 325 along the second guide rod 324 can also move the second portion 333b of the second side-support piece 333 due to the fixed connection.
The first side-support member 340 can include a third side-support piece 341 and a fourth side-support piece 342. The third side-support piece 341 can be coupled at a lower end 341a to the bottom plate 310 and at an upper end (not visible) to the first desktop connecting piece 343. The lower end 341a can be pivotally coupled to the bottom plate 310. The upper end of the third side-support piece 341 can be slidably coupled to the first desktop connecting piece 343. The upper end of the third side-support piece 341 can be coupled to the first desktop connecting piece 343 in a manner similar to desk 100 as described with respect to
The fourth side-support piece 342 can include the second portion 332b. The fourth side-support piece 342 can be coupled at a lower end 342a to the bottom plate 310 and at an upper end 342b to the first desktop connecting piece 343. The lower end 342a can be slidably coupled to the bottom plate 310 with a traveling block 325 as previously described. The upper end 342b of the fourth side-support piece 342 can be pivotally coupled to the first desktop connect piece 343. Accordingly, as the face plate raises and lowers, the upper end 342b can pivot with respect to the face plate and the lower end 342a can slide with respect to the bottom plate 310.
The third side-support piece 341, the fourth side-support piece 342, and the transverse link 334 can be coupled to one another at a pivot 347. As the face plate lowers, the pivot 347 can allow the upper end of the third side-support piece 341 to slide longitudinally away from the upper end 342b of the fourth side-support piece 342 and can allow the lower end 342a of the fourth side-support piece 342 to slide longitudinally away from the lower end 341a of the third side-support piece 341. This can cause the height of the face plate to decrease as the distance between the respective upper and lower ends of the third side-support piece 341 and fourth side-support piece 342 increases. As the face plate raises, the pivot 347 can allow the upper end of the third side-support piece 341 to slide longitudinally toward the upper end 342b of the fourth side-support piece 342 and can allow the lower end 342a of the fourth side-support piece 342 to slide longitudinally toward the lower end 341a of the third side-support piece 341. This can cause the height of the face plate to increase as the distance between the respective upper and lower ends of the third side-support piece 341 and fourth side-support piece 342 decreases.
The second side-support member 350 can include a fifth side-support piece 351 and a sixth side-support piece 352. The fifth side-support piece 351 can be coupled at a lower end 351a to the bottom plate 310 and at an upper end (not visible) to the second desktop connecting piece 353. The lower end 351a can be pivotally coupled to the bottom plate 310. The upper end of the fifth side-support piece 351 can be slidably coupled to the second desktop connecting piece 543. The upper end of the fifth side-support piece 351 can be coupled to the second desktop connecting piece 353 in a manner similar to desk 100 as described with respect to
The sixth side-support piece 352 can include the second portion 333b. The sixth side-support piece 352 can be coupled at a lower end 352a to the bottom plate 310 and at an upper end 352b to the second desktop connecting piece 353. The lower end 352a can be slidably coupled to the bottom plate 310 with a traveling block 325 as previously described. The upper end 352b of the sixth side-support piece 352 can be pivotally coupled to the second desktop connecting piece 353. Accordingly, as the face plate raises and lowers, the upper end 352b can pivot with respect to the face plate and the lower end 352a can slide with respect to the bottom plate 310.
The fifth side-support piece 351, the sixth side-support piece 352, and the transverse link 334 can be coupled to one another at a pivot 347. As the face plate lowers, the pivot 347 can allow the upper end of the fifth side-support piece 351 to slide longitudinally away from the upper end 352b of the sixth side-support piece 352 and can allow the lower end 352a of the sixth side-support piece 352 to slide longitudinally away from the lower end 351a of the fifth side-support piece 351. This can cause the height of the face plate to decrease as the distance between the respective upper and lower ends of the fifth side-support piece 351 and sixth side-support piece 352 increases. As the face plate raises, the pivot 347 can allow the upper end of the fifth side-support piece 351 to slide longitudinally toward the upper end 352b of the sixth side-support piece 352 and can allow the lower end 352a of the sixth side-support piece 352 to slide longitudinally toward the lower end 351a of the fifth side-support piece 351. This can cause the height of the face plate to increase as the distance between the respective upper and lower ends of the fifth side-support piece 351 and sixth side-support piece 352 decreases.
The third side-support piece 341, fourth side-support piece 342, fifth side-support piece 351, and sixth side-support piece 352 can move simultaneously such that the face plate remains level during raising and lowering of the face plate.
The sliding rod seat 331 can be in threaded engagement with a screw rod (hidden by cover 380) such that rotation of the screw rod imparts movement to the sliding rod seat 331. The cover 380 can substantially cover upper and/or side surfaces of the screw rod. The cover 380 can be metal (such as aluminum), durable plastic, or other materials known in the art. The screw rod and cover 380 can be supported between the driving mechanism 320 and the second fixing piece 322. The cover 380 can provide a deterrent to user interaction with the screw rod. The sliding rod seat 331 can include a threaded portion that mates with the screw rod. The cover 380 can include one or more openings (e.g., slots) to permit engagement between the threaded portion of the sliding rod seat 331 and the screw rod. Thus, when the screw rod is rotated, the sliding rod seat 331 can be moved along the cover 380 due to the threaded interaction with the screw rod.
The sliding rod seat 331 is coupled to the first side-support member 340 and the second side-support member 350 via the transverse link 334. As described previously, the transverse link 334 moves with the sliding rod seat 331. As the transverse link 334 moves longitudinally along the screw rod (not visible) due to the sliding rod seat 331, the pivot point 347 also moves. This longitudinal movement causes the third side-support piece 341, fourth side-support piece 342, fifth side-support piece 351, and sixth side-support piece 352 to pivot with respect to each other. As the transverse link 334 moves toward the driving source 326, the traveling block 325, the upper end of the third side-support 341, and the upper end of the fifth side-support 351 move toward the driving source 326, thus lowering the height of the face plate. As the transverse link 334 moves away from the driving source 326, the traveling block 325, the upper end of the third side-support 341, and the upper end of the fifth side-support 351 move away from the driving source 326, thus raising the height of the face plate.
The transverse link 334 is coupled to an upper portion of the first portion 332a of the first side-support piece 332 and an upper portion of the first portion 333a of the second side-support piece 333. The transverse link 334 is also pivotably coupled at pivot 347 to an upper portion of the second portion 332b of the first side-support piece 332 and pivotably coupled at pivot 347 to an upper portion of the second portion 333b of the second side-support piece 333.
The lower ends of the second portions 332b, 333b of the first side-support piece 332, second side-support piece 333, respectively, are slidably coupled to the first guide rod 323 and second guide rod 324, respectively, via traveling blocks 325. The lower ends of the second portions 332b, 333b can be fixedly coupled with fasteners 329 to the traveling blocks 325, as previously described. The traveling blocks 325 can include an aperture allowing the traveling block 325 to slide along the guide rods 323 and 324. The traveling blocks 325 and guide rods 323, 324 can allow for guided travel of the face plate in the direction toward and away from the ends of the desk. The fourth side-support piece 342 and the sixth side-support piece 352 are coupled to the upper portions of the second portions 332b, 333b, respectively, and to the transverse link 334 via pivot 347. The second portion 332b of the first side-support piece 332 and the fourth side-support piece 342 can be integral or can be separate components coupled together. The second portion 333b of the second side-support piece 333 and the sixth side-support piece 352 can be integral or can be separate components coupled together. The upper end of the fourth side-support piece 342 can be pivotally coupled to the first desktop connecting piece 343. The upper end of the sixth side-support piece 352 can be pivotally coupled to the second desktop connecting piece 353. As described in connection with the desk 100, the third side-support piece 341 can have an upper end slidably coupled to the first desktop support piece 343 and a lower end pivotally coupled to the bottom plate 310. For example, the upper ends of the third side-support piece 341 and fifth side-support piece 351 can be slidably coupled via a wheel or wheels engaged in a groove of the first and second desktop connecting pieces 343, 353, respectively. The fifth side-support piece 351 can likewise have an upper end slidably coupled to the second desktop support piece 353 and a lower end pivotally coupled to the bottom plate 310.
The driving mechanism 320 can include a driving source 326, such as an AC or DC motor that turns the screw rod (not depicted). A portion of the sliding rod seat 331 engages the screw rod and moves laterally therealong in response to the rotation of the screw rod. As the sliding rod seat 331 moves toward the first fixing piece 321, the transverse link 334 causes the first and second side-support members 340, 350 to fold, lowering the face plate of the desk. As the sliding rod seat 331 moves toward the second fixing piece 322, the transverse link 334 causes the first and second side-support members 340, 350 to extend, raising the face plate of the desk.
More specifically, when the sliding rod seat 331 moves laterally along the screw rod to and from the driving mechanism 320, the lower ends of second portions 332b, 333b of the first side-support piece 332, second side-support piece 333, respectively, slide along the first and second guide rods 323, 324 respectively. This causes the upper ends of the fourth and sixth side-support pieces 342, 352 to pivot with respect to the first and second desktop connecting pieces 343, 353, respectively. At the same time, the upper ends of the third and fifth side-support pieces 341, 351 slide with respect to the first and second desktop connecting pieces 343, 353, respectively; and the lower ends of the third and fifth side-support pieces 341, 351 pivot with respect to the bottom plate 310.
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With continued reference to
The sensors 490S and 492S can be optical sensors, such as infrared grating sensors. The sensors 490S can transmit an optical signal which is received by the sensors 492S, or vice versa. When the optical signal is broken, such as by being blocked with an object, the safety-enhancing system signals the motor (not depicted) to halt movement of the face plate 460, for example, by breaking the circuit that supplies power to the motor. When the object is removed, the optical signal will no longer be blocked and the receiving sensors 492S will receive the transmitted optical signal. The safety-enhancing system can then restore the power supply to the motor, allowing movement of the face plate 460 to resume. According to embodiments, the safety-enhancing system is active whenever the desk is connected to power and the sensors 490S, 492S continually transmit signals between one another. Alternatively, the safety-enhancing system can activate whenever the user pushes the up or down button to cause the face plate 460 to raise or lower.
The sensor strips 490, 492 are depicted along a top surface of the bottom plate 410 and a lower surface of the face plate 460, respectively. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor strips 490, 492 can be located along other surfaces of the desk 400, so long as the sensors 490S and 492S can transmit an optical signal to each other. The sensor strips 490, 492 are depicted along a side edge of the desk 400. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor strips 490, 492 can be located along other sides of the desk 400 (e.g. the front edge, rear edge, or opposing side edge). More than one of each sensor strip 490, 492 can be provided on more than one surface. For example, sensor strips 490, 492 can be located as depicted in
With reference to
As the desk 500 is moved to the lowered position, the nut sliding rod seat 531 travels toward the motor 5261. As the desk 500 approaches the fully lowered position, the nut sliding rod seat 531 compresses the rod heads 529 through the aperture in the first fixing piece 521 and into the body of the lift-assist springs 528. When the desk 500 is moved to the raised position, the nut sliding rod seat 531 moves away from the rod heads 529, no longer compressing the rod heads 529. The energy stored in the compressed rod heads 529 causes the rod heads 529 to extend outward from the aperture in the first fixing piece 521. The rod heads 529 are propelled forward against the nut sliding rod seat 531. The force provided by the rod heads 529 against the nut sliding rod seat 531 assists the motor 5261 in moving the nut sliding rod seat 531, thus assisting in the raising of the desk 500.
During operation of the desk 500, the lift-assist springs 528 can provide additional lift assistance to the face plate, reducing the load on the motor 5261. The motor 5261 requires additional current to lift the table surface from a fully lowered position. The addition of the lift-assist springs 528 reduces the initial effort required to lift the table surface; therefore, less initial current is needed for the motor 5261 to lift the table surface from the fully lowered position. This allows for a smaller rate power motor to be chosen or can simply lower the power consumption of the motor 5261. This can provide an additional benefit, for example, when a heavy load is placed on the face plate. In this instance, the rod heads 529 of the lift-assist spring 528 will push the nut sliding rod seat 531 away from the first fixing piece 521, raising the first and second side-support members 340, 350 while lowering the power required of the motor 5261 during the lifting process. Although two lift-assist springs 528 are depicted, it can be appreciated that more or fewer lift-assist springs can be provided. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, based on this disclosure, that one or more lift-assist springs 528 can be provided in other locations as shown, to provide lift-assistance to the table surface during initial upward movement from the fully-lowered position.
The desks 100, 300, 400, and/or 500 can comprise one or more materials. For example, the face plate can comprise wood, plastic, metal, composite, laminate, stone, marble, concrete, glass, or other material. The bottom plate can comprise any material capable of supporting the face plate and the support members, such as plastic, metal, composite, etc. The support members, support pieces, links, and sliding members can comprise any material, for example plastic, metal, composite, etc. The pivot connections can comprise a pin or rod extending through a hole, a fastener, or other connection type, with or without a bushing or bearing, capable of pivoting or rotational motion.
The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention can be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201621074710X | Sep 2016 | CN | national |
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/333,207, filed Oct. 25, 2016, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application Ser. No. CN201621074710X, filed Sep. 23, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15333207 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 16124986 | US |