Patent Grant
10952531
Priority is claimed to European Patent Application No. EP 18 209 461.5, filed on Nov. 30, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a height-adjustable device.
Height-adjustable devices, in particular lifting tables, are used, for example, in the office sector or in aircraft, in particular VIP aircraft. Generally, such lifting tables have two lifting columns. During the height adjustment of such a device, it may be problematic to synchronise the lifting movement between two or more lifting devices, and to lock at the desired height without torsion or other problems arising. It may be problematic, in particular, with corresponding tables in VIP aircraft in which the height adjustment is generally carried out from the front ends of the table by cabin crew. In this instance, there is generally produced a non-uniform application of force to the lifting pillars.
A lifting device of the above-mentioned type is disclosed in EP 1 987 734 B1.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a height-adjustable device that has at least two synchronously height-adjustable lifting devices, which each have a standing element and a lifting element, which are height-adjustable relative thereto. The height adjustment is configured to be carried out via pulling elements, which are formed by redirection devices to raise the corresponding lifting element relative to the associated standing element. Each of the pulling elements is secured in a non-positive-locking manner and/or a positive-locking manner to two of the lifting devices, and each are configured such that a lengthening in the region of the first lifting device brings about a synchronous shortening in the region of the second lifting device. Each of the pulling elements is constructed to raise only the one lifting element relative to the associated standing element. The height-adjustable device has a locking device configured to lock each of the pulling elements by a non-positive-locking engagement and/or a positive-locking engagement on the corresponding one of the pulling elements. The locking device is constructed to synchronise the movement of the pulling elements.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. All features described and/or illustrated herein can be used alone or combined in different combinations in embodiments of the present invention. The features and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate the following:
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved lifting device that facilitates a synchronous height adjustment, enables a secure locking at the desired height and is constructed in a simple manner.
Embodiments of the present invention achieve the above-described advantageous features by providing a locking device for locking each pulling element by non-positive-locking and/or positive-locking engagement on the pulling element and the locking device is additionally constructed to synchronise the movement of the pulling elements.
The invention relates to a height-adjustable device having at least two synchronously height-adjustable lifting devices which each have a standing element and a lifting element which can be height-adjusted relative thereto, where the height adjustment is carried out by means of pulling elements, which are formed by means of redirection devices to raise each lifting element relative to the associated standing element; where each pulling element is secured in a non-positive-locking or positive-locking manner to two lifting devices and a lengthening in the region of the first lifting device brings about a synchronous shortening in the region of the second lifting device; and each pulling element is constructed to raise only one lifting element relative to the associated standing element.
Firstly, some of the terms used in the context of the present disclosure will be explained.
A height-adjustable device may, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in particular, include an item of furniture or a furnishing item, e.g., tables, work surfaces, or the like.
The device stands on the installation surface with the standing elements. It may, for example, be table legs or the components thereof, which are non-movable with respect to the installation surface.
A lifting element can be height-adjusted relative to each standing element. The lifting elements carry, for example, a table top or the like.
Pulling elements in the context of embodiments of the invention can transmit the pulling forces required for the height adjustment, they may, for example, be preferably flexible belts, bands, chains or the like. By means of redirection devices, they are constructed to lift each lifting element relative to the associated standing element. The redirection devices, preferably redirection rollers, can be used both purely for force redirection of the pulling elements and for the lifting operation in the sense of a pulley. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, a redirection device may be arranged in the lower region of a lifting element, by means of this redirection device there is a lifting in the sense of a pulley by means of a pulling element which is redirected around it through approximately 180°.
Each pulling element is secured in a non-positive-locking and/or positive-locking manner to two lifting devices. Preferably, the securing is carried out with each end of a pulling element to the static regions (standing element) of a lifting device in each case. The kinematics is configured in such a manner that a lengthening in the region of the first lifting device brings about a synchronous shortening in the region of the second lifting device. This synchronises, as will be explained in greater detail below, the lifting movements of two lifting devices.
Each pulling element is constructed to lift only one lifting element relative to the associated standing element. Two lifting devices are thus, according to an embodiment of the invention, connected to each other by means of at least two pulling elements, each of these pulling elements is (preferably by means of redirection rollers) constructed to lift only one lifting element by means of shortening in the region of this lifting element. The two pulling elements cooperate with each other by means of mutually opposing movement and bring about the lifting movement of both lifting elements and the synchronisation of this movement.
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provision for a locking device to be provided for locking each pulling element by means of non-positive-locking and/or positive-locking engagement on this pulling element. As a result of the locking of each pulling element, the further movement of these pulling elements and consequently also the lifting movement of the lifting device are blocked or locked.
In the device according to an embodiment of the invention, the pulling elements consequently have the dual function, on the one hand, of synchronising the lifting movement and, on the other hand, locking the adjusted height adjustment by these pulling elements themselves being blocked by the locking device, according to an embodiment of the invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, separate locking arrangements which are often susceptible to malfunction are not required in the lifting devices themselves.
The locking device, according to an embodiment of the invention, is additionally constructed in such a manner that the movement of the pulling elements is carried out synchronously. This means that the locking device kinematically couples the generally mutually opposing movements of, for example, two pulling elements by means of corresponding devices in this locking device in such a manner that a movement of a pulling element in one direction preferably brings about an opposing synchronous movement of the second pulling element. This synchronisation by the locking device is preferably provided in addition to the synchronisation by the kinematics of the connection of the pulling elements to standing elements and lifting elements and improves operation and in particular a uniform lifting movement of the device, according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, such a synchronisation may be provided by the locking device when it is constructed to drive the pulling elements.
According to an embodiment of the invention, it is preferable for each pulling element to be connected with each end in a non-positive-locking manner to one standing element; and to be guided in the region of a lifting device by means of a pulley which is arranged on the lifting element. The shortening of the pulling element in the region of the lifting element with the pulley lifts the corresponding lifting element, the synchronous lengthening of the pulling element in the region of the second lifting device is preferably used in the manner illustrated below in the embodiments via redirection rollers which are arranged in the upper region of the lifting element of the second lifting device and consequently also forcibly synchronises the lifting movement of this second lifting element by preventing an excessively powerful lifting of this second lifting element since an additional lengthening of the pulling element would then be required.
According to an embodiment of the invention, it is preferable for the locking device to be constructed for the non-positive and/or positive-locking engagement on each pulling element in the region of the guide of these pulling elements between the lifting devices. In particular, it may be constructed, according to an embodiment of the invention, as a central unit which can lock all the pulling elements in a region centrally between the lifting devices (table legs). The locking only in a central unit significantly facilitates the handling and operation. In particular, it is not required, according to an embodiment of the invention, to provide separate locking arrangements in the individual lifting devices and where applicable complex devices for distributing a locking signal over a plurality of locking devices in these lifting devices. A central locking further brings about a uniform force distribution over the different lifting devices.
The locking device may additionally be constructed to drive the pulling elements. It can consequently be constructed for manual or motorised driving of at least one, preferably all of the pulling elements so that, by actuating the drive, a height adjustment is carried out. In this embodiment of the invention, the pulling elements consequently serve not only to synchronise the lifting movement, whilst the pulling force is applied, for example, by pressing or pulling on the table top. Instead, they additionally serve to activate directly the lifting devices.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking device may have a shaft (preferably with a toothed wheel, friction wheel or the like placed thereon) for the non-positive-locking and/or positive-locking movement, locking and synchronisation of the pulling elements. The term shaft refers to an element which as a result of a rotation may bring about a corresponding longitudinal movement of the pulling element or the pulling elements. Between the shaft (or toothed wheel or friction wheel) and pulling element there may be a non-positive-locking or frictionally engaging connection, but preferably for the synchronisation of the movements there is, according to an embodiment of the invention, a positive-locking connection.
According to an embodiment of the invention, it is therefore particularly preferable for the pulling elements to have toothed belts and the shaft to have toothed wheels which mesh therewith. In this instance, there may be provision, according to an embodiment of the invention, for the locking of the pulling elements to be carried out by blocking a rotational movement of the shaft. Toothed wheels or friction wheels, which are placed on the shaft may, for example, be connected to the shaft by means of a feather key connection.
In order to secure the non-positive-locking connection and/or positive-locking connection between the shaft and pulling elements, in the region of the forward offset and/or backward offset of the pulling elements relative to the shaft, additional redirection rollers may be provided. These redirection rollers may, for example, result in toothed belts being guided over a sufficiently large peripheral portion of the shaft and consequently a secure positive-locking and/or non-positive-locking connection being produced. The redirection rollers may be supported so as to freely rotate on an axle, that is to say, not kinematically coupled to the above-described shaft. Alternatively, they may be connected to the shaft in a rotationally secure manner. The rotationally secure connection is carried out in this instance preferably not only via the pulling elements, for example, toothed belts, but in addition by means of a suitable kinematic connection, such as, for example, toothed wheels or the like.
Preferably, the pulling elements are constructed in such a manner that during operation under provided operating conditions they are not subjected to any significant lengthening. No significant lengthening means that any expansion/lengthening does not impair the operation of the lifting device and the synchronisation of the lifting movement. The pulling elements may be produced from appropriately tension-resistant material or have reinforcement elements. For example, toothed belts may be provided with steel cords.
The device according to an embodiment of the invention may be provided with two lifting devices, for example, as a table with two lifting columns. Such an embodiment may, for example, be used as a table in cars or aircraft, for example, VIP aircraft. The device according to an embodiment of the invention may preferably be constructed as a table regardless of the number of lifting devices.
In the embodiment as a table, the locking device is preferably constructed as a central unit below the table top between the lifting devices (table legs or lifting columns).
The device according to an embodiment of the invention may have at least one device for receiving lifting loads. For example, there may be arranged in the lifting devices gas pressure springs which, for example, substantially compensate for the weight force of the height-adjustable component of the device, or slightly overcompensate therefor. This facilitates a manual height adjustment and/or enables a height adjustment by driving the pulling elements by applying smaller forces.
Using
A height adjustment is carried out by means of a movement of the first and/or second pulling element 6, 9. The movement is triggered by the action of force on the pulling elements 6, 9. In this instance, two variants are possible. In one variant, a pulling element is acted on with a force. This leads to a movement of the pulling element and the movement sequence described below. According to a second variant, force is applied to both pulling elements at the same time so that a mutually opposing movement of the pulling elements is triggered synchronously. The movement sequences described below of the pulling elements 6, 9 are then carried out synchronously.
A movement of the second pulling element 9 to the left leads, as a result of the connection of the second pulling element 9 to the second standing element 7, to a lifting of the second lifting element 8. The lifting of the second lifting element 8 leads to a lengthening of the distance 20 between the first front redirection roller 10 and the first connection location 17 and a synchronous shortening between the second connection location 16 and the second lower roller 14. At the same time, there is produced a lengthening 22 between the second rear redirection roller 18 and the second connection location 16, which leads to a synchronous shortening 23 between the first connection location 17 and the first lower redirection roller 15 of the first lifting device 2, where the first lifting element 5 as a result of the shortening of the distance 23 from the first pulling element is pulled upwards, that is to say, raised. A movement of the first pulling element 6 to the right would result in a similar movement sequence.
A movement of the second pulling element 9 to the right leads to a lowering of the first and second lifting elements 5, 8 since, in this manner, the distance 20 in the first lifting device is shortened. The shortening of the distance 20 results in the first lifting element 5 being pulled back by the second pulling element 9 into the first standing leg 4, that is to say, being lowered. At the same time, there is produced a lengthening of the distance 23 in the first lifting device 2. The lengthening of the distance 23 leads to the distance 22 being shortened, whereby in turn the second lifting element 8 is pulled into the second standing element 7, that is to say, is also lowered. It is also the case in this instance that a movement of the first pulling element 6 to the right results in a similar movement sequence of the lifting devices 2, 3.
A first embodiment of a height-adjustable device 1 according to the invention is illustrated in
In addition to the schematic illustration of the basic principle, the device 1 according to the embodiment has a locking device 26 through which both pulling elements 6, 9 are guided and which is constructed in such a manner that it is able to produce a locking of the movement of the pulling elements 6, 9. The locking device 26 is arranged centrally on the cross-member 25 between the two lifting devices 2, 3. As a result of the central arrangement of the locking device 26 between the lifting devices 2, 3, the path lengths between the lifting devices are of equal length, whereby a synchronous transmission of the tensile forces which occur to the lifting devices 2, 3 is achieved, which in turn results in the lifting elements 5, 8 being moved upwards or downwards at the same time and a tilting action being prevented. In the locked state, with a one-sided loading a tilting action can also be reliably prevented by the synchronous transmission of the tensile forces.
The central shaft 31 can be blocked in different positions. In the embodiment illustrated, there is secured to the central shaft 31 a locking plate 38 on the periphery of which there are provided various holes into which a resiliently loaded locking pin 39 can be guided for the purposes of locking. The locking pin is secured in a side portion 28 of the locking device 26 and is placed as a result of the resilient force in the next hole. Via a Bowden cable or a rod system, it is possible to release or place the locking pin 39 from other positions (for example, end face of the table top).
The pulling elements 6, 9 may be constructed as toothed belts. It is possible to use as toothed belts, for example, a toothed belt from the manufacturer Madler GmbH which is provided with an HTD profile. This profile is distinguished by the use in high-performance belts, ensures a belt drive with low backlash. A TPU belt was selected (thermoplastic polyurethane) with steel tension cord (see: http://www.maedler.de/product/1643/1616/945/zahnriemen-meterware-pu-profil-htd). The redirection rollers are accordingly constructed as toothed belt wheels.
In
As a result of the positive-locking connection of the pulling elements 6, 9 to the central shaft 31, which is locked, all four part-pieces of the pulling elements 6, 9 should be individually clamped. An embodiment of a possible clamping device 60 can be derived from
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below. Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the invention refer to an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily all embodiments.
The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.
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