U.S. patent application number 14/311706 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for height-adjustable pedestal.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tever Technik GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Andreas Volke, Gunther Volke.
Application Number | 20140299725 14/311706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46018701 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140299725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Volke; Andreas ; et
al. |
October 9, 2014 |
Height-Adjustable Pedestal
Abstract
The invention relates to a height-adjustable pedestal comprising
a height adjustable pedestal platform, a spring device that
provides a spring force according to a corresponding spring
characteristic, and a lever mechanism that is interconnected
between the spring device and the pedestal platform in such a way
that the spring force is transferred by the lever mechanism to the
pedestal platform in the form of a lifting force that counteracts
the weight force of the pedestal platform, in order to facilitate
the height-adjustment of the pedestal platform, wherein the lever
mechanism is configured such that it at least partially compensates
for a variation of the spring force that occurs according to the
spring characteristics.
Inventors: |
Volke; Andreas; (Bruckmuhl,
DE) ; Volke; Gunther; (Bruckmuhl, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tever Technik GmbH & Co. KG |
Bruckmuhl |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
46018701 |
Appl. No.: |
14/311706 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12942559 |
Nov 9, 2010 |
8757580 |
|
|
14311706 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/157 ;
296/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61D 37/00 20130101;
B60N 3/063 20130101; B61C 17/04 20130101; A47C 16/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/157 ;
296/75 |
International
Class: |
A47C 16/02 20060101
A47C016/02; B60N 3/06 20060101 B60N003/06; B61C 17/04 20060101
B61C017/04 |
Claims
1. A height-adjustable pedestal comprising: a height-adjustable
pedestal platform, a spring device that provides a spring force
according to a corresponding spring characteristic, and a lever
mechanism that is interconnected between the spring device and the
pedestal platform in such a way that the spring force is
transferred by the lever mechanism to the pedestal platform in a
manner so as to provide a lifting force that counteracts the weight
force of the pedestal platform in order to facilitate the
height-adjustment of the pedestal platform, wherein the lever
mechanism is configured such that it at least partially compensates
for a variation of the spring force that occurs according to the
spring characteristic.
2. The pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the lever mechanism
comprises a cam disc that defines a leverage ratio variation, and a
cable that is guided over the cam disc, and wherein the spring
force is transferred to the pedestal platform by means of the
cable.
3. The pedestal according to claim 2, wherein the cam disc is a
cone-shaped body with a curved line formed thereon, wherein the
curved line extends along the cone-shaped body in a helically wound
spiral manner.
4. The pedestal according to claim 2, wherein the spring device
comprises a mechanical spring.
5. The pedestal according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical spring
is a torsion spring.
6. The pedestal according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical spring
is arranged coaxially with a rotation shaft of the cam disc.
7. The pedestal according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical spring
is a torsion spring.
8. The pedestal according to claim 7, wherein one end of the
torsion spring is non-rotatably coupled to the cam disc so as to
co-rotate with the cam disc.
9. The pedestal according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical spring
is a coil spring, which is arranged with its longitudinal direction
being aligned vertically.
10. The pedestal according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical
spring is a coil spring, which is arranged with its longitudinal
direction being aligned horizontally.
11. The pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the spring device
comprises a mechanical spring.
12. The pedestal according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical
spring is a torsion spring.
13. The pedestal according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical
spring is a coil spring, which is arranged with its longitudinal
direction being aligned vertically.
14. The pedestal according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical
spring is a coil spring, which is arranged with its longitudinal
direction being aligned horizontally.
15. The pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the spring device
and the lever mechanism are arranged to be stationary.
16. The pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the spring device
and the lever mechanism are arranged on the pedestal platform to be
vertically movable therewith.
17. The pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the pedestal
comprises two spring devices.
18. The pedestal according to claim 17, wherein each of the two
spring devices comprises a coil spring.
19. The pedestal according to claim 18, wherein each of the coil
springs is arranged with its longitudinal axis being aligned
horizontally, and wherein the two coil springs are arranged one
above the other.
20. The pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the pedestal
comprises a guiding device, and wherein the pedestal platform is
movable along the guiding device while being guided along the
guiding device in a vertical direction defined by the guiding
device.
Description
[0001] This patent application is a continuation patent application
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/942,559, filed Nov. 9, 2010
and now U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,580, which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
I. BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention generally relates to a height-adjustable
pedestal, for example for use as a footrest or footrest pedestal,
for example as a footrest or a height-adjustable floor for the
operator (i.e. driver) of a vehicle, for example of a rail vehicle
such as a locomotive, a tram, a metro train, or a multiple unit or
trainset.
[0003] Rail vehicles are usually provided with height-adjustable
seats in order to enable vehicle drivers of different sizes to gain
the necessary sight in the direction of travel. Here, the problem
arises that usually the vehicle driver has to operate pedals using
his feet, wherein, when adjusting solely the height of the seat,
the pedals cannot any more be reached in a convenient manner. When,
however, additionally providing a height-adjustable footrest, the
vehicle driver, for example a train operator, is enabled to always
rest his feet on the footrest in a convenient manner regardless of
the height of the seat. Here, the footrest may e.g. also be
electrically heated.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides a height-adjustable pedestal, for
example a height-adjustable footrest pedestal for use as a footrest
or as a height-adjustable floor for the driver of a vehicle, such
as a rail vehicle, which pedestal can be produced in a simple and
cost-effective manner and nevertheless provides a robust, durable,
reliable, and conveniently adjustable mechanism.
[0005] The invention in at least one embodiment provides a
height-adjustable pedestal comprising: a height-adjustable pedestal
platform, a spring device that provides a spring force according to
a corresponding spring characteristic, and a lever mechanism that
is interconnected between the spring device and the pedestal
platform in such a way that the spring force is transferred by the
lever mechanism to the pedestal platform in a manner so as to
provide a lifting force that counteracts the weight force of the
pedestal platform in order to facilitate the height-adjustment of
the pedestal platform, wherein the lever mechanism is configured
such that it at least partially compensates for a variation of the
spring force that occurs according to the spring
characteristic.
[0006] As the lever mechanism allows for substantially compensating
for the variation of the spring force (that occurs according to the
spring characteristic) acting on the pedestal platform, the
pedestal platform may be held with approximately the same lifting
force--which may be substantially adapted to the weight of the
pedestal platform--in each of its height positions, thus ensuring
that height-adjustment of the pedestal platform is equally easy in
each height-position. The lever mechanism may also be adjusted such
that the lifting force applied to the pedestal platform is greater
than the weight force of the pedestal platform by a (small)
substantially constant, i.e. being independent of the height
position of the pedestal platform, amount. Or, the lever mechanism
may be adjusted such that the lifting force lies within a
predetermined range, for example within .+-.10% of a predetermined
target value.
[0007] The term "spring device" is to be understood to encompass
any kind of mechanical spring, such as a coil spring (tension or
compression spring) or a torsion spring, but also a pneumatic
spring (gas-pressurized spring). The spring device may itself also
comprise a plurality of springs, for example in the form of a
spring package. Moreover, also a plurality of spring devices may be
provided, each of which acting on a respectively associated lever
mechanism, wherein each of the spring devices may in turn comprise
one or more springs.
[0008] The pedestal may comprise a base, which may for example be
provided for fastening the pedestal to a vehicle body or to another
base body, or for mounting components of the pedestal thereto. The
base may for example be a plate, such as a metal plate or a plate
made of a synthetic material such as plastics, or may be a frame or
a rack. Furthermore, a base body, such as for example a vehicle
body, may form a part of the base or may form the base itself.
[0009] For simplicity, in the following the spring device is
sometimes simply referred to as the "spring", being understood to
refer to a spring device as described above. One end of the spring
or spring device may be fixedly attached to a lever arm of the
lever mechanism, such that the spring device may be tensioned and
relaxed (i.e. tension-released) by the movement of the lever arm.
Another end of the spring, for example an end thereof that is
remote from the lever mechanism, may be fixedly attached to the
base of the pedestal or to the pedestal platform itself (for
example via gluing, welding, screwing, clamping), such that the
spring force(s) provided by the spring device are received by
either the base or the pedestal platform at this end of the
spring.
[0010] The respective spring or spring device may for example have
a linear, progressive, or degressive spring characteristic.
However, the spring device may also have a spring characteristic
with an arbitrary shape, for example an irregular shape.
[0011] The term "lever mechanism" is to be understood to encompass
any kind of leverage or lever arrangement having a variable
leverage ratio. For example, the lever mechanism may be configured
as a rod-shaped lever which is divided--by a rotation shaft
functioning as a lever pivot point--into two lever arms, wherein
the position of the rotation shaft, which determines the length
ratio of the two lever arms, is variable and, thus, the leverage
ratio, which is determined by the length ratio of the lever arms,
is also variable. In such a case, the positioning of the rotation
shaft may for example be realized by means of a pure mechanical
coupling between the pedestal platform and the rotation shaft in
such a way that a position change of the pedestal platform is
converted to a position change of the rotation shaft and, thus,
effects a change of the leverage ratio.
[0012] The lever mechanism may also comprise an arrangement having
one or more lever arms, each of which is pivotably mounted on a
respective rotation shaft. For example, such an arrangement may
comprise a lever arm and a tension spring, wherein one end of the
lever arm is fixedly mounted to a rotation shaft, the weight force
of the pedestal platform acts on the free end of the lever arm and
thus generates a first torque acting on the rotation shaft, and the
spring force of the tension spring e.g. acts on a pulley, that is
fixedly mounted on the rotation shaft, in such a way that it
generates a second, retaining torque which is directed so as to
counteract the first torque. This arrangement may be configured
such that, when the lever arm is aligned along an approximately
vertical direction, the tension spring is elongated to a lesser
extent and hence exerts a smaller retaining force, and that, when
the lever arm is aligned along an approximately horizontal
direction, the tension spring is elongated to greater extent and
hence exerts a greater retaining force holding the lever arm.
Because the weight force of the pedestal platform is vertically
directed downwards and the effective length of the lever arm is
determined by the actual lever arm length and the angle formed
between the lever arm and the weight force acting thereon, the
lever arm being vertically aligned results in a shorter effective
lever arm length, whereas the lever arm being horizontally aligned
results in a longer effective lever arm length. Hence, in the above
described configuration, along with an increasing strength of the
retaining spring force holding the lever arm, the effective lever
length increases as well and thus, the spring characteristic of the
tension spring may at least partially be compensated for.
[0013] The lever mechanism may also comprise an arrangement having
one or more cog or friction wheels and lever arms that are fastened
to rotation axes of the respective wheels, wherein the wheels may
interact so as to transfer the forces acting on the respective
lever arms. Here, the force transmission may as well be realized
using pulleys that are mounted to the respective axes and cables
that are guided over these pulleys.
[0014] According to a further embodiment, the lever mechanism
comprises a cam disc that defines a--for example continuous or
stepless--leverage ratio variation, and a cable (or rope) that is
guided over the cam disc, wherein the spring force is transmitted
to the pedestal platform via the cable. The term cable is to be
understood to encompass any kind of flexible transmission means,
the cable may for example be realized as a steel cable or a
synthetic cable, as a chain (e.g. a transmission chain), or a drive
belt (e.g. a smooth or a toothed drive belt).
[0015] The cam disc may be rotatably supported on a rotation shaft,
wherein either the cam disc may be non-rotatably, e.g. fixedly,
attached to the rotation shaft (so as to co-rotate with the
rotation shaft), or the cam disc may be rotatable around the
rotation shaft while the rotation shaft remains stationary (i.e.
does not rotate).
[0016] The cam disc may be interconnected between the spring device
and the pedestal platform in such a way that the weight force of
the pedestal platform can act on the cam disc or on its rotation
shaft so as to generate a first torque (with respect to the
rotation shaft) acting on the cam disc, and that the spring force
of the spring device can act on the cam disc or on its rotation
shaft so as to generate a second torque which acts on the cam disc
and counteracts (i.e. is directed opposed to) the first torque.
Here, the weight force may be transmitted to the rotation shaft or
to the cam disc for example by means of a cable which is coupled
between the pedestal platform and a pulley that is fixedly coupled
to the cam disc (so as to co-rotate with the cam disc), or by any
other suitable mechanism. Accordingly, the spring force may be
transmitted to the rotation shaft or to the cam disc for example by
means of a cable which is coupled between the spring device and a
pulley that is fixedly coupled to the cam disc, or by any other
suitable mechanism.
[0017] As an example, the first torque, which is caused by the
weight of the pedestal platform, may be generated by attaching the
cable, which is guided over the cam disc, with/at a first end
thereof to the cam disc and with/at a second end thereof to the
pedestal platform (either directly or indirectly). The cable,
extending from the pedestal platform, may be guided along a curved
line or curved path of the cam disc and transfer the weight force
of the pedestal platform to the cam disc. The absolute value of the
first torque may thus be influenced by the distance of the contact
point--where the cable, extending from the platform, meets the cam
disc (in the following sometimes referred to as the point of
application of the platform weight at the cam disc)--from the
rotation shaft of the cam disc, i.e. may be influenced by the shape
of the curved line. The curved line of the cam disc may be formed
in such a shape that the first torque and the second torque
basically compensate each other (i.e. have substantially equal
absolute values) in every height position of the pedestal platform.
The curved line may be formed in any desired shape, wherein this
shape may be adapted to the spring characteristic and thus, the
curved line allows for an optimized continuous (or stepless) or
stepwise adaptation of the lever mechanism to the spring
characteristic of the spring device used.
[0018] As another example, the first torque, which is caused by the
weight of the pedestal platform, may be generated by mounting the
cam disk to the pedestal platform and attaching the cable, which is
guided over the cam disc, with/at a first end thereof to the cam
disc and with/at a second end thereof to a base of the
pedestal.
[0019] As a further example, the second torque, which is caused by
the spring force of the spring device, may be generated by
attaching the cable, which is guided along or over a curved line of
the cam disc, with a first end thereof to the cam disc and with a
second end thereof to the spring device, such that the cable can
transfer the spring force to the cam disc. Here, the absolute value
of the second torque may be influenced by the shape of the curved
line.
[0020] The curved line may be formed in a shape adapted to the
spring characteristic in such a way that the first torque and the
second torque substantially compensate each other in every height
position of the pedestal platform. In any case, due to the curved
line, the lifting force can be adjusted independently from the
height position of the pedestal platform.
[0021] As a further example, the cable, which is guided over the
cam disc along the curved line, may be attached with a first end
thereof to a cam disc side end of the spring device and with a
second end thereof to the pedestal platform. Here, both the first
torque, being caused by the weight of the pedestal platform, and
the second torque, being caused by the spring force, may be
influenced by the shape of the curved line, wherein the curved line
may be formed or shaped in such a way that the first and the second
torque essentially compensate each other irrespective of the height
position of the pedestal platform.
[0022] As still another example, a first and a second cam
disc--which may e.g. both be non-rotatably, e.g. fixedly, mounted
to a common rotation shaft so as to co-rotate with the rotation
shaft--may be provided, wherein for example the first torque, being
caused by the weight of the pedestal platform, may be transferred
to the rotation shaft by means of a first cable which is
interconnected between the pedestal platform and the first cam
disc, and wherein for example the second torque, being caused by
the spring force, may be transferred to the rotation shaft by means
of a second cable which is interconnected between the spring device
and the second cam disc. In this configuration, the curved line of
the first cam disc and the curved line of the second cam disc may
be formed such that the first torque and the second torque
essentially compensate each other in every height position of the
pedestal platform.
[0023] The various cables may be conducted or guided via
corresponding cable guiding devices such as for example guide
pulleys, deflection pulleys, cable guiding rings or channel-shaped
or tubular cable guides.
[0024] The term cam disc is to be understood to encompass any, for
example disk-shaped or block-shaped, rotary body being rotatably
supported via a rotation shaft and comprising a curved path or
curved line that is formed on the rotary body so as to extend
around the rotation shaft. The cable that is guided over the cam
disc, and is for example attached to the pedestal platform, may be
guided along this curved line. The curved line may for example be
realized in the form of a guide, for example a guide groove or a
guide channel being formed on the rotary body. The cam disc may for
example be realized as a plane parallel disc with a circumferential
edge thereof forming the curved line. The cam disc may e.g. be
realized as a rotary body being rotationally symmetric with respect
to a rotation axis (e.g. the rotation shaft).
[0025] According to a further embodiment, the cam disc is realized
as a cone-shaped body with a curved line formed thereon, wherein
the curved line extends along the cone-shaped body in a helically
wound spiral manner (i.e. in a helical shape with a decreasing
helical diameter). The curved line thereby may extend
concentrically around the central axis of the cone-shaped body.
This configuration allows for a smooth, stepless variation of the
leverage ratio simply by winding and unwinding the cable being
guided over the cam disc and for example being attached to the
pedestal platform, wherein the degree or the amount of the
variation of the leverage ratio may be adjusted in a simple manner
via the opening angle of the cone and/or via the pitch of the
helically shaped curved line.
[0026] In the present context, the term "cone-shaped body" is to be
understood to encompass for example also a stepped cone-shaped body
in the form of several cylinders having different diameters and
being coaxially placed on top of one another, wherein the curved
line may extend along the outer surface of the respective cylinders
in the form of a helical line, such that the diameter of the
helical line varies in a stepwise manner (i.e. in stages).
[0027] According to a further embodiment, the spring device
comprises a mechanical spring. The term mechanical spring is to be
understood to encompass (without being restricted thereto) for
example coil springs in the form of e.g. tension or compression
springs, torsion springs, but also flexural or bending springs and
rubber springs. Moreover, the term spring device or spring also
encompasses spring packages comprising several single springs being
interconnected in a serial and/or parallel manner. The spring force
and spring characteristic of mechanical springs may exhibit a lower
dependency on outer parameters, such as temperature and air
pressure, than for example gas-pressurized springs. Moreover,
mechanical springs may be basically maintenance-free, may be
resistant against various environmental influences (such as salty
air, humidity, temperature or dust), and may allow an autonomous
operation of the height-adjustable pedestal (e.g. requiring no
electrical or hydraulic components for realizing the
height-adjustability). Moreover, mechanical springs may exhibit a
significantly longer operational life span (i.e. durability) than
for example electrical or pneumatic drives.
[0028] According to a further embodiment, the spring device
comprises a torsion spring (for example, a mechanical spring of the
spring device may be a torsion spring). The torsion spring may for
example be realized as a torsion bar spring, a coil spring, or a
wire or belt (such as a metal band) that is fixed at both axial
ends thereof. Torsion springs may exhibit a linear spring
characteristic and may thus allow for adapting the lever mechanism
to the spring characteristic in a simple manner. Moreover, torsion
springs may develop high spring loads or spring forces while at the
same time displaying only a small variation of the occupied space,
and thus may allow for a space-saving arrangement.
[0029] According to an embodiment, a mechanical spring of the
spring device is disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft of a
cam disc of the lever mechanism. For example, a coil-shaped
compression or tension spring may be wound around the rotation
shaft, wherein the spring force may e.g. be transferred directly to
the cam disc using a cable that is interconnected between the cam
disc and an end of the coil spring that is arranged proximally to
the cam disc. In the same manner, a coil-shaped torsion spring may
be wound around the rotation shaft.
[0030] According to an embodiment, the spring device comprises a
torsion spring, wherein one end of the torsion spring is
non-rotatably, e.g. fixedly, coupled to a cam disc of the lever
mechanism so as to co-rotate with the cam disc. For example, an end
of the torsion spring, that is proximal to the cam disc of the
lever mechanism, may be fixedly connected--e.g. via gluing,
screwing together, clamping or welding--to the cam disc, and
another end of the torsion spring, that is distal from the cam
disc, may be non-rotatably, e.g. fixedly, connected to a base of
the pedestal. For example, the end of the torsion spring that is
proximal to the cam disc may be fixedly attached to the cam disc so
as to co-rotate with the cam disc, or may be formed integrally with
the cam disc, or may function as a part of the rotation shaft of
the cam disc. The torsion spring may e.g. be realized as a coil
spring which may be wound around at least a part of the rotation
shaft of the cam disc, wherein that end of the torsion spring, that
is proximal to the cam disc, is fixedly connected to the cam disc,
for example via fixedly attaching it directly to the cam disc or to
the rotation shaft thereof. Here, the cable may be attached with a
first end thereof to the pedestal platform, may then extend from
the platform to the cam disc and along the curved line of the cam
disc, and may finally be fixedly attached with the second end
thereof to the cam disc.
[0031] According to a further embodiment, the spring device
comprises a coil spring, wherein the coil spring may for example be
arranged with its longitudinal direction being aligned vertically
or horizontally. The coil spring may e.g. be configured as a
compression spring, tension spring, or torsion spring. For example,
the lever mechanism may comprise a cam disc that is rotatably
mounted on a vertically aligned rotation shaft, wherein the coil
spring may be arranged coaxially with the rotation shaft as
described above, i.e. may for example be wound around the rotation
shaft.
[0032] According to an embodiment, the spring device and the lever
mechanism (or at least a part of the lever mechanism) are arranged
to be stationary. For example, a cam disc of the lever mechanism
and the spring device may be arranged to be stationary (e.g. may be
mounted to a base of the pedestal) so as to not change their height
position when the pedestal platform is height-adjusted, wherein
e.g. the spring force of the spring device may be transmitted to
the pedestal platform by means of a cable of the lever mechanism,
that may be interconnected between the cam disc and the pedestal
platform. For example, the spring device may comprise a torsion
spring that is arranged with its longitudinal axis being aligned
horizontally, wherein one longitudinal end of the torsion spring
may be non-rotatably attached to a base or a frame of the pedestal
and the other longitudinal end of the torsion spring may be
non-rotatably connected to a cam disc of the lever mechanism,
wherein the cam disc may be rotatably mounted to the base or the
frame of the pedestal.
[0033] According to a further embodiment, the spring device and the
lever mechanism (or at least a part of the lever mechanism) are
arranged on the pedestal platform to be vertically movable
therewith. For example, a cam disc of the lever mechanism and the
spring device may be mounted to the pedestal platform so as to be
vertically movable together with the platform, wherein e.g. the
spring force of the spring device may be transmitted to the
pedestal platform by means of a cable of the lever mechanism, that
may be interconnected between the cam disc and a base or a frame of
the pedestal.
[0034] According to an embodiment, the pedestal comprises two or
more (separate) spring devices, each of which comprises one or more
springs. The spring devices may exert, via two (or more)
respectively assigned lever mechanisms, respective lifting forces
to the pedestal platform at two different points, wherein these
points may be positioned so as to be symmetric with respect to the
pedestal. Using two (or more) spring devices may thus allow for a
more uniform distribution of the overall lifting force acting on
the pedestal platform. Moreover, using more than one spring device
may allow for exerting larger overall lifting forces.
[0035] According to an embodiment, the pedestal comprises two (or
more) spring devices, wherein each of the two (or more) spring
devices comprises a coil spring.
[0036] According to an embodiment, the pedestal comprises two (or
more) spring devices, wherein each of the two (or more) spring
devices comprises a coil spring that is arranged with its
longitudinal axis being aligned horizontally, and wherein the two
(or more) coil springs are arranged one above the other. For
example, each of the spring devices may comprise a helical torsion
spring that is aligned with its longitudinal axis being aligned
horizontally, wherein e.g. one longitudinal end of the torsion
spring may be non-rotatably (e.g. fixedly) connected to a base or a
frame of the pedestal and the other longitudinal end of the torsion
spring may be non-rotatably (e.g. fixedly) connected to a cam disc
of the lever mechanism, wherein the spring force may be transmitted
to the pedestal platform by means of a cable of the lever
mechanism, that is interconnected between the cam disc and the
pedestal platform, and wherein the torsion springs of the spring
devices are arranged one above the other. Such a stacked
arrangement of the springs may allow for a space-saving
configuration of the pedestal.
[0037] According to an embodiment, the pedestal comprises a guiding
device, wherein the pedestal platform is movable along the guiding
device while being guided along the guiding device in a vertical
direction defined by the guiding device. For example, the pedestal
may comprise a slide carriage being supported on the guiding device
such that it can slide along the guiding device while being
vertically guided, wherein the pedestal platform is affixed to the
slide carriage. As an alternative or in addition to a sliding
device, the pedestal may comprise a roller bearing device which is
supported on the guiding device such that it can roll along the
guiding device while being vertically guided, for example along a
guiding groove formed on the guiding device, wherein the pedestal
platform is affixed to the roller bearing device. The guiding
device may e.g. be fixedly attached to a base of the pedestal, for
example to a vehicle body. The guiding device may e.g. be formed by
one or more rails or pillars having vertically extending guide
rails, for example guide grooves, formed thereon. However, as the
guiding device, also a lazy tongs mechanism may be provided.
[0038] The pedestal platform may be provided with buttons and/or
pedals, for example serving for actuating safety steering switches,
horns, door-openers etc.
[0039] The pedestal platform may for example be realized as a
plate, e.g. a metal or plastic plate, being arranged substantially
horizontally or inclined against the horizontal plane, wherein such
an inclination may be adjustable. With this configuration, the
pedestal platform may be provided with a very flat shape such that,
when the platform is lowered completely, the upper surface of the
platform is positioned just slightly above the mounting surface on
which the pedestal is mounted. In another configuration, the
pedestal platform may be formed in a box-like shape. With this
configuration, for example electrical and/or hydraulic control
lines for the buttons and/or pedals provided on the pedestal and on
the pedestal platform may be accommodated within the box.
[0040] The pedestal may comprise a manually operable (e.g. being
operable by hand or by foot) locking mechanism configured for
securing and holding the pedestal platform in an adjusted height
position, wherein the locking mechanism may for example be provided
on a base or a guiding device of the pedestal and/or on the
pedestal platform. For example, the locking mechanism may be
realized as a locking or clamping lever which may clamp the
pedestal platform in an adjusted height position and thus may fix
the pedestal platform so as to be immovable. As another example,
the locking mechanism may be realized as a locking pin that is
provided on the pedestal platform and that may engage in a
respective hole out of a vertical row of holes formed, e.g., on a
guide rail.
[0041] According to a further embodiment, the invention includes a
height-adjustable pedestal platform, a driving device that provides
a driving force according to a corresponding force characteristic,
and a force transmission device that is interconnected between the
driving device and the pedestal platform in such a way that the
driving force is transferred by the force transmission device to
the pedestal platform in a manner so as to provide a lifting force
that counteracts the weight force of the pedestal platform in order
to facilitate the height-adjustment of the pedestal platform,
wherein the force transmission device is configured such that it at
least partially compensates for a variation of the driving force
that occurs according to the force characteristic. According to a
further embodiment, the driving device may include a mechanical
driving device, a spring device, a pneumatic driving device, an
electrical driving device, or a hydraulic driving device. According
to a further embodiment, the force transmission device may include
a mechanical force transmission device e.g. lever mechanism, a
pneumatic force transmission device, an electrical force
transmission device, or a hydraulic force transmission device.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer
to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are
not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed
upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following
description, various embodiments of the invention are described
with reference to the following drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional side view of a
height-adjustable pedestal according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the
pedestal according to FIG. 1.
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the
pedestal according to FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from the front.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the pedestal according to
FIG. 1.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a height-adjustable pedestal
according to another embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a height-adjustable pedestal
according to yet another embodiment.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] The following detailed description refers to the
accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific
details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.
These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other
embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and mechanical
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually
exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more
other embodiments to form new embodiments.
[0050] As is illustrated in the figures (see, e.g., FIG. 1), the
pedestal platform 10 may have a variety of shapes and
constructions, but each of the illustrated variants includes a
platform plate 104 and a rear wall 106, which attaches to a
carriage slide 12 although in at least one embodiment the rear wall
106 and carriage slide 12 are integrally formed. The platform plate
104 extends away from the rear wall 106 either at an incline with
the horizontal plane as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 or substantially
horizontal. In an alternative embodiment, the incline of the plate
104 is adjustable. FIG. 3 illustrates the platform 10 as also
including a front wall 107, while FIG. 1 illustrates the inclusion
of a bottom wall 108. FIG. 1 illustrates the platform 10 as
including optional side walls 109. In at least one embodiment, the
platform 10 is hollow when a box-shape is defined as illustrated in
FIG. 3. When the platform 10 includes an open area, this area can
be used, for example, for electrical and/or hydraulic control lines
for the buttons and/or pedals provided on the pedestal and on the
pedestal platform.
[0051] According to FIGS. 1 to 4, a height-adjustable pedestal 1
according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a
height-adjustable, box-shaped pedestal platform 10, two spring
devices 20, 20' and two corresponding lever mechanisms 30, 30'. The
pedestal platform 10 is supported on a guiding device 50 of the
pedestal 1 so as to be movable in a guided manner in a vertical
direction defined by the guiding device 50. The first lever
mechanism 30 is interconnected between the first spring device 20
and the pedestal platform 10, thus forming a first force line or
force path, and the second lever mechanism 30' is interconnected
between the second spring device 20' and the pedestal platform 10,
thus forming a second force path. These two force paths are
designed in an identical way and, hence, in the following only the
first force path, extending from the first spring device 20 via the
first lever mechanism 30 to the pedestal platform 10, will be
described.
[0052] The lever mechanism 30 comprises a cam disc, here in the
form of a volute 32, that is formed as a rotationally symmetric
body in the shape of a cone or truncated cone, wherein a curved
line in the form of a helically wound spiral-shaped guide groove
extends along the outer surface of the cone-shaped body, wherein
the cone-shaped body of the volute 32 is arranged with its symmetry
axis (which also represents its rotation axis) being aligned in a
vertical direction. In the given configuration, the diameter of the
volute 32 decreases from the top to the bottom and, thus, the
diameter of the helical line of the guide groove also decreases
from the top to the bottom (however, the volute may as well be
provided with its diameter decreasing from the bottom to the top of
the cone-shaped body). In addition, in the present embodiment,
three windings with a constant diameter are provided at the upper
end of the volute 32. The volute 32 is arranged to be rotatable
around its vertically aligned symmetry axis. In this case, the
volute 32 is fixedly mounted to an axial end of a rotation shaft
34, wherein the rotation shaft 34 extends in a vertical direction
so as to be arranged coaxially with the volute 32 and is rotatable
as well. In the given embodiment, the volute 32 is formed
integrally with the rotation shaft 34.
[0053] The lever mechanism 30 further comprises a cable 36, wherein
the first end of the cable 36 is fixedly attached to the upper end
of the volute 32, for example by being firmly clamped using a
clamping device that is fixedly attached to the volute 32. The
cable 36 extends from the upper end of the volute 32 and is guided,
following the helically wound spiral-shaped guide groove of the
volute 32, towards the lower end of the volute 32, thus being wound
around the volute 32.
[0054] From the volute 32, the cable 36 extends horizontally
towards a guide pulley 38, is guided over the guide pulley 38 and
then extends vertically downwards towards the pedestal platform 10.
With its second end, the cable 36 is fixedly attached to the
pedestal platform 10 or to a component that is fixedly connected to
the pedestal platform 10 (for example, the second end of the cable
36 may be firmly clamped using a clamping device that is fixedly
attached to the pedestal platform 10), such that, via the cable 36,
the weight force of the pedestal platform 10 acts on the volute 32
and thus induces a first torque M1 acting on the volute 32, the
first torque M1 being directed so as to act in a direction for
unwinding the cable 36 from the volute 32.
[0055] The spring device 20 is realized in the form of a
mechanical, helical torsion spring 20, wherein the torsion spring
20 is wound around the rotation shaft 34 of the volute 32 so as to
be arranged coaxially with the rotation shaft 34. The upper end of
the helical torsion spring 20 is non-rotatably connected to the
volute 32 so as to co-rotate with the volute 32 (in case the volute
32 rotates). In the present configuration, the upper end of the
torsion spring 20 is connected to the volute 32 by means of a first
abutment piece 42, wherein the first abutment piece 42 is formed
integrally with the volute 32 and forms an abutment stop, for
example being realized as an abutment shoulder, and wherein the
upper end of the torsion spring 20 is supported on the abutment
stop in such a way that the upper end of the torsion spring may
co-rotate with the volute 32 and, hence, the torsion spring 20 may
be tensioned. From the volute 32 (or, respectively, from the first
abutment piece 42), the torsion spring 20 vertically extends
downwards, and the lower end of the torsion spring 20 is
non-rotatably connected to a base of the pedestal 1 or to a
component that is non-rotatably connected to the base.
[0056] Lowering the pedestal platform 10, i.e. moving the pedestal
platform 10 from a higher position to a lower position, results in
unwinding the cable 36 from the volute 32 and, thus, causes a
rotation of the volute 32 in a corresponding direction. This
rotation is transferred to the upper end of the torsion spring 20
and causes a corresponding twisting (i.e. torsion) of the torsion
spring 20 and an increase in the corresponding restoring (i.e.
counteracting the torsion) spring force according to the spring
characteristic of the torsion spring 20.
[0057] The upper end of the torsion spring 20 is non-rotatably
connected to the volute 32 (or to the rotation shaft 34 thereof) so
as to co-rotate with the volute 32 and, hence, the restoring force
of the torsion spring 20 is transferred to the volute 32 in the
form of a second torque M2 acting on the volute 32. The second
torque M2 is opposed to the first torque M1 caused by the weight of
the pedestal platform 10 and, hence, acts in a direction for
winding the cable 36 around the volute 32, i.e. for lifting the
pedestal platform 10 being attached to the second end of the cable
36. Thus, the second torque M2 causes a lifting force that
acts--via the cable 36--on the pedestal platform 10, i.e. the
spring force of the spring device 20 (in the form of the helical
torsion spring 20) is applied by the lever mechanism 30 (in the
form of the volute 32 and the cable 36 being guided over the volute
32) to the pedestal platform 10 in a manner so as to provide a
lifting force that counteracts the weight force of the pedestal
platform 10.
[0058] Thus, for adjusting the height of the pedestal platform 10,
it is not required to apply the entire weight force of the pedestal
platform 10, but rather, it suffices to apply a residual force
which is given by the weight force being reduced by the lifting
force. For example, the lifting force may be adjusted such that,
when no external force is applied, the pedestal automatically
travels upwards and, thus, the residual force always has to be
applied pointing in a downward direction. The lifting force is
influenced by the second torque M2 acting on the volute 32, and the
residual force is determined by the total torque M acting on the
volute 32, wherein the total torque M is given by the vector sum of
the first torque M1 and the second torque M2.
[0059] Thus, if the total torque M acting on the volute 32 remains
substantially constant for all height positions (i.e. does not
change with the height) of the pedestal platform 10, the residual
force required for height-adjusting the pedestal platform 10 will
as well be substantially the same for all heights of the pedestal
platform 10 and, hence, the height-adjustment of the pedestal
platform 10 is facilitated.
[0060] The spring force provided by the spring device 20 varies,
according to the spring characteristic, with the displacement of
the spring or spring device 20 from its rest position. When
lowering the pedestal platform 10, the cable 36 is being unwound
from the volute 32, and the corresponding rotation of the volute 32
is transferred to the torsion spring 20, wherein the degree of
torsion of the torsion spring 20, i.e. the torsion angle, increases
as the height of the platform 10 decreases. The restoring force
provided by the torsion spring 20 in the form of the second torque
M2 varies, according to the spring characteristic, with the degree
of torsion, wherein the absolute value of the second torque M2
increases as the torsion of the torsion spring 20 increases, i.e.
the amount of the second torque M2 increases as the height of the
pedestal platform 10 decreases.
[0061] The lever mechanism 30 is configured such that it at least
partially compensates a variation of the spring force (in the form
of the second torque M2), occurring according to the spring
characteristic of the torsion spring 20, by a corresponding
variation of the first torque M1 in such a way that the total
torque M--and thus also the residual force required for
height-adjusting the pedestal platform 10--is substantially the
same for all height positions of the pedestal platform 10 (i.e.
does not change when the height of the platform is changed),
wherein the total torque M may for example be substantially
zero.
[0062] Here, the variation of the first torque M1 is realized by a
variation of the length of the weight-receiving lever arm (here
given by the radial distance between the curved line and the
rotation axis of the volute 32), i.e. a length variation of the
lever arm via which the weight of the pedestal platform 10
acts--via the cable 36--on the volute 32. The amount (i.e. absolute
value) of the first torque M1 is determined by the weight of the
pedestal platform 10 and the length of the weight-receiving lever
arm (i.e. the distance of the position, where the cable 36 carrying
the platform weight meets the volute 32, from the rotation shaft
34), wherein the amount of the first torque M1 increases as the
length of the weight-receiving lever arm increases.
[0063] The diameter of the volute 32 decreases from the top to the
bottom. When the pedestal platform 10 is in its highest position
and, hence, the torsion of the torsion spring 20 as well as the
second torque M2 are minimal, the cable 36 is wound around the
volute 32 all the way down to the lower end of the volute 32 and
thus, the length of the weight-receiving lever arm and, hence, also
the amount of the first torque M1 are minimal as well. The torsion
spring 20 is pre-tensioned to such an extent that, in this height
position, the second torque M2, resulting from the pre-tensioning,
and the first torque M1, corresponding to the minimum length of the
weight-receiving lever arm, substantially compensate each
other.
[0064] When lowering the pedestal platform 10, the cable 36 is
being unwound from the volute 32 in a direction from the lower end
of the volute 32 towards the upper end thereof while following the
curved line and thus, the length of the weight-receiving lever arm
and, hence, correspondingly the amount of the first torque M1,
increase as the height of the pedestal platform 10 decreases. Thus,
when lowering the platform 10, both the first torque M1 and the
second torque M2 (which counteracts the first torque M1) increase,
wherein the increase of the first torque M1 at least partially
compensates the increase of the second torque M2.
[0065] As described above, the length of the weight-receiving lever
arm varies according to the shape of the cam disc and/or the shape
of the curved line, whereas, in the present embodiment, the lever
arm transferring the spring force to the volute 32 remains
unchanged (i.e. has a constant length). Thus, the leverage ratio of
these two lever arms varies with the height position of the
pedestal platform 10, i.e. the cam disc in the form of the volute
32 defines a leverage ratio variation.
[0066] The length variation of the weight-receiving lever arm may
be determined in a simple manner via the opening angle of the
cone-shaped body of the volute 32 and/or the pitch (i.e.
inclination) of the curved line of the volute 32. In the present
case, the length variation of the weight-receiving lever arm is
adjusted such that the total torque M acting on the volute 32 and,
hence, also the residual force required for height-adjusting the
pedestal platform 10, are basically independent of the height
position of the platform 10. Thus, the lever mechanism 30
substantially compensates for a variation of the spring force
occurring according to the spring characteristic of the spring
device 20.
[0067] In the embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 1 to
4, the volute 32 is rotatably arranged on the pedestal 1 using a
support rail 62, wherein the support rail 62 is fastened to the
back side of a vertical retaining plate 64 of the pedestal 1. The
lower end of the support rail 62 is supported on an angle element
(or base element) 66, which is fixedly attached to (e.g. screwed
together with) the back side of the retaining plate 64. From the
angle element 66, the support rail 62 extends vertically upwards
and is fixedly attached to the back side of the retaining plate 64,
for example using screws. In addition, for further stabilization,
short holding angles 68, 69 may be provided, which fixedly couple
the support rail 62 to the retaining plate 64, e.g. using screws.
With its upper end, the support rail 62 protrudes beyond the upper
end of the guiding device 50 of the pedestal 1. At the upper end of
the support rail 62, a support arm 72 is provided so as to extend
in a lateral direction (cf. FIG. 2), wherein the upper end of the
vertically aligned rotation shaft 34 of the volute 32 is rotatably
supported on the support arm 72.
[0068] The volute 32, being formed integrally with the rotation
shaft 34 and the first abutment piece 42, is arranged so as to be
rotatable together with the rotation shaft 34. The torsion spring
20 extends from the lower end of the volute 32 (more precise: from
the lower end of the first abutment piece 42) vertically downwards,
and the lower end of the torsion spring 20 is non-rotatably coupled
to a base of the pedestal 1, for example in the vicinity of the
retaining plate 64 or directly to the retaining plate 64. In the
illustrated configuration, the lower end of the torsion spring 20
is non-rotatably coupled to the angle element 66 (which in turn is
fastened to the retaining plate 64) by means of a second abutment
piece 78. The second abutment piece is fixedly attached to the
angle element 66 and forms an abutment stop, for example being
realized as an abutment shoulder, wherein the lower end of the
torsion spring 20 is supported on the abutment stop in such a way
that the lower end of the torsion spring 20 is non-rotatably
coupled to the second abutment piece 78 and, hence, to the angle
element 66. However, any other rotation prevention means, e.g. a
fixed connection such as a weld connection or a clamping
connection, may be used for non-rotatably connecting the spring to
the base and/or to the cam disc.
[0069] In the present configuration, the rotation shaft 34 of the
volute 32 (and the symmetry axis of the volute 32) and the torsion
spring 20 are arranged with their longitudinal directions being
aligned vertically. However, the rotation shaft of the volute (and
the symmetry axis of the volute) and the torsion spring may e.g.
also be provided on the pedestal with their longitudinal directions
being aligned horizontally, wherein the torsion springs may e.g. be
arranged one above the other on the back side of the retaining
plate 64.
[0070] In order to stabilize the helical torsion spring 20, for
example in order to protect the torsion spring 20 from undergoing a
deformation, the rotational shaft 34 of the volute 32 extends
axially through the torsion spring 20 so as to pass from one axial
end of the torsion spring 20 to the other axial end thereof.
[0071] The cable 36 is wound around the volute 32, extends from the
volute 32 horizontally towards the guide pulley 38, runs over the
guide pulley 38 while being guided in a guiding groove that is
formed along the circumferential surface of the guide pulley 38,
and extends from the guide pulley 38 vertically downwards towards
the pedestal platform 10. The guide pulley 38 is arranged to be
rotatable around a horizontal axle 74, which in turn is mounted on
the support arm 78, wherein the guide pulley 38 is positioned such
that it guides the cable 36 directly towards the rotation shaft 34
of the volute 32. On its way from the guide pulley 38 to the volute
32, the cable 38 is horizontally guided along a guide member 76 so
as to prevent the cable 38 from escaping from the guiding groove of
the guide pulley 38. In the present configuration, the guide member
76 is realized as a guiding shaft that is (for example rotatably)
mounted to the support arm 72 and extends in a vertical
direction.
[0072] According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 4, the second force path, extending from the second
spring device 20' via the second lever mechanism 30' to the
pedestal platform 10, is designed to be identical to the above
described first force path. In this case, the second spring device
20' is realized as a second torsion spring 20', and the second
lever mechanism 30' is realized in the form of a second volute 32'
and a second cable 36' that is guided over the second volute 32'. A
first end of the second cable 36' is fixedly attached to the second
volute 32', whereas the second end of the second cable 36' is
fixedly attached to the pedestal platform 10. The spring force
provided by the second torsion spring 20' is applied--by the second
lever mechanism 30'- to the pedestal platform 10, acting as a
lifting force that counteracts the weight force of the pedestal
platform 10.
[0073] The second spring device 20' and the second lever mechanism
30' are fastened to the back side of the retaining plate 64 in the
same way as the first spring device 20 and the first lever
mechanism 30, however at the opposite side of the back side of the
retaining plate 64. Thus, the height-adjustment of the pedestal
platform 10, being arranged so as to be movable along the guiding
device 50 in a vertical direction, is supported and facilitated by
both force paths.
[0074] In the present embodiment, the guiding device 50 of the
pedestal 1 comprises two guide rails 52, 54 which extend vertically
in an upward direction and are arranged, with a horizontal distance
there between, so as to run parallel to one another. The guide
rails 52, 54 are attached (here via screws), at respective rearward
lateral surfaces thereof, to the front side of the retaining plate
64. With their lower ends, the guide rails 52, 54 are supported on
a base in the form of a base plate 82. At the lower end of each of
the guide rails 52, 54, a respective long holding angle wall 84, 85
is provided, which is fixedly coupled (for example via screws) to
the respective guide rail 52, 54. The holding angle walls 84, 85
extend along almost the entire base plate 82 and are fixedly
coupled to, e.g. screwed together with, the base plate 82. The base
plate 82 may be integrally formed, in the form of an angle element,
with the retaining plate 64.
[0075] A slide carriage 12 is supported on the guiding device 50 in
such a way that it can slide along the two guide rails 52, 54 and
is guided along a vertical direction defined by the guide rails 52,
54. The pedestal platform 10 is fixedly attached to the slide
carriage 12 and extends away from the slide carriage 12 in a
substantially horizontal direction.
[0076] Each of the guide rails 52, 54 of the guiding device 50
comprises a respective guiding channel being formed on a respective
outwardly facing side surface thereof so as to extend vertically
along the respective guide rail, each of the guiding channels being
open towards the respective outward lateral side.
[0077] The slide carriage 12 is provided with a first sliding
block, arranged so as to engage the lateral guiding channel of the
first guide rail 52 and to be vertically slidable along the same
substantially free of play, a second sliding block arranged so as
to engage the lateral guiding channel of the second guide rail 54
and to be vertically slidable along the same substantially free of
play, and a connecting plate that fixedly couples (e.g. via screws)
the two sliding blocks to one another. The two sliding blocks
engage--from the respective outer lateral sides--the respectively
corresponding guiding channel in a symmetrical manner and are kept
together (being at the same height) in this positioning by the
connection plate, thus being secured against (laterally) escaping
from the respective guide rail 52, 54.
[0078] The cables 36, 36'--extending from the volute 32, 32' of the
respective lever mechanism 30, 30' to the pedestal platform 10--are
fixedly coupled with their respective second ends to the pedestal
platform 10. For example, the respective second ends of the cables
36, 36' may be fixedly attached in the vicinity of the sliding
blocks or directly to the sliding blocks. In the present
configuration, each of the cables 36, 36' is fixedly attached with
a second end thereof to a respective one of the sliding blocks.
From the pedestal platform 10, each of the cables 36, 36' extends,
running in parallel to the guiding channel of the corresponding
guide rail 52, 54 (here: running through the corresponding guiding
channel), vertically upwards to the respectively corresponding
volute 32, 32'.
[0079] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a height-adjustable
pedestal 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. With
respect to this embodiment, for the same or equivalent parts, the
same reference numbers as for the first embodiment have been
used.
[0080] The pedestal 1 according to this embodiment comprises a
height-adjustable pedestal platform 10, a spring device 120, and a
lever mechanism 130 that is interconnected between the pedestal
platform 10 and the spring device 120. The pedestal platform 10 is
supported, for example using a slide carriage 112, on a guiding
device 150 of the pedestal 1 so as to be guided and movable in a
vertical direction thereof.
[0081] The lever mechanism 130 comprises a cam disc, here being
realized as a plane-parallel disc 132 having an approximately
elliptically shaped outer edge, wherein the curved line of the cam
disc follows the circumferential edge of the disc 132. The disc 132
is mounted on a rotation shaft 134 so as to be rotatable around the
same, wherein the rotation shaft 134 is aligned to be parallel to
the surface normal of the disc 132 and is for example mounted on a
mounting support 160 of the pedestal 1. The lever mechanism 130
further comprises a cable 136 that is guided--along the curved
line--over the disc 132.
[0082] In this embodiment, the spring device 120 is realized as a
helical tension spring 120. The lower end of the tension spring 120
is fixedly attached to a base--here to a base plate 170--of the
pedestal 1, or to a component that is fixedly attached to the base.
The tension spring 120 extends vertically upwards from the base or
base plate 170, and the upper end of the tension spring 120 is
fixedly connected to a first end of the cable 136.
[0083] From the upper end of the tension spring 120, the cable 136
extends vertically upwards, is guided along the curved line of the
disc 132 over the disc 132, and extends from the disc 132
vertically downwards towards the pedestal platform 10. The second
end of the cable 136 is fixedly attached to the pedestal platform
10 or to a component that is fixedly coupled to the pedestal
platform 10, such that, via the cable 136, the weight force of the
pedestal platform 10 acts on the disc 132 and induces a first
torque T1 (with respect to the rotation shaft 134) acting on the
disc 132.
[0084] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the cam disc is
realized as a plane-parallel disc 132, and the cable 136 traverses
the disc 132 only once. However, the cam disc may also be realized
as a block-shaped rotary body having a curved line that
extends--for example in a helically wound shape--along the rotary
body. For example, the cam disc may also be realized as a
cone-shaped body having a curved line that is helically and
spirally wound along the cone-shaped body. In such a case, the
cable 136 may be wound or guided--following the curved line--around
the rotary body (i.e. the cam disc) several times.
[0085] Lowering the pedestal platform 10 effects a corresponding
rotation of the disc 132 and a corresponding upward movement of the
upper end of the tension spring 120, i.e. causes an elongation of
the tension spring 120 and an associated restoring spring force
according to the spring characteristic of the tension spring 120,
wherein the restoring spring force is directed so as to counteract
the spring elongation and increases along with an increasing
elongation of the tension spring 120, i.e. with a decreasing height
of the pedestal platform 10. Via the cable 136, the spring force of
the tension spring 120 acts on the disc 132 and causes a second
torque T2 that acts on the disc 132. The second torque T2 is
directed so as to counteract the first torque T1 that is caused by
the weight of the pedestal platform 10, and hence, the second
torque T2 acts in a direction for lifting (i.e. moving upwards) the
pedestal platform 10. Hence, the spring force of the spring device
120, being implemented as the tension spring 120, is transferred by
the lever mechanism 130, being implemented as the plane-parallel
disc 132 with the cable 136 being guided thereover, to the pedestal
platform 10 in the form of a lifting force that is directed so as
to counteract the weight force of the pedestal platform 10.
[0086] The first torque T1, being caused by the weight of the
pedestal platform 10, is determined by the weight force of the
platform 10, the length of the weight-receiving lever arm (i.e. the
lever arm via which the weight of the pedestal platform 10 acts on
the disc 132), and the angle between the weight force and the
weight-receiving lever arm. The length of the weight-receiving
lever arm is given by the distance between the rotation shaft 134
and the point of application of the platform weight at the disc
132.
[0087] The second torque, being caused by the spring force of the
tension spring 120, is determined by the spring force (that varies
according to the corresponding spring characteristic), the length
of the spring-force-receiving lever arm (i.e. the lever arm via
which the spring force acts on the disc 132), and the angle between
the spring force and the spring-force-receiving lever arm. The
length of the spring-force-receiving lever arm is given by the
distance between the rotation shaft 134 and the point of
application of the spring force at the disc 132.
[0088] Thus, both the first torque T1 and the second torque T2 are
influenced by the shape of the curved line of the cam disc, i.e. in
the present case by the shape of the edge of the plane-parallel
disc 132. The length ratio of the weight-receiving lever arm and
the spring-force-receiving lever arm varies--according to the shape
of the curved line--with the height position of the pedestal
platform 10. Hence, the cam disc, here being realized in the form
of the plane-parallel disc 132, defines a leverage ratio
variation.
[0089] In the present configuration, the disc 132 and the curved
line of the disc 132 are formed such that the first torque T1,
being caused by the weight of the pedestal platform 10, and the
second torque T2, being caused by the spring force, substantially
compensate one another in every height position of the pedestal
platform, such that the force which has to be applied for
height-adjusting the pedestal platform 10 is substantially
independent of the height position of the pedestal platform 10.
Hence, the lever mechanism 130 serves for substantially
compensating a variation of the spring force occurring according to
the spring characteristic of the tension spring 120.
[0090] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a leverage ratio
variation may as well be achieved by providing the rotation shaft
134 at an eccentric position, in which case the cam disc 132 may
also have a circular shape.
[0091] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a height-adjustable
pedestal 1 according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
With respect to this embodiment, for the same or equivalent parts,
the same reference numbers as for the above described embodiments
have been used.
[0092] The pedestal 1 according to this embodiment comprises a
height-adjustable pedestal platform 10, a spring device 220, and a
lever mechanism 230 that is functionally interconnected between the
pedestal platform 10 and the spring device 220. The pedestal
platform 10 is supported, for example via sliding blocks 252, 254,
on a guiding device 250 of the pedestal 1 so as to be guided and
movable in a vertical up-down direction thereon.
[0093] The lever mechanism 230 comprises a cam disc in the form of
a volute 232 that is formed as a rotationally symmetric body in the
shape of a (truncated) cone. A curved line in the form of a
helically wound, spiral-shaped guide groove extends along the outer
surface of the cone-shaped body which is arranged with its symmetry
axis (which also represents its rotation axis) being aligned in a
horizontal direction. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6,
the diameter of the volute 232 decreases from the left to the right
and, hence, the diameter of the helically curved line also
decreases in this direction. The volute 232 is arranged to be
rotatable around its horizontally aligned symmetry axis. In the
present case, the volute 232 is fixedly mounted to an axial end of
a rotation shaft 234, which extends in a horizontal direction so as
to be coaxially with the volute 232. In the embodiment according to
FIG. 6, the volute 232 is formed integrally with the rotation shaft
234. The rotation shaft 234, together with the volute 232, is
rotatably mounted on corresponding support bearings 212, 214, which
in turn are fixedly coupled to the pedestal platform 10.
[0094] The lever mechanism 230 further comprises a cable 236,
wherein a first end of the cable 236 is fixedly attached to the
left end of the volute 232 (i.e. the end of the volute 232 where
the diameter of the same is largest), and extends--being wound
around the volute 232 along the helical curved line--towards the
right end of the volute 232 (i.e. the end of the volute 232 where
its diameter is smallest).
[0095] From the volute 232, the cable 236 extends vertically
upwards, and the second end of the cable 236 is fixedly attached to
a base of the pedestal 1 or to a component that is fixedly attached
to the base. In the configuration according to FIG. 6, the second
end of the cable 236 is directly attached to a horizontal bridge
portion 256 of the guiding device 250, which guiding device 250 is
affixed to a base, here a base plate 270, of the pedestal 1.
However, the cable 236 may as well be guided via various pulleys,
which are e.g. attached to the pedestal platform 10 and/or to the
guiding device 250, before being fixedly coupled to the base.
[0096] The spring device 220 is realized in the form of a helical
torsion spring 220. A first longitudinal end (in FIG. 6: the left
end) of the torsion spring 220 is non-rotatably, in the
configuration shown in FIG. 6 fixedly, attached to the volute 232
(or to the rotational axis 234) so as to co-rotate with the volute
232. The torsion spring 232 extends, being wound around the
rotational shaft 234 of the volute 232, along the rotational shaft
234, and the second longitudinal end (in FIG. 6: the right end) of
the torsion spring 232 is non-rotatably, e.g. fixedly (i.e.
immovably), attached to the platform 10 or to a component that is
fixedly coupled to the pedestal platform 10. In the configuration
shown in FIG. 6, the second end of the torsion spring 220 is
fixedly attached to the support bearing 214.
[0097] In contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 5,
where the respective cam discs (volutes 32, 132) and spring devices
(springs 20, 120) are mounted to a stationary component of the
pedestal and are stationary (i.e. do not move translationally), in
the present embodiment the cam disc (volute 232) and the spring
device (torsion spring 232) are mounted to the pedestal platform 10
so as to be movable up and down together with the platform 10.
[0098] The operational principle of the embodiment according to
FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 and
thus, in the following, only a shortened description of this
operational principle will be given.
[0099] Via the cable 236, the weight of the pedestal platform 10
acts on the volute 232 and thus induces a first torque D1 acting on
the volute 232, the first torque D1 being directed so as to work
towards unwinding the cable 236 from the volute 232.
[0100] On the other hand, lowering the pedestal platform 10 and
thus unwinding the cable 236 from the volute 232 results in a
corresponding rotation of the volute 232. This rotation is
transferred to the left end of the torsion spring 220 and causes a
corresponding torsion of the torsion spring 220 and, hence, an
increase in the corresponding restoring spring force according to
the spring characteristic of the torsion spring 220. Since the left
end of the torsion spring 220 is fixedly connected to the volute
232, the restoring force of the torsion spring 220 acts on the
volute 232 and, hence, causes a second torque D2 acting on the
volute 232. The second torque D2 is directed so as to be opposed to
the first torque D1 caused by the weight of the pedestal platform
10 and, hence, acts in a direction for winding the cable 236 around
the volute 232, i.e. towards lifting the pedestal platform 10.
Thus, the second torque D2 causes a lifting force that acts--via
the cable 236--on the pedestal platform 10, i.e. the spring force
of the spring device 220 (in the form of the helical torsion spring
220) is applied by the lever mechanism 230 (in the form of the
volute 232 and the cable 236 being guided over the volute 232) to
the pedestal platform 10 in a manner so as to provide a lifting
force that counteracts the weight force of the pedestal platform
10.
[0101] When the pedestal platform 10 is in its highest position,
the cable 236 is wound around the volute 232 from the left end up
to the right end of the volute 232, where the diameter of the
volute 232 is smallest, i.e. the length of the weight-receiving
lever arm (via which the weight of the pedestal platform 10 acts on
the volute 232) is minimal and, hence, also the absolute value of
the first torque D1 is minimal. The torsion spring 220 is
pre-tensioned to such an extent that, in this height positioning,
the second torque D2, resulting from the pre-tensioning, and the
first torque D1, corresponding to the minimum length of the
weight-receiving lever arm, substantially compensate each
other.
[0102] When lowering the pedestal platform 10, the cable 236 is
being unwound from the volute 232 in a direction from the right end
of the volute 232 towards the left end thereof while following the
curved line and thus, the length of the weight-receiving lever arm
and, hence, also the absolute value of the first torque D1,
increase as the height of the pedestal platform 10 decreases. At
the same time, the rotation of the volute 232 associated with
unwinding the cable 236 from the volute 232 leads to an increase of
the torsion of the torsion spring 220 and, hence, to an increase of
the absolute value of the second torque D2 acting on the volute
232. Thus, when lowering the platform 10, both the first torque D1
and the second torque D2 (which counteracts the first torque D1)
increase, wherein the increase of the first torque D1 at least
partially compensates for the increase of the second torque D2. The
shape of the volute 232 and/or the shape of the curved line of the
volute 232 may be adjusted such that the total torque acting on the
volute 232 and, hence, also the force required for height-adjusting
the pedestal platform 10 are substantially independent of the
height position of the platform 10.
[0103] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The
scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and
all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.
* * * * *