DE202011103891U1 - Functional panel with integrated connections, cable guides and operating elements, which are manufactured individually - Google Patents

Abstract

Configurable function plate in sandwich construction with integrated connections, cable guides and operating elements for use on and on tables or even as a table construction and for connecting technical devices. This is characterized by the fact that connections from provided devices e.g. B. computer systems, printers, network components can be made directly accessible on the work surface by means of sockets, operating and functional elements and connecting lines between external connections and sockets, operating and functional elements run inside the construction.

Description

Functional panel with integrated connections, cable guides and operating elements, which are individually manufactured according to customer specifications. For use in workplaces with connection requirements of electrical and data technology devices such. B. Computer systems.

current state of the art

Solutions for cable routing and distribution (eg USB hubs) are available in different variants. They are used to supplement or install connections and are usually located on or behind the work table or directly on the computer system.

Often, a particular port is duplicated. The newly added connections are provided in a separate housing. Above all, solutions for the USB and Firewire specifications are widespread.

In addition, facilities such as KVM switches (keyboard video mouse switches), which connect multiple computerized media with an output medium or vice versa. They are used to control the input and output options and, like these, must be operated directly. They are located in their own enclosures in the user's range of action on the table surface. Alternatively, wireless solutions of the compounds listed here are also available on the market.

In addition, specialized developments are distributed to specific products or product classes (eg notebooks). It often deals with the characteristics of the product and the distribution of connections, eg. B. by cooling options or position-changing constructions added.

In addition, there are also solutions that allow a subsequent attachment to the work table by means of housings or other constructions. These are either the housing itself provided with holding devices when they are attached to the table, or the housing is embedded by a structural change in the table. Here, additional cable guides are often used in the table.

Special tables for working with computer systems or other technical devices, with on-site cable guides / connectors / elements, form another category. With the help of moving or mechanical devices, cables are routed and concealed, connections are released or the features of the devices, which are perceived as disadvantageous to the user, are compensated. Such tables can be subdivided into versions for private and business or large customers. In the private sector tables are offered with high compatibility to as many devices as possible. Structural measures at the table are usually also executed as a design element.

In the industrial sector, systems are predominantly made up of workplaces that work in unison. This is dominated by system-oriented solutions whose priority is the functional accommodation of the necessary peripherals.

Defects of previously known designs

• (1) In Kabelführungen werden nur die momentan benötigten Anschlusskabel verlegt. Sind zusätzliche oder andere Anschlüsse nötig, müssen weitere Verbindungskabel verlegt werden. Erschwerend kommt hinzu, dass die Kabelführungen dann schwerer zugänglich sind, als bei der Erstinstallation. Dieses Vorgehen beeinträchtigt insbesondere Nutzer, deren Hardwaregeräte und Kabel häufig wechseln, etwa durch das hinzufügen externer Speichermedien.
• (2) Die Alternative, eine offene Kabelführung, führt zu einem nachteiligen optischen Gesamteindruck.
• (3) Des weiteren sind vielmals Geräteanschlüsse durch die technikorientierte Entwicklung unzugänglich und liegen meist nicht im Aktionsradius des Nutzers. Dadurch ist die Handhabung unergonomisch.
• (4) Lösungen zur Erweiterung der Anschlüsse (z. B. USB-Hubs) beanspruchen zusätzlichen Platz und sind in ihrer Ausführung vorgefertigt. Sie gehen meistens auch nicht auf individuelle Bedürfnisse ein (Kabellängen sind nicht passend; Geräte sind nicht frei positionierbar).
• (5) Die verfügbaren kompletten Arbeitsplatzlösungen sind in Größe und Form auf einige wenige Abmessungen und Ausführungen reduzierbar. Werden Lösungen abseits dieser Standards benötigt, muss auf teure Maßanfertigungen zurückgegriffen werden.

Work tables of conventional design have no way of dealing with the particular requirements of the installation and use of EDP / computer systems in a pertinent manner. Essentially five points can be listed here:

• (1) In cable guides, only the currently required connection cables are laid. If additional or other connections are necessary, further connecting cables must be laid. To make matters worse, that the cable guides are then difficult to access, as in the first installation. This procedure particularly affects users whose hardware devices and cables change frequently, for example by adding external storage media.
• (2) The alternative, an open cable guide, leads to a disadvantageous overall appearance.
• (3) Furthermore, device connections are often inaccessible due to the technology-oriented development and are usually not within the user's range of action. This makes handling unergonomic.
• (4) Port extension solutions (such as USB hubs) take up extra space and are prefabricated in their design. They usually do not respond to individual needs (cable lengths are not suitable, devices are not freely positionable).
• (5) The available complete workplace solutions can be reduced in size and shape to a few dimensions and designs. If solutions are required apart from these standards, expensive custom-made solutions must be used.

What is the technical problem

Functionality (connections, components, wiring) is not fully integrated.

The existing workstation must be either structurally changed, or usually take different, external modules. If this is not done, the affected furniture must be replaced become. The available offer is apart from very expensive customization not to the individual wishes of the customers tunable.

An extension of the existing workplace is, considering the previous arguments, difficult.

Means of problem solving

By using a multi-layered construction of the plate, it is possible to integrate all the components into it. It remains a flush work surface and a flexible integration into the existing work environment is possible.

All connections of provided devices are made accessible directly on the desktop. Connecting cables between the external connection and the working surface run concealed inside the construction. Additional functional elements are also installed concealed.

Through an optimized manufacturing process, the user is involved in the design of the product right from the start in order to create an individual and yet inexpensive solution. A configuration software determines the form and functionality of the user himself. By using computer-aided production processes, the components are semi-automatically manufactured. The resulting design and production process requires less manual processing compared to traditional product design and manufacture.

embodiment

The product consists of a vertical ( 1 - 2 ) and a horizontal surface ( 1 - 1 ), which have a low strength. The two surfaces are connected by a flexible core material ( 2 - 7 ). The construction of the two surfaces takes place layer by layer from a solid top and bottom plate ( 2 - 6 ), as well as the already mentioned nuclear material ( 2 - 7 ). inside this construction run all data and power lines ( 2 - 9 ) in cable ducts ( 1 - 4 and 2 - 10 ) and connect connected devices ( 1 - 3 ) with the table top ( 1 - 5 and 2 - 8th ). In addition, other electronic elements can be included. Due to the two-surface design, the construction flows around the worktable and complements the existing work situation without introducing several new elements.

The product created in this way can be adapted by the customer to his needs through specific queries in a guided order process ( 3 - 11 . 12 . 13 ). The variable features include: the overall dimensions, design of the mold (eg small pad, angled table construction), color and materiality; Position, number and nature of the connection sockets. After selecting the functions and specifying the shape and color, the digital design with all parameters is transferred to production. After the production, the customer receives a product designed by him in decisive ways.

Presentation of the advantages of the invention

The product forms a functional level that expands an existing table with all the necessary technical connections or even replaces this table. Connections of provided devices (eg computer systems, printers, network systems) are made accessible directly on the user interface in the user's operating radius.

The integrated construction guarantees unmistakable handling. Overall, the ergonomics of the workbench are significantly increased, as the customer can avoid repeated unfavorable sequences of actions when connecting devices.

The arrangement not only provides a logical structure but also provides visual support in workplace organization. The size of the workspace is not reduced by cable connections and thus remains freely available. The entire solution is user-oriented, which is expressed very clearly by the possibility of individual configuration. So not only shape and dimensions, but as described, the materials and colors used are selectable.

Terminals on the desktop are either placed directly into the existing jacks, or connected via optimized cables.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Fig. 1 - cable management, connections

• 
  horizontal plane
• 
  vertical level
• 
  outlet opening
• 
  Cabel Canal
• 
  Male / female recess

Fig. 2 - side view, detail

• 
  solid top and bottom plate
• 
  flexible interior material
• 
  socket
• 
  cables
• 
  Cabel Canal

Fig. 3 - Scalability

• 
  Design as a table
• 
  Design as area-wide table top
• 
  Design as a small table top

Claims (4)

Configurable functional panel in sandwich construction with integrated connections, cable guides and controls for use on and at tables or even as table construction and for the connection of technical devices. Characterized in that connections of provided devices z. As computer systems, printers, network components by means of sockets, operating and functional elements are made available directly on the work surface and run connecting lines between external connections and sockets, operating and functional elements inside the structure. Function panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate in shape, color and material is individually definable. Function panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the construction can also consist of several connected items that can be arranged at an angle to each other and thereby form a self-supporting table construction. Function panel according to claim 1, characterized in that number, position and type of components can be determined by the customer according to the manufacturing process.

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