EP3485764A1 - Top panel elevating-type furniture - Google Patents
Top panel elevating-type furniture Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3485764A1 EP3485764A1 EP17827653.1A EP17827653A EP3485764A1 EP 3485764 A1 EP3485764 A1 EP 3485764A1 EP 17827653 A EP17827653 A EP 17827653A EP 3485764 A1 EP3485764 A1 EP 3485764A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- top panel
- sensor
- user
- contact
- height adjustable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B9/00—Tables with tops of variable height
- A47B9/20—Telescopic guides
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B9/00—Tables with tops of variable height
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2200/00—General construction of tables or desks
- A47B2200/0035—Tables or desks with features relating to adjustability or folding
- A47B2200/005—Leg adjustment
- A47B2200/0051—Telescopic
- A47B2200/0052—Telescopic with two telescopic parts
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2200/00—General construction of tables or desks
- A47B2200/0035—Tables or desks with features relating to adjustability or folding
- A47B2200/005—Leg adjustment
- A47B2200/0056—Leg adjustment with a motor, e.g. an electric motor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2200/00—General construction of tables or desks
- A47B2200/0035—Tables or desks with features relating to adjustability or folding
- A47B2200/005—Leg adjustment
- A47B2200/0062—Electronically user-adaptable, height-adjustable desk or table
Definitions
- the entire area of the upper surface of the top panel can be used as a work surface. Therefore, usability of the furniture becomes favorable.
- the top panel when the user lowers the top panel, the user brings his/her hand into contact with the upper surface of the top panel. Accordingly, the top panel is lowered based on the contact of the hand with the first sensor installed on the upper surface of the top panel. On the contrary, when the user raises the top panel, the user brings his/her hand into contact with the lower surface of the top panel. Accordingly, the top panel is raised based on the contact of the hand with the second sensor installed on the lower surface of the top panel. Accordingly, the top panel can be raised or lowered simply by the user touching the top panel in a natural gesture for raising or lowering the top panel.
- the first sensor and the second sensor may be disposed such that the first sensor and the second sensor overlap each other when seen from the upper surface toward the lower surface.
- top panel height adjustable furniture 1 (which will hereinafter be simply referred to as "furniture 1") of the present embodiment includes a top panel 2, support bodies 5, a sensor 11, and a control unit 15.
- the control unit 15 determines that there has been contact with the second sensor 13. The control unit 15 causes the support bodies 5 to extend based on contact with the second sensor 13. Accordingly, the top panel 2 is raised.
- the second acquiring portion 27 is connected to the second sensor 23.
- the second acquiring portion 27 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to the second sensor 23.
- the second acquiring portion 27 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of the second proximal sensor 23a and the second distal sensor 23b constituting the second sensor 23, and the information is stored in the second acquiring portion 27 to be able to be referred to in the determination portion 28.
- the determination portion 28 outputs a signal for lowering the top panel 2 to the command-generating portion 29.
- FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture.
- FIGS. 19A and 19B are tables showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture.
- the first acquiring portion 116a and the second acquiring portion 116b acquire information of the presence or absence of an input to the first sensor 12 and the second sensor 13, in regard to an operation of the user raising or lowering the top panel 2.
- the control unit 115 determines that there has been contact with the first sensor 12. The control unit 115 causes the support bodies 5 to contract based on contact with the first sensor 12. Accordingly, the top panel 2 is lowered.
- the top panel 2 can be raised or lowered by using the first sensor 12 or the second sensor 13 only when permission for raising or lowering of the top panel 2 is input by the third sensor 14 (receiving portion). Therefore, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the top panel 2 is unintentionally raised or lowered.
- the third acquiring portion 127 acquires information indicating whether or not the operation with respect to the first acquiring portion 126a and the second acquiring portion 126b is a valid operation, based on the presence or absence of an input to the third sensor 14. For example, when there is an input to the third sensor 14, the third acquiring portion 127 outputs, to the determination portion 128, a signal indicating that an input to the first acquiring portion 126a and the second acquiring portion 126b is valid.
- the control unit 125 outputs a signal for contracting the support bodies 5 to the raising/lowering drive unit 10. Accordingly, the raising/lowering drive units 10 lower the top panel 2 in accordance with a gesture for grasping and pushing down the front end portion 2a of the top panel 2.
- the furniture 130 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the seventh embodiment. In addition, the furniture 130 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the third embodiment.
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- Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to top panel height adjustable furniture.
- Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No.
2016-137667, filed July 12, 2016 2016-137668, filed July 12, 2016 - In the related art, furniture including a top panel capable of being raised and lowered is known.
- As a technology of raising and lowering a top panel of furniture, for example, a method of using a gas spring and a method of using a gear (
Patent Documents 1 and 2) are known. - In the methods disclosed in
Patent Documents Patent Documents - In order to improve operability when a top panel is raised and lowered, a technology of raising and lowering the top panel using an electric drive unit is known (
Patent Documents Patent Documents -
- Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No.
3371959 - Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No.
3391285 - Patent Document 3: Japanese Utility Model (Registered) Publication No.
3164739 - Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.
2014-113505 - Patent Document 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.
2014-140753 - In technologies disclosed in
Patent Documents - The present invention has been made in consideration of the foregoing circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide top panel height adjustable furniture in which a raising/lowering operation of a top panel can be intuitively and easily performed.
- In addition, the present invention has been made in consideration of the foregoing circumstances, and another object thereof is to provide top panel height adjustable furniture in which an erroneous raising/lowering operation of the top panel is hardly caused.
- Top panel height adjustable furniture according to an aspect of the present invention includes a top panel that has an upper surface and a lower surface; a support body that supports the top panel such that the top panel is vertically movable; a sensor that detects contact of a user on the upper surface side of the top panel and contact of the user on the lower surface side of the top panel, and is installed in the top panel; and a control unit that controls, based on a detection result of the sensor, a supporting position of the top panel such that the top panel is moved downward when it is detected that the user has made contact with the top panel on the upper surface side of the top panel and the top panel is moved upward when it is detected that the user has made contact with the top panel on the lower surface side of the top panel.
- In such a configuration, the control unit can cause the top panel to be raised or lowered in accordance with a gesture of the user bringing his/her hand into contact with the top panel to raise or lower the top panel. Therefore, the user can intuitively perform a raising/lowering operation of the top panel, and the top panel can be easily raised or lowered.
- The sensor may be installed in the top panel.
- In this case, it is possible to more reliably detect contact of the user with the top panel.
- The sensor may be installed in a part other than the top panel of the top panel height adjustable furniture.
- In this case, the entire area of the upper surface of the top panel can be used as a work surface. Therefore, usability of the furniture becomes favorable.
- The sensor may have a first sensor which is installed on the upper surface of the top panel and a second sensor which is installed on the lower surface of the top panel. The control unit may cause the top panel to move downward while the user is in contact with the first sensor and may cause the top panel to move upward while the user is in contact with the second sensor.
- In this case, when the user lowers the top panel, the user brings his/her hand into contact with the upper surface of the top panel. Accordingly, the top panel is lowered based on the contact of the hand with the first sensor installed on the upper surface of the top panel. On the contrary, when the user raises the top panel, the user brings his/her hand into contact with the lower surface of the top panel. Accordingly, the top panel is raised based on the contact of the hand with the second sensor installed on the lower surface of the top panel. Accordingly, the top panel can be raised or lowered simply by the user touching the top panel in a natural gesture for raising or lowering the top panel.
- The first sensor and the second sensor may be disposed such that the first sensor and the second sensor overlap each other when seen from the upper surface toward the lower surface.
- In this case, when seen in a vertical direction of the top panel (height direction), a part of the top panel with which the user brings his/her hand into contact to raise the top panel and a part of the top panel with which the user brings his/her hand into contact to lower the top panel coincide with each other. As a result, it is easy for the user to know where to bring his/her hand into contact with to raise or lower the top panel.
- An outer surface of the first sensor may be positioned on substantially the same surface as the upper surface of the top panel.
- In this case, there is no unnecessary irregularity on the upper surface of the top panel. Therefore, the top panel has excellent design.
- An outer surface of the second sensor may be positioned on substantially the same surface as the lower surface of the top panel.
- In this case, a foot, baggage, or the like of the user is unlikely to be caught by the lower surface of the top panel.
- The sensor may have a contact sensor which detects the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to the top panel, the contact sensor being disposed in a front end portion of the top panel and extending along a width direction of the top panel.
- In this case, the user can perform a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in a natural posture regardless of his/her physique.
- The sensor may have a distortion sensor which detects distortion of the top panel caused by contact of the user with respect to the top panel. The control unit may cause the top panel to move downward while the distortion sensor is detecting distortion generated in the top panel by the user pushing the upper surface of the top panel to the lower surface side, and may cause the top panel to move upward while the distortion sensor is detecting distortion generated in the top panel by the user pushing the lower surface of the top panel to the upper surface side.
- In this case, the position at which the distortion sensor can be disposed is not particularly limited and need only be a position at which distortion generated in the top panel can be detected when the user intends to raise or lower the top panel. Therefore, even if the distortion sensor is disposed at a position where the user cannot touch the distortion sensor with his/her hand, a gesture of the user for raising or lowering the top panel can be recognized.
- The sensor may identify a posture of a user's hand which comes into contact with the top panel. The control unit may select either one of raising and lowering of the top panel based on the posture identified by the sensor.
- In this case, a raising/lowering control direction of the top panel by the control unit is determined in consideration of the posture of the hand, in a gesture of the user bringing the hand into contact with the top panel to move the top panel. Therefore, the top panel can be raised or lowered by an intuitive operation.
- A plurality of sensors may be provided on each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel. The control unit may recognize the posture of the user's hand which comes into contact with the top panel, based on a combination of detection states of the plurality of sensors.
- In this case, the raising/lowering control direction of the top panel by the control unit is determined in consideration of a combination of the detection states of the plurality of sensors, in a gesture of the user bringing the hand into contact with the top panel to move the top panel. Therefore, the top panel can be raised or lowered by an intuitive operation.
- The sensor may individually detect a contact area of the user's hand with the upper surface of the top panel and a contact area of the user's hand with the lower surface of the top panel. The control unit may select either one of raising and lowering of the top panel based on a difference between the contact area of the user's hand with the upper surface of the top panel and the contact area of the user's hand with the lower surface of the top panel.
- In this case, the raising/lowering control direction of the top panel by the control unit is determined in consideration of the contact area of the user's hand, in a gesture of the user bringing the hand into contact with the top panel to move the top panel. Therefore, the top panel can be raised or lowered by an intuitive operation.
- The sensor may detect a contact area of the user's hand with the upper surface or the lower surface of the top panel. The control unit may determine a raising/lowering speed of the top panel based on a size of the contact area detected by the sensor.
- In this case, it is possible to automatically switch between a prompt raising/lowering operation of the top panel and fine adjustment of the height of the top panel by reflecting an intended raising/lowering speed of the top panel by the user.
- The sensor may detect a magnitude of an external force applied to the top panel. The control unit may determine a raising/lowering speed of the top panel based on the magnitude of the external force detected by the sensor.
- In this case, it is possible to automatically switch between a prompt raising/lowering operation of the top panel and fine adjustment of the height of the top panel by reflecting an intended raising/lowering speed of the top panel by the user.
- The sensor may have a first distal sensor which is installed on the upper surface of the top panel, a first proximal sensor which is installed at a position closer to a front end portion of the top panel than the first distal sensor on the upper surface of the top panel, a second distal sensor which installed on the lower surface of the top panel, and a second proximal sensor which is installed at a position closer to the front end portion of the top panel than the second distal sensor on the lower surface of the top panel. The control unit may control the supporting position of the top panel such that the top panel is moved downward when contact of the user is detected by the first distal sensor, the first proximal sensor, and the second proximal sensor, and the top panel is moved upward when contact of the user is detected by the first proximal sensor, the second distal sensor, and the second proximal sensor.
- In this case, when the user grasps the top panel with a thumb and other fingers as an operation of raising or lowering the top panel, it is possible to detect the difference between the positions of the thumb and other fingers using the sensor. Therefore, the control unit can cause the top panel to be raised or lowered in accordance with the direction of the user's hand.
- The sensor may have a first sensor which receives an input for lowering the top panel, a second sensor which receives an input for raising the top panel, and a receiving portion which receives an input of permission or inhibition of raising or lowering of the top panel. The control unit may control the supporting position of the top panel based on detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor when permission for raising or lowering of the top panel is input to the receiving portion.
- In such a configuration, the top panel can be raised or lowered by using the first sensor or the second sensor only when permission for raising or lowering of the top panel is input by the receiving portion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the top panel is unintentionally raised or lowered.
- The receiving portion may be installed in the support body.
- In this case, the user can operate the first sensor or the second sensor with a hand while the user operates the receiving portion with a foot.
- The receiving portion may be installed in the top panel.
- In this case, an input to the receiving portion is easily performed.
- Permission for raising or lowering of the top panel may be input to the receiving portion when an input to the first sensor and an input to the second sensor simultaneously continues for a predetermined period of time or longer.
- In this case, an input operation for permitting raising or lowering of the top panel and a raising/lowering operation of the top panel can be performed by using the first sensor and the second sensor. Therefore, it is easy to understand an operation.
- According to the present invention, a raising/lowering operation of the top panel can be intuitively and easily performed.
- In addition, according to the present invention, an erroneous raising/lowering operation of the top panel is hardly caused.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of top panel height adjustable furniture according to a first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the first embodiment of the present invention seen from an upper surface side of a top panel. -
FIG. 3 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the first embodiment of the present invention seen from a lower surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5A is a table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5B is another table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is lowered through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is raised through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture according to a second embodiment of the present invention seen from the upper surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 9 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the second embodiment of the present invention seen from the lower surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is a table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 12 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is lowered through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 13 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is raised through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 14 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture according to a third embodiment of the present invention seen from a side surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of top panel height adjustable furniture according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 16 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention seen from the upper surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 17 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention seen from the lower surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 19A is a table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 19B is another table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 20 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is lowered through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 21 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is raised through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 22 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention seen from the upper surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 23 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention seen from the lower surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 25 is a table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 26 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention seen from the side surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 27 is a block diagram of top panel height adjustable furniture according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 28A is a table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 28B is another table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention - A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment.FIG. 2 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture seen from an upper surface side of a top panel.FIG. 3 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture seen from a lower surface side of the top panel. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 3 , top panel height adjustable furniture 1 (which will hereinafter be simply referred to as "furniture 1") of the present embodiment includes atop panel 2,support bodies 5, asensor 11, and acontrol unit 15. - The
top panel 2 has anupper surface 3 and alower surface 4. Thetop panel 2 has recesses for attaching the sensor 11 (which will be described below) in the vicinity of afront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. Other configurations of thetop panel 2 are not particularly limited. - The
support body 5 has abeam portion 6, ashaft portion 7, aleg portion 8, and a raising/loweringdrive unit 10. - The
beam portion 6 extends in a forward/rearward direction of thetop panel 2. Thebeam portion 6 is installed one each at right and left ends of thetop panel 2. - The
shaft portion 7 is connected to thetop panel 2 via thebeam portion 6. Theshaft portion 7 extends vertically downward from thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. - The
leg portion 8 comes into contact with a floor surface to support thefurniture 1 of the present embodiment and is coupled to theshaft portion 7 via the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. In the present embodiment, theleg portion 8 has ahorizontal portion 8a which extends parallel to the floor surface, and afirst cylinder portion 8b and asecond cylinder portion 8c which vertically extend while being coaxial with theshaft portion 7. - The raising/lowering
drive unit 10 includes a motor and a gear (not illustrated) for relatively moving theshaft portion 7, thefirst cylinder portion 8b, and thesecond cylinder portion 8c in a longitudinal axis direction of theshaft portion 7, thefirst cylinder portion 8b, and thesecond cylinder portion 8c. The raising/loweringdrive unit 10 is electrically connected to thecontrol unit 15. When the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 operates, thesupport bodies 5 extend or contract in a panel thickness direction of thetop panel 2. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thesensor 11 includes afirst sensor 12 which is installed on theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, and asecond sensor 13 which is installed on thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. - The
first sensor 12 is a contact sensor which is capable of detecting contact of a user with theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2. Thefirst sensor 12 is installed in thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 on theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2. Thefirst sensor 12 extends along a width direction of the top panel 2 (a direction indicated with the reference sign X inFIG. 2 ) in thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. An outer surface of thefirst sensor 12 is positioned on substantially the same surface as theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2. - The
first sensor 12 of the present embodiment includes aright sensor 12a and aleft sensor 12b. The distance between theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b is a distance at which a body (for example, an arm) of a user using thefurniture 1 does not simultaneously come into contact with theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b when thefurniture 1 is in ordinary use (when a raising/lowering operation of thetop panel 2 is not performed). For example, the distance between theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b is wider than the width across the shoulders of the user. In addition, the distance between theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b is set such that the user's body can simultaneously come into contact with theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b when a raising/lowering operation of thetop panel 2 is performed. For example, the distance between theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b is shorter than the distance between the right and left palms of the user in a state in which the user opens his/her arms to the right and the left. Apart of thefirst sensor 12 which comes into contact with the user's body in ordinary use, in which the top panel of thefurniture 1 is not raised or lowered, may be set as a dead zone (a region in which detection of thefirst sensor 12 is invalid) depending on the user's physique or usage conditions. - The
second sensor 13 is a contact sensor which is capable of detecting contact of the user with thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. Thesecond sensor 13 is installed in thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 on thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. Thesecond sensor 13 extends along the width direction of the top panel 2 (a direction indicated with the reference sign X inFIG. 3 ) in thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. An outer surface of thesecond sensor 13 is positioned on substantially the same surface as thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. - The
second sensor 13 of the present embodiment includes aright sensor 13a and aleft sensor 13b. The distance between theright sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b is a distance at which a body (for example, a thigh) of the user using thefurniture 1 does not simultaneously come into contact with theright sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b when thefurniture 1 is in ordinary use (when a raising/lowering operation of thetop panel 2 is not performed). - As illustrated in
FIG. 6 , when seen from theupper surface 3 toward thelower surface 4 of the top panel 2 (in a vertical direction inFIG. 6 ), thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 are disposed such that thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 overlap each other. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIGS. 5A and 5B are tables showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and4 , thecontrol unit 15 controls an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 based on detection results of thesensor 11. For example, thecontrol unit 15 is installed inside thesupport body 5. - As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , thecontrol unit 15 has a first acquiringportion 16, a second acquiringportion 17, adetermination portion 18, and a command-generatingportion 19. - The first acquiring
portion 16 is connected to thefirst sensor 12. The first acquiringportion 16 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thefirst sensor 12. In the present embodiment, the first acquiringportion 16 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b constituting thefirst sensor 12, and the information is stored in the first acquiringportion 16 to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 18. - The second acquiring
portion 17 is connected to thesecond sensor 13. The second acquiringportion 17 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thesecond sensor 13. In the present embodiment, the second acquiringportion 17 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of theright sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b constituting thesecond sensor 13, and the information is stored in the second acquiringportion 17 to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 18. - The
determination portion 18 is connected to the first acquiringportion 16 and the second acquiringportion 17. Thedetermination portion 18 determines which of thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 the user has made contact, based on information acquired by the first acquiringportion 16 from thefirst sensor 12 and information acquired by the second acquiringportion 17 from thesecond sensor 13. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 5A and 5B , when information of the presence of contact of the user with respect to theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b constituting thefirst sensor 12 is acquired by the first acquiringportion 16, thedetermination portion 18 in the present embodiment determines that there has been a valid input to thefirst sensor 12. In this case, thedetermination portion 18 outputs a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 to the command-generatingportion 19. - Moreover, when information of the presence of contact of the user with respect to the
right sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b constituting thesecond sensor 13 is acquired by the second acquiringportion 17, thedetermination portion 18 in the present embodiment determines that there has been a valid input to thesecond sensor 13. In this case, thedetermination portion 18 outputs a signal for raising thetop panel 2 to the command-generatingportion 19. - When it is determined that there has been an input to the
first sensor 12 and it is also determined that there has been an input to thesecond sensor 13, thedetermination portion 18 in the present embodiment determines that these inputs are invalid. - The command-generating
portion 19 causes thetop panel 2 to be raised or lowered in response to an output from thedetermination portion 18. In the present embodiment, the command-generatingportion 19 generates a command for an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 provided in thesupport body 5 in response to an output from thedetermination portion 18. That is, when a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 18 to the command-generatingportion 19, the command-generatingportion 19 generates a command for contracting thesupport bodies 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. In addition, when a signal for raising thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 18 to the command-generatingportion 19, the command-generatingportion 19 generates a command for extending thesupport bodies 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. - Operations of the
furniture 1 of the present embodiment will be described.FIG. 6 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is lowered through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIG. 7 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is raised through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. - When the user raises or lowers the
top panel 2 of thefurniture 1 of the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6 , the user brings his/her hands into contact with theupper surface 3 or thelower surface 4 in thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - For example, when the user lowers the
top panel 2, the user brings his/her hands into contact with theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2. This is a gesture of the user for pushing down thetop panel 2. If the user brings his/her hands into contact with theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, the user's hands come into contact with thefirst sensor 12. In the present embodiment, when the user's hands come into contact with both theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b constituting the first sensor 12 (refer toFIG. 2 ), thecontrol unit 15 determines that there has been contact with thefirst sensor 12. Thecontrol unit 15 causes thesupport bodies 5 to contract based on contact with thefirst sensor 12. Accordingly, thetop panel 2 is lowered. - In addition, when the user raises the
top panel 2, as illustrated inFIG. 7 , the user brings his/her hands into contact with thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. This is a gesture of the user for pushing up thetop panel 2. If the user brings his/her hands into contact with thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2, the user's hands come into contact with thesecond sensor 13. In the present embodiment, when the user's hands come into contact with both theright sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b constituting the second sensor 13 (refer toFIG. 3 ), thecontrol unit 15 determines that there has been contact with thesecond sensor 13. Thecontrol unit 15 causes thesupport bodies 5 to extend based on contact with thesecond sensor 13. Accordingly, thetop panel 2 is raised. - In the
furniture 1 of the present embodiment, the user can raise or lower thetop panel 2 with a force lighter than that of actually pushing down or pushing up thetop panel 2 by using an intuitive gesture for raising or lowering thetop panel 2. According to thefurniture 1 of the present embodiment, a raising/lowering operation of thetop panel 2 can be intuitively performed. In addition, according to thefurniture 1 of the present embodiment, a raising/lowering operation of thetop panel 2 can be easily performed. - In addition, the
first sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 are disposed at positions overlapping each other when seen from theupper surface 3 toward thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. Therefore, it is easy for the user to know a position with which his/her hands have to come into contact when thetop panel 2 is raised and a position with which his/her hand has to come into contact when thetop panel 2 is lowered. - In addition, the outer surface of the
first sensor 12 is positioned on substantially the same surface as theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2. Therefore, a part in the vicinity of the front end of thetop panel 2 has excellent design. - In addition, the outer surface of the
second sensor 13 is positioned on substantially the same surface as thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. Therefore, a foot, baggage, or the like of the user is unlikely to be caught by thelower surface 4 in the vicinity of the front end of thetop panel 2. - In addition, the
first sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 are disposed along the width direction of thetop panel 2. Therefore, the user can perform a raising/lowering operation of thetop panel 2 in a natural posture regardless of his/her physique. - A second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment seen from the upper surface side of the top panel.FIG. 9 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture seen from the lower surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIG. 11 is a table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIG. 12 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is lowered through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIG. 13 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is raised through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9 , in place of thesensor 11 disclosed in the first embodiment,furniture 20 of the present embodiment includes asensor 21 that can determine in which of the upward direction and the downward direction the user intends to move thetop panel 2 by discriminating the direction of the user's hand. In addition, thefurniture 20 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 25 which is different from thecontrol unit 15 in the first embodiment. - The
sensor 21 of the present embodiment includes afirst sensor 22 which is installed on theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, and asecond sensor 23 which is installed on thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. - The
first sensor 22 includes a firstproximal sensor 22a and a firstdistal sensor 22b. - The first
proximal sensor 22a and the firstdistal sensor 22b extend along the width direction of thetop panel 2 while being parallel to each other at a distance therebetween. - The first
proximal sensor 22a is installed at a position (refer toFIG. 13 ) with which the first finger (thumb) of the user's hand can come into contact when the user grasps thetop panel 2 in a manner pinching thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - The first
distal sensor 22b is installed at a position (refer toFIG. 12 ) with which at least any of the second finger to the fifth finger of the user's hand can come into contact when the user grasps thetop panel 2 in a manner pinching thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - The
second sensor 23 includes a secondproximal sensor 23a and a seconddistal sensor 23b. The secondproximal sensor 23a and the seconddistal sensor 23b extend along the width direction of thetop panel 2 while being parallel to each other at a distance therebetween. The secondproximal sensor 23a is installed at a position (refer toFIG. 12 ) with which the first finger (thumb) of the user's hand can come into contact when the user grasps thetop panel 2 in a manner pinching thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. The seconddistal sensor 23b is installed at a position (refer toFIG. 13 ) with which at least any of the second finger to the fifth finger of the user's hand can come into contact when the user grasps thetop panel 2 in a manner pinching thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - As illustrated in
FIG. 10 , the control unit 25 has a first acquiringportion 26, a second acquiringportion 27, adetermination portion 28, and a command-generating portion 29. - The first acquiring
portion 26 is connected to thefirst sensor 22. The first acquiringportion 26 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thefirst sensor 22. In the present embodiment, the first acquiringportion 26 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of the firstproximal sensor 22a and the firstdistal sensor 22b constituting thefirst sensor 22, and the information is stored in the first acquiringportion 26 to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 28. - The second acquiring
portion 27 is connected to thesecond sensor 23. The second acquiringportion 27 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thesecond sensor 23. In the present embodiment, the second acquiringportion 27 acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of the secondproximal sensor 23a and the seconddistal sensor 23b constituting thesecond sensor 23, and the information is stored in the second acquiringportion 27 to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 28. - The
determination portion 28 is connected to the first acquiringportion 26 and the second acquiringportion 27. Thedetermination portion 28 determines which of thefirst sensor 22 and thesecond sensor 23 the user has made contact, based on information acquired by the first acquiringportion 26 from thefirst sensor 22 and information acquired by the second acquiringportion 27 from thesecond sensor 23. - As illustrated in
FIG. 11 , when contact with the firstproximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, and the secondproximal sensor 23a is detected and contact with the seconddistal sensor 23b is not detected, thedetermination portion 28 outputs a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 to the command-generating portion 29. - In addition, when contact with the first
proximal sensor 22a, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b is detected and contact with the firstdistal sensor 22b is not detected, thedetermination portion 28 outputs a signal for raising thetop panel 2 to the command-generating portion 29. - As illustrated in
FIG. 11 , when there is an input to the firstproximal sensor 22a and the firstdistal sensor 22b and there is no input to the secondproximal sensor 23a and the seconddistal sensor 23b, thedetermination portion 28 in the present embodiment determines that these inputs are invalid. Therefore, while thetop panel 2 is in ordinary use such that the user has brought his/her arm into contact with theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, thetop panel 2 is not raised or lowered. - In addition, when it is determined that there also has been an input to all of the first
proximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b, thedetermination portion 28 in the present embodiment determines that these inputs are invalid. Therefore, thetop panel 2 can be stopped when thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 comes into contact with a knee or the like while the user is lowering thetop panel 2. - The command-generating portion 29 causes the
top panel 2 to be raised or lowered in response to an output from thedetermination portion 28. In the present embodiment, the command-generating portion 29 generates a command for an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 provided in thesupport body 5 in response to an output from thedetermination portion 28. That is, when a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 28 to the command-generating portion 29, the command-generating portion 29 generates a command for contracting thesupport bodies 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. In addition, when a signal for raising thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 28 to the command-generating portion 29, the command-generating portion 29 generates a command for extending thesupport bodies 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. - Operations of the
furniture 20 of the present embodiment will be described. - The control unit 25 of the present embodiment determines in which of the upward direction and the downward direction the user intends to move the
top panel 2, based on the presence or absence of contact with respect to each of the firstproximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b. - In the present embodiment, when the user's hand is in contact with the
upper surface 3 of thetop panel 2 in a manner in which the palm of the user's hand intending to raise or lower thetop panel 2 is directed downward (refer toFIG. 12 ), the user's hand comes into contact with both the firstproximal sensor 22a and the firstdistal sensor 22b of thefirst sensor 22. In addition, in this case, if the user is grasping thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 to lower thetop panel 2, the user's hand is also in contact with the secondproximal sensor 23a of thesecond sensor 23. Therefore, when contact with the firstproximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, and the secondproximal sensor 23a is detected and contact with the seconddistal sensor 23b is not detected, the control unit 25 outputs a signal for contracting thesupport bodies 5 to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. Accordingly, the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 lowers thetop panel 2 in accordance with a gesture for grasping and pushing down thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - On the contrary, when the user's hand is in contact with the
lower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 in a manner in which the palm of the user's hand intending to raise or lower thetop panel 2 is directed upward (refer toFIG. 13 ), the user's hand comes into contact with both the secondproximal sensor 23a and the seconddistal sensor 23b of thesecond sensor 23. In addition, in this case, if the user is grasping thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 to raise thetop panel 2, the user's hand is also in contact with the firstproximal sensor 22a of thefirst sensor 22. Therefore, when contact with the firstproximal sensor 22a, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b is detected and contact with the firstdistal sensor 22b is not detected, the control unit 25 outputs a signal for extending thesupport bodies 5 to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. Accordingly, the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 raises thetop panel 2 in accordance with a gesture for grasping and pushing up thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - The
furniture 20 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the first embodiment. - In addition, in the present embodiment, when the user performs an operation of raising or lowering the
top panel 2, the user grasps thetop panel 2 in a manner pinching thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2, so that the user's hand comes into contact with both thefirst sensor 22 and thesecond sensor 23. Here, the user's first finger (thumb) does not reach the distal sensor (the firstdistal sensor 22b or the seconddistal sensor 23b) but any of the second finger to the fifth finger of the user reaches the distal sensor (the firstdistal sensor 22b or the seconddistal sensor 23b), the control unit 25 can determine the direction of the user's hand by using thefirst sensor 22 and thesecond sensor 23. - In the present embodiment, a natural direction of the hand of the user when the user lowers the
top panel 2 is a direction of grasping thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 with a hand while the back of the hand is directed upward. In addition, a natural direction of the hand of the user when the user raises thetop panel 2 is a direction of grasping thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 with a hand while the back of the hand is directed downward. - In the present embodiment, the
top panel 2 can be raised or lowered by grasping thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 with one hand. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the user only grasps thetop panel 2, the control unit 25 determines the raising/lowering direction of thetop panel 2 and causes thesupport bodies 5 to extend and contract. Therefore, thetop panel 2 can be raised or lowered with a light force. - A modification example of the present embodiment will be described.
- In the present modification example, in place of the
first sensor 22 and thesecond sensor 23 installed in the top panel, many contact sensors are installed on the upper surface of the top panel and many contact sensors are installed on the lower surface of the top panel. In the present modification example, the sensors installed in the top panel are different from that in the second embodiment described above and are arranged in a zigzag shape or a square lattice shape. In the present modification example, the sensors installed in the top panel are connected to the control unit. - In the present modification example, the control unit acquires the positions and the number of sensors, among many sensors installed on the upper surface of the top panel, which have detected contact of the user's hand and the positions and the number of sensors, among many sensors installed on the lower surface of the top panel, which have detected contact of the user's hand. The control unit estimates the posture of the user's hand which made contact with the top panel using the detection positions and the detection numbers of the sensors on each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel.
- In the present modification example as well, similar to the second embodiment described above, the top panel can be raised or lowered by grasping the front end portion of the top panel with one hand.
- In place of many sensors installed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel, a sensor which detects the contact state of the user's hand with respect to a predetermined region in the vicinity of the front end portion of the top panel may be installed in the top panel. For example, an electrostatic capacitance-type sensor, a resistive film-type sensor, or the like which can receive a multi-touch input may be installed on the upper surface and the lower surface in the front end portion of the top panel.
- A third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 14 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment seen from a side surface side of the top panel. - As illustrated in
FIG. 14 , in place of thesensor 11 disclosed in the first embodiment,furniture 30 of the present embodiment has adistortion sensor 31 which detects distortion of thetop panel 2 caused by contact of the user with respect to thetop panel 2. Examples of thedistortion sensor 31 may include a sensor using a piezoelectric element. - The position of the
distortion sensor 31 is not particularly limited and need only be a position at which distortion of thetop panel 2 can be detected. For example, thedistortion sensor 31 may be installed in a connection part between thetop panel 2 and thesupport body 5. - The control unit of the present embodiment causes the
support bodies 5 to contract while thedistortion sensor 31 is detecting distortion generated in thetop panel 2 caused by the user pushing theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2 to thelower surface 4 side. The control unit causes thesupport bodies 5 to extend while thedistortion sensor 31 is detecting distortion generated in thetop panel 2 caused by the user pushing thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 to theupper surface 3 side. - The
furniture 30 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the first embodiment. - In addition, the position of the
distortion sensor 31 in thefurniture 30 of the present embodiment is not limited to thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 and need only be a position at which distortion generated in thetop panel 2 can be detected when the user intends to raise or lower thetop panel 2. Therefore, even if thedistortion sensor 31 is disposed at a position where the user cannot touch thedistortion sensor 31 with his/her hand in thetop panel 2, a gesture of the user for raising or lowering thetop panel 2 can be recognized based on distortion of thetop panel 2. - A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- A sensor for raising and lowering the top panel in top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment has push-button switches which are installed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel. The push-button switches installed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel are connected to the control unit.
- The push-button switch installed on the upper surface of the top panel is a switch to be pushed through an operation of the user on the upper surface side of the top panel. If the push-button switch installed on the upper surface of the top panel is pushed, the top panel is lowered in a manner similar to the cases of the embodiments described above in which the user has made contact with the
first sensor 12. The push-button switch installed on the lower surface of the top panel is a switch to be pushed through an operation of the user on the lower surface side of the top panel. If the push-button switch installed on the lower surface of the top panel is pushed, the top panel is raised in a manner similar to the cases of the embodiments described above in which the user has made contact with thesecond sensor 13. - A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- Top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment described above in installing a sensor in a part other than the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. As an example, the sensor of the top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment is installed in the support body. The sensor of the present embodiment is a distortion sensor, instead of a contact sensor. The distortion sensor can detect distortion caused by contact of the user's hand with the top panel. The distortion sensor is connected to the control unit which controls raising and lowering of the top panel. The configuration of the control unit may be similar to that of the first embodiment described above.
- In the top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment, a case in which the user's hand comes into contact with the upper surface of the top panel and a case in which the user's hand comes into contact with the lower surface of the top panel differ from each other in the distortion state detected by the distortion sensor. Accordingly, the control unit can identify which of the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel the user intends to come into contact and in which of the upward direction and the downward direction the user intends to move the top panel.
- The top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment also exhibits effects similar to those of the first embodiment. In addition, since the top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment has no sensor on the upper surface of the top panel, the entire area of the upper surface of the top panel can be used as a work surface. Accordingly, the top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment has excellent usability as furniture.
- A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- Top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment differs from that of each of the embodiments described above in that the speed of raising and lowering of the top panel can be changed.
- In addition to the
sensor 11 disclosed in the first embodiment described above, the top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment has a distortion sensor which can detect the degree of distortion generated in the top panel. The distortion sensor is installed in a part, such as the top panel or the support body, to which distortion generated in the top panel is transferred. The distortion sensor is connected to the control unit which controls raising and lowering of the top panel. - The degree of an input to the distortion sensor varies depending on the magnitude of a pushing force with respect to the top panel. That is, in the present embodiment, the presence or absence of an input to the
sensor 11 that is a contact sensor becomes a trigger for a raising/lowering operation of the top panel, and the degree of an input to the distortion sensor corresponds to the magnitude of a force of the user moving the top panel. When an input to the distortion sensor is significant, it is estimated that the user intends to promptly raise or lower the top panel. Therefore, the control unit controls a raising/lowering operation of the support body such that the raising/lowering speed of the top panel becomes higher than a standard speed. When an input to the distortion sensor is reduced, the control unit controls a raising/lowering operation of the support body such that the raising/lowering speed of the top panel approximates the standard speed. In addition, when an input to the distortion sensor is extremely small, it is estimated that the user intends to perform fine adjustment of the height of the top panel, and the control unit can control a raising/lowering operation of the support body such that the raising/lowering speed of the top panel becomes lower than the standard speed. - The top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment also exhibits effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. Moreover, the top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment can automatically switch between a prompt raising/lowering operation of the top panel and fine adjustment of the height of the top panel by reflecting the raising/lowering speed of the top panel intended by the user.
- A modification example of the present embodiment will be described.
- In the present modification example, in place of the distortion sensor included in the top panel height adjustable furniture, the
sensor 11 is configured to be able to perform a detection operation corresponding to the contact area of the user's hand. - For example, the
sensor 11 has many fine sensor elements in certain regions on the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel in the vicinity of the front end portion of the top panel. As an example, thesensor 11 includes a known electrostatic capacitance-type sensor and a known resistive film-type sensor utilized in touch panels for multi-touch. - The control unit connected to the
sensor 11 of the present modification example controls the speed of a raising/lowering operation of the support body based on the contact area of the user's hand. - For example, the control unit stores a threshold value which has been set in advance in consideration of the size of the hand of a person assumed as the user. As an example, between a contact area when the user brings one finger into contact with the top panel and a contact area when the user brings the entire palm of the hand into contact with the top panel, the contact area when the entire palm of the hand is brought into contact with the top panel is larger. In such a contact state, it is estimated that the user intends to more promptly raise or lower the top panel than when one finger is brought into contact with the top panel. Therefore, when the contact area exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit performs control of increasing the raising/lowering speed of the top panel by the support bodies. On the contrary, when the contact area is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the control unit performs control of decreasing the raising/lowering speed of the top panel by the support bodies.
- In addition, the control unit periodically acquires the contact area from the point of time when the user's hand has made contact with the
sensor 11 and estimates a change in a force of the user pushing the top panel, based on the change amount or the change rate of the contact area. In this case, when the contact area increases, the control unit determines that the top panel is further pushed, and the control unit performs control of increasing the raising/lowering speed of the top panel by the support bodies. On the contrary, when the contact area is reduced, the control unit determines that pushing with respect to the top panel is reduced, and the control unit performs control of decreasing the raising/lowering speed of the top panel by the support bodies. - The top panel height adjustable furniture of the present modification example also exhibits effects similar to those of the sixth embodiment described above.
- A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment.FIG. 16 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture seen from the upper surface side of the top panel.FIG. 17 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture seen from the lower surface side of the top panel. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 15 to 17 , in place of thesensor 11 disclosed in the first embodiment,furniture 101 of the present embodiment includes asensor 111. In addition, thefurniture 101 of the present embodiment includes acontrol unit 115 different from thecontrol unit 15 disclosed in the first embodiment. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 15 to 17 , thesensor 111 has thefirst sensor 12 which is installed on theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, thesecond sensor 13 which is installed on thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2, and third sensors (receiving portions) 14 which are installed in thesupport bodies 5. Thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 of the present embodiment have configurations similar to those of thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 of the first embodiment. Here, description thereof will be omitted. - The
third sensor 14 is a sensor for receiving an input of permission or inhibition of raising or lowering of thetop panel 2. Thethird sensor 14 of the present embodiment is attached to thehorizontal portion 8a of theleg portion 8 such that the user can perform an operation with a foot. When the user steps on thethird sensor 14 with a foot, thethird sensor 14 switches between a first state permitting thetop panel 2 to be raised or lowered and a second state inhibiting thetop panel 2 from being raised or lowered. Thethird sensor 14 is electrically connected to thecontrol unit 115. -
FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIGS. 19A and 19B are tables showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 15 and18 , thecontrol unit 115 controls an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 based on a detection result of thesensor 111. For example, thecontrol unit 115 is installed inside thesupport body 5. - As illustrated in
FIG. 18 , thecontrol unit 115 has a first acquiringportion 116a, a second acquiringportion 116b, a third acquiringportion 117, adetermination portion 118, and a command-generatingportion 119. - The first acquiring
portion 116a and the second acquiringportion 116b acquire information of the presence or absence of an input to thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13, in regard to an operation of the user raising or lowering thetop panel 2. - The first acquiring
portion 116a is connected to thefirst sensor 12. The first acquiringportion 116a acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thefirst sensor 12. In the present embodiment, the first acquiringportion 116a acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b constituting thefirst sensor 12, and the information is stored in the first acquiringportion 116a to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 118. - The second acquiring
portion 116b is connected to thesecond sensor 13. The second acquiringportion 116b acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thesecond sensor 13. In the present embodiment, the second acquiringportion 116b acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of theright sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b constituting thesecond sensor 13, and the information is stored in the second acquiringportion 116b to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 118. - The third acquiring
portion 117 acquires information indicating whether or not the operation with respect to the first acquiringportion 116a and the second acquiringportion 116b is a valid operation, based on the presence or absence of an input to thethird sensor 14. For example, when there is an input to thethird sensor 14, the third acquiringportion 117 outputs, to thedetermination portion 118, a signal indicating that an input to the first acquiringportion 116a and the second acquiringportion 116b is valid. - The
determination portion 118 is connected to the first acquiringportion 116a and the second acquiringportion 116b. Thedetermination portion 118 determines which of thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 the user has made contact, based on information acquired by the first acquiringportion 116a from thefirst sensor 12 and information acquired by the second acquiringportion 116b from thesecond sensor 13. In addition, thedetermination portion 118 determines whether or not to perform an output of a signal to the command-generatingportion 119, based on the presence or absence of a signal from the third acquiringportion 117. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 19A and 19B , when information of the presence of contact of the user with respect to theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b constituting thefirst sensor 12 is acquired by the first acquiringportion 116a, thedetermination portion 118 in the present embodiment determines that there has been an input to thefirst sensor 12. In this case, if an elapsed time after thedetermination portion 118 receives the signal from the third acquiringportion 117 is within a predetermined period of time, thedetermination portion 118 outputs a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 to the command-generatingportion 119. - Moreover, when information of the presence of contact of the user with respect to the
right sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b constituting thesecond sensor 13 is acquired by the second acquiringportion 116b, thedetermination portion 118 in the present embodiment determines that there has been an input to thesecond sensor 13. In this case, if the elapsed time after thedetermination portion 118 receives the signal from the third acquiringportion 117 is within a predetermined period of time, thedetermination portion 118 outputs a signal for raising thetop panel 2 to the command-generatingportion 119. - When it is determined that there has been an input to the
first sensor 12 and it is also determined that there has been an input to thesecond sensor 13, thedetermination portion 118 in the present embodiment determines that these inputs are invalid. - In addition, when there is no input to the
third sensor 14 after the predetermined period of time has elapsed after thedetermination portion 118 receives the signal from the third acquiringportion 117, thedetermination portion 118 in the present embodiment inhibits a signal from being output to the command-generating portion 119 (inhibits the top panel from moving). - The command-generating
portion 119 causes thetop panel 2 to be raised or lowered in response to an output from thedetermination portion 118. In the present embodiment, the command-generatingportion 119 generates a command for an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 in response to an output from thedetermination portion 118 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 provided in thesupport body 5. That is, when a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 118 to the command-generatingportion 119, the command-generatingportion 119 generates a command for contracting thesupport bodies 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. In addition, when a signal for raising thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 118 to the command-generatingportion 119, the command-generatingportion 119 generates a command for extending thesupport bodies 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. - Operations of the
control unit 115 of the present embodiment will be described. - The
control unit 115 has a mode (top panel raising/lowering mode) in which thesupport bodies 5 extend or contract in response to an input to thefirst sensor 12 or thesecond sensor 13 and a mode (top panel movement inhibiting mode) in which an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 is inhibited at all times regardless of the presence or absence of an input to thefirst sensor 12 or thesecond sensor 13, in accordance with an input state with respect to the third sensor 14 (refer toFIG. 19B ). For example, thecontrol unit 115 operates in the mode in which thesupport bodies 5 extend or contract, for the predetermined period of time after the point of time when there has been an input to thethird sensor 14. Thecontrol unit 115 shifts to the mode in which an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 is inhibited when there is no input to thefirst sensor 12 or thesecond sensor 13 even if this predetermined period of time has elapsed. - In a state where the
top panel 2 is permitted to be raised or lowered by thethird sensor 14, when the user is in contact with thefirst sensor 12, thecontrol unit 115 of the present embodiment determines that the user has made contact with thetop panel 2 on theupper surface 3 side of thetop panel 2. In this case, thecontrol unit 115 outputs a signal for contracting thesupport bodies 5 to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 of thesupport body 5. - In addition, in the state where the
top panel 2 is permitted to be raised or lowered by thethird sensor 14, when the user is in contact with thesecond sensor 13, thecontrol unit 115 of the present embodiment determines that the user has made contact with thetop panel 2 on thelower surface 4 side of thetop panel 2. In this case, thecontrol unit 115 outputs a signal for extending thesupport bodies 5 to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 of thesupport body 5. - Operations of the
furniture 101 of the present embodiment will be described.FIG. 20 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is lowered through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIG. 21 is a view describing a case in which the top panel is raised through a raising/lowering operation of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. - When the user raises or lowers the
top panel 2 of thefurniture 101 of the present embodiment, the user steps on thethird sensor 14 with a foot and permits thetop panel 2 to be raised or lowered. If the user steps on thethird sensor 14 with a foot and there is an input to thethird sensor 14, thecontrol unit 115 shifts to the mode in which thesupport bodies 5 extend or contract in response to an input to thefirst sensor 12 or thesecond sensor 13. Within the predetermined period of time while thecontrol unit 115 operates in the mode in which thesupport bodies 5 extend or contract, as illustrated inFIG. 20 , the user brings his/her hands into contact with theupper surface 3 or thelower surface 4 in thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - For example, when the user lowers the
top panel 2, the user brings his/her hands into contact with theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2. This is a gesture of the user for pushing down thetop panel 2. If the user brings his/her hands into contact with theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, the user's hands come into contact with thefirst sensor 12. In the present embodiment, when the user's hands come into contact with both theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b constituting the first sensor 12 (refer toFIG. 16 ), thecontrol unit 115 determines that there has been contact with thefirst sensor 12. Thecontrol unit 115 causes thesupport bodies 5 to contract based on contact with thefirst sensor 12. Accordingly, thetop panel 2 is lowered. - In addition, when the user raises the
top panel 2, as illustrated inFIG. 21 , the user brings his/her hands into contact with thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2. This is a gesture of the user for pushing up thetop panel 2. If the user brings his/her hands into contact with thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2, the user's hands come into contact with thesecond sensor 13. In the present embodiment, when the user's hands come into contact with both theright sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b constituting the second sensor 13 (refer toFIG. 17 ), thecontrol unit 115 determines that there has been contact with thesecond sensor 13. Thecontrol unit 115 causes thesupport bodies 5 to extend based on contact with thesecond sensor 13. Accordingly, thetop panel 2 is raised. - The
furniture 101 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the first embodiment. - In addition, the
top panel 2 can be raised or lowered by using thefirst sensor 12 or thesecond sensor 13 only when permission for raising or lowering of thetop panel 2 is input by the third sensor 14 (receiving portion). Therefore, it is possible to reduce a possibility that thetop panel 2 is unintentionally raised or lowered. - In addition, in the
furniture 101 of the present embodiment, at least one of thefirst sensor 12 and the second sensor 13 (in the present embodiment, the first sensor 12) is installed on theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2. - In this case, it is easy to make an input to each of the
sensors first sensor 12 or thesecond sensor 13 is disposed at a position where an input is easily made, there may also be a possibility of an erroneous input. However, since the third sensor 14 (receiving portion) is provided, even if there is an erroneous input, an erroneous operation of thetop panel 2 is hardly caused. - In addition, in the
furniture 101 of the present embodiment, thefirst sensor 12 is a contact sensor which is installed on theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2 and detects contact of the user. Thesecond sensor 13 is a contact sensor which is installed on thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 and detects contact of the user. - In this case, when the user comes into contact with the
upper surface 3 of thetop panel 2 in an operation in which the user pushes down thetop panel 2 to lower thetop panel 2, thecontrol unit 115 can cause thetop panel 2 to be lowered by controlling thesupport bodies 5. In addition, when the user comes into contact with thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 in an operation in which the user pushes up thetop panel 2 to raise thetop panel 2, thecontrol unit 115 can cause thetop panel 2 to be raised by controlling thesupport bodies 5. As a result, a force of the user to be applied to thetop panel 2 to move thetop panel 2 is reduced, and thetop panel 2 can be raised or lowered in a natural posture. - A modification example of the present embodiment will be described.
- In the present modification example, while an input to the third sensor 14 (a state of stepping on the
third sensor 14 with a foot) continues, thecontrol unit 115 operates in the mode in which thesupport bodies 5 extend or contract, and if an input to thethird sensor 14 is canceled, thecontrol unit 115 operates in the mode in which an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 is inhibited. - Even such a configuration exhibits effects similar to those of the embodiments described above.
- In addition, in the present modification example, the user's intention of raising or lowering the
top panel 2 can be determined based on an input to thethird sensor 14. Therefore, there is no need for the user to touch both theright sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b in thefirst sensor 12 with both hands, or there is no need for the user to touch both theright sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b in thesecond sensor 13 with both hands. - Therefore, in the present modification example, a raising/lowering operation of the
top panel 2 can be performed with one hand. - An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 22 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment seen from the upper surface side of the top panel.FIG. 23 is a view of the top panel height adjustable furniture seen from the lower surface side of the top panel. -
FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the top panel height adjustable furniture.FIG. 25 is a table showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9 , in place of thesensor 111 disclosed in the seventh embodiment,furniture 120 of the present embodiment includes asensor 121 that can determine in which of the upward direction and the downward direction the user intends to move thetop panel 2 by discriminating the direction of the user's hand. In addition, thefurniture 120 of the present embodiment includes acontrol unit 125 which is different from thecontrol unit 115 disclosed in the seventh embodiment. - The
sensor 121 of the present embodiment has thefirst sensor 22 which is installed on theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, thesecond sensor 23 which is installed on thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2, and the third sensors (receiving portions) 14 which are installed in thesupport bodies 5. Thefirst sensor 22 and thesecond sensor 23 of the present embodiment have configurations similar to those of thefirst sensor 22 and thesecond sensor 23 of the second embodiment. Here, description thereof will be omitted. Thethird sensor 14 of the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of thethird sensor 14 of the seventh embodiment. Here, description thereof will be omitted. - As illustrated in
FIG. 24 , thecontrol unit 125 has a first acquiringportion 126a, a second acquiringportion 126b, a third acquiring portion 127, adetermination portion 128, and a command-generatingportion 129. - The first acquiring
portion 126a is connected to thefirst sensor 22. The first acquiringportion 126a acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thefirst sensor 22. In the present embodiment, the first acquiringportion 126a acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of the firstproximal sensor 22a and the firstdistal sensor 22b constituting thefirst sensor 22, and the information is stored in the first acquiringportion 126a to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 128. - The second acquiring
portion 126b is connected to thesecond sensor 23. The second acquiringportion 126b acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to thesecond sensor 23. In the present embodiment, the second acquiringportion 126b acquires information of the presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to each of the secondproximal sensor 23a and the seconddistal sensor 23b constituting thesecond sensor 23, and the information is stored in the second acquiringportion 126b to be able to be referred to in thedetermination portion 128. - The third acquiring portion 127 acquires information indicating whether or not the operation with respect to the first acquiring
portion 126a and the second acquiringportion 126b is a valid operation, based on the presence or absence of an input to thethird sensor 14. For example, when there is an input to thethird sensor 14, the third acquiring portion 127 outputs, to thedetermination portion 128, a signal indicating that an input to the first acquiringportion 126a and the second acquiringportion 126b is valid. - The
determination portion 128 is connected to the first acquiringportion 126a and the second acquiringportion 126b. Thedetermination portion 128 determines which of thefirst sensor 22 and thesecond sensor 23 the user has made contact, based on information acquired by the first acquiringportion 126a from thefirst sensor 22 and information acquired by the second acquiringportion 126b from thesecond sensor 23. - When contact with the first
proximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, and the secondproximal sensor 23a is detected and contact with the seconddistal sensor 23b is not detected, thedetermination portion 128 outputs a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 to the command-generating portion 129 (refer toFIG. 25 ). - In addition, when contact with the first
proximal sensor 22a, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b is detected and contact with the firstdistal sensor 22b is not detected, thedetermination portion 128 outputs a signal for raising thetop panel 2 to the command-generating portion 129 (refer toFIG. 25 ). - As illustrated in
FIG. 25 , when there is an input to the firstproximal sensor 22a and the firstdistal sensor 22b and there is no input to the secondproximal sensor 23a and the seconddistal sensor 23b, thedetermination portion 128 in the present embodiment determines that these inputs are invalid. Therefore, while thetop panel 2 is in ordinary use such that the user has brought his/her arm into contact with theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2, thetop panel 2 is not raised or lowered. - In addition, when it is determined that there also has been an input to all of the first
proximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b, thedetermination portion 128 in the present embodiment determines that these inputs are invalid. Therefore, thetop panel 2 can be stopped when thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 comes into contact with a knee or the like while the user is lowering thetop panel 2. - The command-generating
portion 129 causes thetop panel 2 to be raised or lowered in response to an output from thedetermination portion 128. In the present embodiment, the command-generatingportion 129 generates a command for an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10 provided in thesupport body 5 in response to an output from thedetermination portion 128. That is, when a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 128 to the command-generatingportion 129, the command-generatingportion 129 generates a command for contracting thesupport bodies 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. In addition, when a signal for raising thetop panel 2 is output from thedetermination portion 128 to the command-generatingportion 129, the command-generatingportion 129 generates a command for extending thesupport body 5 and outputs the command to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. - Operations of the
furniture 120 of the present embodiment will be described. - The
control unit 125 of the present embodiment determines in which of the upward direction and the downward direction the user intends to move thetop panel 2, based on the presence or absence of contact with respect to each of the firstproximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b. In the present embodiment as well, similar to the seventh embodiment, thecontrol unit 125 refers to the presence or absence of an input to thethird sensor 14 and operates in either one mode of the mode in which thesupport bodies 5 extend or contract or the mode in which an extending/contracting operation of thesupport body 5 is inhibited (refer toFIG. 25 ). - In the present embodiment, when the user's hand is in contact with the
upper surface 3 of thetop panel 2 in a manner in which the palm of the user's hand intending to raise or lower thetop panel 2 is directed downward, the user's hand comes into contact with both the firstproximal sensor 22a and the firstdistal sensor 22b of thefirst sensor 22. In addition, in this case, if the user is grasping thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 to lower thetop panel 2, the user's hand is also in contact with the secondproximal sensor 23a of thesecond sensor 23. Therefore, when contact with the firstproximal sensor 22a, the firstdistal sensor 22b, and the secondproximal sensor 23a is detected and contact with the seconddistal sensor 23b is not detected, thecontrol unit 125 outputs a signal for contracting thesupport bodies 5 to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. Accordingly, the raising/loweringdrive units 10 lower thetop panel 2 in accordance with a gesture for grasping and pushing down thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - On the contrary, when the user's hand is in contact with the
lower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 in a manner in which the palm of the user's hand intending to raise or lower thetop panel 2 is directed upward, the user's hand comes into contact with both the secondproximal sensor 23a and the seconddistal sensor 23b of thesecond sensor 23. In addition, in this case, if the user is grasping thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2 to raise thetop panel 2, the user's hand is also in contact with the firstproximal sensor 22a of thefirst sensor 22. Therefore, when contact with the firstproximal sensor 22a, the secondproximal sensor 23a, and the seconddistal sensor 23b is detected and contact with the firstdistal sensor 22b is not detected, thecontrol unit 125 outputs a signal for extending thesupport bodies 5 to the raising/loweringdrive unit 10. Accordingly, the raising/loweringdrive units 10 raise thetop panel 2 in accordance with a gesture for grasping and pushing up thefront end portion 2a of thetop panel 2. - The
furniture 120 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the seventh embodiment. In addition, thefurniture 120 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the second embodiment. - A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 26 is a view of top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment seen from the side surface side of the top panel. - As illustrated in
FIG. 26 , in place of thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 disclosed in the seventh embodiment,furniture 130 of the present embodiment has thedistortion sensor 31 which detects distortion of thetop panel 2 caused by contact of the user with respect to thetop panel 2. Thedistortion sensor 31 of the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of thedistortion sensor 31 of the third embodiment. Here, description thereof will be omitted. - When permission for raising or lowering of the
top panel 2 is input to the third sensor 14 (receiving portion), the control unit of the present embodiment causes thesupport bodies 5 to contract while thedistortion sensor 31 is detecting distortion generated in thetop panel 2 by the user pushing theupper surface 3 of thetop panel 2 to thelower surface 4 side, and the control unit causes thesupport bodies 5 to extend while thedistortion sensor 31 is detecting distortion generated in thetop panel 2 by the user pushing thelower surface 4 of thetop panel 2 to theupper surface 3 side. - The
furniture 130 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the seventh embodiment. In addition, thefurniture 130 of the present embodiment exhibits effects similar to those of the third embodiment. - A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
-
FIG. 27 is a block diagram of top panel height adjustable furniture of the present embodiment.FIGS. 28A and 28B are tables showing raising/lowering control of the top panel in the top panel height adjustable furniture. - Top panel height
adjustable furniture 140 of the present embodiment has acontrol unit 145 having a configuration partially different from that of thecontrol unit 115 disclosed in the seventh embodiment described above. In addition, the top panel heightadjustable furniture 140 of the present embodiment does not have thethird sensor 14. - The
control unit 145 has adetermination portion 146 which determines whether or not a signal is output to the command-generatingportion 119, based on the acquired condition of information of the first acquiringportion 116a and the second acquiringportion 116b, in place of thedetermination portion 118 in the seventh embodiment. -
FIGS. 28A and 28B illustrate a relationship between the presence or absence of contact with each of the sensors for making selection between permission and inhibition of movement of thetop panel 2, and a determination result of thedetermination portion 146. InFIGS. 28A and 28B , "Yes" indicates that there is contact of the user exceeding the predetermined period of time. InFIGS. 28A and 28B , "No" indicates that there is no contact of the user exceeding the predetermined period of time. - As illustrated in
FIG. 28A , thedetermination portion 146 in the present embodiment determines whether or not there is contact of the user with both thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 exceeding the predetermined period of time, based on information acquired by the first acquiringportion 116a and the second acquiringportion 116b. - For example, as illustrated in
FIG. 28B , when the user is in contact with both theright sensor 12a and theright sensor 13a exceeding the predetermined period of time, thedetermination portion 146 determines that there is contact of the user with both thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 exceeding the predetermined period of time. - In addition, when the user is in contact with both the
left sensor 12b and theleft sensor 13b exceeding the predetermined period of time, thedetermination portion 146 determines that there is contact of the user with both thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 exceeding the predetermined period of time. In addition, when there is contact of the user with theright sensor 12a, theleft sensor 12b, theright sensor 13a, and theleft sensor 13b exceeding the predetermined period of time, thedetermination portion 146 may determine that there is contact of the user with both thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 exceeding the predetermined period of time. - When these determinations are performed, the
determination portion 146 permit an output of a signal to the command-generatingportion 119. If it is not determined that there is contact of the user with both thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 exceeding the predetermined period of time, thedetermination portion 146 inhibits an output of a signal to the command-generatingportion 119. - When information of the presence of contact of the user with respect to the
right sensor 12a and theleft sensor 12b constituting thefirst sensor 12 is acquired by the first acquiringportion 116a, thedetermination portion 146 in the present embodiment determines that there has been an input to thefirst sensor 12. In this case, if an output of a signal to the command-generatingportion 19 is permitted, thedetermination portion 146 outputs a signal for lowering thetop panel 2 to the command-generatingportion 19. - Moreover, when information of the presence of contact of the user with respect to the
right sensor 13a and theleft sensor 13b constituting thesecond sensor 13 is acquired by the second acquiringportion 116b, thedetermination portion 146 in the present embodiment determines that there has been an input to thesecond sensor 13. In this case, if an output of a signal to the command-generatingportion 119 is permitted, thedetermination portion 146 outputs a signal for raising thetop panel 2 to the command-generatingportion 119. - The
determination portion 146 of the top panel heightadjustable furniture 140 of the present embodiment functions as a receiving portion which receives an input of permission or inhibition of raising or lowering of thetop panel 2. - For example, the
third sensor 14 disclosed in the seventh embodiment is configured to be operated by the user with a foot. Therefore, when the user's foot does not reach thethird sensor 14, usability may deteriorate. In contrast, the top panel heightadjustable furniture 140 of the present embodiment uses thefirst sensor 12 and thesecond sensor 13 in place of thethird sensor 14, so that permission or inhibition of raising or lowering of thetop panel 2 can be selected. Therefore, the top panel heightadjustable furniture 140 of the present embodiment has favorable usability for example when thetop panel 2 is wide and the distance between the user and thesupport body 5 is long. - Hereinabove, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, a specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and a design change and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included.
- For example, the furniture disclosed in the third embodiment and the ninth embodiment described above may be able to detect contact with another object by a distortion sensor when the top panel comes into contact with the object while the top panel is raised or lowered. At this time, for example, the control unit can perform control, such as temporarily stopping an extending/contracting operation of the support body.
- In addition, in the furniture disclosed in each of the embodiments described above, the support body may be connected to the side surface of the top panel. In this case, the supporting position of the top panel may be controlled in response to control of the control unit causing a connection structure between the support body and the top panel to vertically move, instead of extending and contracting of the support body.
- In addition, the first sensor disclosed in the seventh embodiment is installed on the upper surface of the top panel, and the second sensor disclosed in the seventh embodiment is installed on the lower surface of the top panel. However, the position of each of the sensors is not limited thereto. As an example, the first sensor and the second sensor may be attached to the lower surface of the top panel as push-button switches in an arranged manner. In addition, the first sensor and the second sensor may be attached to the side surface in the front end portion of the top panel.
- In addition, the third sensor may be installed in the top panel instead of the support body. In this case, the third sensor may be operated with a hand on a side opposite to the hand used for raising or lowering the top panel, instead of being operated with a foot.
- According to the present invention, a raising/lowering operation of a top panel can be intuitively and easily performed.
- In addition, according to the present invention, an erroneous raising/lowering operation of the top panel is hardly caused.
-
- 1, 20, 30, 101, 120, 130, 140 Top panel height adjustable furniture
- 2 Top panel
- 3 Upper surface of top panel
- 4 Lower surface of top panel
- 5 Support body
- 6 Beam portion
- 7 Shaft portion
- 8 Leg portion
- 10 Raising/lowering drive unit
- 11, 21, 111, 121 Sensor
- 12, 22 First sensor
- 13, 23 Second sensor
- 14 Third sensor (receiving portion)
- 15, 25, 115, 125, 145 Control unit
- 16, 26, 116a, 126a First acquiring portion
- 17, 27, 116b, 126b Second acquiring portion
- 117, 127 Third acquiring portion
- 18, 28, 118, 128, 146 Determination portion
- 19, 29, 119, 129 Command-generating portion
Claims (19)
- Top panel height adjustable furniture, comprising:a top panel that has an upper surface and a lower surface;a support body that supports the top panel such that the top panel is vertically movable;a sensor that detects contact of a user on the upper surface side of the top panel and contact of the user on the lower surface side of the top panel; anda control unit that controls, based on a detection result of the sensor, a supporting position of the top panel such that the top panel is moved downward when it is detected that the user has made contact with the top panel on the upper surface side of the top panel and the top panel is moved upward when it is detected that the user has made contact with the top panel on the lower surface side of the top panel.
- The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor is installed in the top panel. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor is installed in a part other than the top panel of the top panel height adjustable furniture. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor has:a first sensor which is installed on the upper surface of the top panel; anda second sensor which is installed on the lower surface of the top panel, andwherein the control unit causes the top panel to move downward while the user is in contact with the first sensor and causes the top panel to move upward while the user is in contact with the second sensor.
- The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 4,
wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are disposed such that the first sensor and the second sensor overlap each other when seen from the upper surface toward the lower surface. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 4 or 5,
wherein an outer surface of the first sensor is positioned on substantially the same surface as the upper surface of the top panel. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to any one of Claims 4 to 6,
wherein an outer surface of the second sensor is positioned on substantially the same surface as the lower surface of the top panel. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor has a contact sensor which detects presence or absence of contact of the user with respect to the top panel, the contact sensor being disposed in a front end portion of the top panel and extending along a width direction of the top panel. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor has a distortion sensor which detects distortion of the top panel caused by contact of the user with respect to the top panel, and
wherein the control unit causes the top panel to move downward while the distortion sensor is detecting distortion generated in the top panel by the user pushing the upper surface of the top panel to the lower surface side, and causes the top panel to move upward while the distortion sensor is detecting distortion generated in the top panel by the user pushing the lower surface of the top panel to the upper surface side. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor identifies a posture of a user's hand which comes into contact with the top panel, and
wherein the control unit selects either one of raising and lowering of the top panel based on the posture identified by the sensor. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 10,
wherein a plurality of sensors are provided on each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel, and
wherein the control unit recognizes the posture of the user's hand which comes into contact with the top panel, based on a combination of detection states of the plurality of sensors. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 10,
wherein the sensor individually detects a contact area of the user's hand with the upper surface of the top panel and a contact area of the user's hand with the lower surface of the top panel, and
wherein the control unit selects either one of raising and lowering of the top panel based on a difference between the contact area of the user's hand with the upper surface of the top panel and the contact area of the user's hand with the lower surface of the top panel. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor detects a contact area of the user's hand with the upper surface or the lower surface of the top panel, and
wherein the control unit determines a raising/lowering speed of the top panel based on a size of the contact area detected by the sensor. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor detects a magnitude of an external force applied to the top panel, and
wherein the control unit determines a raising/lowering speed of the top panel based on the magnitude of the external force detected by the sensor. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 10,
wherein the sensor has:a first distal sensor which is installed on the upper surface of the top panel;a first proximal sensor which is installed at a position closer to a front end portion of the top panel than the first distal sensor on the upper surface of the top panel;a second distal sensor which is installed on the lower surface of the top panel; anda second proximal sensor which is installed at a position closer to the front end portion of the top panel than the second distal sensor on the lower surface of the top panel, andwherein the control unit controls the supporting position of the top panel such that the top panel is moved downward when contact of the user is detected by the first distal sensor, the first proximal sensor, and the second proximal sensor, and the top panel is moved upward when contact of the user is detected by the first proximal sensor, the second distal sensor, and the second proximal sensor. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 1,
wherein the sensor has:a first sensor which receives an input for lowering the top panel;a second sensor which receives an input for raising the top panel; anda receiving portion which receives an input of permission or inhibition of raising or lowering of the top panel, andwherein the control unit controls the supporting position of the top panel based on detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor when permission for raising or lowering of the top panel is input to the receiving portion. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 16,
wherein the receiving portion is installed in the support body. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to Claim 16,
wherein the receiving portion is installed in the top panel. - The top panel height adjustable furniture according to any one of Claims 16 to 18,
wherein permission for raising or lowering of the top panel is input to the receiving portion when an input to the first sensor and an input to the second sensor simultaneously continue for a predetermined period of time or longer.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2016137668A JP6742175B2 (en) | 2016-07-12 | 2016-07-12 | Top plate lifting type furniture |
JP2016137667A JP6742174B2 (en) | 2016-07-12 | 2016-07-12 | Top plate lifting type furniture |
PCT/JP2017/025388 WO2018012526A1 (en) | 2016-07-12 | 2017-07-12 | Top panel elevating-type furniture |
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EP3485764A1 true EP3485764A1 (en) | 2019-05-22 |
EP3485764A4 EP3485764A4 (en) | 2019-12-04 |
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EP17827653.1A Withdrawn EP3485764A4 (en) | 2016-07-12 | 2017-07-12 | Top panel elevating-type furniture |
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EP (1) | EP3485764A4 (en) |
CN (1) | CN109310204A (en) |
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AT413632B (en) * | 2001-12-27 | 2006-04-15 | Blum Gmbh Julius | MOVABLE FURNITURE |
WO2007124754A2 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2007-11-08 | Linak A/S | Electrically adjustable piece of furniture |
CN201228700Y (en) * | 2008-03-24 | 2009-04-29 | 马跃凌 | Device for positioning telescopic tube |
JP2011058237A (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-24 | Panasonic Corp | Sanitary washing device |
EP2721951B1 (en) * | 2012-10-22 | 2017-04-19 | USM Holding AG | Furniture with movable furniture part |
DE102013100255A1 (en) * | 2013-01-11 | 2014-07-17 | Tielsa Gmbh | Mobile furniture |
CN203446828U (en) * | 2013-07-26 | 2014-02-26 | 浙江工业大学之江学院工业研究院 | Office desk and chair set capable of ascending and descending intelligently |
DE102014009150A1 (en) * | 2014-06-26 | 2016-01-14 | VARIO BüroEinrichtungen GmbH & Co. KG | Actuating device for positioning a movable component |
DE202015102151U1 (en) * | 2015-04-29 | 2016-08-01 | Zumtobel Lighting Gmbh | Electrically adjustable furniture |
-
2017
- 2017-07-12 CN CN201780038421.5A patent/CN109310204A/en active Pending
- 2017-07-12 EP EP17827653.1A patent/EP3485764A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-07-12 US US16/316,607 patent/US20190298055A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-07-12 WO PCT/JP2017/025388 patent/WO2018012526A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20190298055A1 (en) | 2019-10-03 |
CN109310204A (en) | 2019-02-05 |
WO2018012526A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 |
EP3485764A4 (en) | 2019-12-04 |
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