JP5278902B2 - Mobile furniture power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply system of a movable furniture enabled to receive power supply on a furniture easily and surely only by providing an adaptor function on a furniture such as a table and moving it. <P>SOLUTION: When it is structured that power may be extracted from the table 1 side by moving on a floor a table 1 being a movable furniture which has a connector 11b and of which the lower end part is supported in free sliding by a caster 15a and by connecting the connector 11b electrically with a connector 21b of a power source pole 2 being a power supplying part, there are provided a magnet mechanism 5 which is arranged between the connector 11b and 21b and attracts each of them by magnetic force and establishes an electrical connection state and releases the electrical connection state by an external force more than attraction force and a free movement support part 3 for supporting the connector 21b in free floating within a given range. In accordance with an access movement of the table 1 toward the power source pole 2, the connector 21b is made to bring about a position displacement or a posture change necessary for the connection within a range allowable at the free movement support part 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a moving furniture that is provided with an outlet and is movable on the floor, and more particularly to a power supply system for moving furniture that is conveniently connected to a power supply unit.

  For example, in order to receive power supply to a personal computer (personal computer) or the like on a table, conventionally, wiring is drawn from a wall outlet through an OA tap. For this reason, it is necessary to draw an OA tap each time, and it is cumbersome. The outlet rolls on the top of the desk and becomes messy. In addition, it interferes with walking. There is also a risk of damaging the wiring.

Therefore, a relatively large number of recent tables and the like have outlets built into the desk surface. Patent Document 1 discloses such furniture in a mobile table.
JP 2003-93161 A

  However, in this configuration, even if the desk surface is orderly, there is no change in the point that it is necessary to insert and remove the outlet every time the table is moved, and there is no wiring between the wall outlet. When stretched, the OA tap is easy to get a foot, which may interfere with walking, or when the user tries to move without connecting / disconnecting the cord, the cord may be caught and the wiring may be damaged.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and it is possible to easily and surely receive power supply on furniture simply by providing an adapter function on furniture such as a table and moving it. It aims to provide a power supply system for mobile furniture.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention takes the following measures.

That is, the power feeding system of the present invention is configured to move the moving furniture, which has a connector in part and is supported so that the lower end portion is slidable, on the floor, thereby electrically connecting the connector to the connector of the power supply unit. The electric power is taken out by the movable furniture side, and is provided between both connectors, and is electrically attracted to each other by magnetic action to establish an electrical connection state, and is electrically connected by an external force greater than the attracting force. Access to the power supply unit with a magnet mechanism that releases the connection state, and a floating support unit that supports at least one of the connectors in a predetermined range so as to be movable and allows the connector to project in the suction direction. Along with the operation, the connector causes a state change such as a positional displacement and a posture change necessary for connection within a range allowed by the floating support portion. Characterized in that the sea urchin configuration.

  Note that the power supply system mentioned here is not limited to the case where power is supplied to mobile furniture having a power storage function such as a battery, but may be in a state where power can be supplied from the mobile furniture to OA equipment installed on the mobile furniture. It will be enough.

  If comprised in this way, since it can connect with a power supply part only by moving a moving furniture, the troublesomeness which attaches and detaches a plug to an outlet one by one can be eliminated. In addition, since moving furniture is brought into close contact with the power supply section to supply power, the wiring is not stretched between the wall outlet and the wiring can be caught or walked. It can also be eliminated. Furthermore, since the outlets are attached and detached by the magnet as the moving furniture moves, it is possible to effectively eliminate the problem of damaging the wiring by hooking the cord when trying to move without connecting / disconnecting. However, the floor does not necessarily have high surface accuracy, and the heights of the outlets do not necessarily match due to undulation caused by undulations or partial carpeting. In addition, the access direction may be slightly deviated, and it is necessary to avoid a sudden collision of moving furniture. Therefore, if at least one connector is loosely supported by the above-described configuration, it moves and takes an appropriate position and posture, so that it is connected to the power supply unit simply by moving the moving furniture. The effect of the present invention can be effectively achieved.

Moreover, since the floating support part allows a protruding operation that the connector causes in the suction direction, the impact between the connectors can be reduced.

  In this case, in order to ensure an appropriate state when not in the power supply state, an auxiliary magnet mechanism for offset is provided to hold the connector in the immersive position when the connectors are not connected. Is preferred.

  In order to effectively cope with unevenness of the floor or the like, it is desirable that the floating support portion allows the vertical movement caused by the connector to eliminate the height difference.

  In this case, when only one of the pair of connectors is configured to move freely, the connector on the floating side is configured to be offset on the support surface by its own weight in a state where the connectors are not connected. It is effective to set the height of the connector at this position from the reference floor surface to be lower than the height of the connector on the non-floating side from the reference floor surface.

  In order to simply configure the floating support portion, the floating support portion has a passage window, and the shaft portion is provided within a predetermined range with the shaft portion provided integrally with the connector passing through the passage window. Is preferable.

  In order to reliably guide the movable furniture to a predetermined position even if the movable furniture is moved randomly, a guide mechanism for guiding the movable furniture to the vicinity of the position necessary for connecting the connectors is provided between the movable furniture and the power supply unit. It is effective to provide it.

  In order to reliably avoid the inertia of movement of the moving furniture from being an impact between the connectors, the guide end position by the guide mechanism is set to a position where the connectors are brought close to each other as long as the connectors do not move freely. It is desirable that

  In order to effectively develop the present invention, the power supply unit includes a plurality of connectors, and the plurality of movable furniture are arranged and assembled at predetermined positions, and the movable furniture connectors respectively corresponding to the connectors of the power supply unit are provided. It is effective to be configured to be connected.

  Since the present invention has the configuration described above, it is possible to switch the power supply state between connection and disconnection with the power supply unit simply by moving the moving furniture, thus making it unnecessary to connect and disconnect the outlets one by one. Thus, it is possible to properly take out the electric power from the moving furniture side, and it is possible to eliminate the possibility of damaging the wiring by hooking the cord when trying to move without connecting / disconnecting. At that time, the moving furniture is brought into close contact with the power supply unit to receive power, so that the wiring is not routed between the moving furniture and the power supply unit to prevent the office from deteriorating and The possibility of catching can also be eliminated. Further, if a battery is mounted on the moving furniture, it is possible to effectively supply power to a personal computer or the like even at a position away from the power supply unit simply by moving the moving furniture.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system for mobile furniture according to this embodiment moves the table 1, which is a mobile furniture having a connector 11 and a lower end supported by a caster 15 a, on the floor. The connector 11 is electrically connected to the connector 21b of the power pole 2 which is a power supply unit so that power can be taken out on the table 1 side.

  The power pole 2 is configured by supporting a connector box 24 on a leg blade 22 via a support 23, and the leg blade 22 is stably grounded on the floor via an adjuster 22a. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector box 24 includes a connector 21b on the outer wall 24a, and a power line C raised from the floor is connected to the connector 21b via a breaker (not shown). In this embodiment, the outer wall 24a of the connector box 24 has a hexagonal shape in plan view, windows 24b are formed on each surface, and a total of six connectors 21b are arranged for each window 24b. The size of the window 24b is slightly larger than the connector holding portion 21a that holds the connector 21b, and play is set particularly in the vertical direction.

  And the said connector 21b is attached to the connector holding | maintenance part 21a, and it can be made to float within the said window 24b via the floating support part 3 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the connector 21b separated from the connector holding portion 21a. An angle-like upright piece 31 is fixed to the bottom wall 24c of the connector box 24. The floating support portion 3 includes a long hole-like passage window 31a provided at two locations of the upright piece 31 and the connector holding portion. 4 shaft portions 32 projecting rearward from the back surface of the portion 21a, and the shaft portion 32 is configured to pass through the passage window 31a. And the stopper 33 is arrange | positioned in the position where the axial part 32 passed the passage window 31a. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 30 denotes a cushioning member such as rubber. That is, the floating support portion 3 causes the connector 21b to be integrated with the connector holding portion 21a so that the back surface 3a abuts against the standing piece 31 via the buffer member 30, and the immersion position of FIG. It floats in the back-and-forth direction between the projecting position and the projecting position, and can also move in the up-and-down direction between the position where it contacts the bottom wall 24c and the position where the upper portion of the connector holding portion 21a abuts the upper edge of the window 24b. It is possible. Of course, the shaft portion 32 may first reach the upper end of the passage window 31a. The passage window 31a is slightly wider than the shaft portion 32, and the connector holding portion 21a is allowed to swing slightly in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the screw portion of the bolt v is used as the shaft portion 32, and the head portion is used as the stopper 33.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 21b includes a female terminal 21x and a magnet 21y. The connector 21b is generally provided on the market as a magnet switch together with the connector 11b described below.

  On the other hand, the top plate 12 of the table 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a substantially triangular shape in plan view, and a connector 11b that is paired with the connector 21b is arranged on the desk surface of the top plate 12 in a protruding state. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 11 b includes a male terminal 11 x and a magnet attracting plate 11 y and is used in a pair with the connector 21 b and is held by the connector holder 11. . The connector holding part 11 has a detachable half structure, and is configured so that the connector holding part 11 can be closed in a state where the OA outlet plug 41a is inserted into the back surface of the connector 11b.

  The top plate 12 shown in FIG. 1 has an opening 13 from the center of the desk top surface, and a transparent opening / closing lid 13a is attached to the opening 13 at a position substantially continuous with the desk top surface. An OA outlet (not shown) is provided in a standby state at a position where the opening / closing plate 13a is opened, and the leading end of the wiring drawn out from the OA outlet corresponds to the OA outlet plug 41a described above. A shelf 14 is provided under the top 12 as shown in FIG. 5, and necessary members such as a battery B can be mounted on the shelf 14 as necessary. When the battery B is mounted, the connector 11b may be connected to the battery B via an AC converter, and DC power may be supplied from the battery B to the OA outlet in the opening 13. In this case, the table 1 functions as power supply-equipped furniture that can supply power even at a position away from the power pole 2.

  A magnet mechanism 5 is provided between the connectors 11b and 21b to attract each other by magnetic action to establish an electrical connection state and to release the electrical connection state by an external force greater than the attraction force.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the magnet mechanism 5 includes a first magnet 51 provided in the connector holding portion 21 a of the power pole 2 as a power supply portion and a connector holding of the table 1 as a moving furniture. The first magnet 51 is formed in a bottomed hole 21c that is opened at two locations on the left and right sides of the center portion in the height direction on the back surface of the connector holding portion 21a. The second magnet 52 is attached to the bottomed hole 11c which is opened at two positions on the left and right of the center in the height direction on the back surface of the split piece on the side where the second connection portion exists in a state where the connector holding portion 11 is divided in half. The magnetic pole relationship is set so as to be attached and attract each other.

  Further, the first magnet 51 on the side of the power pole 2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 constitutes the auxiliary magnet mechanism 6 in cooperation with the standing piece 31 provided in the connector box 24. This auxiliary magnet mechanism 6 is for attracting and offsetting the connector 21b at the protruding position, and the upright piece 31 is made of iron or the like, and the first magnet 51 is applied with the offset force. Is set to a magnetic force sufficient to demonstrate However, when the connector 11b on the table 1 side approaches, the magnetic attractive force between the first magnet 51 and the second magnet 52 wins, and the connector holding portion 21a on the power pole 2 side is separated from the standing piece 31. The connector 21b is separated from the connector 21b to cause a protruding operation. The connector 21b is set so as to slightly protrude from the outer wall 24a of the connector box 24 at the immersion position.

  Further, in this embodiment, the table 1 is connected to the connectors 11b and 21b from the position of FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 to the position of FIG. 7 between the table 1 that is movable furniture and the power pole 2 that is a power supply unit. A guide mechanism 7 is provided for guiding it to the vicinity of a position necessary for connection between them. The guide mechanism 7 includes an outwardly extending guide plate 71 mounted below the connector box 24 of the power pole 2 with a predetermined gap δ, and a recess provided between the top plate 12 and the legs 15 of the table 1. And an outward follower 72 formed in a position where the guide plate 71 is engaged when the guide plate 71 partially enters. The guide plate 71 is formed with a guide surface 71a that is curved in a concave shape, and the follower 72 is provided so as to protrude approximately in a half-moon shape. That is, when the table 1 approaches the power pole 2 and a part of the top plate 12 enters the gap δ, and the guide plate 71 enters the recess 16 at the same time, along the guide surface 71a of the guide plate 71. The follower 72 is guided. At the guide end position by the guide mechanism 7 shown in FIG. 7, the connectors 11b and 21b are set to be close to each other at a position where they are not connected unless the connector 21b is idle. That is, the table 1 is stopped by the guide mechanism 7 at a position close to the power pole 2 to some extent, and the connector 21b of the power pole 2 projects from the solid line position shown in FIG. 6 to the imaginary line position before and after the stop. Thus, connection with the connector 11b of the table 1 is achieved. The guide mechanism 7 also serves to prevent the leg 15 of the table 1 from colliding with the column 23 of the power pole 2.

  In the above, in a state where the connectors 11b and 21b are not connected to each other, the floating connector 21b is offset on the bottom wall 24c as a support surface by its own weight. In this case, the height h2 from the reference floor surface to the center of the connector 21b in the power pole 2 is set to be slightly lower than the height h1 from the reference floor surface to the center of the connector 11b in the table 1. Yes. The reference floor surface referred to here means a floor surface at the same horizontal level without unevenness. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, if the connector 21b on the power pole 2 side is within a range of free movement in the vertical direction, even if the connector 21b on the power pole 2 side is somewhat higher or lower than the connector 11b on the table 1 side due to the height difference of the floor surface in the actual use place. Simultaneously move up and down to complete the connection.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of use of this power supply system for moving furniture. As described above, the power pole 2 serving as a power supply unit includes a plurality of connectors 21b, and the top plate 12 of the table 1 serving as movable furniture is formed in a triangular shape in plan view and includes a connector 11b on the desk surface. Therefore, the connectors 11b of the table 1 corresponding to the connectors 21b of the power pole 2 are connected in a state where the six tables 1 are arranged and gathered around the power pole 2 without any gap.

  As described above, the power supply system for mobile furniture according to the present embodiment moves the table 11 which is the mobile furniture having the connector 11b and the lower end portion of which is slidably supported by the casters 15a on the floor. When the electric power is connected to the connector 21b of the power pole 2 serving as the power supply unit and the electric power is taken out from the table 1, the electric power is supplied by being attracted to each other by the magnetic action. A magnetic mechanism 5 that establishes a general connection state and releases an electrical connection state by an external force that is greater than or equal to the attractive force, and a floating support portion 3 that supports one connector 21b so as to be freely movable within a predetermined range. Along with the access operation of the table 1 to the pole 2, the connector 21b is required for connection within the range allowed by the floating support portion 3. In which was set to cause a displacement or attitude change.

  If comprised in this way, since it can connect with the power supply pole 2 only by moving the table 1, the troublesomeness which attaches / detaches the plug 41a to a wall socket etc. one by one can be eliminated. In addition, since the table 1 is brought into close contact with the power pole 2 and power is supplied, there is no state where the wiring is stretched between the wall outlet and the wiring is caught or the walking is obstructed. Can also be eliminated. Furthermore, as the table 1 moves, the magnet mechanism 5 attaches and detaches between the outlets 11b and 21b, so that the problem of causing damage to the wiring by hooking the cord when forgetting to insert / remove is effectively eliminated. can do. However, the floor does not necessarily have high surface accuracy, and the heights of the outlets do not necessarily match due to undulation caused by undulations or partial carpeting. Further, the access direction may be slightly shifted, and it is necessary to avoid a sudden collision of the table 1. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the connector 11b on the table 1 side is supported so as to be freely movable, so that the connector 11b moves and takes an appropriate position and posture. It becomes possible to perform connection accurately.

  Specifically, when the connectors 11b and 21b are connected to each other with the moving force of the table 1, the impact of the connectors 11b and 21b at the time of collision cannot be ignored. However, in the floating support portion 3 of this embodiment, the connector 11b is in the suction direction. Therefore, the connectors 11b and 21b are attracted to each other only by bringing them close to a certain extent, and a reasonable connection can be made.

  In this case, since the offset auxiliary magnet mechanism 6 for holding the connector 21b in the immersive position is provided in a state where the connectors 11b and 21b are not connected, the power pole 2 can be used when power is not supplied. It is possible to effectively prevent the connector 21b from protruding and getting in the way.

  Further, if the heights of the connectors 11b and 21b are different, it is difficult to connect the connectors 11b and 21b. However, the floating support portion 3 of the present embodiment performs the up and down motion caused by the connector 21b to eliminate the height difference. Since it permits, even if there is unevenness on the floor and relative displacement between the connectors 11b and 21b occurs in the height direction, a reliable connection state can be obtained.

  In this case, in this embodiment, in view of the configuration in which only the connector 21b of the connectors 11b and 21b moves freely, the connector on the floating side in a state where the connectors 11b and 21b are not connected. 21b is offset by its own weight onto the bottom wall 24c, which is a support surface, and the height h2 of the connector 21b from the reference floor surface at this position is from the reference floor surface of the connector 11b on the non-floating side. Since the height h1 is set to be lower than the height h1, the connection can be reliably performed regardless of which of the connectors 11b and 21b is relatively high with respect to the unevenness of the floor.

  As a specific configuration of the floating support portion 3, the shaft portion 32 has a passage window 31a, and the shaft portion 32 provided to operate integrally with the connector 21b passes through the passage window 31a. Since it is allowed within the predetermined range, the floating support portion 3 can be configured only by using simple parts such as brackets and bolts.

  Further, since the guide mechanism 7 for guiding the table 1 to the vicinity of the position necessary for the connection between the connectors 11b and 21b is provided between the table 1 and the power supply unit, the table 1 is moved randomly. Can also be reliably guided to a predetermined position.

  Furthermore, the guide end position by the guide mechanism 7 is set to a position where the connectors 11b and 21b are brought close to each other in a range where they are not connected unless the connector 21b is idle, so that the inertia of the movement of the table 1 is the impact between the connectors. Can be reliably avoided.

  In this embodiment, the power supply pole 2 as the power supply unit is provided with a plurality of connectors 21b, and each of the connectors 21b of the power supply pole 2 corresponds to each of the connectors 21b in a state where the plurality of tables 1 as the moving furniture are arranged and assembled at predetermined positions. Since the connector 11b of the table 1 to be connected is connected, the convenience of being able to supply power in a concentrated manner at one place is obtained, as well as the individual tables 1 and 1 are matched. Even when a large table as shown in the figure is configured, it is possible to construct a state in which effective power supply is received.

  The specific configuration of each unit is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the power supply pole 2 side connector 21b, which is a power supply unit, can be moved freely. However, the table 1 side connector 11b can be movable, or both can be configured to be movable. Moreover, the male-female relationship between the connectors 11b and 21b may be reversed.

  Furthermore, the power supply unit is not limited to the power pole as described above, and may be a power supply frame structure 102 as shown in FIG. In this frame structure 102, a horizontal frame 121 is installed on left and right support columns 120, and a plurality of connectors 121 b are arranged on both sides along the horizontal frame 121. These connectors 121b are drawn with power lines raised from the floor. When the desk 101, which is movable furniture, is brought closer, either the connector 111b provided on the desk 101 side or the connector 121b on the frame structure 102 side idles in the same manner as in the above embodiment to establish a predetermined connection state. It is supposed to be.

  In this case, the pitch between the outlets 121b and 121b on the frame structure 102 side corresponds to the module (top plate width) of the desk 101, and a plurality of desks 101 are arranged along the frame structure 102 as shown in FIG. In this state, the connectors 111b of the desk 101 corresponding to the connectors 121b of the frame structure 102 are connected.

  For this reason, it is possible to effectively receive power from the frame structure in a state where the desks are arranged in an island shape as illustrated.

  Of course, the left and right support column portions of the frame structure may be either a panel or a frame as long as the power line can be guided to the horizontal frame. If the power line can be guided to the connector, a panel structure functioning as a partition or a curtain can be used as the power supply unit. Furthermore, the power supply unit may be a wall surface of a building structure having an outlet.

  Furthermore, if a battery is mounted on the table 1 or the desk 101, which is the moving furniture in each of the above embodiments, power is supplied to a personal computer or the like even if the table 1 or the desk 101 is moved away from the power supply position. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the office layout and to arrange the work system according to the purpose and application flexibly.

  Other configurations can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The perspective view which shows the electric power feeding system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention with the table and power pole which are the components. The perspective view which shows the internal structure of the power supply pole. Explanatory drawing of the outlet provided in the power supply pole and the table, respectively. Explanatory drawing of the outlet provided in the power supply pole and the table, respectively. The front view which shows the connection relation of the table to the power supply pole. The principal part sectional drawing which shows the connection relation of the table to the power supply pole. The front view corresponding to FIG. 5 which shows the connection relation of the table to the power supply pole. The figure which shows the usage example of the same electric power feeding system. The perspective view which shows the electric power feeding system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention with the desk and frame structure which are the components. The figure which shows the usage example of the same electric power feeding system.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Moving furniture (table)
2. Power supply unit (power pole)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Floating support part 5 ... Magnet mechanism 6 ... Auxiliary magnet mechanism 7 ... Guide mechanism 11b ... Connector 21b ... Connector 31a ... Passing window 32 ... Shaft part

Claims (8)

By moving the movable furniture, which has a connector in part and is supported so that the lower end portion is slidable on the floor, the connector is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit, and electric power is taken out on the movable furniture side. It was something like
A magnet mechanism that is provided between both connectors and that attracts each other by magnetic action to establish an electrical connection state and releases the electrical connection state by an external force greater than the attraction force, and at least one connector within a predetermined range And a floating support portion that allows the protruding operation that the connector causes in the suction direction, and the connector within a range that is allowed by the floating support portion when the moving furniture accesses the power supply portion. Is a power supply system for moving furniture, which is configured to cause a state change such as a positional displacement and a posture change necessary for connection. In a state where the inter-connector is not connected, power supply system for mobile furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that an auxiliary magnet mechanism for offset for holding the connector in the retracted position. Floating support portion, the connector is intended to permit a vertical motion which causes in order to eliminate the height difference according to claim 1 or 2 power supply system of the mobile furniture according. In the case where only one of the pair of connectors is configured to move freely, in a state where the connectors are not connected, the floating connector is configured to be offset on the support surface by its own weight, The power supply system for mobile furniture according to claim 3 , wherein the height of the connector at this position from the reference floor is set lower than the height from the reference floor of the connector on the non-floating side. It has a floating support portion passage window, according to claim 1-4 either the floating of the shaft portion of the shaft portion provided on the connector integrally in a state of being passed through the passage window is intended to allow within a predetermined range Power supply system for mobile furniture according to Crab. The power supply system for mobile furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a guide mechanism for guiding the mobile furniture near a position necessary for connecting the connectors is provided between the mobile furniture and the power supply unit. The power supply system for mobile furniture according to claim 6 , wherein the guide end position by the guide mechanism is set to a position where the connectors are brought close to each other in a range where they are not connected unless the connectors are idle. Comprising a plurality of connectors to the power supply unit, according to claim are configured as a plurality of mobile furniture connector moving furniture, each corresponding to a respective connector of the power supply unit while sequence sets to a predetermined position is connected 6 Or a power supply system for moving furniture according to any one of 7 ;

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