Smooth Height Adjustment in Standing Desks
40 patents in this list
Updated:
Modern standing desks face a critical engineering challenge in movement control: rapid height adjustments must be balanced against smooth operation and stability. Current systems typically achieve adjustment speeds of 25-38mm per second, but at these speeds, loads of 50kg or more can introduce oscillations and compromise precision, especially at extended heights.
The fundamental challenge lies in maintaining smooth, controlled movement while managing variable loads, user force inputs, and the mechanical constraints of telescoping mechanisms.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including synchronized motor control systems, gas strut-assisted descent mechanisms, sensor-based obstacle detection, and adaptive counterbalance systems. These and other approaches focus on achieving reliable, precise adjustments while ensuring user safety and equipment longevity.
1. Adjustable Desk with Motorized Worm Gear and Belt-Driven Sliding Mechanism
JIANGSU XINANRUI INTELLIGENT ENG CO LTD, JIANGSU XINANRUI INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING CO LTD, 2024
A smart adjustable desk that can be intelligently raised and lowered to accommodate users of different heights. The desk has a sliding mechanism that allows the desk surface to move up and down. The mechanism includes a moving rod connected to the desk bracket, a transmission box with a motor and worm gear, and a worm screw with a rotating shaft and belt. This allows the desk top to be raised and lowered by the motor moving the worm screw and belt. The worm gear meshes with the desk bracket to lift the desk surface.
2. Adjustable Desk with Vertical and Tilt Actuators and Elongated Groove Bearings
Victor Hugo Hernandez, 2023
An adjustable desk featuring stable and quiet lifting and tilting capabilities, allowing for customizable height and angle adjustments to improve ergonomics and user comfort. The desk has a movable desktop supported by tilt plates and vertical members. Vertical actuators lift the desktop, while tilt actuators adjust their angle. Bearings slide in elongated vertical grooves within the vertical members, enabling smooth, low-friction vertical and tilt movements.
3. Height-Adjustable Table with Vertical Telescoping Leg Mechanism and Counterbalance System
Humanscale Corporation, 2023
A height-adjustable table featuring a vertical telescoping leg mechanism for easy and stable height adjustment. The telescoping legs slide vertically in parallel tracks to raise and lower the tabletop. A counterbalance mechanism equalizes the lifting force for effortless height adjustments. A brake prevents accidental adjustments, while a torque adjustment allows customization of the lifting force. The parallel sliding legs eliminate rocking and tilting when extended.
4. Integrated Sit-Stand Desk and Chair with Nested Frame and Sliding Limit Rod Mechanism for Stable Height Adjustment
LI JIAGUI, 2023
An integrated sit-stand desk and chair that allows automatic height adjustment without shaking. The desk and chair have a unique mechanism that allows smooth and stable height adjustment without shaking. The mechanism involves nested frames with clearance and connecting columns. The frames are nested inside each other with clearance and connected by sliding limit rods. This allows smooth height adjustment without shifting the center of gravity or shaking the desk/chair. The nested frames and connecting rods provide stability and prevent wobbling during height adjustment.
5. Height-Adjustable Desk with Rear-Mounted Lifting Mechanisms and Enhanced Stability Support Structures
Mateo Goods Co., 2023
A height-adjustable desk offering improved stability compared to traditional desks with side-mounted lifting mechanisms. This desk features lifting mechanisms at the rear, allowing for additional support structures that enhance stability when lifted. This design prevents the forward or backward flexing that can occur with side-mounted mechanisms. Additionally, the rear-mounted lifting mechanisms enable the desk to be positioned closer to the walls, as there are no side obstructions.
6. Height-Adjustable Desk with Electrically Driven Lifting Mechanism and Integrated Guide Column
广州韦邦家具有限公司, 2023
Height-adjustable student desk that allows electric adjustment for easy and smooth height changes. The desk has a mounting frame, guide column, driving mechanism, and lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is sandwiched between the frame and column and connects to the driving mechanism. This allows the desk height to be adjusted electronically, saving time and effort compared to manual adjustment. The electric adjustment provides a smooth motion and allows fixed height options for books.
7. Electric Height-Adjustable Desk with Ladder-Style Frame and Hydraulic Cylinder Vertical Support System
YAMUJINFRIENDS, 2022
Electric height-adjustable desk that allows easy and precise height adjustment without the need for manual adjustment. The desk has a ladder-style frame with vertical legs and auxiliary ladder-shaped legs. The vertical legs have hydraulic cylinders inside and the ladder legs have brackets on top. Upper plate support frames move vertically as the cylinders expand/contract. An upper plate is fastened to the frames and a frame support spans between the frames to stabilize the desk height. The frames have components like bellows seals, rotating frames, and buffer springs to absorb vibrations and prevent distortion. The hydraulic cylinders have internal fluid chambers and tanks to maintain vertical support.
8. Electric Desk Stand with Interconnected Frame Structure and Telescopic Columns
TIMOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 2022
Lightweight electric desk stands designed to reduce weight, improve stability, and lower material costs compared to conventional designs. The stand features a frame structure with interconnected frames instead of a single beam. These frames include facing plates with risers and side plates that connect, creating a compact, lightweight frame with internal components. The telescopic columns, which connect to the frames, contain motors. Flanks cover the frame ends, and the controller is embedded in the bottom frame with covers and a pull buckle. The frames also have perforations, covers, and grooves for component access and placement. Additionally, the stand includes support feet for enhanced stability.
9. Height-Adjustable Desk with Load-Compensating Force-Load Adjustment Mechanism
REISS BUEROMOEBEL GMBH, REISS BÜROMÖBEL GMBH, 2022
A height-adjustable desk with a force-load adjustment device that allows the table top to be raised and lowered with a force largely independent of the load on the table. The adjustment device includes a mechanical energy storage device like a gas spring, hydraulic cylinder, or pneumatic piston. This energy storage device can be connected to a load sensor like a short-stroke hydraulic cylinder or piezo sensor. The load sensor detects the force on the table and transmits a signal to the adjustment device. The adjustment device moves the energy storage device piston to compensate for the load changes and maintain consistent lifting force. This enables easy height adjustment regardless of table weight.
10. Desktop Lifting Platform with Integrated Obstacle and Tilt Detection Sensors
ZHEJIANG JIECANG LINEAR MOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 2022
A desktop lifting platform with enhanced safety features, incorporating sensors to detect obstacles and tilting. The platform uses sensors such as tilt switches, mechanical switches, or strain gauges to identify if it hits an object or tilts. When an anomaly is detected, the controller is signaled to stop lifting, preventing damage to the platform and items on it. Lifting can resume once the obstacle is removed or the tilt is corrected. These sensors can be located on the column, desktop, or base.
11. Height-Adjustable Workstation with Integrated Position Feedback Sensor
Ergotron, Inc., 2022
A height-adjustable workstation featuring a height-adjustable work surface and a frame. The work surface can move vertically relative to the frame to change its height. The workstation also includes a sensor that provides feedback to the user about the position of the work surface relative to the frame. This allows the user to monitor and be aware of the exact height and location of the work surface as it moves up and down.
12. Electric Height Adjustable Desk with Integrated Screw Rod and Pulley Synchronization System
QUANZHOU QINUO ELECTRONICS CO LTD, 2022
Electric height adjustable desk with integrated control system that allows easy height adjustment without tools. The desk has a rectangular tube with an inner driving mechanism. The driving mechanism has a driving source, screw rod, and sleeve. The integrated control system drives the screw rod to move the sleeve and lift the desk board up and down inside the tube. A pulley system synchronizes rotation of the screw rods for smooth movement. The desk can be easily adjusted to different heights by the control system without disassembly or tools.
13. Variable Height Desk with Gas Strut and Spring-Integrated Lift Mechanism for Controlled Descent
BLUMENTHAL DISTRIBUTING, INC., 2022
A variable height desk featuring a lift mechanism designed to prevent sudden and uncontrolled lowering of the desktop. The mechanism incorporates a gas strut alongside a spring to assist in lifting the desktop. The gas strut also resists lowering forces, ensuring a slow and controlled descent. This design allows for safe lowering of the desk, protecting users and equipment from potential impacts.
14. Synchronized Height Adjustment System with Coupled Controllers for Desks and Monitor Mounts
CKnapp Sales, Inc. d/b/a VIVO, 2022
Synchronized height adjustment system for adjustable desks and monitor mounts that automatically adjust the monitor height when the desk height is changed, and vice versa, without manual intervention. The system has separate controllers for the desk and monitor height motors that are coupled to synchronize activation. This allows coordinated height adjustments between the desk and monitor when either is moved, providing optimal viewing ergonomics without requiring user intervention.
15. Smart Desk with Rack and Pinion Synchronized Height Adjustment via Electric Motors and Central Control Module
HENAN NUOER FURNITURE MANUFACTURING CO LTD, HENAN NUOER FURNITURE MFG CO LTD, 2021
Smart desk with synchronized height adjustment using a rack and pinion mechanism, electric motors, and a control module. The desks have motors and racks on opposite sides that can raise and lower the desk height. A central control module coordinates the height adjustment using a touch screen. This allows simultaneous, precise height synchronization between desks, improving efficiency and accuracy compared to manual adjustment. The synchronized height feature is particularly useful in environments like schools where coordinated desk heights are desired.
16. Table with Protruding Height-Adjustment Handles and Rotational Locking Mechanism
C.D. Great Furniture Co., Ltd., 2021
Height-adjustable table with handles that are easily visible and accessible for adjusting the table height. The handles protrude through the tabletop so they can be seen and reached without bending or searching under the table. The handles have a movable member that drives a rotating rod on the bottom of the table. Locking members can engage the rod to prevent it from rotating and lock the table height. Positioning members along the bottom guides the locking members to specific positions in the grooves. This allows easy adjustment and locking of the table height using the visible handles.
17. Adjustable Computer Desk with Integrated Handle-Driven Height Adjustment Mechanism
QIANGENXUN HOME DEVELOPMENT CO LTD, QIANGENXUN HUIZHOU HOME DEV CO LTD, 2021
A highly flexible adjustable computer desk that allows easy and quick height adjustment compared to conventional desks. The desk has a mechanism with an adjustment handle, longitudinal and lateral transmission units, a sliding unit, and a vertical lifting guide post. Turning the handle rotates the longitudinal unit, which in turn connects to the lateral unit and the lifting guide post. The sliding unit attached to the desktop moves vertically on the guide post. This coordinated motion lifts the desktop. The mechanism provides a simple, compact, and efficient height adjustment mechanism for the desk.
18. Height-Adjustable Desk with Front-Protruding Accessible Handles
C.D. Great Furniture Co., Ltd., 2021
A height-adjustable desk with handles that are easy to access and see during height adjustment. The handles are located on the front side of the desk, protruding out from the front edge. This allows the user to clearly see and easily grab the handles when adjusting the desk height, without having to reach underneath or look under the desk.
19. Computer Desk with Automated Height Adjustment via Sensor-Controlled Electric Push Rod System
ANHUI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, UNIV ANHUI SCI & TECHNOLOGY, 2021
Intelligent lifting computer desk with automated height adjustment using sensors. The desk has a central inclination sensor on the top, a control box at the bottom with a controller, two fixed cylinders with electric push rods, and sliding support rods. The sensor detects desk tilt and the controller adjusts the cylinders to raise/lower the desk to compensate for tilt. This provides automated height adjustment without manual operation or buttons.
20. Workstation System with Dual-Axis Adjustable Pivots for Horizontal Surface Stability
FELLOWES, INC., 2021
A variable height workstation system with adjustable pivots that maintain a horizontal work surface as it moves between fully lowered and raised positions. The system has a base, lift mechanism, lower adjustable pivot assembly, upper adjustable pivot assembly, and a lock. The lower pivot rotates on a fixed axis while the upper pivot rotates on a separate axis that's spaced from the lower one. This allows the work surface to remain horizontal as it moves up and down. The lock prevents the upper pivot from rotating when the work surface is in a specific position.
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The patents present different methods for attaining easy and seamless height adjustment for standing desks. Certain solutions, such as the use of gas struts for controlled descent and counterbalancing systems for effortless lifting, concentrate on the core adjustment mechanism itself; other methods address stability issues through creative frame designs and well-placed lifting mechanisms.