EP3117965B1 - Ergonomic workstation for clockmaker - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an ergonomic workstation for a watchmaker comprising, on either side of a work platform, two forearm supports each adjustable at least in inclination in a vertical plane, said workstation comprising driving and storage means arranged to drive motorized adjustment means for moving each of said forearm support in at least one degree of freedom.

The invention relates to the field of technical furniture for seated staff, and performing precision tasks at eye level.

Background of the invention

People performing manual watchmaking tasks often work with their hands at eye level, and occupy elevated workstations, where their forearms are in a substantially horizontal position. Despite this particular arrangement, these people are often subject to musculoskeletal disorders, including epikondylitis in the wrist, elbow or shoulder, and spinal problems, as well as fatigue difficult to measure.

The document CH248542 in the name of MEYER & STUEDELI describes a workbench with forearm supports forming, in top view, an obtuse angle between them, and each inclined in a vertical plane, and protruding from the workbench to the user for him avoid leaning forward.

The document FR1400357 in the name of SORMEL describes a workbench with symmetrical forearm support surfaces and each inclined in a vertical plane, on either side of a horizontal platform forming a working plane, in particular substantially trapezoidal, with which these forearm supports form a continuous and smooth surface, covered with appropriate coverings, on the one hand for the forearm supports, and on the other hand the worktop. There are known improvements of this type of workbench with forearm supports each adjustable in inclination in a vertical plane by a linkage.

The documents CH 394989 and CH 512971 on behalf of GE SCHLUP & Co. describe such workstations with rotated forearm supports.

The document US2014 / 020985 in the name of DesRoches describes an automated workstation with certain degrees of freedom automated, including a worktop adjustable in height, or fully mobile on a circular rail.

However, these arrangements are insufficient for staff who must work permanently with the elbows supported on a support surface, and with the back resting on the back of a seat, and these desks do not include means of preventing the ankylosis and musculoskeletal disorders.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide the watchmaker user with a workstation with improved ergonomics, more easily adaptable to the morphology of the user and to the tasks to be performed than the systems known from the prior art, and ensuring the prevention of musculoskeletal problems.

In addition to adjustment possibilities according to several degrees of freedom, the invention includes motorized, memorizable and parameterizable settings, and the motor means used for the settings allow the programmable execution of micro-movements intended to prevent ankylosis in the user.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an ergonomic watchmaking workstation according to claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, en perspective vue de dessus et depuis l'avant faisant face à un utilisateur, depuis le côté gauche la partie centrale d'un poste de travail ergonomique selon l'invention, où un châssis intégrant des moyens de pilotage, de mémorisation, de réglage, de motorisation et de timonerie, sert de support à une plate-forme de travail, de part et d'autre de laquelle s'étendent deux supports d'avant-bras mobiles selon plusieurs degrés de liberté, qui forment ici chacun un angle de 30° environ avec un plan horizontal, et dont les projections dans un même plan horizontal forment un angle de 90° l'une avec l'autre;
• la figure 2 est le pendant de la figure 1 en vue depuis le côté droit ;
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire du même poste de travail dans la même position, vu depuis l'arrière ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du même poste de travail dans une position où les projections dans un même plan horizontal forment un angle de 170° l'une avec l'autre;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus du même poste de travail dans la position des figures 1 à 3 où les projections dans un même plan horizontal forment un angle de 90° l'une avec l'autre;
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessous du même poste de travail, dans une position où les supports d'avant-bras ne sont pas symétriques par rapport à un plan de symétrie de construction de l'ensemble ;
• la figure 7 est une vue arrière du même poste de travail dans la position des figues 1 à 3 et 5 ; la figure 8 est une vue de droite, la figure 9 est une vue de gauche, et la figure 10 est une vue de face du même ensemble dans la même position ;
• la figure 11 est une vue de face avec les supports porte-bras dans un plan horizontal ;
• la figure 12 illustre les angles de lacet, tangage et roulis des supports porte-bras ;
• la figure 13 illustre, comme la figure 9, un des supports porte-bras constitué de deux parties, supérieure et inférieure réglables l'une par rapport à l'autre, al partie supérieure recevant un accoudoir capitonné ;
• la figure 14 est un schéma-bocs illustrant la coopération des différents moyens que peut comporter le poste de travail selon l'invention ;
• les figures 15 et 16 représentent, en perspective et en vue de dessus, un poste de travail selon l'invention, dont la structure porteuse est un meuble dont les montants latéraux sont réglables en hauteur.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, in perspective from above and from the front facing a user, from the left side the central part of an ergonomic workstation according to the invention, where a chassis incorporating driving means, memory, adjustment, motorization and wheelhouse, serves as a support for a work platform, on both sides of which extend two mobile forearm supports with several degrees of freedom, which form here each an angle of about 30 ° with a horizontal plane, and whose projections in the same horizontal plane form an angle of 90 ° with each other;
• the figure 2 is the pendant of the figure 1 in sight from the right side;
• the figure 3 is a similar view of the same workstation in the same position, viewed from behind;
• the figure 4 is a view from above of the same workstation in a position where the projections in the same horizontal plane form an angle of 170 ° with each other;
• the figure 5 is a top view of the same workstation in the position of Figures 1 to 3 where the projections in the same horizontal plane form an angle of 90 ° with each other;
• the figure 6 is a bottom view of the same work station, in a position where the forearm supports are not symmetrical with respect to a construction symmetry plane of the assembly;
• the figure 7 is a rear view of the same workstation in the position of figs 1 to 3 and 5; the figure 8 is a right view, the figure 9 is a left view, and the figure 10 is a front view of the same set in the same position;
• the figure 11 is a front view with the arm supports in a horizontal plane;
• the figure 12 illustrates the yaw, pitch and roll angles of the arm supports;
• the figure 13 illustrates, as the figure 9 , one of the armrest supports consisting of two parts, upper and lower adjustable relative to each other, the upper part receiving a padded armrest;
• the figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating the cooperation of the various means that may comprise the workstation according to the invention;
• the Figures 15 and 16 represent, in perspective and in plan view, a workstation according to the invention, whose supporting structure is a piece of furniture whose lateral uprights are adjustable in height.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments Referred

The invention relates to an ergonomic workstation 1 for a watchmaker comprising, on either side of a work platform 2, two forearm supports 3D, 3G, each adjustable at least in inclination in a plane vertical.

This workstation 1 comprises driving means 40 and storage, which are arranged to drive motorized adjustment means 4 for moving each forearm support 3D, 3G, according to at least one degree of freedom.

The adjustment means 4 may comprise, without limitation, electric motors, air cylinders, electric cylinders, or other.

According to the invention, the control means 40 and storage are arranged to trigger, at pre-defined times, or at random times, according to the programming performed, micro-movements of the forearm supports 3D, 3G . Preferably, these micro-movements are of short duration less than two seconds, and are of short angular amplitude less than 2 ° and / or linear less than 5 mm. Preferably, such micro-movements are triggered automatically at least three times per hour. Of course, it is possible to program the control means 40 to also trigger movements of greater duration and / or amplitude, but the preferred choice of micro-movements makes it possible to avoid any anomaly in the execution of the task in question. course, and prevent any discarded.

Advantageously, the workstation 1 further comprises a user interface 400 connected to the control means 40 and storage, to trigger other micro-movements, and / or to modify the parameters.

The user interface 400 may comprise a keyboard screen, a touch screen, or the like, adjustment wheels, or foot controls appreciated by the users because it allows them to test the modification of the settings during the execution of the program. 'a spot. The programming of the workstation 1 by learning is then done in a similar way to programming by apprenticeship classically carried out in robotics.

Preferably, the user interface 400 is arranged to indicate a position error, indicated by the sensors, for example a right-left load differential, front-rear, or too much support on the backrest of its seat, or on a footrest, or on 3D forearm supports, 3G.

And, conventionally, the user interface 400 displays the information from the method office, and details specific to the task of manufacturing, assembly, packaging, control, or the like.

More particularly, the control means 40 and storage are arranged to store first parameters relating to a given user, and second parameters relating to a given task, and to adapt the settings of the forearm supports 3D, 3G, the first and second parameters.

More particularly, the 3D forearm supports, 3G, comprise armrests which enclose force sensors connected to the control means 40 and memorisation. The control means 40 are preferably programmed to monitor the variations of the forces exerted by a user on these forearm supports 3D, 3G, and to warn the user by a visual signal and / or sound, and / or by triggering such a micro-movement.

Advantageously, in particular, the forearm supports 3D, 3G, comprise armrests which comprise armrest stops, for example in the form of a holding flange, for the support of the elbow, which abutments armrest are adjustable by manual means, or by motorized means which are then advantageously controlled by the adjusting means 4. A stroke of 20 to 30 mm on either side of a median position is generally sufficient for a good comfort of the user.

More particularly, 3D forearm supports; 3G, are each adjustable at least in inclination in a vertical plane by pivoting about a pitch axis ATD, ATG, parallel to the working platform 2.

More particularly, the forearm supports 3D, 3G, are each adjustable at least in opening relative to the working platform 2, by pivoting about an axis of yaw ALD, ALG, which is perpendicular to the work platform 2.

In a more complex embodiment, not illustrated by the figures, the yaw axes ALD and ALG are spaced apart by a distance E which is variable and is adjustable by manual means or by motorized means preferably controlled by the adjusting means 4. .

More particularly, the 3D forearm supports, 3G, are each adjustable in roll around a roll axis ARD, ARG, parallel to a longitudinal direction which substantially extends the forearm support 3D, 3G , concerned.

In a particular variant, the forearm supports 3D, 3G, each comprise a lower part 31D, 31G, the movement of which is controlled by the adjustment means 4, and an upper part 33D, 33G, which is a carrier of an armrest and movable parallel to the lower part 31D, 31G, respectively, under the action of spacing adjusting means 32D, 32G adjustable by manual means, by motorized means preferably controlled by the adjusting means 4. A total stroke of 50 to 60 mm is usually sufficient for all user morphologies.

More particularly, the workstation 1 comprises a single motor, and the adjusting means 4 control elements of a wheelhouse 5 to print different movements to the forearm supports 3D, 3G.

Advantageously, and particularly useful during initial adjustments, the control means 40 and storage are arranged to allow instantaneous return to a symmetrical position of the forearm supports 3D, 3G, relative to a symmetry plane PS of the work platform 2, in response to an action of a user on a user interface 400 connected to the control means 40 and storage. In fact, for optimal adjustment, the user starts from a perfectly symmetrical position, and makes differential adjustments until a working position is obtained that suits him.

The control means 40 and storage may, again, advantageously be arranged to control, directly or through the adjustment means 4, auxiliary functions, or elevation means 60 arranged to control a vertical movement of the plate working form 2 with respect to a frame 10, or actuating motions 70 of accessories 11 positioned on an upper surface 9 of the working platform 2.

The working platform 2 can, if necessary, be inclined, and its cant facing the user can be adjusted, of the order of plus or minus 2 ° with respect to a horizontal plane; beyond these values, it is better to position a multi-axis plate, especially five axes, on the platform 2.

The Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a workstation 1, whose supporting structure is a piece of furniture whose lateral uprights are adjustable in height.

In a still more complete variant, the workstation comprises a seat for the user, equipped with force sensors connected to the control means 40 and memory. In particular, weight sensors allow the control means 40 to apply shorter position modification periods for the heavier persons.

And, more particularly, the control means 40 and storage are then arranged to control the adjustment means 4 to adjust the distance between the seat and the work platform 2. Naturally, torque or effort sensors are arranged to stop any relative movement in case of pinching or crushing of a limb.

Naturally, such a seat can also be equipped with 3D forearm supports, 3G, to ensure lumbar comfort, a good neck support for the protection of the cervical vertebrae, inclination of the head restraint, or maintenance in the armpits, or other.

The invention lends itself well to modular manufacturing to improve an existing workstation. In particular, an elementary module may consist of a single forearm support, 3D or 3G, equipped to allow movements on several degrees of freedom, and pre-arranged for motorization by pre-assembled wheelhouse equipment. The same module may also include an actuating motor, and connections to a user interface 400, control means 40 and storage, and adjustment means 4. A dual module consists of a frame equipped with two supports forearms 3D and 3G, mechanical version predisposed to the motorization, or already motorized.

Claims (15)

1. Ergonomic watchmaker's workstation (1) including, on either side of a work platform (2), two forearm supports (3D; 3G) each at least tiltably adjustable in a vertical plane, said workstation (1) including control and storage means (40) arranged to control motorised adjustment means (4) in order to move each said forearm support (3D; 3G) in at least one degree of freedom, characterized in that said control and storage means (40) are programmable in order to trigger, at predefined or random moments, micro movements of said forearm supports (3D; 3G) of short duration, less than two seconds, and of small angular amplitude, less than 2° and/or linear amplitude, less than 5 mm, said workstation (1) further including a user interface (400) connected to said control and storage means (40), to trigger other said micro movements, and/or to modify the settings.
2. Workstation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said control and storage means (40) are arranged to store first settings relative to a given user, and second settings relative to a given task, and to adapt the adjustments of said forearm supports (3D; 3G) to said first and second settings.
3. Workstation (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said forearm supports (3D; 3G) include armrests which contain force sensors connected to said control and storage means (40).
4. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said forearm supports (3D; 3G) include armrests that comprise armrest stops to support the elbow, said armrest stops are adjustable by manual means or by motorised means controlled by said adjustment means (4).
5. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said forearm supports (3D; 3G) are each at least tiltably adjustable in a vertical plane by pivoting about a pitch axis (ATD; ATG) parallel to said work platform (2).
6. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said forearm supports (3D; 3G) are each at least opening angle adjustable with respect to said platform (2), by pivoting about a yaw axis (ALD; ALG) perpendicular to said work platform (2).
7. Workstation (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said yaw axes (ALD; ALG) are separated by a centre-to-centre distance (E) which is variable and adjustable by manual means or by motorised means, which are then controlled by said adjustment means (4).
8. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said forearm supports (3D; 3G) are each swivel adjustable about a roll axis (ARD; ARG) parallel to a longitudinal direction in which said forearm support (3D; 3G) concerned substantially extends.
9. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said forearm supports (3D; 3G) each include a lower part (31D; 31G), the movement of which is controlled by said adjustment means (4), and an upper part (33D; 33G), which carries an armrest and is movable parallel to said respective lower part (31D; 31G), under the action of distance adjustment means (32D; 32G) adjustable by manual means, or by motorised means which are then controlled by said adjustment means (4).
10. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said workstation (1) includes a single motor, and in that said adjustment means (4) control elements of a linkage assembly (5) to impart different movements to said forearm supports (3D; 3G).
11. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said control and storage means (40) are arranged to instantaneously return said forearm supports (3D; 3G) to a symmetrical position relative to a plane of symmetry (PS) of said work platform (2), in response to an action of a user on a user interface (400) connected to said control and storage means (40).
12. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said control and storage means (40) are arranged to control, directly or via said adjustment means (4), additional functions, or elevation means (60) arranged to control a vertical movement of said work platform (2) with respect to a frame (10) or operating movements (70) of accessories (11) positioned on an upper surface (9) of said work platform (2).
13. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said workstation (1) includes a supporting structure which is a piece of furniture with height adjustable side bars.
14. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said workstation (1) includes a chair provided with force sensors connected to said control and storage means (40).
15. Workstation (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that said control and storage means (40) are arranged to control said adjustment means (4) to adjust the distance between said chair and said work platform (2).

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