Seating and reclining furniture and method of adjusting seating and reclining furniture

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustment device for seating and reclining furniture having a seat and a backrest, wherein in a positioning mode the seat and / or the backrest can be selectively positioned in an upright basic position, a first reclining position or a second reclining position by means of at least one actuator, and in an activatable relaxation mode the seat and / or the backrest can be moved back and forth. By means of the same actuator, the seat and / or the backrest can be adjusted between the first reclining position and the second reclining position in the positioning mode and in the activatable relaxation mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a piece of seating and reclining furniture comprising a seat, a backrest and an adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the seat and / or the backrest between at least a first and a second position.

[0002] These can be in particular reclining or relaxing seats, equipped with or without a standing aid, which can usually be moved from an upright basic position into at least one reclining position. Retractable and extendable footrests are also usually provided, which increase the comfort in the reclining position. Such seats are very comfortable and promote relaxation. Background Art

[0003] Almost everyone has to deal with back pain at some point in his or her life, especially due to lack of exercise, overwork and poor nutrition, but above all due to long-term and incorrect sitting posture. Therefore, relaxing or reclining in a chair (recliner) is considered very pleasant and relaxing.

[0004] From DE 20 2019 100 213 U1 a relaxation seat with a standing aid is known, which comprises a footrest seat and a backrest, which can be moved from a basic position into a raised position to facilitate standing up or at least into a relaxation position with the footrest extended.

[0005] Furthermore, EP 3 143 902 B1 discloses a reclining seat comprising a seat, a backrest and a footrest, which has a footrest adjustment mechanism with a first actuator for extending and retracting the footrest and a seat and backrest adjustment mechanism with a second actuator for adjusting the seat and the backrest.

[0006] Although the user considers the relaxed reclining position very pleasant, passive reclining cannot replace the movements of the body, such as occur when walking or participating in sports activities. However, in some cases, due to various reasons (lack of time, physical discomfort), it is not always possible to achieve a sufficient degree of natural body movement. Therefore, so-called massage chairs have been developed, which are equipped with massage elements, such as massage rollers in the backrest. Activating the massage function has a relaxing effect on the back muscles and can relieve spasms and tension. Such a massage chair is known, for example, from EP 1 738 736 B1. However, due to the technology built into the backrest, such a massage chair is relatively complex and expensive.

[0007] EP 2 305 202 B1 discloses a chair type massage machine, which includes a seat portion, a backrest portion, and a massage tool, the backrest portion being able to be leaned around the back portion side of the seat portion with it as a leaning center, and the massage tool being used to perform a massage portion. In addition, it includes a rocking mechanism portion for rocking the backrest portion together with the seat portion in a reclining state in a front-rear direction while taking a position different from the reclining center in a vertical direction as a rocking center. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to propose a more cost-effective seating and reclining furniture with which the user can relax effectively. In the method according to the invention for adjusting seating and reclining furniture with a seat and a backrest, in a positioning mode, the seat and / or the backrest are optionally positioned in an upright basic position, a first reclining position or a second reclining position by means of at least one actuator, and in an activatable relaxation mode, the seat and / or the backrest can be moved back and forth. The seat and / or the backrest are adjusted between the first reclining position and the second reclining position by means of the same actuator in the positioning mode and in the activatable relaxation mode.

[0009] The seating and reclining furniture according to the invention has a seat, a backrest and an adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the seat and / or the backrest at least between an upright base position, a first reclining position and a second reclining position, the adjustment mechanism having at least one actuator and a controller for controlling the actuator, the controller providing at least one positioning mode for positioning the seat and / or the backrest in the upright base position, the first reclining position or the second reclining position. In addition, the controller has a relaxation mode for moving the seat and / or the backrest back and forth between the first reclining position and the second reclining position. In the positioning mode and in the relaxation mode, the seat and / or the backrest can be adjusted between the first reclining position and the second reclining position by the same actuator.

[0010] Seating and reclining furniture, such as those known from DE 20 2019 100 213 U1 and EP 3 143 902 B1, usually has only one positioning mode in order to adjust the seating and reclining furniture, for example, from an upright basic position to a first reclining position or a second reclining position. The present invention now makes use of this prior art by adding an activatable relaxation mode, which allows the seat and / or the backrest to move back and forth between the first reclining position and the second reclining position. In this way, the user experiences a constant movement, which has a very beneficial, especially relaxing effect on the user. Existing actuators can be used for implementation, so that only the controller needs to be changed.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the angle between the seat and the backrest also changes during the movement back and forth between the first reclining position and the second reclining position. The adjustment of the seat and / or the backrest is preferably regulated by actuation of at least one actuator, which is formed, for example, by a linear actuator with an electric motor, a spindle and a nut. However, two or more actuators can also be provided. The control of one or more actuators takes place with the aid of a pulse width modulation unit, which allows the actuator (electric motor) to be directly controlled with very high efficiency. In particular, this allows the speed of the actuator to be adapted very simply without significant energy losses.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the adjustment speed of the seating and reclining furniture in the positioning mode is greater than the adjustment speed in the relaxation mode. In particular, this allows a very smooth and gentle movement in the relaxation mode, while in the positioning mode the desired position can be reached more quickly. It has also proven advantageous if the adjustment in the relaxation mode changes the adjustment of the seat and / or backrest by braking and / or accelerating and / or pausing, thereby changing the adjustment speed of the seating and reclining furniture. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the speed of the actuator for adjusting the seating and reclining furniture in the relaxation mode is reduced before reaching the first reclining position or the second reclining position and is increased again after the reversal of the direction of rotation of the actuator. This in turn results in a very smooth series of movements, so that it is also conceivable to use the movements in the relaxation mode for people who sleep on the seating and reclining furniture.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seating and leaning furniture also has a footrest, which can be adjusted between a retracted position and an extended position. In this case, in particular in the basic position of the seating and leaning furniture, the footrest can be in the retracted position, and between the first leaning position and the second leaning position, the footrest can be in the extended position.

[0014] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism may have a first actuator for adjusting the footrest and a second actuator for adjusting the seat and / or backrest. However, within the scope of the invention, the seat and backrest as well as the footrest may also be actuated by a single actuator.

[0015] Tests on which the invention is based have shown that the best relaxation result is achieved when the relaxation mode can only be activated between the first reclining position and the second reclining position and the footrest is also extended. In order to be able to activate the relaxation mode only between the first reclining position and the second reclining position, a suitable sensor (e.g. a rotary encoder, a distance sensor) can be provided, which allows entering the relaxation mode only when the first reclining position is reached. Thus, the relaxation mode will not be possible if the seating and reclining furniture is in the upright basic position or in a position before the first reclining position is reached.

[0016] Further configurations of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following description of two exemplary embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the attached picture:

[0018] Figure 1a - 1d shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the seating and reclining furniture in different positions;

[0019] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a controller for a first embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the seating and reclining furniture;

[0021] Figure 4a - 4c shows a side view of the second embodiment of the seating and reclining furniture in different positions;

[0022] Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a controller for a second embodiment;

[0023] Figure 6 shows a speed / distance diagram in positioning mode according to a first variant;

[0024] Figure 7 The associated time / distance graph is shown;

[0025] Figure 8 Speed / distance graphs in both orientation and relaxation modes are shown;

[0026] Fig. 9 showing an associated time / distance graph; and

[0027] Fig.10 A multi-cycle speed / time graph in relaxation mode is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figures 1a to 1d The seating and reclining furniture according to the first exemplary embodiment is shown, which comprises a frame 1, a seat 2, a backrest 3 and a retractable and extendable footrest 4. In addition, a footrest adjustment mechanism 5 for extending and retracting the footrest 4 and a seat and backrest adjustment mechanism 6 for changing the position of the seat and / or backrest are provided. The footrest adjustment mechanism 5 and the seat and backrest adjustment mechanism 6 are connected to an actuator 70 ( Figure 2 ) interact, but the actuator 70 Figures 1a to 1d For further details of this mechanism, see DE 20 2019 100 213 U1.

[0029] From the basis Figure 1b Starting from the upright basic position P1 of the seating and leaning furniture shown, the footrest adjustment mechanism 5 and the seat and backrest adjustment mechanism 6 can be actuated by the actuator 70 to achieve the following adjustment. Figure 1c If the actuator 70 is further driven beyond the first reclining position P2, the seating and reclining furniture assumes a Figure 1d The second reclining position P3 shown, in which the seat 2 together with the footrest 4 and the backrest 3 are further tilted backwards. Thus, in the first reclining position P2, the seat 2 is at an angle γ1, for example 20°, relative to the horizontal plane. In the second reclining position P3, the angle γ2 is, for example, 25°. In this embodiment, the angle δ between the seat 2 and the backrest 3 remains unchanged at the positions P2 and P3. A suitably designed mechanism can also increase the angle δ when moving from the first position P2 to the second position P3.

[0030] However, in addition to the first reclining position P2 and the second reclining position P3, the standing aid 9 can also be activated by driving the actuator 70 in the opposite direction starting from the basic position P1. The seat is then raised by means of a corresponding mechanism and tilted slightly forward, so that the user can easily stand up from the cushion (according to Figure 1a Position P0 shown). This function is particularly gentle on the back, since no sudden force is required when standing. However, the mechanism also makes sitting down particularly gentle and easy.

[0031] A special feature of this first exemplary embodiment is that Figures 1a to 1d All positions of the seating and reclining furniture shown in can be controlled by means of a single actuator 70. DE 20 2019 100 213 U1 describes a specific example of how this can be implemented. For further details of the embodiment of the mechanism with a single actuator, explicit reference is made to this utility model.

[0032] Reference below Figure 2 The controller of the actuator 70 is described in more detail. It comprises a power supply unit 80 which can be connected to a power supply network, a microprocessor 81, a pulse width modulation unit 82 and a switch 83 for controlling the actuator 70. In addition, a manual controller 85 is provided, with which the positioning mode (buttons "B" and "C") and the relaxation mode (button "A") can be activated. The power supply unit 80 supplies the microprocessor 81 and the pulse width modulation unit 82 with the required voltage. The control command activated via buttons A, B or C on the manual controller 85 is implemented by the microprocessor 81, which then controls the pulse width modulation unit 82 and the switch 83.

[0033] For example, in the positioning mode, the actuator 70 can be controlled by the microprocessor by pressing the button B, so that the seating and leaning furniture is adjusted from the position according to the position of the seat. Figure 1b The base position P1 shown moves to the Figure 1c The first reclining position P2 is shown. Pressing button B again results in a further adjustment to the second reclining position P3. If, on the other hand, button C is pressed, the direction of rotation of actuator 70 is reversed, so that a retrograde adjustment is performed from P3 to P2 or from P2 to P1.

[0034] If the seating and leaning furniture is in accordance with Figure 1b In the basic position P1 shown, the push button C is then pressed, the actuator is also actuated in the opposite direction of rotation, thereby activating the standing aid 9, resulting in adjustment to the position according to Figure 1a The raised position P0 is shown. To move from the raised position P0 to one of the other positions P1 , P2 or P3 , the button B must be pressed once, twice or three times.

[0035] Operation of the manual control 85 as described above initiates a positioning mode which causes the seating and reclining furniture to assume a position according to Figure 1a , 1b , 1c or 1d.

[0036] To activate the relaxation mode, the button A on the manual control 85 is pressed and causes the seating furniture to move back and forth between the two reclining positions P2 and P3. Figures 8 to 10 A more detailed description of the relaxation mode is given. When the button A is activated, the safety query in the microprocessor 81 can be set to only be activated when the seating and reclining furniture is in the first reclining position P2 or the second reclining position P3, i.e. in accordance with Figure 1c The location shown or Figure 1d The relaxation mode can only be activated when the user is in the position shown. If this is not the case, it can be arranged in the microprocessor 81 to prevent the activation of the relaxation mode. However, alternatively, it is also conceivable that, according to Figure 1b Activating the relaxation mode in the upright basic position P1 or the raised position P0 shown first results in the seating and reclining furniture being positioned in the first reclining position P2 and then switching to the relaxation mode.

[0037] In order to make the microprocessor 81 aware of the position of the seated and leaned furniture, a sensor 88 can be assigned to the first actuator 70, which detects the corresponding position of the actuator 70 and therefore also the position of the seated and leaned furniture. The sensor 88 is connected to the microprocessor 81 and can be designed, for example, as a rotary encoder or a distance sensor.

[0038] Figures 3 to 5A second exemplary embodiment of a seating and reclining furniture is shown, only the parts relevant for the adjustment of the seating and reclining furniture being shown. Any padding of the backrest and the seat, as well as the other main parts of the seating and reclining furniture are also not shown here. The seating and reclining furniture in turn has a frame 1 for placement on a floor 7, only the fixed frame part 10 of which is shown here. Furthermore, a seat 2, shown as a seat support 20, a backrest 3, shown as a backrest support 30 and a footrest 4, shown with its footrest support 40, are provided.

[0039] A footrest adjustment mechanism 5 is also provided with a first mechanical linkage 50 and a first actuator 51 for extending and retracting the footrest 4. The first mechanical linkage 50 is articulated in the region of the seat support 20. In a corresponding manner, a seat / backrest adjustment mechanism 6 is provided with a second mechanical linkage 60 and a second actuator 61 for adjusting the seat 2 and the backrest 3 from the upright basic position P1 ( Figure 4a The upper part of the Figure 4c The upper part of the back) or the second reclining position P3 ( Figure 4c The second mechanical linkage 60 connects the seat support 20 and the backrest 3 and is hinged to the fixed frame part 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the seat support 20 includes two laterally opposite parts, which are connected to each other approximately in the center via a first cross-member 21. The first mechanical linkage 50 of the footrest adjustment mechanism 5 is also formed symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane of the seating and leaning furniture, and the two sides are connected to each other via a second cross-member 52. In a corresponding manner, the second mechanical linkage 60 of the seat / backrest adjustment mechanism 6 is formed in a mirror-symmetrical manner on both sides, and the two sides are connected to each other via a third cross-member 62. The first actuator 51 is arranged between the first cross-member 21 and the second cross-member 52, so that actuation of the first actuator 51 causes the first mechanical linkage 50 of the footrest adjustment mechanism 5 hinged on the seat support 20 to be adjusted relative to the seat support 20 in the sense that the footrest 4 is extended or retracted. A second mechanical linkage 60 for adjusting the seat 2 and the backrest 3 is articulated to the fixed frame part 10 , the actuation of the second actuator 61 leading to the adjustment of the seat 2 and the backrest 3 .

[0040] Figures 4a to 4c Shown are the different positions that the seating and leaning furniture can assume. Figure 4a The upper half of the figure shows the upright basic position P1 with the footrest retracted. The angle α between the seat 2 and the backrest 3 is, for example, 105°+ / -10°. The seat support 20 has a distance h1 from the floor 7 in its front region, for example, 260 mm+ / -30 mm.

[0041] Figure 4aThe lower part of the figure shows the first intermediate position reached by actuating the second actuator 61 of the seat / backrest adjustment mechanism 6. Here, the second mechanical linkage 60 first causes only the seat 2 or the seat support 20 to be displaced forwards and the front area to be lifted at the same time. The backrest 3 or the backrest support 30 is then entrained, and the angle α between the seat 2 and the backrest 3 remains the same relative to the upright basic position P1. The front area of ​​the seat 2 is pushed forwards L1, for example 40 mm+ / -10 mm. The height of the front area of ​​the seat support 20 relative to the floor 7 is increased to h2, for example 300 mm+ / -30 mm. On the one hand, this movement causes the backrest 3 to tilt backwards relative to the floor, but without significantly reducing the distance to any rear wall that may be present. To achieve this, the seat 2 moves forwards. Such a synchronous movement of the seat 2 and the backrest 3 is well known in the prior art and is therefore not explained in detail.

[0042] The footrest adjustment mechanism 5 requires that the net distance between the front end of the seat 2 and the floor is greater than Figure 4a The clear distance present in the upright base position P1 shown in the upper part of Figure 4a In other words, the footrest 4 cannot be in the first intermediate position according to Figure 4a The footrest 4 is extended in the upright basic position P1 shown in the upper part of the figure, because otherwise the footrest 4 would come into contact with the floor and block it.

[0043] Figure 4b The footrest is shown semi-extended by corresponding actuation of the first actuator 51. It can be seen that in this position there is a distance a between the footrest and the floor 7, which distance a is suitably chosen to be only large enough to enable the footrest to be extended or retracted without contacting the floor.

[0044] For conventional reclining seats with an extendable footrest, the footrest can also be rotated in or out at any time in the upright basic position.

[0045] Due to the special design of the armchair shown here, the footrest can only be placed in Figure 4a , but this has the advantage that the footrest can be longer than the amount by which the front area of ​​the seat is raised. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the footrest can be extended by the dimension h2-h1. This increases the comfort when the user puts his feet down. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable not to increase the length of the footrest, but to lower the seat support accordingly and to convert the height thus obtained into a corresponding reinforcement of the seat padding.

[0046] Fully extended footrest 4 in Figure 4c In the upper part of the figure, the first reclining position P2 is shown, in which the angle α between the seat and the backrest remains unchanged. Figure 4c The angle between the seat 2 and the backrest 3 is increased to an angle β, wherein β-α is, for example, 30°+ / -15°, by further actuation of the second actuator 61 of the seat backrest / adjustment mechanism 6 in the second reclining position P3 shown in the lower half of the drawing. With this increase in angle, the seat 2 or the seat support 20 is again pushed forward by a dimension L2, so that when the front end of the seat 2 is moved from the position according to Figure 4a The upright base position P1 shown in the upper part moves to the Figure 4c In the second reclining position shown in the lower half of the figure, the seat 2 moves 140 mm+ / -30 mm in the direction of its front end.

[0047] Although in the exemplary embodiment shown the angle between the seat and the backrest does not change between the upright basic position P1 and the first reclining position P2, the seat / backrest adjustment mechanism 6 can of course also be designed such that this angle is already in the first adjustment stage.

[0048] In order to prevent the first actuator 51 for the footrest 4 from Figure 4a A sensor or switch 11 (FIG. 1) is provided which detects whether the reclining seat has reached the upright basic position P1 shown in the upper part of the Figure 4a The middle position shown in the lower part of the figure is thus obtained, so that the distance required for extending the footrest 4 can be obtained. Figure 5 The controller 8 shown ensures that only when the sensor or switch 11 recognizes that the Figure 4a The first actuator 51 is released or activated only when the first intermediate position shown in the lower half is reached.

[0049] When adjusting the seating and reclining furniture, a distinction is made between the positioning mode and the relaxation mode. The controller 8 required for this is Figure 5 is shown in more detail in and corresponds essentially to Figure 2 Controller of the first exemplary embodiment shown. The main difference is that two actuators, namely the first actuator 51 and the second actuator 61 are controlled and the manual controller therefore has additional functions / buttons.

[0050] The control command initiated on the manual control 85 is implemented by the microprocessor 81, which then controls the pulse width modulation unit 82 and the switches 83 and 84 depending on which of the two actuators 51, 61 is to be activated. For example, it can be provided that the first actuator 51 can be controlled by the button B so that it moves the seating and reclining furniture from one position to another position depending on the current position of the seating and reclining furniture. Figure 4a The base position P1 shown in the upper part moves to the Figure 4a The position shown in the lower part of the Figure 4a The position shown in the lower part moves to the position shown in the lower part according to Figure 4c The first resting position P2 is shown in the upper half of the figure. By means of the button D, the actuator 51 is activated by reversing the direction of rotation to the opposite direction, so that the actuator 51 is moved from Figure 4c The upper part to Figure 4a The lower part or Figure 4a The lower part to Figure 4a Adjustment of the upper part.

[0051] Buttons D and E are used to control the second actuator 61 in the reverse direction of rotation. Pressing button D can, for example, result in adjustment to the direction of rotation according to Figure 4c The second reclining position P3 shown in the lower part of the drawing is determined independently of the current position in which the seating and reclining furniture is located. If the seating and reclining furniture is still in the basic position P1, subsequent control of the first and second actuators 51, 61 may be required. Actuation of the button E involves adjustment to the first and second actuators 51, 61 according to Figure 4c The first reclining position P2 is shown in the upper half of the figure.

[0052] Positioning mode is activated by buttons B, C, D and E of the manual controller 85, which causes the seating and reclining furniture to present positions according to Figure 4a The upper part of Figure 4a The lower part of Figure 4c The upper part or Figure 4c One of the positions shown in the lower part of the Figure 4b The positions shown are merely intermediate positions which cannot be approached unambiguously.

[0053] To start the relaxation mode, the button A on the manual control 85 is pressed. However, the safety query system in the microprocessor 81 can be arranged to only be in the first reclining position or the second reclining position of the seating and leaning furniture, i.e. in accordance with Figure 4c In the first reclining position P2 shown in the upper part of Figure 4c The relaxation mode can only be activated when the user is in the second reclining position P3 shown in the lower half of the figure. If this is not the case, it can be set in the microprocessor 81 not to activate the relaxation mode. However, it is also conceivable that, according to Figure 4a Starting the relaxation mode first results in the seating and leaning furniture being positioned according to the upright basic position P1 shown in the upper part of Figure 4c The first reclining position P2 shown in the upper part of the drawing is then switched to the relaxation mode.

[0054] In order to make the microprocessor 81 aware of the position of the seated and leaning furniture, a sensor or switch 11 is provided and / or a first sensor 86 is assigned to the first actuator 51 and a second sensor 87 is assigned to the second actuator 61, the two sensors 86, 87 being designed so that they recognize the respective position of the actuators and therefore also the position of the seated and leaning furniture. The sensors can be designed, for example, as rotary encoders or distance sensors. Therefore, the sensors 11, 86, 87 are connected to the microprocessor 81.

[0055] If the user activates the relaxation mode via button A, the seat 2 and the backrest 3 move back and forth between the first reclining position P2 and the second reclining position P3. In the present exemplary embodiment, this means that the second actuator 61 is activated, so that the seating and reclining furniture moves from the first reclining position P2 to the second reclining position P3, the direction of rotation of the actuator 61 is reversed in the second reclining position P3, and then the seating and reclining furniture is moved back to the first reclining position P2. This process is then repeated several times, depending on the selected program, until the program is completed or interrupted by the user.

[0056] Although a footrest 4 is present in each of the two exemplary embodiments described above, it is also entirely conceivable within the scope of the invention that the seating and reclining furniture has no footrest or that the relaxation mode can also be carried out without the footrest being extended.

[0057] Reference Figures 6 to 10 Various examples of how to control the actuator in positioning mode or relaxation mode are described. Figure 1b or Figure 4a The upper part of the vertical base position shown. Figure 1c and Figure 4c The first resting position shown in the upper part of Figure 1d and Figure 4c The second reclining position described in the lower half is designated as P3.

[0058] Figure 6 The speed / distance diagram for the positioning mode from position P1 via position P2 to position P3 is shown. The specified travel distance is related to the stroke of the associated actuator, which in the case of a linear actuator with a spindle and a nut is determined by the travel distance of the nut on the spindle. Figure 6 It can be seen that a stroke of 200 mm is required from position P1 to position P2, and a further stroke of 120 mm is required from position P2 to position P3, which is performed at a constant speed of 6 mm / s. In the case of the first exemplary embodiment, a complete stroke of 320 mm is performed by the actuator 70, while in the second exemplary embodiment, the adjustment from P1 to P2 is achieved by the first actuator 51, and the adjustment from P2 to P3 is achieved by the second actuator 61.

[0059] The relevant time / distance diagram is as follows Figure 7 As shown, it can be seen that it takes about 6 seconds to move from P1 to P2 and another 4 seconds to move to position P3. Of course, all value details should be understood as examples only.

[0060] Figure 8 A speed / distance diagram is shown, wherein the positioning mode is performed between positions P1 and P2 and the relaxation mode is performed between positions P2 and P3. It can be seen that the positioning mode occurs relatively quickly at a speed of 30 mm / s, while the speed in the relaxation mode is much lower, in particular less than half. Moreover, it can be seen that the speed is variable in the relaxation mode. Therefore, the associated actuator first accelerates from position P2 so as to then continue to travel at a constant speed and then decelerates shortly before reaching the second position P3, so that the speed of position P3 is 0.

[0061] In accordance with Fig. 9 In the relevant time / distance diagram shown, it can also be seen that in positioning mode a distance of 200mm takes about 6 seconds, while in relaxation mode a longer time of 8 seconds is set for a much shorter distance of 120mm. This takes into account the user's expectation that the desired position should be reached quickly in positioning mode, while the movement in relaxation mode should be gentle and slow.

[0062] The relaxation mode is characterized by a back and forth movement between positions P2 and P3. Thus, the number of repetition cycles can be predetermined by the selected program or can be interrupted by the user. Fig.10 In the speed / time diagram shown, it can be seen that the adjustment from position P2 to P3 and vice versa is characterized by an acceleration section, a section in which the speed is kept constant, and a braking section. In addition, the actuator is reversed in its direction of rotation only after a certain pause, so that only a movement pattern comprising acceleration, constant speed and braking can be carried out. Of course, it is conceivable within the scope of the invention that after one or more repeated cycles, the dwell time or the braking and acceleration phases are also changed within a program. In this case, the adjustment time between P2 to P3 or vice versa can also be changed. It is particularly advantageous that the user can choose between different relaxation programs by pressing button A once or twice in rapid succession. Of course, the manual controller can also be equipped with additional buttons for different relaxation modes.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a seating and reclining furniture with a seat (2) and a backrest (3), wherein the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) are positioned in a positioning mode by means of at least one actuator (61; 70) in at least an upright basic position (P1), a first reclining position (P2) or a second reclining position (P3), and wherein the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) are movable back and forth in an activatable relaxation mode, It is characterized in that The seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) are adjusted between the first reclining position (P2) and the second reclining position (P3) by means of the same actuator (61; 70) in the positioning mode and in the activatable relaxation mode, wherein the angle between the seat (2) and the backrest (3) changes during the back-and-forth movement between the first reclining position (P2) and the second reclining position (P3), wherein: The first reclining position (P2) and the second reclining position (P3) are reclining; The angle between the seat (2) and the backrest (3) in the second reclining position (P3) is greater than the angle between the seat (2) and the backrest (3) in the first reclining position (P2); and The activatable relaxation mode enables a constant back and forth movement.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The actuators (61, 70) are controlled by a pulse width modulation unit (82).

3. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The relaxation mode can be activated only when the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) is located in the first reclining position (P2) or the second reclining position (P3) or between the first reclining position (P2) and the second reclining position (P3).

4. The method according to claim 3, It is characterized in that At least one sensor (86, 87, 88) detects whether the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) is located in the first reclining position (P2) or the second reclining position (P3) or between the first reclining position (P2) and the second reclining position (P3).

5. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The seating and reclining furniture may be adjusted at a greater speed in the positioning mode than in the relaxing mode.

6. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The adjustment speed of the seating and reclining furniture varies in the relaxation mode.

7. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The adjustment of the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) in the relaxation mode is varied by braking and / or accelerating and / or stopping.

8. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that In the relaxation mode, when the first reclining position (P2) or the second reclining position (P3) is reached, the rotation direction of the actuator (61; 70) is reversed.

9. The method according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The speed of the actuator (61, 70) for adjusting the seating and reclining furniture in the relaxation mode decreases before reaching the first reclining position (P2) or the second reclining position (P3) and increases again after the rotation direction of the actuator (61, 70) is reversed.

10. A piece of furniture for seating and leaning, include: A seat (2), a backrest (3) and an adjustment mechanism (6) for changing the position of the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) at least between an upright basic position (P1), a first leaning position (P2) and a second leaning position (P3), wherein the adjustment mechanism (6) has at least one actuator (61; 70) and a controller (8) for controlling the actuator (61; 70); the controller (8) has at least one positioning mode and a relaxation mode, wherein the at least one positioning mode is used to position the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) in the upright basic position (P1), the first leaning position (P2) or the second leaning position (P3), and the relaxation mode is used to move the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) back and forth. Characterized in that in the positioning mode and in the relaxation mode, the seat (2) and / or the backrest (3) can be adjusted between the first leaning position (P2) and the second leaning position (P3) by the same actuator, wherein the angle between the seat (2) and the backrest (3) changes during the back-and-forth movement between the first leaning position (P2) and the second leaning position (P3), wherein: The first reclining position (P2) and the second reclining position (P3) are reclining; The angle between the seat (2) and the backrest (3) in the second reclining position (P3) is greater than the angle between the seat (2) and the backrest (3) in the first reclining position (P2); and The relaxation mode enables a constant back and forth motion.

11. The seating and reclining furniture according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The controller (8) has a pulse width modulation unit (82) for speed control of the actuator (61; 70).

12. The seating and reclining furniture according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The relaxation mode includes a plurality of cycles between the first reclining position (P2) and the second reclining position (P3).

13. The seating and reclining furniture according to claim 10, It is characterized in that At least one sensor (86, 87, 88) is provided for detecting the position (P1, P2, P3) of the seating and reclining furniture.

14. The seating and reclining furniture according to claim 10, It is characterized in that A footrest (4) is also provided, the footrest being adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position, the footrest (4) being in the retracted position in the upright basic position (P1) and in the extended position between the first leaning position (P2) and the second leaning position (P3).

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