Pull out the guide

Abstract

A pull-out guide device (1) comprises a guide rail (2) that can be fixed to a furniture base structure, a middle rail (3), and a moving rail (4) that can be coupled to a pull-out element and is movable between a pull-out position and a retracted position, wherein the rolling elements (12) held in a first rolling element holder (5) are arranged between the guide rail (2) and the middle rail (3), the rolling elements (12) held in a second rolling element holder (6) are arranged between the middle rail (3) and the moving rail (4), and the first rolling element holder (5) is synchronized with the second rolling element holder (6) via a flexible deflection element (9) guided on the middle rail (3), wherein a third rolling element holder (7) containing the rolling elements (12) is arranged between the moving rail (4) and the middle rail (3), wherein the third rolling element holder (7) is arranged movable relative to the second rolling element holder (6) parallel to the pull-out direction. This makes it possible to compensate for slippage on the rolling elements.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pull-out guide device, comprising: a guide rail that can be fixed to a main body, a middle rail, and a moving rail that can be engaged with a pull-out element and can be moved between a pull-out position and a retracted position, wherein rolling elements held in a first rolling element retainer are arranged between the guide rail and the middle rail, and rolling elements held in a second rolling element retainer are arranged between the middle rail and the moving rail, and the first rolling element retainer is synchronized with the second rolling element retainer via a flexible deflection element guided on the middle rail, and wherein a third rolling element retainer containing rolling elements is arranged between the moving rail and the middle rail.

[0002] EP 2 640 228 B1 discloses a pull-out guide device in which the movement of the moving rail relative to the center rail and guide rails is synchronized via a control cable. To this end, the control cable is guided via a deflection pulley and connected to two rolling element cages, ensuring that as the rolling element cages move between the moving rail and the center rail, the rolling element cages between the center rail and the guide rails move to the same extent. The rolling element cage connected to the control cable is connected to the other rolling element cages via a connecting rod, which in turn is connected to the control cable. While this control cable arrangement results in stable operation, it presents a problem: when the pull-out element is pulled or pushed, the moving rail may move a certain distance without rotating the rolling elements between the moving rail and the center rail, resulting in "slippage." Due to the displacement of the moving rail relative to the rolling element cage, the rolling element cage may stop at a stop before reaching the closed position. The self-closing mechanism, preloaded by a force accumulator, cannot overcome the sliding friction between the rolling elements and the moving rail, causing the pull-out element to stop before reaching the closed position. To compensate for this slippage, the pull-out element must be manually pushed into the closed position.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pull-out guide which is able to better compensate for slippage which occurs when the pull-out guide is moved.

[0004] This object is achieved by a pull-out guide having the features of claim 1 .

[0005] In the pull-out guide device of the present invention, a first roller retainer between the guide rail and the center rail and a second roller retainer between the center rail and the moving rail are synchronized via a flexible deflection element, i.e., they move in unison relative to the center rail during movement of the pull-out guide device. A third roller retainer, comprising rollers, is disposed between the moving rail and the center rail and is movable relative to the second roller retainer parallel to the pull-out direction, i.e., it is not rigidly spaced apart from the second roller retainer by a connecting member. The increased flexibility of the third roller retainer, which can move independently of the second roller retainer, improves slip compensation. If the second roller retainer is stopped by a stop short of reaching the closed position due to slip, the third roller retainer, comprising rollers, can still be moved in the closing direction, allowing the pull-out element to be moved into the closed position by overcoming slip in only one of the two roller retainers. Consequently, the rolling elements retained in the second roller retainer only need to be moved relative to the moving rail, without rotating, which would require overcoming sliding friction on the rolling elements. On the other hand, the rolling elements of the third rolling element cage can continue rolling. This is why, even if the rolling elements of the second rolling element cage abut against the stop, a lower pulling force is sufficient to pull the pull-out element, along with the moving rail, into the closed position. Therefore, the pulling force required to move the moving rail into the closed position only needs to overcome the sliding friction of the rolling elements of the rolling element cage, which can also be achieved by the force accumulator of the self-closing mechanism. This improves handling because any slippage of the pull-out guide can be compensated.

[0006] Preferably, the third rolling element retainer is movable parallel to the pull-out direction within a range of motion between two stops. This range of motion can be greater than 5 mm, for example, between 20 mm and 160 mm. A certain distance between the second and third rolling element retainers is advantageous to better balance the weight of the pull-out element. However, a much larger range of motion can be used to compensate for possible slippage of the pull-out guide during bidirectional movement, so that the third rolling element retainer does not always need to be displaced in only one direction.

[0007] Preferably, a fourth rolling element cage with rolling elements is positioned between the guide rails and the center rail and connected to the first rolling element cage via a connecting rod. In this configuration, the three rolling element cages are synchronized via the flexible deflection element. Once the sliding friction on the rolling elements is overcome, the third rolling element cage can move independently of the other rolling element cages, parallel to the pull-out direction. Obviously, freely movable rolling element cages can also be positioned between the moving rail and the center rail, and between the center rail and the guide rail. The rolling element cages should move at the same speed relative to the corresponding pair of rails. The deflection element defines a fixed distance, making it impossible to catch up with the synchronized rolling element cages.

[0008] In a preferred design, the cross section of the moving rail is U-shaped with downwardly projecting legs. This allows the moving rail to be guided laterally and stably on the center rail.

[0009] The deflection element for the synchronous rolling element cage is preferably in the form of a cable, guided by a deflection pulley rotatably mounted on the center rail. Alternatively, the deflection element can be designed as a belt. The deflection pulley can be positioned essentially in a cavity in the center rail. Alternatively, the deflection pulley can be positioned below the center rail, with its axis essentially perpendicular to the pull-out direction. Alternatively, the deflection pulley can be positioned laterally on the center rail. For efficient mounting, the deflection pulleys can be fixed to the ends of the center rail, for example, in corresponding receptacles or recesses provided on the end faces of the center rail. In this case, the deflection element can be arranged such that one section is positioned on one side of the center rail and the other section is positioned on the opposite side, for example, one section in a mounting position above the center rail and the other section within or below the center rail. In this way, the deflection element is positioned within the pull-out guide, protecting it from environmental influences.

[0010] To ensure stable guidance, the second and third rolling element retainers are U-shaped and surround the center rail. The rolling elements can be arranged on opposite sides and on the connecting web, which is horizontal in the installed position. The number of rolling elements arranged one behind the other is selected based on the weight and length of the pull-out guide. The rolling elements are preferably cylindrical, but can also be barrel-shaped, spherical, or designed as balls. Optionally, the rolling element retainers can also include sliding elements to provide spacing between two adjacent rails. The back-to-back rolling elements can also have different diameters. They can also be made of different materials or have different structures.

[0011] Preferably, at least one stationary, rotatably mounted roller is provided on the center rail to support the moving rail, particularly in the central region as viewed in the longitudinal direction. During at least a portion of the extension movement, the second rolling element cage can be located in front of the roller in the extension direction. During at least a portion of the extension movement, the third rolling element cage can be located behind the roller in the extension direction.

[0012] The present invention will be explained in more detail below by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG1 shows a perspective view of a pull-out guide according to the present invention;

[0014] FIG2 shows an exploded view of the pull-out guide device of FIG1 ;

[0015] FIG3 shows an exploded view of the middle rail with the rolling element cage;

[0016] FIG4 shows a perspective view of the middle rail and two rolling element cages in the assembled position;

[0017] 5A to 5C show several views of the pull-out guide with the third rolling element cage in different positions; and

[0018] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a control cable with two rolling element cages.

[0019] The pull-out guide 1 comprises three rails bent from sheet metal: a guide rail 2, a middle rail 3, and a running rail 4. The guide rail 2 can be fixed to the body of a piece of furniture or household appliance. To this end, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the guide rail is substantially angular. The running rail 4 is used to hold pull-out elements, such as drawers, shelves, medicine cabinets, or other pull-out elements. A fastening device 40 is provided at the rear end to secure the pull-out elements to the running rail 4.

[0020] FIG2 shows an exploded view of the pull-out guide 1. The guide rail 2 has an angular cross-section and has an upwardly protruding web 21 on the horizontal leg, on which an angled horizontal track 22 is formed. In addition, a self-closing device 20 is mounted on the guide rail 2, which can be engaged with a drive on the moving rail 4 so that the moving rail 4 is retracted to the closed position by a force accumulator just before reaching the closed position. Optionally, this self-closing device 20 can also be omitted. The self-closing device 20 can also be set in one of the other rails 2, 3, 4. Instead of the self-closing device 20, a pop-up device or a combination of a self-closing device and a pop-up device can also be set on the rails 2, 3, 4.

[0021] A first rolling element cage 5 with rolling elements 12 is arranged between the center rail 3 and the guide rail 2, surrounding the rails 22 and the webs 21. The rolling element cage 5 is connected to a deflection element 9 in the form of a cable, which is movably mounted around two deflection pulleys 10 and 11. The deflection pulleys 10 and 11 are each rotatably arranged at the end of the center rail 3. One portion of the deflection element 9 is located above the center rail 3, while another portion of the deflection element 9 is arranged within or below the center rail 3.

[0022] A second rolling element retainer 6 having rolling elements 12 is disposed between the moving rail 4 and the center rail 3 to guide the movement of the moving rail 4 on the center rail 3. A third rolling element retainer 7 having rolling elements 12 is disposed at a distance from the second rolling element retainer 6 and surrounds the center rail 3 in a substantially U-shaped manner. The rolling element retainer 6 is connected to a flexible deflection element 9, for example, by welding, bonding, or mechanical connection, and the rolling element retainer 7 is movable relative to the deflection element 9, so that the third rolling element retainer 7 is also movable relative to the second rolling element retainer 6.

[0023] A fourth rolling element cage 8 having rolling elements 12 is disposed between the guide rail 2 and the center rail 3 and is connected to the first rolling element cage 5 via a connecting rod 15. The first rolling element cage 5 engages with the flexible deflection element 9, so that the fourth rolling element cage 8 also moves together with the flexible deflection element 9. Optionally, the fourth rolling element cage 8 can be connected directly to the flexible deflection element 9 without the connecting rod 15. The first rolling element cage 5 and the fourth rolling element cage 8 can also be designed as a single long rolling element cage.

[0024] All rolling element cages 5, 6, 7, and 8 surround a portion of the guide rail 2 or three sides of the center rail 3, with rolling elements 12 preferably arranged on each side. In this case, the rolling elements 12 rolling on the horizontal rails can be arranged in greater numbers than the lateral rolling elements not subject to gravity loads. The rolling elements 12 are cylindrical in design, but in other designs, they can also be barrel-shaped, spherical, or formed into balls.

[0025] The support roller 13 is arranged in the groove 14 of the middle rail 3 and protrudes slightly toward the moving rail 4. The moving rail 4 has an embossed web 41 at one section, which rolls on the support roller 13 before reaching the closed position to reduce the load on the rolling body 12 at the front second rolling body retainer 6.

[0026] Two rollers 16 are also rotatably mounted on shafts 17 of the center rail 3 and provide support for the moving rail 4. Instead of two rollers 16, only one roller or more than two rollers can also be provided. The rollers 16 are fixed in position and move with the center rail 3. During at least part of the pull-out movement, the second rolling element cage 6 is located ahead of the first roller 16 in the pull-out direction. During at least part of the pull-out movement, the third rolling element cage 7 is located behind the first roller 16 in the pull-out direction.

[0027] FIG3 shows the area of ​​the center rail 3 in detail. A protruding stop 30 is formed on the center rail 3 and limits the range of motion of the third rolling element cage 7. The third rolling element cage 7 with its rolling elements 12 can move independently of the second rolling element cage 6, which is fixed to the flexible deflection element 9. The first rolling element cage 5 and the fourth rolling element cage 8 are also fixed to the flexible deflection element 9.

[0028] Figure 4 shows the center rail in its assembled position. It can be seen that the second and third rolling element cages 6 and 7 are spaced apart from each other. One section of the deflection element 9 is located above the center rail 3, while the other section is located inside or below the center rail 3. In this case, the deflection pulleys 10 and 11 are essentially located within the cavity of the center rail 3.

[0029] Figures 5A to 5C show the pull-out guide 1 in the closed position, with the third rolling element retainer 7 arranged in different positions relative to the second rolling element retainer 6. In Figure 5A, the third rolling element retainer 7 is in a neutral position, separated by a predetermined distance from the second rolling element retainer 6. When the pull-out element is opened and closed, slippage can occur between the rolling elements 12 in the rolling element retainers 6 and 7 and the moving rail 4. This changes the position of the moving rail 4 without rotating the rolling elements 12 and moving the rolling element retainers 6 and 7. This slippage can cause the third rolling element retainer 7 to shift relative to the second rolling element retainer 6, for example, to the position shown in Figure 5B, where it abuts against a stop 30 on the center rail 3. In Figure 5C, the third rolling element retainer 7 has moved closer to the second rolling element retainer 6, for example, to a distance between 2 cm and 15 cm, where it can abut against a stop (not shown) on the moving rail. In any case, the third rolling element cage 7 is arranged displaceably according to the positions in FIGS. 5A to 5C within a certain range of movement parallel to the pull-out direction and is movable relative to the second rolling element cage 6 .

[0030] If the moving rail 4 moves to the closed position, the drive of the self-closing device 20 takes over the closing movement just before reaching the closed position, with the drive being preloaded in the closing direction by the force accumulator. If the moving rail 4 has already shifted relative to the second rolling element cage 6 due to slippage, so that the second rolling element cage 6 now hits a stop, the self-closing device can move the moving rail 4 further in the closing direction using the force accumulator, wherein the sliding friction of the rolling elements 12 on the second rolling element cage 6 must be overcome. On the other hand, the rolling elements 12 on the third rolling element cage 7 can roll so that only significantly lower rolling friction must be overcome there. The force accumulator of the self-closing device 20 can be designed to ensure the automatic displacement of the moving rail 4 even if the second rolling element cage 6 with the rolling elements 12 has already come into contact with the stop and therefore has to overcome sliding friction.

[0031] FIG6 shows in detail the flexible deflection element 9 between the two deflection pulleys 10 and 11. The first rolling element cage 5 and the second rolling element cage 6 are fixed to the deflection element 9, for example by welding, gluing or mechanical fastening means. The flexible deflection element 9 can consist of several individual segments that are connected to each other in the region of the rolling element cages 5 and 6.

[0032] The illustrated extension guide 1 is to be understood merely as an example. The invention is also suitable for other types of extension guides for furniture or household appliances.

[0033] Mark list 1 Pull out the guide device

[0034] 2 guide rails

[0035] 3 Middle Track

[0036] 4 motion tracks

[0037] 5 Rolling element cage

[0038] 6 Rolling element cage

[0039] 7 Rolling element cage

[0040] 8 Rolling element cage

[0041] 9 Deflection element

[0042] 10 Deflection pulley

[0043] 11 Deflection pulley

[0044] 12 rolling elements

[0045] 13 Support roller

[0046] 14 grooves

[0047] 15 Connecting rod

[0048] 16 rollers

[0049] 17 Axis

[0050] 20 Self-closing device

[0051] 21 belly plate

[0052] 22 tracks

[0053] 30 Stop

[0054] 40 Fastening device 41 Web

Claims

1. A pull-out guide device (1), comprising: a guide rail (2) that can be fixed to a body; a middle rail (3); and a moving rail (4) that can be engaged with a pull-out element and can be moved between a pull-out position and a retracted position, wherein the rolling elements (12) held in a first rolling element retainer (5) are arranged between the guide rail (2) and the middle rail (3), the rolling elements (12) held in a second rolling element retainer (6) are arranged between the middle rail (3) and the moving rail (4), and the first rolling element retainer (5) is synchronized with the second rolling element retainer (6) via a flexible deflection element (9) guided on the middle rail (3), wherein: A third rolling element retainer (7) having rolling elements (12) is arranged between the moving rail (4) and the middle rail (3), and is characterized in that the third rolling element retainer (7) is movably arranged relative to the second rolling element retainer (6) parallel to the pulling direction, and the deflection element (9) is designed as a cable, which is guided by deflection pulleys (10, 11) rotatably mounted on the middle rail (3).

2. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third rolling element retainer (7) is movable in a range of motion between two stoppers (30) parallel to the pulling direction.

3. The pull-out guide device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The range of motion has a length exceeding 5 mm.

4. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fourth rolling element retainer (8) having rolling elements (12) is arranged between the guide rail (2) and the middle rail (3) and is connected to the first rolling element retainer (5).

5. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the moving rail (4) is U-shaped with legs protruding downwards.

6. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deflection pulleys (10, 11) are arranged in the cavity of the middle rail (3).

7. The pull-out guide device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Deflection pulleys (10, 11) are respectively mounted on the ends of the middle rail (3).

8. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second and third rolling element retainers (6, 7) surround the center rail (3) in a U-shaped engagement.

9. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle rail is arranged between the two sections of the deflection element.

10. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that The extension guide (1) has a self-closing device (20), by means of which a movement rail can be retracted into a closed position immediately before reaching the closed position.

11. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one fixed, rotatably mounted roller (16) is arranged on the center rail (3).

12. The pull-out guide device according to claim 11, characterized in that The second rolling element cage (6) is located in front of the roller (16) in the extension direction during at least part of the extension movement.

13. The pull-out guide device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The third rolling element cage (7) is located behind the roller (16) in the extension direction during at least part of the extension movement.

14. The pull-out guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that The third rolling element retainer (7) is installed as an upper rear rolling element retainer and is freely movable relative to the mutually synchronized first rolling element retainer (5) and the second rolling element retainer (6), the first rolling element retainer (5) being installed as a lower rolling element retainer and the second rolling element retainer (6) being installed as an upper front rolling element retainer.

15. The pull-out guide device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The range of motion has a length between 20 mm and 160 mm.

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