Synchronizing bar for furniture drive

Abstract

The invention relates to a synchronizing bar (1) for a furniture drive (2) for the synchronous movement of movable furniture parts (3), comprising at least one coupling region (4) for connection to a furniture drive (2) and a synchronizing region (5) along a longitudinal extension (6) of the synchronizing bar (1), which synchronizing region is arranged in particular between two opposite coupling regions (4), wherein the synchronization region (5) has, in a cross-section (7) orthogonal to the longitudinal extension (6), a first outer contour section (8) in the form of a circular section (9) and at least one further outer contour section (10) in the form of a geometry offset from the circular section (9), preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section (8), wherein the circular section (9)-comprises an angular range between 250 DEG and 330 DEG and / or-comprises an angular range between 180 DEG and 350 DEG, and wherein the further outer contour section (10) is arranged only on one side of the synchronizing bar (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a synchronization rod for a furniture drive for synchronously moving a movable furniture part, the synchronization rod comprising at least one coupling region for connecting to the furniture drive and a synchronization region along the longitudinal extension of the synchronization rod, the synchronization region being arranged in particular between two oppositely disposed coupling regions. The invention also relates to a device, which consists of at least two furniture drives, each having a drive device and at least one actuating arm, for synchronously moving a movable furniture part and at least one such synchronization rod. The invention also relates to a piece of furniture having a furniture body and at least one such device, and to a method for producing a synchronization region of such a synchronization rod. Background Art

[0002] Such a synchronization rod having a circular cross-sectional profile is already known from EP 2 491 213 B1.

[0003] A disadvantage of the prior art is that during the extrusion process of the synchronization region of the synchronization rod, the inner contour provided for synchronization is distorted, since the extruded raw material has a high longitudinal extension and the raw material flowing through the extrusion die rotates during the extrusion. As a result, it is not possible to ensure precise and correct synchronization of the furniture drive. Therefore, a large number of synchronization rods must be discarded as waste, especially due to component tolerances.

[0004] The visual appearance of the synchronization lever is of crucial importance to furniture operators, wherein a non-circular synchronization area can impair the visual or aesthetic impression in this respect. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a synchronization device that is improved compared with the prior art and a method for manufacturing a synchronization area, which at least partially solve the disadvantages of the prior art and are particularly characterized by reduced inner contour distortion so as to achieve precise synchronization of the furniture drive while being aesthetically pleasing in design.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 .

[0007] Therefore, according to the invention, it is provided that the synchronization region has, in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal extension, a first outer contour section in the form of a circular section and at least one further outer contour section in the form of a geometry deviating from the circular section, preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section.

[0008] - comprises an angular range between 250° and 330°, and / or

[0009] An angular range between 180° and 350° is included, wherein the further outer contour section is arranged only on one side of the synchronization rod.

[0010] This makes it possible to at least reduce or suppress, preferably completely prevent, distortions of the synchronization area, in particular of the inner contour for synchronization, during the extrusion method for producing the synchronization rod and to produce precise coordination of the furniture drives in order to synchronously move the movable furniture parts.

[0011] A further positive property is that the retained first outer contour section can give the operator of the synchronization lever the impression that this is a circular synchronization area, since the positioning of the at least further outer contour section can point towards the rear of the furniture drive when the actuating arm is in the open position and can be concealed by the movable furniture part when the actuating arm is in the closed position.

[0012] The cross section of the synchronization zone thus enables a dual function, namely reducing undesirable effects relating to production and retaining the appearance of a circular synchronization zone, wherein the position of the at least one further outer contour section can be automatically adapted to the positioning of the actuating arm.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the synchronization rod comprises in cross section a flattened portion on one side and / or a circular segment with an angular range between 190° and 350°, in order to enable the impression of a round synchronization rod to be obtained from slightly deviating viewing angles in its operating position and / or to effectively utilize the advantages of reduced distortion.

[0014] As mentioned at the outset, protection is also claimed for a device consisting of at least two furniture drives, each having a drive device and at least one actuating arm for synchronously moving a movable furniture part and at least one such synchronization rod, wherein the at least two furniture drives in the use position comprise a visible area and a rear side, and the actuating arm is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the at least one further outer contour section points in the direction of the rear side when the actuating arm is in the open position and / or in the direction of the visible area when the actuating arm is in the closed position.

[0015] As mentioned at the outset, protection is also claimed for a piece of furniture having a furniture carcass and at least one such device.

[0016] As mentioned at the outset, a method for producing a synchronization region of such a synchronization rod is also claimed, wherein the following method steps are performed:

[0017] - providing an extrusion die having a first die contour in the form of a circular segment and at least one further die contour, in particular adjacent to the first die contour, wherein the at least one further die contour has a preferably rectilinear geometry deviating from the first die contour;

[0018] - The raw material is extruded through an extrusion die and cut to length to form the synchronization zone.

[0019] The at least one further outer contour section deviating from a circle can be formed by the further tool contour, so that distortion of the synchronization region in the sense of the guide contour is reduced. Thus, the synchronization teeth of the synchronization rod can be used for synchronization in the correct position on the longitudinal extension of the synchronization rod.

[0020] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one further outer contour section comprises a straight line and / or is designed as at least one straight line adjacent to the circular section.

[0022] The at least one straight line effectively prevents a distortion of the synchronization region, wherein the straight line can serve as a support in the production method, which can counteract undesired rotations in the extrusion die.

[0023] Advantageously, it is provided that the cross section of the synchronization region is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and / or has only a 360° rotational symmetry, preferably a 180° rotational symmetry.

[0024] Typically, only one region is required at the cross section which deviates from a circular shape so that it can function as an inhibition region to reduce distortion of the synchronization region.

[0025] It has proven to be advantageous if the at least one further outer contour section comprises a corrugation, preferably a wave-shaped or zigzag-shaped corrugation.

[0026] In general, other shapes deviating from a circular cross section are also conceivable.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the synchronization area comprises at least one preferably broken-line-shaped inner contour, which preferably has at least one raised portion for synchronization of the furniture drive, wherein the inner contour is configured to be mirror-symmetrical and / or has only 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

[0028] The inner contour can be used for synchronization, wherein distortions in the synchronization region can be reduced particularly advantageously if the inner contour is designed as an asymmetrical shape.

[0029] It has proven to be advantageous if the cross section of the at least one inner contour and the driving region is designed to be asymmetrical over the entire driving region.

[0030] Undesired deflections of the material of the synchronization region in the plane of the cross section can be limited particularly effectively along the synchronization region by means of asymmetrical inner and outer contours.

[0031] An advantageous variant of the invention is that the at least one coupling region comprises a coupling profile, preferably a wavy coupling profile, and / or comprises a plate-shaped coupling device, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one coupling profile is constructed to be mirror-symmetrical and / or has only 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

[0032] In the case of asymmetrical coupling contours, synchronization can be carried out with particularly high precision, in particular in conjunction with asymmetrical inner and / or outer contours.

[0033] It is particularly preferably provided that the synchronization region, preferably the synchronization rod, is extruded.

[0034] Extrusion has proven to be particularly advantageous for profiles of synchronization rods, in particular hollow profiles, wherein a large number of synchronization rods can be produced from one raw material, wherein specific dimensions of the synchronization rods can be obtained, preferably subsequently.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the circular segment includes an angular range between 180° and 350°, preferably between 250° and 330°, particularly preferably between 290° and 320°.

[0036] If the angular extent of the circular segment is smaller, distortion is prevented to a greater extent.If the angular extent of the circular segment is larger, it is easier to produce a shielding of the at least one further outer contour segment from different viewing angles when the actuating arm is in the open position.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the at least one straight line is designed in the form of a broken line, preferably in the form of an approximately circular contour and / or an alternating broken line.

[0038] In principle, a straight line - or for example an ellipse etc. - is sufficient to reduce the distortion of the synchronization area. However, it can be advantageous in terms of production technology to provide a large number of adjacent or spaced-apart straight lines.

[0039] It has proven to be advantageous if the at least one straight line forms a flattening of the synchronization region at least in places, preferably completely, over the longitudinal extension.

[0040] If the flat portion is present over the entire longitudinal extent of the synchronization region, distortion can be suppressed not only locally.

[0041] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the raw material is pre-tempered in a preparatory method step and / or that the extruded raw material is stretched, preferably by means of pliers, and / or aged in an oven before cutting to length.

[0042] The flow properties can be adjusted by pre-tempering. Material-specific properties can be adjusted by ageing. Production-related bending can be reduced by stretching.

[0043] In another embodiment, an extrusion die for extrusion may include a first die and at least one second die separate from the first die, wherein it is preferably configured that the at least one second die includes a core that at least partially extends into the first die, preferably in the form of the same horizontal line of these dies and / or in order to form a substantially identical flow rate of the raw material through these dies.

[0044] Complex geometries can be produced in a synchronous area by means of two dies (often referred to as flying dies), through which the raw material flows converge to form the synchronous area. Mold cores can support this manufacturing process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below based on the description of the drawings and with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0046] Figure 1a , 1b A perspective view of a piece of furniture having a component with a synchronization lever according to a preferred embodiment is shown, the perspective view having two enlarged detail views of the connection of the synchronization lever to a furniture drive;

[0047] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1b A perspective view of the piece of furniture with a synchronization rod of an embodiment of the present invention, the perspective view having an enlarged detail view of the connection of the synchronization rod with the hidden movable furniture part and the hidden shielding part;

[0048] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1a A front view and a side cross-sectional view of the furniture of the synchronization rod of the embodiment;

[0049] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1a A side sectional view of the piece of furniture in an open position of a synchronization rod of an embodiment of the present invention, the side sectional view having an enlarged detail view of the area of ​​the synchronization rod;

[0050] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 1aA side sectional view of the piece of furniture in a closed position, the side sectional view having an enlarged detail view of the area of ​​the synchronization rod;

[0051] Figure 6 Shown according to Figure 1a a perspective view of the furniture with a synchronization rod of an embodiment of the present invention, the perspective view having hidden furniture parts and hidden shielding parts, and an enlarged detail view of the connection of the synchronization rod to the furniture drive;

[0052] Figure 7 Shown according to Figure 1b A side view of a furniture drive with a synchronization rod of an embodiment of the present invention, the side view having an enlarged detail view of the synchronization rod and the corresponding receptacle at the furniture drive;

[0053] Figure 8 Shown according to Figure 1b A perspective view of a furniture drive with a synchronization rod according to an embodiment of the present invention, the perspective view having an enlarged detail view of the coupling region of the synchronization rod;

[0054] Fig. 9 An enlarged detail of a receptacle on a furniture drive is shown in a perspective view;

[0055] Fig.10a , 10b A diagram showing a method not according to the invention for producing a synchronization rod by extrusion is shown in a perspective view;

[0056] Fig.11 The top view shows Fig.10b An illustration of a method not according to the invention, the top view having three cross-sectional views and three enlarged detail views;

[0057] Fig.12a , 12b A diagram showing the manufacturing method of the invention by extrusion is shown in a perspective view;

[0058] Fig.13 The top view shows Figure 12b Schematic diagram of the method according to the invention, the top view having three sectional views and three enlarged detail views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Figure 1a A piece of furniture 28 is shown which has a furniture carcass 29 and at least one device consisting of two furniture drives 2 each having a drive device 21 and an actuating arm 22 for synchronously moving movable furniture parts 3 .

[0060] The device comprises a synchronizing lever 1. The two furniture drives 2 are arranged in a use position 23 and have a visible area 24 and a rear side 25. The actuating arm 22 can be moved in an open position 26 and a closed position 27 (see Figure 5 )

[0061] exist Figure 1b The connection area of ​​the synchronization rod 1 to the furniture drive 2 can be seen in the figure, because the cover of the synchronization rod is hidden for illustration purposes.

[0062] Figure 2 The piece of furniture 28 is shown with the actuating arm 22 in the open position 26 , without the movable furniture part 3 and without the obstruction of the synchronization rod 1 . The movement of the two furniture drives 2 is synchronized by means of the synchronization rod 1 .

[0063] The synchronization rod 1 of a furniture drive 2 for synchronously moving a movable furniture part 3 comprises two coupling regions 4 for connection to a respective furniture drive 2 via receiving regions in a mechanical drive unit which are designed corresponding to the coupling regions 4, wherein generally an electric drive unit can also be used in addition or as an alternative.

[0064] The synchronization rod 1 includes a longitudinal extension portion 6 (see Figure 8 ) of a synchronization region 5 which is arranged between two oppositely disposed coupling regions 4.

[0065] Figure 3 The front view of the furniture 28 is shown (with the remaining obstruction of the synchronization rod 1), wherein a section through the synchronization region 5 of the synchronization rod 1 can be seen at the bottom. Figure 4 Shown enlarged in .

[0066] exist Figure 4 It can be seen that the synchronization region 5 has in a cross section 7 orthogonal to the longitudinal extension 6 a first outer contour section 8 in the form of a circular section 9 and a further outer contour section 10 in the form of a geometry deviating from the circular section 9 and adjacent to the first outer contour section 8 .

[0067] This further outer contour section 10 points in the direction of the rear side 25 of the furniture drive 2 when the actuating arm 22 is in the open position 26 and in the direction of the visible area 24 of the furniture drive 2 when it is in the closed position 27, so that the familiar aesthetic appearance of the synchronization lever 1 is visible to the user of the furniture drive 2, while for the user whose sight is directed toward the visible area 24, the further outer contour section 10 that deviates from the circular section 9 and compensates for the distortion during the manufacturing process remains hidden.

[0068] The further outer contour section 10 is designed in the form of a straight line 11 adjacent to the circular section 9 , wherein a large number of straight lines 11 or other contours along the synchronization region 5 are generally possible.

[0069] The lower left schematic diagram shows other conceivable geometries of the further outer contour section 10, wherein the further outer contour section 10 is designed as a wave-shaped corrugation 12 at the upper end of the imaginary circular contour 18, as a zigzag corrugation 12 at the left end of the imaginary circular contour 18, and as a straight line 11 in the form of a zigzag line 17, which approximates the imaginary circular contour 18. The zigzag corrugation 12 takes the form of alternating zigzag lines 19. Preferably, only one such further outer contour section 10 is used, wherein generally several different or similar outer contour sections 10 can also be combined, which are arranged, for example, at different positions in the cross section 7 or adjacent to each other.

[0070] Figure 5 The actuating arm 22 is shown in the closed position 27 , in which the straight line 11 points in the direction of the visible area 24 which is blocked by the movable furniture part 3 .

[0071] It can be seen in the enlarged detail view that the cross section 7 of the synchronization region 5 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and has only a 360° rotational symmetry. It is generally conceivable to provide, for example, a 180° rotational symmetry.

[0072] The straight line 11 extends over an angular range of about 55°, wherein the adjacent circular segments 9 of the first outer contour segment 8 have an angular range between 290° and 320°. The extension of the circular segments 9 is generally not limited to a specific angular range, wherein the straight line 11 can also be separated by more circular segments 9, for example.

[0073] The synchronization region 5 comprises a polygonal inner contour 13 with two elevations 14 for synchronization of the furniture drive 2 .

[0074] The inner contour 13 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and has only a 360° rotational symmetry, wherein a 180° rotational symmetry is generally also possible, for example.

[0075] Figure 6 The synchronization lever 1 is shown in the closed position 27 , wherein the inner contour 13 and the cross section 7 of the synchronization region 5 are designed asymmetrically over the entire synchronization region 5 .

[0076] The straight line 11 completely forms the flat section 20 of the synchronization region 5 in the longitudinal extension 6 .

[0077] exist Figure 7In the embodiment shown, the furniture drive 2 is present in the form of a disassembled synchronization rod 1 , wherein in the detailed view of the synchronization rod 1 (above the receptacle of the furniture drive 2 corresponding to the coupling region 4 ) it can be seen that the coupling region 4 comprises a wavy coupling contour 15 .

[0078] The coupling contour 15 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and has only a 360° rotational symmetry, wherein, for example, a 180° rotational symmetry is also possible. The flattened region of the coupling contour 15 allows a synchronization with reduced play.

[0079] Figure 8 A perspective view of a furniture drive 2 with an installed synchronization rod 1 is shown, wherein the coupling region 4 comprises a plate-shaped coupling device 16 .

[0080] The synchronization area 5 is formed by extrusion, wherein Figures 12a to 13 A preferred method of production is described.

[0081] Fig. 9 A receptacle of the furniture drive 2 is shown for connection to a coupling region 4 of a synchronization rod, wherein the receptacle is designed corresponding to the coupling region 4 .

[0082] Fig.10a The present invention shows an extrusion method for a synchronization rod 1, in which the rotationally symmetrical horizontal lines of the two dies 36, 37 of the extrusion die are used to produce the synchronization rod 1. Fig.10b The synchronization area in 5.

[0083] exist Fig.11 From the three sections along the synchronization area 5 it can be seen that during the pressing process the inner contour 13 undergoes an undesired distortion along the synchronization area 5. This leads to an incorrect synchronization 2 of the furniture drive.

[0084] Fig.12a The extrusion method according to the invention shows a synchronous region 5 in which distortion of the inner contour 13 is suppressed.

[0085] For extrusion, the extrusion die 30 comprises a first die 36 and a second die 37 separate from the first die 36 , the number of which is usually arbitrary.

[0086] The second die 37 comprises a die core 38 which projects into the first die 36 at the same level of these dies 36 , 37 in order to form the two outer contour sections 8 , 10 of the synchronization rod 1 and to form a substantially identical flow rate of the raw material 30 through the dies 36 , 37 .

[0087] The method for producing the synchronization region 5 of the synchronization rod 1 can be exemplarily illustrated by the following method steps: Fig.12aThe extrusion die 30 shown in FIG. 1 has a first die contour 31 in the form of a circular segment 9 and a further die contour 32 adjacent to the first die contour 31, wherein the further die contour 32 has a geometry that deviates from the first die contour 31, for example in the form of a flattened contour, and extrudes a raw material 33 through the extrusion die 30, as shown in FIG. Figure 12b and cut to length to form a synchronization area 5 having the desired size.

[0088] Cut-to-length is to be understood broadly as meaning that a synchronization region 5 having the desired dimensions is produced using a raw material 33 having a defined length.

[0089] In the exemplary method, the raw material 33 is pre-tempered in a preliminary method step and, before being cut to length, the extruded raw material 33 is stretched by means of pliers and subsequently aged in an oven.

[0090] and Fig.11 Similarly, Fig.13 Three sections along the synchronization area 5 are shown, wherein it can be seen in the associated enlarged detail views that, due to the flattened mold 36 with the further mold contour 32 for forming the further outer contour section 10 , the inner contour 13 is not distorted, so that high-precision synchronization can be ensured without impairing the visual appearance of the synchronization rod 1 .

Claims

1. A synchronization rod (1) for a furniture drive (2) for synchronously moving movable furniture parts (3), the synchronization rod comprising at least one coupling region (4) for connecting to the furniture drive (2) and a synchronization region (5) along the longitudinal extension (6) of the synchronization rod (1), the synchronization region being arranged in particular between two oppositely disposed coupling regions (4), wherein the synchronization region (5) has, in a cross section (7) orthogonal to the longitudinal extension (6), a first outer contour section (8) in the form of a circular section (9) and at least one further outer contour section (10) in the form of a geometric shape deviating from the circular section (9), preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section (8), characterized in that The circular section (9) - comprises an angular range between 250° and 330°, and / or - includes an angular range between 180° and 350°, wherein the further outer contour section (10) is arranged only on one side of the synchronization rod (1).

2. The synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) comprises a straight line (11) and / or is designed as at least one straight line (11) adjacent to the circular section (9).

3. The synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross section (7) of the synchronization region (5) is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and / or has only 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

4. The synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) comprises a corrugation (12), preferably a wave-shaped or zigzag-shaped corrugation.

5. A synchronization rod (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronization area (5) comprises at least one preferably broken-line-shaped inner contour (13), which preferably has at least one raised portion (14) for synchronization of the furniture drive (2), wherein the inner contour (13) is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and / or has only 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

6. The synchronization rod (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one inner contour (13) and the cross section (7) of the synchronization region (5) are designed asymmetrically over the entire synchronization region (5).

7. The synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling region (4) comprises a coupling profile (15), preferably a wavy coupling profile, and / or comprises a plate-shaped coupling device (16), wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one coupling profile (15) is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and / or has only 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

8. The synchronization rod (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronization area (5), preferably the synchronization rod (1), is extruded.

9. The synchronization rod (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circular section (9) comprises an angular range between 290° and 320°.

10. The synchronization rod (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the at least one straight line (11) is designed in the form of a broken line (17), preferably in the form of an approximately circular contour (18) and / or alternating broken lines (19).

11. The synchronization rod (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one straight line (11) forms a flat portion (20) of the synchronization region (5) at least partially, preferably completely, over the longitudinal extension (6).

12. A device, comprising at least two furniture drives (2), each having a drive device (21) and at least one actuating arm (22) for synchronously moving a movable furniture part (3) and at least one synchronization rod (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two furniture drives (2) in the use position (23) comprise a visible area (24) and a back side (25), and the actuating arm (22) is movable between an open position (26) and a closed position (27), wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) points in the direction of the back side (25) when the actuating arm (22) is in the open position (26) and / or in the direction of the visible area (24) when the actuating arm (22) is in the closed position (27).

13. A piece of furniture (28) comprising a furniture body (29) and at least one device according to claim 12.

14. A method for producing a synchronization region (5) of a synchronization rod (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The following method steps: - providing an extrusion die (30) having a first die contour (31) in the form of a circular segment (9) and at least one further die contour (32), in particular adjacent to the first die contour (31), wherein the at least one further die contour (32) has a preferably rectilinear geometry deviating from the first die contour (31); - The raw material (33) is extruded through the extrusion die (30) and cut to length to form the synchronization zone (5).

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the raw material (33) is pre-tempered in a preparatory method step, and / or before the cut-to-length cutting, the extruded raw material (33) is stretched, preferably via pliers, and / or aged in an oven.

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the extrusion die (30) used for extrusion comprises a first die (36) and at least one second die (37) separated from the first die (36), wherein it is preferably arranged that the at least one second die (37) comprises a core (38), which at least partially extends into the first die (36), preferably in the form of the same horizontal line of the dies (36, 37) and / or in order to form a substantially identical flow rate of the raw material (30) through the dies (36, 37).

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