Cabinet furniture with sliding door lighting and device for controlling and supplying power to a sliding door lighting system

Abstract

Cabinet furniture with furniture body (10) and at least one sliding door (12) which is slidably guided on the furniture body (10) between a rest position and at least one other, left or right position or between left and right positions and an intermediate rest position, with a device (20) for controlling and supplying energy to a sliding door light (14) of the sliding door (12);and the device (20) in which a sliding door-side control unit (30) can be connected to a furniture-side power supply unit (40) via first, furniture-side electrical contacts (22) and second, sliding door-side electrical contacts (24) and is configured to start a switching-on process of the sliding door lighting (14) when a power supply is initiated via the second contacts (24), wherein the switching-on process comprises: after the expiry of a switching-on delay period, gradually increasing the luminous intensity of the sliding door lighting (14) until the sliding door lighting (14) is switched on, wherein the control unit (30) is configured to restart the switching-on process after an interruption or fault in the power supply, starting with waiting for the switching-on delay period to elapse.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cabinet furniture with sliding door lighting, as well as a device for controlling and supplying energy to a sliding door lighting.

[0002] It was proposed to supply power to a left and a right sliding door when closed via end contacts. These contacts would press spring contacts of the respective sliding doors against the end contacts when the door reaches its closed position. In cabinets with sliding doors, such as wardrobes, integrating lights into the sliding doors would then allow for effective illumination of the closed sliding door. However, in a three-door cabinet where the middle sliding door can be opened to the left or right from its closed position, there is no single closed end position to which the door is always pushed from the same direction. Therefore, powering the door by pressing its contacts against end contacts is not possible.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of enabling the operation of a sliding door light integrated with a cabinet door (i.e., a sliding door that can be moved to the left or right relative to its rest position) via a power supply unit on the cabinet body when the sliding door is in its rest position. The invention is particularly based on the objective of enabling the operation of a sliding door light integrated with a "middle" sliding door of a cabinet (i.e., a sliding door that can be moved both to the left and to the right relative to its rest position) via a power supply unit on the cabinet body when the sliding door is in its rest position.

[0004] One or more of these problems are solved according to the invention by a cabinet furniture according to claim 1 and a device according to the dependent claim.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a cabinet unit is provided with a cabinet body and at least one sliding door, wherein the sliding door is slidably guided on the cabinet body in a sliding direction between a (closed) rest position and at least one other, left or right (open) position. The sliding door has integrated lighting. The cabinet unit includes a device for controlling and powering the sliding door lighting. The device for controlling and powering the sliding door lighting comprises: first electrical contacts on the cabinet body side; second electrical contacts on the sliding door side; and a control unit on the sliding door side for controlling the sliding door lighting. The control unit can be connected to the power supply unit via the first and second contacts when the sliding door is in its rest position.The control unit is configured to initiate a switch-on process for the sliding door lighting when power is supplied via the second contacts. This switch-on process includes: waiting for a specified delay; and, after the delay has elapsed, gradually increasing the brightness of the sliding door lighting until it is fully switched on. The control unit is configured to restart the switch-on process, beginning with the initial delay, after an interruption or fault in the power supply (e.g., a drop in operating voltage).

[0006] According to a second aspect of the invention, a cabinet unit is provided with a cabinet body and at least one sliding door, wherein the sliding door is slidably guided on the cabinet body in a sliding direction between left and right (open) positions and an intermediate (closed) rest position. The sliding door includes a sliding door light. The cabinet unit has a device for controlling and powering the sliding door light. The device for controlling and powering the sliding door light comprises: first electrical contacts on the cabinet body side; second electrical contacts on the sliding door side; and a control device on the sliding door side for controlling the sliding door light. The control device can be connected to the power supply device via the first and second contacts in the rest position of the sliding door.The control unit is configured to initiate a switch-on process for the sliding door lighting when power is supplied via the second contacts. This switch-on process includes: waiting for a specified delay; and, after the delay has elapsed, gradually increasing the brightness of the sliding door lighting until it is fully switched on. The control unit is configured to restart the switch-on process, beginning with the initial delay, after an interruption or fault in the power supply (e.g., a drop in operating voltage).

[0007] According to a third aspect of the invention, a device for controlling and powering a sliding door light of a cabinet is provided, in particular for a cabinet according to the first or second aspect. The device for controlling and powering the sliding door light comprises: first electrical contacts on the cabinet body side; second electrical contacts on the sliding door side; and a control unit on the sliding door side for controlling the sliding door light. The control unit is connected to the second contacts. The control unit can be connected to a power supply unit on the cabinet body side via the first and second contacts.The control unit is configured to initiate a switch-on process for the sliding door lighting when power is supplied via the second contacts. This switch-on process includes: waiting for a switch-on delay period; and, after the switch-on delay period has elapsed, gradually increasing the brightness of the sliding door lighting until it is fully switched on. The control unit is configured to restart the switch-on process after an interruption or fault in the power supply, beginning with waiting for the switch-on delay period to elapse.

[0008] During the switch-on delay, the delay restarts each time the power supply to the device controlling and powering the sliding door lighting is activated. This prevents flickering or erratic operation of the sliding door lighting when the electrical connection is established via the contacts, as the sliding door closes and comes to rest. This is because an interruption or disruption in the power supply can occur when the first and second contacts make contact as the sliding door continues to move into its final resting position. Connecting the lighting directly via the contacts would have the disadvantage that the voltage would not be constant during the door's movement, potentially causing connected lights to flicker noticeably as the contacts move against each other.Furthermore, for example, contact friction during operation can lead to spark erosion, resulting in detrimental material loss from the contact surfaces. The control unit allows the switching-on process to be restarted repeatedly by interrupting the voltage during the contact movement, a process that is imperceptible to the user. Only when the contacts are in their end position and a constant voltage is applied are the lights switched on smoothly. Another advantage is that only a very small current is transmitted across the contacts during movement to power the control unit while the switch-on delay period elapses. Only when the contacts are in their end / rest position is the full power, corresponding to the on state, transmitted through the contacts when the light is switched on.This effectively prevents spark erosion.

[0009] Each of the aforementioned aspects of the invention may have one or more of the features described below.

[0010] The cabinet furniture may include the power supply unit on the cabinet side. In particular, the device for controlling and powering the sliding door lighting may include the power supply unit on the cabinet side.

[0011] The sliding door lighting can therefore be operated by the power supply unit on the furniture side when the sliding door is in its rest position. During the switch-on delay, the sliding door lighting is not operated or is switched off. The power supply for the sliding door lighting is provided by the power supply unit on the furniture side when the sliding door is in its rest position. In some embodiments, the rest position can be described as the middle position between the left and right positions. The sliding door lighting comprises at least one lighting device arranged on the sliding door, for example, an LED lighting device. The lighting device can be an LED strip.

[0012] The sliding door lighting is integrated with the sliding door. The sliding door can be moved relative to the furniture body. The power supply is preferably a mains-powered device. The start of the power supply can include, in particular, maintaining an operating voltage. The operating voltage can be a predefined voltage. The operating voltage can be the operating voltage of the control unit and / or the sliding door lighting.

[0013] The terms "furniture carcass side" and "sliding door side" indicate on which part of the furniture, carcass or sliding door, the components in question are to be arranged or are arranged in operation.

[0014] The first and second contacts allow the sliding door to be moved between its rest position and left and / or right (open) positions. The first and second contacts (or a first contact and a second contact associated with the first) can be configured to slide or rub against each other in the direction of movement. The respective first and second contacts are configured to establish an electrical connection by relative movement from both a first direction and a second, opposite direction. The contacts can also be configured to be brought into contact by a sliding motion through linear relative movement in the direction of movement. These contacts can be referred to as sliding contacts. The first contacts are preferably mounted on the furniture body.The second contacts are preferably mounted on the sliding door.

[0015] The first contacts can be arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement. This is particularly space-saving and requires minimal space on the furniture body. However, the first contacts can also be arranged side by side perpendicular to the direction of movement, for example, side by side in the depth direction of the cabinet, one above the other in the height direction (i.e., vertically), and / or opposite each other in a groove or on opposite sides of a web.

[0016] Preferably, in the rest position of the sliding door, a first contact is arranged opposite its corresponding second contact in a contact direction transverse to the direction of movement. Preferably, each first contact and its corresponding second contact has a contact surface (or contact track) extending in the direction of movement, which forms a ramp contour for the other first contact and its corresponding second contact. The ramp contour is formed in the contact direction, i.e., it projects at least partially in the contact direction. The other first contact and its corresponding second contact can be designed as a pin contact and / or can be resiliently displaceable in the contact direction, for example, pre-tensioned by a spring force.

[0017] Thus, the first and second contacts can be arranged opposite each other in the rest position, with their contact direction perpendicular to the direction of movement. The ramp contour can project, particularly in the contact direction. The ramp contour can, for example, include a protrusion. The protrusion can be rounded. The protrusion can include ramps. The ramps can be inclined (particularly inclined to the direction of movement).

[0018] Preferably, one of the respective first contact and a second contact associated with it is designed as a leaf spring or as a strip (e.g. metal strip) which has a protrusion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first contacts and / or the second contacts are designed as spring-loaded contacts, for example, as spring-loaded pin contacts. These contacts may be configured to spring in the contact direction. They may also be spring-loaded.

[0020] In embodiments, one of a respective first contact and an associated second contact has a protrusion, and the other of a respective first contact and an associated second contact is designed as a spring pin contact.

[0021] The device may include a power connection for the mains-powered power supply unit, connected to the first contacts. The control unit may be connected to the second contacts. The first and second contacts form a coupling device for electrically connecting the control unit (and the sliding door lighting connected to it) to the power supply unit on the furniture body side.

[0022] The switch-on delay can be a predefined delay. When the sliding door moves into its rest position, the movement of the second contacts along the first contacts takes a specific, typical amount of time. The switch-on delay of the control unit can be adapted to this typical duration.

[0023] In embodiments, the cabinet further comprises a catch device for the sliding door, which is configured to catch the sliding door as it moves towards its rest position and to pull the sliding door into the rest position. The activation delay of the control device can correspond to a period of time during which the second contacts are in a potential contact area with the first contacts while the sliding door is being pulled by the catch device. The activation delay can be at least a certain duration. The activation delay can correspond to a catch duration of the catch device.

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a cabinet with a sliding door, sliding door lighting, and a device for controlling and supplying power to the sliding door lighting; and Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the structure of a device for controlling and supplying power to a sliding door light.

[0025] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 will be explained together below. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a rear, open view of a cabinet with a cabinet body 10 and a sliding door 12 on the front. The cabinet body 10 is shown only partially as a top panel on which the sliding door 12 is mounted in an upper area. The sliding door 12 is guided to move along the cabinet body 10 in a sliding direction A. Fig. Figure 1 shows the sliding door 12 in a rest position. The sliding door 12 includes a sliding door light 14, which, for example, illuminates one side of the sliding door 12 from the outside.

[0026] The cabinet furniture includes a [unclear] in Fig. 2. Schematically depicted device 20 for controlling and supplying power to the sliding door lighting 14. The device 20 comprises first electrical contacts 22 on the furniture body side in the form of leaf springs and second electrical contacts 24 on the sliding door side in the form of spring-loaded contact pins. Both the first contacts 22 and the second contacts 24 are arranged one behind the other in the sliding direction A.

[0027] A control unit 30 for controlling the sliding door lighting 14 is mounted on the sliding door 12 and connected to the second contacts 24. The control unit 30 is, for example, a programmable microcontroller unit. It has a control output 32, via which it controls a power transistor 34, which controls the current through the sliding door lighting 14. Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of an LED 36 of the sliding door lighting 14. Several LEDs 36 can be connected in series and / or parallel to each other. The control unit 30 is, as shown in Fig. 2 shown, in the rest position of the sliding door 12 connected via the first and second contacts 22, 24 to a mains-operated power supply unit 40 on the furniture body side.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 further shows a catching device 50 for the sliding door 12. The catching device 50 is designed in a manner known per se to catch the sliding door 12 moving towards the rest position via a projecting hook 52 of two hooks 52 and to pull the sliding door 12 into the rest position.

[0029] When power is supplied via the second contacts 24, the control unit 30 initiates a switch-on process for the sliding door lighting 14. The switch-on process proceeds as follows: A switch-on delay period is observed, and then, after this delay period has elapsed, the brightness of the sliding door lighting 14 is gradually increased, controlled by transistor 34, until it is fully switched on. If, when the sliding door 12 moves to its rest position, contacts 24 slide over contacts 22 and this results in an interruption or fault in the power supply to the control unit 30, the switch-on process is restarted, beginning again with the switch-on delay period.

[0030] The first contacts 22 and the respective second contacts 24 assigned to the first contacts 22 are configured to slide or rub against each other in the direction of movement A. The switch-on delay corresponds to the duration during which the second contacts 24 are in a potential contact area with the first contacts 22 while the sliding door 12 is being pulled by the catch 50. The area has the dimensions shown in Fig. 2 Length C shown, corresponding to the extent of a contact 22 in the displacement direction A.

[0031] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 2, in the rest position of the sliding door 12, a first contact 22 is arranged opposite a corresponding second contact 24 in a contact direction B transverse to the sliding direction A. The second contact 24 touches the contact surface 22A of the first contact 22. The first contact 22, designed as a leaf spring, forms a pre-curved ramp contour 22B for the second contact 24 in the contact direction. The ramp contour 22B is formed as a protrusion 26 of the leaf spring.

Claims

[1] Cabinet furniture with a cabinet body (10) and at least one sliding door (12) which is slidably guided in a sliding direction (A) between a rest position and at least one other, left or right position on the cabinet body (10), wherein the sliding door (12) has a sliding door light (14), wherein the cabinet furniture has a device (20) for controlling and powering the sliding door light (14), wherein the device (20) for controlling and powering the sliding door light comprises: first, furniture body-side electrical contacts (22); second, sliding door-side electrical contacts (24); and a sliding door-side control device (30) for controlling the sliding door lighting (14), wherein the control unit (30) can be connected via the first and second contacts (22, 24) in the rest position of the sliding door (12) to a power supply unit (40) on the furniture body side, wherein the control device (30) is configured to initiate a switching-on process of the sliding door lighting (14) when a power supply is initiated via the second contacts (24), wherein the switching-on process comprises: Waiting for a power-on delay period; and, After the start-up delay period has elapsed, the brightness of the sliding door lighting (14) is gradually increased until the sliding door lighting (14) is switched on. wherein the control device (30) is configured to restart the power-on process after an interruption or fault in the power supply, starting with waiting for the power-on delay period. [2] Cabinet furniture according to claim 1, in which the at least one sliding door (12) is slidably guided on the furniture body (10) in a sliding direction (A) between left and right positions and an intermediate rest position. [3] Cabinet furniture according to claim 1 or 2, in which a respective first contact (22) and a respective second contact (24) associated with the first contact (22) are arranged to be moved along each other by sliding or rubbing in the direction of displacement (A). [4] Cabinet furniture according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the rest position of the sliding door (12) a respective first contact (22) is arranged opposite a respective associated second contact (24) in a contact direction (B) transverse to the sliding direction (A), wherein one of the respective first contact (22) and the associated second contact (24) has a contact surface (22A) extending in the sliding direction (A), which has a run-up contour (22B) formed in the contact direction for the other of the respective first contact (22) and the associated second contact (24). [5] Cabinet furniture according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of a respective first contact (22) and a second contact (24) associated with it is designed as a leaf spring or as a strip which has a protrusion (26). [6] Cabinet furniture according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contacts (22) and / or the second contacts (24) are designed as spring contacts. [7] Cabinet furniture according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of a respective first contact (22) and a second contact (24) associated with it has a protrusion (26), and wherein the other of a respective first contact (22) and the second contact (24) associated with it is designed as a spring pin contact. [8] Cabinet furniture according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet furniture further comprises a catching device (50) for the sliding door (12) which is configured to catch the sliding door (12) moving towards the rest position and to pull the sliding door (12) into the rest position, wherein the switch-on delay period of the control device (30) corresponds to a period of time in which the second contacts (24) are in a potential contact area (C) to the first contacts (22) during the pulling of the sliding door (12) by the catching device. [9] Device (20) for controlling and supplying power to a sliding door light (12) of a cabinet furniture, wherein the device (20) for controlling and supplying power to the sliding door light (14) comprises: first, furniture body-side electrical contacts (22); second, sliding door-side electrical contacts (24); and a sliding door-side control device (30) for controlling the sliding door lighting (14), wherein the control unit (30) is connected to the second contacts (24), wherein the control unit (30) can be connected to a furniture body-side power supply unit (40) via the first and second contacts (22, 24), wherein the control device (30) is configured to initiate a switching-on process of the sliding door lighting (14) when a power supply is initiated via the second contacts (24), wherein the switching-on process comprises: Waiting for a power-on delay period; and, After the start-up delay period has elapsed, the brightness of the sliding door lighting (14) is gradually increased until the sliding door lighting (14) is switched on. wherein the control device (30) is configured to restart the power-on process after an interruption or fault in the power supply, starting with waiting for the power-on delay period. [10] Device (20) according to claim 9 for controlling and supplying energy to a sliding door lighting (12) of a cabinet furniture, for a cabinet furniture according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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