Method for illuminating a piece of furniture

Abstract

Method for illuminating a piece of furniture (1) comprising at least one furniture body (2), at least one drawer (3) movably arranged thereon, wherein the at least one drawer (3) is movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the at least one drawer (3) is arranged at least partially outside the furniture body (2), at least one illuminating means (4) arranged above the at least one drawer (3) such that an interior space (5) of the at least one drawer (3), in particular in the open position, can be illuminated, and at least one switching device (6) with which a change in the position of the at least one drawer (3) can be detected and with which the at least one illuminating means (4) can be switched, the method comprising the following method steps: - the at least one drawer (3) is moved from the closed position to the open position,- the at least one switching device (6) detects this change in the position of the at least one drawer (3), - the at least one switching device (6) switches on the at least one illuminating means (4) or switches the at least one illuminating means (4) from a first lighting level to a second lighting level, which is brighter than the first lighting level, and - the at least one illuminating means (4) illuminates the interior (5) of the at least one drawer (3), wherein the piece of furniture (1) comprises at least one furniture door (8) which is pivotable, preferably about a vertical axis, and with which a drawer front (9) of the at least one drawer (3) can be covered at least in part in a door closed position and can be exposed at least in part in a door open position, wherein at least one door switching device (10) is provided which detects a movement of the at least one furniture door (8) from the door closed position to the door open position and at least one,preferably all of the provided lighting means (4) are switched on, preferably to a first lighting level.,

Description

[0001] Method for illuminating a piece of furniture

[0002] The invention relates to a method for illuminating a piece of furniture comprising at least one furniture body and at least one drawer movably arranged thereon, wherein the at least one drawer is movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the at least one drawer is arranged at least partially outside the furniture body. The invention further relates to a piece of furniture that can be illuminated according to such a method.

[0003] Furniture comprising at least one furniture body and at least one drawer movably arranged thereon, wherein the at least one drawer can be moved between a closed position and an open position in which the at least one drawer is arranged at least partially outside the furniture body, is used, for example, in kitchens. Lighting devices are generally also arranged in the kitchen to illuminate the kitchen and thus also the furniture arranged therein. When the at least one drawer is opened, situations may arise in which the drawer is only inadequately illuminated, for example when the user is located between the central light source in the kitchen and the drawer and thus casts a shadow onto the drawer.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for illuminating a piece of furniture that is improved over the prior art, in which, in particular, the comfort of use is increased, as well as a piece of furniture that can be illuminated according to such a method. This object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and

[0005] 10.

[0006] The piece of furniture comprises at least one illuminant arranged above the at least one drawer in such a way that an interior of the at least one drawer, particularly in the open position, can be illuminated, and at least one switching device with which a change in the position of the at least one drawer can be detected and with which the at least one illuminant can be switched. The at least one illuminant can be arranged, for example, on a top panel or connecting web of the furniture body or on an underside of a further drawer arranged above the at least one drawer.

[0007] The method according to the invention comprises the following method steps: the at least one drawer is moved from the closed position to the open position, the at least one switching device detects this change in position of the at least one drawer, the at least one switching device switches on the at least one lighting means or switches the at least one lighting means from a first lighting level to a second lighting level which is brighter than the first lighting level, and the at least one lighting means illuminates the interior of the at least one drawer.

[0008] In this way, a specific and functional illumination of at least one drawer can be achieved independently of a central lighting of the room in which the illuminable furniture can be arranged.

[0009] The at least one switching device switches the at least one illuminant on or switches the at least one illuminant from a first lighting level to a second lighting level, which is brighter than the first lighting level. In the second case, the at least one illuminant, when emitting light at the first lighting level, can be used for subdued background lighting of the furniture and / or an interior of the furniture, and then, when the at least one drawer is moved into the open position, for targeted illumination of the interior of the at least one drawer, wherein the at least one illuminant is switched from the first to the second lighting level.

[0010] At least one light source can be a commercially available light strip that is glued, screwed and / or arranged in a milled groove.

[0011] If the at least one light source is arranged on the top panel or a connecting bar of the furniture body, it is advisable for the top panel or the connecting bar to be folded or set back in order to create space for the arrangement of the at least one light source.

[0012] It is advisable to provide a remote control with a button with which the lighting system installed on the furniture can be switched on and / or off.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to provide a computer program product, preferably an app, which can be operated, for example, on a mobile computer and with which the lighting system can be configured, for example the light intensity and the light color of the at least one light source.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the at least one drawer is moved from the open position into the closed position in a further method step, wherein the at least one switching device switches off the at least one lighting means or switches from the second to the first lighting level.

[0015] It has proven advantageous for at least one further illuminant to be arranged on the at least one drawer, preferably on a downward-facing side of a drawer base, wherein the at least one switching device switches off the at least one further illuminant when the at least one drawer moves from the closed position to the open position. In this case, two state changes can occur: firstly, the illuminant arranged above the at least one drawer is switched on or switched from the first to the second lighting level, and secondly, the further illuminant arranged on the drawer is switched off.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one further lighting means is arranged on the at least one drawer, preferably on a downward-facing side of a drawer base, at least one further drawer and at least one further switching device are arranged below the at least one drawer, and the at least one further switching device switches on the at least one further lighting means when the at least one further drawer moves from a closed position to an open position or switches from a first lighting level to a second lighting level which is brighter than the first lighting level. The lighting means arranged on the at least one drawer can therefore be used to illuminate the interior of a further drawer arranged below the at least one drawer.The switching devices provided can also be combined in a higher-level switching device.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the piece of furniture comprises at least one furniture door that can be pivoted, preferably about a vertical axis, and with which a drawer front of the at least one drawer can be covered at least partially in a door closed position and at least partially exposed in a door open position, wherein at least one door switching device is provided that detects a movement of the at least one furniture door from the door closed position to the door open position and switches on at least one, preferably all, of the provided lighting means, preferably to a first lighting level. In this case too, the at least one door switching device and the at least one switching device that interacts with the at least one drawer can be combined in a higher-level switching device.

[0018] A piece of furniture that has at least one, preferably several, drawers and at least one door that can be used to cover the at least one drawer is often used in kitchens as a pantry. With such a piece of furniture, particularly effective lighting can be achieved by activating the provided lamps when the door is opened, thus creating, for example, subdued background lighting for the interior of the cabinet. If a user subsequently opens one of the provided drawers, its interior is specifically illuminated.

[0019] It has proven advantageous that the at least one door switching device switches off at least one, preferably all, of the provided lighting means when the at least one furniture door moves from the door open position to the door closed position.

[0020] The at least one switching device can, for example, comprise a push-button or contact switch which is actuated by the change in position of the at least one drawer.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for at least a part of the at least one switching device to be arranged on the at least one drawer, preferably on a rear wall of the drawer, and to be moved along with the at least one drawer, and / or for the at least one switching device and the at least one lighting means to communicate with each other wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the furniture comprises at least one power supply with which the provided lighting means can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the at least one switching device is coupled to the at least one power supply and decoupled from the at least one power supply upon movement of the at least one drawer, preferably wherein the at least one power supply has at least one busbar.

[0023] As stated at the outset, protection is also sought for a piece of furniture comprising at least one furniture body, at least one drawer movably arranged thereon, wherein the at least one drawer is movable between a closed position and an open position in which the at least one drawer is arranged at least partially outside the furniture body, at least one illuminating means which is arranged above the at least one drawer in such a way that an interior of the at least one drawer, in particular in the open position, can be illuminated, and at least one switching device with which a change in the position of the at least one drawer can be detected and with which the at least one illuminating means can be switched, wherein the piece of furniture can be illuminated according to the method according to the invention.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the piece of furniture, it is provided that at least one further illuminating means is arranged on the at least one drawer, preferably on a downward-facing side of a drawer bottom.

[0025] In this context, it has proven advantageous that at least one further drawer and at least one further switching device are arranged below the at least one drawer, with which the at least one further lighting means of the at least one drawer arranged above it can be switched.

[0026] The piece of furniture can comprise at least one furniture door, preferably pivotable about a vertical axis, with which a drawer front of the at least one drawer can be covered at least partially in a door closed position and at least partially exposed in a door open position, wherein at least one door switching device is provided with which a movement of the at least one furniture door from the door closed position to the door open position can be detected and at least one, preferably all, of the provided lighting means can be switched.

[0027] According to advantageous embodiments, it can be provided that at least a part of the at least one switching device is arranged on the at least one drawer, preferably on a rear wall of the drawer, and can be moved along with the at least one drawer, and / or the at least one switching device and the at least one lighting means are designed to communicate with each other wirelessly.

[0028] It has proven advantageous that the piece of furniture comprises at least one power supply with which the provided lighting means can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the at least one switching device can be coupled to and decoupled from the at least one power supply upon movement of the at least one drawer, preferably wherein the at least one power supply has at least one busbar.

[0029] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures and the drawings, in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of an illuminable piece of furniture with a closed furniture door in a schematically illustrated perspective view,

[0031] Fig. 2 the furniture of the first preferred embodiment with an open furniture door and in the unlit state,

[0032] Fig. 3 the furniture of the first preferred embodiment with an open furniture door and a background lighting,

[0033] Fig. 4 the furniture of the first preferred embodiment with an open furniture door and an open drawer, the interior of which is particularly brightly illuminated,

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a second preferred embodiment of an illuminable piece of furniture in a schematically illustrated perspective view, and Fig. 6 shows a third preferred embodiment of an illuminable piece of furniture in a schematically illustrated perspective view from behind.

[0035] Figures 1 to 4 show a first preferred embodiment of an illuminable piece of furniture 1 in the form of a storage cupboard.

[0036] The piece of furniture 1 comprises a furniture body 2 and several drawers 3 movably arranged thereon, wherein the drawers 3 are movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the drawers 3 are arranged at least partially outside the furniture body 2. In this specific case, a total of five drawers 3 are provided. However, more or fewer drawers 3, or at least one drawer 3, can also be provided.

[0037] Above each drawer 3, lighting means 4 are arranged such that an interior 5 of the drawers 3 can be illuminated, in particular in the open position.

[0038] In the illustrated case, two light sources 4 designed as light strips are arranged on connecting webs of the top panel 14. Furthermore, further light sources 4 are arranged on a downward-facing side of a drawer bottom 7 of the drawers 3.

[0039] The top drawer 3 can be illuminated by the lamps 4 on the top panel 14. The drawers 3 arranged below can each be illuminated by the lamps 4 provided on the drawer bottoms 7 of the drawers 3 arranged directly above them. At least one switching device 6 is provided in each case, with which a change in the position of the drawers 3 can be detected and with which the lamps 4 can be switched.

[0040] The piece of furniture 1 comprises a furniture door 8 which can be pivoted about a vertical axis and with which the drawer fronts 9 of the drawers 3 can be covered in a door closed position and at least partially exposed in a door open position, wherein at least one door switching device 10 is provided with which a movement of the furniture door 8 from the door closed position to the door open position can be detected and at least one, preferably all, of the provided lighting means 4 can be switched.

[0041] In Figure 1, the furniture door 8 is arranged in the closed position. The lighting devices 4 are advantageously switched off.

[0042] In Figure 3, the furniture door is arranged in an open position. The at least one door switching device 10 (schematically indicated) detects the movement of the furniture door 8 from the closed position to the open position and switches on all provided lighting devices 4, specifically to a first lighting level, thereby achieving subdued background lighting in the interior of the furniture body 2. The light emitted by the lighting devices 4 is schematically indicated by dashed lines.

[0043] If, for example, the second drawer 3 is now moved from above (cf. Figure 4) from the closed position into an open position, the at least one switching device 6 (indicated schematically in Figure 3) detects this change in the position of the drawer 3, the at least one switching device 6 switches the at least one light source 4 arranged above the drawer 3 from the first lighting level to a second lighting level, which is brighter than the first lighting level, and the at least one light source 4 illuminates the interior 5 of the at least one drawer 3, even more brightly than before, which is indicated schematically by means of thicker dashed lines.

[0044] At the same time, as in the illustrated embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one switching device 6 switches off the lighting means 4 provided on the drawer bottom 7 of the drawer 3 when the drawer 3 moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0045] If the drawer 3 is moved from the open position to the closed position again, the at least one switching device 6 switches the at least one illuminant 4 arranged above the drawer off or from the second to the first lighting level. At the same time, it can be provided that the at least one switching device 6 switches the additional illuminant 4 arranged around the drawer bottom 7 of the drawer 3 back on, so that the lighting state schematically illustrated in Figure 3 is restored.

[0046] If the furniture door 8 is then moved again from the door open position into the door closed position, it can be provided that the at least one door switching device 10 switches off at least one, preferably all, of the provided lighting means 4 again when the at least one furniture door 8 is moved.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a state not realized in the described embodiment, in which the furniture door 8 is open, but the lighting means 4 are not switched on. However, according to a modified embodiment, no door switching device 10 is provided and the lighting means 4 are switched on by a separate, e.g., manually operable light switch and / or only by moving a drawer 3 from the closed position to the open position.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a second preferred embodiment of an illuminated piece of furniture 1. The piece of furniture 1 has a furniture body 2 and, for example, three drawers 3. At least one light source 4 is arranged above each drawer 3, which light source is switched off when the drawer 3 is closed. If one of the drawers 3, in the case shown the topmost drawer 3, is moved from the closed position to the open position, the at least one switching device 6 (not shown) detects this change in position of the drawer 3 and switches on the light sources 4 arranged above the drawer 3 on connecting webs of the top panel 14, so that the interior 5 of the drawer 3 is illuminated. If the drawer 3 is closed again, the at least one switching device 6 switches the light sources 4 off again.

[0049] Figure 6 shows a third preferred embodiment of an illuminable piece of furniture 1 in a schematically illustrated perspective view from behind.

[0050] In this illustration, it can be seen that at least a part of the at least one switching device 6 is arranged on the at least one drawer 3, preferably on a rear wall 11 of the drawer 3, and can be moved together with the at least one drawer 3.

[0051] The piece of furniture 1 comprises at least one power supply with which the provided lighting means 4 can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the at least one switching device 6 can be coupled to and decoupled from the at least one power supply upon movement of the at least one drawer 3, preferably wherein the at least one power supply has at least one busbar 12 as in the case shown.

[0052] Via the switching device 6, an electrical contact can also be established to at least one power supply and electrical energy can be conducted to consumers, e.g. to at least one lighting means 4, which is arranged on the drawer bottom 7 of the drawer.

[0053] The switching device 6 can comprise at least one energy storage device, e.g. a capacitor, and stored energy can be used to send a switching signal to at least one light source 4 to be switched.

[0054] The at least one switching device 6 and the at least one lighting means 4 can be configured to communicate with each other wirelessly.

[0055] The drawers 3 are mounted on the furniture body 2 via pull-out guides 13.

[0056] These features shown in connection with the third embodiment can also be realized individually or jointly in the two other embodiments shown in the figures.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Method for illuminating a piece of furniture (1) comprising at least one furniture body (2), at least one drawer (3) movably arranged thereon, wherein the at least one drawer (3) is movable between a closed position and an open position in which the at least one drawer (3) is arranged at least partially outside the furniture body (2), at least one light source (4) which is arranged above the at least one drawer (3) such that an interior (5) of the at least one drawer (3), in particular in the open position, can be illuminated, and at least one switching device (6) with which a change in the position of the at least one drawer (3) can be detected, and with which the at least one light source (4) can be switched, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the at least one drawer (3) is moved from the closed position to the open position,The at least one switching device (6) detects this change in position of the at least one drawer (3), the at least one switching device (6) switches on the at least one light source (4) or switches the at least one light source (4) from a first illumination level to a second illumination level, which is brighter than the first illumination level, and the at least one light source (4) illuminates the interior (5) of the at least one drawer (3).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one drawer (3) is moved from the open position to the closed position in a further method step, wherein the at least one switching device (6) light source (4) switches off or switches from the second to the first lighting level.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one further light source (4) is arranged on the at least one drawer (3), preferably on a downward-facing side of a drawer bottom (7), wherein the at least one switching device (6) controls the at least one further The light source (4) switches off when at least one drawer (3) is moved from the closed position to the open position.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one further drawer (3) is attached to the at least one drawer (3). Light source (4), preferably on a downward-facing side of a drawer bottom (7), is arranged below the at least one drawer (3) at least one further drawer (3) and at least one further switching device (6) is arranged, and the at least one further switching device (6) switches on the at least one further light source (4) when the at least one further drawer (3) is moved from a closed position to an open position or switches from a first lighting level to a second lighting level which is brighter than the first lighting level.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the furniture (1) comprising at least one furniture door (8), preferably pivotable about a vertical axis, with which a drawer front (9) of the at least one drawer (3) can be at least partially covered in a door-closed position and at least partially uncovered in a door-open position, wherein at least one door switching device (10) is provided which allows movement of the at least a furniture door (8) is detected from the door closing position to the door open position and at least one, preferably all, of the provided light sources (4) are switched on, preferably to a first illumination level.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one door switching device (10) switches off at least one, preferably all, of the provided light sources (4) when the at least one furniture door (8) is moved from the door open position to the door closed position.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a part of the at least one switching device (6) is arranged on the at least one drawer (3), preferably on a rear wall (11) of the drawer (3), and is moved with the at least one drawer (3).

8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one switching device (6) and the at least one light source (4) communicate wirelessly with each other.

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the furniture (1) comprises at least one power supply with which the intended light sources (4) can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the at least one Switching device (6) is coupled to and disconnected from the at least one power supply during movement of the at least one drawer (3), preferably wherein the at least one power supply has at least one busbar (12).

10. Furniture (1) comprising at least one furniture carcass (2), at least one drawer (3) movably arranged thereon, wherein the at least one drawer (3) is located between a The furniture (3) is movable in a closed position and an open position, in which at least one drawer (3) is arranged at least partially outside the furniture body (2), at least one light source (4) which is arranged above the at least one drawer (3) such that an interior (5) of the at least one drawer (3), in particular in the open position, can be illuminated, and at least one switching device (6) with which a change in the bearing position of the at least one drawer (3) can be detected, and with which the at least one The light source (4) is switchable, characterized in that the furniture (1) can be switched according to the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 are illuminateable.

11. Furniture (1) according to claim 10, wherein at least one further light source (4) is arranged on the at least one drawer (3), preferably on a downward-facing side of a drawer bottom (7).

12. Furniture (1) according to claim 11, wherein below the at least one drawer (3) at least one further drawer (3) and at least one further switching device (6) is arranged, with which the at least one further light source (4) of the at least one drawer (3) arranged above it can be switched.

13. Furniture (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the furniture (1) comprises at least one furniture door (8), preferably pivotable about a vertical axis, with which a drawer front (9) of the at least one drawer (3) can be at least partially covered in a closed position and at least partially uncovered in an open position, wherein at least one door switching device (10) is provided with which a movement of the at least one furniture door (8) can be detected from the door closing position to the door open position and at least one, preferably all, of the provided light sources (4) can be switched.

14. Furniture (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein at least a part of the at least one switching device (6) is arranged on the at least one drawer (3), preferably on a rear wall (11) of the drawer (3), and is movable with the at least one drawer (3), and / or the at least one switching device (6) and the at least one light source (4) are arranged to communicate wirelessly with each other.

15. Furniture (1) according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the furniture (1) comprises at least one power supply with which the provided light sources (4) can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the at least one switching device (6) can be coupled to and disconnected from the at least one power supply when the at least one drawer (3) is moved, preferably wherein the at least one power supply has at least one busbar (12).

Images