Guiding device

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide device with an elongated first guide element and with an elongated second guide element arranged in extension of the same to form a guide track along which a traversing element can be guided and moved, wherein a bridging means is provided in a mutually facing end region of the first guide element and / or the second guide element, by means of which the traversing element can be guided and moved in the transition region between the first guide element and the second guide element exclusively along a continuous additional track.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a guide device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] WO 2015 / 132245 A1 discloses a guide device for a sliding door fitting, comprising a rail-shaped first guide element and a rail-shaped second guide element. For relatively long sliding door fittings, it is desirable for logistical reasons (packaging effort) to assemble a guide for a sliding door from several guide elements, preferably of the same length. The typically non-flush butt joint between the first and second guide elements creates a step that is noticeable when the sliding door is moved by a user. To avoid such a step, the WO document provides an elongated insert that is inserted into a recess in the first and second guide elements. The insert is made of a flexible material so that it does not extend beyond the length of the individual guide elements during packaging.A disadvantage of the known guide device, however, is that the material required for the bridging element formed by the insert is relatively large, since the insert must be inserted into the recess along the entire length of the guide elements to avoid an undesirable step edge. The insert thus raises the guide track, as a traversing element, such as a roller, no longer rests on a surface of the guide elements, but on the insert.

[0003] US Patent 4,905,345 A1 discloses a guide device comprising an elongated first guide element and an elongated second guide element arranged as an extension thereof, connected to each other by a bridging element. The bridging element comprises a cylindrical circumferential surface whose outer diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the two guide elements. Thus, two transitions are formed in the transition area between the first and second guide elements: a transition from the first guide element to the bridging element and a transition from the bridging element to the second guide element.

[0004] From EP 0 816 615 A1, a guide device is known which comprises an elongated first guide element and an elongated second guide element arranged as an extension thereof. The guide elements form a guide track on which a roller is mounted. A bridging element in the form of a ramp with inclined side edges is provided between the first and second guide elements. When the roller reaches the transition area between the first and second guide elements, the roller rests only with its side surfaces against the side edges. Due to the arcuate shape of the side edges, the roller is simultaneously lowered and moved transversely to the guide elements so that a sliding door connected to the roller can be moved into a closed position.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further develop a guide device in such a way that the transport of the guide device is simplified due to the division into several guide elements and a homogeneous bridging of a raceway in a transition area between two adjacent guide elements is ensured in a material-saving manner.

[0006] To solve this problem, the invention has the features of claim 1.

[0007] The particular advantage of the invention lies in the fact that a homogeneous bridging between two adjacent guide elements is ensured while saving material, so that a moving element can be moved homogeneously and without jumps along the guide elements from the first guide element to the second guide element and vice versa. The basic concept of the invention is to design bridging means such that the moving element is guided in the transition area via an additional track and not via the actual guide track, whereby the additional track has no undesirable edges. The contact between the moving element and the guide track is thus interrupted in the transition area between the first and second guide elements and replaced by the additional track.To prevent the moving element from jumping when transitioning from the guide track to the auxiliary track or vice versa, the auxiliary track runs at a relatively small acute angle towards a plane running parallel to the guide track.

[0008] According to the invention, the additional track is formed by an additional guide element that can be attached to the first and second guide elements and has an ascending section and a descending section with respect to a plane running to or parallel with the guide track. The ascending section is, for example, attached to the first guide element and the descending section, for example, to the second guide element. For example, a bridge-like additional track can be formed which, in the transition area, raises the traversing element with respect to a main running surface of the first and second guide elements forming the guide track, so that the traversing element has no contact with the main running surface. The slope of the ascending or descending section is determined by the degree of the traversing element.The descending section and / or its length is selected such that at the abutting edge of the first and second guide elements, the distance between the traversing element and the main running surface is greater than an edge typically formed when the first and second guide elements are joined end-to-end. Alternatively, the additional track can also run vertically below a plane extending to the guide track, so that the additional track does not rise towards the end face of the first and second guide elements, but rather descends. Such a design is provided if the guide elements do not have a main running surface in the transition area.

[0009] According to the invention, the traversing element is designed as a roller, comprising a main roller element for coupling with the guide track and an auxiliary roller element for coupling with the additional track. The auxiliary roller element thus forms part of the bridging element. The auxiliary roller element interacts with the auxiliary guide element. Advantageously, the auxiliary roller element can be connected to the main roller element in a space-saving manner, preferably integrally. Preferably, the auxiliary roller element is integrally formed on the main roller element on a side facing a vertical wall of the guide element, so that no additional, protruding space is required for the bridging element.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary guide element is arranged coaxially to the main guide element, with the radius of the auxiliary guide element being larger or smaller than the radius of the main guide element. The auxiliary guide element is thus recessed or raised relative to a main running surface of the first and second guide elements or their guide track. The auxiliary guide element and the auxiliary guide element are therefore arranged between the main running surface of the first and second guide elements on the one hand and a vertical wall thereof on the other.

[0011] According to a further development of the invention, the additional guide element is arranged partially in a recess of the first guide element and partially in a recess of the second guide element. The rail-shaped additional guide element can, for example, be positively fitted into the recesses. Advantageously, the guide elements do not require any additional fastening means. A secure and firm connection of the additional guide element to the respective guide elements is ensured by the preferably profiled shape of the guide elements.

[0012] According to a further development of the invention, the additional guide element has a handle section, so that the additional guide element can be easily moved into the assembly position or, by separating the two guide elements, moved from the assembly position into a disengaged position.

[0013] According to a further development of the invention, a base section of the additional guide element is formed to follow the contour of an end face of the first guide element and / or the second guide element. The base section thus forms a connection between the end faces of the mutually facing guide elements.

[0014] According to a further development of the invention, not only the feed element but also a support element projects from the base section, the latter conforming to the contour of a side web of the first or second guide element. Advantageously, this ensures a secure and positive-locking connection between the bridging body on the one hand and the first and second guide elements on the other.

[0015] According to a further development of the invention, the incline angle of the ascending or descending section of the auxiliary guide element is in the range of 0.5° to 5°. Advantageously, the incline angle is so small that no jump of the traversing element is perceptible when transitioning from the guide track to the auxiliary track and vice versa.

[0016] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further dependent claims.

[0017] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a sliding door wardrobe, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a rail-shaped first guide element connected via a bridging body to a rail-shaped second guide element, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the bridging body positively connected to only the first guide element, wherein a section of the feed element is arranged in a recess of the first guide element, Fig. 4 a vertical section of the bridging body in the assembled state, Fig. 5 a vertical section through the guide device outside a transition area between the first and second guide elements, Fig. 6 an enlarged end view in the transition area between the first guide element and the second guide element, Fig. 7 a schematic side view of a feed element of the bridging body according to a first embodiment, Fig.Fig. 8 a schematic side view of a feed element of the bridging body according to a second embodiment and Fig. 9 an enlarged front view in the transition area between the first guide element and the second guide element with an alternative roller.

[0019] A guide device according to the invention is preferably used in sliding doors. Alternatively, it can be used for other applications where rail-shaped parts are to be joined end-to-end and a seamless transition between these parts is to be ensured.

[0020] As from Figure 1 As can be seen, the guide device for linearly moving sliding doors 40 with respect to a fixed body 41 of a sliding door cabinet 42 (furniture) can be provided.

[0021] The guide device comprises at least one elongated first guide element 1 and one elongated second guide element 2, each preferably profiled and each having a guide track 3 along which a traversing element 4 is guided and movable in the extension direction E of the two guide elements 1, 2. In the present embodiment, the traversing element 4 is designed as a roller that is guided to roll on a running surface. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the traversing element 4 can also be designed as a sliding or sliding element that is guided to slide along rail-like sections of the guide elements.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2 are attached to the body 41 of the sliding door cabinet 42 in the assembled state. The traversing element 4 is, for example, coupled to the sliding door 40, which can thus be moved along the guide elements 1, 2 into a closed or open position of the cabinet 42.

[0023] To ensure a homogeneous and shock-free transition of the roller 4 during the transition from the first guide element 1 to the second guide element 2 or vice versa, a bridging element 5 is provided as a bridging means, which is mounted in a transition area 6 between the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2.

[0024] The bridging body 5 has a base section 7 that follows the contour of an end face 8 of the first guide element 1 and an end face 10 of the second guide element 2. The base section 7 is strip-shaped and has a width b 1, by which the guide device is extended in the assembled state. Edges 9 of the base section 7 abut the end face 8 of the first guide element 1 and the end face 10 of the second guide element 2 facing the end face 8 of the first guide element 1 in the assembled state. A base surface 11, which has a width b 1, extends between the edges 9 of the base section 7.

[0025] A handle 12 for manually actuating the bridging body 5 projects from one side of the base section 7. On the opposite side of the base section 7 from the handle 12, a feed element 13 and a support element 14 project. The feed element 13 has a significantly greater length IZ than the length IA of the support element 14. The support element 14 is contoured to a side web 15 of the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2, so that it rests against the side web 15 substantially below it. The feed element 13 is arranged above the side web 15, extending into a recess 16 located between a main running surface 17 of the guide elements 1 and 2 and a vertical wall 18 of the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2, respectively.The main running surface 17 forms a guide track 3, along which a main running element, a main running roller 20 of the running roller 4, is guided and movable outside the transition area 6. An auxiliary running roller 21, acting as an auxiliary running element, is attached to the main running roller 20 on one side facing the vertical wall 18. Within the transition area 6, the auxiliary running roller 21 is guided and movable along an additional track 22 provided by the feed element 13. The main running roller 20 and the auxiliary running roller 21 are integrally connected. Outside the transition area 6, the main running roller 20, with its inner circumferential surface 20' (concave circumferential surface 20') or a portion thereof, is in contact with the main running surface 17.

[0026] In the present embodiment, two feed elements 13 arranged at a distance from each other and two support elements 14 project from the base section 7, since the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2 each have two vertical profiled guide rails arranged at a distance from each other with corresponding recesses 16 for receiving a roller 4 each.

[0027] As from Figure 6As can be seen, the auxiliary roller 21 is in contact with an additional running surface 23 provided by the feed element 13, while the main roller 20 is arranged at a distance a from the main running surface 17. By means of the additional track 22 caused by the auxiliary guide element 13, the main roller 20 is thus "lifted" in the transition area 6, so that the main roller 20 has no contact with the main running surface 17 of the first guide element 1 or the second guide element 2, nor with the side web 15 of the bridging body 5. A force impulse caused by a step edge between the edge 9 of the side web 15 and the end face 8 of the first guide element 1 or the end face 10 of the second guide element 2 would not be introduced into the roller 4, since the main roller 20 is arranged at a distance from the main running surface 17.The additional running surface 23 bridges the butt edges 9, 11 at the transition of the first guide element 1 to the bridging body 5 on the one hand, and at the transition of the second guide element 2 to the bridging body 5 on the other. The length IZ of the feed element 13 is significantly greater than the length IA of the side web 15 or the width b 1 of the base section 7.

[0028] The auxiliary guide element 13 is rib-shaped and has two arms 24, 25, each engaging in a recess 16 of the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2, respectively. One arm of the auxiliary guide element 13 is designed as an ascending section 24 and the other arm as a descending section 25, viewed from the boundaries of the transition area 6 where the auxiliary roller 21 enters contact with the auxiliary running surface 23 and the main roller 20 loses contact with the main running surface 17. The ascending section 24 and the descending section 25 of the auxiliary guide element run at an angle φ to a plane B arranged parallel to the main running surface 17.

[0029] The ascending section 24 and the descending section 25 converge at a peak 26, which is located in the region of the base section 7. As can be seen from Figure 7As can be seen, the inclination angle φ of the ascending section 24 and the descending section 25 lies within a small, acute angular range, for example, between 0.5° and 5°. In this way, the free ends of the ascending section 24 and the descending section 25 continuously conform to the plane B. In the region of the free ends 27, 28 of the ascending section 24 and the descending section 25, the contact of the guide roller 4 changes from the guide track 3 to the auxiliary track 22 or vice versa. The free ends 27, 28 of the sections 24, 25 approach the plane B at such a small angle φ that no force impulse needs to be absorbed by the guide device when the auxiliary guide roller 23 contacts the section 24, 25. No force impulse is generated during running on sections 24 and 25, as the ascending section 24 and the descending section 25 are covered by a dome-shaped or...The arc-shaped tip 26 is connected to each other. The ascending section 24 thus transitions continuously and / or differentially continuously into the descending section 25. Due to the arc-shaped form of the tip 26, no kink is created in the auxiliary track. A mathematical derivation of the shape of the auxiliary track 22 is therefore continuous.

[0030] The length of the feed element 13 defines the transition zone 6, in which only the auxiliary roller 21 is in contact with the additional running surface 23 provided by the feed element 13, while the main roller 20 is not in contact with the guide track 3 provided by the guide rail. Outside the transition zone 6, the main roller 20 is in contact with the guide track 3, while the auxiliary roller 21 is at a distance from the guide rail due to the absence of the feed element 13.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the auxiliary roller 21 is arranged coaxially to the main roller 20 and has a radius r2 that is larger than the radius r1 of the main roller 20. The main roller 20 and the auxiliary roller 21 each have concave circumferential surfaces that are in contact with the main running surface 17 and the auxiliary running surface 23, respectively. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the radius r2 of the auxiliary roller 21 can also be smaller than the radius r1 of the main running surface 20.

[0032] Since the auxiliary roller 21 is arranged on one side of the roller 4 facing the vertical wall 18, the guide device does not require any additional space.

[0033] As from Figure 6As can be seen, the auxiliary roller 21 has contact with the auxiliary running surface 23 at two contact points 35 arranged axially spaced apart from each other. This results from the fact that the auxiliary running surface 23, which is convex in cross-section, has a different radius of curvature than the auxiliary roller 21, which is concave in cross-section. In the present embodiment, the radius of curvature of the auxiliary running surface 23 is larger than the radius of curvature of the concave surface of the auxiliary roller 21.

[0034] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the radius of curvature of the additional running surface 23 can also be smaller than the radius of curvature of the concave surface of the auxiliary running roller 21. In this case, the contact points 35 with respect to a median plane M extending transversely to the axis of the auxiliary running roller 21 would be closer together than in the embodiment shown. Figure 6 solution shown.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the invention not shown, the auxiliary roller 21 can also be cut off along the central plane M or a plane parallel to it, so that contact between such an auxiliary roller element and the additional running surface 23 exists only at a single point of contact 35.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the invention according Figure 9The difference between this guide device and the guide device shown in Figures 1 to 6 lies in the design of the roller 4. The roller 4 consists of a single roller with a concave inner circumferential surface 20' and opposing flanks 30. Flank 30 has a radius r2, while a groove-like recess 31 in the circumferential surface 20' has a radius r1. The flank 30 of the roller 4 forms an axial end. The flank 30 of the roller 4 facing the vertical wall 18 rests against the additional running surface 23 of the auxiliary guide element 13. Flank 30 is, for example, guided and mounted in a groove 32 of the feed element 13. Thus, only a single point of contact 35 is formed. In this case, the auxiliary running surface 23 is linear.According to this embodiment, the main running surface 17 extends in an area between the flanks 30 that define the running roller 4, while the additional running surface 23 extends in the area of ​​one flank 30.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the additional running surface 23 can also be arranged on the side of the roller 4 facing away from the vertical wall 18. In this case, the feed element 13 would also have to be arranged on the side of the main running surface 17 facing away from the vertical wall 18.

[0038] According to the embodiment according Figure 9The auxiliary running element 21 can thus be designed as a ring, for example as an annular surface or as an annular edge, which is in contact with the linear auxiliary track 22. The auxiliary track 22 adjoins the main running surface 17 in the axial direction. It is essential that, in conjunction with the feed element 13, the roller 4 is raised relative to its main running surface 17 in the transition area 6 or arranged at a distance from it.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the additional running surface 23 can also be arranged axially spaced from the running roller 4. The axial offset of the feed element 13 or the auxiliary running element 21 depends, for example, on the predetermined profile of the guide rail.

[0040] The additional track 22 can also be designed as an additional running line in the case of point contact (a single point of contact 35) with the auxiliary running element 21.

[0041] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the radius of curvature of the additional running surface 23 can be identical to the radius of curvature of the concave surface of the auxiliary running roller 21. In this case, the contact between the auxiliary running roller 21 and the additional running surface 23 is planar.

[0042] The bridging body 5 is positively connected to the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2, wherein the side web 15 of the guide elements 1, 2 are encompassed by the feed elements 13 and the support element 14.

[0043] The additional track 22 provided by the feed element 13 is arranged vertically and horizontally offset from the guide track 3.

[0044] The bridging body 5 is formed in one piece and consists of an injection-molded plastic component.

[0045] According to an alternative embodiment not shown Figure 7 An ascending section 24' and a descending section 25' of an additional guide element 13' can converge below plane B to form a depression 29, instead of—as in the embodiment above—the ascending section 24 and the descending section 25 converging at the peak 26 above the reference plane B. Thus, instead of the raceway being raised in the transition area 6, the raceway can be lowered. This requires that no guide track 3 is present in the transition area, for example, in cases where the guide rails are cut off at the end.

[0046] The ascending section 24, 24' and the descending section 25, 25' preferably run in a straight line or in a slightly curved shape.

[0047] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the bridging body 5 can also be connected to the guide element 1 and the second guide element 2 by means of a force-fit or material-fit connection.

[0048] According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the bridging body 5 can be formed solely by the straight feed element 13, 13', which is connected, for example, by a positive fit and / or a force-fit or material-fit connection to the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2. For example, the feed element 13 can be snap-fitted into the groove 32 of the profiled guide rail of the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2. In this embodiment, the facing end faces of the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2 abut directly against each other.

[0049] According to a further alternative embodiment, the bridging body 5 can be formed exclusively by the feed element 13, 13' and the support element 14, which are integrally connected. A base section 7 and a handle element 12 are not provided in this embodiment. The attachment to the first guide element 1 and the second guide element 2 is achieved essentially by a positive-locking and / or force-locking connection.

[0050] The main running surface 17 of the first guide element 1 or the second guide element 2 is essentially contacted with the inner circumferential surface 20' of the main guide roller 20 or the guide roller 4. The flank 30 adjoins this inner circumferential surface 20' on both sides in the axial direction.

[0051] The same reference numerals in the exemplary embodiments denote the same components or component functions.

Claims

1. A guide device having a long first guide element (1) and having a long second guide element (2) that is arranged as an extension of the same to form a guide track (3), along which a movement element (4) can be moved in a guided manner in direction of extent (E) of the two guide elements (1, 2), wherein, in a mutually facing end region of the first guide element (1) and / or the second guide element (2), a bridging means (5) is provided, by means of which the movement element (4) can be moved in a guided manner in the transition region (6) between the first guide element (1) and the second guide element (2) exclusively along a continuous additional track (22), wherein the additional track (22) is formed by an additional guide element (13, 13') which has an ascending section (24, 24') relative to a reference plane (B), which runs parallel to the guide track (3), and a descending section (25, 25') relative to the same reference plane (B), which sections merge into one another in a continuous and / or differentially continuous manner, wherein the additional track (22) is formed in such a manner that, in the transition region (6), the movement element (4) does not rest on a guide rail of the guide element (12), which forms the guide track (3), wherein the movement element is designed as a roller (4) which has a main running element (20) for coupling with the guide track (3) and an auxiliary running element (21) for coupling with the additional track (22), characterized in that the main running element (20) is formed as a main roller, and in that the auxiliary running element (21) is formed as an auxiliary roller which is arranged in an axially offset manner to the main roller (20).

2. The guide device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the main running element (20) and the auxiliary running element (21) are arranged coaxially to one another, wherein a radius (r2) of the auxiliary running element (21) is larger or smaller than a radius (r1) of the main running element (20).

3. The guide device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the main running element (20) is formed by an inner peripheral surface (20') of the roller (4) and the auxiliary running element (21) is formed by a flank (30) of the roller (4).

4. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the additional guide element (13, 13') is arranged partly in a recess (16) of the first guide element (1) and partly in a recess (16) of the second guide element (2).

5. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the additional guide element (13, 13') is integrally connected to a bridging body (5) which has a grip section (12) and a base section (7), wherein the additional guide element (13, 13') is moulded on the base section (7).

6. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base section (7) is formed such that it follows the contour of an end face (8, 10) of the first guide element (1) and / or the second guide element (2) with edges (4) of the base section (7) adjoining the end faces of the first guide element (1) and the second guide element (2), wherein a base surface of the base section is arranged between the edges (9) of the base section (7), which base surface runs between the end face (8) of the first guide element (1) and the end face (10) of the second base element (2), and in that the additional guide element (13, 13') protrudes over the edges (9) of the base section (7).

7. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a support element (14) protrudes from the base surface of the base section (7), which support element is formed such that it follows the contour of an end face (8, 10) of the first guide element (1) and the second guide element (2).

8. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bridging body (5) is positively connected to the first guide element (1) and the second guide element (2).

9. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ascending section (24, 24') and the descending section (25, 25') of the additional guide element (13, 13') have a slope angle (φ) in the range of 0.5 to 5° relative to the reference plane (B).

10. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a peak (26) or a depression (29) between the ascending section (24, 24') and the descending section (25, 25') runs in an arc-shaped and / or dome-shaped manner.

11. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bridging body (5) is produced from a plastic material.

12. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first guide element (1) and the second guide element (2) are formed in a profiled manner with the formation of a lateral web (15) that is formed in a claw-shaped manner.

13. The guide device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the additional track (22) is arranged in a vertically and horizontally offset manner to the guide track (3).

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