Actuator

Abstract

Actuator (1) for driving a movable furniture part (2) of a piece of furniture (3), comprising at least one actuating arm (4) to be connected to the furniture part (2) and a power storage device (5) for applying force to the at least one actuating arm (4), wherein the power storage device (5) has at least one spring (6) and at least two base parts (7, 8) movable relative to each other, between which the at least one spring (6) is arranged, and a guide device (9) is arranged inside the at least one spring (6), wherein the guide device (9) is designed such that it supports the at least one spring (6) over the entire length (L1) of the spring (6) and in every position of the spring (6) which results from a relative movement of the at least two base parts (7, 8) relative to each other, against buckling of the spring (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator for driving a movably mounted furniture part of a piece of furniture having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a piece of furniture having at least one such actuator.

[0002] Actuators for driving movably mounted furniture parts with energy storage devices are known from the prior art. The springs or spring assemblies of these devices have guide devices to prevent the springs from buckling when the energy storage device is compressed. Guide devices arranged inside the spring, for example in the form of rods arranged in an interior space formed by the spring, are also known. Since such internal rods serving to guide the spring limit the distance between the base parts, between which the spring is arranged, in a fully compressed position of the energy storage device - and thus the possible stroke of such an energy storage device - such a guide cannot extend over the entire length of the spring to be supported. For this reason, such energy storage devices usually and necessarily have additional external guide devices in the form of, for example, cup orPot-shaped spring bearings, which enclose the spring on the outside.

[0003] A disadvantage of prior art actuators with energy storage devices as described above is the inadequate support of the spring by the guide device arranged inside the spring. This can lead to buckling of the spring and inadequate guidance of the energy storage device during compression, for example. Such inadequate guidance can also have a negative impact on the spring characteristic and the efficiency of the energy storage device. To ensure adequate guidance, energy storage devices in prior art actuators have additional structural measures, which lead to increased labor and material consumption as well as increased space requirements for such an energy storage device (and thus for the actuator).Such inadequate guidance of the spring of an energy storage device can also lead to undesirable noise when operating the actuator, as a buckling spring can drag along an internal or external guide. WO 2012 / 155165 A2 discloses an example of an actuator.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an actuator that is improved compared to the prior art and a piece of furniture with at least one such actuator.

[0005] In particular, the above-mentioned disadvantages regarding noise, space requirements and efficiency should be eliminated.

[0006] The stated object is achieved by an actuator having the features of claim 1 and a piece of furniture having at least one such actuator. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] Because the guide device is designed in such a way that it supports the at least one spring over the entire length of the spring and in every position of the spring resulting from a relative movement of the at least two base parts to one another, so that the spring can be reliably guided in every compression position of the energy accumulator, to which a respective position of the spring is associated, even with high preloads and high spring hardnesses. If the springs are designed as spiral springs, the guide device supports the spring during compression in such a way that the spring deforms essentially only along the longitudinal axis of the spring and radial movements of the spring or lateral movements to the direction of the relative movement of the at least two base parts are prevented.Such a guide can have a positive effect on the spring's characteristic curve, making it particularly linear, for example. It can also optimize the efficiency of the spring or energy storage device, since a substantially linear relative movement of the at least two base parts can be converted into a substantially linear, i.e., buckling-free, compression or expansion movement of the spring. This makes it possible to provide a compact and efficient energy storage device. Such a guide device can also contribute to reducing disturbing noises when the actuator is actuated, since the often sudden buckling of the spring(s) can be avoided.

[0008] It can be advantageous for the length of the guide device to be adjustable to the length of at least one spring. This makes it easy to ensure that the spring is supported against buckling over its entire length in any position, while the possible change in length of the spring—and thus the possible stroke of the energy accumulator—is not limited by the guide device.

[0009] According to the invention, the guide device can be guided at least partially through one of the base parts during the relative movement of the at least two base parts.

[0010] This makes it easy to support the spring along its entire length in any position of the spring and in any position of the two base parts relative to each other. The length of the guide device can also be easily adapted to the length of the spring. Furthermore, this can guide the relative movement of the two base parts relative to each other, thus enabling, for example, linear guidance of the relative movement of the base parts with a suitable design of the guide device.

[0011] It may also be advantageous for the actuator to have a housing and for the guide device to be able to pass from one of the base parts in a direction facing the interior of the housing. This allows for a particularly compact design of the energy storage device and thus of the actuator, since no parts of the guide device or the energy storage device protrude from the housing of the actuator when the actuator is actuated. A base part of the energy storage device can be mounted on the housing in a fixed or pivotable manner.

[0012] According to the invention, the actuator has a transmission mechanism for applying force to the at least one actuator arm via the energy accumulator. The transmission mechanism interacts directly with the base part, through which the guide device can be at least partially passed.

[0013] The transmission mechanism can be used to adjust the transmission ratio of the force transmitted from the force accumulator to the actuating arm.

[0014] According to the invention, the guide device, at least in the regions facing the spring, is made of a first material - a plastic - which differs from a second material from which the spring is formed. This makes it possible, for example, to optimize friction values ​​between the guide device and the spring, especially the inner region of the spring, and thus also reduce noise generated when the spring and the guide device come into contact. The guide device can be made, for example, of a plastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM). It is also possible for the guide device to be made of a metal material and to have a corresponding coating in the regions facing the spring.

[0015] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for the guide device to have mutually corresponding sleeve parts, wherein the sleeve parts are arranged on the base parts and projecting therefrom and have an at least partial overlap in the circumferential direction and / or in the radial direction in every position of the at least two base parts that are movable relative to one another. The mutually corresponding sleeve parts can in principle be formed by two parts that are axially displaceable relative to one another and can be arranged at least partially nested or interlocking with one another. By arranging the sleeve parts on the base parts, it can be ensured that the sleeve parts follow the movements of the base parts. The sleeve parts can also each be formed integrally with a base assigned to the guide device. Such a base can also serve to support (abutment) the springs.A clearance of approximately 0.1 millimeters can be provided between the sleeve parts in the radial direction.

[0016] It can be advantageous for the sleeve parts to have a longitudinal guide in the form of at least one groove formed on one sleeve part and a corresponding profiled web formed on the other sleeve part. This can increase the support of the spring provided by the guide device and also minimize the space required by the guide device inside the spring.

[0017] It can also be advantageous for the guide device to have at least one—preferably bolt-shaped—guide element and at least one guide opening for the guide element, wherein the at least one guide element is arranged on one of the base parts and the at least one guide opening corresponding to the guide element is formed in the other base part. The guide element can extend through a guide opening in any relative position of the base parts of an energy accumulator in the assembled position, i.e., with the energy accumulator installed in the actuator. A guide device designed in this way can also guide the relative movement of the base parts to one another.

[0018] In principle, it can be advantageous for the guide element to be at least partially arranged in one of the sleeve parts or to be formed by one of the sleeve parts. Such a guide element can thus serve to reinforce mutually corresponding sleeve parts. A guide element corresponding to a guide opening in the other base part and passable through it can also be formed by one of the sleeve parts. A sleeve part formed around the area of ​​a guide opening can also serve to guide a guide element.

[0019] It may also be advantageous for at least one sleeve part of the guide device and / or at least one guide element of the guide device to be able to be guided at least partially through at least one guide opening formed in the other base part in at least one position of the at least two base parts movable relative to one another. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly stable guide device that supports the spring over the entire length of the spring in every position of the spring and in every relative position of the two base parts to one another, preventing the spring from buckling, while simultaneously guiding the base parts relative to one another.

[0020] In principle, it can be advantageous to have only internal guide devices between the base parts. This allows for a particularly space-saving energy storage device and thus a particularly space-saving actuator.

[0021] It can also be advantageous for an additional spring to be arranged coaxially inside the at least one spring. This can increase the range and magnitude of the force provided by the energy storage device and also allow the actuator to be better adapted to the furniture part to be driven. This can also advantageously reduce the dimensions of the energy storage device and thus of the actuator. The additional, coaxially arranged spring can have a winding direction opposite to that of the external spring.

[0022] It can also be advantageous for the shape of the guide device to substantially correspond to the inner contour of the at least one spring. The inner contour of the spring can thereby substantially correspond to a cylinder jacket, and the guide device can thus have a substantially cylindrical cross-section. This can, for example, ensure that the spring is supported against buckling radially in all directions and over the entire length of the spring. A clearance of 0.1 to 1 millimeter, preferably approximately 0.3 mm, can be provided between the guide device and the inner contour of the springs.

[0023] Protection is also sought for a piece of furniture with at least one actuator as described above and a furniture part mounted on this actuator so that it can move.

[0024] Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 a piece of furniture in a perspective side view, Fig. 2 a perspective side view of an actuator with the housing cover removed, Fig. 3a, 3b a side view of a sectional view of an actuator, Fig. 4 a perspective side view of another embodiment of an actuator, Fig. 5a, 5b perspective views of a guide device, Fig. 6a - 6c a perspective side or detailed view of an energy accumulator, Fig. 7a, 7b a perspective view of an energy accumulator in different compression positions, Fig. 8a - 8c various views of an energy accumulator in a first compression position, Fig. 9a - 9c various views of an energy accumulator in a second compression position, Fig. 10a - 10c various views of another embodiment of an energy accumulator in a first compression position, and Fig. 11a - 11c various views of another embodiment of a Energy accumulator in a second compression position..

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a piece of furniture 3 with an actuator arm drive 1 mounted in the interior of the furniture 3 and a movably mounted furniture part 2 driven by the actuator arm drive, which, as shown, is designed as a folding flap. Unlike the illustration, the furniture part 2 can also be designed, for example, as a pivoting flap.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an actuator 1 with the housing cover removed from the housing 10. To connect the actuator 1 to the furniture part 2 to be moved, the actuator 1 has an actuating arm 4. To apply force to the actuating arm 4, the actuator 1 further has an energy accumulator 5, which, as shown, acts on the actuating arm 4 via a transmission mechanism 11 having several levers. The energy accumulator 5 itself has two base parts 7, 8 which are movable relative to one another, wherein in the embodiment shown, the first base part 7 is pivotally mounted on the housing 10 and the second base part 8 interacts directly with the transmission mechanism 11. The springs 6 of the energy accumulator 5 are arranged parallel to one another with respect to their longitudinal axes. The illustration corresponds (as well as Fig. 1 can be seen) essentially corresponds to the intended mounting position of the actuator in the piece of furniture 3, with the springs 6 (or their longitudinal axes) being arranged essentially horizontally or horizontally. The actuating arm 4 is pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation, as shown. The energy accumulator 5 has a guide device 9 arranged inside the springs 6 for guiding the springs 6 and also for guiding the two base parts 7, 8 relative to one another, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0027] Fig. 3a und 3b show a side view of a sectional view of the Fig. 2 shown version of the actuator in two different swivel positions of the actuator 1.

[0028] In Fig. 3a , a pivoting position of the actuator 1 is shown, which corresponds to an open position of a furniture part 2 of a piece of furniture 3 driven by the actuator 1. The energy accumulator 5 is in a first compression position, which is characterized in that the length L1 of the springs 6 and the length L2 of the guide device 9 essentially have a maximum value. Since the length L2 of the guide device 9 of the energy accumulator 5, which is arranged inside the spring 6, can be adapted to the length L1 of the springs 6, the springs can also be supported over their entire length L1 in this first compression position against lateral buckling, i.e. buckling directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the springs 6. As shown, the energy accumulator 5 has three springs 6, which are arranged parallel between the base parts 7, 8.The guide device 9 arranged inside the springs is formed by interlocking sleeve parts 12, 13 protruding from the base parts 7, 8 and by guide elements 17 formed here by bolt elements 22, which protrude through corresponding guide openings 18. The first sleeve parts 12 are arranged on the first base part 7 and the second sleeve parts 13 are arranged on the second base part 8. The guide elements 17 in the form of bolt elements 22 are arranged on the first base part 7 and pass through guide openings 18 formed in the second base part 8, wherein the sleeve parts 13 also serve to guide the guide elements 17 (see . Fig. 3b ).

[0029] In Fig. 3b The actuator 1 is shown in a second pivot position, which corresponds to a closed position of a furniture part 2 of a piece of furniture 3 driven by the actuator 1. The energy storage device 5 is in a second compression position, which is characterized in that the length L1 of the springs 6 and the length L2 of the guide device 9 essentially have a minimum value. The two base parts 7, 8 are therefore essentially at a minimum distance from one another. Since the length L2 of the guide device 9 arranged inside the springs 6 can be adapted to the length L1 of the springs 6, the springs 6 can also be supported against buckling over their entire length L1 in this second compression position of the energy storage device 5, whereby the stroke of the energy storage device 5 - or the minimum possible distance between the two base parts 7, 8 - is not limited by the guide device 9. Fig. 3b It is clearly visible that a part of the guide device 9 can be guided through the second base part 8 in a direction facing the interior of the housing 10, whereby in this case the guide element 17, designed as a bolt element 22, passes through the guide openings 18 formed in the second base part 8. The transmission mechanism 11 engages, as shown, between the guide elements 17 protruding from the base part 8 in the direction of the interior of the housing 10.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of an energy accumulator 5 with springs 6, 19 that can be arranged coaxially nested one inside the other. In this embodiment, the energy accumulator 5 again has a first base part 7 and a second base part 8. The guide device 9 is formed by mutually corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13 and by guide elements 17 that can be guided through guide openings 18. First sleeve parts 12, which are formed integrally with a base 20, are assigned to the first base part 7, and second sleeve parts 13, which are formed integrally with a base 21, are assigned to the second base part 8. The sleeve parts 12 have radially projecting profile webs 16, which correspond to grooves 15 of the sleeve parts 13. The sleeve parts 12 also have extensions running in the longitudinal direction for forming guide elements 17, which in the assembled state of the energy accumulator 5 (compare, for example, Fig. 8a - 8c and Fig. 9a - 9c ) engage in the sleeve parts 13 arranged on the other base part 8. In this way, a radial and / or circumferential overlap of the sleeve parts 12, 13 can be achieved in any position of the two base parts 7, 8 which are movable relative to one another, whereby a stable support of the springs 6, 19 can be achieved against lateral buckling. In addition to the sleeve parts 12, 13, the guide device 9 - as mentioned - has, in the assembled state of the energy accumulator 5, guide elements 17 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the springs 6, 19 and which can be passed through guide openings 18 formed (in this embodiment) in the second base part 8. Corresponding guide openings are also formed in the base 21, which is assigned to the second base part 8. To reinforce the guide elements 17, bolt elements 22 can be provided inside the guide elements 17.The guide elements 17 of the sleeve parts 12, 13 can also be formed by such bolt elements 22, which can be in the form of steel bolts, for example. The springs 6, 19 of the energy accumulator 5 shown here are designed as coil springs, which can be arranged coaxially (i.e., nested) with one another, and are shown compressed for illustrative purposes.

[0031] Fig. 5a und 5b each show an embodiment of a guide device 9 with different lengths L2 of the guide device 9. The guide device 9 has mutually corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13, which are each formed integrally with a base 20 or a further base 21. In this embodiment, the sleeve parts 12 of the base 20 have recesses in the form of grooves 15, into which the radially projecting profile webs 16 of the sleeve parts 13 of the further base 21 can engage. The grooves 15 and the profile webs 16 thus achieve longitudinal guidance of the sleeve parts 12, 13 relative to one another.

[0032] In Fig. 5b the sleeve parts 12, 13 are compared to the Fig. 5a moved towards each other, whereby the length L2 of the guide device 9 has been reduced.

[0033] In the Fig. 6a - 6c a further embodiment of an energy accumulator 5 is shown, the guide device 9 of which again has mutually corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13. In Fig. 6a the energy accumulator 5 is shown in a first compression position. Fig. 6b shows a sectional view of the Fig. 6a The circumferential overlap between the corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13, which are in engagement with each other, can be seen. Fig. 6c Detail A is shown enlarged. It can be seen that the first sleeve parts have a profile web 16 formed in the circumferential direction, which engages in recesses in the form of grooves 15, also formed in the circumferential direction, in the second sleeve parts 13. This forms a further embodiment of a longitudinal guide 14 of the mutually corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13.

[0034] In Fig. 7a und 7b an embodiment of an energy accumulator 5 is shown in two compression positions, the sectional views of which are shown in the Fig. 8a - 8c or the Fig. 9a - 9c The position of the energy accumulator 5 in Fig. 7a essentially corresponds to the previously mentioned first compression position and the position of the Fig. 7b shown energy accumulator essentially the second compression position as mentioned above.

[0035] In the Figuren 8a und 8b is a perspective and a side view of a sectional view through the energy accumulator 5 along the Fig. 8c shown section line AA. It can be seen that the energy accumulator 5 in the embodiment 4 shown has springs 6 arranged parallel between a first base part 7 and a second base part 8. To support the springs 6 - and also to guide the relative movement of the base parts 7, 8 to one another - the energy accumulator 5 has a guide device 9. This is formed from mutually corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13 and from guide elements 17 which can be passed through guide openings 18. The guide elements 17 are formed from sleeve parts 12 and have internal bolt elements 22 for reinforcement. For the longitudinal guidance of the mutually corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13, profile webs 16 engaging in grooves 15 are provided.As shown, the guide elements 17 are already partially guided through the guide opening 18 in this first compression position, thereby ensuring that the base parts 7, 8 are guided relative to one another from the beginning of the compression process. It can also be seen that the corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13 (as well as the guide elements 17) are formed integrally with a base 20 or a further base 21, and that the springs 6 are also supported on the base 20 or the further base 21. With a suitable selection of materials (e.g., plastic or a corresponding coating) for the base 20, 21 and the corresponding sleeve parts 12, 13, the springs 6 can be mounted or guided with low friction and noise.

[0036] In the Fig. 9a - 9c is a perspective view and a side view of a sectional view taken along the Fig. 9c shown section line AA. The execution of the Figuren 8a - 8c The corresponding energy accumulator 5 is in a second compression position as mentioned above (see also Fig. 7b ). The distance between the base parts 7, 8 and the associated stroke of the energy accumulator 5 are limited in the illustrated embodiment to the compressibility of the springs 6 and not by the length L2 of the guide device 9.

[0037] In the Figuren 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c an embodiment of a force accumulator 5 is shown, which, in contrast to the embodiment of the Figuren 8a - 8c and 9a - 9c four further springs 19, which are arranged coaxially to the springs 6. The springs 6 and the springs 19 arranged coaxially thereto have different winding directions (see, for example, Fig. 10c), which prevents the springs from becoming caught during a relative movement of the base parts 7, 8. The guide device 9 essentially corresponds to that of the previous embodiment.

Claims

1. An actuating drive (1) for driving a movably supported furniture part (2) of an item of furniture (3), comprising - at least one actuating arm (4) to be connected to the furniture part (2) and - a force storage member (5) for applying force to the at least one actuating arm (4), wherein the force storage member (5) has at least one spring (6) and at least two base parts (7, 8), which can be moved relative to each other and between which the at least one spring (6) is arranged, and a guiding device (9) is arranged within the at least one spring (6), wherein the guiding device (9) is designed in such a way that the guiding device (9) supports the at least one spring (6) against buckling of the spring (6) over the entire length (L1) of the spring (6) and in every position of the spring (6) resulting from a motion of the at least two base parts (7, 8) relative to each other, characterized in that the guiding device (9) consists, at least in the regions facing the spring (6), of a first material, which differs from a second material from which the spring (6) is formed, wherein the first material is a plastic, and that the guiding device (9) can be passed at least partially though one of the two base parts (7, 8) during the relative movement of the base parts (7, 8), and that the actuating drive (1) has a transmission mechanism (11) for the force application of the at least one actuating arm (4) by the force storage member and the transmission mechanism directly interacts with the base part (8) through which the guiding device (9) can be at least partially guided.

2. The actuating drive (1) according to claim 1, wherein a length (L2) of the guiding device (9) can be adapted to the length (L1) of the at least one spring (6).

3. The actuating drive (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating drive (1) comprises a housing (10) and the guiding device (9) can be moved through one of the base parts (7, 8) in a direction facing an inner space of the housing (10).

4. The actuating drive (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding device (9) comprises sleeve parts (12, 13) which correspond to each other, wherein the sleeve parts (12, 13) are arranged on the base parts (7, 8) and the sleeve parts (12, 13) are protruding from the base parts (7, 8) and wherein the sleeve parts (12, 13) in each position of the at least two base parts (7, 8) movable relative to each other comprise an at least partial overlap in circumferential direction and / or in radial direction.

5. The actuating drive (1) according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve parts (12, 13) comprise a longitudinal guiding (14), formed by at least one groove (15) which is formed on a sleeve part (12) and by a corresponding profile bar (16) formed on the other sleeve part (13).

6. The actuating drive (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding device (9) comprises at least one - preferably bolt-formed - guiding element (17) and at least one guiding opening (18) for the guiding element (17), wherein the at least one guiding element (17) is arranged on one of the base parts (7) and the at least one guiding opening (18) corresponding to the guiding element (17) is formed on the other base part (8).

7. The actuating drive (1) according to claim 4, wherein the guiding device (9) comprises at least two guiding elements (17) - preferably arranged parallel to each other - and at least two corresponding guiding openings (18) and the transmission mechanism (11) engages the base part (8) substantially centrally between the guiding openings (18) through which the guiding elements (17) can be moved at least partly.

8. The actuating drive (1) according to claim 4 and 6, wherein the guiding element (17) can be arranged or is formed at least partially in one of the sleeve parts (12, 13).

9. The actuating drive (1) according to claim 1 and at least one of claims 4 and 6, wherein at least one sleeve parts (12, 13) of the guiding device (9) and / or at least one guiding element (17) of the guiding device (9) in at least one position of the at least two base parts (7, 8) movable relative to each other can be moved at least partly through at least one guiding opening (18) formed in the other base part (8).

10. The actuating drive (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein only internally arranged guiding devices (9) are arranged between the base parts (7, 8).

11. The actuating drive (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a further spring (19) is arranged coaxially in the inside of the at least one spring (6).

12. The actuating drive (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the form of the guiding device (9) substantially corresponds to the inner contour of the at least one spring (6).

13. An item of furniture (3) comprising at least one actuating drive (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a furniture part (2) movably supported on the item of furniture (3).

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