Drive system for driving at least one movable furniture part

Abstract

A drive system for driving at least one movable furniture part (12), in particular a drawer, door, flap or the like, is proposed, comprising at least one actuator (27) which can be coupled or connected to the associated movable furniture part (12) in such a way that a driven movement generated by the actuator (27) causes a movement of the movable furniture part (12) between a closed position and an open position, wherein at least one actuator (27) is associated with at least one energy storage device (28) belonging to the drive system (11) and designed for storing electrical energy for supplying energy to the actuator (27), wherein the energy storage device (28) is part of a storage unit (29) suitable for wireless charging, and wherein the drive system (11) has at least one charging station (30) for wirelessly charging the at least one energy storage device (28).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive system for driving at least one movable furniture part, in particular a drawer, door, flap or the like, with at least one actuator which can be coupled or is coupled to the associated movable furniture part in such a way that a driven movement generated by the actuator causes a movement of the movable furniture part between a closed position and an open position, wherein at least one energy storage device belonging to the drive system and designed for storing electrical energy is associated with the at least one actuator for supplying energy to the actuator, and wherein the energy storage device is part of a storage unit suitable for wireless charging, and wherein the drive system has at least one charging station for wirelessly charging the at least one energy storage device.

[0002] Drive systems for operating movable furniture parts have been known for a long time. For example, it is known to extend and retract a drawer using an actuator, such as an electric motor. The actuator can be operated, for example, via a remote control. Furthermore, it is known to operate flaps, particularly on wall cabinets, using one or more actuators, so that the opening of even heavy wall cabinet flaps can be fully automated. Electrical energy is required to operate the at least one actuator. It is known to supply the actuator with power via the mains voltage, preferably using at least one transformer to transform the mains voltage into an operating voltage lower than the mains voltage, suitable for operating the actuator.Another more common option for supplying energy to at least one actuator is to assign an energy storage device in the form of a battery to the actuator. The battery is located in the immediate vicinity of the assigned actuator.

[0003] Both power supply options have disadvantages. Mains power requires wiring, which is complex and, especially if the wiring needs to be concealed, involves considerable additional effort and therefore higher costs (creating openings in the furniture). Using batteries requires recharging after a certain operating time. This necessitates removing the battery from its mounting point on the actuator, which is often difficult and time-consuming due to the actuators' inaccessible location.

[0004] US Patent 2013 / 0228202 discloses a dishwasher whose outward- and downward-folding front door can be moved between a closed and an open position by an electric drive device. The electric drive device is powered by a battery, which is connected to a battery charger. The battery charger is capable of wireless, in this case inductive, charging of the battery.

[0005] US patent 2002 / 017335 A1 discloses a furniture container with several drawers, each electrically driven between an open and closed position by an electric actuator. Specifically, a rechargeable battery for powering the actuator is located on the back wall of the drawer and can be recharged wirelessly.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to create a drive system for driving at least one movable piece of furniture of the type mentioned above, in which the energy supply to the actuator is provided in a simple and therefore cost-effective manner.

[0007] This problem is solved by a drive system having the features of independent claim 1. Further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] The drive system according to the invention for driving at least one movable furniture part, in particular a drawer, door, flap or the like, is characterized in that the at least one charging station and the associated at least one energy storage device are coupled by means of wireless signal transmission in such a way that a charging process by the charging station only takes place after the relevant energy storage device has been requested by sending a wireless activation signal to the charging station.

[0009] Wireless charging of the energy storage device eliminates the need for complex cabling, as is required for mains-powered actuators. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to replace portable energy storage devices and recharge one at a charging station away from the mounting location. Portable energy storage devices can remain in place and are recharged wirelessly as needed.

[0010] In a particularly preferred manner, the charging station is designed as an inductive charging station and the energy storage device is suitable or designed for inductive charging by the inductive charging station.

[0011] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the charging station is designed as a radio transmitter for emitting radio waves and that the energy storage device is suitable or designed for charging via radio waves through the radio transmitter.

[0012] In a particularly preferred manner, the energy storage device is designed as an accumulator (battery).

[0013] In a further development of the invention, several energy storage devices are assigned to the charging station, and the charging station is configured to wirelessly charge the assigned energy storage devices. Therefore, it is not necessary to assign a separate charging station to each energy storage device; rather, one charging station is suitable for charging multiple energy storage devices.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the wireless energy transfer between the at least one charging station and the at least one associated energy storage device is permanent or intermittent.

[0015] The wireless power transfer is conveniently a so-called "long-range wireless charging" and therefore differs from conventional, especially inductive, NFC (Near Field Communication) power transfer methods. This allows the charging station to be positioned further away from the at least one associated energy storage device, for example, more than just a few millimeters away, but several centimeters or even over a meter. Despite this distance, the charging currents are relatively low. For example, the charging station is designed to deliver a power output of 0.5 watts to 20 watts, preferably 1 watt to 10 watts, and particularly 2 watts to 5 watts.

[0016] Furthermore, it is possible to arrange the charging station inside a piece of furniture, whereby the charging current can be kept inside the furniture by shielding the furniture walls.

[0017] The at least one charging station and the associated at least one energy storage device are coupled by means of wireless signal transmission in such a way that a charging process by the charging station only takes place after the respective energy storage device has been requested by sending a wireless activation signal to the charging station. This results in a particularly gentle, demand-based charging of the at least one associated energy storage device.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, wireless signal transmission is signal transmission via radio.

[0019] The invention further comprises a piece of furniture with a furniture body in which a movable furniture part, in particular a drawer, door, flap or the like, is movably guided by means of a guide device, and with a drive system for driving the movable furniture part, wherein the drive system has at least one actuator which can be coupled or is coupled to the associated movable furniture part in such a way that an output movement generated by the actuator causes a movement of the movable furniture part between a closed position and an open position, wherein the drive system is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is described in more detail below. The single figure in the drawing shows: a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the furniture according to the invention, which is equipped with the drive system according to the invention.

[0021] The single figure shows a preferred embodiment of the drive system 11 according to the invention for driving at least one movable furniture part 12 in the form of a drawer. It is of course possible that the drive system 11 is also suitable for driving other movable furniture parts 12 such as doors, flaps, or the like. In the following, however, the drive system 11 according to the invention will be explained by way of example for driving a drawer.

[0022] As shown in particular in the drawing, the movable furniture part 12 is part of a piece of furniture 13. The piece of furniture has a furniture body 14, with a base 15, a top wall 16 opposite the base, a back wall 17 and two opposing side walls 18a, 18b.

[0023] Opposite the rear wall 17, the furniture carcass 14 has a carcass opening 19 through which a movable furniture part 12 in the form of a drawer can be inserted into the interior of the furniture carcass 14 or removed from the interior of the furniture carcass 14.

[0024] A guide device 21 for guiding the drawer during its extension and retraction movement is arranged on the opposing inner surfaces 20a, 20b of the side walls 18a, 18b. The drawer is therefore slidably mounted relative to the furniture body 14 by means of the guide device 21.

[0025] The guide device 21 comprises several guide units 22, of which two guide units 22 arranged opposite each other on the side surfaces 20a, 20b form a pair of guide units that together serve to guide the associated drawer.

[0026] The command units 22 are essentially identical in structure to each other, so that the description of one command unit 22 also applies to all other command units 22.

[0027] The guide units 22 each have a cabinet rail 23, which can, for example, be designed as a bent sheet metal component. The cabinet rail 23 has a cabinet bracket for attachment, which has at least one mounting leg 24 with several mounting openings 25, for example, arranged in rows one behind the other, through which the cabinet bracket can be fixed in position to the associated side wall 18a, 18b using suitable fasteners. It is possible that the guide units 22 each have a central rail (not shown) that is movably mounted relative to the cabinet rail 23.

[0028] Another component of each guide unit 22 is a running rail 26, which could also be referred to as a drawer rail. The running rail 26 is connected to the drawer, in particular by means of a locking coupling, and is guided so that it can move relative to the center rail or, if there is no center rail, relative to the cabinet rail 23.

[0029] The drawer has a drawer base 31, two opposing drawer side walls 32a, 32b, a drawer back wall 33 and a drawer front 34 opposite the drawer back wall, in particular a front panel.

[0030] The drive system 11 according to the invention serves to extend and retract the drawer.

[0031] The drive system 11 has at least one actuator 27 which can be coupled or connected to the associated movable furniture part 12 in the form of the drawer in such a way that an output movement generated by the actuator 27 causes a movement of the drawer between a closed position and an open position.

[0032] In the example shown, two actuators 27 are provided, one actuator 27 being used for the movement of the lower drawer and the other actuator 27 being used for the movement of the upper drawer.

[0033] The actuator 27 is, for example, designed as an electric motor with a rotaryally driven output element (not shown), such as an output shaft. The output element can be coupled to a pinion, which in turn can engage with a rack and pinion, the rack being arranged on the guide rail 26 or drawer rail. The rack and pinion transmits the rotary output motion of the actuator's output shaft into a linear motion, thereby extending or retracting the drawer depending on the direction of rotation of the output element.

[0034] Of course, other types of actuators are also conceivable, and the power transmission between the output movement of the actuator and the linear movement of the drawer can also be realized in ways other than a rack and pinion combination.

[0035] As shown in particular in the figure, at least one actuator 27 is associated with at least one energy storage device 28 belonging to the drive system 11 and designed for storing electrical energy. In the example shown, each of the actuators 27 is associated with an energy storage device 28. The energy storage device 28 is expediently designed as a battery.

[0036] The energy storage device 28 is part of a storage unit 29 suitable for wireless charging.

[0037] As indicated schematically in particular in the figure, the drive system 11 has at least one charging station 30 for wireless charging of the at least one energy storage device 28.

[0038] In the example shown, a single charging station 30 is provided, which is capable of charging the energy storage device 28 of one actuator 27 as well as the energy storage device 28 of the other actuator 27. Advantageously, the charging station 30 – although not shown as such in the drawing – is arranged in the furniture body 14, for example on the inside of the rear wall 17 of the furniture body. This shields the charging currents transmitted during the charging of the energy storage devices 28 by the furniture body.

[0039] In the example shown, the charging station 30 is designed as an inductive charging station and the energy storage device 28 is suitable for inductive charging by the inductive charging station 30.

[0040] The inductive charging used here is a wireless energy transfer over longer distances (long-range wireless charging). The power output of the charging station 30 for charging the energy storage devices is relatively low, and the charging currents are further shielded by the furniture housing, so this should be harmless to the user. The charging station 30 is designed to deliver a power output of approximately 2 watts to approximately 5 watts.

[0041] In order to avoid having to constantly perform a charging process of the energy storage devices 28, the at least one charging station 30 and the associated at least one energy storage device 28 can be coupled by means of wireless signal transmission in such a way that a charging process by the charging station 30 only takes place after the relevant energy storage device 28 is requested by sending a wireless activation signal to the charging station 30.

[0042] For example, the drive system 11 may have a controller in which user-configurable values ​​can be stored, below which the energy storage device sends a wireless activation signal to the charging station 30. Thus, the controller may have a data storage unit in which various values ​​corresponding to different charge levels of the energy storage devices are stored. The user can then specifically select a certain value, so that when this value is undershot, a wireless activation signal is sent to the charging station 30, and the charging station then begins to charge the corresponding energy storage device 28 via wireless energy transfer.

[0043] The wireless transmission of the activation signal can be achieved, for example, via radio.

[0044] The drive system can also include a remote control module with which the user selects and activates the various actuators 27, thereby extending or retracting the corresponding drawer, and can also monitor the charge levels of the actuators' energy storage devices, for example, via a display. Furthermore, the user can also generate an activation signal via the remote control module. In this case, the transmitter on the energy storage device for transmitting the wireless activation signal could be omitted, although monitoring the charge levels of the energy storage devices would then be the user's responsibility.

[0045] The remote control module can be, for example, a smartphone, and control and monitoring can be carried out by an associated app that visualizes various functions of the drive system 11.

Claims

1. Drive system for driving at least one movable furniture part (12), in particular drawer, door, flap or the like, having at least one actuator (27) which can be coupled or is coupled to the associated movable furniture part (12) in such a way that an output movement generated by the actuator (27) causes a movement of the movable furniture part (12) between a closed position and an open position, wherein the at least one actuator (27) is assigned at least one energy store (28) which belongs to the drive system (11) and is designed for storing electrical energy for the energy supply of the actuator (27), wherein the energy store (28) is part of a storage unit (29) suitable for wireless charging, and wherein the drive system (11) has at least one charging station (30) for wireless charging of the at least one energy store (28), characterized in that the at least one charging station (30) and the associated at least one energy store (28) are coupled by means of wireless signal transmission in such a way that a charging process by means of the charging station (30) takes place only after request of the relevant energy store (28) by outputting of a wireless activation signal to the charging station (30).

2. Drive system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the charging station (30) is designed as an inductive charging station and the energy store (28) is designed for inductive charging by the inductive charging station (30).

3. Drive system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the charging station (30) is designed as a radio transmitter for outputting radio waves, and the energy store (28) is designed for charging by means of radio waves by the radio transmitter.

4. Drive system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the energy store (28) is in the form of a rechargeable battery.

5. Drive system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the charging station (30) is assigned a plurality of energy stores (28), and the charging station (30) is configured to charge the assigned energy stores (28) wirelessly.

6. Drive system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless energy transmission between the at least one charging station (30) and the at least one associated energy store (28) is continuous or intermittent.

7. Drive system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging station (30) is configured for outputting a power of 0.5 watt to 20 watts, preferably 1 watt to 10 watts, in particular 2 watts to 5 watts.

8. Drive system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless signal transmission is a signal transmission by radio.

9. Piece of furniture, having a furniture body (14), in which a movable furniture part (12), in particular drawer, door, flap or the like, is guided movably by means of a guide device (21), and having a drive system (11) for driving the movable furniture part (12), wherein the drive system (11) has at least one actuator (27), which can be coupled or is coupled to the associated movable furniture part (12) in such a way that an output movement generated by the actuator (27) causes a movement of the movable furniture part (12) between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that the drive system (11) is designed according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

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