Support device adjustable by electric motor

Abstract

An electrically adjustable support device 2 for the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a box spring bed, has a first support part 12 to which a second support part 14 is pivotably connected, and a third support part 16 is pivotably connected to the end of the second support part 14 opposite the first support part 12. A pivot lever 28, pivotably mounted about a pivot axis 30, serves to pivot the second support part 14 relative to the first support part 12. According to the invention, the second support part 14 has a guide 32 for the end of the pivot lever 28 opposite the pivot axis 30, the guide 32 carrying an adjusting means for pivoting the third support part 16 relative to the second support part 14.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrically adjustable support device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 for upholstery of a seat and / or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a box spring bed.

[0002] Such support devices are generally known and feature electrically adjustable support elements that can be swivelled relative to each other, allowing the furniture to be adjusted, for example, between a lying and a sitting position. For instance, such support devices are known in the form of slatted frames, where the support elements are provided with springy slats on the side facing the upholstery. In contrast, support devices for a box spring bed mattress feature support elements equipped with plates on which the mattress rests when in use.

[0003] Depending on the specific requirements, the number of support elements can be selected within a wide range. In the simplest case, the support device has two sections and includes a stationary support element, which, for example, serves as a buttock support and to which a back support element is pivotally adjustable. Extending this design, the support device can have three sections and additionally include a head / neck support element, which is connected to the end of the upper body support element opposite the buttock support element and is pivotally adjustable relative to it. Extending this design, the support device can also have five sections and additionally include a calf support element, which is connected to the end of the leg support element opposite the buttock support element and is pivotally adjustable relative to it.

[0004] DE 100 46 751 A1 discloses a support device with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The support device known from the publication is designed with five segments and has a first support element in the form of a buttock support element, to which a second support element in the form of an upper body support element is pivotably connected. A third support element in the form of a head / neck support element is pivotably connected to the end of the second support element opposite the first support element. A pivot lever, pivotally mounted about a pivot lever axis, is provided for pivoting the second support element relative to the first support element. In the known support device, the head / neck support element is coupled to the upper body support element via a toggle lever arrangement, so that when the upper body support element is adjusted, the head / neck support element is also adjusted.

[0005] US 2020 / 022504 A1 discloses a bed frame with a multi-segment support structure. In this structure, a telescopic swivel lever is arranged via a cam on a back support section and via a swivel axis on a head support section.

[0006] US 10 758 057 B2 discloses a reclining furniture structure with a single motor for adjusting a support element.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a support device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, the functionality of which is improved compared to the known support device.

[0008] This problem is solved by the invention specified in claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, the second support part has a guide for the end of the pivot lever facing away from the pivot axis, wherein the guide carries an adjusting means for pivoting the third support part relative to the second support part.

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of ​​realizing, using simple means, an adjustability of the head / neck support part that is independent of the adjustment of the upper body support part.

[0011] According to the invention, a guide for the pivot lever, which serves to adjust the second support part, is provided on the second support part, which can in particular be the upper body support part, and has a dual function. On the one hand, the guide guides the end of the pivot lever during its relative movement to the second support part. On the other hand, the guide serves as a mechanical carrier for an adjusting means for adjusting the third support part, which can in particular be the head / neck support part. The adjusting means can in particular be or include an electromechanical drive unit by means of which the head / neck support part can be adjusted independently of the upper body support part relative to it.

[0012] In this way, independent adjustment of the head / neck support part is achieved with relatively little design effort, thus improving the functionality of the support device according to the invention compared to the known support device.

[0013] Because the head / neck support part is adjustable independently of the upper body support part, a user can better adapt the adjustment position to their personal needs, thus improving the comfort of the support device according to the invention.

[0014] Due to the dual function of the guide according to the invention, the design effort for this gain in functionality and comfort is relatively low.

[0015] The design of the support device according to the invention can be selected within wide limits according to the respective requirements and circumstances. For example, the support device according to the invention can be designed as a slatted frame in which the support elements are provided with resilient slats on their side facing the upholstery. In particular, however, the support device according to the invention can also be designed to support a mattress of a box spring bed, wherein the support elements have panels, for example made of wood, on their side facing the mattress, on which the mattress rests.

[0016] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the guide extends beyond a pivot axis between the second and third support parts towards the free end of the third support part. In this way, the guide has a longitudinal projection over the second support part in the direction of the third support part. This projection makes it possible to implement support devices with different lengths of the second and third support parts using one and the same assembly consisting of the guide and the adjustment mechanism. For example, a relatively short third support part can be combined with a relatively long second support part as a head / neck support part when adjustability in the head or neck area is only required or desired over a relatively short length.

[0017] The design of the guide can be selected according to the respective requirements and circumstances within wide limits. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the guide is designed as a guide rail. This results in a particularly simple construction. The guide rail can be connected to the back, i.e., the side facing away from the padding, of the second support part in a suitable manner, for example, by screwing it in place.

[0018] An advantageous further development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the guidance is formed by two rail-like guide elements, in particular made of metal, spaced apart from each other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device. Such guide elements can, for example, be formed by metal profile elements, which are simple and relatively inexpensive.

[0019] To reduce friction between the pivot lever and the guide located on the rear of the second support element during the adjustment movement, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that at least one roller is arranged at the free end of the pivot lever, guided in or on the guide. It is generally sufficient if the free end of the pivot lever is provided with a single roller. If the guide is formed by two guide elements positioned transversely to each other in the longitudinal direction of the support device, two rollers, spaced according to the distance between the guide elements, can be provided instead of a single roller.

[0020] The adjusting device can be designed in a variety of ways according to the respective requirements and circumstances. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the adjusting device comprises an electromechanical drive unit with a base body, in particular designed as a drive housing, and an output element that is operatively connected to the third support element for adjusting the latter relative to the second support element between an initial position of the adjusting movement, in which the third support element and the second support element share a common support plane, and an end position of the adjusting movement, in which the third support element is pivotally adjusted relative to the second support element. In this way, the adjustment of the third support element relative to the second support element is carried out electromechanically.

[0021] A particularly simple further development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the base body of the electromechanical drive unit is attached to the guide.

[0022] In the aforementioned embodiments with the electromechanical drive unit, the latter can be designed in a variety of ways. An advantageous further development of the invention provides that the output element of the electromechanical drive unit is linearly movable and is operatively connected to the third support element via an adjusting element such that, during a linear movement of the output element, the third support element pivots relative to the second support element. Corresponding linear drives are available as relatively simple and cost-effective standard assemblies.

[0023] An advantageous further development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the adjusting element is a further pivoting lever, which is pivotably mounted on the base body of the electromechanical drive unit about a further pivoting lever pivot axis and is operatively connected to the output element of the electromechanical drive unit in such a way that, during a linear movement of the output element, the further pivoting lever is pivoted about the further pivoting lever pivot axis. In this embodiment, the adjusting mechanism for adjusting the third support element relative to the second support element is of a particularly simple and robust design.

[0024] Another advantageous further development of the aforementioned embodiments provides that the electromechanical drive unit has a spindle drive. Such spindle drives are available as relatively simple, inexpensive, and robust standard assemblies and are suitable for transmitting large forces.

[0025] A further development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the output element of the drive unit is formed by a threaded spindle which is mounted in a rotationally secure and axially movable manner and on which a stationary spindle nut is arranged, which is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor of the electromechanical drive unit. Alternatively, the output element can also be formed by a spindle nut which is mounted in a rotationally secure and axially movable manner on a stationary threaded spindle, which is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor of the electromechanical drive unit.

[0026] For the sake of a simple design, another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the adjusting element loosely applies pressure to the third support part for adjusting it.

[0027] To reduce the friction between the adjusting element and the third support part during its adjustment, another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the adjusting element has at least one roller for bearing against the third support part.

[0028] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the first support part is a stationary buttock support part, the second support part is an upper body support part, and the third support part is a head / neck support part.

[0029] A seating and / or reclining furniture according to the invention, in particular a box spring bed, is specified in claim 15 and has a support device according to the invention.

[0030] The term "back side" refers to the side of the support parts facing away from the padding when the support device is in use.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying, highly schematic drawing and an exemplary embodiment. It is evident to those skilled in the art that each individual feature of an exemplary embodiment further develops the embodiment independently, i.e., irrespective of the other features. Thus, it is also evident to those skilled in the art that all the features described, illustrated in the drawing, and claimed in the patent claims, considered individually and in any technically meaningful combination with one another, constitute the subject matter of the invention, irrespective of their grouping in the patent claims and their cross-references, and irrespective of their specific description or representation in the drawing.The subject matter and disclosure content of the present application also include sub-combinations of the patent claims in which at least one feature of a patent claim is omitted or replaced by another feature.

[0032] It shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a support device according to the invention in a starting position of the adjustment movement, Fig. 2 shows the same representation as Fig. 1 the support device according to Fig. 1 , wherein an outer frame of the support device is omitted, Fig. 3 the support device according to Fig. 2 in a side view, Fig. 4 in the same representation as Fig. 1 the support device according to Fig. 1 in an adjustable position in which a back support part and a head / neck support part are adjusted relative to a buttock support part, Fig. 5 in the same representation as Fig. 4 the support device according to Fig. 4 , wherein the head / neck support part is additionally adjusted relative to the back support part, Fig. 6 in a perspective view a construction unit according to the invention consisting of an electromechanical drive unit and a guide, Fig. 7 in the same representation, but opposite Fig. 6 enlarged scale the construction unit according to Fig. 6 , wherein one housing half of the housing of the electromechanical drive unit is omitted, Fig. 8 a detail from Fig. 4 in the area of ​​the head / neck support section in an adjustment position in which the head / neck support section is not adjusted relative to the back support section, Fig. 9, the detail according to Fig. 8 in an adjustment position in which the head / neck support part is adjusted relative to the back support part and Fig. 10 in the same representation as Fig. 3 the support device according to Fig. 3 , whereby only the head / neck support part is adjusted relative to the back support part.

[0033] The following refers to Fig. 1 bis Fig. 10 An exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention is explained in more detail below. For the sake of clarity and to simplify the representation, some components of the support device have been omitted in certain figures of the drawing. The omitted components in the figures should be mentally represented accordingly.

[0034] In Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a support device 2 according to the invention, which in this embodiment is designed to support a box spring mattress. For the sake of simplicity, the box spring mattress is not shown in the drawing. However, the structure and function of such a box spring mattress are generally known to those skilled in the art and are therefore not explained in detail here.

[0035] The support structure 2 has an outer frame 4 and a longitudinal crossbeam 6 extending in the longitudinal direction of the support structure 2. The outer frame 4 is in Fig. 1 depicted, but omitted in the other figures to simplify the representation.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal traverse 6 is made of metal and is fitted at its ends with support parts 8, 10 (see figure). Fig. 4 ) made of plastic, with which the longitudinal traverse 6 is supported on the outer frame 4 (see Fig. 1 ).

[0037] The support device 2 has a stationary buttock support element 12 (first support element) to which a back support element (second support element) 14 is pivotally connected about a horizontal pivot axis. A head / neck support element 16 (third support element) is pivotally connected about a horizontal pivot axis to the end of the back support element 14 opposite the buttock support element 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the support elements 12, 14, and 16 are designed as plates to support a box spring mattress and can, for example, be made of wood.

[0038] The back support part 14 is connected to the buttock support part 12 via hinges 18, 20, while the head / neck support part 16 is connected to the back support part 14 via hinges 22, 24.

[0039] The buttock support part 12 is connected to the top of a housing 26 for a pivot drive of a single-arm pivot lever 28, which is pivotably mounted on the longitudinal traverse 6 about a pivot lever pivot axis 30 (see Fig. 4 For the sake of simplicity, details of the rotary drive for the rotary lever 28 are not shown in the drawing. However, such rotary drives are generally known to those skilled in the art and are therefore not explained in detail here. For example, a corresponding rotary drive is known to those skilled in the art from DE 10 2013 110 096 A1.

[0040] According to the invention, the back support part 14 (second support part) has a guide 32 for the end of the pivot lever 28 facing away from the pivot lever pivot axis 30 (cf. for example Fig. 5 )

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 32 is designed as a guide rail, which is formed by two rail-like guide elements 34, 36 spaced apart from each other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device.

[0042] As especially from Fig. 5 As can be seen, the guide 32 extends over a pivot axis between the back support part 14 and the head / neck support part 16 towards the free end of the head / neck support part 16 and thus forms a projection over the back support part 14 in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2.

[0043] According to the invention, the guide 32 carries an adjustment means for pivoting the head / neck support part 16 relative to the back support part 14.

[0044] The pivot lever 28 carries at its free end (cf. Fig. 5 ) Rollers 38, 40, with which the pivot lever 28 is guided on the guide elements 34, 36 of the guide 32.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting means have an electromechanical drive unit 42 with a base body designed as a drive housing 44 and an output element which is operatively connected to the head / neck support part 16 for adjusting the same relative to the back support part 14 between an initial position of the adjusting movement in which the head / neck support part 16 and the back support part 14 span a common support plane (cf. Fig. 4 ), and an end position of the adjustment movement in which the head / neck support part 16 is pivotally adjusted relative to the back support part 14 (see Fig. 5 ).

[0046] The drive housing 44 of the drive unit 42 is attached to the guide element 36 by screws. The guide elements 34 and 36 are connected to each other by a rod-shaped connecting element 46. In this way, the guide 32 and the electromechanical drive unit 42 form a single assembly, which constitutes an essential element of the illustrated embodiment.

[0047] The construction of the electromechanical drive unit 42 is described below using the following examples: Fig. 7 In more detail: In the illustrated embodiment, the electromechanical drive unit 42 has a spindle drive 48 with a threaded spindle 50 and a spindle nut 52. The output element of the electromechanical drive unit 42 in the illustrated embodiment is formed by the threaded spindle 50, which is mounted in the drive housing 44 in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. A stationary spindle nut 52 is arranged on the threaded spindle 50, which is rotatably mounted by means of a ball bearing 54 and is rotationally fixed to a worm gear 56 of a worm drive, which engages with a worm that is connected to the output shaft of a Fig. 7 electric motor 58 not shown (see below) Fig. 6 ) is formed on it. In this way, the spindle nut 52 is in rotary drive connection with the electric motor 58 of the electromechanical drive unit 42.

[0048] The threaded spindle 50 as the output element of the electromechanical drive unit 42 is operatively connected to the head / neck support part 16 via an adjusting element such that, in the case of a linear movement of the threaded spindle 50, the head / neck support part 16 is pivoted relative to the back support part 14.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting element is a further single-armed pivot lever 60, which is pivotably mounted in the drive housing 44 of the electromechanical drive unit 42 about a further pivot lever pivot axis 62 and is operatively connected to the threaded spindle 50 as the output element of the electromechanical drive unit 42 in such a way that, in the event of a linear movement of the threaded spindle 50, the further pivot lever 60 is pivoted about the further pivot lever pivot axis 62.

[0050] For interaction with the further pivot lever 60, the threaded spindle 50 has a slide 64 made of plastic at its end facing the pivot lever 60, which engages eccentrically to the further pivot lever pivot axis 62 on a linkage lever 66 which is non-rotatably connected to the further pivot lever 60.

[0051] The further pivot lever 60 carries at its free end another roller 68, with which the pivot lever 60 rests against the rear of the head / neck support part 16 and loosely applies pressure to pivot it.

[0052] The functioning of the support device 2 according to the invention is as follows: Starting from the in Fig. 3 In the illustrated starting position of the adjustment movement, in which the support parts 12, 14 and 16 span a common support plane, the pivot lever 28 in the drawing is pivoted counterclockwise to adjust the back support part 14 relative to the stationary buttock support part 12, until the Fig. 4 The position shown for the adjustment movement has been reached.

[0053] Fig. 8 The figure shows the head / neck support part 16 in a position where it, together with the back support part 14, forms a common support plane. To adjust the head / neck support part 16 relative to the back support part 14, the electric motor 58 drives the spindle nut 52 such that the threaded spindle 50 with its slide 64 presses against the free end of the pivot lever 66, causing the further pivot lever 60 in the drawing to pivot counterclockwise about the further pivot lever pivot axis 62 until the Fig. 9 The depicted end position of the adjustment movement has been reached.

[0054] Because the head / neck support section 16 has its own electric motor drive unit 42, the head / neck support section 16 can be adjusted relative to the back support section 14 independently of any adjustment of the back support section 14 by actuating this electric motor drive unit 42, as shown in Fig. 10 As shown. In this way, the adjustment options for the support parts 12, 14 and 16 are extended relative to each other, thereby increasing user comfort.

[0055] Because the guide 32 projects beyond the pivot axis between the back support part 14 and the head / neck support part 16 in the direction of the head / neck support part 16, support devices with different length ratios between the length of the head / neck support part 16 and the length of the back support part 14 can be constructed using one and the same assembly consisting of the guide 32 and the drive unit 42. This simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacturing different support devices. Bezugszeichenliste:

[0056] 2 Support device 4 Outer frame 6 Longitudinal cross member 8 Support part 10 Support part 12 Seat support part 14 Back support part 16 Head / neck support part 18 Hinge 20 Hinge 22 Hinge 24 Hinge 26 Housing 28 Swivel lever 30 Swivel lever pivot axis 32 Guide 34 Guide element 36 Guide element 38 Roller 40 Roller 42 Electromotive drive unit 44 Drive housing 46 Connecting element 48 Spindle drive 50 Threaded spindle 52 Spindle nut 54 Ball bearing 56 Worm gear 58 Electric motor 60 Additional swivel lever 62 Additional swivel lever pivot axis 64 Slider 66 Linkage lever 68 Additional roller

Claims

1. An electrically motorised adjustable support device (2) for a cushioning of a sitting and / or lying furniture, in particular a mattress of a box-spring bed, comprising a first support part (12), to which a second support part (14) is connected in a pivotally adjustable manner, to its end facing away from the first support part (12) a third support part (16) is connected in a pivotally adjustable manner, comprising a pivot lever (28) mounted pivotably around a pivoting lever pivoting axis (30) for the pivoting adjustment of the second support part (14) relative to the first support part (12), characterised in that the second support part (14) comprises a guide (32) for the end of the pivoting lever (28) facing away from the pivoting lever pivoting axis (30), and that the guide (32) holds an adjusting means for the pivoting adjustment of the third support part (16) relative to the second support part (14).

2. The support device according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide (32) extends over a pivoting axis between the second support part (14) and the third support part (16) in the direction of the free end of the third support part (16).

3. The support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the guide (32) is designed as a guide rail.

4. The support device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide (32) is formed by two rail-like guide elements (34, 36), in particular made of metal, which are spaced apart from each other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device.

5. The support device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one roller (38, 40) is arranged at the free end of the pivot lever (28), which roller is guided in or at the guide (32).

6. The support device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adjusting means comprises an electrically motorised drive unit (42) with a base body, in particular as a drive housing (44), and a driven member, which is operatively connected to the third support part (16) for adjustment of the same relative to the second support part (14) between an initial position of the adjusting movement, in which the third supporting part (16) together with the second supporting part (14) constitutes a common supporting plane, and an end position of the adjusting movement, in which the third support part (16) is pivotally adjusted relative to the second support part (14).

7. The support device according to claim 6, characterised in that the base body of the electrically motorised drive unit (42) is attached to the guide (32).

8. The support device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the driven member of the electrically motorised drive unit (42) is linearly movable and is operatively connected to the third support part (16) via an adjusting member in such a way that the third support part (16) is pivoted relative to the second support part (14), when the driven member moves linearly.

9. The support device according to claim 8, characterised in that the adjusting member is a further pivot lever (60), which is mounted at the base body of the electrically motorised drive unit (42) pivotably around a further pivot lever pivot axis (62) and is operatively connected to the driven member of the electrically motorised drive unit (42) in such a way that the further pivoting lever (60) is pivoted around the further pivoting lever pivoting axis (62), when the driven member moves linearly.

10. The support device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the electrically motorised drive unit comprises a spindle drive (48).

11. The support device according to claim 10, characterised in that the driven member of the drive unit is formed by a threaded spindle (50), which is mounted in a secure manner against twisting and movably in its axial direction, and on which a stationary spindle nut (52) is arranged, which is in rotation drive connection with an electric motor (58) of the electrically motorised drive unit (42).

12. The support device according to one of the claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the adjusting member loosely acts upon the third support part (16) for adjusting the same.

13. The support device according to one of the claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the adjusting member holds at least one roller (68) for abutment against the third support part (16).

14. The support device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first support part (12) is a stationary seat support part, the second support part (14) is an upper body support part and the third support part (16) is a head / neck support part.

15. A sitting and / or lying furniture, in particular a box-spring bed, comprising a support device (2) according to any of the preceding claims.

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