Synchronisation rod for furniture drives

Abstract

The invention relates to a synchronisation rod (1) for furniture drives (2) for the synchronous moving of movable furniture parts (3), comprising at least one coupling portion (4) for connection to a furniture drive (2) and comprising a synchronisation portion (5) along a length (6) of the synchronisation rod (1), more particularly arranged between two opposite coupling portions (4), wherein the synchronisation portion (5), as seen in a cross-section (7) taken orthogonally to the length (6), has a first outer contour portion (8) in the form of a circular segment (9) and at least one further outer contour portion (10), preferably adjacent to the first outer contour portion (8), having a geometry in a form that is not a circular segment (9), wherein the circular segment (9) – comprises an angular range of between 250° and 330° and / or – comprises an angular range of between 180° and 350°, wherein the further outer contour portion (10) is arranged exclusively on one side of the synchronisation rod (1).

Description

[0001] Synchronization rod for furniture drives

[0002] The invention relates to a synchronization rod for furniture drives for the synchronous movement of movable furniture parts, comprising at least one coupling region for connection to a furniture drive and a synchronization region along a longitudinal extent of the synchronization rod, in particular arranged between two opposite coupling regions. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising at least two furniture drives, each having a drive device and at least one actuating arm for the synchronized movement of a movable furniture part and at least one such synchronization rod. Furthermore, the invention relates to a piece of furniture with a furniture body and at least one such arrangement, as well as to a method for producing a synchronization region of such a synchronization rod.

[0003] Such a synchronization rod with a round cross-sectional profile is already known from the document EP 2 491 213 Bl.

[0004] A disadvantage of the current technology is that during the extrusion process, the synchronization area of ​​the synchronization rod becomes twisted, as the extruded raw material has a very high longitudinal extension and the raw material flows through the extrusion die during extrusion. As a result, precise and proper synchronization of furniture drives cannot be guaranteed. Due in particular to component tolerances, a high proportion of synchronization rods must be rejected.

[0005] The visual appearance of synchronization rods is of essential importance for a furniture operator, whereby the visual or aesthetic impression of non-round synchronization areas has a diminishing effect in this regard.

[0006] The objective technical object of the present invention is therefore to provide a synchronization device which is improved over the prior art, as well as a method for producing the synchronization region, in which the disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially eliminated, and which are characterized in particular by a reduced twisting of the inner contour for the precise synchronization of furniture drives with an aesthetically pleasing design.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0008] It is therefore provided according to the invention that the synchronization area has, in cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal extent, a first outer contour section in the form of a circular segment and at least one further outer contour section, preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section, in the form of a geometry deviating from a circular segment, wherein the circular segment

[0009] - covers an angular range between 250 ° and 330 ° and / or

[0010] - comprises an angular range between 180 ° and 350 ° , wherein the further outer contour section is arranged exclusively on one side of the synchronization rod .

[0011] This makes it possible for twisting of the synchronization area - in particular of an inner contour used for synchronization - to be at least reduced or inhibited, preferably completely prevented, during the extrusion process for producing the synchronization rod and for furniture drives to be precisely coordinated for the synchronized movement of movable furniture parts to be generated.

[0012] In addition, there is the positive property that the remaining first outer contour section can give the operator of the synchronization rod the impression that it is a round synchronization area, since the positioning of the at least one further outer contour section can point in the direction of a rear side of the furniture drive in an open position of the actuating arms and can be covered by the movable furniture part in the closed position of the actuating arms.

[0013] The cross-section of the synchronization area therefore enables a dual function of reducing undesirable effects caused by manufacturing and maintaining the appearance of a round synchronization area, wherein the position of at least one further outer contour section can be automatically adapted to the positioning of the actuating arm.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the synchronization rod comprises a one-sided flattening in the cross-section and / or a circular segment with an angular range between 190° and 350° in order to enable the impression of a circular synchronization rod in an operating position of the synchronization rod from slightly different viewing angles and / or to effectively utilize the advantage of reducing the twist.

[0015] As stated at the outset, protection is also sought for an arrangement comprising at least two furniture drives, each having a drive device and at least one actuating arm for the synchronized movement of a movable furniture part and at least one such synchronization rod, wherein the at least two furniture drives comprise a viewing area and a rear side in the position of use and the actuating arms are movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the at least one further outer contour section points in the open position of the actuating arms in the direction of the rear side and / or in the closed position in the direction of the viewing area.

[0016] As stated at the outset, protection is also sought for a piece of furniture with a furniture body and at least one such arrangement.

[0017] As stated at the outset, protection is also sought for a method for producing a synchronization area of ​​such a synchronization rod, wherein the following process steps are carried out:

[0018] - an extrusion mold having a first die contour in the form of a circular segment and at least one further die contour, in particular adjacent to the first die contour, is provided, wherein the at least one further die contour has a geometry that differs from the first die contour, preferably a straight line

[0019] - a raw material is extruded through the extrusion die and cut to length to form the synchronization area.

[0020] The additional die contour can be used to form at least one additional outer contour section that deviates from the round shape, thereby reducing twisting of the synchronization area in the sense of a guide contour. This allows the synchronization teeth of the synchronization rod to be used for synchronization in a positionally accurate manner over the longitudinal extent of the synchronization rod.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one further outer contour section comprises a straight line and / or is designed as at least one straight line adjacent to the circular segment.

[0022] At least one straight line effectively prevents twisting of the synchronization area, whereby the straight line can serve as a support in the manufacturing process, which can counteract undesired rotation in the extrusion mold.

[0023] Advantageously, it is provided that the cross section of the synchronization region is mirror-symmetrical and / or has exclusively a 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

[0024] In general, only an area of ​​the cross-section that deviates from a circular shape is required, so that this area can act as an inhibiting area to reduce twisting of the synchronization area.

[0025] It has proven advantageous that the at least one further outer contour section comprises a corrugation, preferably wave-shaped or polygonal.

[0026] In general, other circular

[0027] Different cross-section shapes are conceivable.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the synchronization region comprises at least one, preferably polygonal, inner contour, preferably with at least one bulge, for synchronizing the furniture drives, wherein the inner contour is mirror-symmetrical and / or has exclusively a 360° rotation symmetry, preferably 180° rotation symmetry.

[0029] The inner contour can be used for synchronization, whereby with an asymmetrically designed inner contour, twisting of the synchronization area can be reduced particularly favorably.

[0030] It has proven advantageous that the at least one inner contour and the cross section of the synchronization area are designed asymmetrically over the entire synchronization area.

[0031] By means of asymmetrical inner and outer contours, undesirable deflection of material from the synchronization area in one plane of the cross section along the synchronization area can be particularly effectively restricted.

[0032] An advantageous variant of the present invention consists in that the at least one coupling region comprises a, preferably wave-shaped, coupling contour and / or a plate-shaped coupling device, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one coupling contour is mirror-symmetrical and / or has exclusively a 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

[0033] With an asymmetrical coupling contour, synchronization can be carried out with particularly high accuracy - especially in combination with an asymmetrical inner and / or outer contour.

[0034] It is particularly preferred that the

[0035] Synchronization area, preferably the synchronization rod, is extruded. Extrusion has proven particularly advantageous for - especially hollow - profiles of synchronization rods, whereby a large number of synchronization rods can be manufactured from one raw material, whereby specific dimensions of synchronization rods can be achieved - preferably subsequently.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the circular segment comprises an angular range between 180 ° and 350 °, preferably between 250 ° and 330 °, particularly preferably between 290 ° and 320 °.

[0037] If the angular range of the circular segment is smaller, twisting is prevented to a greater extent. If the angular range of the circular segment is larger, obscuring of at least one further outer contour section in the open position of the actuating arms can be generated more easily from different viewing angles.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one straight line is designed in the form of a polygonal line, preferably approximately to a circular contour and / or as an alternating polygonal line.

[0039] In principle, a straight line—or, for example, an elliptical shape—is sufficient to reduce the twisting of the synchronization area. However, from a manufacturing perspective, it may be advantageous to provide a large number of adjacent or spaced-apart straight lines.

[0040] It has proven advantageous for the at least one straight line in its longitudinal extension to form a flattened portion of the synchronization region at least partially, preferably completely. If the flattened portion is present over the entire longitudinal extent of the synchronization region, the twisting can be inhibited not only locally.

[0041] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the raw material is pre-tempered in a preparatory process step and / or that the extruded raw material is stretched, preferably using tongs, and / or aged in an oven before cutting to length.

[0042] Flow properties can be adjusted through pre-tempering. Material-specific characteristics can be adjusted through aging. Stretching can reduce production-related bending.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the extrusion mold for extrusion can comprise a first die and at least one second die separate from the first die, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one second die comprises a core which projects at least partially into the first die, preferably with the same horizon of the dies and / or to form a substantially identical flow velocity of the raw material over the dies.

[0044] Two dies (often referred to as flying dies) can generate complex geometries within the synchronization area, with raw material flowing across the two dies to form the synchronization area. The core can support this manufacturing process.

[0045] Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the figures and to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Therein: Fig. 1a, 1b show a piece of furniture with an arrangement with a synchronization rod according to a preferred exemplary embodiment in a perspective view with two enlarged detail sections of a connection of the synchronization rod to a furniture drive,

[0046] Fig. 2 shows the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment of Fig. 1b in a perspective view with an enlarged detail of the connection of the synchronization rod with the movable furniture part and the cover hidden,

[0047] Fig. 3 shows the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment of Fig. 1a in a front view and a sectional view from the side,

[0048] Fig. 4 shows the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment of Fig. 1a in a sectional view from the side in the open position with an enlarged detail in the area of ​​the synchronization rod,

[0049] Fig. 5 shows the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment of Fig. 1a in a sectional view from the side in the closed position with an enlarged detail in the area of ​​the synchronization rod,

[0050] Fig. 6 shows the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment of Fig. 1a in a perspective view with the furniture part and cover hidden and an enlarged detail of the connection of the synchronization rod to the furniture drive,

[0051] Fig. 7 shows the furniture drive with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment of Fig. 1b in a side view with an enlarged detail of the synchronization rod and a corresponding receptacle on the furniture drive, Fig. 8 shows the furniture drive with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment of Fig. 1b in a perspective view with an enlarged detail of a coupling area of ​​the synchronization rod,

[0052] Fig. 9 shows an enlarged detail of the furniture drive mount in perspective view,

[0053] Fig. 10a, 10b an illustration of a method not according to the invention for producing a synchronization rod by extrusion in a perspective view,

[0054] Fig. 11 shows the non-inventive method according to Fig. 10b in a top view with three sectional views and three enlarged detail sections,

[0055] Fig. 12a, 12b an illustration of an inventive

[0056] Manufacturing process by extrusion in perspective view,

[0057] Fig. 13 shows the method according to the invention according to Fig. 12b in a view from above with three sectional views and three enlarged detail sections.

[0058] Fig. 1a shows a piece of furniture 28 with a furniture body 29 and at least one arrangement of two furniture drives 2, each with a drive device 21 and an actuating arm 22 for the synchronized movement of a movable furniture part 3.

[0059] The arrangement comprises a synchronization rod 1. The two furniture drives 2 are arranged in the use position 23 and have a viewing area 24 and a rear side 25. The actuating arms 22 are movable between an open position 26 and a closed position 27 (see Fig. 5). In Fig. 1b, the connection area of ​​the synchronization rod 1 to the furniture drive 2 is visible, since a cover of the synchronization rod has been hidden for illustrative purposes.

[0060] Fig. 2 shows the furniture 28 with the actuating arms 22 in the open position 26 without the movable furniture part 3 and the cover of the synchronization rod 1. The synchronization rod 1 synchronizes the movement of the two furniture drives 2.

[0061] The synchronization rod 1 for the furniture drives 2 for the synchronous movement of the movable furniture parts 3 comprises two coupling areas 4 for connection to a furniture drive 2 in each case via a receiving area designed corresponding to the coupling area 4 in a mechanical drive unit, wherein in general an electric drive unit can be used in addition or alternatively.

[0062] The synchronization rod 1 comprises a synchronization region 5 along a longitudinal extent 6 (cf. Fig. 8) of the synchronization rod 1, which is arranged between two opposite coupling regions 4.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows the furniture 28 in a view from the front (with a remaining cover of the synchronization rod 1), wherein below a sectional view through the synchronization rod 1 in the synchronization area 5 can be seen, which is shown enlarged in Fig. 4.

[0064] In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the synchronization region 5 in cross-section 7 orthogonal to the longitudinal extent 6 has a first outer contour section 8 in the form of a circular segment 9 and a further outer contour section 10 adjacent to the first outer contour section 8 in the form of a geometry deviating from a circular segment 9. The further outer contour section 10 points in the open position 26 of the actuating arms 22 in the direction of the rear side 25 of the furniture drives 2 and in the closed position 27 in the direction of the field of vision 24 of the furniture drives 2, so that the usual aesthetically pleasing appearance of the synchronization rod 1 is visible for a user of the furniture drives 2 and the further outer contour section 10 deviating from the circular segment 9, which counteracts the twisting in the manufacturing process, remains hidden for a user looking towards the field of vision 24.

[0065] The further outer contour section 10 is designed in the form of a straight line 11 adjacent to the circular segment 9, wherein in general a plurality of straight lines 11 or other contours along the synchronization region 5 are possible.

[0066] In the schematic representation at the bottom left, further conceivable geometries of the further outer contour section 10 can be seen, wherein the further outer contour section 10 is designed as a wave-shaped corrugation 12 at the upper end of an imaginary circular contour 18, as a polygonal corrugation 12 at the left end of the imaginary circular contour 18 and as a straight line 11 in the form of a polygonal line 17 which approximates the imaginary circular contour 18. The polygonal corrugation 12 is in the form of an alternating polygonal line 19. Preferably, only one such further outer contour section 10 is used, although in general it is also possible to combine a plurality of different or similar outer contour sections 10 which are arranged, for example, at different positions on the cross section 7 or adjacent to one another.

[0067] Fig. 5 shows the actuating arms 22 in the closed position 27, with the straight line 11 pointing in the direction of the viewing area 24, which is concealed by the movable furniture part 3. The enlarged detail shows that the cross section 7 of the synchronization area 5 is mirror-symmetrical and has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry. In general, it is conceivable to provide, for example, 180° rotational symmetry.

[0068] The straight line 11 extends over an angular range of approximately 55°, with the adjacent circular segment 9 of the first outer contour section 8 having an angular range between 290° and 320°. The extent of the circular segment 9 is generally not limited to a specific angular range, and straight lines 11 can also be spaced apart by further circular segments 9, for example.

[0069] The synchronization area 5 comprises a polygonal inner contour 13 with two bulges 14 for synchronizing the furniture drives 2 .

[0070] The inner contour 13 is mirror-symmetrical and has exclusively a 360 ° rotational symmetry, although in general a 180 ° rotational symmetry is also possible.

[0071] Fig. 6 shows the synchronization rod 1 in the closed position 27, wherein the inner contour 13 and the cross section 7 of the synchronization area 5 are asymmetrical over the entire synchronization area 5.

[0072] The straight line 11 forms a flattening 20 of the synchronization area 5 in its longitudinal extension 6.

[0073] In Fig. 7, the furniture drive 2 is shown with the synchronization rod 1 removed, wherein in the detailed section of the synchronization rod 1 (above the receptacle of the furniture drive 2 corresponding to the coupling region 4) it can be seen that the coupling region 4 comprises a wave-shaped coupling contour 15.

[0074] The coupling contour 15 is mirror-symmetrical and has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, although 180° rotational symmetry is also possible. The flattened area of ​​the coupling contour 15 can achieve backlash-reducing synchronization.

[0075] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the furniture drive 2 with mounted synchronization rod 1, wherein the coupling region 4 comprises a plate-shaped coupling device 16.

[0076] The synchronization region 5 is extruded, a preferred manufacturing method being explained by Figures 12a to 13.

[0077] Fig. 9 shows the receptacle of the furniture drive 2 for connection to the coupling area 4 of the synchronization rod, wherein the receptacle is designed to correspond to the coupling area 4.

[0078] Fig. 10a shows a non-inventive extrusion method for synchronization rods 1, in which a rotationally symmetrical horizon of two dies 36, 37 of an extrusion mold is used to produce the synchronization region 5 in Fig. 10b.

[0079] In Fig. 11, three sectional views along the synchronization region 5 show that, during the extrusion process, the inner contour 13 along the synchronization region 5 is undesirably twisted. This results in improper synchronization of the furniture drives 2. Fig. 12a shows an extrusion process according to the invention for the synchronization region 5, wherein twisting of the inner contour 13 is inhibited.

[0080] The extrusion mold 30 comprises a first die 36 and a second die 37 separate from the first die 36 for extrusion - the number is generally arbitrary.

[0081] The second die 37 comprises a core 38 which projects into the first die 36 with the same horizon of the dies 36, 37 to form the two outer contour sections 8, 10 of the synchronization rod 1 and to form a substantially identical flow velocity of the raw material 30 over the dies 36, 37.

[0082] The method for producing the synchronization region 5 of the synchronization rod 1 can be exemplified by the following method steps: The extrusion die 30 shown in Fig. 12a with a first die contour 31 in the form of a circular segment 9 and a further die contour 32 adjacent to the first die contour 31 is provided, the further die contour 32 having a geometry different from the first die contour 31 - for example in the form of a flattened contour - and a raw material 33 is extruded through the extrusion die 30, as shown in Fig. 12b, and cut to the desired dimensions to form the synchronization region 5.

[0083] The cutting process should be designed to be so broad that even a raw material 33 with a defined length is used to produce the synchronization area 5 with the desired dimensions. In this exemplary process, the raw material 33 is pre-tempered in a preparatory process step. The extruded raw material 33 is stretched using tongs to reduce bending before cutting and is then aged in a furnace.

[0084] Fig. 13 shows, analogously to Fig. 11, three sectional views along the synchronization region 5, wherein it can be seen in the associated enlarged detail sections that there is no twisting of the inner contour 13 due to the flattened die 36 with the further die contour 32 to form the further outer contour section 10, whereby synchronization with high precision can be ensured - without reducing the visual appearance of the synchronization rod 1.

Claims

Claims. Synchronization rod (1) for furniture drives (2) for the synchronous movement of movable furniture parts (3), comprising at least one coupling area (4) for connection with a furniture drive (2) and a synchronization area (5) along a longitudinal extension (6) of the synchronization rod (1), in particular arranged between two opposing coupling areas (4), wherein the synchronization area (5) has in cross-section (7) orthogonally to the longitudinal extension (6) a first outer contour section (8) in the form of a circular segment (9) and at least one further outer contour section (10), preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section (8), in the form of a circular segment (9) has a different geometry, characterized in that the circular segment (9) - covers an angle range between 250° and 330° and / or - comprises an angular range between 180° and 350°, wherein the further outer contour section (10) is arranged exclusively on one side of the synchronization rod (1). Synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) comprises a straight line (11) and / or is designed as at least one straight line (11) adjacent to the circular segment (9). Synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-section (7) of the synchronization area (5) is mirror-symmetric and / or exclusively exhibits 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180°- exhibits rotational symmetry.

4. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) comprises a, preferably wave-shaped or polygonal, ribbing (12).

5. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronization area (5) comprises at least one, preferably polygonal, inner contour (13), preferably with at least one bulge (14), for synchronizing the furniture drives (2), wherein the inner contour (13) is mirror-symmetric and / or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

6. Synchronization rod (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one inner contour (13) and the cross-section (7) of the synchronization area (5) are asymmetrically formed over the entire synchronization area (5).

7. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one coupling area (4) comprises a coupling contour (15), preferably wave-shaped, and / or a plate-shaped coupling device (16), wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one coupling contour (15) is mirror-symmetrical and / or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry, on which .

8. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronization area (5) , preferably the synchronization rod (1) , is extruded.

9. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circular segment (9) comprises an angular range between 290° and 320°.

10. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the at least one straight line (11) is designed in the form of a polygon (17) , preferably approximating a circular contour (18) and / or as an alternating polygon (19) .

11. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the at least one straight section (11) in longitudinal extension (6) forms at least partially, preferably completely, a flattening (20) of the synchronization area (5).

12. Arrangement of at least two furniture drives (2) each with a drive device (21) and at least one actuating arm (22) for the synchronized movement of a movable furniture part (3) and at least one synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two furniture drives (2) in operating position (23) comprise a viewing area (24) and a rear side (25) and the actuating arms (22) are movable between an open position (26) and a closed position (27), wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) in the open position (26) of the actuating arms (22) points towards the rear side (25) and / or in the closed position (27) towards the viewing area (24).

13. Furniture (28) comprising a furniture body (29) and at least one arrangement according to claim 12. Method for producing a synchronization area (5) of a synchronization rod (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the following method steps: - an extrusion die (30) with a first die contour (31) in the form of a circular segment (9) and at least one further die contour (32), in particular adjacent to the first die contour (31), is provided, wherein the at least one further die contour (32) is a different shape from the first die contour (31) has a different, preferably rectilinear, geometry - a raw material (33) is extruded through the extrusion die (30) to form the The synchronization area (5) is cut to length according to claim 14, wherein the raw material (33) is pre-tempered in a preparatory process step and / or the extruded raw material (33) is stretched, preferably using tongs, and / or aged in an oven before being cut to length. The process according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the extrusion die (30) for extrusion comprises a first die (36) and at least a second die (37) separate from the first die (36), preferably the at least one second die (37) comprising a core (38) which projects at least partially into the first die (36), preferably with the same horizon as the dies (36, 37) and / or to form a substantially identical flow velocity of the raw material (30) over the dies (36, 37).

Images