SYSTEM FOR MOVING FURNITURE

Abstract

A system for moving furniture comprising at least two displacement assemblies (1, 1') fixable to the base of the furniture in non-aligned positions and defining parallel trajectories with respect to a predetermined direction of furniture movement, each displacement assembly (1, 1') comprising displacement means that allow movement of the furniture in said direction of movement, and the system with independent drive means associated with each of the displacement assemblies (1, 1'), characterized in that it comprises: - detection means (3, 3') configured to detect misalignment of the furniture with respect to a reference surface (4) adjacent to the furniture during its movement, said detection means (3, 3') being at least one sensor configured to detect the distance of the furniture from the reference surface (4), said sensor being in the form of a linear potentiometer, - and control means (5) configured to send a signal to the drive means (2) of the first assembly and / or to the drive means (2') of the second assembly according to the information received {1.} A system for moving furniture according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the moving assembly (1,1') are at least one wheel (1.1, 1.2, 1.1', 1.2'), the moving assembly (1,1') comprising a base structure (6, 6') attachable to the furniture by mechanical means, the wheel (1.1, 1.2, 1.1', 1.2') being fixed to said base structure (6, 6'). 3. A system for moving furniture according to the preceding claim, wherein the means for driving the furniture are a motor (2, 2') associated with at least one wheel (1.2, 1.2'). 4. A system for moving furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control means (5) are configured to define a start point and an end point of the furniture's movement in the direction of travel. { 5.} A system for moving furniture according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the structures (6) form an integral part of the furniture base. 6. A system for moving furniture according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the structures (6) form part of a chassis 9 that is placed on the furniture base. 7. A system for moving furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one obstacle detection sensor (7,7') during the movement of the furniture. 8. System for moving furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control panel (8) with manual control means for the drive means.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MOVING FURNITURE TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention relates to furniture used to furnish a space such as a room, an office, a shop, and more specifically to furniture that, due to its characteristics, can be moved to achieve more optimized spaces or multipurpose rooms. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Systems are currently available that allow for moving, for example, a shelving unit to access the space hidden behind it, such as another shelving unit inside, or to provide access to the rear of the unit being moved. This movement is achieved using guides installed in the floor, along which the shelving unit slides. This system has the drawback that the floor surface is not always smooth; it requires the installation of these guides, either embedded in the floor, leaving a longitudinal groove that can cause accidents when walking on it, or installed on the surface of the floor, leaving a raised area that is more prone to accidents. US patent 10378200B2 discloses a system for moving structures to transform living spaces. This system comprises a drive train connected to an actuator and a robotic controller that transmits a command received through a touch user interface. This solution presents the problem that, to ensure alignment during the structure's movement, it requires a rail or guide for the drive train. This creates the aforementioned drawbacks, necessitating the installation of these guides and therefore requiring some type of ground-level construction work. None of the known solutions solves the problem of having a system capable of moving in an aligned manner without the need for guides, which create obstacles on the floor, and are able to move safely to achieve the versatility of spaces with the mere fact of the displacement of a system that is incorporated into the furniture of a room, or structural element to be moved. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve this objective and solve the technical problems discussed so far, as well as provide additional advantages that may arise later, the present invention provides a system of robotic, motorized and automatic mobile platforms, which move while always maintaining alignment with respect to a reference surface without any type of guides that grip the structure and without any "solid" physical connection between the mobile platform and the surfaces where it is placed. This furniture movement system comprises at least two displacement assemblies fixable to the base of the furniture in non-aligned positions, defining parallel trajectories with respect to a predetermined direction of furniture movement, defined by a reference surface. Each displacement assembly comprises displacement means that allow the furniture to move in the direction of movement, and the system comprises actuation means associated with each displacement assembly. The system comprises: Detection means configured to detect misalignment of the furniture with respect to a reference surface adjacent to the furniture during its movement, and control means configured to send a signal to the drive means of the first set and / or to the drive means of the second set in accordance with the information received from the detection means to correct furniture misalignments and maintain the alignment of the furniture during its movement. The base of the furniture refers to the lower part or the lower side walls of the furniture, such as the plinth. Furniture can be any piece of furniture, such as a wardrobe, but it can also include walls, structural elements, or any other type of movable element, such as industrial shelving. The detection system continuously measures the angle of inclination of the structure relative to the reference surface throughout its movement. This information is transmitted to the control system, which processes it and sends a signal to the drive system to correct this angle, which should be substantially 0°. This correction is achieved by varying the speed transmitted by the drive system to one or the other movement assembly. This allows for reducing or increasing the speed of a single movement assembly, varying the speed of both, or even braking or reversing the direction of movement of one of them. A reference surface is understood to be, for example, a wall, another piece of furniture, or preferably a smooth element that defines the predetermined direction of movement of the furniture. Adjacent is understood to be a nearby position that allows for measuring the distance from the furniture to be moved. Thanks to this configuration, furniture can be moved easily and precisely, optimizing space to enhance functionality and versatility, without requiring any construction work like traditional solutions, and without needing guides or tracks for aligned furniture movement. This makes it applicable to any type of furniture, in any room, provided there is a firm floor. According to one feature of the invention, the means of displacement for the displacement assembly is at least one wheel. The displacement assembly comprises a base structure that can be attached to the furniture by mechanical means, to which the wheel is fixed. These wheels, which form part of the displacement assembly, are integrated into the interior of the furniture by the configuration of the base structure and are therefore fixed in a concealed area, providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than known solutions. These base structures will be designed according to standard dimensions that are suitable for different types of furniture so that they can be easily replaced and reused in other furniture. They can also be configured for a specific item to be moved so that they can support its weight. Preferably, the drive means for each displacement assembly is a motor associated with at least one wheel. Linear displacements will preferably be calculated by stepper motor steps controlled by the control means. According to another feature of the invention, the detection means are at least one sensor configured to detect the distance of the furniture from the reference surface to detect misalignment and for the control means to correct it by acting on the drive means. Preferably, the sensor for the detection means is in the form of a linear potentiometer. Preferably, the potentiometer is located at each lateral end of the furniture, so that it is always in contact with the smooth reference surface; this potentiometer sends the measurement to the control means. According to another feature of the invention, the control means are configured to define a start point and an end point for the movement of the furniture in the predetermined direction. The path configuration by the control means allows for speed adjustment along the path between the established start and end points, accelerating and decelerating the system at the start and end points prior to stopping to prevent the furniture from overshooting the designated placement point. In another preferred embodiment, the furniture movement system structures form an integral part of the furniture base. Preferably, a common chassis is provided into which each support structure for each movement assembly is integrated. The movement and control means of the system are housed within this chassis, so that the assembly is integrated into the furniture during its manufacture. With this embodiment, no additional components are required since the system is integrated into the furniture, preferably concealed. Similarly, the system can be installed in pre-existing furniture that does not originally have the system installed. Additionally, and preferably, the furniture moving system includes at least one obstacle detection sensor to prevent entrapment and / or collisions. When the detection sensor detects an obstacle, it sends a signal to the control system to stop the movement by locking the drive mechanism. Finally, the furniture movement system is planned to include a control panel with manual control means for the drive mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment, the control panel is a touchscreen installed on the furniture itself. The system can also be controlled manually via a mobile application synchronized with the control media. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a plan view of the furniture displacement system of the invention with a chassis comprising all its components, and which will be fixed to the base of the furniture. Figure 2 shows a profile view of the furniture displacement system that is the subject of the invention. Figure 3 shows a profile view of a piece of furniture comprising the system shown in Figure 1. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for moving furniture with a novel technology that solves the problem of needing to move a structure, integrated into the furniture, without reference guides attached to it, which poses a problem regarding alignment during movement. According to a practical embodiment of the system of the invention, as shown in Figure 1, the system comprises a first displacement assembly (1) with a first base structure (6), and with a driving wheel (1.2) and a driven wheel (1.1), the driving wheel (1.2) being associated with displacement means (2) in the form of a stepper motor. Said first base structure (6) being fixed to one end of a metal chassis (9) with intermediate reinforcing bars. And with a second displacement assembly (1') with a second base structure (6), and with a driving wheel (1.2) and a driven wheel (1.1), the driving wheel (1.2) also being associated with displacement means (2) in the form of a stepper motor. Said second base structure (6) being fixed to the opposite end of the chassis (9). As can be seen in Figure 1, one of the displacement sets (1, 1) in this case the second displacement set (1) comprises detection means (3, 3) that interact with a reference surface (4) that defines a predetermined displacement direction of the furniture to which the system will be associated. According to the practical embodiment shown, the detection means (3, 3) are linear potentiometers. In this case, a potentiometer (3, 3) is placed at each end of the second base structure (6') perpendicular to the reference surface (4), so that they remain in contact throughout the entire range of motion defined for the furniture. With this configuration, the detection means measure the distance of the second structure (6) and, consequently, of the chassis (9) attached to the furniture, relative to the reference surface (4). This information is continuously transmitted throughout the furniture's movement and sent to a control means (5), such as a PCB, which processes the information and sends a signal to the corresponding motor (2, 2') to maintain alignment when the measurement shows a distance difference from a reference distance.As can be seen in Figure 1, the control means will be integrated into the chassis (9), or they may be integrated into the furniture itself. According to an alternative embodiment, the detection means are planned to be in the form of a laser, so that the reference surface can be arranged at a greater distance, leaving, for example, a distance between the furniture and the wall so that it is not necessary for the reference surface to be very close to the furniture. As can be seen in Figure 2, the base structure (6, 6) is preferably metallic, and comprises side profiles between which the wheels (1.1, 1.2, 1.1, 1.2) are fixed, with the potentiometers of the second displacement assembly (1) being fixed at the bottom of said profiles. According to an alternative embodiment, the chassis (9) further comprises a sensor (7, 7) on each side associated with the side of the furniture, these sides being considered the extreme points of the chassis (9) or the furniture, defined according to the direction of movement, and preferably in a central position. These sensors (7, 7) are preferably infrared sensors that detect obstacles during movement, sending information to the control means (5) to prevent entrapment, thus providing greater safety to the system. Preferably, the control means (5) are configured to regulate the speed of travel at the defined start and end points of the journey. According to an alternative embodiment, when the furniture design results in simultaneous movements of different furniture elements, the system comprises the elements associated with the movement of one piece of furniture (10) for the movement of several pieces of furniture (10). The control means register the start and end of the stroke of the different pieces of furniture (10), preferably with different sensors, and the movements are carried out when the elements that may collide are in a specific configuration, for example, in the start or end position of their stroke. It is also contemplated that each system moves only one piece of furniture (10) and that there is intercommunication between the control means of each system. Figure 3 shows a practical example in which the chassis (9), which comprises all the elements of the system, is arranged in a piece of furniture (10), associated with a reference surface (4) that defines the direction of movement.As can be seen, the chassis (9) will be fixed to the cabinet (10) in such a way that the wheels (1.1, 1.2, 1.1, 1.2) are imperceptible. In this case, the cabinet (10) will move from right to left according to the established parameters, and the movement can be controlled via the touchscreen of a control panel (8) located on the cabinet (10) and associated with the control means (5). Alternatively, the system is designed to be controllable via apps developed for computers or mobile phones, allowing for the control of movements to position the cabinet (10) as desired. For system power, the wiring is routed to the reference surface when using linear potentiometers. For laser alignment detection, the necessary wiring preferably exits the furniture through the second structure (6), closer to the reference surface (4), and is concealed in a cable tray or recessed into the floor or wall. In another preferred embodiment, where the detection means (3, 3) are laser-based and therefore located further from the reference surface (4), the wiring for all systems requiring it exits through the top of the furniture and is concealed in a cable tray or recessed into the ceiling of the room.

Claims

1. A system for moving furniture comprising at least two displacement assemblies (1, 1') fixable on the base of the furniture in non-aligned positions and defining parallel trajectories with respect to a predetermined direction of furniture displacement, each displacement assembly (1, 1') comprising displacement means that allow the movement of the furniture in said displacement direction, and the system with independent drive means associated with each of the displacement assemblies (1, 1'), characterized in that it comprises: - detection means (3, 3') configured to detect the misalignment of the furniture with respect to a reference surface (4) adjacent to the furniture during its displacement, said detection means (3, 3') being at least one sensor configured to detect the distance of the furniture from the reference surface (4),said sensor being in the form of a linear potentiometer, - and control means (5) configured to send a signal to the drive means (2) of the first assembly and / or to the drive means (2') of the second assembly in accordance with the information received from the detection means (3, 3') to correct furniture misalignments and maintain furniture alignment during its movement.

2. System for moving furniture according to claim 1, wherein the drive means of the displacement assembly (1,1') are at least one wheel (1.1, 1.2, 1.1', 1.2'), the displacement assembly (1,1') comprising a base structure (6, 6') attachable to the furniture by mechanical means, the wheel (1.1, 1.2, 1.1', 1.2') being fixed to said base structure (6, 6').

3. System for moving furniture according to the previous claim, wherein the drive means are a motor (2,2') associated with at least one wheel (1.2, 1.2').

4. A system for moving furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control means (5) are configured to define a starting point and an end point of the furniture's movement in the direction of travel.

5. A system for moving furniture according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the structures (6) form an integral part of the furniture base.

6. A system for moving furniture according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the structures (6) form part of a chassis 9 that is placed on the furniture base.

7. A system for moving furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one obstacle detection sensor (7,7') during the movement of the furniture.

8. System for moving furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control panel (8) with manual control means for the drive means.