Synchronous rod for furniture drives

Abstract

A synchronizing rod (1) for a furniture drive (2) for synchronizing the movement of a movable furniture part (3), the synchronizing rod (1) having at least one coupling region (4) for connection to the furniture drive (2) and a synchronizing region (5) along a longitudinal extension (6) of the synchronizing rod (1), in particular arranged between two opposite coupling regions (4), the synchronizing region (5) having, in a cross section (7) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (6), a first outer contour section (8) in the form of a circle segment (9) and at least one further outer contour section (10) preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section (8) and in the form of a geometry different from that of the circle segment (9), the circle segment (9) having an angular range of -250° to 330° and / or having an angular range of -180° to 350°, the further outer contour section (10) being arranged on the synchronizing rod (1) exclusively on one side.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a synchronizing rod for furniture drives for the synchronous movement of movable furniture parts, the synchronizing rod having at least one coupling region for connection to the furniture drives and a synchronizing region along the longitudinal extension of the synchronizing rod, in particular arranged between two opposite coupling regions.The invention further relates to an arrangement consisting of at least two furniture drives each with a drive and at least one actuating arm for the synchronous movement of movable furniture parts and at least one such synchronizing rod.Furthermore, the invention relates to a piece of furniture comprising a furniture cabinet and at least one such device, as well as a method for manufacturing a synchronizing region of such a synchronizing rod.

[0002] Such a synchronizing rod having a circular cross-sectional shape is already known from EP 2 491 213 B1.

[0003] A disadvantage of the prior art is that the extrusion-pressed blank has a very long longitudinal extension and, since the blank flows through the extrusion press die during the extrusion-pressing process, the inner contours provided for synchronization are twisted in the course of the extrusion-pressing process in the synchronization area of ​​the synchronizing rod, which makes it impossible to ensure an accurate and proper synchronization of the furniture drive. As a result, a high percentage of synchronizing rods are inevitably produced as rejects, especially due to component tolerances.

[0004] The visual appearance of the synchronization rod is important to the furniture operator and the visual or aesthetic impression of a non-circular synchronization area has a reducing effect in this regard.

[0005] The technical problem addressed by the present invention is therefore to provide an improved synchronizing device, as well as a method for manufacturing a synchronizing area, which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and excels by having an aesthetically pleasing configuration while at the same time reducing the twisting of the inner contour for precise synchronization of furniture drives.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, the synchronization area therefore has, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, a first outer contour section in the form of a circle segment and at least one further outer contour section, preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section, in the form of a geometry different from the circle segment, in which the circle segment is - has an angle range of 250° to 330°; and / or -having an angle range of 180° to 350°, the separate outer contour section is arranged on the synchro rod exclusively on one side It is assumed that.

[0008] This makes it possible for the first time to at least reduce or prevent, and preferably completely prevent, any twisting of the synchronization area - in particular of the inner contour used for synchronization - during the extrusion pressing method for manufacturing the synchronization rod, and to produce an accurate adjustment of the furniture drive for the synchronous movement of the movable furniture parts.

[0009] Furthermore, by virtue of the first outer contour section remaining, the positioning of at least one further outer contour section can face towards the rear side of the furniture drive in the open position of the actuating arm and can be hidden by the movable furniture part in the closed position of the actuating arm, thereby giving the operator of the synchronising rod the impression of a circular synchronising area.

[0010] The cross-section of the synchronization area therefore allows the dual effect of reducing undesirable manufacturing effects as well as maintaining the appearance of a circular synchronization area, in which case the position of at least one further outer contour section can automatically adapt to the positioning of the actuating arm.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the synchronizing rod comprises a flattened portion on one side in cross section and / or a circular segment having an angular range of 190° to 350°, whereby in the operating position of the synchronizing rod, the impression of a circular synchronizing rod can be given from slightly deviated viewing angles and / or the advantages of reduced twisting can be effectively utilized.

[0012] As mentioned at the outset, patent protection is also claimed for an arrangement consisting of at least two furniture drives each with a drive and at least one actuating arm for synchronously moving movable furniture parts and at least one such synchronizing rod, in which the at least two furniture drives have a visible area and a rear surface in the use position, and the actuating arm is movable between an open position and a closed position, with at least one further outer contour section facing towards the rear surface in the open position of the actuating arm and / or facing towards the visible area in the closed position.

[0013] As mentioned at the outset, patent protection is also claimed for a piece of furniture comprising a furniture cabinet and at least one such device.

[0014] As mentioned at the beginning, a method for manufacturing a synchronization region of such a synchronization rod is provided, which comprises the following method steps: - providing an extrusion press die with a first die profile in the form of a circle segment and at least one further die profile, in particular adjacent to the first die profile, the at least one further die profile having a different, preferably rectilinear, geometry from the first die profile, - extruding and pressing the material through an extrusion press die and cutting to form a synchronous region; Patent protection is also claimed for methods of carrying out the above.

[0015] By means of a further die contour, at least one further outer contour section can be produced which differs from the circular shape, so that in view of the guide contour, the twisting of the synchronization area is reduced, so that the synchronizing teeth of the synchronizing rod can be utilized for synchronization at a precise position over the longitudinal extension of the synchronizing rod.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0017] According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the at least one further outer contour section comprises straight lines and / or is formed as at least one straight line adjacent to a circle segment.

[0018] By means of at least one straight line, twisting of the synchronization area is effectively prevented, in which case the straight line can act as a rest that can prevent undesired rotations in the extrusion press during the manufacturing process.

[0019] Advantageously, it is provided that the cross section of the synchronization region is designed with mirror symmetry and / or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

[0020] Generally, only one region is required which differs from circular in cross section so that this region can act as a blocking region to reduce twisting of the synchronization region.

[0021] It has proven advantageous for the at least one further outer contour section to comprise notches, preferably wavy or broken line notches.

[0022] In general, other shapes other than a circular cross section are also contemplated.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the synchronization area has at least one inner contour, preferably of polygonal shape, preferably with at least one bulge for synchronizing the furniture drives, which inner contour is formed mirror-symmetrically and / or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

[0024] The inner contour can be used for synchronization, in which case twisting in the synchronization region can be reduced particularly well if the inner contour is designed asymmetrically.

[0025] It has proven advantageous if at least one of the inner contour and the cross section of the synchronization region is configured asymmetrically over the entire synchronization region.

[0026] The asymmetric inner and outer contours make it possible to limit particularly effectively the undesired deviation of the material of the synchronization region in the plane of the cross section along the synchronization region.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one connecting region preferably has a wavy connecting contour and / or a plate-shaped connecting device, whereby it is preferably provided that at least one connecting contour is formed mirror-symmetrically and / or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

[0028] If the connecting contour is asymmetric, synchronization can take place with particularly high precision - especially in combination with asymmetric inner and / or outer contours.

[0029] Particularly preferably, it is provided that the synchronization region, preferably the synchronization rod, is extrusion pressed.

[0030] Extrusion presses have proven to be particularly advantageous for - in particular hollow - shaped bodies of synchronizing rods, in that a large number of synchronizing rods can be produced from one blank, in that specific dimensions of the synchronizing rods can be achieved - preferably continuously.

[0031] In an embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the circle segment has an angular range of 180° to 350°, preferably 250° to 330°, particularly preferably 290° to 320°.

[0032] The smaller the angular extent of the circle segment, the stronger the inhibition of twisting, and the greater the angular extent of the circle segment, the easier it is to conceal at least one further outer contour section from various viewing angles in the open position of the actuating arm.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one straight line is formed in the form of a side of a polygon, preferably approximating a circular contour, and / or as an alternating broken line.

[0034] Basically, one straight line - or even, for example, the shape of an ellipse - is sufficient to reduce the twisting of the synchronization area, however, from a manufacturing perspective, it may be advantageous to provide several straight lines adjacent to each other or spaced apart.

[0035] It has proven to be advantageous if at least one straight line in its longitudinal extension forms at least in a certain area, preferably completely, a flattened workpiece of the synchronization area.

[0036] If a flattening is present over the entire longitudinal extent of the synchronization region, twisting is not only prevented locally.

[0037] It is furthermore preferably envisaged that the blank is previously heat-treated in a preparation method step and / or that the extrusion-pressed blank is stretched, preferably by means of tongs, and / or aged in an oven before cutting.

[0038] Flow properties can be adjusted by pre-heat treatment, intrinsic material properties can be tailored through aging, and bending due to manufacturing can be reduced through stretching.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the extrusion press mold for the extrusion press may comprise a first die and at least one second die separate from the first die, preferably in this case the at least one second die comprising a core, which is envisaged to protrude into the first die at least in a predetermined area so as to create substantially the same flow rate of the material, preferably at the same level of the die and / or across the die.

[0040] Two dies (often called moving dies) allow complex geometries to be created inside the synchronous region, where the material meets through the two dies to form the synchronous region. A core can assist in this manufacturing process.

[0041] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the drawings and with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1a] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture having a device with a synchronizing rod according to a preferred embodiment, with an enlarged detailed partial view of the connection between the furniture drive device and the synchronizing rod. [Figure 1b] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged detailed partial view of the connection between the furniture drive and the synchronization rod; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of a piece of furniture with a synchronization rod according to the embodiment of FIG. 1b, without movable furniture parts and covers, together with an enlarged detailed partial view of the coupling of the synchronization rod. [Diagram 3] 1b shows a front view and a side cross-sectional view of a piece of furniture with a synchronizing rod according to the embodiment of FIG. 1a; [Figure 4]FIG. 1b shows a cross-sectional view of furniture with a synchronization rod according to the embodiment of FIG. 1a in an open position from the side with an enlarged partial detail view of the region of the synchronization rod. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1b shows a cross-sectional view of furniture with a synchronization rod according to the embodiment of FIG. 1a in a closed position from the side with an enlarged partial detail view of the region of the synchronization rod. [Figure 6] FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of a piece of furniture with a synchronizing rod according to the embodiment of FIG. 1a, without furniture parts and covers, together with an enlarged detailed partial view of the connection between the furniture drive and the synchronizing rod. [Figure 7] FIG. 1c shows a side view of a furniture drive with a synchronizing rod according to the embodiment of FIG. 1b together with an enlarged detailed partial view of the receiver of the synchronizing rod and the corresponding furniture drive; [Figure 8] FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of a furniture drive with a synchronizing rod according to the embodiment of FIG. 1b with an enlarged detailed partial view of the coupling region of the synchronizing rod; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged detailed portion of the receptacle of the furniture drive; [Figure 10a] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a method for manufacturing a synchronizing rod by an extrusion press not according to the present invention. [Figure 10b] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a method for manufacturing a synchronizing rod by an extrusion press not according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 10b shows a top view and three cross-sectional views and three enlarged detailed fragmentary views of a method not according to the invention. [Figure 12a] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing method using an extrusion press according to the present invention. [Figure 12b] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing method using an extrusion press according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 12b shows a top view and three cross-sectional views as well as three enlarged detailed partial views of the method according to the invention.

[0043] FIG. 1a shows a piece of furniture 28 which comprises a furniture cabinet 29 and at least one device consisting of two furniture drives 2 each with a drive 21 and an actuating arm 22 for the synchronous movement of a movable furniture part 3.

[0044] The device includes a synchronizing rod 1. Two furniture drives 2 are arranged in a use position 23 and have a visible area 24 and a rear surface 25. The actuating arm 22 is movable between an open position 26 and a closed position 27 (see FIG. 5).

[0045] In FIG. 1b the coupling area of ​​the synchronization rod 1 and the furniture drive 2 can be seen, since the cover of the synchronization rod has been omitted for the sake of visibility.

[0046] 2 shows a piece of furniture 28 with the actuating arm 22 in the open position 26, in which case the movable furniture part 3 and the cover of the synchronizing rod 1 are not shown. By means of the synchronizing rod 1 the movements of both drives 2 are synchronized.

[0047] A synchronizing rod 1 for furniture drives 2 for synchronizing the movement of movable furniture parts 3 has two coupling regions 4 for connection to one furniture drive 2 each, the connection being made via receiving regions that are configured to correspond to the coupling regions 4 in a mechanical drive unit, in which case an electric drive unit can generally also be used supplementarily or alternatively.

[0048] The synchronization rod 1 has a synchronization region 5 along its longitudinal extension 6 (see FIG. 8) which is arranged between two opposing coupling regions 4 .

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a view of the furniture 28 from the front (with the cover of the synchronization rod 1 remaining), in which case below is a cross-section of the synchronization rod 1 in the synchronization area 5, which is shown enlarged in FIG. 4.

[0050] In FIG. 4 it can be seen that the synchronization area 5 has, in a cross section 7 perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 6, a first outer contour section 8 in the form of a circular segment 9 and a further outer contour section 10 adjacent to this first outer contour section 8 and in the form of a geometry different from that of the circular segment 9.

[0051] The other outer contour section 10 faces towards the rear surface 25 of the furniture drive device 2 in the open position 26 of the operating arm 22 and towards the visible area 24 of the furniture drive device 2 in the closed position 27, so that the normally good-looking appearance of the synchronizing rod 1 is visible to a user of the furniture drive device 2, while the other outer contour section 10, which differs from the circle segment 9 and serves to prevent twisting during the manufacturing process, is hidden for a user in the direction of gaze towards the visible area 24.

[0052] A further outer contour section 10 is formed in the form of a straight line 11 adjacent to the circle segment 9 , and in general there may be several straight lines 11 or other contours along the synchronization region 5 .

[0053] In the bottom left schematic diagram, another possible geometry of the further outer contour section 10 is shown, in which the further outer contour section 10 is formed as a wavy notch 12 at the upper end of the imaginary circular contour 18, as a broken-line notch 12 at the left end of the imaginary circular contour 18 and as a straight line 11 in the form of a side 17 of a polygon approximating the imaginary circular contour 18. The broken-line notches 12 are present in the form of alternating broken lines 19. Preferably, only one such further outer contour section 10 is used, but it is also possible to combine several different or identical outer contour sections 10, which are arranged, for example, at different positions on the cross-section 7 or adjacent to one another.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows the actuating arm 22 in the closed position 27 , in which case the straight line 11 faces in the direction of the visibility area 24 , which is hidden by the movable furniture part 3 .

[0055] In the enlarged detailed section, it can be seen that the cross section 7 of the synchronization area 5 is designed mirror-symmetrically and has exclusively a rotational symmetry of 360°. It is generally conceivable, for example, to provide a rotational symmetry of 180°.

[0056] The straight line 11 extends over an angular range of approximately 55°, while the adjacent circle segments 9 of the first outer contour section 8 have an angular range of 290° to 320°. The extension of the circle segments 9 is not generally limited to a particular angular range, for example the straight line 11 may be spaced apart by further circle segments 9.

[0057] The synchronization area 5 has a polygonal inner contour 13 with two bulges 14 for synchronizing the furniture drives 2 .

[0058] The inner contour 13 is formed mirror-symmetrically and has exclusively a rotational symmetry of 360°, but generally a rotational symmetry of, for example, 180° is also possible.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows the synchronizing rod 1 in a closed position 27, in which the inner contour 13 and the cross section 7 of the synchronizing region 5 are formed asymmetrically over the entire synchronizing region 5.

[0060] The straight line 11 forms, over its entire longitudinal extension 6 , a flattened section 20 of the synchronization region 5 .

[0061] In Figure 7, the furniture drive 2 is present with the synchronization rod 1 removed, and in the detailed partial view of the synchronization rod 1 (relating to the receiving part of the furniture drive 2 corresponding to the coupling region 4), it becomes clear that the coupling region 4 has a wavy coupling contour 15.

[0062] The coupling contour 15 is designed mirror-symmetrically and has exclusively a rotational symmetry of 360°, but generally also a rotational symmetry of, for example, 180°. A synchronization with reduced play can be achieved by flattened areas of the coupling contour 15.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a furniture drive 2 with an assembled synchronizing rod 1, in which the coupling region 4 has a plate-like coupling device 16.

[0064] The synchronization region 5 is extrusion pressed and a suitable manufacturing method is illustrated in Figures 12a to 13.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a receiver of the furniture drive 2 for coupling to the connecting region 4 of the synchronization rod, which receiver is correspondingly shaped to the connecting region 4.

[0066] FIG. 10a shows an extrusion pressing method for a synchronizing rod 1, not according to the invention, in which the rotationally symmetric horizontality of two dies 36, 37 of an extrusion press mold is used to produce the synchronizing region 5 of FIG. 10b.

[0067] In Fig. 11, three cross-sections along the synchronization region 5 show that during the extrusion pressing, the inner contour 13 undesirably twists along the synchronization region 5, which results in an improper synchronization of the furniture drives 2.

[0068] FIG. 12a shows an extrusion pressing method of the synchronization region 5 according to the invention, in which twisting of the inner contour 13 is prevented.

[0069] The extrusion press die 30 has a first die 36 for extrusion pressing and a second die 37 separate from the first die 36 - any number of which may be used.

[0070] The second die 37 includes a core 38 which protrudes into the first die 36 to create substantially the same flow rate of the material 33 across the dies 36, 37 at the same horizontal level of the dies 36, 37 to form the two outer contour sections 8, 10 of the synchronization rod 1.

[0071] A method for producing the synchronization region 5 of a synchronization rod 1 can be exemplarily illustrated by the following method steps: an extrusion press die 30 is provided with a first die profile 31 in the form of a circle segment 9 as shown in Fig. 12a and a further die profile 32 adjacent to the first die profile 31, the further die profile 32 having a different geometry than the first die profile 31, for example in the form of a flattened profile, a blank 33 is extrusion-pressed through the extrusion press die 30 as shown in Fig. 12b and cut to form a synchronization region 5 of the desired dimensions.

[0072] Cutting may be broadly construed as also using a defined length of material 33 to produce a synchronization region 5 of the desired dimensions.

[0073] In this exemplary method, the blank 33 is pre-heat treated in a preparation method step, and the extrusion pressed blank 33 is stretched with tongs to reduce bending before cutting, and then aged in an oven.

[0074] FIG. 13 shows three cross-sectional views along the synchronization region 5 similar to FIG. 11, and the corresponding enlarged detailed partial views show that due to the flattened die 36 with a separate die contour 32 for forming the separate outer contour section 10, there is no twisting of the inner contour 13, which makes it possible to ensure synchronization with high precision without impairing the visual appearance of the synchronizing rod 1.

Claims

1. A synchronizing rod (1) for a furniture drive (2) for synchronizing the movement of movable furniture parts (3), the synchronizing rod (1) having at least one coupling region (4) for connection to the furniture drive (2) and a synchronizing region (5) along a longitudinal extension (6) of the synchronizing rod (1), in particular arranged between two opposite coupling regions (4), the synchronizing region (5) having, in a cross section (7) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (6), a first outer contour section (8) in the form of a circle segment (9) and at least one further outer contour section (10) preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section (8) and in the form of a geometry different from that of the circle segment (9), The circle segment (9) and / or has an angular range of -250° to 330°; The further outer contour section (10) has an angle range of -180° to 350° and is arranged on the synchronizing rod (1) exclusively on one side. A synchronizing rod (1).

2. 2. The synchronizing rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) comprises a straight line (11) and / or is formed as at least one straight line (11) adjacent to the circle segment (9).

3. 3. The synchronizing rod (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross section (7) of the synchronizing region (5) is formed mirror-symmetrically and / or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

4. 4. The synchronizing rod (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) preferably comprises wavy or broken line notches (12).

5. 5. The synchronizing rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the synchronizing region (5) has at least one inner contour (13), preferably of polygonal shape, preferably with at least one bulge (14) for synchronizing the furniture drive (2), the inner contour (13) being formed mirror-symmetrically and / or having exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

6. 6. The synchronizing rod (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one inner contour (13) and the cross section (7) of the synchronizing region (5) are asymmetrically configured over the entire synchronizing region (5).

7. 7. The synchronizing rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling region (4) preferably has a wavy coupling contour (15) and / or a plate-shaped coupling device (16), preferably wherein the at least one coupling contour (15) is formed mirror-symmetrically and / or has exclusively a rotational symmetry of 360°, preferably a rotational symmetry of 180°.

8. The synchronizing rod (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronizing region (5), preferably the synchronizing rod (1), is extrusion pressed.

9. The synchronizing rod (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circle segment (9) has an angular range of 290° to 320°.

10. The synchronizing rod (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the at least one straight line (11) is formed in the form of a side (17) of a polygon, preferably approximating a circular contour (18), and / or as alternating broken lines (19).

11. The synchronizing rod (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the at least one straight line (11) forms, at least in a certain region of its longitudinal extension (6), preferably completely, a flattened portion (20) of the synchronizing region (5).

12. 12. An apparatus comprising at least two furniture drives (2) each with a drive (21) and at least one actuating arm (22) for the synchronous movement of a movable furniture part (3) and at least one synchronizing rod (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least two furniture drives (2) have a visible area (24) and a back surface (25) in a use position (23), and the actuating arm (22) is movable between an open position (26) and a closed position (27), wherein in the open position (26) at least one further outer contour section (10) of the actuating arm (22) faces towards the back surface (25) and / or in the closed position (27) faces towards the visible area (24).

13. A piece of furniture (28) comprising a furniture cabinet (29) and at least one device according to claim 12.

14. A method for manufacturing a synchronizing region (5) of a synchronizing rod (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of: The following method steps: - providing an extrusion press die (30) with a first die profile (31) in the form of a circle segment (9) and at least one further die profile (32), in particular adjacent to said first die profile (31), said at least one further die profile (32) having a different, preferably rectilinear, geometry than said first die profile (31); - extrusion pressing a blank (33) through said extrusion press die (30) and cutting to form said synchronization area (5); The method of claim 1, further comprising:

15. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the blank (33) is previously heat-treated in a preparation method step and / or the extrusion-pressed blank (33) is stretched, preferably by tongs, and / or aged in an oven before cutting.

16. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the extrusion press die (30) for the extrusion press comprises a first die (36) and at least one second die (37) separate from the first die (36), preferably in this case the at least one second die (37) comprises a core (38), which protrudes into the first die (36) at least in a predetermined area so as to create substantially the same flow rate of the material (33) at the same level of and / or across the dies (36, 37).

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