Furniture drive unit

Abstract

A furniture drive (1) for an actuating arm (2), comprising a coupling device (3) for the actuating arm (2) having at least one driving part (4) and at least one driven part (5) rotatable relative to the driving part, wherein the coupling strength between the at least one driving part (4) and the at least one driven part (5) is adjustable by an adjusting device, the at least one driving part (4) and the at least one driven part (5) being spaced apart from each other to form a gap (6), the gap (6) being filled with a magnetorheological medium (7) that can be influenced by a magnetic field, and the adjusting device for adjusting the coupling strength comprises a device (8) for generating a magnetic field due to magnetic polarization of the magnetorheological medium (7).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a furniture drive device with the features of the preamble of claim 1 as well as to furniture equipped with such a furniture drive device.

[0002] In the prior art, furniture drives for actuating arms are known which have various coupling devices for the actuating arms.

[0003] EP 1 861 572 B1 shows a piece of furniture with a furniture drive and a movable operating arm, in which a coupling device acts between the electric drive and the operating arm, the coupling device having a freewheel clutch for allowing the operating arm to move freely in at least one direction of rotation over a limited range of rotation angles to an open position and / or a closed position. A disadvantage of this type of coupling device is that the strength of the connection cannot be adjusted.

[0004] EP 1903909 discloses a Bowden cable-switchable clutch for a furniture drive. The strength of the connection is not adjustable for this type of coupling. Furthermore, such friction-based connections can lead to undesirable wear phenomena.

[0005] EP 1981371 discloses a furniture drive including a drive unit and a slip clutch that separates the drive unit from the ejector when a set torque is exceeded. The slip clutch operates based on the diameter of the torsion spring, which has the serious drawback that the coupling strength for such a coupling device can only be adjusted by, for example, completely replacing the torsion spring.

[0006] EP 2086372 discloses a furniture drive with a coupling for at least temporarily transmitting force to an actuating arm, the coupling being in the form of a sleeve-type freewheel clutch. A drawback of this type of coupling is that the strength of the connection is not adjustable.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a furniture drive and a piece of furniture that avoids the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] This problem is solved by a furniture drive and a piece of furniture equipped with such a furniture drive with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] The furniture drive is suitable for driving the actuation arm. The furniture drive may be connectable to or may have an actuation arm. At least one movable furniture part of the furniture may be connectable to or may be connected to the actuation arm of the furniture drive. The furniture may have a furniture cabinet, and the furniture part may be positionable in an opening of the furniture cabinet or the furniture part may be able to close the opening of the furniture cabinet. The movement of the actuation arm may be performed correspondingly between an extension position and an extension position of the furniture part, or between an open position and a closed position of the furniture part.

[0010] The furniture drive has a coupling device with at least one drive part and at least one driven part that is rotatable relative to the drive part. The drive part of the furniture drive can act on the drive part. The driven part can be connectable to or connected to an actuation arm. The furniture drive can have several coupling devices. One coupling device can have several drive parts and several driven parts that are connected in series, for example.

[0011] It is specified that the strength of the connection between the at least one driving part and the at least one driven part is adjustable by an adjustment device. The strength of the connection may be adjustable between a substantially rigid connection and a substantially eliminated force-transmitting connection between the at least one driving part and the at least one driven part.

[0012] Regarding the configuration of the coupling device, it is specified that the at least one driving part and the at least one driven part are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. For example, the at least one driving part and the at least one driven part may be arranged adjacent to each other along a common axis at a set or settable distance, and this spaced apart arrangement can form the gap.

[0013] It is specified that the gap is filled with a magnetorheological medium that can be influenced by a magnetic field.

[0014] The adjusting device is designed to adjust the coupling strength, for which purpose it comprises a device for generating a magnetic field for the magnetic polarization of the magnetorheological medium.

[0015] A magnetorheological medium may consist of magnetizable solid particles in a carrier fluid. When an external magnetic field is applied, the solid particles can be magnetized and form chains along the field lines of the magnetic field. This allows the magnetorheological medium to transition from a fluid state to a substantially solid state in a controlled manner. This allows for easy, wear-free adjustment of the link strength by adjusting the device that generates the magnetic field.

[0016] The furniture drive can be connected to and disconnected from the actuating arm, preferably by means of a coupling device, with a coupling strength corresponding to the polarization of the magnetorheological medium.

[0017] The coupling device can be used, for example, as an overload clutch, as a freewheel clutch, for coupling the damping device or for coupling the drive.

[0018] The device for generating a magnetic field for polarization of the magnetorheological medium may include at least one electromagnet with an energizable coil. By adjusting the current flowing through the coil, the coupling strength may be adjustable depending on the polarization of the magnetorheological medium. Preferably, the energizable coil is fixedly arranged in the furniture drive. At least one driving part and at least one driven part may each be arranged in the furniture drive so as to be rotatable relative to the coil.

[0019] It should not be excluded that the device generating the magnetic field for the polarization of the magnetorheological medium comprises a plurality of electromagnets and / or at least one permanent magnet.

[0020] In an arrangement of the driving part and the driven part on an axis passing through the coils of the device generating the magnetic field, the generation of the magnetic field, and therefore the polarization of the magnetorheological medium, may take place along this axis.

[0021] The drive part may be made of a magnetizable material and may extend at least partially into the interior region of the coil. The magnetic flux generated by the energized coil may be guided from the drive part into the region of the gap. Preferably, a drive shaft protruding axially from the drive part may extend into the interior region of the coil for connection to a drive unit of a furniture drive.

[0022] The driving part may have a bearing shaft projecting axially from the driving part in its center for guiding the driven part. The driven part may be rotatably supported on the driving part, for example, via a ball bearing arranged on the bearing shaft projecting axially from the driving part in its center. Preferably, the bearing shaft can be manufactured to guide the magnetic flux from the magnetizable material.

[0023] The driving part and the driven part may be arranged adjacent to each other along a common axis of rotation, and a gap may be formed in at least the axial direction.

[0024] The drive part may be at least partially disk-shaped, in which case a disk-shaped section of the drive part may be arranged facing the gap, in other words, the disk-shaped section of the drive part may form the boundary surface of the gap.

[0025] The drive part can have at least a partial axial protrusion, so that an open U-shaped cross section is formed. In particular, the drive part can be at least partially disk-shaped and can have at least a partial axial protrusion protruding from the drive part, for example an axially protruding annular web. Preferably, the axial protrusion or web is arranged in a radially positioned edge region of the drive part. The axial protrusion or web can form the boundary surface of the gap.

[0026] The driven part may be at least partially disk-shaped, in which case a disk-shaped section of the driven part may be arranged facing the gap, in other words, the disk-shaped section of the driven part may form the boundary surface of the gap.

[0027] In an advantageous configuration, the driving part may have an at least partially axial projection such that an open U-shaped cross section is formed, and the driven part may be arranged at least partially within the U-shaped cross section of the driving part, in which case the gap may be substantially defined by the driving part and the driven part.

[0028] The driving portion may at least partially radially surround the driven portion.

[0029] The positioning of the driving portion relative to the driven portion can form a gap in at least the radial direction.

[0030] Advantageously, a radial seal is disposed between the driving part and the driven part to seal the magnetorheological medium. In an axial arrangement of the driving part and the driven part through the coil of the device that generates the magnetic field, the generation of the magnetic field, and thus the polarization of the magnetorheological medium, may be performed in the axial direction. The radial arrangement of the seal can maximize the effective area of ​​the gap.

[0031] The driving part and / or the driven part can have a structured surface at least partially facing the gap to form a positive coupling with the magnetorheological medium. The structured surfaces can have an axial offset, in particular, relative to one another. The structured surfaces can be formed on the driving part and / or the driven part in the form of radial webs and radial notches. The structured surfaces can apply shear forces to the magnetorheological medium when the driven part rotates relative to the driving part.

[0032] The furniture drive device may have an electric motor for driving an actuating arm, in which case the actuating arm can be connected to and disconnected from the electric motor by a coupling device in accordance with the strength of the connection.

[0033] The drive part can have a drive shaft projecting axially from the drive part in its central portion for connection to a drive part of the furniture drive device. The drive part can be rotatably supported in the furniture drive device, for example via a ball bearing arranged on the drive shaft projecting axially from the drive part in its central portion.

[0034] If the furniture drive device has an electric motor for driving an actuating arm, and the actuating arm can be connected to and disconnected from the electric motor by a coupling device corresponding to the strength of the connection, the electric motor can be operated as a generator to damp the movement of the actuating arm connected to the driven part, which may be particularly desirable in the end region of the limited movement of the actuating arm.

[0035] The furniture drive preferably has a control device for the adjustment device. If the adjustment device for adjusting the coupling strength has a device for generating a magnetic field, including at least one electromagnet with an energizable coil, the control device can perform open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the current strength flowing through the coil. The open-loop and / or closed-loop control can be performed, for example, depending on the actuation angle of an actuation arm connected to the driven part. For this purpose, the rotation angle of the driven part relative to the casing of the furniture drive can be detected, for example, by an angle sensor and supplied to the control device. The electric motor of the furniture drive can also be controlled by the control device.

[0036] The furniture drive may have a mechanical energy store connectable to or connected to an actuating arm that is connected to the driven part. A coupling device allows the force from the energy store and / or the force generated by the electric motor to be applied to the actuating arm. This allows, for example, the weight of a furniture part connected to the actuating arm to be compensated for by the mechanical energy store, and the movement of the furniture part to be driven or damped by the electric motor.

[0037] Patent protection is also sought for furniture comprising at least one furniture drive as described above, in which at least one movable furniture part of the furniture can be or may be coupled to an actuating arm of the furniture drive that is connected to a driven part.

[0038] The furniture may have a furniture cabinet including at least one wall, and the furniture drive may be or be located in the assembled position substantially entirely within a recess provided in the wall of the furniture cabinet.

[0039] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1a]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first configuration of the furniture driving device. [Figure 1b] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first configuration of the furniture driving device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the coupling device. [Figure 3a] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a connecting device. [Figure 3b] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a connecting device. [Figure 4a] FIG. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the connecting device. [Figure 5a] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the connecting device. [Figure 5b] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the connecting device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second configuration of the furniture driving device. [Figure 7a] FIG. [Figure 7b] FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a furniture driving device equipped with a control device;

[0041] Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a furniture drive 1 in a first configuration. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of a second configuration of the furniture drive 1 in a side view, showing an actuating arm 2 connected to the furniture drive. It is clear that an actuating arm 2 can also be provided for the first configuration of the furniture drive 1 shown in Figure 1a.

[0042] FIG. 1 a shows a furniture drive 1 for an actuating arm 2 , which has a casing 25 and a coupling device 3 with a receiving area 26 for the actuating arm 2 .

[0043] As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1b, the furniture drive 1 has at least one drive part 4 and at least one driven part 5 which is rotatable relative to the drive part.

[0044] At least one driving portion 4 and at least one driven portion 5 are spaced apart from one another to define an axial and radial gap 6. The gap 6 is filled with a magnetorheological medium 7, shown hatched.

[0045] An adjusting device having a device 8 for generating a magnetic field allows the coupling strength between at least one driving part 4 and at least one driven part 5 to be adjusted, and the coupling strength is adjustable via the magnetic polarization of the magnetorheological medium 7.

[0046] The actuating arm 2 may be connectable to and disconnectable from the furniture drive 1 by the coupling device 3 with a coupling strength corresponding to the polarization of the magnetorheological medium 7 .

[0047] In the illustrated configuration, the device 8 for generating a magnetic field for polarizing the magnetorheological medium 7 comprises at least one electromagnet with an energizable coil 9. As shown, the energizable coil 9 is arranged stationary in the furniture drive 1.

[0048] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the configuration of the coupling device 3. Figures 3a and 3b show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the coupling device 3. Figures 4a and 4b and 5a and 5b show cross-sectional views of the coupling device and of a portion of the coupling device.

[0049] As can be seen in the drawing, the drive part 4 has a drive shaft 10 projecting axially therefrom for connection to the drive of the furniture drive 1, which drive shaft extends into the interior region of the coil 9 as shown. The drive part 4 may be rotatably supported in the casing 25 of the furniture drive 1 via the axially projecting drive shaft 10, for example via a ball bearing.

[0050] In the illustrated configuration, the drive part 4 is at least partially disk-shaped and has an annular axial projection 12 in the edge region so that an open U-shaped cross section is formed (see in particular Figures 2 and 4b).

[0051] The driving part 4 further has a bearing shaft 11 protruding axially from the driving part 4 in the center for guiding the driven part 5. The driven part 5 may be rotatably supported on this bearing shaft, for example via a ball bearing.

[0052] The driven part 5 is at least partly disk-shaped in the illustrated configuration.

[0053] As can be seen in particular from Figures 1b and 4b, the driving part 4 and the driven part 5 may be arranged adjacent to each other along a common axis of rotation, and the gap 6 may be formed at least in the axial direction. The gap 6 may also be formed at least in the radial direction.

[0054] Due to the open U-shaped cross section of the driving part, the driven part 5 may be at least partially arranged within the U-shaped cross section of the driving part 4. In this case, the driving part 4 may at least partially radially surround the driven part 5.

[0055] Radial seals 13, 14 may be arranged between the driving part 4 and the driven part 5 to seal the volume for the magnetorheological medium 7 formed between the driving part 4 and the driven part 5. The volume for the magnetorheological medium 7 is shown, for example, in the exploded view of FIG. 2.

[0056] For filling of the volume formed between the driving part 4 and the driven part 5 for the magnetorheological medium 7, a ventilation opening 15 may be provided in the driven part.

[0057] From FIG. 2 it can be seen that the driving part 4 and the driven part 5 can have, at least in part, a structured surface facing the gap 6, which surface includes webs 16 and notches 17, in order to form a positive coupling with the magnetorheological medium 7.

[0058] A second configuration of the furniture drive 1 is shown in Figure 6. The furniture drive can have a coupling device 3 as described above. In this configuration, the coupling device 3 is connected to an actuation arm 2 for a movable furniture part 21 (see Figures 7a and 7b) by means of a linkage 28. The linkage 28 can be connected to a connection area 26, which is hidden in the figures, for example via a gear and a rack.

[0059] The actuating arm 2 can be connected to and disconnected from the furniture drive 1 by the connecting device 3 with a connection strength corresponding to the polarization of the magnetorheological medium 7 .

[0060] In the second configuration shown, the furniture drive 1 has an electric motor 18 for driving an actuating arm 2 connected to a driven part 5. The actuating arm 2 can be connected to and disconnected from the electric motor 18 by means of a coupling device 3 in accordance with the strength of the connection.

[0061] Furthermore, in the second configuration, the furniture drive 1 has a mechanical energy accumulator 19 connected via a lever to the actuating arm 2. The coupling device 3 allows the force from the energy accumulator 19 and / or the force generated by the electric motor 18 to be applied to the actuating arm 2 connected to the driven part 5, depending on the strength of the connection.

[0062] The electric motor 18 may furthermore be operable as a generator to damp the movement of the actuation arm 2, particularly in the end regions of the limited movement of the actuation arm 2.

[0063] Figures 7a and 7b show an arrangement of a piece of furniture 20 comprising two such furniture drives 1. A movable furniture part 21 in the form of a furniture flap of the piece of furniture 20 is connected to an actuating arm 2 of the furniture drive 1.

[0064] As shown, the furniture 20 has a furniture cabinet 22 including at least one wall 23, in which each furniture drive 1 can be positioned substantially completely in a recess 24 provided in the wall 23 of the furniture cabinet 22 in the assembly position shown in Figure 7b.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a furniture drive 1 equipped with a control device 29 for the device 8 for generating the magnetic field of the adjusting device. If the adjusting device for adjusting the coupling strength has a device 8 for generating the magnetic field, which includes at least one electromagnet with an energizable coil 9 as described above (see, for example, FIG. 1b), the control device 29 can perform open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the current intensity through the coil 9. The open-loop and / or closed-loop control can be performed, for example, depending on the actuation angle of the actuation arm 2 connected to the driven part. For this purpose, for example, an angle sensor 30 can detect the rotation angle of the driven part 5 relative to the casing 25 of the furniture drive 1 (see, for example, FIGS. 1a and 6) and provide this information to the control device 29. The electric motor 18 of the furniture drive can also be controlled by the control device 29.

[0066] The control device 29 may be integrated into the furniture drive 1 or may be formed separately from the furniture drive. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Furniture drive unit 2 actuation arms 3 Coupling device 4 Drive unit 5 Driven part 6. Gap 7. Magnetorheological Media 8. Devices that generate magnetic fields 9 coils 10 Drive shaft 11 Bearing shaft 12 Protrusion 13 Sealing material 14 Sealing material 15 Exhaust opening 16 Web 17 Notch 18 Electric Motor 19 Mechanical Energy Storage 20 Furniture 21 Furniture part 22 Furniture Cabinet 23 Wall 24 recess 25 Casing 26 Connection Area 27 Transmission 28 Link mechanism 29 Control Device 30 sensors

Claims

1. A furniture drive (1) for an actuating arm (2), comprising a coupling device (3) for the actuating arm (2) with at least one driving part (4) and at least one driven part (5) that is rotatable relative to the driving part, 1. A furniture drive device (1), characterized in that the strength of the connection between the at least one driving part (4) and the at least one driven part (5) is adjustable by an adjusting device, the at least one driving part (4) and the at least one driven part (5) are arranged spaced apart from each other so as to form a gap (6), the gap (6) is filled with a magnetorheological medium (7) that can be influenced by a magnetic field, and the adjusting device for adjusting the strength of the connection has a device (8) for generating a magnetic field due to magnetic polarization of the magnetorheological medium (7).

2. 2. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating arm (2) connected to the driven part (5) can be connected to and disconnected from the furniture drive device (1) by the coupling device (3) with a coupling strength corresponding to the polarization of the magnetorheological medium (7).

3. 3. The furniture drive device according to claim 2, wherein the device (8) for generating a magnetic field for polarizing the magnetorheological medium (7) comprises at least one electromagnet with an energizable coil (9), the energizable coil (9) being preferably arranged stationary within the furniture drive device (1).

4. 4. The furniture drive device according to claim 3, wherein the drive part (4) is made of a magnetizable material and extends at least partially into the interior region of the coil (9), and preferably a drive shaft (10) protruding axially from the drive part (4) extends into the interior region of the coil.

5. 5. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the driving part (4) has a bearing shaft (12) protruding axially from the driving part (4) in the center for guiding the driven part (5), and preferably the bearing shaft (12) is made of a magnetizable material.

6. 6. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the driving part (4) and the driven part (5) are arranged adjacent to each other along a common axis of rotation, and the gap (6) is formed at least in the axial direction.

7. 7. Furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the drive part (4) is at least partially disk-shaped.

8. 8. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the drive part (4) has at least partially axial projections (12), preferably in the edge region, such that an open U-shaped cross section is formed.

9. 9. Furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the driven part (5) is at least partially disk-shaped.

10. 10. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the drive part (4) has at least partially an axial protrusion (12) so that an open U-shaped cross section is formed, and the driven part (5) is at least partially arranged within the U-shaped cross section of the drive part (4).

11. 11. Furniture drive device according to claim 10, wherein the driving part (4) at least partially radially surrounds the driven part (5).

12. 12. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the gap (6) is formed at least in the radial direction.

13. 13. Furniture drive device according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one radial sealing element (13, 14) is arranged between the driving part (4) and the driven part (5).

14. 14. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the driving part (4) and / or the driven part (5) have at least partially structured surfaces facing the gap (6) in order to form a positive coupling with the magnetorheological medium (7).

15. 15. The furniture drive device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an electric motor (18) for driving an actuating arm (2) connected to the driven part (5), the actuating arm (2) being connectable to and disconnectable from the electric motor (18) by the coupling device (3) in accordance with the strength of the connection.

16. 16. The furniture drive device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the furniture drive device (1) comprises a mechanical energy accumulator (19) connectable or connected to an actuating arm (2) connected to the driven part (5), and the coupling device (3) allows a force from the energy accumulator (19) and / or a force generated by the electric motor (18) to be applied to the actuating arm (2) connected to the driven part (5) in accordance with the strength of the coupling.

17. 17. The furniture drive device according to claim 1, wherein the drive part (4) has a drive shaft (10) projecting axially from the drive part (4) in the center for connection to a drive section of the furniture drive device (1).

18. 18. The furniture drive device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an electric motor (18) for driving an actuating arm (2), the actuating arm (2) being connectable to and disconnectable from the electric motor (18) by the coupling device (3) in accordance with the strength of the connection, and the electric motor (18) being operable as a generator to damp the movement of the actuating arm (2) - particularly in the end region of the limited movement of the actuating arm (2).

19. A piece of furniture (20) comprising at least one furniture drive (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein at least one movable furniture part (21) of the piece of furniture (20) is connectable or connected to an actuating arm (2) of the furniture drive (1).

20. 20. The furniture (20) according to claim 19, wherein the furniture (20) has a furniture cabinet (22) including at least one wall (23), and the furniture drive (1) is positionable or positioned substantially completely in a recess (24) provided in the wall (23) of the furniture cabinet (22) in the assembled position.

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