Actuating arm drive device with spring guide

Abstract

To stop an extremely unpleasant noise that occurs under conventional technology during the use of a spring guide, as well as a significant wear that occurs in a guiding device.SOLUTION: Provided is an actuating arm drive for driving a movably supported furniture portion of furniture, the actuating arm drive including at least one device having a compression spring (2) and at least one guide device (3) for guiding the compression spring (2), the at least one guide device (3) having a diameter that can be changed in at least a predetermined region to compensate for a radial clearance between the compression spring (2) and the guide device (3), taking into account changes in the diameter of the compression spring (2) when the compression spring (2) is loaded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating arm drive for driving a movably supported furniture part of a piece of furniture, the actuating arm drive comprising at least one device consisting of a compression spring and at least one guide device for guiding the compression spring.

[0002] The prior art discloses actuator arm drives that include a compression spring and at least one guide device for preventing bending of the compression spring when it is compressed. Guide devices are also known that are arranged inside the compression spring, for example in the form of a rod arranged in the chamber formed by the compression spring. Furthermore, guide devices are known that are configured in the form of a sleeve that surrounds the compression spring.

[0003] A disadvantage of the prior art known actuating arm drive with a guide device as described above is that such a guide device must be designed to the smallest diameter or largest outer diameter of the compression spring. If the compression spring is now loaded, the inner or outer diameter of the compression spring becomes larger, and a radial play occurs between the compression spring and the guide device.

[0004] This can cause a small bending movement of the compression spring when it is compressed until it contacts the guide device, which "contact" can cause a very unpleasant noise during use of such a spring guide and can cause a lot of wear on the guide device.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a spring guide that is improved over the prior art, as well as an operating arm drive device that includes at least one such spring guide, and furniture that includes at least one such operating arm drive device.

[0006] This problem is solved by an actuating arm drive with the features of claim 1 and by a piece of furniture with the features of claim 11. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] That is, it is assumed that at least one guide device has a variable diameter at least in a certain area in order to compensate for the radial play between the compression spring and the guide device, taking into account the change in diameter of the compression spring when the compression spring is loaded.

[0008] This allows the guide device to always fully abut the compression spring at all positions of the compression spring caused by various loads on the compression spring over the entire length of the compression spring, and therefore the guide device can support the compression spring against bending at all positions of the compression spring, thereby preventing the extremely unpleasant noise and heavy wear on the guide device that occur in the prior art when using such spring guides.

[0009] In other words, the guide device is always in contact with the compression spring without play, thus preventing bending and the resulting very unpleasant noises.

[0010] Furthermore, this allows the compression and / or expansion movements of the compression spring to be performed in a substantially linear manner, i.e. without bending, thereby optimizing the efficiency of the spring guide.

[0011] Due to the sufficient preloaded contact of the guide device, manufacturing variations in the diameter of the compression spring can also be compensated for.

[0012] Also provided is a piece of furniture having at least one such actuation arm drive and a furniture part movably supported on the actuation arm drive.

[0013] In this case, it appears to be advantageous for the guide device to be configured as a sleeve, which allows for a material-saving and thus cost-saving production of the guide device compared to a guide device configured as a rod, for example.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the guide device is configured as a sleeve, is axially slotted and is radially preloaded, which allows a guide device with a variable diameter to be provided by simple means.

[0015] To obtain such a preload, it may be envisaged that the outer diameter of the guide device is 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, larger than the smallest inner diameter of the compression spring in the unpreloaded state.

[0016] In this case, it may be advantageous for at least one guide device to be arranged inside the compression spring, at least in a certain region, which has the advantage that less material and space is required, since the guide device has a smaller diameter and is arranged inside the compression spring, compared to an external guide device.

[0017] However, it is also conceivable that at least one guide device surrounds the compression spring at least in a predetermined area.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if a stabilizing device is arranged inside the at least one guide device or inside the compression spring, which additionally stabilizes the compression spring and more reliably prevents bending of the compression spring.

[0019] The guide device can be made of a thermoplastic resin, preferably polyoxymethylene. The use of such a material allows for a simple and inexpensive manufacture of the guide device. Furthermore, the good sliding properties of such a material reduce wear and noise generation of the guide device when the compression spring is loaded.

[0020] In principle, however, all suitable materials are conceivable, such as, for example, various metals or other plastics.

[0021] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the drawings and the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an actuation arm drive device according to the present invention with the casing cover removed; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exploded state of the energy storage device. [Figure 4a] 1 is a perspective view showing a guide device according to the present invention; [Figure 4b] 1 is a front view showing a guide device according to the present invention; [Figure 5a] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spring guide according to the invention in a first position; [Figure 5b] 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a spring guide according to the invention in a second position; FIG. [Figure 5c] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spring guide according to the invention in a third position; FIG. [Figure 6a] 1A-1D show various schematic views of a spring guide according to the invention in a first position; [Figure 6b] 3A-3D show a spring guide according to the invention in a second position, in different views, respectively; [Figure 6c]5A-5C show schematic views of a spring guide according to the invention in a third position, respectively. [Figure 7a] 3A-3D show schematic views of another embodiment of a spring guide according to the invention in a first position, respectively; [Figure 7b] 5A-5C show schematic views of another embodiment of a spring guide according to the invention in a second position from different perspectives; [Figure 7c] 5A-5C show schematic views of another embodiment of a spring guide according to the invention in a third position, respectively.

[0023] 1 shows a perspective view of a piece of furniture 200, which comprises an actuating arm drive 100 mounted in the interior of the piece of furniture 200 and a movably supported furniture part 101, which is formed as a height-folding flap as shown and is actuated by said drive. Contrary to what is shown, the furniture part 101 may also be formed, for example, as a height-swivel flap. Furthermore, an actuating arm 102 and a fitting 103 are shown.

[0024] 2 shows a perspective view of the actuating arm drive device 100 with the casing cover removed from the casing. In order to connect the actuating arm drive device 100 to the furniture part 101 to be moved, the actuating arm drive device 100 has a mounting point 105 for an actuating arm 102. In order to apply a force to the actuating arm 102, the actuating arm drive device 100 further has a force accumulator 104 in the form of a spring package, which acts on the actuating arm 102 via a transmission mechanism with multiple levers, as shown.

[0025] The energy accumulator 104 is shown in exploded form in FIG. 3. It has two base parts 6, 7 that are movable relative to one another; in the illustrated embodiment, the second base part 7 is pivotably supported on the casing, while the first base part 6 cooperates directly with the transmission mechanism. The springs 2 of the energy accumulator 104 are arranged parallel to one another with respect to their longitudinal axes. This figure corresponds approximately to the defined mounting state of the actuating arm drive 100 in the furniture 200, with the springs 2 (or their longitudinal axes) extending or lying essentially horizontally in this case. To guide the springs 2, the energy accumulator 104 has a guide device 3 according to the invention that is arranged inside the springs 2. A guide rod 5 is provided to guide the two base parts 6, 7 relative to one another.

[0026] Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a guide device 3 according to the invention, and figure 4b shows a front view of the guide device 3 according to the invention. It can be seen that the guide device 3 is formed as a sleeve. However, other suitable embodiments are also conceivable.

[0027] Furthermore, it can be seen that the guide device 3 has an axial slit 8 over its entire length, which slit 8 serves to allow the diameter of the guide device 3 to be varied.

[0028] In this case, the guide device 3 is preloaded in the radial direction. To achieve this preload, the outer diameter of the guide device 3 is slightly larger than the smallest inner diameter of the compression spring 2. Preferably, the outer diameter of the guide device is 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm, more preferably 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, larger than the smallest inner diameter of the compression spring in the unpreloaded state.

[0029] 5a to 5c, the function of the spring guide 1 according to the invention will now be explained. In Fig. 5a, the spring 2 is in a state of maximum load. The inner diameter of the spring 2 is at its maximum in this state. It can be seen that the guide device has a larger diameter due to its preload and therefore also in this case completely abuts the compressed spring 2.

[0030] In Figure 5b, spring 2 is loaded, which increases its inner diameter. Due to the preload of guide device 3, it expands radially and therefore its outer diameter increases. This allows guide device 3 to remain fully in contact with compression spring 2 and to adequately guide and support the compression spring against bending. It can also be seen that slit 8 widens to compensate for the change in diameter of the guide device.

[0031] In Figure 5c, the compression spring 2 is in an unloaded state, i.e. not compressed, and the spring guide 3 is preloaded and fully abuts the compression spring 2 over its entire outer periphery.

[0032] The diameter of the guide device 3 is changed in this case in a stepless manner, so that the guide device is in full contact with the compression spring 2 at all times and in all states of the compression spring 2. This ensures that the compression spring 2 is adequately guided and supported against bending at all times and in all states of the compression spring 2.

[0033] 6a to 6c again show, for a better understanding of the invention, two views of the spring guide according to the invention in various positions, as well as the positions of the movable furniture part corresponding to the positions of the spring guide.

[0034] In Fig. 6a, the movable furniture part 101 is in the closed position. In this closed position, the spring 2 is maximally compressed and therefore has a maximum diameter and a minimum length. Due to its preloaded configuration, the guide device 3 is wide open and fully abuts the compression spring 2. The slit 8 is at its maximum in this position of the spring guide.

[0035] 6b shows the spring guide during the opening or closing process of the movable furniture part 101. It can be seen that the spring 2 is compressed. In this position, the spring 2 therefore has an enlarged diameter and a shortened length compared to when the spring 2 is in its uncompressed position. Due to its preloaded configuration, the guide device 3 is wide open and fully abuts the compressed spring 2. The slit 8 is larger in this position of the spring guide than it would be in the uncompressed position of the spring 2.

[0036] In Figure 6c, the movable furniture part 101 is in the open position. In this open position, the spring 2 is not compressed and therefore has a minimum diameter and a maximum length. Due to its preloaded configuration, the guide device 3 fully abuts the compressed spring 2. The slit 8 is smallest in this position of the spring guide.

[0037] Figures 7a to 7c show another embodiment of a spring guide according to the invention in two views in different positions as well as the positions of the movable furniture part corresponding to the positions of the spring guide.

[0038] Figures 7a to 7c correspond substantially to Figures 6a to 6c. However, in the embodiment of Figures 7a to 7c, a stabilizing device 4 is provided. In this case, the stabilizing device 4 is arranged inside the guide device 3.

[0039] In Figure 7c it can be seen that the guide device 3 abuts against the stabilisation device 4 in the uncompressed position of the spring 2 (i.e. the spring 2 has a minimum diameter). When the spring 2 is compressed (Figures 7b and 7a), the guide device 3 expands in response to the change in the diameter of the spring 2 and abuts fully against the spring. In this case the guide device 3 lifts off the stabilisation device 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Spring guide 2 compression springs 3 Guide device 4 Stabilizer 5 guide rod 6 First base part 7 Second base part 8 Slits 100 Actuating arm drive device 101 Furniture part 102 Actuating arm 103 Metal fittings 104 Energy storage device 105 Mounting location 200 Furniture

Claims

1. An actuating arm drive (100) for driving a movably supported furniture part (101) of a piece of furniture (200), the actuating arm drive (100) having at least one device consisting of a compression spring (2) and at least one guide device (3) for guiding said compression spring (2), the at least one guide device (3) has a variable diameter at least in a predetermined region in order to take into account the change in diameter of the compression spring (2) when the compression spring (2) is loaded and to compensate for the radial play between the compression spring (2) and the guide device (3), the at least one guide device (3) is arranged inside the compression spring (2) at least in a predetermined area, the guide device (3) always abuts the compression spring (2) without play at all positions of the compression spring (2) corresponding to the movement of the furniture part (101) by changing the diameter of the guide device (3); A stabilizing device (4) is arranged inside the guide device (3), The stabilizing device (4) extends longitudinally beyond both ends of the guide device (3). An actuation arm drive device (100).

2. 2. The actuating arm drive device according to claim 1, wherein the guide device (3) is configured as a sleeve.

3. 3. The actuation arm drive device according to claim 2, wherein said sleeve is provided with an axial slit.

4. 4. The actuating arm drive device according to claim 1, wherein the guide device (3) has a radial preload.

5. 5. The actuation arm drive device according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the guide device (3) is 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm larger than the smallest inner diameter of the compression spring (2) when no preload is applied.

6. 6. The actuation arm drive device according to claim 5, wherein the outer diameter of the guide device (3) is 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm larger than the smallest inner diameter of the compression spring (2) in an unloaded state.

7. 7. The actuation arm drive device according to claim 1, wherein the guide device (3) is made of thermoplastic resin.

8. 8. The actuating arm drive device according to claim 7, wherein the guide device (3) is made of polyoxymethylene.

9. 9. The actuating arm drive device according to claim 1, comprising three devices each consisting of a compression spring (2) and a guide device (3).

10. A piece of furniture (200) comprising at least one actuation arm drive (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a piece of furniture (101) movably supported on said actuation arm drive.

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