Furniture drive system

Abstract

A furniture drive (4) for driving a movable furniture part (3) in the form of an upwardly openable flap, comprising at least one electric motor (14), at least one actuator (12) movable between two end positions for applying a force to the furniture part (3) to be driven, and a transmission mechanism (15) interposed between the electric motor (14) and the actuator (12), the at least one electric motor (14) and the at least one actuator (12) being arranged one above the other substantially in a common plane, and the electric motor (14) and the transmission mechanism (15) being interposed between the electric motor (14) and the at least one actuator (12) being arranged one above the other substantially in a common plane. The furniture drive device (4) includes a first housing (10) and a drive mechanism (15), the actuator (12) is disposed in a second housing (9) structurally separated from the first housing (10), and a lever assembly (18) is provided for pivotally connecting the actuator (12) to the housing (9), and the actuator (12) in at least one of both end positions and the electric motor (14) can be substantially completely incorporated into one common furniture plate (11) of the furniture cabinet (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a furniture drive device for driving a movable furniture part, comprising: - at least one electric motor; - at least one actuator movable between two end positions for applying a force to the furniture part to be driven; - a transmission mechanism interposed between the electric motor and the actuator; and comprising: - the at least one electric motor and the at least one actuator are arranged vertically one above the other in substantially one common plane; - the electric motor and the transmission mechanism are arranged in a first housing, and the actuator is arranged in a second housing structurally separated from the first housing; - a lever assembly is provided for pivotally connecting the actuator to the housing. The invention relates to a furniture drive device.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a furniture, preferably an upper cabinet, comprising a furniture cabinet formed from a furniture plate, a furniture part movable relative to the furniture cabinet, and a furniture drive device for driving the movable furniture part.

[0003] Furniture drive systems comprising an actuator and an additional electric motor for driving movable furniture parts are already known, for example, in International Publications 2008 / 134786, 2010 / 129979, and 2017 / 177247. The actuator has a powered actuating arm for moving a movable furniture part. For additional motion assistance of this actuating arm, an electric drive unit may be optionally detachably coupled to the actuator. The actuator and the electric drive unit are formed as separate component units, in which case the electric drive unit may be provided as an additional drive module that can be easily replaced as needed. This has the disadvantage that the configuration space of the furniture drive system is relatively large when the actuator and the electric drive unit are coupled together, and therefore cannot be used for special applications.

[0004] Further furniture drive devices are described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102019102057, International Publication No. 2020058363, German Utility Model No. 202007006687, and U.S. Patent No. 2912237.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a furniture drive device that improves upon the furniture drive device described at the beginning and avoids the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0006] This issue is resolved by the features of claim 1 according to the present invention. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is identified that an actuator located at at least one of the two terminal positions, and an electric motor, can be substantially entirely incorporated within a single common furniture plate of the furniture cabinet.

[0008] In this way, the width of the furniture drive mechanism can be reduced to the point where it can be hidden and positioned inside the furniture plate (for example, with a maximum thickness of 19 mm or 16 mm). This allows for an extremely compact placement of the furniture drive mechanism, in which case the space provided inside the furniture cabinet is not limited.

[0009] Since furniture drive mechanisms are largely invisible when assembled, they can also improve the overall visual impression. For example, they can enable a visually pleasing, uniform, and flawless surface finish on both the inner and outer surfaces of furniture plates.

[0010] In one preferred embodiment, the common housing may be specified to be able to be placed inside the thickness of a furniture plate, preferably having a thickness of less than 20 mm.

[0011] Preferably, both housings are specified to be positioned vertically relative to each other in substantially one common plane when connected.

[0012] Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1a] This is a perspective view of furniture. [Figure 1b] This is a diagram showing the disassembled state of the furniture. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a furniture drive device. [Figure 3a] This figure shows one embodiment of a furniture drive system, which includes a transmission device to be added supplementarily, equipped with a lever for connecting the transmission mechanism and the actuator. [Figure 3b] This is a detailed enlarged view of Figure 3a. [Figure 4a] This figure shows another embodiment of a furniture drive system, which includes a transmission device having a geared arrangement for connecting a transmission mechanism and an actuator. [Figure 4b]This is a detailed enlarged view of Figure 4a.

[0014] Figure 1a shows furniture 1 in the form of an upper cabinet, comprising a furniture cabinet 2 and a furniture section 3 that is movable relative to the furniture cabinet 2. The furniture section 3 is formed in the form of an upwardly opening flap. The movable furniture section 3 is supported via a furniture drive device 4, movably around a horizontally extending axis 5 relative to the furniture cabinet 2.

[0015] Furniture 1 may include a front wall 6, a top plate 7, and a bottom plate 8, as shown in the illustrated example.

[0016] The furniture 1 may include a furniture plate 11 in the form of a side wall, in which case at least one housing 9, 10 of the furniture drive unit 4 is substantially completely inserted into notches 13a, 13b (Figure 1b) of the furniture plate 11, respectively.

[0017] Figure 1b shows an exploded view of the furniture 1 shown in Figure 1a. An electric motor 14 (Figure 2) is located inside the housing 10, which is only schematically shown in Figure 1b. An actuator 12 is rotatably positioned inside the housing 9, which is either coupled to or can be coupled to the movable furniture part 3.

[0018] Both housings 9,10 preferably have a maximum width 32 of less than 18 mm, more preferably less than 16 mm.

[0019] Not all furniture drive devices 4 are required to be equipped with an electric motor drive unit. In the illustrated example, only one of the two furniture drive devices 4 has an electric motor drive unit.

[0020] An alternative configuration of the furniture 1 in which the furniture drive device 4 according to the present invention is used is possible.

[0021] Furniture 1 is preferably formed as an upper cabinet and has the following features: - At least one furniture cabinet 2 formed from a furniture plate 11, - At least one movable furniture part 3 in the form of a flap that can be opened upward, - At least one furniture drive device 4, in which case the furniture part 3 is movably supported on the furniture 1 via at least one furniture drive device 4, in which case the furniture drive device 4 has at least one electric motor 14 (FIG. 2) and at least one actuator 12 movable between two end positions for applying a force to the furniture part 3 to be driven, and a transmission mechanism 15 (FIG. 2) interposed between the electric motor 14 and the actuator 12, at least one furniture drive device 4 comprising, The actuator 12 and the electric motor 14 at at least one of the two end positions are substantially completely incorporated within one common furniture plate 11 of the furniture cabinet 2.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the housings 9, 10 of at least one furniture drive device 4 are substantially completely inserted into the cutouts 13a, 13b of the furniture plate 11.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a furniture drive device 4 for driving a movable furniture part 3, in which case this furniture drive device 4 has at least one housing 9, 10, at least one electric motor 14, and at least one actuator 12 preferably movable between two end positions for applying a force to the furniture part 3 to be driven, and a transmission mechanism 15 interposed between the electric motor 14 and the actuator 12.

[0024] The electric motor 14 and the transmission mechanism 15 are arranged within a first housing 10, and the actuator 12 is arranged within a second housing 9 structurally separated from the first housing 10, in which case both housings 9, 10 are vertically arranged relative to each other in a substantially common plane in a connected state.

[0025] The electric motor 14 may be formed as, for example, an outer rotor type motor or a disc rotor type motor. Since these motors are characterized by a relatively flat structural form, the electric motor 14 can be incorporated into the thickness of the furniture plate 11. An outer rotor type motor or a disc rotor type motor can provide a driving force that is proportional to the diameter of the motor.

[0026] At least one drive belt 26 may be provided for power transmission from the electric motor 14 to the transmission mechanism 15. The use of the drive belt 26 has the advantage that it acts as a first transmission mechanism step to reduce the high rotational speed of the electric motor 14. Furthermore, the drive belt 26 can also reduce noise generation from the furniture drive device 4.

[0027] The transmission mechanism 15 is provided with at least one transmission device 17 which can be coupled to the actuator 12 or, alternatively, detachably coupled. This transmission device 17 may have at least one lever 17a and / or at least one set of teeth 31a, 31b (Figures 4a, 4b). Alternative configurations of the transmission device 17 are also possible.

[0028] According to a possible embodiment, at least one lever 17a of the transmission device 17 is - It is coupled to or can be detachably coupled to at least one transmission mechanism element 24 of the transmission mechanism 15, and / or - At least one swivelable lever 25 of actuator 12 is coupled to or detachably coupled to, and / or - At least partially and / or at least partially located outside one of the housings 9, 10 of the furniture drive unit 4, and / or - At least partially bent, and / or - Even if the actuator 12 and / or electric motor 14 are already pre-assembled in the furniture cabinet 2, the actuator 12 and / or transmission mechanism 15 can preferably be detachably coupled. It is fine if that is specified.

[0029] At least one lever assembly 18 is provided to pivotally connect the actuator 12 to the housing 9. In this example, this lever assembly 18 forms a seven-joint assembly.

[0030] At least one mechanical power accumulator 19 is provided, which can apply force to the actuator 12 to compensate for the weight of the furniture part 3 to be driven.

[0031] The mechanical accumulator 19 may have, for example, one or more compression springs 19a and / or at least one tension spring and / or at least one gas pressure spring.

[0032] At least one force transmission lever 20 may be provided to transmit the force stored in the mechanical power accumulator 19 to the actuator 12.

[0033] Furthermore, preferably, a force adjustment device 21 may be provided that can be operated from one end face of the housing 9 and can adjust the preload force of the energy accumulator 19.

[0034] The actuator 12 is substantially entirely located within the housing 9 at a first terminal position corresponding to the closed position of the movable furniture portion 3.

[0035] The transmission mechanism 15 comprises multiple transmission mechanism stages 16, which may also incorporate an overload prevention clutch and / or a freewheel clutch.

[0036] According to possible embodiments, the first housing 10 and / or the second housing 9 are - Formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and / or - Having two housing walls 22 that are partially separated from each other, and / or - Each has at least one housing wall 22, which, in a connected state, is arranged in a common plane together with one housing wall 22 of the other housing 9, 10, vertically. - A longitudinal surface 23 having a longitudinal surface 23 that, in the connected state, is at least partially in contact with one longitudinal surface 23 of the other housing 9, 10, and / or - Having a maximum width 32 that is substantially the same as the maximum width 32 of the other housing 9,10, and / or - Having a maximum width 32 of less than 18 mm, preferably less than 16 mm, and / or - Having a maximum height which is substantially the same as the maximum height of the other housing 9,10. It is fine if that is specified.

[0037] For the sake of clarity in the drawing, Figure 2 does not show the second housing wall 22 that covers the housings 9 and 10.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, it can be seen that the electric motor 14 is positioned below the actuator 12 at the operating position of the furniture drive unit 4.

[0039] In one preferred embodiment, it may be specified that the housings 9, 10 of at least one furniture drive unit 4 are substantially completely inserted into the notches 13a, 13b (Figure 1b) of the furniture plate 11.

[0040] Furthermore, at least one cover 33 may be provided, which has at least one flange 33a projecting laterally, preferably substantially annular in shape. This projecting lateral flange 33a can cover the edge region of the notches 13a, 13b (Figure 1b) of the furniture plate 11. In this way, even if this edge region is somewhat worn, laborious post-processing of this edge region can be avoided.

[0041] Preferably, the actuator 12 is specified to be guideable through at least one cover 33 at at least one relative position.

[0042] At least one cover 33 may be coupled to the first housing 10 and / or the second housing 9. Alternatively, at least one cover 33 may be formed as a separate component from the housings 9, 10, such that it can be coupled, preferably locked, to at least one of the housings 9, 10 at the rear of the furniture drive unit 4.

[0043] Preferably, at least one cover 33 is specified to preferably substantially completely surround the first housing 10 and / or the second housing 9. This allows the edge regions of the notches 13a, 13b of the furniture plate 11 (Figure 1b) to cover the first housing 10 and / or the second housing 9.

[0044] Figure 3a shows an embodiment of the furniture drive unit 4, which includes a transmission device 17 to be added supplementarily for connecting the transmission mechanism 15 and the actuator 12. Therefore, even if the furniture drive unit 4 is already pre-assembled to the furniture cabinet 2, the transmission device 17 can be coupled to the furniture drive unit 4.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission device 17 comprises at least one lever 17a which is preferably detachably coupled to the transmission mechanism 15 and / or actuator 12.

[0046] To assemble lever 17a, - Lever 17a can be installed inside the first housing 10. - It is possible to contact or engage with the transmission mechanism element 28 which is supported by the movement of the transmission mechanism 15, - It is possible to turn while in the engaged position. - The actuator 12 can be attached to a mounting location 29, preferably a swivelable operating arm 27.

[0047] Figure 3b shows an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the frame in Figure 3a. The mounting location 29 of the actuator 12 may be, for example, a pin that protrudes laterally beyond the operating arm 27, in which case the lever 17a of the transmission device 17 can be fixed in position to the actuator 12 by a holding element 30, for example, a spring clamp.

[0048] In the assembled state, the lever 17a is positioned partially inside one of the housings 9, 10 of the furniture drive unit 4 and / or partially outside one of the housings 9, 10 of the furniture drive unit 4.

[0049] Figure 4a shows another embodiment of the furniture drive system 4, which includes a transmission device 17 having tooth rows 31a, 31b for connecting the transmission mechanism 15 and the actuator 12.

[0050] According to a possible embodiment, at least one tooth row 31a of the transmission device 17 is - It is kinetically connected to and / or connected to the transmission mechanism 15. - The electric motor 14 and the transmission mechanism 15 partially protrude beyond one of the housings 10 in which they are located, and / or - In cooperation with at least one other set of teeth 31b that is motion-coupled and coupled to the actuator 12, preferably in this case, the at least one other set of teeth 9 partially protrudes beyond one of the housings 9 in which the actuator 12 is movably positioned, and / or - Formed as a rotatably supported gear It is fine if that is specified.

[0051] Figure 4b shows a magnified view of the area enclosed by the frame in Figure 4a.

Claims

1. A furniture drive device (4) for driving a movable furniture part (3) in the form of an upwardly opening flap, - At least one electric motor (14) and - At least one actuator (12) that is movable between two end positions for applying force to the furniture part (3) to be driven, - A transmission mechanism (15) interposed between the electric motor (14) and the actuator (12) and Equipped with, - The at least one electric motor (14) and the at least one actuator (12) are arranged vertically relative to each other in substantially one common plane. - The electric motor (14) and the transmission mechanism (15) are arranged within the first housing (10), and the actuator (12) is arranged in a second housing (9) which is structurally separated from the first housing (10). - A lever assembly (18) is provided which pivotably connects the actuator (12) to the second housing (9). In the furniture drive device (4), A furniture drive unit (4) characterized in that the actuator (12) at at least one of the two aforementioned terminal positions and the electric motor (14) can be substantially entirely incorporated into one common furniture plate (11) of the furniture cabinet (2).

2. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that both housings (9, 10) are arranged vertically to each other in substantially one common plane when connected.

3. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - It is essentially formed in the shape of a rectangular prism. A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

4. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - It has two housing walls (22) that are partially separated from each other. A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

5. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - Each has at least one housing wall (22), which, in a connected state, is arranged in a common plane together with one of the housing walls (22) of the other housing (9, 10) vertically. A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - A longitudinal surface (23) having a longitudinal surface (23) that, in the connected state, is at least partially in contact with one of the longitudinal surfaces (23) of the other housing (9, 10). A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

7. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - Having a maximum width (32) which is substantially the same as the maximum width (32) of the other housing (9, 10) A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

8. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - Having a maximum width (32) of less than 18 mm A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

9. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - Having a maximum width (32) of less than 16 mm A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

10. The first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) are - Having a maximum height which is substantially the same as the maximum height of the other housing (9, 10) A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

11. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor (14) is positioned below the actuator (12) at the usage position of the furniture drive device (4).

12. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with at least one transmission device (17) that connects or can connect the transmission mechanism (15) to the actuator (12).

13. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 12, wherein the transmission device (17) comprises at least one lever (17a) and / or at least one set of teeth (31a, 31b).

14. The at least one lever (17a) of the transmission device (17) is - It is coupled to or can be detachably coupled to at least one transmission mechanism element (24) of the transmission mechanism (15). The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

15. The at least one lever (17a) of the transmission device (17) is - It is coupled to or detachably coupled to at least one swivelable lever (25) of the actuator (12). The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

16. The at least one lever (17a) of the transmission device (17) is - At least partially and / or at least partially located inside one of the housings (9, 10) of the furniture drive device (4) The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

17. The at least one lever (17a) of the transmission device (17) is - At least partially bent The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

18. The at least one lever (17a) of the transmission device (17) is - Even if the actuator (12) and / or electric motor (14) are already pre-assembled in the furniture cabinet (2), they can be coupled to the actuator (12) and / or the transmission mechanism (15). The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

19. The at least one lever (17a) of the transmission device (17) is - Even if the actuator (12) and / or electric motor (14) are already pre-assembled to the furniture cabinet (2), the actuator (12) and / or the transmission mechanism (15) can be detachably coupled. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

20. The at least one set of teeth (31a, 31b) of the transmission device (17) - It is kinetically connected and coupled to the transmission mechanism (15) The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

21. The at least one tooth row (31a, 31b) of the transmission device (17) is - The electric motor (14) and the transmission mechanism (8) partially protrude beyond one of the housings (10) in which they are located. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

22. The at least one tooth row (31a, 31b) of the transmission device (17) is - In cooperation with at least one other set of teeth (31b) that is kinetically connected to and coupled to the actuator (12) The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

23. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 22, characterized in that the at least one other tooth row (31b) partially protrudes beyond one of the housings (9) in which the actuator (12) is movably positioned.

24. The at least one tooth row (31a, 31b) of the transmission device (17) is - Formed as a rotatably supported gear The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that

25. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one electric motor (14) is formed as an outer rotor type motor or a disc rotor type motor.

26. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one drive belt (26) is provided for transmitting power from the electric motor (14) to the transmission mechanism (15).

27. - At least one mechanical power accumulator (19) is provided that can apply force to the actuator (12) to compensate for the weight of the furniture part (3) to be driven. A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

28. - The actuator (12) is substantially entirely located within the housing (9) at the first terminal position. A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

29. At least one cover (33) is provided, and the at least one actuator (12) is guided through the at least one cover (33) at at least one relative position. A furniture drive device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

30. The at least one cover (33) is - Having at least one flange (33a) protruding to the side The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 29, characterized in that

31. The at least one cover (33) is - Having at least one flange (33a) that protrudes laterally and is substantially annular in shape. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 29, characterized in that

32. The at least one cover (33) is - In the assembled state of the furniture drive device (4), the edge region of the furniture plate (11) surrounding the furniture drive device (4) is at least partially covered. The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 29, characterized in that

33. The at least one cover (33) is - It is either coupled to the furniture drive device (4) or formed as a separate component that can be coupled to the furniture drive device (4). The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 29, characterized in that

34. The at least one cover (33) is - Either coupled to the furniture drive device (4), or formed as a separate component that can be detachably coupled to the furniture drive device (4). The furniture drive device (4) according to claim 29, characterized in that

35. Furniture (1), - At least one furniture cabinet (2) formed from a furniture plate (11), - At least one movable furniture part (3) in the form of an upwardly opening flap, - At least one furniture drive device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the furniture portion (3) is movably supported on the furniture (1) via the at least one furniture drive device (4), and the furniture drive device (4) comprises at least one electric motor (14), at least one actuator (12) movable between two end positions for applying force to the furniture portion (3) to be driven, and a transmission mechanism (15) interposed between the electric motor (14) and the actuator (12). In a piece of furniture (1) equipped with, Furniture (1), characterized in that the actuator (12) at at least one of the two aforementioned terminal positions and the electric motor (14) are substantially entirely incorporated within a single common furniture plate (11) of the furniture cabinet (2).

36. The furniture (1) according to claim 35, wherein the furniture (1) is an upper cabinet.

37. The furniture (1) according to claim 35, characterized in that the first housing (10) and / or the second housing (9) of at least one furniture drive device (4) are substantially completely inserted into the notches (13a, 13b) of the furniture plate (11).

38. The furniture (1) according to claim 37, characterized in that at least one cover (33) covers at least partially the edge region of the notches (13a, 13b).

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