Electric-motor-powered furniture drive

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric-motor-powered furniture drive (2) for adjusting furniture components which are pivotable relative to one another, comprising a first toothing element (36) which is or can be connected to a first furniture component for conjoint rotation and has a first toothing (38), and a second toothing element (40) which is or can be connected to a second furniture component for conjoint rotation and has a second toothing (42), the toothings (38, 42) having tooth flanks which interlockingly mesh with one another. An electric-motor-powered drive device is used to rotate the toothing elements (36, 40) relative to one another.

Description

[0001] Electromotive furniture drive

[0002] The invention relates to an electromotive furniture drive for adjusting furniture components that can be pivoted relative to one another.

[0003] Corresponding furniture drives are well known and are used, for example, to adjust the headboard and / or footboard of a slatted frame. The furniture drive can be integrated into a piece of furniture, as is known, for example, from DE 199 62 541 A1 and DE 100 46 751 A1. However, the furniture drive can also be designed as an add-on component to a piece of furniture, as is known, for example, from DE 38 42 078 C1.

[0004] For adjusting slatted frames, for example, so-called double drives are known. These have a housing designed as a separate component that can be connected to the slatted frame and in which two adjustment units are accommodated, one of which serves, for example, to adjust a back support part and the other to adjust a leg support part of the slatted frame. The adjustment units in the known double drives are designed as spindle drives, with the drive coupling to a support part to be adjusted via a linkage lever that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a pivot shaft assigned to the support part to be adjusted. To adjust the support part, the spindle nut of the spindle drive presses against the linkage lever, so that the pivot shaft and thus the support part pivots. Such double drives are known, for example, from EP 0 372 032 A1 and DE 38 42 078 A1.DE 100 17 989 C2 and DE 100 17 979 C2 each disclose a furniture drive designed as a double drive, in which each adjustment unit has an electric motor-driven winding device for a rope, belt or chain-shaped traction means, which is connected in the manner of a pulley to a pivoting lever which is rotationally connected to a pivoting shaft which in turn is operatively connected to a support part to be adjusted.

[0005] Furniture drives operating according to a similar principle are also known from DE 34 09 223 C2, DE 198 43259 C1 and EP 1 020 171 A1.

[0006] Double drives operating according to different operating principles are also known from DE 197 292812 A1, DE 298 11 566 U1 and DE 297 14 746 U1.

[0007] DE 3900384 discloses an adjustable slatted frame in which the adjustment of a head or leg support part of the slatted frame is carried out by means of a pneumatic cylinder.

[0008] DE 296 02 947 U1 discloses a gas spring adjustment fitting for slatted frames, in which a cable pull is provided to actuate the gas spring.

[0009] DE 31 03 922 A1 discloses a slatted frame in which the adjustment of, for example, an upper body support part is carried out via a windscreen wiper motor and a lifting scissor.

[0010] EP 1 294 255 B1 discloses a double drive in which the power is transmitted from a linearly movable drive element to a pivoting lever, which is operatively connected to a pivoting shaft operatively connected to a support part to be adjusted, via a pulley block. Similar furniture drives are also known from FR 2727296, DE 34 09 223 C2, DE 198 43 259 C1, GB 2334435, and US 5 528 948 B1.

[0011] Furthermore, slatted frames are known in which the adjustment device for adjusting a support part is partially or completely integrated into a base body of the slatted frame. In this sense, DE 19962 541 C2 (corresponding to EP 1 239 755 B1, JP 2001-546280 and US 6 754 922 B1) shows and describes a motor-adjustable support device which has a first support part having parallel longitudinal beams, which in the support device known from the printed document is formed by a stationary central support part. The known support device further has additional support parts which are adjustable relative to the first support part by drive means. In the support device known from the printed document, a first longitudinal beam of the first support part is designed as a hollow profile to accommodate the drive means, wherein the entire drive, including a drive motor, is accommodated in the hollow longitudinal beam.As a result, the drive motor does not protrude beyond the first longitudinal beam in the vertical direction, so that the support device known from the document has an extremely low overall height. A similar support device is also known from DE 100 46 751 A1 (corresponding to EP 1239754 B1, JP 2001-547994, and US Pat. No. 6,961,971 B1).

[0012] WO 96 / 29970 A1 discloses a motor-adjustable support device for a mattress of a bed. The support device comprises a plurality of support parts arranged successively in the longitudinal direction of the support device, which support parts can be pivoted relative to a first support part by drive means. The support parts are mounted on an outer frame whose profile height is substantially greater than the profile height of the support parts. In the support device known from the document, parts of the outer frame are designed as hollow profiles, with parts of the drive means for adjusting the support parts relative to one another being accommodated in the hollow profile. The drive motor is arranged on an inner side of a part of the outer frame.

[0013] DE 695 07 158 T2 (corresponding to EP 0 788 325 B1) discloses a motor-adjustable support device for a mattress of a bed. The support device comprises a first support part with a longitudinal beam and at least one second support part that can be pivoted relative to the first support part by drive means. In the known support device, the drive motor is arranged outside the base of the support device and is attached to a frame-like extension of the first support part.

[0014] EP 1 633 219 B1 discloses a slatted frame in which parts of the adjustment device are accommodated in a hollow longitudinal beam, while the drive motor is arranged outside the longitudinal beam and is in drive connection with the parts of the adjustment device accommodated in the longitudinal beam through a recess.

[0015] WO 2008 / 113401 A1 discloses a furniture drive for adjusting a drawer relative to the body of a cabinet. The drawer is adjusted via a flexible rack meshing with a gear. The invention is based on the object of providing a furniture drive that offers expanded possibilities for equipping furniture with an electric motor-driven adjustment function compared to known furniture drives.

[0016] This object is achieved by the invention defined in claim 1.

[0017] The furniture drive according to the invention has a first toothing element with a first toothing, which is connected or connectable in a rotationally fixed manner to a first furniture component, and a second toothing element with a second toothing, which is connected or connectable in a rotationally fixed manner to a second furniture component, wherein the toothings have positively intermeshing tooth flanks and wherein the furniture drive has an electromotive drive device for rotating the toothing elements relative to one another.

[0018] In the furniture drive according to the invention, furniture components that can be pivoted relative to one another are pivoted by rotating the gear elements relative to one another by means of the drive device. This results in significant advantages over known furniture drives.

[0019] A particular advantage of the furniture drive according to the invention is that the maximum pivot angle by which the furniture components can be pivoted relative to one another between a starting position at the beginning of the adjustment movement and a final position at the end of the adjustment movement is significantly increased compared to known furniture drives. With known furniture drives, the maximum pivot angle is often approximately 40° to 50°. In contrast, the furniture drive according to the invention enables a maximum pivot angle of 180° and beyond, for example, up to 210°.

[0020] This significantly increased maximum swivel angle enables expanded functions and completely new applications when equipping furniture with an electric motor adjustment functionality.

[0021] A further advantage of the furniture drive according to the invention is that, due to the power transmission via gearing and thus without a dead center, structural and functional limitations that arise with conventional furniture drives due to the need to overcome a dead center during the adjustment movement are overcome. Furthermore, the furniture drive according to the invention is simple in design and robust, and suitable for transmitting large forces.

[0022] A further advantage of the furniture drive according to the invention is that the gearing elements can be designed to be compact and space-saving. This enables the construction of particularly compact furniture drives and facilitates the integration of a furniture drive according to the invention into a piece of furniture.

[0023] The teeth of the gear elements according to the invention can be designed in different ways depending on the respective requirements and circumstances. An advantageous development of the invention provides for the teeth to be designed like spur gears, such that the teeth interact in the manner of a spur gear. Spur gear-like gear elements can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively and are robust.

[0024] In the sense of a compact and robust construction, another advantageous development of the invention provides that the toothing elements are designed in the form of discs and are preferably made of metal.

[0025] Depending on the respective requirements and circumstances, the electric motor drive device of the furniture drive according to the invention can be designed in different ways and with different kinematics. An advantageous development of the invention provides that the drive device is designed as a linear drive with an output element that is translationally movable along a translation axis. Corresponding linear drives are available as relatively simple and cost-effective standard assemblies and are suitable for applying large forces.

[0026] Another advantageous development of the invention provides that the output member is in driving connection with the toothed elements for rotating them relative to one another, wherein means are provided for converting a translational movement of the output member into a rotational movement of the toothed elements relative to one another. This embodiment is simple in construction.

[0027] In the aforementioned embodiment, the means for converting a translational movement of the output member into a rotational movement of the toothed elements relative to one another can be designed in different ways. An advantageous development of the invention provides that the means for converting a translational movement of the output member into a rotational movement of the toothed elements relative to one another comprise at least one lever mechanism. A corresponding lever mechanism enables the design of the furniture drive to be easily adapted to different conditions.

[0028] In the aforementioned embodiment, the design of the lever mechanism can be selected within wide limits. An advantageous further development of the invention provides that the lever mechanism has at least one two-armed lever, with the pivot point of the two-armed lever preferably being arranged on the first toothed element. This results in a simple yet robust design.

[0029] In the interest of a structurally advantageous design of the means for converting a translational movement of the output member into a rotary movement of the toothed elements relative to one another, advantageous developments of the invention provide that one lever arm of the two-armed lever is connected to one end of a link plate in an articulated manner about a first articulation axis, and the other lever arm of the two-armed lever is connected to the second toothed element in an articulated manner about a second articulation axis, with the other end of the link plate being connected to the output member of the drive device in an articulated manner about a third articulation axis. In the interest of a structurally advantageous design, the pivot point of the two-armed lever is preferably arranged at the geometric location of the center of a circle along which the teeth of the first toothing of the first toothed element are arranged.Furthermore, in the sense of a structurally favorable design, the second joint axis is preferably arranged at the geometric location of the center of a circle along which the teeth of the second toothing of the second toothing element are arranged.

[0030] Another advantageous development of the invention provides that the drive device has a spindle drive. Corresponding spindle drives are available as relatively simple and cost-effective standard assemblies and are suitable for transmitting large forces. An advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the output element of the spindle drive is formed by a threaded spindle that is mounted non-rotatably and movably in its axial direction, on which a spindle nut is arranged that is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor of the drive device. In kinematic reversal of this embodiment, however, the output element of the spindle drive can also be formed by a spindle nut that is mounted non-rotatably and movably in the axial direction, which is arranged on a threaded spindle that is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor of the drive device.

[0031] A piece of furniture according to the invention is specified in claim 14 and has at least one furniture drive according to the invention.

[0032] An electromotively adjustable support device according to the invention, with support parts that can be pivoted relative to one another for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed, is specified in claim 15 and has at least one furniture drive according to the invention for adjusting the support parts relative to one another.

[0033] Depending on the respective requirements and circumstances, the furniture drive according to the invention can be designed as an attachment to a piece of furniture. However, it can also be integrated into the piece of furniture. A single furniture drive according to the invention or multiple furniture drives according to the invention can be used to adjust furniture components.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached schematic drawing. All features described, illustrated in the drawing, and claimed in the patent claims, taken individually and in any technically reasonable combination with one another, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the patent claims and their references, as well as regardless of their specific description or representation in the drawing. The subject matter and disclosure content of the present application also includes sub-combinations of the patent claims in which at least one feature of the respective patent claim is omitted or replaced by another feature. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the features disclosed in the exemplary embodiment further develop the exemplary embodiment taken individually, i.e. independently of the other features of the exemplary embodiment.

[0035] It shows:

[0036] Fig. 1.1 to Fig. 1.7 in various perspective views and detailed views an embodiment of a furniture drive according to the invention in a starting position of the adjustment movement,

[0037] Fig. 2.1 and Fig. 2.2 in the same representation as Fig. 1 the furniture drive according to Fig. 1 in an intermediate position of the adjustment movement,

[0038] Fig. 3.1 and Fig. 3.2 in the same representation as Fig. 1 the furniture drive according to Fig. 1.1 to Fig. 1 .7 in an end position of the adjustment movement and

[0039] Fig. 4.1 and Fig. 4.2 show schematic principle views of an embodiment of a piece of furniture according to the invention using furniture drives according to the invention.

[0040] To clarify the structure and operation of an embodiment of a furniture drive according to the invention, individual components of the furniture drive or of a support device equipped with the furniture drive have been omitted from the figures of the drawing. The omitted components are to be added in the relevant figures in a conceptual manner.

[0041] An embodiment of a furniture drive according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 1.1 to Fig. 3.2. Fig. 1.1 to Fig. 1.6 show an embodiment of a furniture drive 2 according to the invention for adjusting furniture components of a piece of furniture that can be pivoted relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the furniture drive 2 is designed as a support device 4 for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture.

[0042] The support device 4 comprises a stationary first support part 6 as the first furniture component and a second support part 10 as the second furniture component, which can be pivoted relative to the first support part 6 about a horizontal pivot axis 8. The support parts 6, 10 serve purely as examples to illustrate the basic functionality of the furniture drive according to the invention. An application of a furniture drive 2 according to the invention in a piece of seating and reclining furniture is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 4.1 and Fig. 4.2.

[0043] The first support part 6 has two longitudinal beams 12, 12', which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 4 and are partially hollow. In a corresponding manner, the second support part 10 has two longitudinal beams 14, 14', which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 4 and are partially hollow. The longitudinal beams 12, 12' and 14, 14' are designed like a housing and each consist of two half-shells made of plastic, wherein, by way of example, half-shells of the longitudinal beam 12 are designated by the reference numerals 16, 16' and half-shells of the longitudinal beam 14 are designated by the reference numerals 18, 18' in Fig. 1.2.

[0044] The furniture drive 2 has an electric motor drive device 20 (see Fig. 1.2), which in the illustrated embodiment has a motor housing 22 which is fastened to the longitudinal beam 12' and also consists of half-shells 24, 24' made of plastic.

[0045] Fig. 1 .2 shows the support device 4 together with the furniture drive 2 in the same representation as Fig. 1.1 , wherein the half-shells 16 and 18 of the longitudinal beams 12 and 14 respectively and the half-shell 24 of the motor housing 22 are omitted to clarify the structure of the furniture drive 2.

[0046] Fig. 1.3 shows, on an enlarged scale compared to Fig. 1.2, a detail in the area of ​​the motor housing 22, in which a single electric motor 26 is accommodated, the output shaft of which is designed as a worm and engages with a worm gear that is non-rotatably connected to a rotatably mounted shaft 28. The structure of a corresponding worm gear is generally known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

[0047] Fig. 1.4 shows, on a larger scale than Fig. 1.2, a detail in the area of ​​the longitudinal beam 12, in which a spindle drive 30 is accommodated, which has a rotatably mounted spindle nut 32. The spindle nut 32 is designed as a worm wheel on its outer circumference and engages a worm that is non-rotatably connected to the shaft 28. In this way, the spindle nut 32 is in a rotary drive connection with the electric motor 26.

[0048] The spindle nut 32 is mounted on a threaded spindle 33 which is movable in its axial direction and mounted in a rotationally secure manner and which, in the illustrated embodiment, forms the output member of the drive device 20 and carries a tension piece 34 made of plastic at one end.

[0049] Fig. 1.5 to Fig. 1.7 show further details of the structure of the furniture drive 2.

[0050] According to the invention, a first toothing element 36 with a first toothing 38 is connected to the first longitudinal beam 12 of the first support part 6 (first furniture component), while a second toothing element 40 with a second toothing is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second longitudinal beam 14 of the second support part 10 (second furniture component) (cf. Fig. 1.4). The toothings 38, 42 have positively intermeshing tooth flanks (cf. Fig. 1.7) and are designed like spur gears, so that in the illustrated embodiment they interact like a spur gear. In the illustrated embodiment, the toothing elements are flat and disc-like and are made of metal.

[0051] It can be seen that due to the rotationally fixed connection of the toothed elements 36, 40 with the longitudinal beams 12 and 14, when the toothed elements 36, 40 are rotated relative to one another, the second longitudinal beam 14 is pivoted relative to the first longitudinal beam 12.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the furniture drive 2 comprises means for converting a translational movement of the threaded spindle 33 as the output element of the electric motor drive device 20 into a rotational movement of the toothed elements 36, 40 relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, these means comprise a lever mechanism 44 with a two-armed lever 46 with a pivot point 48 arranged on the first toothed element 36.

[0053] A lever arm 50 of the two-armed lever 46 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 54 about a first pivot axis 52. The other lever arm 56 of the two-armed lever 46 is pivotally connected to the second toothed element 40 about a second pivot axis 58, with the other end of the link 54 being pivotally connected to the tension piece 34 about a third pivot axis 60 (see Fig. 1.5).

[0054] The pivot point 48 of the two-armed lever 46 is arranged at the geometric location of the center of a circle along which the teeth of the first toothing 38 of the first toothing element 36 are arranged.

[0055] The second joint axis 60 is arranged at the geometric location of the center of a circle along which the teeth of the second toothing 42 of the second toothing element 40 are arranged.

[0056] The previously described components arranged in or on the longitudinal beams 12, 14 form a first drive train of the drive device 20. A correspondingly constructed second drive train of the drive device 20 with corresponding components is arranged in or on the longitudinal beams 12' or 14', so that when the electric motor 26 is actuated, the drive trains are actuated synchronously in order to introduce the drive force of the electric motor 26 symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane of the support device 4 into the second support part 10 in order to adjust the same relative to the first support part 6.

[0057] In a modification of this embodiment, in which a common electric motor 26 is assigned to both drive trains, a separate electric motor can also be assigned to each of the drive trains. The shaft 28 can be omitted in such an embodiment.

[0058] Starting from the initial position of the adjustment movement shown in Fig. 1, the electric motor 26 drives the spindle nut 32 via the shaft 28 such that the threaded spindle 33 moves to the right in Fig. 1.2. The operative connection of the tension piece 34 with the second toothed element 40, which is established via the tab 54 and the two-armed lever 46, rotates the second toothed element 40 relative to the first toothed element 36, so that the second support part 10 is pivoted relative to the first support part 6. It can be seen that the pivot point 48 of the two-armed lever 46 forms the pivot axis 8 about which the second support part 10 is pivoted relative to the first support part 6.

[0059] Fig. 2.1 and Fig. 2.2 represent an intermediate position of the adjustment movement, in which the second support part 10 is pivotally adjusted relative to the first support part 6 such that the support parts 6, 10 together form a substantially horizontal support plane on which, for example, an upholstery or mattress is supported.

[0060] Fig. 3.1 and Fig. 3.2 represent an end position of the adjustment movement, in which the second support part 10 is maximally adjusted relative to the first support part 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the second support part 10 is offset by approximately 210° compared to the initial position of the adjustment movement shown in Fig. 1.1 to Fig. 1.7.

[0061] In this way, the maximum possible pivoting angle of the support parts 6, 10 relative to each other is significantly increased compared to known furniture drives. This enables expanded functionalities and applications in the electromotive adjustment of furniture.

[0062] Fig. 4.1 and Fig. 4.2 show, in a schematic representation, purely by way of example, a possible application of furniture drives according to the invention in an embodiment of a piece of furniture 62 according to the invention.

[0063] Fig. 4.1 shows the furniture 62 in a first adjustment position in which the furniture 62 functions as an armchair and in which a headrest part 64 is folded backwards and a calf support part 66 is folded downwards.

[0064] Fig. 4.2 shows the furniture 62 in a second adjustment position in which the headrest part 64 is erected, and the calf support part 66 together with a two-part leg support part 68 is arranged relative to a buttock support part 70 in such a way that a person resting on an upholstery 72 of the furniture 62 can sit with his legs raised and is supported in the area of ​​the back by a back support part 74.

[0065] Using furniture drives according to the invention, the support parts 62, 64, 66, 70, and 74 can also be adjusted relative to one another such that, in a third adjustment position, they together form a substantially horizontal support plane. This corresponds to a reclining position of a bed or lounger. Any intermediate positions between the previously described positions, as well as other or additional positions, are possible.

[0066] It is evident that the furniture 62 thus has a multitude of different adjustment positions and thus functionalities, for example from a (TV) armchair to a lounger to a bed.

[0067] Essential for the realization of corresponding applications is the large pivoting angle of the support parts relative to each other made possible by the furniture drive according to the invention.

[0068] The furniture drive according to the invention thus enables the realization of completely new types of furniture with new and different functionalities and adjustment positions.

[0069] List of reference symbols for OAC240402PCT Furniture drive Support device First support part Swivel axis Second support part First longitudinal beam Second longitudinal beam Half shell Half shell Drive device Motor housing Half shell Electric motor Shaft Spindle drive Spindle nut Threaded spindle Tension piece First toothing element First toothing Second toothing element Second toothing Lever mechanism Two-armed lever Pivot point Lever arm of 46 First joint axis Tab Lever arm of 46 Second joint axis Third joint axis Furniture Headrest part Calf support part Leg support part Buttock support part Upholstery

Claims

Patent claims 1. Electromotive furniture drive (2) for adjusting furniture components that can be pivoted relative to one another, with a first toothed element (36) that is connected or connectable to a first furniture component and has a first toothing (38), with a second toothed element (40) that is connected or connectable to a second furniture component and has a second toothing (42), wherein the toothings (38, 42) have tooth flanks that engage one another in a form-fitting manner, and with an electromotive drive device (20) for rotating the toothed elements (36, 40) relative to one another.

2. Furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the toothings (36, 40) are designed like spur gears, such that the toothings (36, 40) interact in the manner of a spur gear.

3. Furniture drive according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the toothing elements (36, 40) are disc-shaped and preferably consist of metal.

4. Furniture drive according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive device (20) is designed as a linear drive with an output member that is translationally movable along a translation axis.

5. Furniture drive according to claim 4, wherein the output member is in driving connection with the toothed elements (36, 40) for rotating them relative to one another, wherein means are provided for converting a translatory movement of the output member into a rotary movement of the toothed elements (36, 40) relative to one another.

6. Furniture drive according to claim 5, wherein the means for converting a translational movement of the output member into a rotary movement of the toothed elements (36, 40) relative to one another comprise at least one lever gear (44).

7. Furniture drive according to claim 6, wherein the lever gear (44) has at least one two-armed lever (46) with a pivot point (48).

8. Furniture drive according to claim 7, wherein the pivot point (48) of the two-armed lever (46) is arranged on the first toothing element (36).

9. Furniture drive according to claim 8, wherein one lever arm (50) of the two-armed lever (46) is articulated about a first articulation axis (52) to one end of a tab (54) and the other lever arm (56) of the two-armed lever (46) is articulated about a second articulation axis (58) to the second toothed element (40), wherein the other end of the tab (54) is articulated about a third articulation axis (60) to the output member of the drive device (20).

10. Furniture drive according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the pivot point (48) of the two-armed lever (46) is arranged at the geometric location of the center of a circle, along the circumference of which the teeth of the first toothing (38) of the first toothing element (40) are arranged.

11. Furniture drive according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second joint axis (58) is arranged at the geometric location of the center of a circle along which the teeth of the second toothing (42) of the second toothing element (40) are arranged.

12. Furniture drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (20) has a spindle drive (30).

13. Furniture drive according to claim 12, wherein the output member of the spindle drive (30) is formed by a threaded spindle (33) mounted in a rotationally secure manner and movable in its axial direction, on which a spindle nut (32) is arranged, which is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor (26) of the drive device (20).

14. Furniture (62) with furniture components that can be adjusted relative to one another, wherein the furniture (62) has at least one furniture drive (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. An electromotively adjustable support device (4) with support parts (6, 10) that can be pivoted relative to one another for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed, wherein the support device (4) has at least one furniture drive according to one of claims 1 to 13 for adjusting the support parts (6, 10) relative to one another.

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