Flap fitting, and piece of furniture comprising a flap fitting

Abstract

The invention relates to a flap fitting (10) comprising: a housing (11) for attachment to a furniture carcass (2); and a mounting element (12) for attachment of a flap (8) associated with the furniture carcass (2), wherein the housing (11) and the mounting element (12) are connected to one another by means of a lever mechanism (20) and are guided so as to be movable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position, the flap fitting comprising a force-storage unit (30) which is coupled to the lever mechanism (20) via a transmission element in order to provide a drive force for the lever mechanism of the flap fitting. The flap fitting (10) is characterised in that the transmission element and one of the members of the lever mechanism (20) slidably pass through one another. The invention also relates to a piece of furniture (1) comprising a furniture carcass (2) and at least one flap (8) which is associated therewith and which is mounted on at least one such flap fitting (10).

Description

[0001] Flap fittings and furniture with flap fittings

[0002] The invention relates to a flap fitting with a housing for attachment to a furniture carcass and with a mounting element for attaching a flap associated with the furniture carcass, wherein the housing and the mounting element are connected to each other via a lever mechanism and are movably guided relative to each other between a closed position and an open position, comprising a power storage unit coupled to the lever mechanism via a transmission element in order to provide a drive force for the lever mechanism of the flap fitting. The invention further relates to a piece of furniture with a furniture carcass and at least one flap associated thereto and at least one flap fitting.

[0003] Furniture, especially kitchen furniture or other household furniture such as base cabinets or wall cabinets, typically has a front-opening cabinet body to which movable components are mounted, guided by fittings. Particularly in wall cabinets, flaps are frequently used as movable components to close the cabinet body. These flaps are supported and guided by at least one, usually two, side-mounted flap hinges. The hinges allow the flap to open upwards (pivot upwards), pivoting, for example, around an imaginary horizontal pivot axis located in the upper part of the cabinet body. Other upward opening movements of the flap are also conceivable.

[0004] The lever mechanism of the flap fitting is typically a multi-part, multi-jointed lever mechanism that connects a housing of the flap fitting to a mounting element to which the flap is attached. One link of the lever mechanism transmits the torque exerted by the flap in an open position to the lever mechanism. The flap fitting usually incorporates a force storage unit with a force storage device that—depending on the flap's position—counteracts or works in conjunction with the torque to hold the flap in the open and / or closed position, and possibly also in an intermediate position, or to move the flap into the open or closed position.

[0005] From German patent application DE 10 2022 101 398 A1, a flap fitting is known in which the lever mechanism by which the flap is supported and guided is a single-joint lever mechanism pivotally connected to the housing of the flap fitting. The flap fitting has a force storage device that acts via a push rod with an adjustable pivot point on one of the two levers of the lever mechanism pivotally connected to the housing. Changing the point of application of the push rod on said lever changes the force with which the force storage device acts. The lever on which the force storage device acts is adjacent to the force storage device, which is possible with the single-joint lever mechanism used, but cannot be implemented with more complex lever mechanisms.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a flap fitting of the type mentioned above in which the energy storage device can be coupled to the lever mechanism, even if the energy storage device is not directly adjacent to the lever. It is a further object of the present invention to equip a piece of furniture with such a flap fitting.

[0007] This problem is solved by a flap fitting or a piece of furniture with such a flap fitting having the features of the respective independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A flap fitting according to the invention is characterized in that the transmission element and one of the links of the lever mechanism slidably penetrate each other. This penetration allows the transmission element to pass through the link and – optionally via intermediate elements such as an adjusting device – to couple to another link of the lever mechanism. This makes it possible, even with a 7-joint lever mechanism, to couple the energy storage unit to a link of the lever mechanism suitable for the torque curve at the flap, even if this link is not located directly in front of the energy storage unit. The energy storage unit can, for example, be located behind the lever mechanism, which allows for a particularly low overall height of the flap fitting, since the full overall height of the flap fitting is available for both the lever mechanism and the energy storage unit.

[0009] Preferably, the penetration can be achieved without mutual influence between the relevant link of the lever mechanism and the transmission element by guiding the transmission element through a recess in the link of the lever mechanism to be crossed, or by guiding the link of the lever mechanism through a recess in the transmission element. Furthermore, guiding the transmission element through the element to be crossed allows for a symmetrical transmission of the forces from the energy storage device to the lever mechanism in the transverse direction of the flap fitting.

[0010] Preferably, the transmission element is a push rod. More preferably, the energy storage device is at least one compression spring, which together with a spring support and a spring retainer forms a spring assembly.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the flap fitting, the transmission element and one link of the lever mechanism perform a rotational and translational movement relative to each other in the area of ​​intersection during the opening and closing movement of the flap fitting. This movement relative to each other occurs, firstly, when the energy storage unit is actuated, but can also occur when the adjustment device is set. In particular, the transmission element and the one link of the lever mechanism form an intersection point in the area of ​​intersection, with the transmission element and the one link each having extensions of a certain length in two directions extending away from the intersection point and projecting out of the penetrated area. During an opening or closing movement of the flap fitting, the lengths of these extensions change.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the flap fitting, the force storage unit comprises at least one compression spring and, together with a spring support and a spring holder, forms a spring assembly. Preferably, the spring holder is open on one side, and the spring support projects through the open side into the spring holder, wherein the at least one compression spring is arranged completely within the spring holder, and wherein one end of the at least one compression spring, pointing towards the open side of the spring holder, rests on the spring support.

[0013] The at least one compression spring of the spring assembly can thus be completely enclosed by a single spring retainer, resembling a housing, in every compression state. This prevents both lateral displacement and noise generation, as the at least one compression spring never moves past any edge of the spring retainer. The spring retainer for the at least one compression spring can have a sleeve-like inner guide contour, preferably with a radially circular cross-section, at least partially, the diameter of which is adapted to the outer diameter of the at least one compression spring. The inner guide contour surrounds the at least one compression spring within the spring retainer in a sleeve-like manner, preventing it from dislodging laterally under compressive load.If several compression springs are provided in the spring assembly and held in the spring holder, a sleeve-like guide is preferably formed for each of the compression springs by means of the inner guide contour. Because each compression spring is guided separately, contact between the compression springs is also prevented. Preferably, the spring assembly can have four compression springs. The spring assembly can be positioned in an X or Y configuration relative to each other. In an alternative arrangement where all compression springs are vertically stacked on top of each other, the overall height is greater, but the overall width is smaller. In the Y configuration, space remains laterally in the flap fitting in the upper area, i.e., next to the two stacked compression springs, for further components.

[0014] Furthermore, the spring holder can have a support on which the at least one compression spring rests. Particularly if the spring holder is made of plastic, metallic reinforcing elements can be inserted into a base. Furthermore, at least one centner element can be arranged or formed on the support, which engages with the at least one compression spring and thus positions it. The support can be part of the base or a separate component. Preferably, the spring support has at least one base on which the at least one compression spring rests. In particular, the at least one base is a circular cylinder whose outer diameter corresponds to the diameter of the at least one compression spring. Thus, when the at least one compression spring compresses, the base can move into the inner guide contour without any transition between the compression spring and the base impeding movement.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the flap fitting, the spring retainer is guided linearly and the push rod is pivotally mounted on the spring retainer. In this case, the spring support can be fixed in position and not pivotable within the flap fitting. Alternatively, the spring support can be guided linearly and the push rod pivotally mounted on the spring support, in which case the spring retainer can be fixed in position and not pivotable within the flap fitting. Due to the linear guidance of the spring retainer or spring support, particularly along a longitudinal axis of the flap fitting housing, the energy storage unit can be designed with a low vertical height. The energy storage unit then does not contribute to an increased overall height of the flap fitting.

[0016] Alternatively, the spring assembly described above can also be arranged in a pivotable manner in the flap fitting and coupled to the lever mechanism via a push rod that may be fixed to the spring holder or spring support.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the flap fitting, the lever mechanism has two pivot axes that are fixed to the housing. A link of the lever mechanism, which intersects the transmission element, is pivotally connected to a first of these pivot axes. Preferably, the link is a U-shaped control arm comprising a base and two legs. An opening is formed in the base through which the transmission element passes. In a 7-joint lever mechanism, the control arm, viewed from the mounting element, forms the rearmost link of the lever mechanism. Therefore, the energy storage device can preferably be arranged behind the lever mechanism and, for example, extend through the control arm via a push rod. The push rod can act on another suitable link of the lever mechanism.

[0018] Within the scope of this application, the term "joint axis" refers both to the abstract axis of rotation or pivoting between two articulated components and to its implementation in the form of, for example, a bolt, a shaft, or a comparable mechanical element. If the position of an axis of rotation is defined, this corresponds in practice to the position of the radially central longitudinal axis of the mechanical element.

[0019] Furthermore, the term "fasten" encompasses both direct (immediate) and indirect (mediated) fastening, including fastening via one or more intermediate elements. The same applies analogously to the terms "mount," "act," and "be hinged." Accordingly, the term "fixed to" does not require that an element be directly attached to the other element to which it is fixed.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the flap fitting has an adjustment device for setting the force storage unit. The transmission element can be part of the adjustment unit. Alternatively, the transmission element can be coupled to the lever mechanism via an adjustment device.

[0021] Preferably, the adjusting device has an adjusting lever which, viewed in a longitudinal direction of the housing, is pivotably mounted between the two pivot axes of the lever mechanism, which are fixed to the housing. The transmission element is coupled to the adjusting lever at a movable pivot point, and the adjusting lever is coupled to the lever mechanism via a transmission link.

[0022] In a longitudinal direction of the housing, which in the installed position is preferably a horizontal direction, the adjusting lever is thus arranged in an area between two links of the lever mechanism, thereby making advantageous use of the space available in this area. Compared to arrangements where an adjusting mechanism is located in one of the articulated levers itself, the lever mechanism is not further complicated, and its links are not made larger by the adjusting mechanism, which could restrict their freedom of movement.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the flap fitting, the adjusting lever is mounted in a bearing axis which, together with the pivot point of the push rod and a pivot point of the transmission element, forms the vertices of a triangle. The force exerted by the energy storage unit on the lever mechanism is thus dependent on the position of the lever mechanism. This allows the flap to be supported to varying degrees depending on its opening position, and in particular, the greater torque when approaching full opening can be compensated for. Furthermore, the angled lever can implement a dead center, the passage of which alternates between supporting an opening movement and supporting a closing movement.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the flap fitting, the movable pivot point is formed on a pressure piece that is slidably guided on the adjusting lever. Preferably, the adjusting lever has a base element and two side plates, with the pressure piece guided in guides, in particular guide slots, in the side plates. More preferably, a threaded spindle extends through a thread in the pressure piece to move the pressure piece on the adjusting lever. In this way, the adjustable pivot point can be implemented mechanically simply and compactly on the adjusting lever.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the flap fitting features a damper unit with at least one damper for damping the opening and / or closing of the mounting element relative to the housing. Preferably, the at least one damper is mounted on a linearly guided damper slide, which is coupled to the lever mechanism via a push and pull rod. Similar to the energy storage unit, the linear guidance of the damper slide, particularly along a longitudinal axis of the flap fitting housing, allows the damper unit to be designed with a low vertical height and does not adversely affect the overall height of the flap fitting.

[0026] The housing height of the flap fitting is advantageously less than 45 mm, and preferably less than 40 mm. A flap fitting with this low profile can be mounted almost invisibly on a slightly recessed top panel of a furniture carcass and reduces the usable interior volume of the furniture carcass only minimally.

[0027] A piece of furniture according to the invention, comprising a furniture body and at least one flap associated therewith, is characterized in that the flap is mounted on at least one such flap fitting. Preferably, the furniture body has a top panel above which the at least one flap fitting is arranged. In particular, the top panel is lowered relative to the side walls of the furniture body by an overhang, advantageously with the height of the at least one flap fitting being less than the height of the overhang. This results in the advantages previously described in connection with the flap fitting.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. The figures show:

[0029] Figure 1a shows a piece of furniture with a hinged flap and two flap fittings in a spatial view;

[0030] Figure 1b shows the furniture from Figure 1a in a cross-section with the flap closed; Figure 1c shows the furniture from Figure 1a in a cross-section with the flap swung upwards;

[0031] Figure 2a, b shows a spatial representation of the flap fitting of the furniture from Figures 1a - 1c in the closed position and in the open position;

[0032] Figure 3 shows a spatial exploded view of the flap fitting from the previous figures;

[0033] Figures 4a, b each show an enlarged representation of the area of ​​the flap fitting from Figures 1b, c;

[0034] Figures 5a, b each show a partially cutaway spatial representation of the flap fitting of the previous figures in the closed position with the maximum force effect of a power storage unit set;

[0035] Figures 6a, b each show a further partially cutaway spatial representation of the flap fitting in the closed position analogous to Figure 5a, but from a different viewing direction and with the force effect of the power storage unit set to maximum (Fig. 6a) or minimum (Fig. 6b);

[0036] Figures 7a, b are like Figures 6a, b, but in a partially open position;

[0037] Figures 8a, b are like Figures 6a, b, but in the open position;

[0038] Figures 9a and 9b each show an enlarged view of the furniture in the area of ​​the flap fitting with the flap in the closed and open positions respectively, with the force applied by a power storage unit at its maximum setting; and

[0039] Figures 10a, b each show an enlarged representation of the furniture in the area of ​​the flap fitting with the flap in the closed or open position with the minimum force effect of a power storage unit set.

[0040] In this description, the terms "left" and "right" refer exclusively to the exemplary representation chosen in the respective figures. The terms "top" and "bottom" refer to the natural installation position of a flap fitting in a piece of furniture, where a flap pivots around a horizontal axis and swings upwards to open. The terms "front" and "back" also refer to this installation position. The front of the furniture is the side facing the user, where the flap is also located.

[0041] In all figures, identical reference symbols denote identical or equivalent elements. For clarity, not all elements in some figures are labeled with a reference symbol.

[0042] Figures 1a-1c show a piece of furniture 1 with two flap fittings 10 according to the invention, which guide a flap 8. Figure 1a shows the furniture in a three-dimensional view with the flap 8 closed and from a top-down angle. Figures 1b and 1c show cross-sections through the furniture 1, with the section plane running parallel to a side wall 3 of the furniture body 2. Figure 1b shows the furniture 1 with the flap 8 closed, and Figure 1c shows the furniture 1 with the flap 8 swung upwards.

[0043] The piece of furniture 1 is, for example, a wall cabinet, in particular a kitchen wall cabinet, with a front-opening cabinet body 2, which can be closed by the flap 8 guided by the flap fittings 10. The cabinet body 2 has side panels 3, a bottom panel 4, and a top panel 5. To organize the interior of the cabinet body 2, one or more intermediate shelves 6 can be inserted at different heights in this example. The cabinet body 2 also has a back panel 7.

[0044] The top surface 5 is positioned below the top edge of the side walls 3. The upper surface of the top surface 5 is a few tens of millimeters (mm), specifically between 35 and 55 mm, away from the top edge of the side walls 3. The side walls 3 project beyond the top surface 5 by the height of an overhang 3'. This creates an upwardly open space above the top surface 5, with a height equal to the overhang 3'.

[0045] The top panel 5 can alternatively be positioned below the top edge of an extension, the extension being an extension of the side walls 3 and thus forming the overhang 3'. When using a suitable extension, the construction of the furniture body 2 does not need to be modified to achieve the lowered top panel 5. The flap fitting 10 can then be attached to the extension with or without an additional mounting plate.

[0046] In an alternative furniture design, instead of a single flap 8 guided by the flap fittings 10, several flaps arranged vertically one above the other are provided, each with its own flap fittings. The side walls are single-piece and correspondingly higher. To divide the interior, the entire interior is subdivided into usable storage space and areas for the fittings by several intermediate shelves, whereby the flaps arranged on the furniture can conceal both the storage spaces and the areas for the fittings. An intermediate shelf arranged below the flap fittings is also to be considered a top shelf 5 within the meaning of this patent application.

[0047] In the illustrated piece of furniture 1, the flap fittings 10 are arranged in the space above the top surface 5.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1a, each flap fitting 10 has a housing 11 with which the flap fitting is mounted on the top panel 5 and / or on the corresponding side panel 3. A mounting plate (not shown) may be provided for this purpose, which may allow for positional adjustment of the flap fitting 10 relative to the furniture carcass 2. The two flap fittings 10 are advantageously identical in construction, thus simplifying manufacturing, storage, and assembly. If the flap fittings 10 are to be mounted on the side panels 3, a corresponding mounting plate may also be designed to be identical in construction so that it can be used on both side panels 3.

[0049] As can be clearly seen in Figure 1b, the flap 8 extends essentially over the entire height of the side walls 3. Only gaps of a few millimeters remain at the top and bottom of the furniture body, as well as on the left and right, to prevent collisions with doors or flaps of other furniture located above, below, or to the side of the illustrated furniture 1. In particular, the flap 8 also closes the opening facing forward towards the user in the space above the top panel 5, in which the flap fittings 10 are located. As can be seen in Figure 3, the flap fitting 10 has a lever mechanism 20, which in this case is designed as a 7-joint lever mechanism. The lever mechanism 20 comprises several interconnected links, specifically a transmission lever 21, a control arm 22, a support lever 23, and a transmission rod 24.The flap 8 is guided through the flap fitting 10 via the lever mechanism 20, with a mounting element 12 being arranged for attaching the flap 8 to the lever mechanism 20. The mounting element 12 can project at least partially into a recess 9 in the flap 8.

[0050] As shown in particular by Figure 1c with the flap 8 pivoted upwards, i.e. open, neither part of the lever mechanism 20 nor the mounting element 12 extends vertically upwards beyond the housing 11 of the flap fitting 10.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1b with the closed flap 8, none of the links of the lever mechanism 20 collide with the top panel 5 when closed. The same applies to the opening and closing of the flap 8, so that no recess or similar feature is necessary in the top panel for the use of the flap fitting 10 shown. Only the mounting element 12 protrudes minimally in the vertical direction below the housing 11 when the flap 8 is closed. However, this is not a problem, as the mounting element 12 is always positioned in front of the top panel 5.

[0052] Because no component of the flap fitting 10 projects beyond the side walls 3, another piece of furniture or a cornice can be arranged above the furniture 1 shown without any element of the flap fitting 10 or the flap 8 itself colliding with it.

[0053] In Figures 2a and 2b, the flap fitting 10 is shown separately from the furniture 1 in a three-dimensional oblique view. Figure 2a shows the flap fitting 10 in a position where an attached flap is closed, and Figure 2b in a position where a connected flap is swung upwards. Hereinafter, the position according to Figure 2a will also be referred to as the closed position and the position according to Figure 2b as the open position.

[0054] Figures 2a and 2b show that the housing 11 is essentially U-shaped and open at the top. Two U-shaped elements are inserted into the housing 11 from above, extending over the entire or almost the entire length of the housing 11 and, in a sense, completing the housing 11 at the top. The approximately centrally located U-shaped element is a mounting rail 31 for a power storage unit 30, and the U-shaped element located to the side of it is a mounting rail 41 for a damper unit 40.

[0055] The energy storage unit 30 serves to hold the flap 8 in a closed and / or (partially) open position. The damper unit 40 slows the movement of the flap 8 as it approaches the closed and / or open end position.

[0056] Figures 2a and 2b further show the mounting element 12, which in this example comprises a mounting plate 121 and a mounting cup 122. The mounting cup 122 is the part of the mounting unit 12 that is recessed in the cup recess 9 of the flap 8. The mounting plate 121 rests on the surface of the flap 8. The mounting plate 121 has mounting holes for attaching the mounting element 12 to the flap using screws or similar fasteners. Alternatively or additionally, a clamping mechanism can be provided for fastening, which clamps the mounting cup 122 in the cup recess 9. The mounting plate 121 and the mounting cup 122 can, for example, be formed in one piece from a single sheet metal element.

[0057] Figure 3 shows the flap fitting 10 in a three-dimensional exploded view. In Figure 3, the components of the energy storage unit 30, the damping unit 40, and the mounting element 12 are grouped by means of dashed lines. Components not included in any of these groups are the housing 11, which is clearly recognizable here as U-shaped, and the links of the lever mechanism 20.

[0058] The energy storage unit 30, in addition to the aforementioned mounting rail 31, comprises the actual energy storage element, which in the illustrated example is formed by four compression springs 33 arranged side by side or one above the other and thus subjected to parallel force. Each compression spring 33 rests with one end on a spring support 32. The other end of the compression springs 33 is positioned on a support 341 of a spring holder 34, which surrounds the compression springs 33. The spring holder 34 has four cylindrical recesses that accommodate the four compression springs 33 and prevent them from deflecting outwards under compressive load. At its front end, the spring holder 34 is closed by a base of the support. The arrangement consisting of the spring support 32, the compression springs 33, and the spring holder 34 is hereinafter also referred to as a spring assembly.The construction of the spring assembly is described in more detail below in connection with Figures 5a, b to 8.

[0059] In the illustrated flap fitting 10, the spring holder 34 is guided linearly displaceably on the rail 31. The linear movement of the spring holder 34 during the compression and rebound of the compression springs 33 is transmitted to the lever mechanism 20 via a transmission element and an adjusting device 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission element is formed by a push rod 35.

[0060] In order to allow the driving force provided by the compression springs 33 of the power storage unit 30 for the lever mechanism 20 to act on the flap 8 in some areas both in the opening direction and in other areas in the closing direction, a force reversal is effected by the interaction of the push rod with the adjusting device, in particular by passing over a dead point, which is explained in more detail in connection with Figures 9a and 9b.

[0061] The push rod 35 is pivotally coupled to the spring holder 34 in order to transmit the movement of the spring holder 34 to a pivoting movement of the adjusting device 36, which in turn acts on the lever mechanism 20 with an adjustable transmission ratio. By coupling the energy storage unit 30 to the lever mechanism 20, a torque is exerted on the flap 8. This torque serves to hold the flap 8 in intermediate positions and, in particular, in the fully open position, as well as to hold the flap 8 closed and, if necessary, to move the flap into the fully open position and / or the closed position. The elements associated with the adjusting device 36 are described in more detail below in connection with the following figures.

[0062] The damper unit 40 comprises a damper 43, which is arranged in a damper slide 44 that is slidable relative to the mounting rail 41 by means of a holder 42. The damper slide 44 is coupled to the lever mechanism 20 via a push and pull rod 45 and a coupling lever 46.

[0063] The movable damper slide 44 is associated with two stops 47, 48, against which the damper 43 abuts during its movement in one direction or the other. The contact with the stops 47 and 48 dampens the movement of the damper slide 44 and thus also the movement of the lever mechanism 20. In a middle section of the movement, the damper slide 44, and therefore the lever mechanism 20, moves without damping. Damping begins as the slide approaches the closed position and also as it approaches the open position. The stops 47, 48 preferably have adjustable, extendable stop pins, allowing the point at which the damping action can be set.

[0064] Furthermore, an adjustment device 49 for the maximum opening angle of the flap 8 is provided as part of the damper unit 40. The stop 48, which is responsible for the opening damping, can be moved along the direction of movement of the damper slide 44 via the adjustment device 49, thereby setting the end stop to which the flap 8 opens and simultaneously adjusting the point of activation of the opening damping.

[0065] In the assembly of mounting element 12, in addition to mounting plate 121 and mounting cup 122, a boom 123 can also be seen. This boom 123 is either fixed or adjustable to a certain extent in the mounting cup 122. The boom 123 provides the pivot points for the lever mechanism 20 on the mounting unit 12.

[0066] Figures 4a and 4b show the upper section of the furniture body 1 from Figures 1b and 1c enlarged for the closed position in Figure 4a and the open position in Figure 4b. In these two figures, the levers of the 7-joint lever mechanism 20 and their associated joint axes are indicated.

[0067] The transmission lever 21 is pivotally guided on the housing 11 by the control arm 22 and the support lever 23, with each of the control arm 22 and the support lever 23 being pivotally mounted at one end in a pivot axis 25, 26, either directly or indirectly, on the housing 11. The corresponding pivot axes 25, 26 are thus fixed to the housing 11. The transmission lever 21 is coupled at one end and in a central region to a free pivot axis 29 at the free end of the control arm 22 on the one hand, and in a central region of the support lever 23 on the other. The transmission lever 21 and the support lever 23 intersect accordingly in one of the free pivot axes 29. The second free end of the transmission lever 21 projects forward beyond the housing 11 into the mounting cup 122.Within the area of ​​the mounting cup 122, the transmission lever 21 is pivotably connected to the boom 123 via a first articulation axis 27, which is fixed to the mounting element 12. The weight of the flap 8 is transmitted from this first articulation axis 27 via the transmission lever 21 and the support lever 23 or the control arm 22 to the articulation axes 25, 26 and thus to the housing 11. The first articulation axis 27 moves along a trajectory of motion that is determined by the geometry and arrangement of the transmission lever 21, the control arm 22, and the support lever 23.

[0068] The free end of the support lever 23 is pivotally attached to the boom 123 via a transmission rod 24 and a second pivot axis 28, which is also fixed to the mounting unit 12. This transmission rod 24 transmits a pivoting movement of the flap 8 about the first pivot axis 27 to the support lever 23 and thus to the transmission lever 21. As a result, pivoting the flap 8 upwards causes the transmission lever 21 to extend from the housing 11, resulting in a coupled pivoting and sliding movement of the flap 8. The second pivot axis 28 also serves to transmit a torque that the flap 8 exerts, for example, due to gravity in the open position.

[0069] The adjusting device 36 has an adjusting lever 360 which is pivotably mounted in a bearing axis 366. The bearing axis 366 is fixed to the housing 11. The bearing axis 366 is indirectly mounted to the housing 11 via the mounting rail 31. In the horizontal direction, the bearing axis 366 is arranged between the two fixed pivot axes 25 and 26 of the lever mechanism 20. The adjusting lever 360 is thus located in an area between the control arm 22 and the support lever 23, thereby making advantageous use of the space available in this area.

[0070] In this example, the adjusting lever 360 consists of a base element 361 and two side plates 362 mounted laterally onto the base element 361. The side plates 362 have two guides, in this case in the form of guide slots, in which a pressure piece 363 is slidably guided. The pressure piece 363 has a threaded bore through which a threaded spindle 364 extends. The threaded spindle 364 is supported in the base element 361 of the adjusting lever 360 by a bearing pin (not visible here). When the threaded spindle 364 is rotated, the pressure piece 363 moves along the aforementioned guide slots. The pressure piece 363 provides two bearing stubs on its sides, which engage in the guide slots and on which the push rod 35 rests, with a fork 352 formed at its free end. The pressure piece 363 thus provides a movable point of application for the push rod 35 on the adjusting lever 360.

[0071] The adjusting lever 360 is coupled to the transmission lever 21 of the lever mechanism 20 via a transmission element 365. In the illustrated example, the transmission element 365 is a two-jointed push and pull link, which is pivotally connected to the adjusting lever 360 at one point and pivotally connected to the transmission lever 21 at a further pivot point 291 in an approximately central region.

[0072] Figure 4a shows the flap fitting in a closed position. The adjusting device 36 is set for maximum force exerted by the energy storage unit 30 on the lever mechanism 20. For this purpose, the pressure piece 363 is moved by the threaded spindle 364 into an end position in its guide, which is at its maximum distance from the bearing axis 366. The stub bolts of the pressure piece 363, on which the fork 352 of the push rod 35 rests, are located, in the closed position of the flap, above the imaginary line connecting the bearing axis 351 of the push rod and the bearing axis 366 of the adjusting unit 365. Accordingly, a force is exerted on the adjusting unit 360, which exerts a clockwise torque on the adjusting lever 360, as shown in Figure 4a. This torque moves the transmission lever 21 towards the interior of the fitting housing, thus moving the flap 8 into the closed position.

[0073] In Figure 4b, the flap 8 is in its maximum open position. Here, the push rod 35 acts on the adjusting lever 360 at a large effective distance from the bearing axis 366, resulting in a large counterclockwise torque acting on the adjusting lever 360, as shown in Figure 4b. This torque acts on the transmission lever 21, pushing it out of the housing 11 of the flap fitting 10, thereby moving the flap 8 into its open end position and holding it there.

[0074] In Figures 5a and 5b, the flap fitting 10 is shown separately from furniture in a three-dimensional representation, similar to Figures 2a and 2b. In both cases, the flap fitting 10 is shown in the closed position. In Figure 5a, the flap fitting is shown in partial section, with the housing 11 and the mounting rail 31 removed on the side facing the viewer, thus providing a view of the lever mechanism 20 and the adjustment unit 36.

[0075] In connection with Figures 4a and 4b, the adjusting lever 360 and its interaction with the push rod 35 and the transmission lever 21 via the transmission element 365 were described. Figure 5a shows how, in the presented embodiment, the threaded spindle 364 can be actuated to adjust the adjusting device 36. For this purpose, an actuating unit 367 is provided, which is mounted on the bearing axis 366.

[0076] In Figure 5b, an outer housing part of the actuating unit 367 has also been removed to allow a view of the internal structure of the actuating unit 367. Figure 5b shows an intermediate shaft 368, which has two bevel gears coupled to each other non-rotatably via a sleeve. This intermediate shaft 368 is pushed onto the bearing axis 366 by means of the sleeve, with one of the bevel gears engaging with the bevel gear of the threaded spindle 364. The actuating unit 367 further comprises an actuating shaft 369, which is rotatably mounted in the actuating unit 367 and also has a bevel gear at one end, which engages with the second bevel gear of the intermediate shaft 368.The opposite end of the adjusting shaft 369, pointing away from the aforementioned bevel gear, is provided with a tool holder which is not visible here, for example a cross-head holder for a screwdriver, with an internal hexagon for receiving an Allen tool or with a multi-tooth contour for receiving a multi-tooth tool.

[0077] To adjust the adjusting device 36, a user can use the aforementioned tool to rotate the adjusting shaft 369, whereby this rotational movement is transmitted via the intermediate shaft 368 to the threaded spindle 364 in order to move the pressure piece 363 in the guide slots of the adjusting lever 360.

[0078] The actuating unit 367 can be pivoted so that the actuating shaft 369 or its tool holder is easily accessible to a user.

[0079] In Figures 6a, b, 7a, b, and 8a, b, the flap fitting is shown in a partially cutaway view, as in Figure 5a, but from a different perspective than in Figures 5a, b. Figures 6a, b show the closed position, Figures 7a, b a partially open position, and Figures 8a, b the open position of the flap fitting 10.

[0080] In the figures marked "a", the adjusting device 36 is set to the maximum force output of the energy storage unit 30. In the figures marked "b", the adjusting device 36 is set to the minimum force output of the energy storage unit 30.

[0081] The figures illustrate in particular the arrangement of the spring assembly in relation to the lever mechanism 20. To introduce the push rod 35 of the force storage unit 30 into the lever mechanism 20 as centrally and symmetrically as possible in the transverse direction of the flap fitting, the push lever 35 penetrates the control arm 22. The control arm 22 is U-shaped with a base 221 and legs 222. An opening 223 is provided in the base 221 through which the push rod 35 passes. Like the control arm 22, the other links of the lever mechanism 20 are also either U-shaped or duplicated, so that in any case a symmetrical transmission of forces within the lever mechanism 20 is ensured in the transverse direction of the flap fitting 10.This also applies to the adjusting device 36, in which the adjusting lever 360 is symmetrically formed with the two side plates 362 in the transverse direction of the flap fitting, and likewise to the pressure piece 363, which is guided on both sides and thus in each of the side plates 362. The transmission element 365 is also present on each side of the adjusting lever 360, which is particularly evident in Figure 8b.

[0082] Because the push rod 35 runs centrally through the control arm 22, the spring assembly can be positioned behind the lever mechanism 20 and act directly on the adjusting lever 360 via the push rod 35 without any further deflection elements or similar components. This allows for a particularly low overall height of the flap fitting 10, since the full overall height of the flap fitting 10 is available for both the lever mechanism 20 and the energy storage unit 30.

[0083] Figures 9a and 9b illustrate the lever kinematics of the lever mechanism 20 and its interaction with the push lever 35 of the power storage unit via the adjusting device 36, again applied to a flap fitting 10 mounted in the furniture 1. Figure 9a shows the flap fitting 10 with the flap 8 closed, and Figure 9b shows the flap fitting 10 with the flap 8 open, whereby in both cases a maximum force effect of a spring 33, shown schematically here, is set via the adjusting device 36.

[0084] In the closed position shown in Figure 9a, the push lever 35 acts on the adjusting lever 360 such that the flap 8 is slightly pressed into the closed position. This results from the pressure piece 363 being positioned slightly above an imaginary line connecting the bearing axes 351 and 366. When the flap 8 is opened, a dead center is overcome at which the pressure piece 363 lies exactly on the imaginary line connecting the bearing axes 351 and 366. The further the flap 8 is opened, the further the pressure piece 363 lowers relative to the imaginary line connecting the bearing axes 351 and 366, and the spring assembly 33 exerts a force that increases with the opening position in the direction of the fully opened flap 8.

[0085] Figures 10a and 10b show, in the same way as Figures 9a and 9b, for the position with the flap 8 closed and with the flap 8 open respectively, the interaction of the compression spring 33, the push rod 35 with the transmission lever 21 via the adjusting lever 360 and the transmission element 365 with the minimum set force effect of the compression springs 33.

[0086] In Figures 10a and 10b, the penetration of the control arm 22 (as a member of the lever mechanism 20) by the push rod 35 (as a transmission element) is further emphasized by drawing an intersection point 37 of the two elements, as well as the extensions of the control arm 22 and the push rod 35, respectively, pointing away from the intersection point 37 in two directions and protruding from the penetrated area with lengths 20a, 20b, 35a, 35b. During an opening or closing movement of the flap fitting, the lengths 20a, 20b, 35a, 35b of these extensions change, as a comparison of Figures 10a and 10b shows. Reference symbols

[0087] 1 piece of furniture

[0088] 2 furniture carcass

[0089] 3 side wall

[0090] 3' overhang

[0091] 4 Underbody

[0092] 5 Topsoil

[0093] 6 intermediate floors

[0094] 7 Back panel

[0095] 8 flap

[0096] 9 pot recess

[0097] 10 flap fittings

[0098] 11 cases

[0099] 12 Mounting element

[0100] 121 Mounting plate

[0101] 122 Mounting pot

[0102] 123 outriggers

[0103] 20 7-joint lever mechanism

[0104] 20a, b length

[0105] 21 transmission levers

[0106] 22 Control arm

[0107] 221 Base

[0108] 222 thighs

[0109] 223 recess

[0110] 23 support levers

[0111] 24 transmission rod

[0112] 25, 26 Joint axle (fixed to the housing)

[0113] 27 First joint axis (fixed to the mounting element)

[0114] 28 second joint axis (fixed to the mounting element)

[0115] 29 Articulated axle (not stationary)

[0116] 291 additional joint axles

[0117] 30 power storage units

[0118] 31 Mounting rail (of the power storage unit)

[0119] 32 Spring support 33 Compression spring

[0120] 34 spring holders

[0121] 341st edition

[0122] 35 Transmission element (push rod)

[0123] 35a, b Length (of the transmission element)

[0124] 351 Bearing axis (of the transmission element)

[0125] 352 Fork

[0126] 36 Adjustment device (of the power storage unit)

[0127] 360° adjustment lever

[0128] 361 Basic element

[0129] 362 Side panel

[0130] 363 Printed piece

[0131] 364 Threaded spindle

[0132] 365 transmission element

[0133] 366 Bearing axis (of the adjustment device)

[0134] 367 Actuator

[0135] 368 Intermediate shaft

[0136] 369 Control shaft

[0137] 37 Intersection

[0138] 40 damper unit

[0139] 41 Mounting rail (of the damper unit)

[0140] 42 damper mounts

[0141] 43 dampers

[0142] 44 damper slides

[0143] 45 Push and pull rod

[0144] 46 coupling levers

[0145] 47, 48 stop

[0146] 49 Adjustment device (for the maximum opening angle)

Claims

22 Claims 1. Flap fitting (10) with a housing (11) for attachment to a furniture body (2) and with a mounting element (12) for attaching a flap (8) associated with the furniture body (2), wherein the housing (11) and the mounting element (12) are connected to each other via a lever mechanism (20) and are guided movably relative to each other between a closed position and an open position, comprising a force storage unit (30) coupled to the lever mechanism (20) via a transmission element in order to provide a driving force for the lever mechanism of the flap fitting, characterized in that the transmission element and one of the links of the lever mechanism (20) slidably penetrate each other.

2. Flap fitting (10) according to claim 1, wherein the transmission element penetrates one member of the lever mechanism (20) through a recess (223) or wherein one member of the lever mechanism (20) penetrates the transmission element through a recess (223).

3. Flap fitting (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever mechanism (20) is a 7-joint lever mechanism, the lever mechanism (20) having two pivot axes (25, 26) which are fixed to the housing (11) and to which a control arm (22) and a support lever (23) are pivotably connected, which in turn are pivotably connected to a transmission lever (21) in free pivot axes (29) which are neither fixed to the housing nor to the mounting element, wherein the transmission lever (21) is connected at one end to the mounting element (12).

4. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission element is a push rod (35).

5. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmission element and one member of the lever mechanism (20) perform a rotational and translational movement relative to each other in the area of ​​penetration during the opening and closing movement of the flap fitting.

6. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmission element and one member of the lever mechanism (20) in the area The penetration during an adjustment of the adjusting device (36) relative to each other performs a rotational and translational movement.

7. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transmission element and the one link of the lever mechanism (20) form an intersection point (37) in the area of ​​penetration, wherein the transmission element and the one link each have an extension with a length (35a, 35b, 20a, 20b) extending in two directions away from the intersection point (37) and projecting out of the penetrated area, wherein the lengths (35a, 35b, 20a, 20b) of the extensions change during an opening or closing movement of the flap fitting (10).

8. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the energy storage unit (30) comprises at least one compression spring (33) and forms a spring assembly together with a spring support (32) and a spring retainer (34).

9. Flap fitting (10) according to claim 8, wherein the spring holder (34) is guided linearly and the push rod (35) is mounted directly or indirectly pivotably on the spring holder (34), or wherein the spring support (32) is guided linearly and the push rod (35) is mounted directly or indirectly pivotably on the spring support (32).

10. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lever mechanism (20) has two pivot axes (25, 26) which are fixed to the housing (11), wherein the link of the lever mechanism (20) is pivotably articulated to a first of the pivot axes (25, 26) which is relatively displaceable and penetrable to the transmission element.

11. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the member is a u-shaped control arm (22) having a base (221) and two legs (222), wherein the recess (223) is formed in the base (221).

12. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising an adjustment device (36) for adjusting the power storage unit (30).

13. Flap fitting (10) according to claim 12, wherein the transmission element is part of the adjustment unit (36).

14. Flap fitting (10) according to claim 12, wherein the transmission element is coupled to the lever mechanism (20) via the adjustment device (36).

15. Flap fitting (10) according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting device (36) has an adjusting lever (360) which, viewed in a longitudinal direction of the housing (11), is itself pivotably mounted in a fixed position relative to the housing (11) between the two pivot axes (25, 26) of the lever mechanism (20), which are fixed to the housing (11), wherein the transmission element is coupled to the adjusting lever (360) at a movable pivot point and wherein the adjusting lever (360) is coupled to the lever mechanism (20) via a transmission element (365).

16. Flap fitting (10) according to claim 15, wherein the movable pivot point is formed on a pressure piece (363) which is slidably guided on the adjusting lever (360).

17. Flap fitting according to one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the adjusting device (36) is coupled to the transmission lever (21) via a further pivot axis (291).

18. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a damper unit (40) with at least one damper (43) for opening and / or closing damping of the mounting element (12) relative to the housing (11).

19. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the spring assembly is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the housing (11) and viewed from the mounting element (12) behind the lever mechanism (20).

20. Flap fitting (10) according to one of claims 1 to 19, having a housing height (11) of less than 45 mm and preferably of less than 40 mm.

21. Furniture (1) comprising a furniture body (2) and at least one flap (8) associated therewith, which is mounted on at least one flap fitting (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. Furniture (1) according to claim 21, comprising a top panel (5) above which the at least one flap fitting (10) is arranged.

23. Furniture (1) according to claim 22, wherein the top surface (5) is lowered relative to the side walls (3) of the furniture body (2) by an overhang (3'), advantageously having a height of at least one flap fitting (10) is less than the height of the overhang (3').

Images