EP1870000B1 - Movable body drive unit and automatic drawer device using the same - Google Patents

Movable body drive unit and automatic drawer device using the same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1870000B1
EP1870000B1 EP06728716.9A EP06728716A EP1870000B1 EP 1870000 B1 EP1870000 B1 EP 1870000B1 EP 06728716 A EP06728716 A EP 06728716A EP 1870000 B1 EP1870000 B1 EP 1870000B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drawer
obstruction
movable body
retreating
conveyance roller
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06728716.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1870000A4 (en
EP1870000A1 (en
Inventor
Atsushi c/o CLEANUP CORPORATION NAKAZATO
Soichi c/o THK CO. LTD. SASAKI
Jun c/o THK CO. LTD. FURUKAWA
Yoshifumi c/o THK CO. LTD. NAGATO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
THK Co Ltd
Original Assignee
THK Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by THK Co Ltd filed Critical THK Co Ltd
Publication of EP1870000A1 publication Critical patent/EP1870000A1/en
Publication of EP1870000A4 publication Critical patent/EP1870000A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1870000B1 publication Critical patent/EP1870000B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
    • A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
    • A47B88/453—Actuated drawers
    • A47B88/457—Actuated drawers operated by electrically-powered actuation means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
    • E05F15/60—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators
    • E05F15/603—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors
    • E05F15/632—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for horizontally-sliding wings
    • E05F15/635—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for horizontally-sliding wings operated by push-pull mechanisms, e.g. flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
    • E05F15/60—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators
    • E05F15/603—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors
    • E05F15/632—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for horizontally-sliding wings
    • E05F15/635—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for horizontally-sliding wings operated by push-pull mechanisms, e.g. flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
    • E05F15/641—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for horizontally-sliding wings operated by push-pull mechanisms, e.g. flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements operated by friction wheels
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/20—Brakes; Disengaging means; Holders; Stops; Valves; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/214—Disengaging means
    • E05Y2201/216—Clutches
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/20—Brakes; Disengaging means; Holders; Stops; Valves; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/23—Actuation thereof
    • E05Y2201/246—Actuation thereof by auxiliary motors, magnets, springs or weights
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/40—Motors; Magnets; Springs; Weights; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/46—Magnets
    • E05Y2201/462—Electromagnets
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/60—Suspension or transmission members; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/622—Suspension or transmission members elements
    • E05Y2201/674—Friction wheels
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/20—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for furniture, e.g. cabinets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a movable body drive unit provided between a pair of members making relative reciprocating movement in a predetermined direction such as sliding doors of fittings and drawers of an article of furniture and adapted to cause those members to advance and retreat relative to each other, and an automatic drawer device using the same, according to the preamble portions of claims 1 and 9.
  • a device which opens and closes a movable member such as a drawer of an article of furniture or of a built-in kitchen ( JP 2003-189955 A , JP 2003-334120 A , etc.). More specifically, a movable member such as a drawer is arranged so as to be freely retractable with respect to a fixed frame body such as an article of furniture, and the movable member is equipped with a rack extending in the direction in which the rack advances and retreats. On the other hand, a gear that is in mesh with the rack is provided on the fixed frame body, and through rotation of the gear upon switch operation by a user, the drawer is caused to advance or retreat according to the rotating direction of the gear.
  • a grip of the drawer grasped by the user is equipped with a measuring device for detecting a direction and a magnitude of a force applied thereto. Further, the gear is rotated upon an output signal from the measuring device, making it possible to automatically open and close the drawer.
  • Document GB 2374521 A discloses a movable body drive unit and an automatic drawer device according to the preamble of claims 1 and 9.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a movable body drive unit for causing a movable member such as a drawer to advance and retreat along a predetermined advancing/retreating route, in which, even in a case where there exists an obstacle in the advancing/retreating route of the movable member, the movable member is caused to immediately stop its advancing/retreating movement upon collision with the obstacle to thereby prevent damage of the obstacle and the movable member itself and secure a sufficient level of safety for the user and the like.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic drawer device for opening and closing a drawer by using the movable body drive unit, in which when the drawer comes into contact with an obstacle, the advancement/retreating of the drawer is immediately stopped to thereby prevent damage of the obstacle and the drawer itself and secure a sufficient level of safety for the user and the like.
  • the present invention relates to a movable body drive unit mounted to a second member supported so as to be capable of making relative reciprocating movement relative to a first member and adapted to cause the second member to advance and retreat relative to the first member.
  • the movable body drive unit causes the second member to advance and retreat relative to the first member, so it is possible for the first member to be on a fixed side, with the movable body drive unit advancing and retreating together with the second member, or for the second member to be on the fixed side, with the movable body drive unit causing solely the first member to advance and retreat with respect to the second member.
  • the movable body drive unit includes: a conveyance roller held in press contact with a traveling surface provided on the first member; a drive means for rotating the conveyance roller in a normal direction or a reverse direction; a user input means for giving the drive means a command to cause the second member to advance or retreat; a control means for generating a drive signal for the drive means in response to an input signal of the user input means; and an obstruction detection means which makes a judgment as to whether there has been generated any obstruction to relative advancement/retreating of the first member and the second member, and which, upon determining there is an obstruction, gives the control means a command to stop the drive means.
  • the obstruction detection means detects it.
  • a command is given to the control means to stop the drive means.
  • the drive means is stopped irrespective of the input signal of the user input means, and the rotation of the conveyance roller stops, thus stopping the movement of the second member with respect to the first member.
  • the first member is a fixed frame body of an article of furniture or the like and in which the second member is a drawer retractable to the fixed frame body, if a finger is inadvertently caught between the drawer and the fixed frame body, this does not lead to serious injury since the drawer stops immediately.
  • the obstruction detection means it is only necessary for the obstruction detection means to be capable of judging whether there has been generated an obstruction to relative advancing and retreating of the first member and the second member.
  • a speed detection means for detecting an advancing/retreating speed of the second member with respect to the first member, when it is judged from an output signal of the speed detection means that the advancing/retreating speed of the second member has been markedly reduced, it is determined that there is an obstruction.
  • the speed detection means it is possible for the speed detection means to be, for example, a rotary encoder rotating according to the advancing/retreating amount of the second member or a linear encoder for reading a magnetic scale attached to the first member as the second member moves.
  • the drive means is an electric motor
  • another example of the obstruction detection means may be one which detects generation of an obstruction from fluctuations in the value of an electric current flowing through the motor.
  • the obstruction detection means judges an obstacle to be present and gives the control means a command to stop the drive means
  • the first member or the second member stops in a state in which it abuts against the obstacle
  • the operation of removing the obstacle is rather hard to perform.
  • a finger is caught between the fixed frame body being the first member and the drawer being the second member
  • this state will be allowed to continue, resulting in an unexpected injury.
  • the obstruction detection means judges the obstacle to be present and the drive means stops, it is desirable to separate the first member or the second member immediately from the obstacle after the stopping.
  • taking the trouble to perform control to reverse the conveyance roller in order to separate the first member or the second member from the obstacle will result in a rather complicated construction of the control portion generating the drive signal of the drive means.
  • an absorption/repulsion means which absorbs at least a part of torque transmitted from the drive means to the conveyance roller from the point in time when the first member or the second member abuts against the obstacle and is locked in its movement until the point in time when the drive means is stopped, and which, as the drive means stops, separates the first member or the second member from the obstacle by using a reaction force of the absorbed torque. It is possible to realize the absorption/repulsion means, for example, by covering the surface of the conveyance roller with a soft and elastic layer or by providing an elastic joint in the power transmission route from the drive means to the conveyance roller.
  • the electromagnetic clutch cuts off the connection between the conveyance roller and the drive means while the drive means is at rest, the user can move the first member relative to the second member through manual operation without having to use the movable body drive unit of the present invention, thereby helping to achieve an improvement in terms of convenience.
  • the movable body drive unit of the present invention constructed as described above, it is possible to easily form an automatic drawer device that can open and close various drawers of built-in kitchens, articles of furniture, or the like through switch operation. Further, in such an automatic drawer device, when there exists an obstacle hindering the drawer opening/closing operation, the opening/closing operation is automatically stopped, making it possible to prevent damage of the obstacle or the drawer itself and to avoid trouble such as catching of the user's finger.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 are a plan view and a side sectional view, respectively, of an automatic drawer device 1 equipped with a movable body drive unit according to the present invention.
  • the automatic drawer device 1 includes a fixed frame body 2 formed in a box shape, a drawer 3 drawn into and out of the fixed frame body 2 in the horizontal direction as seen in the drawing, and a movable body drive unit 10 for causing the drawer 3 to advance and retreat with respect to the fixed frame body 2, the movable body drive unit 10 causing the drawer 3 to advance and retreat through switch operation.
  • the drawer 3 is supported by the fixed frame body 2 through the intermediation of a pair of slide devices 4a, 4b.
  • the slide devices 4a, 4b for example, have outer rails fixed to the fixed frame body 2, inner rails fixed to the drawer 3, and a large number of balls rolling between those rails while bearing load, making it possible to cause the drawer 3 to freely advance and retreat with respect to the fixed frame body 2 with a very small force.
  • the slide devices 4a, 4b it is possible to select and use a well-known slide device construction as appropriate.
  • the movable body drive unit 10 has a conveyance roller 11 fixed to a back plate 3a of the drawer 3 and traveling on a bottom plate 2a of the fixed frame body 2.
  • the conveyance roller 11 By rotating the conveyance roller 11, the movable body drive unit 10 runs of its own accord on the bottom plate 2a of the fixed frame body 2 together with the drawer 3.
  • a roughened skidproof sheet 12 is attached to the traveling region of the bottom plate 2a for the conveyance roller 11.
  • a power cord 13 extends from a back plate 2b of the fixed frame body 2 to the movable body drive unit 10, making it possible to supply electricity to the movable body drive unit 10.
  • a curled cord is used, which expands and contracts as the drawer 3 is opened and closed.
  • a switch panel 14 as the user input means; by operating the switch panel 14, an operational command is given to the movable body drive unit 10.
  • the switch panel 14 may be one equipped with pushbutton switches respectively corresponding to the operations of opening, closing and stopping the drawer 3, or one which allows operational input according to the number of times by which a pushbutton switch is depressed.
  • the switch panel 14 may be mounted to the front plate 3b of the drawer 3; according to the arrangement of the drawer 3 to be operated, it may be provided on the fixed frame body 2 side instead on the drawer 3 (movable body) side. Further, the switch panel 14 may be formed as a foot switch allowing operation with tiptoes. In the case of a foot switch, it is possible for the user to open the drawer 3 even when the user is holding with both hands the article to be accommodated in the drawer 3, which leads to superiority in convenience.
  • Fig. 3 is a front sectional view of an example of the movable body drive unit 10.
  • the unit 10 is equipped with a casing 15 fixed to the back plate 3a of the drawer 3, the conveyance roller 11 supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the casing 15, an electric motor 16 fixed to the casing 15 and serving as a drive means, a gear row 17 including a plurality of gears 17a, 17b, 17c and adapted to transmit the rotational output of the electric motor 16 to the conveyance roller 11, and an electromagnetic clutch 18 provided between the electric motor 16 and the gear row 17.
  • the electric motor 16 and the gear row 17 are connected, making it possible to transmit the torque of the electric motor 16 to the conveyance roller 11.
  • the electric motor 16 a DC motor is used; by changing the direction in which voltage is applied to the electric motor 16, the rotating direction of the electric motor 16 is reversed, making it possible to switch the rotating direction of the conveyance roller 11.
  • the reason for thus providing the electromagnetic clutch 18 in the power transmission route from the electric motor 16 to the conveyance roller 11 is to lighten the operational feel when the user opens/closes the drawer 3 through manual operation without using the movable body drive unit 10. If the electromagnetic clutch 18 is not provided and the electric motor 16 and the conveyance roller 17 are directly connected through the gear row 17, opening/closing the drawer 3 manually without energizing the electric motor 16 would cause the conveyance roller 11 to rotate the electric motor 16, thereby making the operational feel in opening/closing the drawer 3 rather heavy.
  • a soft and elastic layer 19 formed of urethane rubber or the like is provided on the surface of the conveyance roller 11.
  • the soft and elastic layer 19 is slightly crushed, thereby preventing slippage between the conveyance roller 11 and the bottom plate 2a.
  • the rotation of the conveyance roller 11 is directly supported by the casing 15, it is also possible to provide a saddle plate supported by the casing 15 through the intermediation of a spring, supporting the conveyance roller 11 by this saddle plate.
  • the movable body drive unit 10 has, on the front and rear sides in the moving direction of the drawer, a pair of position switches 20a, 20b for detecting the end positions in the advancement and retreating of the drawer 3, that is, the state in which the drawer 3 has been completely accommodated in the fixed frame body 2 and the state in which it has been completed drawn out of the fixed frame body 2.
  • Fig. 4 shows those position switches in detail.
  • Movable blocks 21a, 21b are respectively provided on the front surfaces of actuators of the position switches 20a, 20b, and the movable blocks 21a, 21b are retained so as to be vertically movable with respect to the casing 15.
  • switch dogs 22a, 22b are fixed to the bottom plate 2a of the fixed frame body 2 in correspondence with both ends of the advancing/retreating stroke of the drawer 3.
  • the movable block 21a runs onto the switch dog 22a
  • the movable block 21b runs onto the switch dog 22b.
  • the movable block 21a is pushed up, and the actuator of the position switch 20a is depressed, whereby the output signal of the position switch 20a undergoes a change. That is, when the drawer 3 attains one of the two ends of the advancing/retreating stroke, the output signal of the position switch 20a or 20b undergoes a change, and it is possible to judge which of the terminal positions the drawer 3 has reached.
  • the movable body drive unit 10 is provided with a speed detection means 5 for detecting the moving speed of the drawer 3.
  • the speed detection means 5 includes a detection roller 50 rotatably supported by the casing 15, and a rotary encoder 51 adapted to output a signal corresponding to the rotating speed of the detection roller 50.
  • the rotary encoder 51 includes a transmission type photo sensor 52 in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are opposed to each other across a detection space 52a, and a disc dog 53 inserted into the detection space 52 and intercepting the optical path between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, with the disc dog 53 being fixed to a rotation shaft 50a of the detection roller 50.
  • the disc dog 53 has a large number of slits 53a arranged radially at equal intervals; each time one of the slits 53a passes the detection space 52a of the photo sensor 52, an optical path is formed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and the output signal of the photo sensor 52 undergoes a change.
  • the detection roller 50 runs on the bottom plate 2a of the fixed frame body 2, and the output signal of the photo sensor 52 is turned on/off at a speed corresponding to the rotating speed of the detection roller 50.
  • the detection roller 50 In the speed detection means 5, it is not necessary to provide the detection roller 50; from the viewpoint of detecting the advancing/retreating speed of the drawer 3 with respect to the fixed frame body 2, it is also possible to fix the disc dog 53 directly to the rotation shaft of the conveyance roller 11. It should be noted, however, that rotational torque for causing the drawer 3 to advance and retreat is input to the conveyance roller 11 from the electric motor 16, and that there is a risk of the conveyance roller 11 undergoing slippage with respect to the bottom plate 2a of the fixed frame body 2. Thus, from the viewpoint of more correctly grasping the moving speed of the drawer 3, it is desirable to provide the detection roller 50 separately from the conveyance roller 11 as described above, fixing the disc dog 53 to the detection roller 50.
  • the detection roller 50 in order to prevent slippage of the detection roller 50 with respect to the bottom plate 2a, it is desirable to cover the surface of the detection roller 50 with a material of high friction coefficient such as rubber.
  • a material of high friction coefficient such as rubber.
  • the rotary encoder 51 is used as the speed detection means 5, it is possible to obtain a similar output signal by using a linear encoder.
  • a linear scale having physical marks arranged at equal intervals is attached to the bottom plate 2a of the fixed frame body 2, and the marks of the linear scale is read by a reading head fixed to the casing 15 as the drawer 3 moves.
  • Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system of the movable body drive unit 10.
  • a control portion 6 is equipped with an LSI serving as a microcomputer; it controls the rotation of the electric motor 16 and controls the operation of the electromagnetic clutch 18 in response the output signals from the switch panel 14, the position switches 20a, 20b, and the rotary encoder 51.
  • the control portion 6 is supplied with power from a power source 7 through the power cord 13.
  • the control portion 6 When the opening or closing of the drawer 3 is input from the switch panel 14, the control portion 6 applies a voltage according to the direction of the input to the electric motor 16 to rotate the electric motor 16, and applies a voltage also to the electromagnetic clutch 18 to connect the electric motor 16 and the gear row 17. As a result, the conveyance roller 11 of the movable body drive unit 10 rotates, and the drawer 3 moves with respect to the fixed frame body 2.
  • the control portion 6 stops the application of voltage to the electric motor 16, and then also stops the application of voltage to the electromagnetic clutch 18 to separate the electric motor 16 and the gear row 17 from each other.
  • the conveyance roller 11 stops its rotation, and the advancement/retreating of the drawer with respect to the fixed frame body 2 is stopped, making it possible from this onward to cause the drawer 3 to advance and retreat through manual operation.
  • the control portion 6 can ascertain whether the drawer 3 is in the open state or the closed state. Therefore, if, for example, a opening command is input from the switch panel 14 although the drawer is in the open state, no voltage is applied to the electric motor 16 and the electromagnetic clutch 18, and they are kept at rest. This also applies to the case in which a closing command is input from the switch panel 14 although the drawer is in the closed state.
  • the control portion 6 counts the number of output signals from the rotary encoder 51 per unit time; when the count value becomes not more than a predetermined value, the application of voltage to the electric motor 16 and the electromagnetic clutch 18 is stopped regardless of the input from the switch panel 14.
  • the rotary encoder 51 outputs pulse signals at a speed corresponding to the moving speed of the drawer 3, so if the number of output signals from the rotary encoder 51 per unit time has become not more than a predetermined value, it means that the moving speed of the drawer 3 has been reduced to an extreme degree, and trouble is to be expected, such as locking of the drawer 3 by an obstacle.
  • the application of voltage to the electric motor 16 and the electromagnetic clutch 18 is immediately stopped, and the rotation of the conveyance roller 11 is stopped. That is, in the movable body drive unit 10, the obstruction detection means, which is a constituent feature of the present invention, is formed by the speed detection means 5 and the control portion 6.
  • Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control procedures related to the stopping of the conveyance roller 11; while the control portion 6 is applying voltage to the electric motor 16, those procedures are always executed irrespective of the moving direction of the drawer 3.
  • the input signal of the rotary encoder 51 is first checked, thereby checking whether or not the moving speed of the drawer 3 has been reduced to a level not higher than a predetermined speed (ST1).
  • This predetermined speed is set relatively low with leeway with respect to the moving speed of the drawer 3 generated through rotation of the conveyance roller 11.
  • the judgment as to whether the moving speed has been reduced to a level not higher than the predetermined speed is made by counting the number of output signals of the rotary encoder 51 per unit time as described above and by checking whether the count number has become smaller than a predetermined value or not.
  • the drawer 3 in the movable body drive unit 10, when the movement of the drawer 3 is forcibly locked by an obstacle, and the driving of the electric motor 16 is stopped upon detection of this locking, the drawer 3 is automatically separated from the obstacle with which it has been in contact. Thus, it is possible to instantaneously cancel the state in which the drawer 3 is in contact with the obstacle, and there is no need for the user him/herself to manually retract the drawer 3 to remove the obstacle, thus achieving an improvement in terms of operability. Further, even when the user inadvertently gets his finger caught between the fixed frame body 2 and the drawer 3, the drawer 3 automatically retreats immediately after the stopping of the electric motor 16, so it is possible to instantaneously cancel the state in which the finger is caught, thus making it possible to prevent an accidental injury.
  • the soft and elastic layer 19 covering the surface of the conveyance roller 11 constitutes the absorption/repulsion means of the present invention.
  • the retracting amount of the drawer 3 depends upon the amount of strain generated in the soft and elastic layer 19. For example, when the thickness of the soft and elastic layer 19 is increased, the amount of strain generated by the soft and elastic layer 19 is so much the larger, so the retracting amount of the drawer 3 when the strain is released is increased.
  • this absorption/repulsion means is not always restricted to the soft and elastic layer 19 covering the conveyance roller 11.
  • a speed detection means such as the rotary encoder 51 is used to detect the state in which the movement of the drawer 3 is locked by an obstacle against which it abuts
  • Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system used in this case. An ampere meter 8 is provided between the control portion 6 and the electric motor 16, and the output signal of the ampere meter 8 is compared with a predetermined value at the control portion 6. When the drawer abuts an obstacle, the torque of the electric motor increases, and the value of electric current flowing through the electric motor increase in accordance therewith.
  • the control portion 6 decides that the drawer 3 has abutted an obstacle, and stops the application of voltage to the electric motor 16 and the electromagnetic clutch 18. With this construction also, it is possible to detect whether the drawer has abutted an obstacle or not.
  • the movable body drive unit of the present invention is applied to an automatic drawer
  • the movable body drive unit is also applicable to various other conveying devices; by being fixed to the object to be conveyed, it allows the object to attain linear self-propelling motion.
  • the movable body drive unit has been described as applied to an automatic drawer device.

Landscapes

  • Drawers Of Furniture (AREA)
EP06728716.9A 2005-03-31 2006-03-07 Movable body drive unit and automatic drawer device using the same Not-in-force EP1870000B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2005101396 2005-03-31
PCT/JP2006/304347 WO2006112189A1 (ja) 2005-03-31 2006-03-07 移動体駆動ユニット及びこれを用いた自動引き出し装置

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1870000A1 EP1870000A1 (en) 2007-12-26
EP1870000A4 EP1870000A4 (en) 2012-06-06
EP1870000B1 true EP1870000B1 (en) 2014-01-01

Family

ID=37114923

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06728716.9A Not-in-force EP1870000B1 (en) 2005-03-31 2006-03-07 Movable body drive unit and automatic drawer device using the same

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1870000B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP5059606B2 (ja)
WO (1) WO2006112189A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4988483B2 (ja) * 2007-09-06 2012-08-01 日立アプライアンス株式会社 引き出し式機器
DE202009001324U1 (de) * 2009-02-04 2010-06-24 Paul Hettich Gmbh & Co. Kg Ausstoßeinheit und Möbel
US8434837B2 (en) * 2009-07-08 2013-05-07 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
AT510549B1 (de) * 2011-02-21 2012-05-15 Blum Gmbh Julius Möbelantrieb
FR2972478B1 (fr) * 2011-03-07 2019-04-26 Christian Chorin Dispositif motorise d'ouverture et de fermeture d'une structure mobile, telle qu'un portail ou analogue
DE202012009450U1 (de) * 2012-10-01 2014-01-07 Hetal-Werke Franz Hettich Gmbh & Co. Kg Bewegungsvorrichtung für ein bewegbares Möbelteil
CN210374267U (zh) 2019-06-11 2020-04-21 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 冰箱
DE102020114911A1 (de) * 2020-06-04 2021-12-09 ambigence GmbH & Co. KG Möbelkomponente mit einem Möbelbeschlag und einem Motor zur beweglichen Verbindung zweier Möbelteile
KR102554412B1 (ko) * 2021-10-06 2023-07-11 네이버랩스 주식회사 배송 로봇
AT526799A1 (de) * 2022-12-23 2024-07-15 Blum Gmbh Julius Recheneinheitgestütztes Verfahren zur Bewegung eines bewegbaren Möbelteiles

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS59152085U (ja) * 1983-03-31 1984-10-12 扶桑電機工業株式会社 扉の開閉装置
JPH031747U (ja) * 1989-05-31 1991-01-09
DE9113223U1 (de) * 1991-10-24 1991-12-05 Karl Baisch GmbH, 7056 Weinstadt Möbel
JP2709254B2 (ja) * 1993-03-10 1998-02-04 富士通テン株式会社 キャビネット
JP3001747U (ja) * 1994-03-04 1994-09-06 小堀設計株式会社 引き出しの引き込み装置
JPH09221958A (ja) * 1996-02-20 1997-08-26 Tachikawa Blind Mfg Co Ltd パネルの駆動制御装置
EP0875177A3 (de) * 1997-05-01 2000-08-02 Peka-Metall Ag Öffnungs- und Schliessmechanismus für einen Auszug eines Möbelelementes
JPH1194455A (ja) * 1997-09-17 1999-04-09 Sankyo Seiki Mfg Co Ltd 自動式引き出しを有する筐体及び冷蔵庫
JP4337086B2 (ja) * 1999-07-19 2009-09-30 日本ビクター株式会社 光ディスク
JP3576482B2 (ja) * 2000-11-29 2004-10-13 日産車体株式会社 オートスライドドア制御装置
GB0107495D0 (en) * 2001-03-23 2001-05-16 Alpha Ind Ltd Drawer assist mechanism
AT413632B (de) 2001-12-27 2006-04-15 Blum Gmbh Julius Bewegbarer möbelteil
AT413631B (de) 2001-12-27 2006-04-15 Blum Gmbh Julius Anordnung mit einem bewegbaren möbelteil, mit einer antriebseinheit und mit einer regeleinrichtung
AT500362B1 (de) * 2002-06-27 2007-01-15 Blum Gmbh Julius Anordnung mit einem bewegbaren möbelteil und mit einer antriebseinheit
JP3678419B2 (ja) * 2003-02-19 2005-08-03 松下電工株式会社 引出し用飛び出し装置とこれを用いたキャビネット
JP4188254B2 (ja) * 2004-01-30 2008-11-26 Ｔｈｋ株式会社 自動引出し装置
JP4188255B2 (ja) * 2004-01-30 2008-11-26 Ｔｈｋ株式会社 移動体駆動装置
AT414004B (de) * 2004-02-19 2006-08-15 Blum Gmbh Julius Möbel
JP2005237766A (ja) * 2004-02-27 2005-09-08 Shinano Kenshi Co Ltd 引出し部駆動装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1870000A4 (en) 2012-06-06
JPWO2006112189A1 (ja) 2008-12-04
EP1870000A1 (en) 2007-12-26
JP5059606B2 (ja) 2012-10-24
WO2006112189A1 (ja) 2006-10-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1870000B1 (en) Movable body drive unit and automatic drawer device using the same
JP5202322B2 (ja) アシスト付き引き出し装置
CN107386862B (zh) 具有铰接连杆机构的动力摆门致动器
KR102139545B1 (ko) 도어 진입안내 시스템 및 도어 진입안내 시스템의 작동 방법
US7331643B2 (en) Piece of furniture with a movable furniture component
US20180283045A1 (en) Door handle assembly and process for extending and/or retracting of door handle assembly
JP2014524997A (ja) 電動式スイングドアアクチュエータ
JP2006194075A (ja) 門駆動法及び該方法を実施するための門駆動装置
WO2013121185A1 (en) Ramp
JP2006336457A (ja) ハンドル及びハンドルを備えたドア
JP6218897B1 (ja) 記録装置
US6050028A (en) Apparatus for controlling closing motion of vehicular sliding door
JP5978119B2 (ja) エレベータのドア装置
CN101674757A (zh) 家具以及用于推出可动地接纳在固定家具部件上的家具部件的装置
JP2007009456A (ja) 車両用ドアの挟み込み防止装置
KR101909116B1 (ko) 차량용 전동휠체어 고정장치
JP2006347470A (ja) 電動スライドシート
KR20110019642A (ko) 자동차용 도어 자동개폐장치
KR20180044342A (ko) 작동 손잡이
JP4261305B2 (ja) ドア開閉制御装置
CN112550161A (zh) 双向滑动机构、车辆存储组件以及车辆
WO2001034931A2 (en) Door drive system
US11628757B2 (en) Adjustable assembly for a vehicle with a pivotable table element
KR101611250B1 (ko) 파워 슬라이딩 도어의 개폐시스템
JP2547062B2 (ja) 車両用パワーシートのロック装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20071022

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT DE

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: THK CO., LTD.

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ref document number: 602006039868

Country of ref document: DE

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: A47B0088000000

Ipc: A47B0088040000

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20120507

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: E05F 15/14 20060101ALI20120427BHEP

Ipc: A47B 88/04 20060101AFI20120427BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20130809

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 647214

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20140215

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602006039868

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20140220

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006039868

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20141002

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006039868

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20141002

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ref document number: 602006039868

Country of ref document: DE

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: A47B0088040000

Ipc: A47B0088400000

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20180220

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20180226

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602006039868

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 647214

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190307

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190307

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191001