EP2029844B1 - Damping device for movable parts, in particular for hinges or extendable or pivotable furniture parts - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a damping device (11) with two parts (13, 15) which are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis (12), a first part (13) with a sleeve (19, 25a, 25b), a second part (15) with an axle holder (21a, 21b) and an axle (17) for insertion into the sleeve (19, 25a, 25b) and into the axle holder (21a, 21b), and therefore the pivoting parts (13, 15) can be pivoted relative to each other about the pivot axis (12). A mechanical coupling (23a, 23b, 35a, 35b) is provided between the axle (17) and the axle holder (21a, 21b). In addition, the sleeve (19, 25; 19, 25a, 25b) and the axle (17) are designed in such a manner that, upon relative rotation of the two parts (13, 15), a braking effect is obtained by means of friction.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a damping device with two pivotable about a pivot axis relative to each other, parts.

State of the art

Dampers for furniture doors, which help avoid a loud slamming the furniture door, have been known for years. The EP-A-1 199433 For example, discloses a furniture hinge with a hinge arm and a hinge cup, which are connected to each other via at least one hinge axis. On the hinge arm, a fluid damper from the outside can be placed, with no tools are required for the attachment of the damper. The fluid damper has a housing and an actuating part which acts on a door or on a door-side hinge. An advantage of the furniture hinge described is that the damper can be replaced at any time. The disadvantage, however, is that the hinge with the attached damper looks aesthetically unattractive and therefore not well received by the market. It has also been shown that the fluid damper likes to leak. Also, compared to conventional hinges, assembly overhead is required.

The EP-AI 344885 relates to a furniture hinge with integrated braking and damping device. The furniture hinge consists of a fixable on a furniture part hinge arm and a fixable on another piece of furniture hinge cup.

According to the EP-A-1 344885 is in the hinge cup a displaceably mounted, indirectly provided by the articulated lever or directly operable cam plate, the at least one rotatably mounted in the hinge cup brake rotates, wherein the brake disc has at least one first braking surface, which is movable on at least one associated, fixed or with respect to the first braking surface second braking surface slides. The brake hinge of EP-A-1344885 is expensive to produce and therefore expensive.

WO 03/023172 A2 describes a hinge having first and second hinge fasteners movable relative to each other and having a coupling member for connecting the first and second hinge fasteners and for providing cushioning when the first and second hinge fasteners are moved relative to each other. The damping contains the surface damping effect and may be directional or dependent on the speed of movement or acceleration of one of the links. The hinge includes means for adjusting the amount of attenuation generated.

A rotating mechanism according to EP-A-1160467 includes a power element suitable for generating a rotational force for rotational movement, and a damping element arranged to control the speed of rotational movement. The damping element includes a substantially cylindrical by a spindle is mounted with a Abstandspassung. The power element is connected to the spindle to allow the spindle to rotate during rotation in the housing. The Abstandspassung between the housing and the spindle is provided with an elastic medium, the movement of the Spindle controls relative to the housing and dampens the stopping of the rotational movement.

In DE 44 06 824 A1 In order to equip a pivotally hinged parts such as doors, folding seats, covers, etc., for pivotal pivoting action with a hinging hinge, it is proposed to provide the mutually pivotable parts of the hinge with cooperating wedge surface pairings which, when pivoted, deform the respective hinge parts , This deformation work opposes the pivoting resistance, which prevents the free pivoting. This ensures that the part mounted by means of the hinge is automatically held in any pivotal position.

Object of the invention

Object of the present invention is, respectively, a braking device. To provide damping system, which can be integrated, for example, in furniture, door hinges and the like. Another object is to provide a mechanical braking device, which is inexpensive to produce. Yet another goal is to propose a braking device which can be integrated virtually invisibly into conventional hinges.

description

The object is achieved by a damping device according to claim 1, a hinge according to claim 13 and a method according to claim 17. Further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In the damping device on the one hand between the axle and the axle a mechanical coupling (for example, a driver) is provided, and on the other hand, the sleeve and the axle are designed such that at a relative rotation of the two parts at least by friction, a braking effect is achieved. This damping device has the advantage that it can be integrated, for example, in existing hinges. Since the damping device can be made very small, the shape of the hinges can remain substantially the same (Bohrbildkompatibilität). This means that no extra drilling is required for the assembly of a modified hinge according to the invention and therefore no additional work is required From the point of view of design is particularly advantageous that the damping device is practically not visible.

The axle and the axle receptacle are designed such that a limited freewheel between the axle and the second part is made possible. This makes it possible that the braking effect occurs shortly before the closed position.

Advantageously, the cooperating, serving as braking surfaces surfaces of the sleeve and the axis are not rotationally symmetrical, but designed so that upon rotation of the axis results in a clamping effect.

Conveniently, the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the axle at least over a certain circle section a helical (spiral) contour corresponding to one or more teeth.

According to an expedient embodiment, drivers are formed on or in the axle receptacle, which can interact with the axle ends of the clamping axle.

At the axle ends recesses may be provided which allow a certain freewheel of the movable part. This can be a certain freewheel between the movable second part and the axis. This has the advantage that the Braking effect only shortly before the closed position occurs. Conveniently, at least one recess is provided or formed on the axle, which allows a provided on the axle of the second part driver a certain freewheel.

Advantageously, the sleeve is formed at least in two parts and has a brake housing and at least one brake housing accommodated in the brake housing. This has the advantage that a frictional action between the outer surface of the brake bush and the inner surface of the brake housing can come about. In this case, the brake bush, the brake bushing one or more parts may be formed. Conveniently, the brake bushes are formed as half or third shells with one to the other end - seen in Umtangsrichtung - continuously increasing wall thicknesses. On average, this results in a toothing on the inner surface, which can cooperate positively with the toothing of the clamping axis.

Preferably, the brake bush has a slot of a certain width. This facilitates the separation of the brake bushing and gives a better braking effect. According to a preferred embodiment, when used in the bush, multi-part brake bushes a certain game between the individual brake bushes.

Advantageously, the axle is provided with elastic return means, e.g. a spring, in contact with the sleeve. As a result, an automatically acting return means is created. An expedient embodiment provides that the sleeve has a bottom, on which a torsion spring is inserted, which engages in a slot in the axis. When closing the hinge, the torsion spring is twisted and when opening the spring force provides for a provision of a safety catch.

Use finds the inventive braking device as a hinge in a hinge. It is conceivable to accommodate the braking device in the cover housing a hinge cup and to articulate a collecting bracket on the axis of the braking device. Advantageously, a braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is provided in the cover each opposite each other, wherein a U-shaped catch bracket is arranged on the axes.

The present invention also provides a method for damping the Pivoting movement of two by means of a hinge, according to claim 14, associated parts, which is characterized in that the jacket of the hinge axis and also the inner surface of the sleeve of the hinge are at least partially formed in cross section in a spiral shape, so that upon rotation of the axis a clamping and friction effect arises.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a cylindrical tube is used as the sleeve and at least one brake bushing is provided between the axle and the tube, which has a circular or part-circular outer surface in cross-section and at least partially a spiral-shaped inner surface. With a complementary shaped and recorded in the brake bushing clamping axis thus a clamping and rubbing effect can be generated, which can be used as a rotary friction brake.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the figures with reference to an application example. The same reference numerals are used in the figures for the same parts.

Fig. 1

Eine erste Ausführungsbeispiel einer Brems- resp. Dämpfungseinrichtung in Explosionsdarstellung;

Fig. 2

Das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig.1 in Seitenansicht und in Offenstellung und in Schliessstellung (unterbrochene Linie)

Fig. 3

Schematisch einen Querschnitt des Gelenks der Dämpfungseinrichtung von Figur 1;

Fig. 4

Schematisch einen Querschnitt durch das Gelenk eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemässen Dämpfungseinrichtung mit lediglich einer einstückigen, geschlitzten Bremsbuchse;

Fig. 5

Schematisch einen Querschnitt durch das Gelenk eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemässen Dämpfungseinrichtung mit einer geschlitzten Bremsbuchse mit einer Bremslippe, wobei die Längskanten der Bremsbuchsen aneinanderstossen;

Fig. 6

Ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Dämpfungseinrichtung in der Schliessstellung mit selbsttätiger Rückstellung der Klemmachse, wobei die links angeordnete Dämpfungseinrichtung in Explosionsdarstellung gezeigt ist.

It shows

Fig. 1

A first embodiment of a brake resp. Damping device in exploded view;

Fig. 2

The embodiment of Fig.1 in side view and in open position and in closed position (broken line)

Fig. 3

Schematically a cross section of the joint of the damping device of FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 4

Schematically a cross section through the joint of a second embodiment of an inventive damping device with only a one-piece, slotted brake bushing;

Fig. 5

Schematically a cross section through the joint of a third embodiment of an inventive damping device with a slotted brake bushing with a brake lip, wherein the longitudinal edges of the brake bushes abut;

Fig. 6

A fourth embodiment of a damping device in the closed position with automatic return of the clamping axis, wherein the left damping device is shown in exploded view.

The Figures 1 and 2 show the operating principle of the novel damping device 11 with a first part 13 and a second part 15 which are pivotally connected to each other by means of an axis 17. On the first part 13, a bushing 19 for receiving the axle 17 is formed. On the second part 15, two spaced apart axle receptacles 21a, 21b are provided which serve to receive the ends 23a, 23b of the axle 17. Between the axis 17 and the sleeve 19 are formed as half shells brake bushes 25 a, 25 b are provided.

For the invention of importance now is the formation of serving as a clamping axis 17 and the brake bushes 25 a, 25 b. As in particular from the FIG. 3 can be seen, the half-shells 25a, 25b in the circumferential direction (arrow 27) increasing wall thickness 29, ie the longitudinal edges 31a, 31b of the half-shells have a different thickness. The lateral surface 32 of the axle 17, in turn, has a complementary shape to the brake bushes 25a, 25b inserted into the sleeve 19, wherein depending on the use of the damping device 11, a specific clearance between the brake bushes 25a, 25b and the axle 17 may be present. It is also conceivable, in particular, for a certain torque due to specifically selected material properties (compressibility, elasticity, shore hardness, surface roughness, etc.), a different relative rotation of the first and second parts 13, 15 is made possible.

The axis 17 may be rotatably connected to the second part 15, or - it may - as shown in the first embodiment - a certain freewheel between the axis 17 and the second part 15 may be possible. For this purpose, the axle ends 23a, 23b according to the embodiment shown recesses 33a, 33b provided, whereby a certain freewheel of the axle can be realized. The recesses 33a, 33b may be deductions of the axle ends 23a, 23b, so that these - as in Fig.1 shown - have a cross-sectionally approximately rectangular shape. The axle receptacles 21a, 21b in turn have two mutually opposite drivers 35a, 35b, which can cooperate with the axle ends 23a, 23b. In the in Fig. 2 shown open position are the axle ends 23a, 23b on one side of the driver 35a, 35b and in the closed position (broken lines) on the other side of the driver 35a, 35b. As a result, a certain freewheel between the first and second parts 13,15 allows before the rotary friction brake begins to act. Depending on the design (freewheel, material properties and play between the cooperating braking surfaces), the damping device for braking doors, furniture doors, drawers and the like can be used.

As in Fig. 4 shown, the brake bushing 25 may also be made in one piece, which may be used as a whole in the socket 19. Advantageously, however, the brake bush has a slot 36 (space between the thin and thick end of the brake bushing). The slot 36 is preferably located at the intersection between the largest and lowest strength of the brake bushing. According to embodiment of FIG. 5 the longitudinal edges of the slotted bushing abut each other.

The inventive damping device according to the FIGS. 1 to 3 can be referred to as a rotary friction brake and works as a hinged joint as follows: Upon closure of the hinge, the movable member 15 takes with a certain rotation the clamping shaft 17 and pushes the brake bushes 25a, 25b (brake shoes) to the bush 19, which also can be referred to as a brake housing. Depending on the size of the recesses 33a, 33b and shape of the drivers 35a, 35b, the braking effect (damping) occurs in the desired position (relative pivot position). The braking effect is surprisingly self-tuned according to the strength of the kinetic energy. Thus, the damping device is equally effective, regardless of whether a door is closed with more or less momentum.

When opening the hinge, the clamping axis is returned to the starting position. The brake bushes (brake shoes) are brought by the clamping axis 17 back to the starting position.

One application concerns the use resp. Integration of the damping device in a furniture hinge. In this case, the joint, which hingedly connects the hinge arm with the hinge cup, be replaced by the inventive damping device. It is conceivable, however, the use of such a damping device in door hinges, or as a damping for a drawer. In the latter case, a roller may be provided at the rear end of the drawer rail, which is in communication with the clamping axis of the damping device.

The fourth embodiment ( FIG. 6 ) provides to accommodate the mechanical damping device in the cover housing 37 of a furniture hinge (only hinge cup in FIG. 6 shown). According to the preferred embodiment shown, the Damping device two separate damping units 11a, 11b, which are oriented against each other and arranged opposite each other in the cover 37. The cover housing 37 is seated on the so-called hinge cup 38, in which the hinge arm (not shown) is received in the closed position in a known manner.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiments described above, the damping devices 11a, 11b have a restoring device with which the axle 17 can be returned to the starting position. According to the preferred embodiment shown, the restoring device is formed by a torsion spring 39, which is arranged rotationally fixed in the bottom 40 of the bushing 19. The torsion spring 39 engages in a slot 41 at the distal end 43 of the axis 17. The proximal end 45 of the axis i7 is offset and serves for the rotationally fixed attachment of a safety catch 47. The safety bracket is U-shaped. He has in the legs 48 each have a round hole 49, in each of which the proximal end 45 of the axis 17 of the damping devices 11a, 11b is added. The safety catch 47 is in the open position of the hinge in approximately horizontal position. When closing the hinge, the hinge arm abuts on the safety catch 47 and pushes it down into the hinge cup 38. However, a rotation of the clamping axis 17 counteract the frictional forces generated between the outer surface of the brake bushes 25 a, 25 b and the inner surface of the bushing 19. Due to suitable choice of material and dimensioning, the damping can thus be set for each hinge. When the hinge is opened, the catching bracket 47 is returned to the horizontal position by the torsion spring.

Legend:

11

attenuator

13

first part

15

second part

17

axis

19

Rifle

21a, 21b

axle mounts

23a, 23b

end up

25a, 25b

brake bushes

27

arrow

29

Wall thickness

31a, 31b

longitudinal edges

33a, 33b

recesses

35a, 35b

Carrier (stops)

36

Slot of the brake bush

37

cover housing

38

hinge cup

39

torsion spring

40

Bottom of the socket 19

41

slot

43

distal end of the shaft 17

45

proximal end of the axis 17

47

capture hoop

49

round hole

Claims (19)

1. Damping device (11) with two parts (13, 15), which are slewable with respect to each other about a swivel axis (12),

   - a first part (13) with a sleeve (19, 25; 19, 25a, 25b),

   - a second part (15) with an axle retainer (21a, 21b) and an axle (17) for inserting into the sleeve (19, 25; 19 25a, 25b) and into the axle retainer (21a, 21b) so that the swivel parts (13, 15) are slewable with respect to each other about the swivel axis (12), wherein

   on the one hand a mechanical coupling (23a, 23b, 35a, 35b) is provided between the axle (17) and the axle retainer (21a, 21b) and on the other hand the sleeve (19, 25; 19 25a, 25b) and the axle (17) are formed so that a braking effect is achieved by friction in the case of a relative torsion of the two parts (13, 15), characterized in that the mechanical coupling (23a, 23b, 35a, 35b) is formed such that a limited freewheel is possible between the axle (17) and the second part (15).
2. Damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces of the sleeve (19, 25; 19, 25a, 25b) and the axle (17), which corporate with each other and are used as braking faces, are not formed rotationally symmetric.
3. Damping device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner face of the sleeve (19, 25; 19, 25a, 25b) and the outer face of the axle (17) define a snail formed (spiral) contour over a specific circle section.
4. Damping device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that recesses (33a, 33b), which enable a certain freewheel, are provided at the axle ends (23a, 23b).
5. Damping device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one recess (33a, 33b) is provided or formed at the axle (17) enabling a certain freewheel to a tappet (35a, 35b), which is provided at the axle retainer of the second part (15).
6. Damping device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that tappets (35a, 35b), which can corporate with the tapered axle ends (23a, 23b), are formed at or in the axle retainer (21a, 21b).
7. Damping device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sleeve (19, 25; 19, 25a, 25b) is formed at least in two parts and comprises a braking case (19) and at least one braking sleeve (25; 25a, 25b), which is accommodated in the braking case (19).
8. Damping device according to claim 7, characterized in that the braking sleeve (25; 25a, 25b) is formed of one or more parts.
9. Damping device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the braking sleeves are formed as half shells (25a, 25b) or one third shells, with a continuously increasing wall thickness (29) from one end to the other end, when viewed in circumferential direction.
10. Damping device according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the braking sleeve (25) comprises a slot (41) of a certain width.
11. Damping device according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a certain clearance is existent between the braking sleeves (25a) and (25b) for multi-part braking sleeves (25a, 25b), which are inserted into the sleeve (19).
12. Damping device according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the axle (17) is connected with the sleeve by means of an elastic return means, e.g., a spring (39).
13. Damping device according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sleeve (19) comprises a bottom (41) at which a torsion spring (39) is arranged, which engages into a slot (41) in the axle (17).
14. Hinge with a damping device (11) according to one of the claims 1 to 13 as a link axle.
15. Hinge according to claim 14, characterized in that the braking device (11) is arranged in the cover casing (37) of a hinge cup (38) and that an intercepting clamp (47) is arranged at the axle (17) of the braking device.
16. Hinge according to claims 14 or 15, characterized in that a braking device (11) according to one of the claims 1 to 12 is provided in the cover casing (37) one opposite to another, wherein a U-formed intercepting clamp (47) is arranged at the axles.
17. Method for damping the swivel movement of two parts (13, 15) connected by means of a hinge according to claim 14, wherein the jacket of the axle (17) and likewise the inner surface of the sleeve (19, 25; 19, 25a, 25b) of the hinge in cross section are formed at least in sections in a spiral shape so that a clamp and friction effect occurs in the case of a rotation of the axle (17), characterized in that the mechanical coupling (23a, 23b, 35a, 35b) is formed so that a limited freewheel is enabled between the axle (17) and the second part (15).
18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that a cylindrical tube (19) is used as the sleeve and that at least a braking sleeve (25; 25a, 25b) is provided between the axle (17) and the tube (19), wherein the braking sleeve comprises a circular or partially circular outer surface in cross section and at least in sections a spiral-shaped inner surface.
19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that a multi-part braking sleeve (25a, 25b) is used.

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