EP2260166A1

EP2260166A1 - Damping device for damping an opening and/or closing motion of a furniture fitting

Info

Publication number: EP2260166A1
Application number: EP09731256A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernhard Krammer
Original assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
Current assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
Priority date: 2008-04-11
Filing date: 2009-04-08
Publication date: 2010-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-08
Also published as: CN101999026B; BRPI0911225A2; CA2718690C; EP2260166B1; AU2009235933B2; ES2767998T3; AT506643A1; CA2718690A1; KR101647514B1; JP5677285B2; WO2009124332A1; CN101999026A; KR20110005785A; SI2260166T1; US8307498B2; JP2011517477A; US20110019946A1; BRPI0911225B1; AU2009235933A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a damping device (9) for damping an opening and/or closing motion of a furniture fitting (3), wherein the damping device (9) comprises a restoring mechanism (12), by which an actuating element (7) of the damping device (9) can be moved into a starting position of the subsequent damping stroke after damping has been carried out, wherein the location of the starting position of the actuating element (7) can be set relative to the damping device (9) by an adjusting unit (8). The actuating element (7) of the damping device (9) is rotatably supported, wherein the adjusting unit (8) can be used to adjustably limit the restoring stroke of the actuating element (7) relative to the damping device (9).

Description

Damping device for damping an opening and / or closing movement of a furniture fitting

The present invention relates to a damping device for damping an opening and / or closing movement of a furniture fitting, wherein the

Damping device has a return mechanism through which a

Actuator of the damping device after attenuation in a

Starting position for the next damping stroke is movable, the position of the

Starting position of the actuating element is adjustable relative to the damping device by an adjusting device.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a furniture fitting and a piece of furniture with a damping device of the type to be described.

In the prior art, it is known to equip furniture fittings with a damping device, so that a damped movement of the movable furniture part can take place in at least one of the two end positions. Here, a damping device associated actuating element is applied from a certain relative position of the furniture fitting of a stop member or the movable furniture part itself, which initiates the beginning of the damping process. In addition, a return mechanism is provided by which the actuator is again moved to a starting position for the next damping stroke after attenuation. When using furniture fittings with integrated damping, it may happen that the furniture to be moved part is slowed down too much, so that the resulting closing or opening time of the movable furniture part exceeds a tolerable level. In extreme cases, it is even possible that no complete movement of the movable furniture part up to the desired end position is possible. If two furniture fittings are arranged for guided moving a movable furniture part, it would in principle be possible to equip the first furniture fitting of the movable furniture part with a damping function, while the second furniture fitting has no damping device. In the sense of the best possible movement behavior, however, can be made possible in this way no exact adaptation to the respective weight of the moving furniture part. Furniture hinges with a linear damper for damping a hinge movement have become known from WO 2007/009899 A1 and from WO 2007/009902 A1. The linear damper comprises a cylinder and a cylinder linearly displaceable piston with a piston rod coupled thereto, wherein the length of the stroke of the piston rod is adjustable relative to the cylinder. The field of application described in these publications is limited to linear dampers.

Object of the present invention is to provide a damping device of the type mentioned above while avoiding the above disadvantages.

This is achieved according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment, characterized in that the actuating element of the damping device is rotatably mounted, wherein by the adjustment of the return stroke of the actuating element relative to the damping device is adjustable limited.

Thus, therefore, the return stroke of a rotatable actuating element of the damping device is adjustable limited. Thus, the return movement of the actuating element of the damping device can be limited by the adjustment, whereby the length of the damping stroke is variable. Thus, the return stroke of the actuating element relative to the damping device can be reduced by the adjusting device.

According to one embodiment of the invention can be provided that by the adjustment of the return stroke of the actuating element relative to the damping device stepwise, preferably at predetermined positions, is variable. In this case, the actuating element can be latched at various defined positions, wherein the position of these predetermined positions corresponds to a partial path of the maximum damping stroke of the actuating element. The actuating element is then movable starting from an end position over a limited movement path up to the locking device predetermined by the adjusting device and in the opposite direction.

According to a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that by the adjustment of the return stroke of the actuating element relative essentially completely deactivatable to the damping device. In this way, the actuating element - preferably after the damping - be locked in this end position, so that the actuator is not reset at all. By such a construction, the damping device of the furniture fitting can be completely disabled.

The damping device may have at least two damping components movably mounted relative to one another during a damping stroke, the actuating element being in operative connection with one of the two damping components at least during the damping stroke. It can be provided that the actuating element can be locked by the adjusting device in different rotational positions.

As the damping device, fluid dampers, in particular rotational dampers, may be provided, with all damping media known in the prior art, such as e.g. Silicone oils can be used.

The return mechanism may comprise at least one spring, by which the actuator is again moved back to a starting position for the next Dämpfungshub after damping to allow at the end of Dämpfungshubes a return stroke, at the end of the actuator or the damper and its damping components again Starting position for the next damping stroke have taken. Also, the return mechanism may have a freewheel, wherein a locking device can be provided with a locking position and a freewheeling position. The return mechanism can also be formed by a valve construction of a damping device, which allows a return flow of the damping fluid after damping and thus a return of the actuating element. However, such return mechanisms are known in the art and need not be further described at this point.

The furniture fitting according to the invention can be designed either as a furniture hinge, as a pull-out for drawers or as an actuating mechanism for a furniture flap. The damper device in question can be arranged in this case be that it damps a relative movement - in particular a linear movement and / or a pivoting movement - of at least two stop parts to be fastened to a furniture part. In the case of furniture hinges, the relative movement between hinge cup and hinge arm can be damped, the relative movement of two rails in a pull-out guide for drawers, and the pivoting movement of an actuating arm provided for moving the furniture flap in the case of an actuating mechanism. For the sake of simplicity, the arrangement of a damping device on a furniture hinge is shown in the attached figures. For competent expert, it is immediately apparent from the embodiments shown how the arrangement of the damping device has to be made on a pull-out guide for drawers or on an adjusting mechanism for moving a furniture flap.

The furniture according to the invention is characterized by a furniture fitting with a damping device of the type in question.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of the figures. It shows or show:

1 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture with a movable furniture part, the two furniture hinges on

Furniture body is hinged,

2a, 2b the furniture hinge in different perspective views,

3 shows the hinge cup with removed hinge arm, Fig. 4a - Fig. 4e different views of the hinge cup with the

Adjustment device for limiting the return stroke of

Actuator, Fig. 5a - Fig. 5e analogous illustrations to Fig. 4a to Fig. 4e with limited

Damping stroke of the actuating element, Fig. 6a, 6b different starting positions of the actuating element,

7a, 7b different views of a switch of the adjusting device with a locking element, Fig. 8a, 8b different views of the actuating element and the associated rotor of the return mechanism, Fig. 9a, 9b highly schematic representations of the rotor with a in one

9a and FIG. 9b are analogous to the representation of FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b. FIG. 10a, 10b show a representation analogous to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the locking element located at the beginning and at the end of the damping stroke

Locking element in a different recess locks the rotor in one direction of rotation,

11 shows the rotor with a disengaged locking element, wherein the maximum damping effect of the damping device is available, and

Fig. 12 is a depressed manually in the hinge cup

Actuator, which is locked in this position by the locking element of the switch, whereby the damping effect of the damping device is completely deactivated.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a piece of furniture 1 with a furniture body 2, are mounted on the furniture fittings in the form of furniture hinges 3 for pivotally mounting a movable furniture part 2a. Both furniture hinges 3 have a hinge arm 4 to be fastened to the furniture body 2 and a hinged thereto hinge cup 5, which is sunk in a provided on the back of the movable furniture part 2a bore. Depending on the size and weight of the movable furniture part 2a, it may happen that the closing time or the opening time of the damping exceeds a tolerable level, so that the damping effect in the direction of one of the two end positions of the movable furniture part 2a satisfies the desire for optimized movement behavior insufficient. In addition, the furniture hinges 3 have a return mechanism not shown here for an actuating element, wherein the return movement of the actuating element is limited adjustable by an adjusting device to be described later. In this way, attenuation takes place only over a portion of the standard provided damping range.

Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b each show a furniture hinge 3 in different perspective views. The furniture hinge 3 has a hinge 4 as well a hinge cup 5, which are connected via at least one articulated lever 6 pivotally connected to each other. The hinge cup 5 comprises a known mounting flange 5a. Evident is an actuating element 7 of a damping device of the furniture hinge 3, which is rotatably mounted within the hinge cup 5. The actuating element 7 of the damping device is in the illustrated figure in a ready position for a damping stroke. From a certain closed position of the furniture hinge 3, the outer hinge lever 6 strikes the rotatable actuating element 7, which initiates the beginning of the damping stroke. In a further closing movement, the actuating element 7 is completely pushed by the articulated lever 6 in the hinge cup 5, said pivoting movement of the actuating element 7 is attenuated by the here not closer apparent damping device, so that the hinge movement is attenuated up to the full closed position. Also schematically indicated is an adjusting device 8 with a switch 8a arranged on the hinge cup 5, by means of which the position of the starting position of the actuating element 7 relative to the damping device can be adjusted. In this way, the return movement of the actuating element 7, starting from the fully depressed position, adjustable limited. The switch 8a is linearly adjustable in the illustrated embodiment and comprises at least two switching positions, wherein a switching position a full return of the actuating element 7 and a further switching position can allow a limited provision of the actuating element 7 after attenuation. Likewise, the damping device is substantially completely deactivated by the adjusting device 8. For the sake of a precise adaptation, however, it may be advantageous to allow the adjusting a reset function of the actuating element over a limited partial path of the complete return movement, whereby the damping takes place only over a portion of the full damping range.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the hinge cup 5, wherein for reasons of clarity, the hinge arm 4 is omitted. The actuating element 7 is concealed in the figure shown by the acting articulated lever 6, wherein the pivotable about the axis of rotation A actuating element 7 is in a depressed position relative to the hinge cup 5. The actuator 7 is associated with a rotor 7 a, which also serves as part of a return mechanism for returning the Actuator 7 forms. The rotor 7a of the return mechanism is mounted diametrically opposite a damping device 9 on the hinge cup 5, wherein the rotor 7a with the return mechanism and the damping device 9 are each at a side wall outer in mounting position and in mounting position below the mounting flange 5a of the hinge cup 5. The damping of the actuating element 7 is thus effected by the damping device 9, while the provision of the actuating element 7 by means of the rotor 7a of the return mechanism. The return mechanism may, for example, comprise a torsion spring, by means of which the rotor 7a can be rotated back into an initial position for the next damping stroke after damping by the supercharged torsion spring. The rotor 7a has on its outer peripheral surface a plurality of teeth or recesses into which a locking element of the adjusting device 8, which will be described later, can engage. The adjusting device 8 with the switch 8a is located in the figure shown in a position in which an unobstructed provision of the rotor 7a (and thus of the actuating element 7) is possible.

FIG. 4a shows essentially the same representation as FIG. 3. FIG. 4b shows the area circled in FIG. 4a in an enlarged view. The rotatably connected to the actuator 7 rotor 7a can rotate during the damping or during the recovery about the axis of rotation A. The rotor 7a is provided with recesses 10 into which a locking element 11 of the adjusting device 8 - not shown here in detail - can engage, preferably the switch 8a. However, in the figure shown, the switch 8a is in a position which allows an unimpeded return of the rotor 7a and of the actuating element 7 formed thereon. 4c shows in a plan view the top of the hinge cup 5. Below the mounting flange 5a, a damping device 9 and a diametrically opposed return mechanism 12 is provided, which can be arranged as separate structural units on the hinge cup 5. Of course, it is also possible to integrate the damping device 9 and the return mechanism 12 in a common structural unit. FIG. 4d shows a sectional view along the sectional plane BB according to FIG. 4c. 4e shows the area of the adjusting device 8 circled in FIG. 4d in an enlarged view. To recognize the rotor 7a with its recesses 10. The partial apparent switch 8a comprises a resiliently formed locking element 11, wherein the locking element 11 can park in a movement of the switch 8a in the direction of arrow X in one of the recesses 10, whereby further movement of the rotor 7a is blocked in the open position, but a retrograde movement up to the full closed position is possible. Depending on which recess 10 the locking element 11 parks, the return movement of the rotor 7a (and thus the actuating element 7) is adjustable limited.

FIGS. 5a to 5e show analogous representations to FIGS. 4a to 4e, with the difference that now the switch 8a of the adjusting device 8 is in another

Switch position has been moved. It is in particular from the enlarged

Detail representation according to FIG. 5b can be seen that an integrally formed on the switch 8a, resiliently formed locking element 11 engages in one of the recesses 10 of the rotor 7a. The rotor 7a and the associated actuator 7 can therefore only within a limited range of rotation angle - which extends between the fully depressed position of the actuating element 7 and the locking position between the locking member 11 and the respective recess 10 of the rotor 7a - are moved. In Fig. 5e it can be seen that the adjusting device 8 has been moved to the switch 8a in comparison to Fig. 4e to the left, so that the resilient locking member 11 is in an engaged position with one of the recesses 10 of the rotor 7a.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show analogous representations to FIG. 5b, wherein the switch 8a in FIG. 6a is in engagement with the uppermost recess 10 of the rotor 7a. This corresponds to the fully depressed position of the actuating element 7. Due to the locking in this position, the rotor 7a can not be moved by the return mechanism 12 in a starting position for a damping stroke, whereby the Dämpffunktion the furniture hinge 3 is completely deactivated. Fig. 6b shows an altered to Fig. 6a detent position between the locking member 11 and the rotor 7a, whereby the actuating element 7 is movable over about half of the standard provided damping stroke and thus at least partially provide a damping force. It is also clear that the switch 8a can be operated by the resilient design of the locking element 11 in a wide open position of the furniture hinge 3, wherein the Arresting element 11 runs on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 7a. In the region of the recesses 10, the locking element 11 can drive over the recesses 10 of the rotor 7a in one direction, but block the rotor 7a in the opposite direction. In this way, the actuating element 7 can be latched gradually (in the desired position) in the direction of the end position (starting from FIG. 6b according to FIG. 6a).

Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b show the switch 8a of the adjusting device 8 in a side and in a perspective view. To recognize a locking element 11 and locking part in the form of a molded pin, which can engage in recesses 10 of the rotor 7a. The resilient locking element 11 may also have a force acting in the direction of locking mechanical spring element.

8a shows a side view of the rotor 7a with the actuating element 7 formed thereon for the damping device 9, not shown here. The recesses 10 for the locking element 11 can be seen. The rotor 7a is mounted about the axis of rotation A (see FIG. 3). , Starting from the end position of the rotor 7a, this can be moved by a return spring, not shown here, of a return mechanism in an initial position for the next damping stroke. 8b shows a perspective view of the actuating element 7 with the rotor 7a formed thereon and its recesses 10. The free end of the actuating element 7 can be connected to a damping component of the damping device 9, preferably latched.

FIGS. 9a to 12 show a highly schematic embodiment of a rotatable rotor 7a and the actuating element 7 rotatably connected thereto, wherein a possible functional principle of the invention will be explained with reference to the following explanations.

9a shows the adjusting device 8 with the switch 8a with the locking element 11 arranged thereon. The rotor 7a comprises a plurality of recesses 10a-10d, which are provided for the adjustable limitation of the return stroke. In this way, it is achieved that the return mechanism 12 (FIG. 9c), which is not shown here, only supports the rotor 7a over a partial path of the maximum available Return stroke can move back. In the shown Fig. 9b, the locking member 11 is in the recess 10c of the rotor 7a, so that the rotor 7a about its axis of rotation A only in the closing direction (ie in the counterclockwise direction) is movable. Starting from the position shown in FIG. 9a, the actuating element 7 can be rotated by being acted upon by the articulated lever 6 of the furniture hinge 3 in the direction of the arrow R (closing direction) until the actuating element 7 assumes the position shown in FIG. 9b. The movable furniture part 2a has already reached the full closed position in FIG. 9b. However, the rotor 7a rotates relative to the fixed locking element only so far that the locking element 11 moves during the entire damping stroke exclusively within the tooth width of the recess 10c and can not engage in the next recess 10d. The rotor 7a was thus rotated together with the actuator 7 by exemplary 25 °, whereupon the damping stroke is already completed. The rotational movement of the rotor 7a is limited by the abutment of the movable furniture part 2a on the furniture body 2 (ie by reaching the closed position of the movable furniture part 2a). It should also be mentioned in this connection that the covered rotational angle range of the movable furniture part 2 a is higher by a multiple than the covered rotational angle range of the rotor 7 a. Starting from the complete closed position of the movable furniture part 2a (FIG. 9b), the rotor 7a (and thus the actuating element 7) is rotated back again by the return mechanism 12 (FIG. 9c), but only up to the rotational position shown in FIG. 9a the adjusting device 8 (switch δa with locking element 11) prevents further retraction of the rotor 7a.

FIGS. 10a and 10b show the switch 8a with the locking element 11, which, in contrast to FIG. 9a, is located within the recess 10b. The actuating element 7 can be moved about the axis of rotation A by being acted upon by the articulated lever 6 (FIG. 2b) in the direction of the arrow R (closing direction), whereby the movable furniture part 2a (not shown here) in FIG Closed position is located. During the entire damping stroke, the locking element 11 is moved only within the tooth width of the recess 10b and can not jump into the recess 10c, since the striking of the movable furniture part 2a on the furniture body 2 prevents further rotation of the rotor 7a. The desired Restdämpfleistung the Damping device 9 is thus - regardless of which recess 10a-IOd the locking element 11 is - substantially constant (for example, 20% of the total damping power). In principle, therefore, only a single recess 10 of the rotor 7a would be sufficient. However, the provision of a plurality of recesses 10a-10d offers the possibility of providing a suitable latching possibility for the locking element 11 in the case of deviating installation positions of the furniture hinge 3, deviating end positions of the movable furniture part 2a and / or deviating relative positions of the individual components of the furniture hinge 3. It should be noted that by different sized gears (ie by the size and shape of the recesses 10a to 10d), the damping power can be selectively influenced. By a coarser toothing (ie larger rotational angle ranges of the recesses 10a to 10d) can also achieve greater residual damping and vice versa.

Fig. 11 shows the switch 8a, wherein the locking member 11 is not in operative connection with the rotor 7a at all. The actuating element 7 with the rotor 7a can therefore be freely rotated during the damping stroke, the entire damping power of the damping device 9 being available for damping the movable furniture part 2a. In order to adjust the position of the starting position of the actuating element 7, the switch 8a is moved starting from FIG. 11 in the direction of the locking position. During a closing movement of the movable furniture part 2a, first the outer, circular peripheral edge of the rotor 7a on the locking element 11 runs down, with a further closing movement, the locking element 11 can enter into one of the provided recesses 10a-10c, depending on which recess 10a-10c with the full closed position of the movable furniture part 2a corresponds. In the subsequent opening movement of the movable furniture part 2a, the rotor 7a can be moved back by the return mechanism 12 only to the radially extending stop of the respective recess 10a-10c. During the next damping stroke, the locking element 11 can move only within the previously determined recess 10a-10c, whereby the desired residual damping power can be brought about. To restore the entire damping performance of the switch 8a is manually shifted back into the release position, so that the rotor 7a is again freely rotatable. FIG. 12 shows the completely deactivated damping function of the damping device 9, wherein the locking element 11 of the switch 8a is located in the last recess 10d. This position is preferably possible only by a deliberate and deliberately induced manipulation, for example, when the pivotally mounted actuating element 7 (FIG. 2 b) is deliberately pushed completely into the hinge cup 5 with a finger and also moves the switch 8 a in the direction of the locking position. The damping device 9 is thus completely ineffective in this position.

The subject invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes and extends to all variants and technical equivalents, which may fall within the scope of the following claims. Also, the location information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are mutatis mutandis transferred to the new situation in a change in position. In the embodiments shown, a damped movement in the closing direction was shown for reasons of simplicity, as well as the described structures are also used for an opening damping of a furniture fitting. By the described constructions can - with reference to Fig. 1 - one of the two furniture hinges 3 allow a full return of the actuator 7, while the other furniture hinge 3, the actuator 7 only partially or not reset, so the closing and / or opening time of the movable furniture part 2a can be optimized.

Claims

claims

1. damping device (9) for damping an opening and / or closing movement of a furniture fitting, wherein the damping device (9) has a return mechanism (12) through which an actuating element

(7) the damping device (9) is movable after damping in an initial position for the next damping stroke, wherein the position of the starting position of the actuating element (7) relative to the damping device (9) by an adjusting device (8) is adjustable, characterized in that the actuating element (7) of the damping device (9) is rotatably mounted, wherein by the adjusting device (8) the return stroke of the actuating element (7) relative to the damping device (9) is adjustable limited.

2. Damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that by the adjusting device (8) of the return stroke of the actuating element (7) relative to the damping device (9) gradually, preferably at predetermined positions, is variable.

3. Damping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by the adjusting device (8) of the return stroke of the actuating element (7) relative to the damping device (9) is substantially completely deactivated.

4. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating element (7) of the damping device (9) through the

Adjustment (8) can be locked.

5. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuating element (7) by the adjusting device (8) can be locked in different rotational positions.

6. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the adjusting device (8) has a manually operable switch (8 a) a locking element (11), wherein by the locking element (11) the actuating element (7) can be locked.

7. Damping device according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuating element (7) or a rotor (7 a) thereof one or more

Having recesses (10) into which the locking element (11) can engage.

8. Damping device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the locking element (11) has a resilient or spring-loaded locking part.

9. Damping device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the switch (8a) has at least two switching positions.

10. Damping device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the switch (8a) is linearly adjustable.

11. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the actuating element (7) of the damping device (9) by a hinge lever (6) of the furniture fitting can be acted upon.

12. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the return mechanism (12) comprises at least one spring.

13. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the damping device (9) and the return mechanism (12) are arranged as separate units on a furniture fitting.

14. Furniture fitting with a damping device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. furniture fitting according to claim 14, characterized in that the furniture fitting is a furniture hinge (3).

16. Furniture fitting according to claim 15, characterized in that the furniture hinge (3) has a hinge cup (5), wherein the actuating element (7) is rotatably mounted on the hinge cup (5).

17. Furniture hinge according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the actuating element (7) from a predetermined relative position of the furniture hinge by a hinge lever (6) of the furniture hinge (3) can be acted upon.

18. furniture fitting according to claim 14, characterized in that the furniture fitting is a pull-out for drawers.

19. Furniture fitting according to claim 14, characterized in that the furniture fitting is an actuating mechanism for a furniture flap.

20. Furniture with a furniture fitting according to claim 14.