EP2315897B1 - Automatic furniture flap-type detection - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electromotive furniture flap drive.

Such a furniture flap drive, for example, from the unpublished Austrian patent application AT 505 126 A1 out.

Furniture damper actuators are currently available in different versions on the market, depending on which type of furniture flap to be driven by the furniture flap drive. Like in the DE 20 2006 000 535 U1 described in detail, furniture flaps have become known in different designs or types.

For example, there are furniture flaps known as folding up, in which the flap is fastened by means of hinges to the underside of the cabinet lid.

Furthermore, there are two-piece running rattles, a first part flap is pivotally connected to the furniture body and a second part flap is pivotally connected to the first part flap. When transferring the flap into the open position, the first partial flap is pivoted upward away from the furniture body, wherein the second partial flap is also pivoted upwards to the furniture body, so that the flap is folded in the open position (folding flap).

For swing doors, the flap is pivoted over the furniture body away to the rear.

If the flap preferably carries out a movement essentially parallel to the front side of the furniture body during its entire opening or closing path, this is referred to as a high-lift flap.

This terminology should also be maintained in the context of the present invention, the list of different types of furniture flap is not meant to be understood.

AT 505 126 A1 is that it is possible to replace a arranged in the first component defective electric drive a furniture flap drive, without having to remove the second component of the furniture flap drive, which has the actuator arm, and may also be referred to as a mechanical actuator from the furniture body.

Depending on the furniture flap type different mechanical actuators are used, which differ mainly in the different design of the control lever - or the lever mechanism, of which the lever is a part - from each other to perform the respective characteristic movement of the furniture flap. The mechanical actuator is usually always provided with a spring package, which serves to balance the weight of the furniture flap within certain limits or balance.

In the prior art, it is necessary to manually determine which type of flap is present, for example, depending on which is used to drive which furniture flap type, the electric motor to make different presets on the electric motor. This applies both in one-piece furniture flap drives as well as in two parts, as described in the Austrian patent application AT505126 A1 are shown. This brings with it the problem that under certain circumstances, incorrect input of operating parameters or the like can occur.

The object of the invention is to remedy this problem.

This object is achieved by a furniture flap drive with the features of claim 1.

• Hochfaltklappe,
• Hochschwenkklappe,
• Hochliftklappe.

By providing an identification device for automatic identification of the furniture flap type, the furniture flap drive itself can recognize which furniture flap type it should be used for. The following furniture flap types are identified:

• bi-fold,
• High swiveling flap,
• High lift flap.

Since it is possible to provide in advance in an electronic memory of the furniture flap drive for each furniture flap drive the desired operating parameters, the furniture flap drive can automatically select the correct operating parameters after identification. A manual error input is therefore excluded.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Particularly advantageously, the invention can be used, if it is provided that the first and the second component are releasably fastened to each other.

In the invention, it is provided that the identification device is connected to a displacement measuring device, preferably an angle measuring device, through which the path traversable by the furniture flap or the actuating arm between its two end positions (closed or lower end position or open or upper end position), preferably the corresponding angle, can be determined, wherein the identification device identifies the type of flap as a function of the measurement result of the displacement measuring device.

This makes use of the knowledge that differ different types of furniture flap by different lengths ways, which can be covered by the actuator arm or the furniture flap between its two end positions (closed position of the furniture flap or opening position of the furniture flap), from each other. Thus, for example, the zurücklegbare angle range at a Hochfaltklappe (HF) is about 120 °. For a high-lift flap (HL) it is approx. 140 ° while for a high swing flap (HS) the control arm can cover an angle range of approx. 130 °. These angles are each measured starting from the position at which the furniture flap on the furniture body (possibly under Maintaining a slight gap to the furniture body towards allowing a touch-latch release) rests against the furniture body in the closed end position. The angle measurement can optionally also be carried out starting from an imaginary line running vertically through the pivot point of the actuating arm. The concrete numbers may change slightly.

Of course, the exact angles may of course differ depending on the manufacturer or it may be possible that different types of furniture flap than the previously mentioned should be distinguished from each other. However, this does not present a problem, since only a finite number of a priori known different mechanical actuators, which can be combined with the first component, which has the electric drive, are available for a specific furniture flap drive. It must therefore be measured only once at the factory for each of the types of valves that are to be distinguished from each other, which way or which angle range of the actuator arm or the furniture flap for each of the flap types can cover each.

It may be provided that the furniture flap drive depending on the identification carried out by the identification device, control or control parameters, for example, speed profiles (ie, for example, the angular velocity and / or the angular acceleration in dependence on the pivot angle of the actuator arm or as a function of time) or the like for an electric motor sets.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a collision monitoring device is provided for detecting a collision of the furniture flap driven by the furniture flap drive in the assembled state with the furniture body or a foreign body.

It can be provided that the collision monitoring device has a speed and / or an acceleration measuring device for the actuating arm.

Protection is also desired for a piece of furniture with a furniture flap drive according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, wherein the setting arm is connected to a furniture flap.

Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c

beispielhaft drei unterschiedliche Möbelklappentypen,

Fig. 2a, 2b, 2c

die Ausbildung des Möbelklappenantriebs für jeden der in den Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c gezeigten Möbelklappentypen,

Fig. 3a, 3b

ein Flussdiagramm (aus Platzgründen aufgeteilt) eines konkreten Beispieles einer Identifikation des Möbelklappentyps unter zu Hilfenahme einer Wegmesseinrichtung, wobei zusätzlich eine Kollisionsüberwachungsvorrichtung initialisiert wird,

Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d

Beispiele im Zusammenhang mit einer Kollisionsüberwachung bei einer HF-Möbelklappe,

Fig. 5a, 5b

eine Ausführungsform eines ersten Bauteils, an welcher drei unterschiedlich ausgebildete zweite Bauteile befestigt werden können, in perspektivischer Ansicht sowie entsprechenden Draufsichten,

Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the figures and the associated description of the figures. Showing:

Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c

For example, three different furniture flap types,

Fig. 2a, 2b, 2c

the training of the furniture flap drive for each of the in the Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c shown furniture flap types,

Fig. 3a, 3b

a flowchart (split for reasons of space) of a concrete example of an identification of the furniture flap type with the aid of a path measuring device, wherein additionally a collision monitoring device is initialized,

Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d

Examples in connection with collision monitoring in an HF furniture flap,

Fig. 5a, 5b

an embodiment of a first component, to which three differently shaped second components can be attached, in a perspective view and corresponding plan views,

The Fig. 1a shows a movably mounted on a furniture body 2 furniture flap 3 in the form of a Hochfaltklappe (HF). The corresponding design of the furniture flap drive 1 is in the Fig. 2a shown. The angle φ is measured between two imaginary lines, one of which runs parallel to the longitudinal extent of the actuator arm 4. The second straight line extends at least approximately vertically and through the pivot point of the actuating arm 4. On the plate 5, the in Fig. 1a shown furniture flap 3 are attached.

The Fig. 1b and 2b show the corresponding representations for a Hochschwenkklappe The Fig. 1c or 2c show the corresponding representations for a high-lift flap.

It can be seen that due to the different respectively desired movement behavior of the furniture flap 3, the exact design of the lever mechanism is different. In each case, however, the electromotive driving the movement of the furniture flap 3 by the actuator 4.

The Fig. 3a and 3b show a flowchart for an automatic parameterization of the electric motor in dependence of the automatically identified respective furniture flap type. In this case, an identification device is used as an example, which closes from the angle range φ which can be returned by the actuating arm 4 or the furniture flap 3 between the two end positions to the respective flap type. When starting the parameterization, the furniture flap 3 should be in an intermediate position between the two end positions.

At the beginning there is a binary query as to whether the position furniture flap 3 is larger (the direction away from the furniture body 2 is to be considered as a positive direction hereinafter) as a predetermined trigger threshold of the path measuring device. The displacement measuring device is designed here as a rotary potentiometer, which measures absolute angle values in the form of increments and forwards them to the identification device. It should also be mentioned that a CPU of the identification device as well as electronic memory and optionally further circuits in all embodiments of the invention may be formed on the mainboard of the electromotive furniture flap drive, for example in its control or regulating device.

Depending on whether the furniture flap is located closer to the open position (left branch of the flow chart) or closer to the closed position (right branch of the flow chart), the result of the query is either "yes" or "no". The furniture flap 3 is then driven by an electric motor as long as in the direction of the more distant end position until the absolute value of the angular velocity of the _{actuator arm} 4 _falls below a predetermined threshold ω _THRESHOLD . If this falls below, then you know that the furniture flap in the closed (lower) or open (upper) end position has arrived (in the following only the left branch to be discussed, the right branch is analog) The value then output from the rotary potentiometer stored as φ _BOTTOM . Then the furniture flap 3 is driven in the direction of the upper (open) end position and again until it abuts against the furniture body 2, which in turn expresses that the absolute value of the angular velocity of the actuating arm 4 below the given Rotary potentiometer is stored as the upper end position φ _TOP . From the difference of φ _BELOW and φ _UP the total angular range Δφ can be determined by the _{actuator arm} . It is only decided with the help of two binary queries, which in this case three possible furniture flap types (HF, HL or HS) is present. Since a folding-up flap has the smallest angular range that can be returned, it is first queried whether the entire traversable angular range Δφ lies below the expected total _traversable angular range φ _{LEVEL_HF of} a folding-up flap. If this is the case, the identification is completed positively and the desired control parameters for a folding folder can be loaded. If this is not the case, then no folding flap can be present. Then it is queried whether the entire zurücklegbare angle range Δφ is greater than that total diaper area φ _{LEVEL_HL} , which is to be expected for a high lift flap, If this is the case, the furniture flap 3 is positively identified as a high lift flap and the corresponding control parameters can be loaded. If this is not the case, then a high pivoting flap must be present and again the required control parameters can be loaded. This, of course, requires the prior knowledge that the corresponding furniture flap drive 1 from the outset should be used only in these three different furniture flap types Otherwise, correspondingly more queries would be performed.

After a positive identification, a reference run "Close" can be carried out. This happens until the angle range φ covered is greater than the difference φ _UP - φ _OFF . If this condition is fulfilled, then the collision parameters thus determined for the closing movement, here for example the number triple φ, ω, α can be stored. The corresponding collision parameters do not have to be continuously recorded, but it is sufficient to include them for certain discrete points of concern. When φ _OFF is an offset angle, which is used to put the switch-off position of the electric motor slightly before the respective end position, so that no collision with the furniture body 2 takes place.

Subsequently, Fig. 3b ) carried out a corresponding reference travel for the opening movement. The thus determined collision parameters can also be stored.

The entire process is analogous (right branch), if initially the flap was in the closed position.

Examples of the collision parameters for the angular acceleration α recorded during the reference run "closing" are in the Fig. 4a shown. It can be seen that, depending on the measured angular acceleration while retaining a certain offset, the collision monitoring device determines the step function which is then to be used for collision monitoring.

A collision can either be a "regular" collision of the furniture flap 3 with the furniture body 2. However, foreign objects, such as a user's hand, can cause a collision. An example of a collision occurring during the opening operation of a folding-up flap which is detected by the acceleration monitoring is in FIG Fig. 4b shown.

A corresponding example of the closing movement is in the Fig. 4c shown.

The Fig. 4d shows how collision monitoring is established while maintaining a predetermined offset for the Speed parameter. In all embodiments, the collision monitoring can be based either only on one of the given parameters (for example angular velocity ω or angular acceleration α) or on combinations of the parameters.

The Fig. 5a and FIG. 5b schematically show the principle of an embodiment according to which the furniture drive 1 respectively consists of two components 7, 8 fastened to one another in a detachable manner (in addition, a cover flap could be provided which is shown in FIG Fig. 2 is recognizable). The electric motor and the corresponding electronic circuits are arranged in the first component 7. The mechanical actuating unit is designed as a second component 8. Depending on which furniture flap type is to be used, a corresponding second component 8 is used.

It may be advantageous during the reference run to carry out an error check to the effect that care is taken to see whether the furniture flap 3 has traveled a certain minimum distance (minimum angular travel). Otherwise, the problem may arise that it comes in the event of a collision of the furniture flap 3 before reaching the end position to a misidentification of the flap type, which also has the consequence that the electric motor moves only over a limited angular range.

Legend:

ω

angular velocity

α

angular acceleration

φ

angle

φ _UP

upper end position

φ _BELOW

lower limit position

Δφ

determined angular range

φ _{Level_HF}

Limit angle for RF detection

φ _{Level_HL}

Limit angle for HL detection

φ _OFF

Winkelloffset

ω _THRESHOLD

Threshold for angular velocity at the end position is detected (furniture flap is at a standstill)

Claims (6)

1. An electric-motor furniture flap drive comprising a first component (7) having an electric motor and a second component (8) having a control arm, characterised by an identification device for automatically identifying the type of furniture flap in the installed condition of the furniture flap drive (1), said identification device being configured to identify a furniture flap out of the group of an upward fold flap, an upward pivotable flap and an upward lift flap, wherein the identification device is connected to a travel measuring device, preferably an angle measuring device, by which the travel which can be covered by the control arm (4) between its two end positions, preferably the corresponding angle (ϕ), can be determined, wherein the identification device identifies the type of flap in dependence on the measurement result from the travel measuring device.
2. A furniture flap drive as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the first and second components (7, 8) can be releasably fixed to each other.
3. A furniture flap drive as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the furniture flap drive (1) establishes control or regulating parameters, for example speed profiles or the like, for the electric motor, in dependence on the identification implemented by the identification device.
4. A furniture flap drive as set forth in one of claims 1 through 3 characterised by a collision monitoring device for detecting a collision of the furniture flap (3) driven in the installed condition by the furniture flap drive (1) with the furniture carcass (2) or a foreign body.
5. A furniture flap drive as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that the collision monitoring device has a speed measuring device and/or an acceleration measuring device for the control arm (4).
6. An article of furniture having a furniture flap drive (1) as set forth in one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the control arm (4) is connected to a furniture flap (3).

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