EP2538010A1 - Position return device, in particular for sliding doors - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a movable carrier (6), two opposing one-way return couplings (7,8,12,13) and two elastic elements (10,11) connected with the carrier, via the coupling. Each coupling is coupled to the elastic elements, during the displacement of carrier from the desired position in a respective direction of the carrier, in such a way that the carrier is moved slidingly through the elastic element. When the carrier is displaced in a specific direction by applying force, the carrier is decoupled from elastic element in both directions with the displacement of elastic elements.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for returning a movable device part in a specific position, for example, for position feedback of a sliding door member in a predetermined closed position.

If device parts are movable relative to one another, it may be desirable to ensure, by means of a suitable device, that a certain relative position is automatically assumed in certain situations. For example, it may be desirable to position a sliding door element, ie the sliding sliding door wing, relative to fixed fitting parts as a second device part in a very specific closed position, in the side door element edges flush with other Schiebetürelementrändem or furniture or building walls. If the user pushes the sliding door element inaccurately or releases it before completion of the movement with a residual swing, which is not designed precisely for the residual movement to the desired position, such a position feedback device can make a corresponding Postionsjustage.

Such position feedback devices are known in connection with sliding doors, for example from the WO 2006/056606 , There, a device for damping the movement of a sliding door element is shown before reaching an end position of the moving distance, in which a loaded on train coil spring pulls the sliding door element in the end position.

Furthermore, with the EP 2 333 218 a damping device has become known which can dampen and release relative movements in two opposite directions. In this prior art, two coil springs are provided, which are both coupled in the opposite direction of force with a slider, which in turn is coupled to a sliding door member.

The invention has for its object to provide a position feedback device with extended applications.

To solve this problem, the invention relates to a device for position feedback of a displaceable in two mutually opposite directions driver in a desired position with: the slidable driver, two opposing one-way reset clutches and two elastic elements, each via a respective one of the reset clutches with the driver are connected, wherein each return clutch in a displacement of the driver from the desired position in a respective direction of the driver to a respective one of the elastic elements so coupled that the driver is subjected to the displacement movement by the elastic member in the direction of the desired position, and at a Displacement of the driver in the other direction does not make a coupling between the driver and this elastic element, so that the driver in displacements in both directions in each case by a respective one of the elastic elements in the direction is subjected to force to the desired position and released from the other elastic element,

and to a correspondingly equipped sliding door fitting and a correspondingly mounted sliding door and a corresponding use of the position feedback device.

The position feedback device according to the invention accordingly operates in two directions and can return the displaceable driver or a further element coupled thereto, for example a sliding door element, in the direction from the desired position (or vice versa a device part with the position feedback device relative to move a fixed reference point, which is coupled to the driver). For this purpose, not only two elastic elements are provided, each of which has the task of providing the force necessary for the return in one of the two directions. In addition, two corresponding counter-rotating one-way reset clutches are provided, each of which produces or releases a coupling between the driver and a corresponding elastic element (in this sense "one-way" clutches) depending on the direction. Thus, the driver is thus coupled to a deflection in a certain direction by one of the two return couplings to one of the elastic elements, while the other return clutch releases the driver.

If this is the case of two return couplings, this does not necessarily mean that they must be structurally completely separate. You can also have common components; essential is the described directional release or coupling.

Accordingly, the invention offers the advantage of being able to individually provide the elastic element for the particular direction. Thus it can be designed individually as desired. For example, it could be connected in one direction with equal deflection distances with greater restoring forces than in the other direction or also show a direction-dependent individual force-distance relationship. Alternatively or additionally, the possibility can be used to bias elastic elements. This has the advantage that with small deflections as a result of the bias already significant restoring forces occur. Namely, if the provision takes place only over a single elastic element, for example one that is claimed in one direction to compression and in the other direction to elongation, so are the restoring forces in the environment of the non-linear force-displacement relationships Target position small. Accordingly uncertain or inaccurate is the position determination. This advantage also applies to the use of two elastic elements without corresponding one-way clutches. For then the forces of both elastic elements add up, which ultimately leads to a joint force-displacement relationship, which in turn in the vicinity of the desired position accordingly includes small restoring forces (because in the desired position an equilibrium of forces must prevail).

The term "elastic element" is generally for components that provide a restoring force for returning to the desired position after a certain Kraftweg context. It is not only in the classical sense of the linear force path context "elastic" elements come into consideration. Preferred are elastic elements made of elastomers (such as elastics), gas springs and especially coil springs and other classic metal springs.

Particularly preferred manner coil springs are claimed to train and, preferably also already biased to train.

Furthermore, the invention is basically directed to Positonsrückführvorrichtungen with at least two directions, but preferably to those with exactly two directions that are opposite to each other. Above all, the invention relates to directions in the straight linear sense and accordingly also directions of movement in the sense of a longitudinal displacement. In the most general sense is here of directions but also in the sense of directions of rotation and correspondingly opposite rotational movements the speech.

Slidably guided carriages may be provided on the return coupling-side ends of the elastic members which may form part of these couplings.

In this context, or independently thereof, the reset clutches can advantageously be configured with a one-sided system, ie by two elements abut each other in the one relative direction of movement and can be solved in the other relative direction of movement, for example by engagement of a pin in a recess open on one side.

The position feedback device according to the invention can be used for a wide variety of device parts, but is preferably directed to sliding door systems. Also conceivable are applications such as worktops z. As table tops, or other movable furniture parts. In this context, as already mentioned, damping devices are known. The position feedback device according to the invention is also advantageous to combine with a damper. For this purpose, the corresponding ends of the damper on the one hand to couple with the driver of the position feedback device and on the other hand with the two ends of the elastic elements, which are not coupled to the driver. Of course, more than one damper, especially two dampers, can be used.

In particular, reference is made to the already cited above EP 2 333 218 , As there, a clutch (hereinafter referred to as a damping clutch) may be used, which can establish and release a frictional connection between a corresponding device part (the two relatively moving parts of the device) and one end of the damper. (This damping clutch is in the present Not to be confused with the reset clutches.) In this form, as described in the cited EP publication, in the vicinity of a middle (as opposed to end position) position, in particular a sliding door damping can be effected and this damping can be combined again with the feedback function according to the invention. Incidentally, in this connection, disengagement of the damping clutch is not compulsory (because the working range of the one or more dampers could correspond to the total travel distance) but is preferred.

According to the cited EP publication, an embodiment of the damping clutch is also preferred in the present context with a sliding along a sliding distance and releasing in angled end pieces of the sliding distance slider. Furthermore, in the present context, a fork-like design of the slider for interaction with a stop element is preferred, wherein the fork-like shape engages the stop element in a movement along the sliding distance, but releases in said end pieces by the fork shape is tilted accordingly. For the abovementioned embodiments in connection with the damping and the damping clutch, reference is additionally made to the cited EP publication.

With regard to the combination of the position feedback device with the damper, a fixed connection of the driver already mentioned more often with the damping coupling part is preferred, which remains connected to the damper when releasing the damping clutch, ie in particular with the slider. Here, a one-piece design can be particularly useful.

The driver may, for example, represent an extension of the slider beyond an internal tilt axis. The internal tilting axis is intended to describe the rotational component of the movement of the slide in the angled end pieces, so that the driver is tilted in opposite directions.

A practical and simple embodiment of the one-way Rücksetzkupplungen may consist in a pin-receiving mechanism between the already mentioned slide at the end of the elastic members and the driver, as the embodiment illustrated. For example, a flat round pin can engage in an approximately U-shaped and thus unilaterally open depression.

As already explained, sliding door elements can be advantageously mounted with the position feedback device according to the invention, particularly but not only in combination with the damping device. Accordingly, the invention is also directed to a sliding door fitting with these elements or at least with the Posifionsrückführvorrichtung. In this way, the functional properties of the sliding door system in the sense of position determination and feedback and possibly the damping change advantageously, so that the sliding door system as a whole is the subject of the invention.

Figur 1

zeigt in den Einzeldarstellungen a bis k in einem vereinfachten Prinzipschema das Funktionsprinzip des Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 2

zeigt in den Einzeldarstellungen a bis f eine konkrete Realisierungsform im Ausschnitt.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment, wherein the individual features may be essential to the invention in other combinations and refer to all categories of the invention.

FIG. 1

shows in the individual diagrams a to k in a simplified schematic diagram, the principle of operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 2

shows in the individual representations a to f a concrete realization form in the section.

FIG. 1 shows in the first detail representation 1a a symbolically represented wall 1 with a stop element 2, here in the form of a simple pin. Practically, one can think of this pin mounted in a mounting rail of a sliding door system, cf. for example in the EP 2 333 218 Below is an assembly, namely a position feedback device according to the invention combined with a damping device provided (to which, strictly speaking, the pin 2 still belongs). This has two counter-rotating pneumatic linear damper 3 and 4, to which reference is made to the cited WO document. Further, reference is made to the two dampers 3a and 3b in FIG FIG. 1 and 3 and the corresponding dampers in the other figures except Figure 6a and b of the EP document. Between the dampers 3 and 4 is a sliding gate guide 5 with a driver 6. This is connected to the ends of the piston rods of the damper 3 and 4 and in a straight Sliding guide track longitudinally movable between a in FIG. 1 a shown and an opposite position in the Figure 1d and e is almost reached. This driver 6 has recesses into which carriages 7 and 8 can engage. These slides 7 and 8 are in turn displaceable in straight slide sliding guides, but each only half (and in each case a different) the length of the guide of the driver 6 amount, as indicated in the drawing. This assembly can be imagined accordingly mounted on a sliding door element. It therefore moves with the sliding door element.

In FIG. 1 a is a vertical bar 9 is located below the stop element 2, which is only symbolic of a damping clutch which interacts indirectly with the driver 6. This is based on FIG. 2 explained in more detail. Incidentally, reference is made to the operation of the damping coupling in addition to the frequently cited EP document and there specifically to the figure 5.

If one now in the order of the individual representations in FIG. 1 the differences between them, one recognizes first in the sequence of the representations a to d, a movement of the assembly, ie the sliding door element, from right to left.

In the situation referred to as b, the pin 2 is located above the carriage 7 and the coupling 9 (not shown here for simplification) is already coupled to the carriage 7. A tension coil spring 10 stretched between the carriage 7 and a distal end point of the damper 4 pulls the carriage 7 and thus the driver 6 and thus the sliding door element relative to the pin 2. The coupling 9 engages in a reference FIG. 2 yet to explain, as soon as the pin 2, the position of the carriage 7 and the driver 6 far left (in FIG. 1 a) reached.

This movement continues until the carriage 7 reaches the end of its travel distance. It can be seen that the driver 6 can then detach from the carriage 7, but on the other hand couples with the second carriage 8 and pushes it in front of him. Accordingly, the assembly of damping device and Positonsrückführvorrichtung in Figure 1c to h in terms of top-bottom assignment drawn twisted, namely to make it clear that now the pin 2 is coupled to the carriage 8.

The movement to the position indicated by d is intended to illustrate that the in FIG. 1a with impetus sliding door element overshoots slightly beyond the target position, namely into the in the FIGS. 1d and e shown position. In Figur1e is shown by the two arrows on the left, that is complementary to the coil spring 10 second coil spring 11 is now greatly stretched and begins to contract. Accordingly, the sliding door element moves in the individual representations e, f and g to the right and is in the representation g in the desired position, namely the center, arrived. The two dampers 3 and 4 have ensured that the kinetic energy of the sliding door element has been dissipated and the sliding door element has remained standing in the situation g.

The second sheet with the Figures 1h to k illustrates a reverse process, here a deflection from the center position to the right, in which the user pushes the sliding door member against the force of the spring 10 and the damping force. In the situation j, the damping clutch 9 releases and the sliding door member is released, as k shows.

Based FIG. 2 , With the individual representations A to F, the middle part of the device according to the invention is explained in more detail, in a concrete representation. As far as possible, the same reference numbers are entered as in FIG. 1 , It can be seen a plastic body 5 of the assembly, the slide sliding guides for here specifically illustrated slide 7 and 8 and the driver 6 therebetween recognizable. Furthermore, this plastic body 5 has a sliding gate guide for the fork-shaped slide 9 as part of the damping coupling. Reference may be made to the exemplary embodiment in the multiply cited EP document in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 for this slide 9, its guide and the related design of the plastic body 5 and, moreover, to the visible front and rear adjoining dampers and not shown here from the local representation here are the two springs 10 and 11 are not simply permanently coupled with an extended Habelarm the slide 9 but on the already explained one-way reset clutches. These are better can be seen in the individual representations b, c and d, in which individual parts are omitted. In particular one recognizes in Figure 2c a U-shaped receptacle 12 in the slider 6 and in Figure 2d a flat round pin 13 on the carriage 8. It can also be seen that in FIG. 2b a complementary and downwardly facing pin engages the carriage 7 in the receptacle 12. Conversely, the slider 6 below contains a complementary and not visible here recording for the pin 13th FIG. 2e shows how the driver 9, the slider 6 and the carriage 7 are moved to the left front from the center position and while the spring 10 is stretched in addition to its tensile prestress. Conversely shows FIG. 2f how the slider 9, the driver 6 and the carriage 8 are deflected to the right rear and while the spring 11 is stretched. (The drawing is simplified in the drawing insofar as the springs 10 and 11 in FIGS. 2e and f Of course, they are stretched naturally, compare the representations in FIG. 1 and in the EP publication, Figure 4.)

This embodiment of the return couplings 12, 13 has the particular advantage of being particularly easy to manufacture and at the same time insensitive to the tilting movements at the ends of the moving distance. The round pins can turn easily in the receptacles with the round contact surfaces. The tilting movements arise because the slider 9 and the driver 6 are a unitary component, the central region is guided in the plastic body 5 and in the kinking ends of the moving distance (in conjunction with the desired tilting movement of the fork of the slider 9) is rotated altogether.

Claims (15)

Device for position feedback of a driver (6) displaceable in two mutually opposite directions into a desired position with: the displaceable carrier (6), two counter-rotating one-way return couplings (7, 8, 12, 13) and two elastic elements (10, 11) which are each connected via a respective one of the reset couplings (7, 8, 12, 13) with the driver (6), wherein each return clutch (7, 8, 12, 13) in a displacement of the driver (6) from the desired position in a respective direction of the driver (6) to a respective one of the elastic elements (10, 11) so coupled that the driver ( 6) in the sliding movement by the elastic element (10, 11) in the direction of the desired position is subjected to force, and in a displacement of the driver (6) in the other direction no coupling between the driver and this elastic element (10, 11) produces in that, in the case of displacements in both directions, the driver (6) is in each case subjected to force by a respective one of the elastic elements (10, 11) in the direction of the desired position and released by the respective other elastic element (11, 10). Position feedback device according to claim 1, wherein the driver (6) in the two directions of movement is in each case straight longitudinally displaceable. Position feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the two elastic elements (10, 11) are helical springs and preferably tensioned. Position feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the reset clutches (7, 8, 12, 13) each have a slide (7, 8) fixedly connected to the respective elastic element and displaceably guided. Position feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the return part couplings (7, 8, 12, 13) each have a one-sided contact (12, 13) for Provide force and a directionally opposite release. Position feedback device according to one of the preceding claims, in which on the one hand the driver (6) and on the other hand one not with the driver (6) to be coupled end of the two elastic elements (10, 11) are each connected to one of two relatively movable device parts, wherein one of the connections is mediated via a damping clutch (2, 9) and this damping clutch (2, 9) is designed to establish a frictional connection between the corresponding device part and one end of a damper, wherein another end of the damper (3, 4) is connected to the other device part is connected, so that the damper (3, 4) in the closed state of the damping clutch (2, 9) damps a relative movement between the two device parts. Position feedback device according to claim 6, wherein the damping clutch (2, 9) can be released in relative directions of the two device parts in both directions. Position feedback device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the damping clutch (2, 9) comprises a slide (9) which is movable along a sliding distance and in angled end pieces of the sliding distance, which end pieces correspond to a release position of the damping clutch (2, 9). Position feedback device according to claim 8, wherein the damping clutch (2, 9) has a stop element (2) and the slide (9) is fork-shaped, wherein the damping clutch (2, 9) is adapted to the slide (9) with its fork-like shape, the stopper member (2) engages when the slider (9) is arranged in a central region of the sliding distance, and releases the stopper member (2) to an outer side, when the slide (9) in the release position in the angled end portion of the sliding distance located. Position feedback device according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the driver (6) fixedly connected to the damping coupling part (9) and is preferably integral therewith, which remains in the release of the damping clutch (2, 9) connected to one end of the damper , in the case of claim 8 or 9 with the slider (9). A position feedback device as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the cam (6) forms part of the slider (9) which, when moving into the angled end pieces, is disposed on the opposite side of the tilting axis within the slider (9) during this movement is. Position feedback device according to claim 4 and 11, wherein the slides (7, 8) and the driver (6) in each case via a pin-receiving mechanism (12, 13) with a transverse to the directions of movement pin (13) as reset clutch (7 , 8, 12, 13) are coupled. Use of a position feedback device according to one of the preceding claims for a sliding door. A sliding door fitting having a rail for holding a sliding door member, a sliding bearing for slidingly guiding the sliding door member, and a position returning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for returning the sliding door member to a predetermined position. A sliding door system with a sliding door fitting according to claim 14 and a sliding door element held by the fitting, which is traceable by the Positonsrückführvorrichtung in a predetermined position.

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