EP2754365B1 - Movable furniture - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a movable furniture according to the preamble of claims 1 and 2.

State of the art

From the EP 1 470 766 A1 is a Höhenverfahrbarer work table has become known in which a height-adjustable working table is made possible with a manually operable switching device with two switching functions for opposing driving a control device. The manually operated switching device has at the top of the table top, a first switching member and on the underside of the table top, a second switching member, each in the sense of downward movement of the table top upon actuation of the upper switching member or an upward movement of the table top upon actuation of the lower switching member be operated. As a result, the direction of movement of the table top is effected by the respective pressure on the top or the pressure on the underside of the table top. In this case, individual film switches are used, which have no coherent switching mimic.

A disadvantage of the known device for height adjustment of the work table is in particular an accidental Operation of the upper switch whose accidental release can lead to an unwanted movement of the work table.

Task and solution of the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a movable furniture, in which an accidental operation of the mobility is excluded. In addition, a simple and effective control of the movement of the furniture to be made possible.

This object is achieved on the basis of a movable furniture of the preamble of claims 1 and 2 by the characterizing features of claim 1.

In the dependent claims advantageous and expedient developments of the furniture according to claims 1 and 2 are given.

Advantages of the invention

The furniture according to the invention has the advantage that a high level of security against incorrect operation of the movable furniture is ensured. This is particularly ensured in height-adjustable table surfaces, such as work tables or the like, in height or laterally movable cabinets or other movable furniture parts. The furniture system according to the invention provides that an activation of the electric drive device for moving the furniture is effected only with a simultaneous actuation of opposing control surfaces. In addition to this activation, the sensor device must be given a control signal, which is determined, for example, from a difference value between an upper and a lower pressure on the respective control surface. Only thereby a detection system is activated, which is used to operate the electric drive device for moving the furniture.

Even perpendicular to each other arranged control surfaces allow the advantages of the invention to a significant extent. The rectangular arrangement is easier to carry out on a furniture panel, since only surface and side edge must be covered and a lower handle is not required.

Particularly advantageous is the use of control surfaces for a switching device, which are arranged on both sides of a plate and having pressure-sensitive sensors for generating a pressure difference. If, for example, the pressure on the upper pressure-sensitive sensor is greater than that on the lower sensor, this causes a downward movement when the sensors are actuated simultaneously. In the opposite case, an upward movement of the respective furniture part. Of course, by means of the same system a lateral movement of the furniture can be performed.

The use of capacitive sensors or switches is possible as an advantageous embodiment. These sensors are very insensitive and maintenance free. Contact force and / or signal differences are also detectable by the capacitive effects, as is possible with mechanical switches.

Therefore, the control surfaces for the switching device are particularly advantageously arranged on both sides of a plate, in particular table top, wherein these are preferably at least flush mounted in the respective top and / or bottom of the respective table top. As a result, an incorrect operation by pressurizing the upper control surface by means of an object while avoiding touching the lower control surface can be avoided. If one uses touch-sensitive switching elements here, a maloperation is also excluded.

It can also be provided a separate control module, which can be arranged either on the furniture, or which is receivable in a matching receptacle on the furniture.

Separate control modules can be attached to the furniture, fasteners or the like by means of clamp fasteners. Even wireless control modules are conceivable.

If the receptacle is structured on the furniture in the form of a control module, the module can also simply be inserted there.

A further advantage is that the arrangement of the control surfaces on the furniture part is such that the direction of movement of the furniture is basically perpendicular to the arrangement of the control surfaces. The direction of movement in turn results from the difference value of the control signal, which emanates from the control sensor or from the control surfaces.

Also particularly advantageous is the use of preprogrammed movement patterns for the respective piece of furniture, wherein preferably an additional information display for displaying the possible movement possibilities can be provided.

With these measures, for example, a switching device can be equipped, which includes certain memory positions, so that the movement of the furniture can be carried out in predetermined positions by means of a predetermined sequence of movements. In this case, for example, the extent of the actuation of the control surfaces can be used to approach the various positions. If you press, for example, once on the opposing sensors, so is a first position, if you press two times in succession on the sensors, then a second position may be approached.

Basically, it is crucial that the simultaneous manual actuation of two opposing sensors lead to a downward movement when the differential pressure increases from top to bottom and an upward movement, when the differential pressure from bottom to top is greater.

Also advantageous is the use of the buttons on the furniture for both vertical and horizontal movements. The vertical movement can be used, for example, to adjust the height of a table top, the horizontal movement, for example, for lateral displacement of cabinet elements.

Particularly advantageous is the use of a worktop by means of at least on one side existing lateral undercut to produce a lower thickness of the worktop and embed the sensors flush in this thinner worktop accordingly. This allows a better recapture of the worktop.

However, the switching device can also be used advantageously in a continuous from top to bottom recess of the worktop, which allows a particularly simple installation.

The buttons are particularly advantageously formed by pressure-sensitive films or sensors and / or by electromechanical switches or switching sensors.

It is also possible to use fingerprint sensors for person-specific recognition and adjustment of the furniture.

In order to exclude unwanted movements for the production of operational safety can continue to be provided to equip drawers, cabinet doors or the like with contact switches to release the motion function, so that no open drawers or cabinet doors can cause injury during furniture movement.

Further details and advantages of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description.

Figur 1

eine Seitenansicht auf eine höhenverstellbare Tischplatte mit seitlich angeordneter Schalteinrichtung;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine höhenverstellbare Tischplatte mit verschiedenen Anordnung der möglichen Position zum Beispiel einer oberen Steuerfläche für die Schalteinrichtung;

Figur 3

eine Tischplatte mit zwei verschiedenen Anordnungen der Steuerflächen im oberen und unteren Bereich einer Arbeitsplatte;

Figur 4

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Schalteinrichtung als einheitliches Bauelement, welche in eine Tischplatte oder einen Teilbereich der Tischplatte eingelassen ist.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a side view of a height-adjustable table top with laterally arranged switching device;

FIG. 2

a plan view of a height-adjustable table top with different arrangement of the possible position, for example, an upper control surface for the switching device;

FIG. 3

a table top with two different arrangements of the control surfaces in the upper and lower areas of a worktop;

FIG. 4

a further embodiment of a switching device as a unitary component, which is embedded in a table top or a portion of the table top.

Description of the embodiments

In FIG. 1 is a piece of furniture 1 shown with a height-adjustable work or table top 2, which is movable in height adjustable by means of a lifting device 3 relative to a furniture base 4. The upward movement is represented symbolically by an arrow 5, the downward movement by an arrow 6. The lower furniture part 4 comprises a drive device 7 with an electrical control device 8, which actuates the lifting cylinder 9 symbolically shown for the up and down movement of the lifting device 3. The electrical control device is connected via control cable 10 with a switching device 11. The switching device 11 has an upper control surface 12 and a lower control surface 13. The control surfaces 12, 13 are formed by pressure-sensitive sensors 12, 13 arranged parallel to each other, which on the one hand are flush-mounted on the edge side in the upper and lower surfaces of the table top 2 or are attached. The area of the switching device 11 that is to be actuated has a thickness or thickness s that can easily be encompassed, for example, by the index finger 14 and thumb 15 of a hand 16. The manual contact of the upper and lower control surfaces 12, 13 by the thumb 15 and forefinger 14 therefore activates the switching device 11. The upper arrow 17, the pressurization of the upper control surface 12 by the thumb 15, the lower arrow 18, the pressurization of the lower control surface 13 by the index finger 14. The arrows 17, 18 represent opposing pressure vectors, the amounts of which differ to the movement of the table top. If, for example, the pressure applied by the index finger 14 through the pressure vector 18 is greater than the pressure vector 17 applied by the thumb, the table top 2 moves upwards. Conversely, the table top 2 moves downward, provided that the applied by the upper thumb 15 on the upper control surface 12 pressure (pressure vector 17) is greater than the back pressure (pressure vector 18) through the lower index finger 14 on the lower control surface 13. The touch of the Upper and lower sensor surface 12, 13 by the thumb 15 and index finger 14 thus results in an activation of the height adjustment of the table top 2 and on the other hand by a stronger actuation of the upper or lower sensor an upward or downward movement. This corresponds to a normal operation, for example a table top, by the hand 16 applying a more upward or more downward force to the upper or lower control surface by means of the thumb and forefinger. This corresponds to the natural movement of a hand to perform a lifting or lowering movement of an object.

By the simultaneous contact of the upper and lower control surface 12, 13, an activation of the sensor device and a movement can be made possible. The upward (arrow 5) and downward (arrow 6) of the work or table top 2 is done by manual operation of a hand, for example by touching the thumb and forefinger. The recognition system determines Accordingly, a difference value between pressure above minus pressure below and thus a difference value of the pressure vectors 17, 18 for performing an upward or downward movement. An accidental release by accidental contact only one sensor is therefore excluded. Decisive is therefore an upper and lower arrangement of the sensor device, wherein both buttons must be operated in different directions to each other. This is done by touching and grabbing by means of the fingers, that is by touching with some pressure, in order then to activate the movement.

The upper and lower control surfaces are preferably carried out by means of electronic, pressure-sensitive films or by means of electromechanical switches, in principle, both control surfaces must correspond to each other. The contact of only one control surface or the pressurization of only one control surface does not lead to a movement of the furniture.

The control device 8, 19 may be connected to a display 20. The display 20 and / or the electric control device 8 may include various memory positions for the adjustment movement of the furniture 1, for example, to program certain height positions for certain people. In this respect, the sensors for the upper and lower control surfaces 12, 13 may have person-dependent identification features that can cause a different operation of the height position for different positions and people. For example, if a first person actuates the sensor device, then the tabletop, due to the special detection, moves into a position matched to this first person. This is effected by, for example, a sensor device for detecting the fingerprint. These sensors have become known as fingerprint sensors.

For example, another person actuates the corresponding associated sensor device, so may another Height adjustment can be effected due to the fingerprint.

FIG. 2 shows a work or table top 2 in plan view with differently arranged upper control surfaces 12, 12 ', 12 "of a switching device not shown .. Each control surface 12 is assigned to the underside of the table top 2 an associated control surface 13, 13', 13". According to FIG. 2 The control surfaces may be arranged in each case on the front edge 21 or on the lateral edge 22 of the table top 2. If the finger spacing permits, the control surface 12 ", 13" can also be arranged slightly offset inwards, as shown by the distance a from the front edge surface 21. The simultaneous contact with the fingers of the upper and lower control surfaces is decisive 12 ", 13".

The FIG. 3 shows a corresponding work and table top 2 in a perspective view with the upper control surface 12 and the lower control surface 13, flush with the surface embedded in the table top 2. The control surfaces 12 "and 13", which are furthermore illustrated by way of example, are arranged at a distance a from the front edge 21. This, too, must ensure trouble-free contact of both surfaces, for example with the thumb and forefinger.

Finally shows FIG. 4 a work and table top 2, which has a total thickness or thickness D. If this thick table top can be grasped badly by the thumb and forefinger manually, the table top has a kind of undercut 23 which divides the table top into three areas 24, 25, 26 with the strengths b, c, d. The upper region 24 with the strength b can thereby be grasped more easily with the thumb and forefinger. An upper control surface 12 and a lower control surface 13 of an associated switching device 11 can therefore be operated more easily even with a thick table top.

Alternatively shows FIG. 4 with a switching device 11 ', a sensor element, which in the thickness b of the upper portion 24 of the table top in a corresponding recess 27th is admitted. As a result, a unitary element is used as a switching device 11 'in this recess without the upper and lower surfaces of the table must be adjusted flush. Rather, a finished unit can be used as a switching device in a mere recess of a table or a plate, without the need for further treatment of the top and bottom of the table top. Of course, such an element can also be used in any other tabletop by producing a corresponding recess 27.

A right-angled switching device 11 "is also indicated in which an upper control surface 31 and a front-side control surface 32 are arranged. Operation is effected by simultaneously pressing the control surfaces 31 and 32. The described effects can also be transferred to this arrangement without the advantages according to the invention be affected.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiment. On the contrary, it also includes all further training within the scope of the protective rights claims.

In particular, the invention can also be implemented on cabinets for carrying out horizontal movements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Furniture

2

Work and table top

3

lifting device

4

Furniture base

5

arrow

6

arrow

7

driving direction

8th

electrical control device

9

lifting cylinder

10

control cable

11

switching device

12

upper control surface

12 '

upper control surface

12 ''

upper control surface

13

lower control surface

13 '

lower control surface

13 ''

lower control surface

14

index finger

15

thumb

16

hand

17

arrow

18

arrow

19

electrical line

20

display

21

edge

22

edge

23

undercut

24

Areas of 2

25

Areas of 2

26

Areas of 2

27

Adaptation

b

Thickness / thickness of 2

a

Distance from the edge

D

Thickness of the table top

Claims (15)

1. Movable furniture (1) with at least one electrical drive device (7) for moving the furniture, wherein a manually operable switching device (11) is dedicated to the furniture, characterized in that the switching device (11) has at least two control surfaces (12, 13), which are arranged parallel to each other, wherein an activation or actuation of the drive device (7) takes place through a simultaneous actuation of the control surfaces (12, 13) and a control signal is generated for the traversing movement of the furniture, which is dependent on the difference value (17, 18) of the control signal of the control surfaces (12, 13).
2. Movable furniture (1) with at least one electrical drive device (7) for moving the furniture, wherein a manually operable switching device (11) is dedicated to the furniture, characterized in that the switching device (11) has at least two control surfaces (12, 13), which are arranged at right angles to each other, wherein an activation or actuation of the drive device (7) takes place through a simultaneous actuation of the control surfaces (12, 13) and a control signal is generated for the traversing movement of the furniture, which is dependent on the difference value (17, 18) of the control signal of the control surfaces (12, 13).
3. Furniture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control surfaces (12, 13) of the switching device (11) are pressure-sensitive sensors, wherein the difference value of the pressure sensors determines the direction and/or the size and/or the speed of the traversing movement of the furniture.
4. Furniture according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the control surfaces (12, 13) of the switching device (11) are installed into a plate, preferably flush on both sides, particularly in a worktop or tabletop (2) at least on one side, preferably on both sides or in a recess (27) of the furniture panel (2).
5. Furniture according to one of claims 1, 3, or 4, characterized in that the direction of movement of the furniture runs perpendicular to the control surfaces (12, 13) of the switching device (11), wherein the difference value of the control signal of the control surfaces (12, 13) determines the direction of movement and/or the speed of movement.
6. Furniture according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the switching device (11) comprises pre-programmed movement patterns for the furniture (1).
7. Furniture according to claim 6, characterized in that the switching device (11) comprises memory-positions, which positions can be initiated by actuating the control surfaces (12, 13) or the sensors (12, 13).
8. Furniture according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that at least one, preferably both of the control surfaces (12, 13) of the switching device (11) are in each case arranged on the furniture (1) in a horizontal plane for carrying out a vertical movement of the furniture and/or in each case in a vertical plane for carrying out a horizontal movement of the furniture.
9. Furniture according to one or several of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the worktop or tabletop (2) of the furniture (1) has on one side a lateral undercut (23) for the formation of a gripper bar (24).
10. Furniture according to one or several of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the switch surfaces (12, 13) are formed by pressure-sensitive films or sensors and/or by electro-mechanical switches or switch sensors and/or by fingerprint sensors.
11. Furniture according to one or several of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the switch surfaces (12, 13) are formed by capacitive films or sensors and/or by capacitive switches.
12. Furniture according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the furniture has an information display (20) for displaying information and/or control of the movement of the worktop or tabletop (2).
13. Furniture according to one or several of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the worktop or tabletop (2) or another plate has a recess (27), into which the switching device (11) with associated control surfaces (12, 13) can be installed.
14. Furniture according to one or several of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the switching device (11) with associated control surfaces (12, 13) is fastened to the furniture as a separate control module, in particular is accommodated in a holding fixture and can be positioned flexibly as an operating module on the furniture.
15. Furniture according to one or several of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that safety switches for the activation or deactivation of the switching device are designed in particular as contact switches on drawers or cabinet doors or the like.

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