EP2994017A1

EP2994017A1 - Synchronizing mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP2994017A1
Application number: EP14725007.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hermann Bock
Original assignee: Bock 1 GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Bock 1 GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2013-05-11
Filing date: 2014-05-08
Publication date: 2016-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-08
Also published as: DE202013102059U1; WO2014183851A1; US20160113399A1; EP2994017B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a synchronizing mechanism (100) for a correlated seat/backrest movement of an office chair, having a base support (1), which can be placed on a chair post (10), having a seat support (3) and having a backrest support (4). In order to provide a constructionally particularly straightforward self-adjusting synchronizing mechanism (100), it is proposed that the backrest support (4) be directly articulated both to the base support (1), such that it can be pivoted about a transverse axis, and to the seat support (3), such that a pivoting movement of the backrest from a basic position into a rearwardly pivoted position immediately causes the rear region (25) of the seat support (3), as seen in the longitudinal direction (14) of the chair, to be lowered (S) downwards and to the rear, and the seat support (3) is articulated to the base support (1) via a coupling element (21), which is articulated on the seat support (3) and on the base support (1), such that the pivoting movement of the backrest from the basic position into the rearwardly pivoted position immediately causes the front region (26) of the seat support (1), as seen in the longitudinal direction (14) of the chair, to be raised (H) upwards and to the rear.

Description

description

Synchronous Mechanics The invention relates to a synchronous mechanism for a

correlated seat-backrest movement of an office chair, with a base carrier placeable on a chair column, a seat carrier and a backrest support. The term "synchronous mechanism" is understood to mean assemblies in the seat substructure of an office chair which provide kinematics which are coupled to one another and provide a specific relative movement of the seat and backrest The backrest support, which extends in the usual way from the actual synchronous mechanism to the rear, carries on an upwardly extending boom the

Backrest of the office chair.

It is known to construct certain types of synchronous mechanisms such that the user of the office chair raises himself by a load on the backrest. In other words, the user works while pressing the

Synchronous mechanism by pushing the backrest against his own, resting on the seat weight. The

desired swivel resistance is thus virtually

automatically due to the weight of the user. Seat support and backrest support are in such

self-adjusting synchronous mechanisms usually coupled so articulated that a pivoting movement of the backrest to the rear of a lifting movement of both the rear, as well induced the front of the seat so that the entire seat is raised, or it is only the front portion of the seat raised, while the rear portion of the seat is immutable in height.

Such self-adjusting synchronous mechanisms are often constructed comparatively complicated, consist of a large number of interacting components and / or are expensive to install.

An object of the present invention is to provide a

structurally particularly simple self-adjusting

To provide synchronous mechanism. This object is achieved by a synchronous mechanism according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

One idea of the invention is to reduce the number of

Coupling elements, in particular the number of seat support and backrest support connecting elements to reduce, thereby achieving a particularly simple structural design of the mechanism, without sacrificing the desired functionality of a synchronous mechanism. An idea of the invention is moreover to provide a seat movement which deviates from the usual lifting movement of the seat, nevertheless avoiding the so-called "shirt pull-out effect." This results in a particularly high level of sitting comfort without having to resort to more expensive and expensive solutions.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the

Backrest support pivotable about a transverse axis and thus defining the main pivot axis of the mechanism with the Base carrier, as well as with the seat support directly, ie directly and without the interposition of an additional

Component, articulated is such that a

Pivoting movement of the backrest from a basic position to a position pivoted backwards an immediate

Lowering movement of seen in the chair longitudinal direction rear portion of the seat support to the rear bottom induced and the seat support with the base support via a hinged to the seat support and the base support coupling element

is connected such that during the pivoting movement of

Backrest from the basic position to the back

pivoted position an immediate lifting movement of seen in the chair longitudinal direction front portion of the seat support is done back to the top.

Instead of the usual lifting of the entire seat so the rear portion of the seat is lowered at a pivoting of the backrest in its rearwardly pivoted position, while the front portion of the seat is raised. The lowering of the rear seating area takes place directly at each leaving the basic position, without about initially a lifting movement of the rear seating area takes place. As a basic position while the position is considered in which the backrest is not backwards

is pivoted.

The fact that the seat support is lowered into its rear region and at the same time takes place a lifting of the front portion of the seat support, there is a synchronous entrainment of the seat in a defined relationship to

Backrest and a tilt of the seat. This gives the desired synchronizing effect, in which the angle of the seat support to the backrest support changes. The user's weight directly affects the swing resistance felt by the user. A lighter one

User has to overcome a significantly lower swing resistance when pivoting than a heavy user.

Subjectively, the same results for each user

"Felt" resistance when pivoting the backrest.

Due to the arrangement of the coupling elements and their

Design, the synchronous movement of the seat support can be adjusted individually to the requirements made on the chair. Thus, for example, by a change in the coupling lengths and / or angular positions adjustable, how strong the seat support at a pivoting of the

Backrest support tends or how strong the seat support against the base support during a pivoting movement of the

Backrest moved horizontally as seen in chair longitudinal direction to the rear. The special synchronous movement of the mechanism according to the invention is preferably achieved in a particularly simple manner that by the positions of the pivot points of the backrest support on the base support on the one hand and on the seat support on the other hand, a rigid with the

Backrest support connected or as integral

Part of the backrest wearer trained

Coupling element is defined. In other words, no reciprocally freely pivotable coupling element is required between the backrest support and the seat support. Instead, the backrest support itself serves as a coupling element.

A particularly suitable coupling geometry and a resulting synchronous movement is in a preferred Embodiment of the invention achieved in that the

Anlenkpunkt of the rear coupling element on the seat support seen in the seat longitudinal direction in each position of the

Backrest support behind the pivot point of the rear

Coupling element on the base support and the articulation point of the front coupling element on the seat support in

Seat longitudinal direction seen in each position of the

Backrest support in front of the articulation point of the front

Coupling element is located on the base support. This is supported in one embodiment of the invention in that the front coupling element is connected to the seat support via a pure rotary joint and not about in combined rotary / sliding joint. Compared to other self-adjusting mechanisms, the present synchronous mechanism is characterized in that it is particularly flat, so that a corresponding

Assembly requires very little space. This is true even if to support or influence the

Swinging resistance and / or to prevent the

Backrest uncontrollably tilts back and for a safe retrieval of the backrest from the pivoted position to the basic position as soon as the user

Backrest is no longer loaded, a spring mechanism is provided with one or more spring elements, since the spring mechanism can be designed such that the

at least one spring element the base support with the

Backrest support connects without over the anyway

intended housing volume of the base support to require additional additional space. This is especially true when the spring element with the front portion of the base support and with the pivot point of the

Backrest support is connected to the seat support and thereby lying comparatively flat inside the

Assembly is arranged.

Since the spring mechanism acts only supportive, the at least one spring element need only be made comparatively weak, so that act on the components of the mechanics only small spring forces, resulting in a compared to conventional mechanics significantly reduced stress on the components. In particular, no spring forces act on the seat support, since this

is moved exclusively over the backrest support. In other words, the seat carrier of the

Backrest support, more precisely of the engaging at the point of articulation on the seat support coupling element of

Backrest support, taken, whereby the transmission of the forces acting on this articulation point, while the seat carrier connecting to the base support coupling element only one mitsteuernde the movement, but no force-transmitting effect.

As a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention has been found, wherein the spring mechanism comprises means for adjusting the bias of the at least one spring element, wherein the adjusting means a

Include adjusting handle, which is for extracting the bias from an integrated in the base support rest position in an operating position from the base support pulled out. This is a particularly elegant operation of

Federkraftverstellung possible because of the desired

Adjust the preload of the adjustment handle again

can be pushed completely into the base support, so that it with the outside of the base support housing

completes and does not interfere. Such an adjustment handle is particularly useful when the at least one spring element is a helical tension spring and the adjusting means by the adjustment handle

comprise actuatable adjusting elements, by means of which the distance between the spring ends of the helical tension spring

is changeable. In this case, adjusting the

Preload using simple adjustment by twisting the adjustment handle to the spring axis. Overall, this results in one with a few

Components realizable and very little space

requiring spring force adjustment.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. Hereby show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the synchronous mechanism in the

Basic position,

2 is a side view of the synchronous mechanism in a maximum rearwardly pivoted position,

Fig. 3 is a highly abstracted representation of

cooperating, essential components of the

Synchronous mechanism according to FIG. 1.

All figures show the invention not to scale, while only schematically and only with their essential components. The same reference numerals correspond

Elements of equal or comparable function. Partial housing parts are not shown or cut open for better visibility. parts of

Spring elements are cut or not shown. The synchronous mechanism 100 has a base support 1, which by means of a cone seat 2 on the upper end of a

Chair column 10 is set. In addition, the

Synchronous mechanism 100 a substantially frame-shaped seat support 3 and a fork-shaped in plan view

Backrest support 4, the cheeks 5 are arranged on both sides of the base support 1. The seat support 3 is for receiving or mounting a

preferably padded seat (not shown) provided. The assembly is done with the help of no closer

illustrated fasteners in the usual manner. On the backrest support 4, a backrest, not shown, is attached, which in modern office chairs

is height adjustable. The backrest can with the

Backrest support 4 also be integrally connected.

The entire synchronous mechanism 100 is with respect to their

Middle longitudinal plane, as far as the actual kinematics is concerned, constructed mirror-symmetrically. In that regard, in the following description is always present on both sides in pairs

Design elements of the actual swing mechanism go out.

In Figs. 1 and 3, the basic position of

Synchronous mechanism 100 shown, in which the seat support 3 occupies a substantially horizontal position. Fig. 2 shows the synchronous mechanism 100 in a maximum to the rear

pivoted position of the backrest support. 4

In the seen in the chair longitudinal direction 14 rear portion 6 of the seat is about a main pivot axis 11 of the Synchronous mechanism 100 defining transverse axis in

Pivoting 7 swivel backrest support 4 on the one hand with the rear portion 9 of the base support 1 and

on the other hand connected to the rear portion 25 of the seat support 3 directly articulated. The backrest support 4 is articulated on the one hand with the cheek 5 extending in the direction of the seat leading edge 8 with the aid of a bearing journal on the base support 1. The backrest support 4 is on the other hand also connected directly to the seat support 3 hinged, with one between the cheeks 5 of the

Backrest support 4 arranged, obliquely upwards in the direction of the base support 1 extending central Mitnehmerarm 12 of the backrest support 4th

The defined by the articulation of the backrest support 4 on the base support 1 first hinge axis 13 is in

Chair longitudinal direction 14 seen before arranged by the articulation of the backrest support 4 on the seat support 3 second hinge axis 15. Compared to the vertical on the main pivot axis of the synchronous mechanism 100, the second hinge axis 15 is indeed offset only slightly to the rear. However, a zenith position immediately above the first hinge axis 13 can not be achieved. A swinging out of the backrest support 4 from the basic position in a pivoted backward position is therefore always with a

Lowering movement S of the rear portion 25 of the seat support 3 connected.

In the basic position, both hinge axes 13, 15 are seen in the chair longitudinal direction 14 in front of the center of

Konusaufnahme 2. In the maximum pivoted rearward position is the second hinge axis 15 in

Chair longitudinal direction 14 seen behind the center of the Cone seat 2, while the position of the first hinge axis 13 relative to the cone seat 2 is fixed.

Due to the positions of the articulation points of the backrest support 4 on the base support 1 on the one hand and on the seat support 3 on the other hand is a rigidly connected to the backrest support 4, as an integral part of the

Backrest support 4 formed coupling element 16th

defined as symbolically shown in Fig. 3 with dotted line. The coupling element 16 is structurally composed of a part of the cheeks 5, the

central Mitnehmerarm 12 and not shown, but also designed as integral parts of the backrest support 4 connecting elements which connect the cheeks 5 with the Mitnehmerarm 12. The arrangement of the

Coupling element 16 immediately above the cone seat 2 contributes to an advantageous movement of the

Synchronous mechanism 100 at. In the front portion 17 of the seat, the front portion 18 of the base support 1 is connected to the front portion 26 of the

Seat support 3 hinged. This is a

Coupling element 21 is provided, on the one hand on the

Base support 1 and on the other hand hinged to the seat support 3. The articulation point of the coupling element 21 on the base support 1 and thus the third hinge axis 22 is located in

Chair longitudinal direction 14 seen behind the articulation point of the coupling element 21 on the seat support 3 and thus behind the fourth hinge axis 23rd

Even in a maximum rearwardly pivoted position of the synchronous mechanism 100, the order of the changes

Arrangement of the joint axes 13, 15, 22, 23 not. The back Coupling element 16 shows seen in the chair longitudinal direction 14 in each case obliquely upwards and backwards and the front coupling element 21 shows in chair longitudinal direction 14 seen in each case obliquely upwards and forwards. Here, the hinge axes 15, 23 at the articulation points of the seat support 3 in the vertical direction are always above the

Joint axes 13, 22, by the articulation at the

Base carrier 1 can be defined. The coupling elements 16, 21 are arranged in a V-shape with each other, with the imaginary extension lines of the coupling elements 16, 21 intersecting below the base support 1. The relative movement of

Seat support 3 and backrest support 4 to each other is determined by the position of the total of four by the ends of the two coupling elements 16, 21 extending, defined by the articulation points hinge axes 13, 15, 22, 23.

By the described pivot mechanism is

ensures that the backrest support 4 with the

Backrest around the main pivot axis 11, here the first

Joint axis 13, in the pivoting direction 7 can be pivoted. At the same time, the pivoting movement of the backrest to the rear induces an immediate lowering movement S of the rear area 25 of the seat support 3 to the rear below and the front

Section 26 of the seat support 3 performs a lifting H to the rear top. In a pivoting of the backrest thus takes place at the same time a displacement of the seat support 3 to the rear, while the base support 1 with the pivot bearings 13, 22 remains fixed in position. As particularly advantageous for a synchronous movement, which the intuitive human movement in a

Pivoting to the rear supports and at the same time the Shirt pull-out effect avoids, has proven an embodiment with the following configuration:

The between the rear coupling element 16 and the

Horizontally enclosed acute angle 27 in the undeflected basic position is preferably 1.5 to 1.8 times, more preferably 1.6 to 1.7 times, the acute angle 28 enclosed between the front coupling element 21 and the horizontal In the illustrated

Example, the angle 27 in the rear coupling element 16 is about 85 °, the angle 28 in the front coupling element 21 about 52 °.

In the maximum rearwardly deflected position, the backrest support 4 is pivoted by preferably 20 ° to 25 °, particularly advantageously by 22 ° to 24 ° backwards downwards. In the example shown, this angle is 23 °

opposite the basic position. The inclination of the seat support 3 to the horizontal basic position is in this case

preferably between 6 ° and 9 °, more preferably between 7 ° and 8 °. In the example shown, the inclination is about 7.3 °.

In the maximum rearwardly deflected position, the included between the front coupling element 21 and the horizontal acute angle 28 is preferably 1.1 to 1.3 times, more preferably about 1.2 times the

between the rear coupling element 16 and the horizontal enclosed acute angle 27. In the illustrated

Example, the angle 28 in the front coupling element 21 is about 74 °, the angle 27 in the rear coupling element 16 about 62 °. The defined by the pivot points and thus the position of the hinge axes 13, 15 effective length of the rear

Coupling element 16 is preferably 1.1 to 1.3 times, more preferably about 1.2 times the effective length of the front coupling element 21, which is defined by the position of the joint axes 22, 23. In the example shown, the effective length of the rear

Coupling element 16 about 60 mm, the effective length of

front coupling element 21 about 70 mm.

To influence the swivel resistance is a

Spring arrangement provided with a centrally disposed spring element. This is a helical tension spring 30 arranged obliquely in the base support 1, which is supported, on the one hand, on the front region 18 of the base support 1 and, on the other hand, on the backrest support 4, more precisely on the entrainment arm 12 of the backrest support 4, and on pivoting of the backrest support 4 is loaded to the rear below.

The spring 30 is supported with its in the chair longitudinal direction 14 forward facing fixed end on a front abutment 31 and with their opposite movable end on a spring plate 32 from. One encompassed by the spring 30

Guide rod 33 is connected to the spring plate 32. Inside the guide rod 33 is one with a

Adjusting handle 34 connected threaded spindle 35 is provided. In this case, adjusting handle 34 and threaded spindle 35 are on

suitable manner so interconnected that a rotation of the adjustment handle 34 to one of

Spring longitudinal axis and spindle axis corresponding axis of rotation 36 causes rotation of the rotary diaper 35 when the

Adjusting handle 34 from his in the housing 20 of the Base holder 1 integrated rest position in one

Operating position (not shown) pulled out and rotated in this position. The front abutment 31 is in the housing 20 of the

Base holder 1 hooked. The threaded spindle 35 is rotatably mounted in a fixed to the threaded spindle 35 rear abutment 37. The rear abutment 37 is pivotally connected in the region of the second hinge axis 15 in a suitable manner with the driving arm 12, so that it is taken with a pivoting of the backrest support 4. The spring 30 is preferably arranged in such a way and the connection of the spring 30 with the backrest support 4th

Preferably carried out such that in the initial position, the line of action of the spring 30 substantially perpendicular to a

Line between the pivot point 13 of the backrest support 4 to the base support 1 and the point of application of the spring 30 to the backrest support 4 is. To adjust the bias of the spring 30 is the

Adjusting handle 34 pulled out and rotated in its operating position. Due to the thus caused rotation of the threaded spindle 35 causes in operative connection with the

Spring plate 32 standing rear abutment 37 a change in the distance between the spring ends and thus a change in the bias. To reduce the bias, the threaded spindle 35 is rotated so that on the

Threaded spindle 35 movably mounted spring plate 32 is acted upon by the abutment 37 moves in the direction of the front abutment 31. To increase the bias, the threaded spindle 35 is rotated so that the spring plate 32 moves on the threaded spindle 35 to the rear. Subsequently the adjustment handle 34 is pushed back into its rest position in da housing 20 of the base support 1 again.

All features illustrated in the description, the following claims and the drawings can be used individually as well as in any combination with one another

be essential to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 base carrier

2 cone holder

3 seat support

4 backrest support

5 cheek

6 rear seating area

7 pivoting direction

8 seat leading edge

9 Rear area of the basic carrier

10 chair column

11 main pivot axis

12 driving arm

13 first joint axis

14 chair longitudinal direction

15 second hinge axis

16 rear coupling element

17 front seating area

18 front area of the base carrier

19 (free)

20 housing of the base support

21 front coupling element

22 third hinge axis

23 fourth joint axis 24 (free)

25 rear area of the seat support

26 front portion of the seat support

27 angles

28 angles

29 (free)

30 coil tension spring

31 front abutment

32 spring plate

33 guide rod

34 adjustable handle

35 threaded spindle

36 axis of rotation

37 rear abutment

100 synchronous mechanism

H lifting movement

S lowering movement

Claims

claims

Synchronous mechanism (100) for a correlated seat-backrest movement of an office chair, with a on a chair column (10) placeable base support (1), a

Seat support (3) and a backrest support (4), wherein the backrest support (4) is pivotally connected both to a transverse axis (11, 13) pivotally connected to the base support (1), and with the seat support (3) such that a Pivoting movement (7) of the backrest of one

Starting position in a pivoted backward position an immediate lowering movement (S) of the chair in the longitudinal direction (14) seen rear portion (25) of the seat support (3) induced to the rear bottom and wherein the seat support (3) with the base support (1) via a the seat support (3) and on the base support (1) hinged coupling element (21) is pivotally connected such that during the pivotal movement (7) of the backrest of the basic position in the pivoted back position an immediate

Lifting movement (H) seen in the chair longitudinal direction (14) front region (26) of the seat support (3) takes place to the rear top.

2. synchronous mechanism (100) according to claim 1, wherein by the positions of the articulation points (13, 15) of the backrest support (4) on the base support (1) on the one hand and on the seat support (3) on the other hand rigidly connected to the backrest support (4) or as an integral part of

Backrest support (4) formed rear coupling element (16) is defined, whose position and / or length below

Consideration of location and / or length of one between the Seat support (3) and the base support (1) arranged front coupling element (21) affects the achievable correlated seat backrest movement.

3. synchronizing mechanism (100) according to claim 2, wherein the

An articulation point (15) of the rear coupling element (16) on the seat support (3) in the seat longitudinal direction (14) seen in any position of the backrest support (4) behind the articulation point (13) of the rear coupling element (16) on the base support (1).

4. synchronizing mechanism (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the articulation point of the front coupling element (21) on the

Seat support (3) in the seat longitudinal direction (14) seen in any position of the backrest support (4) before the articulation point of the front coupling element (21) on the base support (1).

5. synchronous mechanism (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the front coupling element (21) with the seat support (3) via a pure rotary joint (23) is connected.

6. synchronizing mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a spring mechanism for adjusting the

Pivoting resistance of the backrest is provided, which spring mechanism at least one the base support (1) with the backrest support (4) connecting spring element (30)

having .

7. synchronizing mechanism (100) according to claim 6, wherein the

Spring element (30) with the base support (1), preferably with the front portion (18) of the base support (1), and with the backrest support (4) is connected, preferably at the articulation point (15) of the backrest support (4) on the Seat support (3) or in the immediate vicinity of this

Articulation point (15).

8. synchronizing mechanism (100) according to claim 7, wherein the

Spring element (30) is arranged such that the

Spring action line in the non-pivoted basic position is substantially perpendicular to a line that the

Anlenkpunkt (13) of the backrest support (4) on the

Base support (1) with the point of the spring element (30) on the backrest support (4) connects.

9. synchronizing mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the spring mechanism means (32, 34, 35, 37) for

Adjustment of the bias of at least one

Spring element (30), wherein the adjusting means (32, 34, 35, 37) comprise a Verstellgriff (34), the

Adjustment of the bias from one in the base support (1) integrated rest position in an operating position from the base support (1) can be pulled out.

10. synchronizing mechanism (100) according to claim 9, wherein the

at least one spring element (30) is a helical tension spring and the adjusting means (32, 34, 35, 37) through the

Adjusting handle (34) actuatable adjusting elements (32, 35, 37) include, by means of which the distance between the spring ends of the helical tension spring is variable.