EP3154398B1 - Drive mechanism for a movable furniture part - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drive device for a movable furniture part, in particular for a drawer, with a first and a second lockable ejection device and a synchronization device for synchronizing the two ejection devices, the synchronization device having a synchronization rod and a first and a second synchronization element connectable to the synchronization rod and wherein a relative movement takes place between the synchronization elements and the ejection devices during synchronization. In addition, the invention relates to a piece of furniture with a furniture body and a furniture part movably mounted on the furniture body and such a drive device.

In general, numerous applications are already known in the furniture sector in which synchronization usually takes place for the reason to move the movable furniture part evenly and not to allow any misalignment.

Examples of non-generic synchronizations for furniture flaps can be found in the WO 2011/047396 A1 and the WO 2013/040611 A1 emerged. Accordingly, adjusting devices of flap fittings are synchronized via synchronization devices. Every movement of the adjusting devices is always transmitted to the other adjusting device via the synchronization rod. When synchronizing, there is no relative movement between the synchronization rods and the actuators. In the second mentioned document, a so-called touch-latch device for ejecting movable furniture parts is also mentioned, but the synchronization rod shown in this document always synchronizes the movement of the entire actuating devices and not these touch-latch devices directly synchronized. Rather, each synchronization rod is stationary with a corresponding arm each Actuator connected. There is no relative movement between the synchronization rod and this arm of the respective adjusting device.

Synchronization devices are also known for non-generic side stabilizers. This can be done on the EP 2 515 710 B1 to get expelled. These side stabilizations serve to synchronize the movements of the drawer rails themselves. There is no ejection device of any kind in this non-generic document. A similar device for lateral stabilization goes from the WO 2012/159136 A1 emerged. The main issue here is that an overload protection device is arranged between partial shafts of a synchronization rod.

In contrast, the EP 2 429 339 B1 a generic state of the art. In this arrangement for locking and ejecting a movable furniture part, the synchronization is achieved in that a gear-shaped rotary element is arranged at the end of a synchronization rod which meshes with a toothed rack attached to the ejection device. The disadvantage here is that when attaching the synchronization rod, the rotary element has to be threaded into a retaining bush in a complicated manner. This can lead to tooth errors between the teeth of the rotary element and the rack, which means that the entire synchronization rod could be installed at an undesired angle. In addition, the rack has to be designed with a spring element in a very complex manner in order to enable the synchronization rod length to be adapted to different distances between the ejector devices on both sides. This complex telescopic ability of the rack is necessary in order to allow the synchronization rod to be inserted and then held on the two ejection devices.

Another generic state of the art is based on the not previously published, Austrian patent application with application number A 785/2013 ( AT 514 865 A1 ). According to this scripture, comb one at the end A toothed rack arranged with a coupling element (transmission element) which also forms the slide track. Here, too, the same disadvantages as in the previous document are given when inserting and connecting.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a drive device which is improved over the prior art. In particular, the synchronization should be as simple and uncomplicated as possible.

This is achieved by a drive device with the features of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that in an active synchronization mode during synchronization, a transfer of movement takes place from the first ejection device via the first synchronization element, the synchronization rod and the second synchronization element to the second ejection device and
In an inactive synchronization mode, the synchronization rod is removed and the synchronization elements each remain in contact with one of the ejection devices, the synchronization elements being preassembled on the ejection devices and being permanently connected to the ejection devices in the operating state. In other words, the synchronization elements are no longer installed together with the synchronization rod and also removed again, but the synchronization elements remain assigned to the respective ejection device. Thus, each synchronization element always remains in constant contact with the ejector, so that there can be no undesired oblique assembly, for example with a tooth defect. To put it another way, the synchronization elements always also partly participate in the movements of the ejection device, even in an inactive synchronization mode. Due to the lack of a synchronization rod, however, this movement is not forwarded between the two synchronization elements.

During the relative movement between the synchronization elements and, preferably all components, the ejector device, a movement conversion from a rotary movement into a translational movement can take place. It is preferably provided that the movement is converted from a rotary movement about a first axis of rotation into a rotary movement about a differently oriented axis of rotation (these axes of rotation are preferably at right angles to one another).

According to the invention it is provided that the ejection devices each have a housing and a movable, preferably rotatable, mounted transmission element on the housing, the synchronization elements each being coupled in movement to one of the transmission elements and each synchronization element having a gear and each transmission element having a rack-shaped area, the gears each comb with one of the rack-shaped areas.

In general, the ejection device can be designed as desired, as long as an active ejection of the movable furniture part from a closed position in the opening direction is possible. Particularly preferably, it is provided that each ejector device has a force-loaded ejector element for ejecting the movable furniture part from a closed position into an open position and a locking device for locking the ejector element in a locking position, the locking device being unlocked by pushing the movable furniture part into an overpressing position behind the closed position is. According to the invention it is provided that the locking device has a locking pin and a heart-shaped cam track formed in the housing, with each transmission element forming a latching recess of the heart-shaped cam track. Thus, only a small part of the movement of the ejection device is synchronized by the synchronization device, namely the part in which the transmission element is due to the triggering movement moved shortly after overpressing. In other words, it is provided that only a partial section of the movements of the ejector devices - preferably only a first section of an opening movement of the movable furniture part that immediately follows the overpressing position - can be synchronized by the synchronization device. In terms of content, reference can be made to the unpublished, Austrian patent application A 785/2013 to get expelled.

In order to enable the synchronization elements to be held on the ejector devices without problems, provision is preferably made for each synchronization element to be mounted on the housing of the ejector device via a bearing element, preferably rotatably and preferably axially fixed. Due to the rotatable mounting and the axial fixed position, the synchronization element can join in every movement of the transmission element without a misalignment between these parts can occur.

For good motion transmission in the active synchronization mode, it is preferably provided that the synchronization rod has a non-circular cross-section at both end regions and each synchronization element has a receiving region that is at least partially adapted to the outer contour of the end regions of the synchronization rod. With this non-circular cross-section, a form fit between the components involved is achieved. This non-circular cross-section can be triangular, for example. It is also possible that this end area is largely circular and has only one flattened section. However, this non-circular cross section is particularly preferably square. This has the advantage of simple manufacture. In addition, twisting the entire synchronization rod by 90 ° is practically impossible. Up to now, a tooth fault was already possible due to a slight twist. In addition, since the gear or the synchronization element is pre-assembled on the ejection device, such errors are now excluded.

In the operating state, the synchronization element is permanently connected to the ejection device. Only the synchronization rod is inserted or connected to the synchronization element in a non-destructive detachable manner.

In principle, the synchronization rod can be designed in one piece and precisely have the corresponding end regions. For example, the synchronization rod can be designed as a continuous square. Preferably, however, it is provided that the synchronization rod has a round rod-shaped base part, preferably formed over the entire length as a hollow profile with the same inner diameter, and two clip-on parts that can be fastened to the ends of the base part and form the end regions.

A particular advantage over previous versions of the synchronization rod is that the synchronization rod is designed to be invariable in length. This means that the synchronization rod does not have to be designed to be telescopic in itself. Rather, because the receiving area of the synchronization elements is elongated, a certain distance tolerance is achieved. In addition, only one torque transmission is carried out via this synchronization rod.

Protection is also sought after for a piece of furniture with a furniture body, a furniture part movably mounted on the furniture body, preferably via a pull-out guide, and a drive device according to the invention. The drive device can be arranged on the furniture body or attached via a body rail. The drive device is preferably assigned to the movable furniture part, particularly preferably mounted on the underside of the movable furniture part.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Möbels,

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht des bewegbaren Möbelteils von unten im aktiven Synchronisierungsmodus,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht des bewegbaren Möbelteils von unten im inaktiven Synchronisierungsmodus,

Fig. 4 und 5

Details von Fig. 2,

Fig. 6

ein Detail von Fig. 3,

Fig. 7

einen teilweisen Schnitt durch den Bereich der Synchronisierungsstange und eines Synchronisierungselements,

Fig. 8

die Synchronisierungsstange vor dem Einsetzen in ein Lagerelement,

Fig. 9 und 10

eine Draufsicht auf den Lagerbereich der Synchronisierungsstange mit unterschiedlich tief in das Lagerelement hineinragenden Endbereichen,

Fig. 11 bis 13

Details der Ausstoßvorrichtung bei unterschiedlichen Stellungen der Synchronisierungsvorrichtung.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of the description of the figures with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show in it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the furniture,

Fig. 2

a view of the movable furniture part from below in the active synchronization mode,

Fig. 3

a view of the movable furniture part from below in the inactive synchronization mode,

Figures 4 and 5

Details of Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 6

a detail of Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 7

a partial section through the area of the synchronization rod and a synchronization element,

Fig. 8

the synchronization rod before being inserted into a bearing element,

Figures 9 and 10

a plan view of the bearing area of the synchronization rod with end areas protruding into the bearing element at different depths,

Figures 11 to 13

Details of the ejection device at different positions of the synchronization device.

In Fig. 1 a piece of furniture 20 is shown with a furniture body 21 and two movable furniture parts 2 movably mounted therein. These two movable furniture parts 2 are designed as drawers, the upper drawer being in an open position OS and the lower drawer being in a closed position SS.

As in Fig. 2 As can be seen, such a movable furniture part 2 is connected to the furniture body 21, not shown here, via a pull-out guide 22. On the underside of the movable furniture part 2, in particular on the bottom of the drawer, there are ejectors 3a and 3 on both sides 3b arranged. These ejection devices 3 a and 3 b are each coupled to drivers 24 at least in sections. These drivers 24 are in turn fastened to the pull-out guides 22, in particular to their body rails 25, via holding plates 23. When being ejected, the movable furniture part 2 pushes itself against the drivers 24 fixed to the carcass via the two ejection devices 3a and 3b and moves the movable furniture part in the opening direction. In order to prevent the drawer from tilting when it is pushed out, especially with wide drawers (from approx. 60 cm), a synchronization device 4 is provided. This synchronization device 4, together with the two lockable ejection devices 3a and 3b, forms the drive device 1. In this case, the drive device 1 is in an active synchronization mode S ₁ .

In contrast, the drive device 1 is located in Fig. 3 in an inactive synchronization mode S ₀ , in which the synchronization rod 5 of the synchronization device 4 is removed. The two synchronization elements 6a and 6b also remain in direct contact with one of the ejection devices 3a and 3b or, in particular, with the transmission elements 8a and 8b, even in this inactive synchronization mode So. Thus, the synchronization elements 6a and 6b - in contrast to the generic prior art - are always assigned to the ejection devices 3a and 3b and are not also removed when the synchronization rod 5 is removed. The synchronization elements 6a and 6b are thus preassembled on the ejection devices 3a and 3b and are permanently connected to them in the operating state.

Fig. 4 shows again in detail mainly the carcass rail 25 and the driver 24 attached to it via the holding plate 23. The ejector 3a has a separate or Independent structural unit on a housing 7 on which the bearing element 16 for the synchronization device 4 is also arranged. This bearing element 16 can be designed in one piece with the housing 7.

As in Fig. 5 but it can be seen that the bearing element 16 is formed separately from the housing 7. The bearing element 16 itself preferably has two components, namely the pivot bearing part 26 and the support part 27. The synchronization element 6a is rotatably and axially fixedly mounted or held on the rotary bearing part 26, while the synchronization rod 5 in particular rests and is guided on the support part 27. In this Fig. 5 it can also be seen that the synchronization element 6a has the gear wheel 9 on the one hand and the receiving area 17 on the other hand. The synchronization element 6a is preferably formed separately from all components (actuating elements) of the ejector device 3a. This synchronization element 6a is preferably designed in one piece. In contrast, the synchronization rod 5 is preferably two-piece or three-piece and has a plug-on part 19 at both end regions E, which can be inserted into the base part 18. Together, the synchronization rod 5 and the two synchronization elements 6a and 6b form the synchronization device 4. As in this one Fig. 5 As can be clearly seen, the synchronization rod 5 has a non-circular cross-section at both end regions E. To this end, each synchronization element 6a and 6b has a receiving area 17 that is adapted at least in sections to this outer contour of the end areas E of the synchronization rod 5.

In Fig. 6 the synchronization rod 5 is removed, so that the drive device 1 is in an inactive synchronization mode So. As in Fig. 6 Clearly recognizable, the synchronization element 6a remains on the ejection device 3a even in the inactive synchronization mode So.

Fig. 7 shows a section through the drive device 1 in the area of the synchronization rod 5. As in this one Fig. 7 it can be clearly seen that this is the case Base part 18 on support part 27. The synchronization element 6a is rotatably mounted in the rotary bearing part 26 and meshes with the transmission element 8a. Furthermore is in this Fig. 7 a depth adjustment wheel 28 is shown.

Fig. 8 shows the synchronization rod 5 with the end area E before being inserted into the receiving area 17 of the synchronization element 6a.

In comparison between the Fig. 9 and 10 it can be seen that, due to the length of the receiving area 17, the synchronization rod 5 and its plug-on part 19 protrude into the receiving area 17 at different depths. This enables uncomplicated synchronization or bringing the drive device 1 into the active synchronization mode S ₁ , even if the ejection devices 3a and 3b should be at different distances from one another. This is especially the case when drawer side shelves or shelves of different widths are used. This width of the base is in turn dependent on the thickness of the furniture body side wall. If, in fact, with the same outside dimensions of the furniture carcass, thinner furniture carcass side walls (16 instead of 19 mm) are used, the pull-out guides 22 mounted on the furniture carcass side walls and thus also the drawer side walls are 6 mm further apart, which in turn is compensated for by a wider drawer bottom.

In the Figures 11 to 13 details of the ejection device 3a can also be seen. The locking lever 29 and the locking pin 13 arranged on it, which engages or is guided in the heart-shaped cam track 14 formed in the housing 7, are essential in the area of the ejection device 3a. Together, these components form the locking device 12 for the lockable ejection device 3a or 3b. Not shown in these Figures 11 to 13 is the ejector element, which is designed as a slide mounted so as to be movable in the housing. This carriage is acted upon by an ejection spring. In addition, components are provided to enable this movement of the ejection slide to be coupled to the driver 24 (Catch fork and coupling element). According to Fig. 11 the locking pin 13 is located in the locking recess 15, which is only partially recognizable. This locking recess 15 is also formed by the extension 30. This extension 30 is part of the transmission element 8a. This transmission element 8a is rotatably mounted on the housing 7 about a preferably vertical axis of rotation. The rack-shaped area 10, which meshes with the gear wheel 9 of the synchronization element 6a, is also formed on this transmission element 8a. Due to the position of the locking pin 13, the ejection device 3a is in the locking position VS. Because the synchronization rod 5 has not yet been inserted, the drive device 1 is in the inactive synchronization mode So.

In contrast, the drive device 1 is located according to FIG Fig. 12 in the active synchronization _{mode S 1} , since the synchronization rod 5 is inserted into the receiving area 17 via the plug-on part 19. However, the ejector 3a is still in the locking position VS.

In contrast, according to Fig. 13 an overpressure movement has already been carried out. As a result, the movable furniture part 2 and the locking pin 13 move out of the latching recess 15 into an overpressed position (not shown). During the subsequent movement in the ejection direction, this locking pin 13 also entrains the extension 30, as a result of which the transmission element 8a rotates clockwise. With this rotation of the transmission element 8a, a movement of the gear wheel 9 and therefore the synchronization rod 5 in the counterclockwise direction is also triggered via the rack-shaped area 10. Compared to Fig. 12 the synchronization rod 5 has rotated almost 270 °. During this rotation, the positive fit between the receiving area 17 and the plug-on part 19 is maintained primarily because the synchronization rod 5 is held in an axially and radially fixed manner in the bearing element 16. When the ejection process continues, there is no longer any synchronization. Rather, in this synchronization device 4, only the unlocking movement of the Locking pin 13 from the locking recess 15 synchronized. Of course, when the locking pin 13 is pushed into the locking position VS, the transmission element 8 is returned to the position according to FIG Fig. 12 moved back.

Depending on which side the unlocking takes place first in the event of an uneven triggering, this movement is then passed on accordingly to the other side, so that the extension 30 is also moved away there due to the synchronization, whereby the locking pin 13 can no longer hold in the latching recess 15 and thus the ejection process with simultaneously or synchronously relaxing ejection force accumulators (not shown) takes place on both sides at the same time.

In general, it should also be pointed out that the corresponding components are of course designed to be mirror-symmetrical on the other side in each case. So if only part of one side is referred to in the description, this also applies analogously to the other side.

List of reference symbols:

1

Drive device

2

movable furniture part

3a

first lockable ejector

3b

second lockable ejector

4th

Synchronization device

5

Synchronization rod

6a, b

Synchronization elements

7th

casing

8a, b

Transmission elements

9

gear

10

rack-shaped area

12th

Locking device

13th

Locking pin

14th

Slide track

15th

Locking recess

16

Bearing element

17th

Recording area

18th

Base part

19a,

b connector parts

20th

furniture

21

Furniture body

22nd

Pull-out guide

23

Retaining plate

24

Carrier

25th

Cabinet rail

26th

Pivot bearing part

27

Support part

28

Depth adjustment wheel

29

Locking lever

30th

Appendix

31

lever

S1

active synchronization mode

S0

inactive synchronization mode

SS

Closed position

OS

Open position

VS

Locking position

E.

End areas

Claims (8)

1. A drive device (1) for a movable furniture part (2), in particular a drawer, comprising a first and a second lockable ejection device (3a, 3b) and a synchronizing device (4) for synchronizing the two ejection devices (3a, 3b), wherein the synchronizing device (4) comprises a synchronizing rod (5) and a first and second synchronizing element (6a, 6b) which can be connected to the synchronizing rod (5), and wherein a relative movement takes place between the synchronizing elements (6a, 6b) and the ejection devices (3a, 3b) during the synchronizing operation, wherein the ejection devices (3a, 3b) each comprise a housing (7) and a transmission element (8a, 8b) supported movably, preferably rotatably, on the housing (7), wherein the synchronizing elements (6a, 6b) each are movably coupled with one of the transmission elements (8a, 8b), wherein each synchronizing element (6a, 6b) comprises a gear wheel (9) and each transmission element (8a, 8b) comprises a section in the shape of a gear rack (10), wherein the gear wheels (9) each mesh with one of the sections in the shape of a gear rack (10), wherein the locking device (12) comprises a locking peg (13) and a heart curve-shaped, sliding guide track (14) formed in the housing (7), wherein in an active synchronizing mode (Si) during the synchronizing operation a movement transmission takes place from the first ejection device (3a) via the first synchronizing element (6a), the synchronizing rod (5) and the second synchronizing element (6b) to the second ejection device (3b)
   characterized in that
   in an inactive synchronizing mode (So) the synchronizing rod (5) is removed and the synchronizing elements (6a, 6b) each remain in contact with one of the ejection devices (3a, 3b), wherein the synchronizing elements (6a, 6b) are pre-mounted to the ejection devices (3a, 3b) and are connected non-detachably with the ejection devices (3a, 3b) in operating state and each transmission element (8a, 8b) forms a latch recess (15) of the heart curve-shaped sliding guide track (14).
2. The drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that each ejection device (3a, 3b) comprises a force-actuated ejection element for ejecting the movable furniture part (2) from a closed position (SS) into an open position (OS) and a locking device (12) for locking the ejection element in a locking position (VS), wherein the locking device (12) can be unlocked by over-pressing the movable furniture part (2) into an over-pressing position lying behind the closing position (SS).
3. The drive device according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each synchronizing element (6a, 6b) is supported - preferably in a rotating configuration and preferably axially fixed - on the housing (7) of the ejection device (3a, 3b) via a bearing element (16).
4. The drive device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the synchronizing rod (5) comprises on both end sections (E) a non-circular cross section and each synchronizing element (6a, 6b) comprises a receiving area (17) which at least section-wise matches with the outer contour of the end sections (E) of the synchronizing rod (5).
5. The drive device according to claim 4, characterized in that the synchronizing rod (5) comprises a rod-shaped base part (18) - preferably formed as a hollow profile with the same inner diameter along the entire length - and two plug-in parts (19a, 19b) being mountable to the ends of the base part (18) and forming the end sections (E).
6. The drive device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the synchronizing rod (5) is formed unchangeable in length.
7. The drive device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that only a part section of the movements of the ejection devices (3a, 3b) can be synchronized by the synchronizing device (4) - preferably only the first section of an opening movement of the movable furniture part (2) which section directly follows to the over-pressing position.
8. An item of furniture (20) comprising a furniture carcass (21), a furniture part (2) movably supported on the furniture carcass (21), preferably via an extension guide (22), and a drive device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7.

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