EP3193670A1

EP3193670A1 - Piece of furniture with a pivoting device for a pivoting part

Info

Publication number: EP3193670A1
Application number: EP15771062.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz Ehrenleitner
Original assignee: EB-invent GmbH
Current assignee: EB-invent GmbH
Priority date: 2014-09-18
Filing date: 2015-09-18
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Also published as: DE102014013560A1; AT516286A2; AT516286A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a piece of furniture with a base furniture part and a pivoting furniture part, in particular an office chair (1) or a chair which is used in conjunction with virtual reality computer games, said pivoting furniture part being mounted on the base furniture part in a pivotal manner by means of a pivoting mechanism. The aim of the invention is to achieve a mobility which supports the movements of the user in particular. This is achieved in that the pivoting mechanism comprises a kinematic system (34), by means of which the pivoting furniture part (5) can carry out a spherical movement about a center of rotation lying over the base furniture part (2), preferably about a central point (10) fixed to the base, relative to the base furniture part (2). The invention describes two usable kinematic systems and embodiments relating to guides of the two parts and drives for moving said parts.

Description

Furniture with swivel device for a swivel part

The invention relates to a piece of furniture with a pivotable part, in particular an office chair or a chair, and especially for use in connection with training or playing in a virtual reality environment, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention will be explained below with reference to an office chair, but it is clear to those skilled in the art that all kinds of gymnastic aids, therapeutic and medical loungers, carry and armchairs (chairs), but also other furniture (tables, beds, etc.) with exhibitable parts can be provided with the fiction, contemporary swivel device. In one embodiment, the movement is not initiated by the user, but by motors, especially in response to a virtual environment, wherein the user visually perceives a non-existing environment by means of a helmet or glasses and the furniture on which he sits or lies, performs corresponding movements.

Office chairs have a height-adjustable support member, which is considered in this application belonging to the chassis, a seat and a back, which are rotatable about a common vertical axis, usually the vertical axis of the support member, and at least one horizontal axis individually or are pivotable in dependence on each other. There are mechanisms by which the pivoting movement takes place about an axis which is not stationary relative to the supporting part, but in which the position of the axis (but usually one-to-one) changes during pivoting.

The problem with all kinematics on the one hand, the relatively small space available, on the other hand, the not inconsiderable occurring forces and moments, and the desire, sometimes it is even a necessity (medical field) to turn off the pivoting about individual axes, in the jargon fixation of an axis called. The invention has the object to provide a mechanism that meets these conditions in a simple, inexpensive, and mechanically stable manner. In a first embodiment, the mobility should be limited in a variety of ways, especially to give the urge to move the user (eg., Children with AHDS) possibility for actuation, in another embodiment, in contrast, the movement can be specified from the outside , This is particularly important in the context of gaming consoles or simulation situations using "virtual reality" (VR) in the form of VR glasses or VR helmets, etc. Also in the medical field, this can be done to facilitate patient resetting, variation the lying surfaces of patients against bedsores, etc., be favorable.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by a mechanism having the features indicated in the characterizing part of claim 1; in other words, there is provided between the base of the furniture and the moving part of the furniture a kinematics, which allows the spherical movement of the movable part about a Momentanpol, which is always above the fixed part, in the case of a chair above the seat. It is preferred that the instantaneous poles always lie in a base-fixed central point. In a first kinematics usable in the context of the invention, which is known per se from WO 2012/123102 of the inventor, a horizontal axis for the pivoting of the seat surface is provided on a height-adjustable support member and it is a sequence of three on the seat surface formed pivotable, serially arranged arms whose last is fixedly connected to the backrest, and whose three pivot axes intersect each other at a point. This point is preferably in the pelvic area of the presumptive user, preferably at about the center of gravity of the user.

If the three pivot axes do not intersect at one point but two at one point and the third is skewed, or when all three are skewed to each other, the moving part moves around a Momentanpol that is not baseline. In many applications (normal office chair, etc.) this is sufficient in other applications, for example in the medical field or but not when used in conjunction with VR, then a common point of intersection is highly desirable, if not necessary.

In an alternative, in a second kinematics usable in the context of the invention, two joint parallelograms are suitably combined with a four-bar linkage in order to achieve this mobility. In this case, either the plane in which the three trusses forming a movement grid are located can be designed to be pivotable about an axis, or a plurality of such movement grids are provided, as described in WO 2013/029069 of the inventor. Even with this kinematics, it is possible to come to a non-base fixed instantaneous pole, it is the above for the first kinematics said.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which always a base-fixed instantaneous is used. It shows or show:

1, purely schematically, a fiction, contemporary office chair in a perspective bottom view,

2 shows the detail II of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale,

3 shows the first mechanism alone, with two fixed degrees of freedom, FIG. 4 shows the mechanism analogous to FIG. 3, with a fixed degree of freedom, FIG. 5 shows an alternative mechanism with a fixed degree of freedom, FIG. 6 shows a variant,

7 is an exploded view of the essential components of the first mechanism,

8 shows a variant,

FIG. 9 shows the second mechanism, FIG.

the Figs. 10, 11 and 12a-12d show a variant of the first mechanism,

Figs. 13 and 14, another variant of the first mechanism and

the Figs. 15 to 17 a possible arrangement of drives for the implementation of

Movement from the outside.

In the following, the invention will be explained in the most part on the basis of an office chair, with the designations used as: "top", "bottom", "transverse", "longitudinal", "front", "Behind", "above", "below", "before" and the like are always used in the common sense.

As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, an office chair 1, a chassis 3 with footboard, legs, rollers and shock damped mechanism for height adjustment, at the upper end of a support member 2 is rotatably arranged. The support member 2 has on the one hand, in the embodiment directed to the rear, a fin 12 on the other hand, in the embodiment directed forwardly, an approximately triangular wing 22. Lead from the wing 22, articulated about a wing axis 4 to him two struts 15 each to a seat bearing 16 to the common seat axis 17, a seat 5 (in furniture generally the base furniture part corresponding) is pivotally. A below this construction apparent four-bar linkage (without reference numeral) establishes the statically determined position and can optionally serve to control the inclination of the seat in the rest position. The seat axis 17 is, as explained, stationary with respect to the seat surface 5, but not with respect to the support member 2, with which it is articulated via the struts 15 and the wing 22.

Any existing armrests have not been shown for reasons of clarity, they have to do with the invention is not causally.

At the rear of the seat 5 (base furniture part), a base part 6 (Fig. 2) is fixedly mounted. On the base part 6, an intermediate part 7 is rotatably mounted about a base axis, on the intermediate part 7, in turn, a second arm 8 is rotatably mounted and on this, also rotatable, a backrest part 9. It is inventively provided that the axes of rotation between the base part and the intermediate part 7, between the intermediate part 7 and the second arm 8, and between the second arm 8 and the backrest part 9 intersect each other in a central point 10. With the backrest part 9 fixed (possibly springy) is the backrest 11 (in furniture generally the swing furniture part corresponding) connected. The individual axes are shown in Figs. Although shown to avoid overburdening but only in Fig. 6 with their reference numerals: 26-base axis, 25-intermediate axis and 24-pivot axis indicated, the central point 10 is always indicated. By this mechanism, a previously unachievable mobility is now achieved around this central point 10, so that also three Cartesian axes (or parallel axes), which are not physically formed, but which are marked with their origin in the central point 10. These are the vertical axis Z, the transverse axis Q and the longitudinal axis L. In the individual embodiments shown, the respective barrier of pivoting about one or two of these axes is achieved by various measures that are simple and robust and in the knowledge of the invention also be easily combined with each other.

In the illustrated embodiment (FIG. 2), a mechanism not necessarily used for providing a counterforce is provided for rearward leaning: between a seat running surface 18 on the underside of the seat surface 5 and a mostly curved fin running surface 19 on the fin 12 is a spacer rod 20 each clamped with a roller 21 at the top and at the bottom. Its current position results from its leadership in a guide opening 23 in the second arm 8 (see also Fig. 3). If appropriate, it also protrudes through a further, but correspondingly larger, passage opening (not shown) in the backrest part 9, but its position is not influenced thereby, this only takes place through the guide opening 23.

In this guide opening 23 of the spacer rod 20 is longitudinally displaceable, but not rotatable, guided, so that it always rolls with its rollers 21 at right angles along the treads 18, 19. When leaning back of the user shifts / twisted the guide opening 23 and thus takes the spacer rod 20, it claims bending, the weight of the user, pivotally mounted about the seat axis 17, presses on the spacer rod 20 and the guide opening 23 against the leaning back on the Backrest part 9. Of course, other such known from the prior art mechanisms can be used, but this is suitable with its compact and easily adaptable to different interpretations by the shape of the fin tread 19 especially for a combination with the fiction, contemporary pivot mechanism. From the cohesion of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 it can be seen that the support member 2 has a running in the longitudinal direction L fin 12, which of course can be designed differently; in the illustrated embodiment, it serves to fix the rotation about the axis L and the axis Q, and this in the following way:

As shown in FIG. 4, projecting from the backrest part 9 a pin 14 (optionally provided with a pusher roll, or resiliently mounted, etc.) of the back part 9 in the case in this case with a groove 12 'formed fin 12 and thus prevents the rotation the longitudinal axis L. Due to the rotatability of the pin 14 in the groove 12 'about its (not shown) longitudinal axis but there is no further axial fixation.

If one compares to Fig. 3, in which the fin 12 is formed without a groove, it can be seen that instead of the pin 14 of the backrest part 9, this has a proper guide, which is guided on both sides along the fin (possible rollers or sliding surfaces are not shown for simplicity) through which, as can be seen from the dash-dotted comparison positions, only a rotation about the transverse axis Q is released, while both rotation about the vertical axis Z and a rotation about the longitudinal axis L is prevented. Since now variously the attachment of such fins and / or grooves in accordance massive areas of a swivel chair or office chair is not always well possible, Fig. 5 indicates a variant in which although the rotation is locked about the vertical axis Z, but for, at gymnastic office chairs used today again and again, both a rotation about the transverse axis Q and about the longitudinal axis L is made possible: This is achieved in that as a comparison with the Fig. 3, the fin 12 is not fixed to the support member 2 (Fig. This embodiment has the advantage that the actual attachment to the support member 2, the shape of which is very freely selectable, can vary within wide limits. In addition, this variant is often used in other furniture, such as loungers and folding beds, often cheap. In slightly different dimensions than the mechanism previously shown, Fig. 6 shows a mechanism whose operation corresponds to that of FIG. 3, here you can see well, indicated by a rib, the connection of the backrest 11 on the backrest part. 9

Fig. 7 shows, in the manner of an explosion sketch, the more detailed design of the individual components of the mechanism according to the invention, the base part 6, the intermediate part 7, the second arm 8 together with the guide opening 23 and the backrest part 9, again with the backrest 11 hinting rib. Due to the annular design creates a compact and mechanically extremely stable construction, which is able to transmit the large forces by the short lever arms safely. Shown are details of the camp training as circlips and rolling bearings, these can be provided in many different forms. It should also be noted with reference to Fig. 6 that the three axes between the serially arranged components 6/7 (24), 7/8 (25) and 8/9 (26) through its common, central intersection 10, the rotation allow the (imaginary only) Cartesian axes Z, Q and L (Fig. 5), and that, if desired, by appropriate design of the guide 9/12 (13, 14) the rotation about one or more of the Cartesian axes can be prevented ,

FIG. 8 shows a variant with reference to a kneeling chair, in which a knee surface 27 is fixedly or resiliently or adjustably connected to the seat surface 5. In this illustration, the altitude of the central point 10 above the footprint 28 on which the chair rests, can be clearly seen. Since the center of gravity of the user is in the region of the central point 10 and in most cases appreciably lower, it is possible for him to maintain equilibrium without fatiguing the nerves and / or muscles, nevertheless the user is animated to move, whereby in particular the area of the lower Spine better than in a pure rest position bleeding through.

The mechanism that causes the mobility of the pivotable parts relative to the base (base axis 26), as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the following on: At the base, via a base axis 26, a base arm 8 is pivotally mounted, on which in turn an intermediate arm 7 is pivotally (25), on which finally a seat connecting part 6 is pivotally mounted (24). The three pivot axes 24, 25 and 26 are designed or aligned so that they always intersect at a point, the central point 10. As already explained several times this condition does not have to be exactly fulfilled. The spherical movement takes place about this base-fixed central point 10. The seat connecting part 6 is fixed or resiliently connected to the seat surface 5 or formed on it. Since the spherical pivotability of the seat 5 and all its associated components to the central point 10, as stated above, depending on the orientation of the seat to be kept within limits that depend on the particular field of application, is now provided in an embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 10 to 14) that a base-fixed pin 14 projects into a seating surface-fixed recess, namely the gate opening 30, whereby the movement of the seat surface 5 and the parts of the chair associated therewith, preferably on all sides, is limited. Again, a roller, possibly sprung and / or made of elastic plastic, be attached to the pin to avoid hard shocks. The gate opening 30 and the pin 14 are clearly visible in Fig. 10 and Fig. 14, in the description and the claims also of the component having the gate opening 30, even casually referred to as "gate opening 30".

Fig. 12 shows, in four individual representations 12 a to 12 d, the respective extreme positions of the extension of the base shaft 29 to be considered pin in the gate opening 30th

Fig. 13 shows in bottom view the kinematics by which the central point 10 is realized, and a gate opening 30 in the form of a "real" slotted guide, without lateral freedom of movement, which has the shape of a lying "8" in this illustration. The cone always moves along the lines of the "8-ers", the backdrop branches out in the center. "Lying down" means that the two "bellies" in the left Right-axis of symmetry lie, thus having the seat in a slightly pre-bent or slightly reclined position the largest lateral rash.

14 shows a perspective bottom view of a variant of the invention, from which it can be clearly seen that the kinematics with its two arms between the end parts can be provided in a very flat manner and does not require more space than conventional kinematics of swivel chairs, etc According to the prior art.

As stated above, the use of a kinematics 34 according to the Fig. 9 between the base and the movable part of the furniture is also possible. This consists of a joint parallelogram G, which is fixedly mounted with its edge c. Opposite the side or edge c is a four-bar linkage V, which has in common this edge G1V. This four-bar linkage V further has the edge adjacent to G1V common to the second parallelogram G2, thus G2V. The two "outer" edges A and B of this motion grid respectively pass through G1 and V or G2 and V, as indicated by the gray-filled stiffening triangles.

The extension of the edge m of G2, which is opposite to the edge G2V, cuts the extension of c in the central point 10; as well as the extension of the diagonal of V between the outermost vertex AB and the inner vertex GG. This point of intersection, the central point 10, is always maintained under the conditions explained with each movement of the kinematics 34 in its plane. If the motion grid is made pivotable about c, as indicated by the rotary double arrow R, or if two or more mutually spatially obliquely arranged such motion grid are provided with common central point 10, a spherical movement of m is possible around this central point, and can be used for the purpose of the invention.

When the invention is used in conjunction with VR glasses or a VR helmet, it may be advantageous to raise the seat height so that the legs no longer extend to the floor, but may also be relative thereto the base of movable support surfaces (pedals) store. It is then the feeling of reality increased again.

The necessary drives in this case, but also in the medical field or if for other reasons a motor-assisted change of position is desired, can either sit directly on the axles, by the still-aspired coincidence of center of gravity (center of mass of the moving mass, possibly under proportionate consideration of the kinematics) and center of motion occur only relatively small forces and moments. It is also possible by means of belt drives, chain drives or the like to accomplish the movements and to attach the motors / gears to the base or to another base fixed point. Knowing the invention, it is no problem for the skilled person to make the appropriate choice. The Figs. 15, 16 and 17 show, purely schematically (without backrest, without armrest, without footrest, without power lines, without control lines, without central control, without safety covers, etc., etc.), the attachment of motors 31, 32 and 33 directly to the pivot axes 24, 25 and 26 between the serially arranged components 5/7 (24), 7/8 (25) and 8/2 (26). Whether a mobility-limiting scenery is provided in such an arrangement is a question of safety philosophy and is not causally related to the invention.

As belonging to the drives possibly provided brakes are to be seen, which prevent the rotation about the axes without the motors must be energized. This can save energy. If a new rotation is desired, then the associated brake is released simultaneously. The control of the motors and thus the position of the seat is effected by a control and regulation, in turn, in a known per se, the movements of the user and the representations shown in the glasses / helmet basis and this processed and implemented appropriately. The dimensioning of the individual components and the choice of usable materials is in the knowledge of the invention for the expert in the field of seating furniture no problem. It should again be specifically pointed out that pin and gate opening can be attached to the other component, it is only a simple kinematic reversal, as is familiar to any expert in the field of kinematics. Specifically, the component with the gate opening can be designed to be easily interchangeable with another, with other scenery to allow different movement pattern without any problems.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated examples, it may have the shapes and dimensions of the components base part - intermediate part - two arm - backrest part other shapes and dimensions and be constructed completely different in other furniture, soferne the axes defined between them axes of rotation only in one point , the central point 10, intersect.

It is not necessary, even with armchairs, that, as shown, the base axis (9) is vertical, especially in medical applications and in the case of VR application, the inclination of this axis can have positive effects.

As materials, all materials used in furniture for pivoting mechanisms can be used, in particular steel, optionally with rolling bearings or plain bearings with bushings of matching bearing metal.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01 office chair 05 seat (base)

02 supporting part 06 base part

03 Chassis 07 Intermediate part

04 wing axis 08 second arm (base arm) Backrest part 22 Airfoil Central point 23 Guide opening Backrest (swivel part) 24 Swivel part axis Fin 25 Intermediate axis Groove 26 Base axis Joint parallelogram C 27 Knee surface Pin 28 Contact surface Struts 29 Base shaft Seat bearing 30 Sliding hole Seat axis 31 Motor

Seat surface 32 engine

Fin tread 33 engine

Distance rod 34 Kinematics Roller (s)

Claims

claims:

Furniture comprising a base furniture part and a pivoting furniture part pivotally mounted thereto by means of a pivoting mechanism, characterized in that the pivoting mechanism comprises a kinematics (34) by which the pivoting furniture part (5) makes a spherical movement about the base furniture part (2) opposite the base furniture part (2) ) can perform instantaneous.

Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the instantaneous pole is a base-fixed central point (10).

Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the kinematics (34) comprises at least one on the base furniture part (2) via a base axis (26) pivotally mounted base arm (8) and a pivotable on it (25) arranged intermediate arm (7), which also on the swivel furniture part (5) is pivotally mounted (24), with the proviso that the three pivot axes (24, 25, 26) have their smallest distance above the base furniture part (2).

Furniture according to claim 2 and 3, characterized in that the three pivot axes (24, 25, 26) always at a point, the central point (10) intersect.

Furniture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the kinematics (34) comprises a movement grid consisting of at least one articulated parallelogram (GI) fixed with an edge (c), optionally pivotable about it, and one of Side or edge (c) opposite arranged four-bar linkage (V), which has in common with articulated parallelogram (G) the edge (GIV), and a further articulated parallelogram (G2), the edge, which is the edge (GIV) adjacent, with the joint quadrilateral (V) has in common, with the proviso that the two outer edges (A) and (B) of this movement grid on the Gelenkparallelogramm (Gl) and the four-bar linkage (V) or the Gelenkparallelogramm (G2) and the four-bar linkage (V) run straight, wherein the extension of the edge (m) of the articulated parallelogram (G2), which the edge (G2V) opposite, the extension of the edge (c) in the central point (10) intersects, as well as the extension of the diagonal of the four-bar linkage (V) between the outermost vertex (AB) and the inner vertex (GG).

6. Furniture according to claim 5, characterized in that at least two movement grids are provided which have a common central point (10).

7. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is a chair, in particular an office chair (1), that its base furniture part is a seat (5) and the swivel furniture part is a backrest (11) of the chair.

8. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to claim 7, with a chassis (3) with a support member (2) on which the seat surface (5), optionally pivotally mounted, characterized in that the base part (6) the underside of the seat (5) behind the attachment of the support member (2) is arranged.

9. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the supporting part (2), directed backwards, a fin (12), and that the pivoting part (9) is guided against rotation on this fin. (Fig. 3)

10. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the supporting part (2), directed backwards, a fin (12) having a longitudinal groove (12 '), and in that the pivoting part (9) in the groove (12 ') is rotatably guided.

(Fig. 4)

11. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the supporting part (2), directed backwards, a fin (12), that this fin parallel to itself in the direction of the transverse axis (Q) is slidably mounted, and that the pivoting part (9) is guided rotatably on this fin.

(Fig. 5)

12. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that on the underside of the seat surface (5) has a seat tread (18) and on the fin (12) a fin tread (19) is provided that between these running surfaces a spacer bar (20) with rollers (21) is provided at its ends, whose rollers roll on the running surfaces, and that the spacer bar (20) in a guide opening (23) in the second arm (8) längsverschieb- but rotationally fixed to be led.

13. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that

a) either with the base (2) a pin (14) is connected, which projects into a gate opening (30) which is connected to the seat surface (5), b) Or with the seat surface (5), a pin (14) is connected, which projects into a gate opening (30) which is connected to the base (2). (Fig. 11)

14 armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the slide guide (13) or the pin (12) on a seat connecting part (6) on which also the kinematics (34) acts is provided.

15. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the slide opening (30) or the pin (14) is resiliently connected to the seat connecting part (6).

16. armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the pin (14), optionally radially resilient, carries a rotatable ring which comes into contact with the edge of the scenes opening (30).

17. Armchair, in particular office chair (1) according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the slide opening (30) is a slotted guide, which has the shape of an "8".

18. Armchair according to one of claims 7 to 17, characterized in that at least one motor (31, 32, 33) and / or a motor-gear unit and optionally brakes are provided with the or the angular position about at least one the axes of rotation (24, 25, 26) of the kinematics (34) used is changed and fixed in a controlled manner.

19. Armchair according to claim 18, characterized in that at least one motor (31, 32, 33) or a motor-gear unit on the associated axis (24, 25, 26) sits.

20. Armchair according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that at least one motor or a motor-gear unit is stationary relative to the base and that the drive on the axles or shafts by means of belt drives, chain drives,

Bowden cables or the like.