EP3494270B1 - Damper device - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The invention relates to a damper device for use in a device for pivotally holding a wing flap and such a device. The device comprises a planar four-bar linkage, which has two pivoted swivel arms and two pull arms articulated parallel to one another on the swivel arms, with a fastening element for attaching the wing flap being attached to the pull arms. The device also includes resilient means for damping the pivoting movement, which act on the four-bar linkage.

State of the art

Fastening devices to pivotally store movable elements of furniture such as front elements, doors or wing flaps have been known for a long time. Some mounting devices support the moveable member such that the moveable member pivots up and down about a horizontal axis. For this purpose, four-bar linkages are known, which allow the movable element to be guided reliably about the horizontal axis or to be lifted off the frame in the desired manner before pivoting. A fastening device with such a four-bar linkage describes, for example, the EP 0 736 659 81 B1 (USM Holding AG ).

the GB 1 343 821 A (P. Bardsley ) discloses hinges for mounting a door in a door frame such that the door does not interfere with adjacent doors when opening and closing. The hinge includes a flange for attaching the hinge to the door frame and a flange for attaching the hinge to the door. The hinge further includes a first pair of links and a second pair of links. Both links of both pairs are aligned parallel to each other at all times. The pairs of links are pivotally attached to each other so that two parallelograms are formed and a connecting parallelogram is formed between the pairs.

Damping devices are also known for furniture systems, which dampen the movable elements in a region of the end position both when opening and when closing. The damping devices enable comfortable handling of the movable element and reduce noise.

Such a damper device for a furniture flap shows the EP 1 818 491 A2 (Hetal-Werke Franz Hettich GmbH & Co. KG ). The damping device comprises an articulated lever arrangement with two articulated levers, which are each articulated at one end to a body-side fitting part and at the other end to a furniture flap. When the furniture flap is closed, a swivel arm arranged on the articulated lever presses against an oil damper and compresses it, which dampens the movement of the furniture flap.

Another damper device disclosed DE 10 2008 010 770 A1 (Kesseböhmer Holding e.K. ). The fastening device described comprises a four-bar linkage with two swivel arms and a fastening piece that is attached to a front panel and a fastening piece that is attached to a furniture body. A front end of one pivot arm is designed as a curved cam which interacts with a link part that can be displaced in a longitudinal guide, the link part being in operative connection with a damper. During an opening and closing movement of the front panel, the link part runs through a dead center position via a cam track control, so that the damper can become effective both when the front panel is closed and when the front panel is opened.

the DE 10 2012 016 938 A1 (Laag SRL ) discloses a hinge for a household appliance. The hinge includes a first hinge arm and a second hinge arm pivoted on the first hinge arm about a pivot pin. The hinge further includes a damper arranged laterally on the first hinge arm. The damper includes a damper bolt and a damper housing that are movable relative to each other. An actuator for the damper has a recess within which the damper is overhung. When the hinge is brought into a closed position, the second hinge arm is pivoted about the axis of the pivot pin. As a result of this pivoting movement, the actuating part is moved downwards via a first actuating bolt, which interacts with an upper mating surface of the actuating part, until it rests with a stop edge on the damper bolt of the damper. As the closing movement progresses, the damper bolt is pressed into the damper housing, which dampens the further closing movement. When the hinge is brought into the open position, the pivoting movement of the second hinge arm causes a second actuating bolt to interact with a lower mating surface of the actuating part, so that the actuating part is moved upwards until a second stop edge rests against the damper housing. As the opening movement continues, the damper bolt is pressed into the damper housing.

the DE 10 2011 008252 A1 (Laag SRL ) relates to a hinge for a cooker flap. The hinge has a first hinge arm and a second hinge arm, which are pivotally connected to one another via an axis. The first hinge arm is as a Executed housing element, in which a guide part is linearly displaceably guided. Damping is effected by a damper with a bolt and a housing, which can be moved against one another against a damping force. The first hinge arm forms a base part with stop areas for the damper. When the hinge is closed, a first stop surface of the guide part comes into contact with the housing of the damper and pushes the bolt onto a first stop pin of the hinge arm. During further movement into a first end position, a damping force is generated by compressing the damper. If the hinge is opened, the first stop surface of the guide part moves away from the damper. As a result, the damper becomes powerless and moves out again. The damper can move freely in this area. When moving towards a second end position, the second stop area of the guide part comes into contact with the bolt of the damper and displaces the entire damper until the housing of the damper comes into contact with a second stop pin of the hinge arm.

These known damper devices have the disadvantage that they take up a lot of space and also have a conspicuous appearance.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a damper device and device for pivotally holding a wing flap, which belongs to the technical field mentioned at the outset, the damper device being able to be constructed in a compact manner and being unobtrusive. Another object is to create the damper device as a retrofit element that can be mounted on an already existing device for pivotally holding a wing flap.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1 and claim 3, respectively. According to the invention, the device for pivotally holding a wing flap comprises a damping device for damping the pivoting movement in the area of two end positions, with a linear pressure damper and a first and a second transmission element. The pressure damper acts on a first side of the pressure damper via the first transmission element with a first of the two pivot arms in the area a first of the two end positions, and the pressure damper interacts on a second side of the pressure damper via the second transmission element with a second of the two swivel arms in the region of a second of the two end positions.

A wing flap is to be understood as meaning a one-part or multi-part element which optionally opens or closes the opening to a cavity. The cavity can be formed by a box, a cupboard, a body, a storage box or some other piece of furniture or housing. In this case, the wing flap can be pivotable upwards or downwards about a substantially horizontal axis in relation to the piece of furniture or the housing.

The linear pressure damper can be designed as a fluid damper, pneumatic damper or as a pressure damper with pure material damping. A fluid damper is preferably used which comprises a cylinder housing and a piston rod which is guided in the cylinder housing and is movable relative to the cylinder housing. The information "first side of the pressure damper" and "second side of the pressure damper" refer to the damping axis. This means that the first side or the second side of the pressure damper is either at the axial end of the cylinder housing facing away from the piston rod or at the free axial end of the piston rod.

The wing flap can be moved from a closed position to an open position and back by a pivoting movement along an adjustment path, with two end positions limiting the adjustment path. In the closed position, the flap covers the opening of the piece of furniture or the housing. In the open position, the wing flap is pivoted away from the opening so that the interior of the piece of furniture or the housing is accessible from the outside. The term "in the closing direction" used in the present description means that the leaf flap is moved from the open position to the closed position. Correspondingly, "in the opening direction" means that the leaf flap is moved from the closed position to the open position. Furthermore, “in the region of an end position” means that the leaf flap is located either in a section of the adjustment path before the closed position or in a section of the adjustment path before the open position. It is irrelevant how long this section of the adjustment path is. The section can include, for example, a third of the entire adjustment path or only a tenth of the entire adjustment path.

In the present description, the term "longitudinal" refers to the longitudinal axis of the device and the term "transverse" refers to the transverse axis of the device perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The transverse axis runs in the direction of the narrowest outer dimension of the device.

The device according to the invention has a damper device which is compact and can be mounted unobtrusively on the device for pivotally holding the wing flap. Due to the compact design of the damping device, the device takes up hardly any more space than a device without a damping device.

As a result, the internal volume of the piece of furniture or the housing to which the leaf flap is attached is practically not reduced. Due to the compact and unobtrusive design of the damping device, it is not perceived as a nuisance. Furthermore, the damper device according to the invention enables efficient damping of the wing flap without an additional holding arm, which takes up a lot of space, as is the case with the damper devices known from the prior art.

The damping device according to the invention also prevents the pivotable wing flap from coming into abrupt contact with the piece of furniture or the housing in the region of the end positions or from colliding with an end position at too high a speed. In this way, damage can be avoided and signs of wear and tear on the components can be reduced. As a result, the damper device according to the invention can extend the service life of the components in comparison to a device for pivotably holding a wing flap without a damper device. In addition, noise when closing or opening the wing flap can be greatly reduced by the damper device. The wing flap can be released in the area of the end positions and does not have to be carefully guided to the end positions by hand. This increases the ease of use for the user.

The damper device according to the invention can be used without further adaptation to an existing device for pivotally holding a wing flap, as is shown in FIG EP 0 736 659 81 B1 (USM ) is described, can be retrofitted. This eliminates the need to replace the entire wing flap holding device. This enables a damper device to be retrofitted at low cost.

The resilient means acting on the four-bar linkage for damping the pivoting movement allow the wing flap weight to be relieved when the wing flap is opened and closed. This increases the ease of use. The resilient means preferably interact with the two tension arms of the four-bar linkage. Preferably, the resilient means comprise a spring element which is guided with its expandable part so as to be displaceable around an anchoring element.

The transmission elements between the pressure damper and the swivel arms can be moved translationally relative to one another. This enables a simple and compact construction of the damper device when using a linear pressure damper. In addition, the transmission elements can preferably be moved translationally relative to one another in the damping axis. As a result, the force transmitted by the transmission elements does not have to be deflected and the linear pressure damper can interact directly with the transmission elements.

The transmission elements are preferably arranged in such a way that when the pivoting movement is damped in the region of both end positions, they are moved towards one another against a force generated by the pressure damper. In contrast to an arrangement in which the transmission elements are moved away from one another during damping, the arrangement of the transmission elements according to the invention allows a particularly space-saving construction.

Alternatively, the transmission elements can also be moved away from each other in the area of both end positions against the force generated by the pressure damper.

The pressure damper is preferably a one-way fluid damper with spring return. This means that the shock absorber uses compression to generate the force required for damping. The pressure damper preferably comprises a cylinder housing and a linearly displaceable piston rod, which is pushed into the cylinder housing during compression. A fluid in the cylinder housing dampens the movement of the piston rod. The piston rod is extended again by a mechanical spring when the external force acting on the piston rod is less than the spring force. Such a pressure damper is able to reliably dampen blows and impacts, requires no maintenance and has a long service life.

As an alternative to this, the pressure damper can also be designed as a pneumatic damper or as a damper with pure material damping.

The device for pivotally holding a wing flap comprises a hinged frame on which the four-bar linkage is movably mounted. The damper device can preferably be fastened to the articulated frame by means of a clip connection. The articulated frame offers the advantage that the four-bar linkage is stored securely and stably.

A clip connection is understood to mean a snap-in, detachable connection. The clip connection includes a first element with a projection or protruding nose and a second element with a shoulder or recess. When assembled, the projection of the first element engages in the recess of the second element. This enables a simple and secure positive connection of the two elements. The lug can be designed either on the articulated frame or on an element of the damping device. The recess is made on the opposite element. The snapping of the clip connection is perceived acoustically as well as haptically. Thus, when mounting the damper device, it is clear when the damper device is securely fastened to the joint housing. In addition, the clip connection enables the damper device to be assembled and disassembled without tools. This simplifies handling and allows the damper device to be installed quickly and inexpensively.

As an alternative to this, the damper device can also be fastened to the articulated frame with a different connection, for example by a screw, rivet or clamp connection.

The transmission elements are preferably designed as arms. This enables a simple and effective interaction of the transmission elements or the pressure damper via the transmission elements with the swivel arms of the four-bar linkage. The arms have a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the length along the longitudinal axis is at least twice the width of the arms along the transverse axis. Preferably, the arms are arranged such that their longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the damping axis. This allows the pressure damper to be actuated particularly efficiently using the arms.

As an alternative to this, the transmission elements can also be designed as circular or square elements, for example.

Preferably, the arms each have a contact surface that includes a concave section that interacts with the respective pivot arm in such a way that when the pivot arms move in the region of the end positions, the force generated by the pressure damper can be continuously transmitted to the pivot arms. "Concave section" means that the arms have a concave shape inward towards the longitudinal axis of the arms. The concave section can be made on one longitudinal side or on several longitudinal sides of the arms.

Since the force can be continuously transmitted to the pivoting arms, it is avoided that the damping starts, changes or stops abruptly. This avoids unwanted jerks or impacts in the area of the end positions. This protects the components and enables a smooth movement of the pivoting movement of the wing flap. Preferably, the area of the pivoting arms that cooperates with the concave portion of the bearing surface of the arms has a round shape. As a result, the interaction of the concave section with the swivel arm can be further improved, so that the movement of the swivel arms is damped particularly gently. In addition, a smooth and gentle transition from the range of motion without damping to the damped area of the end positions is made possible.

As an alternative to this, there is also the possibility that the arms do not have any concave sections. In this case, the arms can have, for example, convex formations or no specially shaped sections at all.

The damper device preferably includes a damper housing in which the pressure damper and the transmission elements are mounted so that they can move relative to the damper housing. The damper housing protects the pressure damper and the transmission elements against external influences and thus ensures their function. In addition, the damper housing allows the pressure damper to be assembled with the transmission elements as a structural unit as a whole. This simplifies handling and assembly. The damper housing also allows to store the pressure damper and the transmission elements movably relative to the damper housing.

Alternatively, the pressure damper and the transmission elements can also be attached directly to the articulated frame without a damper housing.

Advantageously, the transmission elements each have a receiving space for the pressure damper, with a stop being formed in this receiving space. The first transmission element interacts with the first side of the pressure damper and the second transmission element with the second side of the pressure damper via the respective stops. The receiving space can be designed in the form of a depression, a recess, a holder or an opening in the transmission element.

The receiving space is preferably designed as a depression in the transmission elements, with the depression partially surrounding the cylinder housing of the pressure damper in a form-fitting manner. The axial delimitation of the depression is designed as a stop. One transmission element has a stop for the free end of the piston rod and the other transmission element has a stop for the end of the cylinder housing that is axially remote from the piston rod. As a result, the pressure damper is accommodated by the transmission elements and the transmission elements can reliably interact with the pressure damper.

Alternatively, the transmission elements can also have no stop space for the pressure damper. In this case, the pressure damper can, for example, interact with the surface of the transmission elements.

The transmission elements can preferably be fastened to one another by means of a clip connection. The latching and easily detachable clip connection enables the transmission elements to be fitted quickly without tools. As a result, the pressure damper located in the receiving space for the transmission elements can be very easily replaced if necessary. In addition, the clip connection can be designed to be very space-saving. The clip connection preferably holds the transmission elements in one another in a form-fitting manner in the transverse direction, but relative to one another in the longitudinal direction movable. The clip connection thus enables secure attachment in the transverse direction and at the same time guidance of the transmission elements when the transmission elements move in the longitudinal direction.

As an alternative to this, there is also the possibility that the transmission elements can be fastened to one another, for example with a clamp connection or with a screw connection.

The damper housing preferably has a guide in which the transmission elements are guided by means of driver elements. The guide can, for example, include a groove, a slotted link or a guide track. The entrainment elements of the transmission elements can be designed as pins, nubs or as projections. Due to the guide, the transmission elements can be moved easily and safely along a specific adjustment path relative to the damper housing. The guide also ensures that the transmission elements are optimally aligned with respect to the pivoting arms, so that the pressure damper can optimally dampen the pivoting movement of the pivoting arms. It is preferably a linear guide. If the transmission elements can be moved translationally relative to one another, the linear guide ensures that the transmission elements can be displaced relative to one another over a predetermined adjustment path and cannot tilt or block.

As an alternative to this, the damper housing can also have no guide. The transmission elements can then, for example, be mounted in a floating manner within the damper housing without a guide.

The pressure damper and the transmission elements can preferably be moved freely between the two regions of the end positions relative to the damper housing without the application of force.

If the pressure damper and the transmission elements are not in the area of the end positions, the transmission elements and the pressure damper accommodated in them can move freely and without the influence of an external force and without pretension. This prevents the transmission elements with the pressure damper in the housing being unintentionally tense or that the Transmission elements and the pressure damper are blocked in the housing and thereby impede the pivoting movement of the swivel arms.

Alternatively, the pressure damper and the transmission elements can also be firmly clamped between the two areas of the end positions or, for example, always prestressed by a swivel arm, so that they cannot be moved freely.

Advantageously, at least two devices according to the invention, each with a damping device, are used in a cupboard with a pivotable wing flap in order to hold and dampen the pivotable wing flap. A typical application is cabinets with doors that swing from a vertical to a horizontal position when opened.

The invention further includes the damper device for use in the device for pivotally supporting a wing flap. The damper device comprises a linear pressure damper and a first and a second transmission element. The compression damper is operable on a first side of the compression damper in a first direction via the first transmission member and the compression damper is further operable on a second side of the compression damper in a second direction opposite the first direction via the second transmission member. In this case, the transmission elements can be moved translationally relative to one another.

The damper device can be used, for example, as a retrofit element for a device for pivotally holding a wing flap. As a result, existing pieces of furniture with a pivotable flap can easily be retrofitted with a damping device.

The damper device preferably comprises a damper housing in which the pressure damper and the transmission elements can be moved relative to the damper housing and the transmission elements each have a receiving space for the pressure damper. Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine Schnittansicht eines vertikal ausgerichteten, parallel zur Symmetrieebene einer Vorrichtung verlaufenden Schnitts durch eine erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung zum schwenkbaren Halten einer Flügelklappe mit einer Dämpfereinrichtung, wobei der Schnitt durch ein zweites von zwei Übertragungselementen verläuft und wobei sich ein Gelenkviereck im Bereich zwischen einer Schliessstellung und einer Öffnungsstellung befindet;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht eines vertikal ausgerichteten parallel zur Symmetrieebene verlaufenden Schnitts durch die Dämpfereinrichtung, wobei der Schnitt in Querrichtung gesehen zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Übertragungselement verläuft und wobei sich das Gelenkviereck in der Öffnungsstellung befindet;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht eines vertikal ausgerichteten parallel zur Symmetrieebene verlaufenden Schnitts durch die Dämpfereinrichtung, wobei der Schnitt durch das zweite Übertragungselement verläuft und wobei sich das Gelenkviereck im Bereich zwischen der Schliessstellung und der Schliessstellung befindet;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht eines vertikal ausgerichteten parallel zur Symmetrieebene verlaufenden Schnitts durch die Vorrichtung mit der erfindungsgemässen Dämpfereinrichtung, wobei der Schnitt in Querrichtung gesehen zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Übertragungselement verläuft und wobei sich das Gelenkviereck im Bereich zwischen der Schliessstellung und der Öffnungsstellung befindet;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht wie bei Fig. 4, wobei sich das Gelenkviereck in der Öffnungsstellung befindet;

Fig. 6

eine Schnittansicht wie bei Fig. 1, wobei sich das Gelenkviereck in einem Bereich zwischen der Schliessstellung und der Öffnungsstellung befindet;

Fig. 7

eine Schnittansicht wie bei Fig. 6, wobei sich das Gelenkviereck in der Schliessstellung befindet.

The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

1

a sectional view of a vertically aligned section running parallel to the plane of symmetry of a device through a device according to the invention for pivotably holding a leaf flap with a damper device, the section running through a second of two transmission elements and a four-bar linkage being located in the area between a closed position and an open position ;

2

a sectional view of a vertically oriented section running parallel to the plane of symmetry through the damper device, the section running between the first and the second transmission element as seen in the transverse direction and the four-bar linkage being in the open position;

3

a sectional view of a vertically aligned section running parallel to the plane of symmetry through the damper device, the section running through the second transmission element and the four-bar linkage being located in the area between the closed position and the closed position;

4

a sectional view of a vertically oriented section running parallel to the plane of symmetry through the device with the damping device according to the invention, the section running between the first and the second transmission element when viewed in the transverse direction and the four-bar linkage being located in the area between the closed position and the open position;

figure 5

a sectional view as in 4 , wherein the four-bar linkage is in the open position;

6

a sectional view as in 1 , wherein the four-bar linkage is located in a region between the closed position and the open position;

7

a sectional view as in 6 , whereby the four-bar linkage is in the closed position.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

Ways to carry out the invention

the figure 1 shows a sectional view of a vertically aligned section running parallel to the plane of symmetry of the device 1 through a device 1 according to the invention for pivotably holding a leaf flap of a piece of furniture with a damping device. The section runs through the second transmission element 330. In FIG figure 1 The position shown is that the four-bar linkage 4 is in a region between the closed position and the open position, the four-bar linkage 4 being moved from the open position to the closed position in the illustration and being in the region just before damping begins of the damper device.

The device 1 comprises a damper device 30 according to the invention, an articulated frame 2, a four-bar linkage 4, resilient means in the form of a tension spring 5 and a fastening element 3 for attaching a wing flap. The four-bar linkage 4 comprises two pivotally mounted pivot arms 6, 7 arranged parallel to one another and two pull arms 8, 9 articulated parallel to one another on the pivot arms 6, 7.

The wing flap and the piece of furniture are not shown in the figures. The device 1 is mounted on the left and right of an opening in the piece of furniture. The wing flap is attached to the fastening element 3 of the device 1 and optionally closes or opens the opening by folding it up or down about a horizontally aligned axis. Instead of the wing flap, for example, a cabinet door or a cover can also be installed. The piece of furniture can be, for example, office furniture, a small cupboard, a storage box, an archive cupboard or any other optionally lockable housing. It is understood that the wing flap on both sides is held by a device 1 with a damping device 30 . Due to the symmetrical design of the four-bar linkage 4 of the device 1, the device 1 with the damping device 30 according to the invention can be mounted either on the left hand or on the right hand of the wing flap.

In the present specification, the term "at the back" refers to areas or elements remote from the opening of the furniture. Correspondingly, the indication "in front" relates to areas or elements which face towards the opening of the piece of furniture, ie towards the hinged flap. The statement “in the longitudinal direction” relates to the longitudinal axis of the articulated frame 2 and the statement “in the transverse direction” relates to the transverse axis of the articulated frame 2, which is aligned at right angles to the longitudinal axis.

The articulated frame 2 of the device 1 comprises two sheet metal plates which are arranged parallel to one another and enclose the four-bar linkage 4 . The articulated frame 2 has a rectangular frame section and an annular frame section at the rear end of the articulated frame 2 . The two parallel sheet metal plates are connected to one another by three rivet connections 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 in the rectangular part and by a plastic ring 15 in the ring-shaped frame section and are kept parallel at a defined distance.

The riveted connections 10.1 and 10.2 on the articulated frame 2, which are designed as continuous axes, also serve as fastening and rotation axes for the pivoting arms 6, 7. Each pivoting arm 6, 7 is formed by two webs spaced parallel to one another in the transverse direction, which in the area of the riveted connection 10.1 or 10.2 are connected to each other. As a result, the swivel arms 6, 7 have a U-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The tension arms 8, 9 are located between the webs of the pivot arms 6, 7. At the pivotable end of the pivot arms 6, 7, the first tension arm 9 is articulated with bolts 12.1, 12.2. The second similar pulling arm 8 is connected to the pivoting arms 6, 7 by bolts 11.1, 11.2. The bolts 11.1, 11.2 are each approximately in the middle between the riveted joints 10.1, respectively. 10.2 and the bolt 12.1 resp. 12.2. The swivel arms 6, 7 form an articulated parallelogram with the tension arms 8, 9. At a front end, on angled sections of the tension arms 8, 9, the fastening element 3 is pivotally held by bolts 13.1, 13.2. At a rear End of the tension arms 8, 9 hooks 14.1, 14.2 are formed. Both ends of the tension spring 5 can be hooked onto them. The tension spring 5 is guided around the plastic ring 8 .

Overall, the four-bar linkage is constructed symmetrically with respect to the plane of movement of the parallelogram linkage. The tension arms 8, 9 and the tension spring are in the transverse direction centrally in the plane of symmetry.

The damper device 30 according to the invention comprises a damper housing 310, a first transmission element 320 and a second transmission element 330 as well as a pressure damper 340.

the figure 2 shows a sectional view of a vertically oriented section running parallel to the plane of symmetry through the damper device 30 according to the invention. Viewed in the transverse direction, the section runs between the first and the second transmission element 320, 330. In the representation of FIG figure 2 the four-bar linkage 4 is in the open position.

The first transmission element 320 interacts with the first pivoting arm 6 and the second transmission element 330 interacts with the second pivoting arm 7 . Since the pressure damper 340 is accommodated in the transmission elements 320, 330, the force generated by the pressure damper 340 for damping the pivoting movement can be transmitted to the four-bar linkage 4 via the transmission elements, or the pivoting arms 6, 7 can be connected to the pressure damper via the transmission elements 320, 330 340 interact. The damper housing 310 is fastened to the articulated frame 2 via a clip connection and supports the transmission elements 320, 330 and the pressure damper 340 so that they can move.

The damper housing 310 has a rectangular shape and is formed in a U-shape in cross section. The damper housing 310 is located in an upper front area of the rectangular part of the articulated frame 2. The articulated frame 2 is surrounded on both sides by two legs 311 of the damper housing 310, which are connected to one another at the upper end of the damper housing and thus form the U-shaped cross section . As in figure 2 seen, have the legs 311 at their lower free ends on locking lugs 314, which engage in the assembled state of the damper housing 310 in recesses in the articulated frame 2. Damper housing 310 further includes a transverse bore 313 having an axial slot in its casing. As a result, the damper housing 310 with the bore 313 can be pushed over the bolt 10.3, so that the bolt 10.3 is surrounded by the outer surface of the bore 313. The damper housing 310 is securely attached to the articulated frame 2 by the clip connection of the legs 311 in a direction upwards away from the four-bar mechanism 4 and through the bore 313 in the longitudinal direction. The two legs 311 each have an elongated hole 312 in the longitudinal direction in the upper area. The transmission elements 320, 330, which can be displaced relative to one another and relative to the damper housing 310, each have a driver element in the form of a nub (not shown in the figures), through which they are guided in the elongated hole 312 in the longitudinal direction in the damper housing 310. This guidance is described in detail below.

In the Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen that the first and the second transmission element 320, 330 each have an upper rectangular area and each have an arm 325, 335 projecting downwards essentially at right angles to the longitudinal axis. In the representation of figure 3 the four-bar linkage 4 is as in figure 1 in an area between the closed position and the open position, the four-bar linkage 4 being moved from the open position to the closed position in the illustration and being located in the area just before the start of damping of the damping device. In both transmission elements 320, 330, a receiving space in the form of a depression 322, 332 for the pressure damper 340 is formed in the rectangular area on the respective inside of the transmission element 320, 330 facing the plane of symmetry. The depression 322, 332 is particularly good in the figure 3 visible, since the section runs through the second transmission element 330 in this sectional view. The indentations 322, 332 have a semicircular shape in cross section. If the transmission elements 320, 330 are held against one another with their inner sides, a circular cavity is formed by the two indentations in cross section, in which the pressure damper 340 can be accommodated appropriately.

The pressure damper 340 comprises a pressure damper housing 341 and a piston rod 342 that can be moved linearly in the pressure damper housing 341. The pressure damper 340 is a fluid damper with a fluid in the pressure damper housing 341, such as oil, an emulsion of water and oil, polyglycol solutions, silicone fluids or another synthetic liquid. Corresponding products are available on the market. As the piston rod 341 retracts, the fluid is forced through diaphragms, creating a resistance that dampens the movement. A mechanical spring in the pressure damper housing 341 pretensions the piston rod 342 so that the piston rod 342 is pushed out of the pressure damper housing 341 when the external force is smaller than the spring force of the spring.

The recess 322 of the first transmission element 320 is limited in the axial direction at the rear end by a wall 323 which forms an axial stop. At the front end, the depression 322 is open to the outside in the axial direction. The recess 332 of the second transmission element 330 is open to the outside at the rear end in the axial direction and is delimited at the front end by a wall 333 which forms an axial stop. In the assembled state, the rear end of the pressure damper 340 remote from the piston rod 342 is now in contact with the wall 323 of the first transmission element 320 . The free end of the piston rod 342 , on the other hand, rests against the wall 333 of the second transmission element 330 .

The first and the second transmission element 320, 330 are fastened to one another by means of a clip connection. For this purpose, the first transmission element 320 has a protruding lug 321 above the depression 322, which can be seen in figure 3 , which engages in a longitudinally elongate recess 334 in the second transmission member 330. The second transmission element 330 also has a protruding nose 331 below the depression 332, which engages in a longitudinally elongated recess (not shown in the figures) in the first transmission element 320. The transmission elements 320, 330 can be clipped together by the lugs 321, 331 and recesses, so that the transmission elements 320, 330 are held together in the transverse direction by means of a positive fit. In the longitudinal direction are the transmission elements 320, 330 however, translationally displaceable relative to one another due to the oblong recesses. If the first transmission element 320 is displaced relative to the second transmission element 330, the wall 323 of the first transmission element 320 moves in the direction of the wall 333 of the second transmission element 330. This movement pushes the piston rod into the pressure damper housing and the pressure damper is compressed.

While the transmission elements 320, 330 have the depressions 322, 332 described on their inside, the transmission elements 320, 330, as mentioned above, each have an outwardly protruding dome-shaped knob on the outside (not visible in the figures). The interconnected transmission elements 320, 330 are located between the legs 311 of the damper housing and are each guided through their knobs in the elongated holes 312 of the damper housing 310. As a result, the two transmission elements 320, 330 with the pressure damper 340 accommodated in their recesses 322, 332 can be freely displaced in translation relative to the damper housing 310 along the longitudinal groove 312. In addition, the transmission elements 320, 330 can be displaced translationally relative to one another. The transmission elements 320, 330 are thereby guided by their lugs 321, 331 mutually engaging in the elongated recesses.

The arms 325, 335 of the transmission elements 320, 330 are each slightly offset in the transverse direction from the plane of symmetry of the device. As a result, the pull arms 8, 9, which are located in the center of the plane of symmetry, are between the arms 325, 335. The first transmission element 320 can be connected via its arm 325 to the first pivot arm 6 and the second transmission element 330 can be connected via its arm 335 to the second pivot arm 7 work together. The arms 325, 335 each have a bearing surface for the upper rounded ends of the swivel arms 6, 7 on the side facing the front and the side facing the rear. These bearing surfaces are formed as concave sections.

The concave section of the rearward-facing contact surface of the arm 325, which interacts with the first swivel arm 6, has a rounding 326, the radius of which is many times larger than the radius of the rounded free end of the first swiveling arm 6. The rounding 326 is included aligned in such a way that the rounded End of the swivel arm 6 continuously cooperates with the arm 325 of the transmission element 320 when the swivel arm 6 is in contact with the arm 325.

The concave portion of the forward-facing bearing surface of the arm 335, which cooperates with the second pivoting arm 7, comprises a circular section 336, an upper rectilinear section 338 and a lower rectilinear section 339. The circular section 336 has a radius approximately corresponds to the radius of the rounded free end of the second swivel arm 7 . The straight sections 338, 339 lead from the outside towards the inside to the round section 336. When the free end of the swivel arm 7 comes into contact with the arm 335, the free end first moves along the upper straight section 338 of the arm 335 until it is overcome of a projection to the round section 336. The swivel arm 7 continuously interacts with the arm 335 until the projection is overcome.

the figure 4 shows a sectional view of a vertically aligned section running parallel to the plane of symmetry through the device according to the invention with the damper device. Viewed in the transverse direction, the section runs between the first and the second transmission element 320, 330. The four-bar linkage 4 is shown in FIG figure 4 in the area between the closed position and the open position, the four-bar linkage 4 being moved from the closed position to the open position in the illustration and being located in the area just before damping begins of the damper device.

If the wing flap is folded down from the closed position in the opening direction, the fastening element 3 is pulled outwards against the force of the tension spring 5 . The four-bar linkage 4 specifies the trajectory along which the fastening element 3 is guided to the outside. When the fastener 3 is placed in the horizontal position, the pull arms 8, 9 rest on top of each other and block further movement.

When the wing flap is folded down, the tension spring 5 is expanded in accordance with the distances covered by the hooks 14.1, 14.2 at the rear ends of the tension arms 8, 9. Since the tension spring 5 is displaceable with respect to the plastic ring 15, can distribute the linear expansion over the entire length of the tension spring 5 without any problems. The tension spring 5 is preferably a spiral spring. Since the spring force of a spiral spring increases proportionally to the linear expansion, the restoring torque acting on the fastening element 3 increases all the more, the more the fastening element 3 is brought horizontally with the wing flap in the opening direction.

Due to the geometric dimensioning of the four-bar linkage 4, the fastening element 3 is pivoted about a geometric pivot axis when opening. This pivot axis is aligned horizontally and is located in front of the opening of the piece of furniture in a lower area.

In the closed position, the pivoting arms 6, 7 with the pressure damper 340 are in a rear area of the damper housing 310. If the wing flap with the fastening element 3 is pivoted downwards in the opening direction, the upper end of the first pivoting arm 6 comes with the arm 325 of the first transmission element 320 in touch. Since the first pivoting arm 320 moves forwards and downwards during the pivoting movement in the opening direction, it moves the interconnected transmission elements 320, 330 with the pressure damper 340 accommodated in them via the arm 325 of the first transmission element 320 in a straight line forwards along the guide in the damper housing 340. During this displacement, the pressure damper 340 is not compressed and thus does not generate any force on the swivel arms 6, 7. If the wing flap with the fastening element 3 is in the in figure 4 position shown, push forward transmission elements 320, 330 at a front end of the damper housing 310 at. If the wing flap with the fastening element 3 is now moved further in the opening direction, the swivel arms 6, 7 incline further forward. The upper end of the first swivel arm 6 pushes the first transmission element 320 forward via its arm 325 and thereby compresses the pressure damper 340. This means only when the transmission elements 320, 330 are in contact with the front end of the guide of the pressure housing and the first transmission element 320 is pushed further forward, the compression damper 340 is compressed and the first transmission member 320 becomes relative moved to the second transmission element 330. A force generated by the compression of the pressure damper 340 acts on the first pivoting arm 6 and thus dampens the pivoting movement of the four-bar linkage 4 and thus the movement of the wing flap in the region of the end position before the closed position. Due to the rounding 326 of the concave section on the bearing surface of the arm 325, the force generated is continuously transmitted to the first swivel arm 6. This avoids a sudden onset of damping and the wing flap experiences constant damping in the area of the end position.

the figure 5 shows again a sectional view of a section in the plane of symmetry of the device. There is in the representation in figure 5 the four-bar linkage 4 in the open position. The pivoting arms 6, 7 are in the foremost and lowest pivoting position and the upper end of the first pivoting arm 6 contacts the lower end of the rounding 326 of the bearing surface of the arm 325. In the open position, the first transmission element 320 is in its foremost position, in which Seen in the transverse direction, the first and the second transmission element 320, 330 are almost one above the other. However, the first transmission element 320 with the arm 325, which interacts with the swivel arm 6 when opening, remains 0.5 mm further back than the second transmission element 330 with the arm 335 in the longitudinal direction, so that the swivel arm 6 does not hit the arm 335.

the figure 6 shows a sectional view of a vertically oriented section running parallel to the plane of symmetry, the section running through the second transmission element 330 . In the view shown, the four-bar linkage 4 is between the open and the closed position, the four-bar linkage 4 being moved from the open position to the closed position in the illustration and being located in the area just before damping begins of the damper device. If the wing flap with the fastening element 3 is pivoted upwards in the closing direction, the second pivoting arm 7 first hits the upper linear section 338 of the bearing surface of the arm 335 of the second transmission element 330, as shown in FIG figure 6 shown. The upper rounded end of the second swivel arm 7 is moved along the upper straight section 338 in the direction of the round section 336 . If the wing flap with the fastening element 3 is moved further in the closing direction, the transmission elements 320 , 330 are pushed backwards along the guide in the damper housing 310 until they abut the rear end of the damper housing 310 . From this position, the second swivel arm 7 pushes the second transmission element 330 further backwards via the arm 335 and thereby compresses the pressure damper 340. The second transmission element 330 moves relative to the first transmission element 320. The shape of the contact surface with the straight section 338 the force generated by the pressure damper 340 is continuously transmitted to the swivel arm 7 . This enables constant damping in this area. As mentioned, the arm 335 has a protrusion located at a lower end of the linear section 338 . Shortly before the end position, the upper end of the pivoting arm 7 overcomes this projection and falls into the round section 336. As a result, after the projection has been overcome, the pivoting arm 7 is no longer in contact with the arm 335, so that there is no longer any damping in this end area for complete closure . This ensures that the four-bar linkage 4 is pulled completely into the closed position by the tension spring 5 .

the figure 7 shows a sectional view of the device when the four-bar linkage 4 is in the closed position. In this position, the upper end of the second swivel arm 7 is located in the round section 336 of the bearing surface of the arm 335, the second swivel arm 7 also resting on the lower straight section 339 with its side surface pointing backwards. As a result, the second swivel arm 7 is in a stable position. The compression damper 340 is compressed and the first and second transmission members 320, 330 are almost superimposed in the transverse direction. However, the second transmission element 330 with the arm 335, which interacts with the swivel arm 7 when closing, remains 0.5 mm further forward than the first transmission element 320 with the arm 325, so that the swivel arm 7 does not hit the arm 325.

The damping device 30 according to the invention can also be used as a retrofit element for a device 1 . Due to the clip connection, the damper housing 310 can be mounted on an already existing device 1 quickly and easily.

The invention can be varied in many ways. Thus, the damper device 30 does not have to comprise two arms. Instead of arms, the transmission elements 320, 330 can also be designed in the form of knobs or hooks that interact with the swivel arms 6, 7. Also, the damper device 30 does not necessarily have to include a housing. The transmission elements 320, 330 and the pressure damper 340 can also be movably mounted directly on the articulated frame 2. The pressure damper 340 can be designed as an air damper, for example, or the damping can take place purely through material damping without fluid. In addition, the transmission elements 320, 330 do not necessarily have to be movable freely between the end positions relative to the damper housing without the application of force. For example, the transmission elements 320, 330 can be rotatably mounted at one point on the damper housing. Also, the transmission elements 320, 330 do not have to be fastened to one another by means of a clip connection. You can be attached to each other, for example, via a screw or clamp connection. In addition, they do not necessarily have to be in contact with one another. The damper housing 310 can also be connected to the articulated frame 2 in a different way, for example via a rivet or screw connection.

In summary, it can be stated that the invention has created an extremely compact and inconspicuous damper device for a device for pivotally holding a wing flap. The damper device can also be used as a retrofit element for an existing device for pivotally holding a wing flap.

Claims (15)

1. Damper device (30) to be used in a device (1) for pivotably holding a wing flap, the device (1) comprising a flat four-bar linkage (4), which has two pivotably mounted pivoting arms (6, 7) and two tension arms (8, 9) fastened in an articulated manner parallel to each other to the pivoting arms (6, 7), and wherein a fastening element (3) for attaching the wing flap is attached to the tension arms (8, 9), the device (1) further comprising a linkage frame (2), on which the four-bar linkage (4) is mounted movably, as well as resilient means (5) for damping of the pivoting movement, said resilient means acting on the four-bar linkage (4), characterized in that the damper device (30) comprises a linear pressure damper (340) and a first and a second transmission element (320, 330), wherein the pressure damper (340) is actuable on a first side of the pressure damper (340) in a first direction via the first transmission element (320), such that in its mounted state the pressure damper (340) interacts on a first side of the pressure damper (340) via the first transmission element (320) with a first pivoting arm (6) in the region of a first end position, and wherein the pressure damper (340) is actuable on a second side of the pressure damper (340) in a second direction opposed to the first direction via the second transmission element (330), such that in its mounted state the pressure damper (340) interacts on the second side of the pressure damper (340) via the second transmission element (330) with a second pivoting arm (7) in the region of a second end position, wherein the transmission elements (320, 330) are movable in a translatory manner relative to each other.
2. The damper device as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the damper device (30) comprises a damper housing (310) in which the pressure damper (340) and the transmission elements (320, 330) are movable relative to the damper housing (310), and the transmission elements (320, 330) each have a receiving space (322, 332) for the pressure damper (340).
3. Device (1) for pivotably holding a wing flap, comprising

   a) a flat four-bar linkage (4), which has two pivotably mounted pivoting arms (6, 7) and two tension arms (8, 9) fastened in an articulated manner parallel to each other to the pivoting arms (6, 7), and wherein a fastening element (3) for attaching the wing flap is attached to the tension arms (8, 9),

   b) a linkage frame (2), on which the four-bar linkage (4) is mounted movably,

   c) resilient means (5) for damping of the pivoting movement, said resilient means acting on the four-bar linkage (4),

   characterized by
   c) a damper device (30) as claimed in claim 1 or 2 for damping the pivoting movement in the region of two end positions, wherein the pressure damper (340) interacts on a first side of the pressure damper (340) via the first transmission element (320) with a first of the two pivoting arms (6) in the region of a first of the two end positions, and wherein the pressure damper (340) interacts on a second side of the pressure damper (340) via the second transmission element (330) with a second of the two pivoting arms (7) in the region of a second of the two end positions.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the transmission elements (320, 330) are movable in a translatory manner relative to each other.
5. The device as claimed in either of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the transmission elements (320, 330) are arranged in such a manner that, during the damping of the pivoting movement in the region of the two end positions, said transmission elements are moved toward each other counter to a force generated by the pressure damper (340).
6. The device as claimed in one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the pressure damper (340) is a fluid damper which acts on one side and has spring resetting.
7. The device as claimed in one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that damper device (30) is fastenable to the four-bar linkage (4) by means of a clip connection.
8. The device as claimed in one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the transmission elements (320, 330) are designed as arms (325, 335).
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the arms (325, 335) each have a supporting surface (326, 336) which comprises a concave portion which interacts with the respective pivoting arm (6, 7) in such a manner that, during the movement of the pivoting arms (6, 7) in the region of the end positions, the force generated by the pressure damper (340) can be continuously transmitted to the pivoting arms (6, 7).
10. The device as claimed in one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the damper device (30) comprises a damper housing (310) in which the pressure damper (340) and the transmission elements (320, 330) are mounted movably relative to the damper housing (310).
11. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the transmission elements (320, 330) each have a receiving space (322, 332) for the pressure damper (340), wherein a stop (323, 333) is formed in said receiving space (322, 332), wherein, via the respective stops (323, 333), the first transmission element (320) interacts with the first side of the pressure damper (340) and the second transmission element (330) interacts with the second side of the pressure damper.
12. The device as claimed in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the transmission elements (320, 330) are fastenable to each other by means of a clip connection.
13. The device as claimed in one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the damper housing (310) has a guide in which the transmission elements (320, 330) are guided by means of carry-along elements.
14. The device as claimed in one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the pressure damper (340) and the transmission elements (320, 330) are movable freely between the two regions of the end positions relative to the damper housing (310) without an action of force.
15. A cupboard with a pivotable wing flap which is held by means of at least two devices (1) with a damper device (30) as claimed in one of claims 3 to 14.

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