EP3698093A1

EP3698093A1 - Device for storing objects, and method for opening and closing such a device

Info

Publication number: EP3698093A1
Application number: EP18783448.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Rehage
Original assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2017-10-18
Filing date: 2018-10-05
Publication date: 2020-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-05
Also published as: DE102017124269A1; KR102617791B1; WO2019076649A1; US20210196044A1; CN111247383B; JP7227966B2; CN111247383A; ES2907835T3; EP3698093B1; PL3698093T3; JP2020537562A; US11234517B2; KR20200067182A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storing objects, comprising a first drawer element (2), which is mounted in a movable manner between a closed position and a maximum open position via at least one first pullout guide (6), said first pullout guide having a stationary guide rail (9) and a running rail (7) which can be moved relative to the guide rail (9) and on which the first drawer element (2) is supported, and a second drawer element (4), which is mounted in a movable manner between a closed position and a maximum open position via at least one second pullout guide (16), said second pullout guide having a stationary guide rail (17) and a running rail (19) which can be moved relative to the guide rail (17) and on which the second drawer element (4) is supported, wherein the running rail (7) of the first pullout guide (6) can be moved independently of the running rail (19) of the second pullout guide (16). The invention is characterized by a coupling mechanism (20), by means of which the second drawer element (4) can be moved into a medium open position between the closed position and the maximum open position during a movement of the first drawer element (2) from the closed position into the maximum open position, and the coupling mechanism (20) can be released in order to allow the second drawer element (4) to be moved into the maximum open position or the closed position independently of the first drawer element (2). The invention additionally relates to a method for opening and closing a device for storing objects.

Description

Device for storing objects and methods for opening and

Closing such a device

The present invention relates to a device for the storage of objects, with a first push element, which is movably mounted on at least one first pullout guide between a closed position and a maximum opening position, which has a stationary guide rail and a relative to the guide rail movable track the first thrust element is supported, and a second thrust element, which is movably supported by at least one second drawer guide between a closed position and a maximum open position, which has a stationary guide rail and a rail movable relative to the guide rail, on which the second thrust element is supported, and a method for opening and closing a device for storing objects.

DE 10 2014 104 919 A1 discloses a piece of furniture or a household appliance in which a first and a second pull-out guide are provided on a carcass with two side walls, each of which holds a push element moveable. The two pullout guides are angularly aligned with respect to the direction of travel and are forcibly coupled to one another so that the second push element can be moved at least in part during a movement of the first push element. The angular orientation of the pullout guide to each other allows the compensation of a height offset of the pushers, however, the actuation forces when lifting one of the thrust elements are high, and also this arrangement is only useful if the front in the extension direction thrust element is relatively far out of the carcass. The series connection of several pullout guides also increases the possible lateral tolerances by tolerances.

DE 10 201 1 050 523 A1 discloses a pull-out system for a piece of furniture or a domestic appliance, in which two push elements are provided, which are coupled to one another via a gear, in order to move the second push element during a movement of the first push element. The pushers can be moved at different speeds. In this solution, too, it is disadvantageous that access to the lower push element is only possible if the upper push element has a closed position. as long distance is moved out of the carcass out. As a result, the tolerances add up by the storage of a plurality of rails of the pullout guides one behind the other. There is not enough space in all kitchens or living rooms to be able to realize such long distances. If the upper push element is moved out of the carcass only over a shorter distance, access to the lower push element is partially obscured.

In addition, DE 1 0 2014 1 07 692 A1 discloses a thrust arrangement in which a first thrust element is held on two rails of two drawer guides and a second thrust element is held on two middle rails of the two drawer slides. This results in the possibility of moving, via a movement of the first push element, also the second push element, which can be arranged above the first push element, wherein the access to the push elements is partially covered.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for storing articles, which allows improved handling and access to two push elements. In addition to be improved in a method for opening and closing such a device, the handling for the user.

This object is achieved with a device having the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 14.

The device according to the invention comprises two push elements which serve for the storage of objects and in each case can be moved via at least one first or at least one second pull-out guide. In this case, a coupling mechanism is provided by means of which the second thrust element is movable in a movement of the first thrust element from the closed position to the maximum opening position in a central opening position which is between the closed position and the maximum opening position, for example a distance from the closed position between 30% to 70% of the distance to the maximum opening position. The coupling mechanism can be released in order to be able to move the second push element, if required, independently of the first push element into the maximum opening position or the closed position. The "releasability" of the coupling mechanism is carried out without assembly activity, but preferably only by movement of the second thrust element in the opening or closing direction, if necessary supported by an additional lifting of the push element. After such decoupling of the coupling mechanism, the second thrust element can be moved independently of the first thrust element. The second pusher is preferably located above the first pusher, and moving the second pusher from an open position to the closed position provides better access to the underlying first pusher. In the open position created by the coupling mechanism, both the first and second pushers are in a partially accessible position from above.

The coupling mechanism preferably comprises a latching device with a latching receptacle and a latching element engaging in the latching receptacle. This locking device can transmit sufficient forces to move by pulling the first thrust element and the second thrust element. When exceeding a certain force and / or by lifting the second thrust element, the latching device can be released, so that then the coupling mechanism between the first and second thrust element is separated.

In a further embodiment, the first pullout guide comprises a center rail which is arranged between the running rail and the guide rail, wherein the second pushing element can be moved at the same speed as the middle rail via the coupling mechanism. The second thrust element can either directly with the center rail on the

Coupling mechanism may be connected or with the running rail when the coupling mechanism has a speed reduction device, so that the second thrust element is moved slower than the running rail of the first drawer slide.

At the second thrust element, a driver is preferably provided, which is releasably engageable with a coupling element. The driver may for example have a latching receptacle having on opposite sides of a run-in slope for coupling a driver. Thereby, the coupling mechanism can be automatically brought into the coupled position, for example by the first thrust element is moved to the closed position, whereby the coupling element or locking element is moved along the run-up slope, in order then to get into the locking receptacle. An open in the installation situation locking receptacle also leads to the advantage that the latching and holding forces of the latching device are dependent on the weight loading of the second thrust element, so that at a loading of the second thrust element higher holding and latching forces are transmitted through the latching device as in empty second thrust element.

In a further embodiment, the coupling mechanism to a movable rail, which is connected via a cable with a holding part and the running rail of the first drawer guide. The rail is thereby moved via the fixation on the stationary holding part and the running rail of the first pullout guide at half the speed of the running rail of the first pullout guide and thus can move the second push element at the desired speed over the required distance. The use of a rail on the coupling mechanism has the advantage that it can be arranged within a body and is only slightly moved out of the body in the maximum opening position.

The coupling mechanism can have at least one deflection roller for a cable pull, wherein the deflection roller has an axis which projects beyond the deflection roller, so that the axle can be inserted as a latching element and can be inserted in a latching receptacle on the catch on the second push element.

For ease of handling, the second pusher member may be liftable relative to the second pullout guide to release the coupling mechanism. Preferably, a stop is provided which limits the movement of the second thrust element upwardly to avoid complete removal of the thrust element of the running rail of the at least one second drawer guide.

In a preferred embodiment, the second thrust element is designed as an inner drawer, which is arranged behind a front panel of the first thrust element. In this case, the first push element can be moved on two pull-out guides arranged on opposite sides, and the second push element is movably mounted on two second pull-out guides, which can likewise be fixed on opposite side walls or a common holder.

The device according to the invention is preferably used in household appliances, such as refrigerators, or furniture. In the method according to the invention for opening and closing a device, first a first push element, which is movably mounted on at least one first pull-out guide, is moved from a closed position into a maximum open position. A second pusher element movably mounted on at least one second pullout guide is moved by a coupling mechanism between the first pusher and the second pusher by moving the first pusher into an intermediate open position, the coupling mechanism then being decoupled to selectively engage the second pusher regardless of the first thrust element to move in the opening or closing direction. The coupling mechanism can be re-engaged by moving the first push member to the closed position. Preferably, the second thrust element is moved during a movement of the first thrust element at half the speed of the first thrust element. This allows the user to selectively move the second pusher member to the maximum open position to have optimum access to the second pusher member, or the pusher member is again moved to the closed position for optimum access to the lower first pusher member.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a view of a device according to the invention in the closed position;

Figure 2 is a view of the device of Figure 1 with the first pusher in the maximum open position;

Figure 3 is a view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the first pusher and the second pusher in the maximum open position;

Figure 4 is a view of the device of Figure 1 without pushers;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 with a body;

Figure 6 is a view of the device of Figure 4 with the first pullout guide in the maximum open position; Figure 7 is a view of the device of Figure 6, in which the second pullout guide is moved to the maximum opening position;

Figure 8 is a detail view of the driver of the coupling mechanism;

Figure 9 is a detailed perspective view of the driver in the decoupled position;

Figure 10 is a detail view of the driver in the coupled position;

Figure 1 1 is a detail view of the driver in the coupled position;

Figure 12 is a view of the second pusher in the lowered position;

FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of the stroke limitation for the second push element;

Figure 14 is a detail view of the second pusher in the raised position, and

Figure 15 is a detail view of the stroke limitation in stop position.

A device 1 for storing objects comprises a first push element 2, which is arranged in a closed position below a second push element 4. The second thrust element 4 is designed as an inner drawer, which is arranged behind a front panel 3 of the first thrust element 2. By pulling on a handle element on a front panel 3, both the first push element 2 and the second push element 4 can be moved in the opening direction. The device 1 can optionally be arranged in a household appliance or a piece of furniture, each push element 2 and 4 preferably being movably held by two pull-out guides which are arranged on opposite sides.

In FIG. 2, the first push element 2 has been moved to a maximum opening position. The first push element 2 is movably held on at least one pullout guide 6, which has a fixed to a holder 5 stationary guide rail 9, a middle rail 8 and a running rail 7, which are each mounted on rolling elements movable together. The track 7 serves to support the first push element 2. It is also possible to use a pullout guide 6 with only two rails or more than three rails. As shown in Figure 3, and the second pusher 4 can be moved from a closed position to a maximum opening position, the second pusher 4 is held on at least one, preferably two pullout guides 1 6, each of these pullout guides 1 6 a stationary guide rail 7, a middle rail 1 8 and a running rail 1 9 for supporting the second thrust element 4 has. The guide rail 1 7 is fixed to the stationary plate-shaped holder 5, which can be fixed to a side wall of a body or can be formed as a side wall of a body. The pushers 2 and 4 and the rails 7 and 19 of the pullout guides 6 and 1 6 are independently movable, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

In Figure 4, the device of Figures 1 to 3 is shown without the pushers 2 and 4, but with a view of the pullout guides 6 and 1 6, which are fixed to a side wall of the body 50 via bracket 1 0.

At the first pullout guide 6, a cable 1 1 is provided which is connected to a first holder 1 2 on the stationary guide rail 9 and a second holder 1 3 on the running rail 7. The cable 1 1 is circumferentially supported by pulleys 14 and 15, which are rotatably mounted on the center rail 8. This ensures that the running rail 7 is moved at twice the speed as the middle rail 8. Between the first push element 2 and the second push element 4, a coupling mechanism 20 is provided, which can move the second push element 4 during a movement of the first push element 2, but at a lower speed than the first push element 2, in particular at half speed. The coupling mechanism 20 comprises a holding part 21, which is fixed to the running rail 7 of the first pullout guide 6. The holding part 21 is fixed to a cable 24, which is stretched circumferentially between two pulleys 25. The deflection rollers 25 are rotatably mounted on a movable rail 22 which is linearly movable to a stationary rail 23. The cable 24 is fixed to a fastening element 26, the is connected directly or indirectly with the holder 5 or a side wall and is arranged stationary. During a movement of the running rail 7 in the opening direction of the cable 24 is held by the fastener 26 and driven by the holding part 21, so that the rail 22 moves at about half the speed as the running rail. 7

In Figure 5, the device 1 is shown with the pullout guides 6 and 1 6 in the closed position. Both pull-out guides 6 and 16 and the push elements 2 and 4 supported thereon in the installation situation are located within a body 50, for example an insulated hollow chamber of a cooling device. At the upper second thrust element 4, a driver 30 is provided which can be coupled with an axis 29 which protrudes laterally on the guide roller 25. If the running rail 7 is moved from the position shown in Figures 4 and 5 on the first push element 2 in the opening direction, the movable rail 22 is driven at half the speed of the running rail 7 via the coupling mechanism 20 via the cable 24, whereby the axis 29 of the Driver 30 also drives at half speed. As a result, the second thrust element 4 is moved at half the speed as the first thrust element 2 in the opening direction and thus over half the distance of the first thrust element. 2

In Figure 6, the running rail 7 of the first pullout guide 6 is arranged in the maximum opening position. The holding member 21 has driven the cable 24, and the movable rail 22 has been moved relative to the stationary rail 23 in the end position in which the movable rail 22 protrudes only slightly from the body 50. The driver 30 is arranged in a coupled position, and the second pullout guide 1 6, and thus also the upper second push element 4, not shown here, is approximately in the half opening position between the closed position and the maximum opening position.

If the user now wants to gain access to the upper second thrust element 4, he can solve the coupling mechanism 20 and move the second thrust element 4 via the pullout guide 1 6 in the opening direction. Then, the position shown in Figure 3 is reached, in which the second thrust element 4 is arranged substantially in front of the body 50 and the holder 5. The first push element 2 is then covered on the upper side by the second push element 4. On the other hand, if the user wishes to gain improved access to the lower first pusher 2, the coupling mechanism 20 can be disconnected, and the second pusher 4 can be moved to the closed position to have full access to the first pusher 2 from above, as well is shown in Figure 2.

Optionally, the user can also engage the coupling mechanism 20 and thus also move the second pusher element 4 simultaneously by moving the first pusher element 2.

The at least one first pullout guide 6 and / or the at least one second pullout guide 1 6 may be provided with a self-closing, which decelerates the pushers 2 and / or 4 before reaching the closed position via a damper and then pulls into the closed position.

In Figure 7, the coupling mechanism 20 is separated and the second pullout guide 16 has been moved to the maximum pullout position. The fixed to the pusher 4 or integrally formed driver 30 has been removed from the axis 29 of the guide roller 25, so that both Auszugsführun- gene 6 and 1 6 are independently movable.

In Figure 8 is shown a detail view of the driver 30, which is mounted on the pusher member 4 on a side wall, but may also be provided at a different position or may be integrally formed with the pusher member 4. The driver 30 includes a downwardly open latching receptacle 31, which is formed substantially semicircular, wherein on both sides of the latching receptacle 31, a run-on slope 32 is provided.

FIG. 9 shows the latching device of the coupling mechanism 20. On the movable rail 22 is the guide roller 25 which is rotatably mounted on an axis 29, wherein the axis 29 protrudes laterally beyond the guide roller 25 and is engageable with the latching receptacle 31. The axis 29 can be moved for a coupling of the latching device along one of the two chamfers 32, so that the second thrust element 4 is raised slightly before the axis 29 is locked in the latching receptacle 31. In FIG. 10, the driver 30 and the deflection roller 25 are shown with the axis 29 in the locked position. In this position, the pushers 2 and 4 are moved together at different speeds. In Figure 11, the driver 30 is shown in the maximum extension position of the movable rail 22, which protrudes from the body 50 only in the region of the guide roller 25. In this position, the second pusher 4 can be slightly raised to disengage the latch as shown in FIG. Optionally, an unlocking of the latching device can also be effected only by pulling or pushing the second pushing element 4.

In Figure 1 2 and Figure 1 3, the second thrust element 4 is shown in a lowered position by a rim 42 rests on the track rail 19. In the running rail 19, a plug 40 is inserted end, on which a stroke limiter for limiting the stroke movement of the second thrust element 4 is provided. The stroke limitation comprises an upwardly projecting web 41, on which end a hook 43 is formed. The web 41 engages around an edge 42 of the thrust element 4. In Figure 1 3, the stroke limitation with the web 41 and the hook 43 is shown in detail.

If the second thrust element 4 is raised slightly, the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is reached. The rim 42 has been moved upwardly along the web 41 until the hook 43 prevents further raising of the rim 42 and of the pusher element 4. In this position, the driver 30 connected to the thrust element 4 has also been raised and no longer in engagement with the axis 29. As a result, the running rail 1 9 can be moved independently of the coupling mechanism 20. In order to re-engage the coupling mechanism 20, the first pusher 2 and the second pusher 4 can be moved back to the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. By moving the first thrust element relative to the second thrust element 4, the axis 29 reaches the run-on slope 32 and is latched upon reaching the closed position in the locking receptacle 31, so that then upon renewed opening of the first thrust element 2, the coupling mechanism 20 is engaged again. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling mechanism 20 is connected to the running rail 7 of the first pullout guide 6. Of course, it is also possible to fix the coupling mechanism directly on the middle rail 8 of the first pullout guide 6, since this is already moved at half the speed of the running rail 7. A coupled to the center rail 8 holder could be brought directly into engagement with the driver 30. The use of an additional movable rail 22, however, has the advantage of increased stability, especially for push elements 2 and 4 with greater height.

The coupling mechanism 20 comprises a latching device with a downwardly open latching receptacle on the upper pusher element 4, which is engageable with an axle or a pin. It is of course also possible to provide the coupling mechanism 20 with other locking devices that allow a certain power transmission in the opening and closing direction between the first thrust element 2 and the second thrust element 4 and can be unlocked by an operation or force exceeded. It is also possible to use a spring-loaded driver 30 which pivots or linearly moves with external force application in the opening or closing direction on the upper thrust element 4 for decoupling and thus releases the coupling mechanism 20 and then moves back to its original position.

For unlocking the second thrust element 4 is slightly raised in the illustrated embodiment. Of course, it is also possible, an actuating element, such as a lever or a button, vorzugsehen, by means of which the locking device is separable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 device

2 push element

3 front panel

4 push element

5 holders

6 pullout guide

7 track rail

8 middle rail

9 guide rail

10 brackets

1 1 cable

12 holders

13 holders

14 pulley

15 pulley

1 6 pullout guide

17 guide rail

18 middle rail

19 track rail

20 coupling mechanism

21 holding part

22 rail

23 rail

24 cable pull

25 pulley

26 fastener

29 axis

30 drivers

31 snap-in receptacle

32 run-up slope

40 plugs

41 footbridge

42 edge

43 hooks

50 corpus

Claims

claims

Device for storing objects, with

- A first thrust element (2) which is movably mounted on at least one first pullout guide (6) between a closed position and a maximum opening position, which has a stationary guide rail (9) and a relative to the guide rail (9) movable running rail (7) on which the first thrust element (2) is supported;

- A second thrust element (4) via at least a second

Pullout guide (1 6) is movably mounted between a closed position and a maximum opening position, which has a stationary guide rail (17) and a running rail (19) movable relative to the guide rail (17) on which the second push element (4) is supported;

- wherein the running rail (7) of the first pullout guide (6) is movable independently of the running rail (19) of the second pullout guide (1 6),

marked by

a coupling mechanism (20), by means of which the second push element (4) is movable during a movement of the first push element (2) from the closed position to the maximum open position to a middle open position between the closed position and the maximum open position, wherein the coupling mechanism (20) is releasable to move the second thrust element (4) independently of the first thrust element (2) in the maximum opening position or the closed position can.

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) has a latching device with a latching receptacle (31) and in the latching receptacle (31) engaging detent element (29) which are separable for releasing the coupling mechanism (20).

Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first pullout guide (6) has a middle rail (8) which is arranged between the running rail (7) and the guide rail (9) and the second push element (4) via the coupling mechanism (20 ) is movable at the same speed as the center rail (8).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the second thrust element (4) has a driver

(30) is provided, which is releasably engageable with a coupling element or latching element (29).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the driver (30) has a latching receptacle (31) and on opposite sides of the latching receptacle (31) has a run-on slope (32) for coupling the coupling element or latching element (29) is provided.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) has a movable rail (22) via a cable (24) with a holding part (21) on the running rail (7) of the first pullout guide (6 ) connected is.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) has at least one deflection roller (25) for a cable pull (24).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that an axis (29) via the deflection roller (25) is extended and in a locking receptacle

(31) of a driver (30) on the second thrust element (4) can be inserted.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second thrust element (4) relative to the second pullout guide (1 6) can be raised.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that a stop (43) is provided which limits the movement of the second thrust element (4) upwards.

1 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second thrust element (4) is designed as an internal drawer, which is arranged behind a front panel (3) of the first thrust element (2).

12. Household appliance, in particular cooling device, with a device for the storage of objects according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Furniture with a device for the storage of objects according to one of the preceding claims.

14. A method of opening and closing a device for storing articles, comprising the steps of:

- Method of a first thrust element (2) which is movably mounted on at least one first pullout guide (6), from a closed position to a maximum open position;

- Moving a second thrust element (4) which is movably mounted on at least one second pullout guide (1 6), by a coupling mechanism (20) between the first thrust element (2) and the second thrust element (4) in a central opening position;

Decoupling the coupling mechanism (20) and moving the second pushing element (4) independently of the first pushing element (2) in the opening or closing direction, and

- Coupling the coupling mechanism (20) by moving the first thrust element (2) in the closed position when the second thrust element (4) is already in the closed position, or coupling the coupling mechanism (20) by moving the second thrust element (4) in the Closed position when the first push element (2) is already in the closed position.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the second thrust element (4) is moved during a movement of the first thrust element (2) through the coupling mechanism (20) at half the speed of the first thrust element (2).