EP3698093B1 - Device for storing objects, and method for opening and closing such a device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for storing objects according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for opening and closing a device for storing objects.

the 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 body with two side walls, each of which holds a sliding element in a movable manner. The two pull-out guides are angularly aligned with regard to the direction of travel and are forcibly coupled to one another, so that when the first pushing element is moved, the second pushing element can be moved at least in some areas. The angled alignment of the pull-out guide to each other enables a height offset of the pushing elements to be compensated, but the actuating forces are high when one of the pushing elements is lifted, and this arrangement is only useful if the front pushing element in the pulling direction is pulled out of the body comparatively far. The series connection of several pull-out guides also increases the lateral movements possible due to tolerances.

the DE 10 2011 050 523 A1 discloses a pull-out system for a piece of furniture or a household appliance, in which two pushing elements are provided which are coupled to one another via a gear mechanism in order to move the second pushing element when the first pushing element is moved. The pusher elements can be moved at different speeds. This solution also has the disadvantage that access to the lower push element is only possible if the upper push element is moved out of the body over a comparatively long distance. As a result, the tolerances due to the storage of a large number of rails of the pull-out guides add up one behind the other. There is not enough space in all kitchens or living rooms to be able to implement such large pull-out paths. If the upper push element is only moved out of the body over a shorter distance, the access to the lower push element is partially covered.

In addition, from the DE 10 2014 107 692 A1 a drawer assembly is known in which a first push element on two rails of two pull-out guides and a second push element on two middle rails of the two Pull-out guides is held. This results in the possibility of moving the first pushing element also to move the second pushing element, which can be arranged above the first pushing element, the access to the pushing elements being partially covered.

US 2010/0101266 discloses a refrigerator with pull-out sliding elements which can be coupled to one another for a pull-out movement in order to be moved either individually or together. In the US2006 / 0218958 a similar refrigerator is disclosed in which the pusher elements can be coupled via a driver. KR 10-2011-0010406 discloses a refrigerator with a plurality of pull-out drawers.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a device for storing objects which enables improved handling and good access to two pushing elements. In addition, handling for the user should be improved in a method for opening and closing such a device.

This object is achieved with a device with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 13.

The device according to the invention comprises two sliding elements which are used to store objects and which can each be moved via at least one first or at least one second pull-out guide. A coupling mechanism is provided, by means of which the second push element can be moved when the first push element moves from the closed position into the maximum open position into a middle open position, which lies between the closed position and the maximum open position, for example a distance from the closed position between 30% up 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 into the maximum open position or the closed position if necessary independently of the first push element. The "releasability" of the coupling mechanism takes place without any assembly work, but preferably only by moving the second pushing element in the opening or closing direction, possibly supported by an additional lifting of the pushing element. After such a decoupling of the coupling mechanism, the second push element can be moved independently of the first push element. The second pusher element is preferably arranged above the first pusher element, and by moving the second pusher element out of a

From the open position to the closed position, better access to the first pushing element located below is created. In the open position generated by the coupling mechanism, both the first and the second push element are in a position that is partially accessible from above.

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

According to the invention, the first pull-out guide comprises a central rail which is arranged between the running rail and the guide rail, the second pushing element being movable at the same speed as the central rail via the coupling mechanism. A driver is preferably provided on the second push element which can be releasably brought into engagement with a coupling element. The driver can, for example, have a latching receptacle which has a bevel on opposite sides for coupling in a driver. As a result, the coupling mechanism can automatically be brought into the coupled position, for example by moving the first push element into the closed position, whereby the coupling element or latching element is moved along the run-up bevel in order to then get into the latching receptacle. A latching receptacle that is open in the installation situation also has the advantage that the latching and holding forces of the latching device are dependent on the weight load of the second thrust element, so that when the second thrust element is loaded, higher holding and latching forces are transmitted by the latching device than when it is empty second thrust element.

In a further embodiment, the coupling mechanism has a movable rail which is connected to a holding part and the running rail of the first pull-out guide via a cable pull. The rail is thereby moved via the fixation on the stationary holding part and the running rail of the first pull-out guide at half the speed as the running rail of the first pull-out guide and can thus 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 moved slightly out of the body in the maximum open position. The coupling mechanism can have at least one pulley for a cable, the pulley having an axle that protrudes over the pulley so that the axle can be used as a latching element and can be inserted in a latching receptacle on the driver on the second push element.

For easy handling, the second push element can be lifted relative to the second pull-out guide in order to release the coupling mechanism. A stop is preferably provided which limits the upward movement of the second push element in order to avoid a complete removal of the push element from the running rail of the at least one second pull-out guide.

In a preferred embodiment, the second push element is designed as an inner drawer which is arranged behind a front panel of the first push element. 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 also 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, a first push element, which is movably mounted on at least one first pull-out guide, is first moved from a closed position to a maximum open position. A second push element, which is movably mounted on at least one second pull-out guide, is made by a coupling mechanism between the first push element and the second Move the pusher element by moving the first pusher element into a central opening position, wherein the coupling mechanism can then be decoupled in order to move the second pusher element optionally independently of the first pusher element in the opening or closing direction. The coupling mechanism can be coupled again by moving the first push element into the closed position. According to the invention, the second thrust element is moved at half the speed of the first thrust element when the first thrust element moves. As a result, the user can selectively move the second pusher element into the maximum opening position in order to have optimal access to the second pusher element, or the pusher element is moved back into the closed position in order to have optimal access to the lower first pusher element.

Figur 1

eine Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in der Schließposition;

Figur 2

eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 mit dem ersten Schubelement in der maximalen Öffnungsposition;

Figur 3

eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 mit dem ersten Schubelement und dem zweiten Schubelement in der maximalen Öffnungsposition;

Figur 4

eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 ohne Schubelemente;

Figur 5

eine Ansicht ähnlich zu Figur 4 mit einem Korpus;

Figur 6

eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung der Figur 4 mit der ersten Auszugsführung in der maximalen Öffnungsposition;

Figur 7

eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung der Figur 6, bei der auch die zweite Auszugsführung in die maximale Öffnungsposition verfahren ist;

Figur 8

eine Detailansicht des Mitnehmers des Kopplungsmechanismus;

Figur 9

eine perspektivische Detailansicht des Mitnehmers in der entkoppelten Position;

Figur 10

eine Detailansicht des Mitnehmers in der gekoppelten Position;

Figur 11

eine Detailansicht des Mitnehmers in der eingekoppelten Position;

Figur 12

eine Ansicht des zweiten Schubelements in der abgesenkten Position;

Figur 13

eine Detailansicht der Hubbegrenzung für das zweite Schubelement;

Figur 14

eine Detailansicht des zweiten Schubelementes in der angehobenen Position, und

Figur 15

eine Detailansicht der Hubbegrenzung in Anschlagstellung.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

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

Figure 2

a view of the device of Figure 1 with the first push element in the maximum opening position;

Figure 3

a view of the device of Figure 1 with the first pusher element and the second pusher element in the maximum opening position;

Figure 4

a view of the device of Figure 1 without thrust elements;

Figure 5

a view similar to Figure 4 with a body;

Figure 6

a view of the device of Figure 4 with the first drawer slide in the maximum opening position;

Figure 7

a view of the device of Figure 6 , in which the second pull-out guide has also moved into the maximum opening position;

Figure 8

a detailed view of the driver of the coupling mechanism;

Figure 9

a perspective detailed view of the driver in the decoupled position;

Figure 10

a detailed view of the driver in the coupled position;

Figure 11

a detailed view of the driver in the coupled position;

Figure 12

a view of the second push element in the lowered position;

Figure 13

a detailed view of the stroke limiter for the second thrust element;

Figure 14

a detailed view of the second thrust element in the raised position, and

Figure 15

a detailed view of the stroke limiter in the 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 push element 4 is designed as an inner drawer which is arranged behind a front panel 3 of the first push 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, with each pushing element 2 and 4 preferably being held so as to be movable via two pull-out guides which are arranged on opposite sides.

In Figure 2 the first thrust element 2 has been moved into a maximum opening position. The first push element 2 is movably held on at least one pull-out guide 6, which has a stationary guide rail 9 fixed to a holder 5, a central rail 8 and a running rail 7, each of which is mounted to be displaceable on one another via rolling elements. The running rail 7 serves to support the first push element 2. It is also possible to use a pull-out guide 6 with only two rails or more than three rails.

As in Figure 3 is shown, the second push element 4 can also be moved from a closed position to a maximum open position, the second push element 4 being held on at least one, preferably two pull-out guides 16, each of these pull-out guides 16 having a stationary guide rail 17, a center rail 18 and a Has running rail 19 for supporting the second thrust element 4. The guide rail 17 is fixed on the stationary plate-shaped holder 5, which can be fixed on a side wall of a body or can also be designed as a side wall of a body.

The thrust elements 2 and 4 and the rails 7 and 19 of the pull-out guides 6 and 16 can be moved independently of one another, as is the case with the Figures 1 to 3 show.

In Figure 4 is the device of the Figures 1 to 3 Shown without the sliding elements 2 and 4, but with a view of the pull-out guides 6 and 16, which are fixed to a side wall of the body 50 via holding brackets 10.

A cable 11 is provided on the first pull-out guide 6 and is connected to a first holder 12 on the stationary guide rail 9 and to a second holder 13 on the running rail 7. The cable 11 is held circumferentially by pulleys 14 and 15, which are rotatably mounted on the central rail 8. This ensures that the running rail 7 is moved at twice the speed as the center rail 8.

A coupling mechanism 20 is provided between the first thrust element 2 and the second thrust element 4, which can move the second thrust element 4 when the first thrust element 2 moves, but at a lower speed than the first thrust element 2, in particular at half speed. The coupling mechanism 20 comprises a holding part 21 which is fixed on the running rail 7 of the first pull-out guide 6. The holding part 21 is fixed to a cable pull 24 which is stretched circumferentially between two deflection rollers 25. The deflection rollers 25 are rotatably mounted on a movable rail 22 which can be moved linearly with respect to a stationary rail 23. The cable 24 is fixed to a fastening element 26 which is connected to the holder 5 or a side wall directly or indirectly and is arranged in a stationary manner. When the running rail 7 moves in the opening direction, the cable pull 24 is held by the fastening element 26 and driven by the holding part 21, so that the rail 22 moves at approximately half the speed as the running rail 7.

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

In Figure 6 the running rail 7 of the first pull-out guide 6 is arranged in the maximum open position. The holding part 21 has driven the cable pull 24, and the displaceable rail 22 has been moved relative to the stationary rail 23 into the end position in which the displaceable rail 22 protrudes only slightly from the body 50. The driver 30 is arranged in a coupled position, and the second pull-out guide 16, and thus also the upper, second push element 4, not shown here, is located approximately in half the open position between the closed position and the maximum open position.

If the user now wants to gain access to the upper, second sliding element 4, he can release the coupling mechanism 20 and move the second sliding element 4 in the opening direction via the pull-out guide 16. Then the in Figure 3 Reached position shown, in which the second thrust element 4 is arranged substantially in front of the body 50 and the holder 5. The top of the first push element 2 is then covered by the second push element 4.

If, on the other hand, the user wants better access to the lower first pushing element 2, the coupling mechanism 20 can be separated and the second pushing element 4 can be moved into the closed position in order to have full access to the first pushing element 2 from above, like this in Figure 2 is shown.

Optionally, the user can also let the coupling mechanism 20 engage and thus move the second push element 4 at the same time by moving the first push element 2.

The at least one first pull-out guide 6 and / or the at least one second pull-out guide 16 can be provided with a self-closing mechanism that brakes the thrust elements 2 and / or 4 via a damper before reaching the closed position and then pulls them into the closed position.

In Figure 7 the coupling mechanism 20 is disconnected and the second drawer slide 16 has been moved to the maximum drawer position. The driver 30, which is fixed or integrally formed on the pushing element 4, has been removed from the axis 29 of the deflection roller 25, so that the two pull-out guides 6 and 16 can be moved independently of one another.

In Figure 8 a detailed view of the driver 30 is shown, which is mounted on the pushing element 4 on a side wall, but can also be provided in a different position or can be formed integrally with the pushing element 4. The driver 30 comprises a downwardly open latching receptacle 31 which is essentially semicircular, with a bevel 32 being provided on both sides of the latching receptacle 31.

In Figure 9 the locking device of the coupling mechanism 20 is shown. The deflecting roller 25 is located on the movable rail 22 and is rotatably mounted on an axle 29, the axle 29 protruding laterally over the deflecting roller 25 and being able to be brought into engagement with the latching receptacle 31. The axis 29 can be moved along one of the two run-up bevels 32 for coupling the latching device, so that the second push element 4 is raised slightly before the axis 29 latches in the latching receptacle 31.

In Figure 10 the driver 30 and the deflection roller 25 are shown with the axis 29 in the locked position. In this position, the thrust elements 2 and 4 are moved together at different speeds.

In Figure 11 the driver 30 is shown in the maximum extended position of the movable rail 22, which protrudes from the body 50 only in the area of the deflection roller 25. In this position, the second push element 4 can be raised slightly in order to disengage the latching device, as shown in FIG Figure 14 is shown. Optionally, the locking device can also be unlocked by just pulling or pushing the second push element 4.

In Figure 12 and Figure 13 the second thrust element 4 is shown in a lowered position in that an edge 42 rests on the running rail 19. A plug 40 is inserted into the running rail 19 at the 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 a hook 43 is formed at the end. The web 41 engages around an edge 42 of the thrust element 4. In Figure 13 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 in the Figures 14 and 15th shown position reached. The edge 42 has been moved upwards along the web 41 until the hook 43 prevents the edge 42 and the push element 4 from lifting any further. In this position, the driver 30 connected to the thrust element 4 has also been raised and is no longer in engagement with the axis 29. As a result, the running rail 19 can be moved independently of the coupling mechanism 20.

In order to bring the coupling mechanism 20 back into engagement, the first push element 2 and the second push element 4 can be moved back into the closed position, as shown in FIGS Figures 1 , 4th and 5 is shown. By moving the first thrust element relative to the second thrust element 4, the axis 29 arrives at the run-up bevel 32 and, when the closed position is reached, is latched in the latching receptacle 31, so that the coupling mechanism 20 is engaged again when the first thrust element 2 is opened again.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the coupling mechanism 20 is connected to the running rail 7 of the first pull-out guide 6. It is of course also possible to fix the coupling mechanism directly on the center rail 8 of the first pull-out guide 6, since this is already being moved at half the speed of the running rail 7. A holder coupled to the central rail 8 could be brought into engagement directly with the driver 30. The use of an additional movable rail 22, however, has the advantage of increased stability, in particular in the case of sliding elements 2 and 4 with a greater height.

The coupling mechanism 20 comprises a latching device with a downwardly open latching receptacle on the upper thrust element 4, which can be brought into engagement with an axis or a pin. It is of course also possible to provide the coupling mechanism 20 with other latching devices which allow a certain amount of force to be transmitted in the opening and closing direction between the first push element 2 and the second push element 4 and which can be unlocked by actuating or exceeding the force. It is also possible to use a spring-loaded driver 30 which, when external force is applied, pivots or moves linearly on the upper thrust element 4 for decoupling in the opening or closing direction and thus releases the coupling mechanism 20 and then moves back into its starting position.

For unlocking, the second push element 4 is raised slightly in the illustrated embodiment. It is of course also possible to provide an actuating element, for example a lever or a button, by means of which the latching device can be separated.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Thrust element

3

Front panel

4th

Thrust element

5

holder

6th

Drawer slide

7th

Running rail

8th

Middle rail

9

Guide rail

10

Bracket

11th

Cable

12th

holder

13th

holder

14th

Pulley

15th

Pulley

16

Drawer slide

17th

Guide rail

18th

Middle rail

19th

Running rail

20th

Coupling mechanism

21

Holding part

22nd

rail

23

rail

24

Cable

25th

Pulley

26th

Fastener

29

axis

30th

Carrier

31

Snap recording

32

Approach slope

40

Plug

41

web

42

edge

43

hook

50

Body

Claims (13)

1. A device for storing objects, having

   - a first drawer element (2), which is movably mounted via at least one pullout guide (6) between a closed position and a maximally open position, which pullout guide comprises a stationary guide rail (9) and a slide rail (7) movable in relation to the guide rail (9), on which the first drawer element (2) is supported;

   - a second drawer element (4), which is movably mounted via at least one second pullout guide (16) between a closed position and a maximally open position, which pullout guide comprises a stationary guide rail (17) and a slide rail (19) movable in relation to the guide rail (17), on which the second drawer element (4) is supported;

   - wherein the slide rail (7) of the first pullout guide (6) is movable independently of the slide rail (19) of the second pullout guide (16),

   and a coupling mechanism (20), by means of which the second drawer element (4) is movable into a moderately open position between the closed position and the maximally open position in the event of a movement of the first drawer element (2) from the closed position into the maximally open position, wherein the coupling mechanism (20) is detachable to be able to move the second drawer element (4) independently of the first drawer element (2) into the maximally open position or the closed position,

   characterized in that the first pullout guide (6) comprises a middle rail (8), which is arranged between the slide rail (7) and the guide rail (9), and the second drawer element (4) is movable via the coupling mechanism (20) at the same speed as the middle rail (8).
2. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) comprises a catch unit having a catch receptacle (31) and a catch element (29) engaging in the catch receptacle (31), which are disconnectable to detach the coupling mechanism (20).
3. The device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a driver (30), which can be detachably engaged with a coupling element or catch element (29), is provided on the second drawer element (4).
4. The device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the driver (30) comprises a catch receptacle (31) and a starting bevel (32) for coupling in the coupling element or catch element (29) is provided on opposing sides of the catch receptacle (31).
5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) comprises a movable rail (22), which is connected via a cable pull (24) to a holding part (21) on the slide rail (7) of the first pullout guide (6).
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) comprises at least one deflection roller (25) for a cable pull (24).
7. The device according to Claim 6, characterized in that an axis (29) is extended beyond the deflection roller (25) and is insertable into a catch receptacle (31) of a driver (30) on the second drawer element (4).
8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second drawer element (4) can be raised in relation to the second pullout guide (16).
9. The device according to Claim 8, characterized in that a stop (43) is provided, which delimits the movement of the second drawer element (4) upward.
10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second drawer element (4) is formed as an inner drawer, which is arranged behind a front panel (3) of the first drawer element (2).
11. A domestic appliance, in particular a refrigerator, having a device for storing objects according to any one of the preceding claims.
12. An item of furniture having a device for storing objects according to any one of the preceding claims.
13. A method for opening and closing a device for storing objects according to claim 1, having the following steps:

    - moving a first drawer element (2), which is movably mounted on at least one first pullout guide (6), from a closed position into a maximally open position;

    - moving a second drawer element (4), which is movably mounted on at least one second pullout guide (16), by way of a coupling mechanism (20) between the first drawer element (2) and the second drawer element (4) into a moderately open position;

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

    - coupling in the coupling mechanism (20) by moving the first drawer element (2) into the closed position when the second drawer element (4) is already in the closed position, or coupling in the coupling mechanism (20) by moving the second drawer element (4) into the closed position when the first drawer element (2) is already in the closed position,

    characterized in that the second drawer element (4) is moved by the coupling mechanism (20) at half the speed of the first drawer element (2) during a movement of the first drawer element (2).

Images