EP3704993A1 - Support device - Google Patents

Abstract

A support device 2 for supporting the upholstery of seating and / or reclining furniture has a base body 20 with spring elements 22, 24 for flat support of the upholstery and at least one loading / relief device 26, 26 'for achieving pressure relief or pressure relief on the upholstery on, wherein the loading / unloading device 26, 26 'acts on at least one spring element 22, 24 to achieve pressure loading or unloading. The loading / unloading device 26, 26 'has at least one electric motor 34, which is in operative connection with at least one pressure element 36, by means of which a pressure force can be or is exerted on at least one spring element 22, 24 in order to achieve pressure loading or unloading. The loading / unloading device 26, 26 'has at least one first carriage 28 in drive connection with an electric motor 34, which is translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2, the first carriage 28 carrying at least one arm 33, the free end of which is the pressure element 36 contributes to loading / unloading the spring elements 22, 24.

Description

The invention relates to a support device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.

Such support devices are generally known and can be designed, for example, as a slatted frame. The support device has a base body which preferably has at least two support parts which are adjustable relative to one another and on which spring elements are arranged, on which the upholstery is supported when the support device is used. An electromotive adjustment device can be provided to adjust the support parts relative to one another.

From the DE 10 2010 021 362 A1 a support device is known in which a loading / unloading device is provided for achieving pressure relief or pressure relief on the upholstery. The loading / unloading device is arranged below the base body of the supporting device.

Similar support facilities are also through DE 10 2008 031 043 A1 , DE 20 2005 009 180 U1 , WO 2012/052972 A1 and DE 29509909 U1 known.

By WO 2016/156247 a support device of the type in question for supporting upholstery of a piece of furniture to sit and / or lie on is known, which has a base body having spring elements for flat support of the upholstery and at least one loading / relieving device for achieving pressure and / or relief on the upholstery, wherein the loading / unloading device acts on at least one spring element to achieve pressure loading and / or unloading. The loading / unloading device has at least one electric motor which is in operative connection with at least one pressure element, by means of which a pressure force can be exerted or exerted on at least one spring element in order to achieve pressure loading and / or relief.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a support device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1, which is simply constructed and robust.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in claim 1.

According to the invention, the loading / unloading device has at least one first carriage which is in drive connection with an electric motor and which is translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the support device, the carriage carrying at least one arm whose free end carries the pressure element for loading / relieving the spring elements.

According to the invention, the pressure element or the pressure elements are arranged on at least one slide which is translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the support device. According to the respective position of the Different spring elements and thus different areas in the longitudinal direction of the support device are subjected to pressure in the carriage in the longitudinal direction of the support device, so that, for example, a massage effect can be achieved. By moving the slide accordingly, a rolling massage effect can be achieved, for example, which is generally perceived as pleasant.

The support device according to the invention thus opens up a wide range of possibilities, for example for achieving a massage effect.

In principle, it is sufficient if a single pressure element is provided which acts on the spring elements, for example, in the longitudinal center plane of the support device. In order to achieve a more uniform pressure effect transversely to the longitudinal direction, an advantageous further development of the invention provides that the first carriage carries at least two arms, each of which carries a pressure element, the pressure elements being spaced from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device.

Another advantageous development of the invention provides that the spring elements are resilient slats which are connected to one another via at least one flexible band, with at least one pressure element resting on the band to load or relieve the slats via the band. This results in a particularly simple construction of the loading / unloading device.

The shape and design of the pressure element can be selected within wide limits according to the respective requirements. An advantageous development of the invention provides that at least one pressure element is designed as a wheel or roller.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, a first electromotive linear drive is assigned to the first slide for moving the slide in the longitudinal direction of the support device. Corresponding linear drives are available as relatively simple and inexpensive standard components.

An extremely advantageous development of the invention provides that the or each pressure element is adjustable in the direction of the support plane and in the direction away from the support plane relative to the spring elements and that the or each pressure element is assigned an electromotive adjustment drive. In this way, it is not only possible to adjust the position at which loading and unloading, for example to achieve a massage effect, is carried out, but also the intensity of the pressure load by adjusting the pressure element more or less strongly relative to the support level. In this way, for example, the intensity of a massage effect can be adapted to the circumstances of the respective user.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the adjustment of the pressure element relative to the support plane can be implemented in a variety of ways. In terms of a particularly simple and robust structure, an advantageous development provides that the or each pressure element is arranged at a free end of a pivot lever and that a pivot drive is assigned to the pivot lever as an adjustment drive for adjusting the pressure element relative to the spring elements.

An advantageous further development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the or each swivel drive has a second electromotive linear drive.

A further development of the embodiments with the linear drives provides that at least one electromotive linear drive has a spindle drive. Corresponding spindle drives are available as relatively simple and inexpensive standard assemblies and are particularly robust.

Another further development of the embodiment with the pivot lever or levers provides that the or each pivot lever is non-rotatably connected to a pivot shaft pivotably mounted on the first carriage, the pivot shaft being in pivot drive connection with the second electromotive linear drive. In this embodiment, the swivel drive acts on the swivel shaft.

When using a linear drive as a pivot drive, the conversion of the linear movement of the output member of the linear drive into a pivot movement can be implemented in a variety of ways. A particularly simple embodiment provides that a first end of a connecting plate is articulated at a first hinge point to a linearly movable output member of the second linear drive, while a second end of the connecting plate is connected to the pivot shaft eccentrically to its pivot axis at a second hinge point , in such a way that the pivot shaft pivots about its pivot axis in the event of a linear movement of the output member.

According to the invention, it is basically sufficient if the supporting device has a single loading / unloading device. A loading or unloading at different points of the support device can then be achieved in that the slide is positioned accordingly. In order to simultaneously achieve loading or unloading in at least two areas that are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device, an advantageous further development provides that at least two loading / unloading devices are provided which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device to act on different areas Longitudinal direction of the support device. In this way, the comfort for a user of the support device is further increased in that, for example, a massage effect can be achieved simultaneously in different areas of the support device.

Another advantageous development provides a control device for controlling the electric motor or the electric motors. The control device can be actuated, for example, via a remote control or a manual switch, wired or wirelessly.

An extremely advantageous development of the invention provides that the control device controls the electric motor or the electric motors in such a way that the pressure element or the pressure elements act or act on at least two successive spring elements in the longitudinal direction of the support device. Through appropriate programming the control device can be used to implement almost any load or massage scheme.

In terms of a simple and uncomplicated structure, another advantageous development of the invention provides that the or each pressure element loosely acts on the or each associated spring element.

The spring elements can for example be designed as resilient slats in a variety of ways. In this respect, another advantageous development provides that the spring elements are wooden slats. Corresponding spring woods are available as simple and inexpensive standard components and offer a high level of suspension comfort.

According to the invention, it is basically sufficient if the base body of the support device has a single support part that defines an essentially horizontal support plane. In order to further increase the comfort for a user of the support device, an advantageous development provides that the support device has at least two support parts which can be pivoted relative to one another. The support device thus offers adjustment options, for example between a sitting position and a lying position, as is generally known from slatted frames.

In order to further increase comfort, a further development of the aforementioned embodiment provides at least one electromotive adjustment device arranged on the support device for adjusting at least one support part in its inclination and / or its height.

Another advantageous development of the invention provides that the loading / unloading device together is received with the support device and the padding in a common sheath.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the loading / unloading device is arranged within the profile height of the base body of the supporting device. According to the invention, an arrangement within the profile height of the base body of the support device is to be understood as meaning that the loading / relief device does not protrude beyond the base body in the side view, that is to say in the vertical direction.

Another extremely advantageous development of the invention provides sensor means assigned to the support level for sensing the weight of a person resting on the support device, the sensor means being in data transmission connection with the control device and the control device being designed and programmed in such a way that the pressure force exerted by at least one pressure element is adjustable or is set depending on the sensed weight. In this way, a person with a relatively low body weight can be loaded with a relatively low pressure force and with a person with a relatively high body weight a relatively large pressure force can be applied so that the massage effect is adapted to the body weight of the respective user. In this way, a massage function perceived as pleasant can be implemented for users of different body weights.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an embodiment of a support device according to the invention is shown. All of the features described, shown in the drawing and claimed in the claims, taken individually and in any suitable combination with one another, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their description or representation in the drawing and regardless of their summary in the claims and their references .

Fig. 1

eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Stützeinrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Prinzipskizze zur Erläuterung des Funktionsprinzips einer Be-/Entlastungseinrichtung der Stützeinrich-tung gemäß Fig. 2

Fig.3

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 2 eine weitere Prinzipskizze,

Fig. 4

die Stützeinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, wobei aus Darstellungsgründen in einem Bereich der Stützeinrichtung Federelemente in Form von federnden Latten weggelassen sind,

Fig. 5

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 4, jedoch in vergrößertem Maßstab eine Einzelheit aus Fig. 4, wobei aus Darstellungsgründen wei-tere Bauteile der Stützeinrichtung wegge-lassen sind,

Fig. 6

eine Perspektivansicht einer Be-/Entlastungseinrichtung der Stützeinrich-tung gemäß Fig. 1 und

Fig.7

eine weitere Perspektivansicht der Be-/Entlastungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 6.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic diagram to explain the functional principle of a loading / unloading device of the support device according to FIG Fig. 2

Fig. 3

in the same representation as Fig. 2 another schematic diagram,

Fig. 4

the support device according to Fig. 1 For reasons of illustration, spring elements in the form of resilient slats have been omitted in an area of the support device,

Fig. 5

in the same representation as Fig. 4 , but on a larger scale Fig. 4 , whereby for reasons of illustration further Components of the support device have been omitted,

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a loading / unloading device of the support device according to Fig. 1 and

Fig. 7

a further perspective view of the loading / unloading device according to Fig. 6 .

In Fig. 1 an embodiment of a support device 2 according to the invention is shown, which has a base body 20, which is designed as a slatted frame in this embodiment and has a plurality of spring elements which are formed by resilient slats. In Fig. 1 only two slats are provided with the reference numerals 22, 24. The top of the slats 22, 24 defines a support plane on which upholstery, for example a mattress, is supported when the support device is used.

In order to provide a massage function, an electromechanical loading / unloading device is provided, which is explained in more detail below.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an electromechanical loading / unloading device 26.

The loading / unloading device 26 has a first slide 28 which is translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2, as in FIG Fig. 2 symbolized by a double arrow 30. The first carriage 28 is part of a first linear drive 32. The first The carriage 28 is in drive connection with a first electric motor 34 and carries an arm 33, the free end of which carries a pressure element 36 for loading and unloading the slats 22, 24.

In this exemplary embodiment, the pressure element 36 is designed as a wheel or roller.

The pressure element 36 can be adjusted relative to a support plane defined by the slats 22, 24. An adjustment drive 38 is designed and arranged for adjusting the pressure element 36 relative to the support plane, as in FIG Fig. 2 symbolized by a double arrow 40. An associated adjustment drive 38, which has a second electric motor, is described below with reference to FIG Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 explained in more detail.

The slats 22, 24 are held between flexible bands that are shown in Fig. 2 are symbolized by dashed lines 40, 42.

When using the support device 2, in order to achieve a massage effect, the first carriage 28 of the first linear drive is moved along the associated linear axis in FIG Fig. 2 moved to the left.

The pressure element 36 can be adjusted relative to the slats 22, 24 by means of the adjusting drive 38, in order to effect loading / unloading on them and thereby to realize a massage function.

Fig. 3 shows the interaction between the pressure element 36 and the lath 24, wherein the pressure element 36 pressurizes the lath 24 so that it is deflected in such a way that it protrudes over the plane of support. How out Fig. 3 evident, that lies Pressure element 36 on the side of the belt 40 that faces away from the slats 22, 24.

How out Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 As can be seen, during a linear movement of the first carriage 28, the slats 22, 24 which follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2 are acted upon one after the other in order to achieve a "rolling" massage effect.

An embodiment for the practical implementation of the in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 illustrated basic principle is described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 explained in more detail.

In Fig. 4 the support device 2 is shown, with some slats being omitted to illustrate details of the electromechanical loading / unloading device 26.

In this exemplary embodiment, a further loading / unloading device 26 ′ is provided in addition to the loading / unloading device 26. The loading / unloading devices 26, 26 'are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2 in order to enable a massage effect in different areas in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2.

Both loading / unloading devices 26, 26 'have the same structure. Therefore, only the loading / unloading device 26 is explained in more detail below. For reasons of presentation, in FIGS. 4 to 7 only the loading / unloading device 26 is shown, while the loading / unloading device 26 'is omitted.

As in Fig. 5 As shown, the loading / unloading device 26 has the first slide 28, which is part of the first linear drive and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2 along a linear axis. The linear axis is defined by a first linear guide 44 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2.

The first slide 28 is in drive connection with the first electric motor 34, the first slide 28 carrying the arm 33 (cf. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 ), the free end of which carries the pressure element 36 for loading or unloading the slats 22, 24. In this exemplary embodiment, the pressure element 36 is designed as a wheel or roller which is mounted rotatably relative to the arm 33 and rests on the side of the belt 40 facing away from the slats 22, 24. (see in particular Fig. 6 ).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first carriage 28 carries two arms, namely the arm 33 and a further arm 33 ', each of the arms 33, 33' carrying a pressure element 36 and 36 ', respectively. The pressure elements 36, 36 'are spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 2, as shown in particular in FIG Fig. 6 evident.

The pressure elements 36, 36 'are adjustable relative to the support plane defined by the slats 22, 24, the adjustment drive 38 being provided to adjust the pressure elements 36, 36' relative to the support plane.

A pivot shaft 46 is pivotably mounted on the first slide 28 (cf. Fig. 6 ), with which the arms 33, 33 'are rotatably connected. The adjustment drive 38 is designed to pivot the pivot shaft 46 about its pivot axis in order to adjust the pressure elements 36, 36 'relative to the slats 22, 24 by pivoting the arms 33, 33'. Accordingly, the arms 33, 33 'have the function of pivot levers.

In order to move the first slide 28 along the first linear guide 44, the first linear drive has a first spindle drive 48 (cf. Fig. 6 ) on. The first spindle drive 48 has a first threaded spindle, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the first linear guide 44 and is supported against rotation. A first spindle nut is placed on the first threaded spindle and is in rotary drive connection with the output shaft of the first electric motor 34 via a worm gear. The first spindle nut is received together with the worm gear and the output shaft in the first carriage 28, which is designed like a housing.

When the output shaft of the first electric motor 34 rotates, the first spindle nut rotates. As a result, the first carriage 28 moves along the first linear guide 44 in one direction or the other corresponding to the direction of rotation of the spindle nut, whereby the first carriage 28 with the pressure elements 36, 36 'is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the first linear guide, so that slats at the corresponding point 22, 24 are acted upon by the pressure elements 36, 36 'for loading / relieving the relevant slats 22, 24.

Running parallel to the first linear guide 44 is a second linear guide 50 (cf. Fig. 5 ) intended. A second slide 52 is guided on the second linear guide 50 in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2.

The pivot shaft 46 is rotatably or pivotably connected to the second slide 52. The second slide 52 is thus connected to the first slide 28 in a non-displaceable manner by means of the pivot shaft. Accordingly, the carriages 28, 52 move synchronously when the first carriage 28 moves when the first electric motor 34 is actuated.

With reference to Fig. 7 the adjusting drive 38 is explained in more detail below.

The adjustment drive 38 has a second linear drive with a second electric motor 54 and a second spindle drive 56.

A second spindle nut 58 is arranged on a second threaded spindle of the second spindle drive 56 so that it cannot rotate. The second spindle nut forms the output member of the second spindle drive 56. When the second electric motor 54 is actuated, the second threaded spindle rotates so that the second spindle nut 58 moves in the axial direction of the second threaded spindle in one direction or the other corresponding to the direction of rotation of the second threaded spindle.

As in Fig. 7 shown, a connecting bracket 60 is provided for rotating or pivoting the pivot shaft 46 about its pivot axis during a linear movement of the second spindle nut 58. A first end of the connecting plate 60 is articulated to the second spindle nut at a first hinge point 62, while a second end of the connecting plate 60 is connected to a second pivot point 64 is connected to the pivot shaft 46, specifically eccentrically to the pivot axis thereof, in such a way that the pivot shaft 46 pivots during a linear movement of the second spindle nut 58.

To control the electric motors 34, 54, a control device 64 (cf. Fig. 2 ) intended.

When the first electric motor 34 is actuated, the carriages 28, 52 are positioned relative to the slats 22, 24 along the linear guides 44, 50 in order to act on the slats 22, 24 in the respective area.

When the second electric motor 54 is actuated, the swivel shaft 46 swivels so that the pressure elements 36, 36 ′ act on the respective slats by applying pressure. The intensity of the resulting massage effect can be controlled by controlling the swivel angle.

Claims (14)

Support device (2) for supporting upholstery of a piece of furniture to be seated and / or lying on, in particular a mattress of a bed,
with a base body (20) having spring elements (22, 24) for flat support of the upholstery and
with at least one loading / relief device (8) for achieving pressure relief or relief on the upholstery, wherein the loading / relief device (8) acts on at least one spring element (22, 24) to achieve pressure relief or relief,
wherein the loading / unloading device has at least one electric motor (34) which is in operative connection with at least one pressure element (36), by means of which a pressure force can be exerted on at least one spring element (22, 24) in order to achieve pressure relief or pressure relief is exercised and
the loading / unloading device (8) having at least one drive connection with an electric motor (34) first carriage (28) which is translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the support device (2), wherein the first carriage (28) carries at least one arm (33), the free end of which carries the pressure element (36) for loading / unloading the spring elements (22, 24)
characterized,
that the loading / unloading device (26, 26 ') is arranged within the profile height of the base body (20) of the supporting device (2). Support device according to Claim 1 or the preamble of Claim 1, characterized in that the first carriage (28) carries at least two arms (33, 33 '), each of which carries a pressure element (36, 36'), the pressure elements (36, 36 ') are spaced apart transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device (2). Support device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring elements are resilient slats (22, 24) which are connected to one another via at least one flexible band (40, 42), with at least one pressure element (36, 36 'on the band ( 40) is applied to load / relieve the slats (22, 24) via the belt (40). Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pressure element (36, 36 ') is designed as a wheel or roller and / or that the or each pressure element (36, 36 ') is adjustable in the direction of the support plane and in the direction away from the support plane relative to the spring elements (22, 24), the or each pressure element (36, 36') having a electromotive adjustment drive is assigned, and / or that the or each pressure element (36, 36 ') is arranged at a free end of a pivot lever, the pivot lever for adjusting the pressure element (36, 36') relative to the spring elements (22, 24) a swivel drive is assigned as an adjustment drive. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first electromotive linear drive is assigned to the first slide (28) for moving the first slide (28) in the longitudinal direction of the support device (2). Support device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the or each pivot drive has a second electromotive linear drive. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electromotive linear drive has a spindle drive. Support device according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the or each pivot lever is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a pivot shaft (46) pivotably mounted on the first carriage, the pivot shaft (46) being in a pivot drive connection with the second electromotive linear drive. Support device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a first end of a connecting strap (60) is articulated at a first hinge point (62) to a linearly movable output member of the second linear drive, while a second end of the connecting strap (60) is connected to a second pivot point (64) is connected to the pivot shaft (46) eccentrically to its pivot axis, in such a way that the pivot shaft (46) pivots about its pivot axis when the output member moves linearly. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two loading / unloading devices (26, 26 ') are provided, which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device (2) for loading different areas in the longitudinal direction of the support device (2). Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device (64) for controlling the electric motor or the electric motors (34, 54), wherein the control device (64) preferably controls the electric motor or the electric motors (34, 54) in such a way that the pressure element or the pressure elements (36, 36 ') successively on at least two in the longitudinal direction of the support device (2) successive spring elements (22, 24) acts or act. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each pressure element (36, 36 ') loosely acts on the or each associated spring element (22, 24) and / or that the spring elements (22, 24) are spring woods and / or that the support device (2) has at least two support parts which can be pivoted relative to one another, the support device preferably having at least one electromotive adjusting device arranged on the support device (2) for adjusting at least one support part in its inclination and / or its height. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading / unloading device (26, 26 ') is accommodated in a common casing together with the support device (2) and the upholstery. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by sensor means assigned to the support level for sensing the weight of a person resting on the support device (2), the sensor means being in data transmission connection with the control device (64) and the control device (64) being designed and programmed in this way that the pressure force exerted by at least one pressure element (36, 36 ') is adjustable or is adjusted as a function of the sensed weight.

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