JP5955359B2 - Equipment for controlling the drive of furniture - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a linear type operated by an electric motor configured in a furniture drive device for adjusting the movably installed parts of recumbent and seating furniture, in particular furniture for the health care sector, for example a sick bed. The present invention relates to a device for controlling a driving device.

Such a device is installed in a case and is equipped with an electric motor, a reduction gear connected downstream thereof, a threaded spindle that moves a reciprocating element for raising or lowering each movable furniture part, which can be driven by a reduction transmission. , Including one or more drive trains.

In addition, the device of the present invention comprises a switchable dog crunch or claw coupling, which is held in mesh by a spring mechanism provided in the drive train, and a switching element for separating or coupling the mesh coupling. A switching mechanism provided, and a separately actuable block mechanism capable of holding the mesh coupling in a separated state, for example, during an emergency lowering operation.

Certain types of electric motor actuated linear drives have had the problem that it is necessary to adequately protect each side of the meshing coupling element when coupling is coupled and uncoupled. In operating conditions where each side of the coupling element is in a “little coupled” state or in a “mostly coupled” state, the tooth placement may be heavily loaded. This is because the coupling is switched while receiving a load or while torque is transmitted.

A switching mechanism in which coupling and non-coupling are suddenly and unexpectedly performed has already been proposed (Patent Document 1). In that case, due to the influence of the spring element that exerts a force on one side, the placement of the teeth quickly passes through the intermediate position of the switching element and the coupling and non-coupling takes place in a very short time, so that Over time, one side of the coupling element rubs against each other and avoids a pulverizing effect.

In particular, in the case of a bed for a sick person or a bed for health care, there is a requirement that the lowering operation of the movable furniture component should be performed more promptly and independently of the drive motor, for example, when the power supply is abnormal. This ensures that the coupling element remains in an uncoupled state when the movable furniture part is lowered, even if the operator accidentally connects the coupling again due to incorrect movement Because.

In a known structure that has already been recognized for practical value (Patent Document 2), there is a blocking element that can maintain the non-coupling position of the coupling. Later, when the movable furniture part is to be rotated up again, in this known structure, in certain circumstances, it may happen that the coupling does not connect in a timely manner, so that the motor operates without any initial load.

DE102012211508.0 EP1800567B1

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention that the meshing coupling is reconnected after an emergency lowering operation of the furniture part, so that the linear drive device is ready for the re-raising operation of each furniture part.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved in the following points.
The blocking mechanism has a blocking slider, which is guided to move relative to the case, is connected directly or indirectly to the switching element and is spring loaded in the direction of the connection position of the switching element
-The blocking slider can be moved by a separate actuating mechanism against the load of the spring directed in the direction of the position where the mesh coupling is released.
A latching element is provided on the blocking slider;
-When the slider reaches the position corresponding to the release position of the mesh coupling, a locking claw that is hooked behind the latching element of the blocking slider is movably fixed to the case.
as well as
In addition, a sliding part is provided that can move relative to the case, so that in the lowered state of the corresponding furniture part, the locking pawl can be separated from the latching element.

There are various possible methods that can be used to connect the mesh coupling after the moving down of the movable furniture part. In this respect, the only important consideration is to release the locking pawl from the blocking slider by the sliding part. This can be done as follows.
1. The sliding part can be actuated to manually release the locking pawl.
2. The sliding part can be actuated to release the locking pawl by another Bowden cable.
3. The sliding part can be actuated by the actuating lever to release the locking king. Such an actuating lever is for example firmly fixed on the axis of each movable furniture part and rotates with the axis. In that case, in the lowered state of each furniture part, the actuating lever is installed so that the sliding part moves so as to release the locking pawl from the ratchet element and automatically return the meshing coupling to its connected position again.
4. The sliding part can also be actuated to release the locking pawl by means of a connecting pin that is depressed in the lowered position of each movable furniture part. Here, the connecting pin is connected to the sliding part by a lever mechanism (lever chain), and operates the sliding part when pushed down.

The structure of the device according to the invention can be further embodied, with the locking pawl being directed towards the stop position by a spring. In the stop position the locking pawl can be caught behind the latching element of the blocking slider. As a result, when the blocking slider is moved to the meshing coupling release position, the locking pawl automatically enters the blocking slider stop position.

The sliding part is preferably guided to move in parallel with the blocking slider and has an interlocking projection, when the sliding part moves in the direction of the front end of the blocking slider connected to the meshing coupling, releases the locking pawl, The blocking slider pulled by the spring can move in the direction of the coupling position of the meshing coupling.

The blocking slider is preferably movable toward the release position of the meshing coupling against the force of the tension spring by means of a Bowden cable.

In addition, the blocking slider can be guided to move relative to the case in the axial direction of the threaded shaft.

A particularly preferred construction is that the latching element on the blocking slider is in the form of a protruding latching nose, whereby the locking pawl can be actuated in a very simple manner.

A locking pawl that can be hooked behind the latching element or latching nose of the blocking slider is preferably secured to the case for rotation.

The sliding part can be guided to move parallel to the blocking slider, which makes it a very simple and elongated structure.

The invention is shown by way of example in the drawings. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electric motor actuated linear drive in the form of a double drive. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the left side of the double drive shown in Fig. 1 with the coupling connected and the case removed. FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2 with the coupling released. FIG. 1 of the drawings is an overall view of a linear drive device operated by an electric motor in the form of a double drive device 1. In this case, the essential parts of the drive device are contained in the case 2.

Shafts 3 and 4 protrude from case 2 on both sides. They raise or lower the corresponding parts of the recumbent and / or seated furniture with each support leg fixed at a right angle. However, these parts are not shown in the drawings, but are movably installed.

The double drive shown in FIG. 1 is conceived for a sick bed, for example. The shaft 3 raises and lowers the head with the support legs 5. On the other hand, the shaft 4 is mounted by a support leg 6 to actuate the leg parts.

The switch case 7 is placed at the center outside the double drive device 1. There is a cover case 8 on the left side, and an emergency switching device is placed in it.

The emergency switching device operates to lower the head part by its own weight quickly and reliably by the shaft 3 and the support leg 5 when the coupling is in the released state.

The same mechanism can also be provided for the leg parts.

All the case parts 2, 7 and 8 are omitted from FIG. 2, and the left drive system provided for the head can be clearly seen with all the individual parts.

The drive system provided for the head part comprises an electric motor 7, a reduction transmission in the form of a worm gear transmission 10 connected downstream of the electric motor, and a threaded shaft that can be driven by this transmission for moving the reciprocating element 12. A spindle 11 is included. In this case, the reciprocating element 12 actuates a pressure lever 13 fixed to the shaft 3 so that when the reciprocating element 12 moves in the axial direction, the shaft 3 rotates. Depending on the direction of movement of the reciprocating element 12, the head part is raised or lowered by the rotation of the shaft 3.

A mesh coupling 14 is provided between the worm gear transmission 10 of the drive train and the threaded spindle 11, which is released or connected by a switching fork 15.

The switching operation is performed in the normal mode by the switch 16 installed in the switch case 7 as described in, for example, the prior patent application DE10 2012 211 508.0.

For example, in the case of a sick bed, if the head part has to be lowered very quickly, and because of an emergency operating mode in case of power failure or drive train failure, the mesh coupling 14 is securely in the release position. A blocking mechanism 17 that can be operated separately is provided. This preventive measure is intended to ensure that the two meshing teeth of the two halves of the coupling device are kept separated from each other during the emergency lowering operation so that the meshing teeth are not damaged. .

The blocking mechanism 17 has a blocking slider 18 that is guided to move relative to the case in the longitudinal direction of the threaded spindle 11. In this arrangement, the blocking slider 18 meshes with the switching slider 19 coming from the switch 16 and connected to the switching fork 15. In this case, the blocking slider 18 is loaded by a spring so as to be displaced in the coupling direction of the coupling, and more specifically, is loaded by a tension spring 20. The tension spring 20 is fixed to the blocking slider 18 on the one hand and to the case 2 on the other hand.

The blocking slider 18 can be moved by another operating mechanism 21 in the direction of the release position of the meshing coupling 14 against the spring load by the tension spring 20. Two Bowden cables 22 are provided as actuating mechanisms in the embodiment shown in the figure. The Bowden cable 22 is drawn into a convenient location that is easily accessible on both sides of the sick bed so that the Bowden cable 22 can be actuated therefrom.

A laterally protruding latching nose 23 is provided on the blocking slider 18 which acts with a locking pawl 24 secured to the case 2 for rotation.

In normal mode operation, the locking pawl 24 is in a non-acting position as shown in FIG.

In contrast, in the case of an emergency lowering action, if the blocking slider 18 is moved toward the left in FIG. 2 by the Bowden cable 22, the switching fork 15 is actuated so that the coupling coupling 14 assumes its release position. The In that arrangement, the locking pawl 24 is engaged in the position shown in FIG. 3, and the locking pawl 24 engages behind the latching nose 23 of the blocking slider 18 so that the blocking slider 18 moves toward the right side of the drawing and engages. This prevents the coupling 14 from being reached.

The entire mechanism further includes a sliding portion 25. This is movable with respect to the case 2, and in the lowered state of the corresponding furniture part, the locking pawl 24 can be released from the latching nose 23 and the blocking slider 18 is released. As a result, the blocking slider 18 can move to the right side of the figure, and the meshing coupling 14 is connected again.

The sliding portion 25 is guided in parallel with the blocking slider 18 and has a protruding interlocking element 26. In the drawing, the sliding portion 25 is on the right side, that is, the front end of the blocking slider 18 (connected to the meshing coupling 14). When moving to, push the locking pawl 24. As a result, the locking pawl 24 rotates clockwise against the tension applied by the tension spring 27, thereby being separated from the ratchet nose 23 of the blocking slider 18, and the blocking slider 18 is caused by the spring load of the tension spring 20. Moving to the right, the mesh coupling is reconnected.

The movement of the sliding part 25 can be achieved in various ways. The only important point is that when the corresponding furniture part is fully lowered, the sliding part 25 then moves to the right side of the figure and activates the locking pawl 24 to connect the mesh coupling 14 so that the drive train is again It is ready for operation, and the corresponding furniture part can be raised again by the motor 7.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the operating lever 28 is arranged so as not to rotate about the shaft 3. The actuating lever 28 actuates the sliding portion 25 when the support leg 5 assumes a position rotated downward. In FIG. 1, the end of the sliding portion 25 protrudes from the case 2 to the side, and when the support leg 5 is completely lowered, the end of the sliding portion 25 moves to the right in the figure. As a result, the interlocking element 26 rotates the locking pawl 24 and moves it out of the stop position shown in FIG. Here, the locking pawl 24 is behind the latching nose 23 of the blocking slider 18 and reaches the inoperative position shown in FIG. When the locking pawl 14 is in this position, the blocking slider 18 is moved to the right by the tension spring 20, and the meshing coupling 14 can be in its connected position.

However, it may alternatively be possible that the sliding part 25 is manually actuated to release the locking pawl 24. However, in that case, it would be necessary to provide an automatic mechanism for automatically coupling the coupling again after the corresponding furniture part has been lowered.

In another embodiment (not shown), the locking pawl 24 can be actuated by another Bowden cable.

Finally, the sliding portion 25 for releasing the locking pawl 24 can be actuated by a connecting pin or other starting element. These are pushed down when each movable furniture part is in a position moved downward. At that time, the sliding portion 25 is automatically moved by a corresponding lever mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Double drive device 2 Case 3 Axis 4 Axis 5 Support leg 6 Support leg 7 Switch case 8 Cover case
9 Electric motor 10 Worm gear transmission 11 Threaded spindle 12 Reciprocating element
13 Pressure lever 14 Meshing coupling 15 Switching fork 16 Switch 17 Blocking mechanism 18 Blocking slider 19 Switching slider 20 Tension spring
21 Actuating mechanism 22 Bowden cable 23 Latching nose 24 Locking claw
25 Sliding part 26 Interlocking element 27 Tension spring 28 Actuating lever

Claims (14)

An apparatus for controlling an electric motor actuated linear drive configured in a furniture drive for adjusting the movably installed parts of a recumbent and seating furniture,
1) The electric motor (9), the speed reduction transmission connected to the downstream of the electric motor (9), and the reciprocating element (12) for raising and lowering each movable furniture part, arranged in the case (2) One or more drive trains_ including a threaded spindle (11) that can be driven by the transmission
2) A switchable mesh coupling_ (14) provided in the drive system and held in mesh by a spring mechanism.
3) Switching mechanism with switching element for releasing or coupling the mesh coupling (14)
4) Separate actuable blocking mechanism (17) that can hold the mesh coupling (14) in its release position
Including
a) The blocking mechanism (17) has a blocking slider (18), which is guided to move relative to the case (2) and is connected directly or indirectly to the switching element. Also, a load is applied by a spring in the direction of the coupling position of the switching element,
b) The blocking slider (18) can be moved against the spring load in the direction of the release position of the mesh coupling (14) by the mechanism (21) operating separately.
c) a latching element is provided on the blocking slider (18);
d) The locking pawl (24) is movably fixed to the case (2), and the locking pawl (24) is moved to the blocking slider when the slider (18) reaches the position corresponding to the release position of the mesh coupling (14). (18) can be caught behind the latching element,
e) In addition, it comprises a sliding part (25) that is movable relative to the case (2) and that releases the locking pawl (24) from the latching element when the corresponding furniture part is in the lowered state,
A device characterized by that. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking pawl (24) is biased by a tension spring (27) towards a stop position which can be hooked behind the latching element of the blocking slider (18). Equipment. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sliding part (25) is guided to move parallel to the blocking slider (18) and the sliding part (25) is directed towards the front end_ of the blocking slider (18). to release the locking pawl (24) when moving, have a protruding interlocking elements (26), the front end of the blocking slider (18) is characterized in that connected to the coupling (14) meshing, apparatus. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blocking slider (18) is connected to the mesh coupling (14) by one or more Bowden cables (22) against the force of the tension spring (20). Device characterized by being movable in the direction of the release position. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blocking slider (18) is guided to move relative to the case (2) in the axial direction of the threaded spindle (11). ,apparatus. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element provided on the blocking slider (18) is in the form of a protruding latching nose (23). 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locking pawl (24) which can be caught behind the latching element of the blocking slider (18) is rotatably fixed to the case (2). A device characterized by. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding part (25) is guided to move parallel to the blocking slider (18). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding part (25) is manually actuated to release the locking pawl (24). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding part (25) is actuated by a Bowden cable separate from the Bowden cable (22 ) to release the locking pawl (24). apparatus. 9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating lever (24) for releasing the locking pawl (24) from a latching element whose sliding part (25) is in the form of a protruding latching nose (23) 28) A device characterized in that it can be actuated by. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the actuating lever (28) is arranged so as not to move on the axis (3) of each movable furniture part and rotates with said axis In descending state of each furniture part to move the sliding portion (25), as a result, the locking pawl (24) is released from the latching nose (23), as mating coupling (14) again returns to its coupling position A device characterized by being adjusted . 9. A connection pin according to claim 1, wherein the sliding part (25) for releasing the locking pawl (24) is depressed in the lowered position of each movable furniture part. A device characterized in that it can be actuated by. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that a connecting pin is connected to the sliding part (25) by means of a lever mechanism and is activated by actuating said sliding part when depressed.