WO2007092969A1

WO2007092969A1 - Arrangement with at least two driven furniture pieces

Info

Publication number: WO2007092969A1
Application number: PCT/AT2006/000540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Baliko
Original assignee: Julius Blum Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-02-15
Filing date: 2006-12-27
Publication date: 2007-08-23
Also published as: AT503034A4; DE212006000083U1; AT503034B1

Abstract

Arrangement comprising: at least two movably mounted furniture pieces, at least one drive unit for driving the at least two movable furniture pieces, at least one control or regulation device for controlling or regulating the drive unit, at least one measuring device, designed such that mechanical influences of a user on one of the at least two movable furniture pieces may be measured by the measuring device, wherein the measured signals from the measuring device are at least supplied to the at least one control or regulation device, the control or regulation device being designed with a first operating mode in which, after measurement of a mechanical effect on one of the at least two movable furniture pieces by the measurement device, only driving of said movable furniture piece by the drive unit is permitted, the control and regulation device (3) being further designed with a second operating mode in which, after measurement of a mechanical effect on one of the at least two movable furniture pieces (2) by the measurement device (4) driving of both movable furniture pieces (2) by the drive unit is permitted, wherein the control or regulation device (3) decides whether to activate the first or second operating mode depending on the measured signal transmitted by the measuring device (4).

Description

Arrangement with at least two driven furniture parts

The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising at least two movably mounted furniture parts, at least one drive unit for driving the at least two movable furniture parts, at least one control or regulating device for controlling or regulating the drive unit, at least one measuring device which is designed such that by the measuring device mechanical effects of a user on one of the at least two movable furniture parts are measurable, the measurement signals of the measuring device at least a least one control or regulating device can be fed, wherein the control or regulating device is designed such that it has a first operating mode in that, after the measurement of a mechanical action on one of the at least two movable furniture parts by the measuring device, it causes only the driving of this movable furniture part by the drive unit.

A generic arrangement is apparent for example from EP 1374732 A1. The arrangement shown there comprises a plurality of movable furniture parts designed as drawers, which can be driven by a drive unit, so that a user is supported by the drive unit when the drawers are opened or closed. Triggering the support of a selected drawer is accomplished in a simple and intuitive manner by a force exerted by the user on the selected drawer. The force is registered by the measuring device and reported to the control device. This then causes the activation of the drive unit.

The operations of the above-mentioned arrangement are limited in that a user is restricted to individually trigger each movable furniture part.

The object of the invention is to remove this restriction and thus to provide an arrangement available, which is characterized by an increased ease of use.

This object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1.

By providing a second mode of operation, in which the control device causes the driving of two or more movable furniture parts by the drive unit, the operation of the individual furniture parts of the arrangement is simplified because it saves the user, separately for each movable furniture part Trigger the drive unit. Since the control device in Dependence on the measurement signals transmitted by the measuring device decides whether it activates the first or the second operating mode, the simple and intuitive operability of the arrangement is ensured according to claim 1.

Depending on which aspect of the mechanical action, the control or regulating device makes the activation of the first or the second operating mode, the measuring device is designed differently.

For example, if it is provided that the decision on the activation takes place depending on the way the movable furniture part has traveled due to the mechanical action, the measuring device must comprise a position measuring device, by which the path traveled by the movable furniture part can be determined.

If it is provided that the measuring device comprises a time measuring device, by which the duration of the mechanical effects of a user can be determined, there are more diverse design options. For example, it can then be provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that it depends on the

Duration of the mechanical actions decides whether they are the first or the second

Operating mode activated. Alternatively, it could also be provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that it decides whether it is the first or the second depending on the amount of acceleration caused by the mechanical effects on one of the at least two movable furniture parts

Operating mode activated. In this case, the acceleration can be determined for example from the path traveled by the movable furniture part and the time required for it.

As such, the at least two movable furniture parts can be arbitrarily placed in the arrangement. For example, it could be provided that the arrangement is a kitchen and the at least two furniture parts are each arranged in a separate furniture body.

Particularly preferred, however, is an embodiment in which the at least two furniture parts are arranged in a common furniture body and that preferably such that the first of the at least two furniture parts as an outer drawer and the second the at least two furniture parts is designed as arranged in the furniture body behind the outer drawer inner drawer.

Especially in the arrangement of inner and outer drawers, the problem of easy and intuitive operation is particularly massive, since the inner drawer is completely covered by the outer drawer in the closed end position of both furniture parts.

There are already known mechanical solutions in which the user can produce a mechanical coupling between the outer drawer and inner drawer via a rotary switch to open them together (in a non-driven manner). such

Couplings would of course also be used in powered drawers. However, this would bring me the disadvantage that the arrangement of a rotary switch does not allow intuitive and easy operation. In an arrangement according to claim 6, this problem is eliminated, since the user depending on the nature of the mechanical action on the

Outside drawer can determine whether only the driving of the outer drawer or the

Driving the inner drawer should be triggered.

For example, if it is provided that the controller decides which mode of operation is activated depending on the amount of acceleration caused by the user, the user may or may not trigger the inner drawer depending on how much he accelerates the outer drawer in the opening direction.

Particularly preferred, however, is an embodiment in which at least one of the at least two furniture parts is movably mounted from a closed end position in or on a furniture body in an opening direction, wherein the furniture part is mounted in its closed end position in or on the furniture body that it is movable relative to the furniture body by a predetermined distance against the opening direction.

In this case, it can namely be provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that, depending on the duration of the mechanical action, by which the furniture part is moved from its closed end position against the opening direction, it decides whether it is the first or the second operating mode is activated. As a result, so to speak, the user is given the opportunity to electronically couple the outer and the inner drawer.

For example, this can be done when the user moves the outer drawer against the opening direction relative to the furniture body, so the outer drawer in the

Pressing the furniture body and keeps it pressed by continued exercise of force longer than a predetermined period of time. After the release of the outer drawer by the user would in this case both the outer drawer and the

Inner drawer are moved out of the closed end position in the furniture body in a driven manner.

In the specific embodiment of the movable furniture parts as arranged in a furniture body outer drawer and inner drawer offer alternatively or additionally further embodiments:

For example, it can be provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that it is in an at least partially open outer drawer and a located in the closed end position in the furniture body inner drawer with respect to the inner drawer in the first mode of operation. This situation may be due, for example, to the fact that the user has only selected to drive the outer drawer out of the closed end position. Since the control device is in the first operating mode with respect to the inner drawer, in order to also trigger the driving of the inner drawer, the user must exert force on the inner drawer. For this he can press or pull, for example, at the front of the now accessible inner drawer, depending on how the control or regulating device and the measuring device are configured. The inner drawer now works like the outer drawer. It is only their maximum opening size limited by the position of the outer drawer or restricted. For closing the now opened inner drawer can be provided, for example, that the user presses the front of the inner drawer against the opening direction.

It may further be provided to design the control or regulating device in such a way that it is in the second operating mode with respect to both furniture parts, if both the outer drawer and the inner drawer are at least partially open. This makes it possible, for example, the control or regulating device in such a way that it causes in a mechanical action on the inner drawer in the opening direction, the complete opening of both furniture parts by the drive unit.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that it causes in a mechanical action on the outer drawer in the opening direction, the complete opening of the outer drawer and the complete closing of the inner drawer by the drive unit. This ensures that the usable space of the outer drawer is accessible to the user and is not obscured by the inner drawer.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that it causes the mechanical closing of the outer drawer against the opening direction, the complete closing of both furniture parts by the drive unit.

Regardless of whether the movable furniture parts are designed as outer drawer and inner drawer or in another form, can be provided in an inventive arrangement that the measuring device comprises a Wegmesseinrichtung, which is designed such that by them a movement of the furniture part from the rest position - preferably from the closed end position, preferably against the opening direction - is measurable.

This makes it possible to provide that the control device is designed such that it determines the duration and / or the strength of the force exerted by the drive unit on the furniture part (s) to be moved as a function of the measuring signals of the displacement measuring device - Preferably with respect to the movement of the furniture part from the closed end position against the opening direction - determines. As a result, the intuitive operation of the furniture parts is increased.

Quite generally, it can be provided in an arrangement according to the invention that the driving of the movable furniture parts takes place only over a part of the distance between the closed end position and the fully open end position. If it is provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that it determines the length of the path over which the drive unit or the moving furniture part (s) to be moved, depending on determines the extent of the movement of the furniture part - preferably from its closed end position against the opening direction - the user can choose himself over which distance he wants support from the drive unit.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control or regulating device is designed such that it calculates the speed of the furniture part from the measuring signals of the displacement measuring device and the signals of the time measuring device - preferably in its movement from the closed end position against the opening direction. In this way, the user can also select how fast the movable furniture parts should move.

It is particularly preferred that the drive unit comprises an electric motor. This can be designed for example as a linear motor or rotary motor.

Furthermore, a collection device may be provided which secures at least one of the two furniture parts in the closed end position with a predetermined force against movement in the opening direction.

In order to ensure in the corresponding embodiments that the furniture part is movable in its closed end position by a predetermined path against the opening direction, a spring-loaded stop can be arranged, through which the distance to the furniture part from the closed end position against the opening direction is movable , This sprung stop can be designed such that the force exerted by it on the furniture part increases disproportionately with increasing movement counter to the opening direction.

In principle, it can be provided that at least one of the furniture parts has a handle-less aperture.

Constructively, a single control device can be used for all movable furniture parts. However, it is particularly preferably provided that a separate control or regulating device is provided for each of the at least two movable furniture parts. This allows a modular design to be chosen. This applies even more if it is provided that a separate drive unit and / or a separate measuring device is provided for each of the at least two movable furniture parts. Another aspect of the invention therefore relates to an arrangement comprising at least two movably mounted furniture parts, wherein for each of the at least two movably mounted furniture parts a drive unit for driving the respective furniture part and a control or regulating device for controlling or regulating the drive unit is provided, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the control or regulating device can exchange data with each other.

In order to obtain the modularity of this arrangement as far as possible, it is advantageous if it is provided if the control or regulating device of one of the at least two movably mounted furniture parts as master and the control or regulating device of the other of the at least two movably mounted Möbelteiie Slave is configured.

The selection of which of the control or regulation devices should be configured as master or slave can be effected, for example, by each of the at least two movably mounted furniture parts having a switch through which the control or regulating device of the respective furniture part acts as master or slave is configurable.

Alternatively, it could be provided that the configuration takes place automatically when the control or regulating devices are connected to a central bus.

Further advantages and details will become apparent from the figures and the following description of the figures. Showing:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an inventive arrangement, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of an inventive arrangement and

3a, 3b, 3ceine perspective view, front and rear view and a sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive

Arrangement.

In Fig. 1, an arrangement 1 can be seen, which in this example two movable

Furniture parts 2 comprises, wherein each of the movable furniture parts 2 with a control or regulating device 3, a measuring device 4 and an electric motor 8 is provided. As indicated by the dashed line 12, these are combined to form a structural unit.

The electric motor 8 serves to drive the movable furniture part 2, which is indicated by the symbolically to be understood arrow 16. This will in reality be either an ejection lever or a transmission mechanism constantly in communication with the movable furniture part 2. As shown by the symbolic arrow 13, the measuring device 4 detects data of the movable furniture part 2, such as its position. By means of a time measuring device (not shown) further movement variables, such as speed or acceleration, can be determined from this. Likewise it can be provided that the measuring device 4 comprises a force measuring device. The measuring device 4 forwards your data via the channel 14 to the control or regulation device 3, which controls or regulates the electric motor 8 via the channel 15. Furthermore, the individual control or regulating devices are connected together in this embodiment via a bus 11. It does not matter whether the individual furniture parts 2 are arranged in a common furniture body 5 or not.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. In this case, only a single control device 3 is provided, which takes over the control or regulation of both electric motors 8.

3a shows a perspective view of a concrete exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 1. The furniture body 5, in which an outer drawer 6 and an inner drawer 7 are movably mounted, can be seen. Furthermore, two additional movable furniture parts 2 can be seen. The panel 17 of the outer drawer 6 is formed handleless. The furniture body 5 has on its rear wall two openings 18 (in Fig. 3a is only one opening 18 visible), run through the belt 19 for driving the outer drawer 6 and the inner drawer 7. On the rear wall of the furniture body 5 are two spring-loaded stops 10 (in Fig. 3a is only a stop 10 to see) arranged.

In Fig. 3b can be seen on the rear wall of the furniture body 5. The electric motors 8 have the control or regulating device 3, including measuring devices in an integrated form.

3c shows a sectional view of the furniture 1 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3c.

Claims

claims:

1. Arrangement comprising:

At least two movably mounted furniture parts, at least one drive unit for driving the at least two movable furniture parts,

At least one control device for controlling or regulating the at least one drive unit,

• At least one measuring device which is designed such that by the measuring device mechanical effects of a user on one of the at least two movable furniture parts are measurable, the measurement signals of the measuring device at least a least one Steuerbzw. Regulating device can be fed, wherein the control or regulating device is designed such that it has a first operating mode in which they after the measurement of a mechanical

Acting on one of the at least two movable furniture parts by the measuring device causes only the driving of this movable furniture part by the drive unit, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is additionally designed such that it has a second operating mode in which they after the measurement of a mechanical action on one of the at least two movable furniture parts (2) caused by the measuring device (4) driving both movable furniture parts (2) by the drive unit (s), wherein the control device (3) in dependence from the measurement signals transmitted by the measuring device (4) decides whether it activates the first or the second operating mode.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device (4) comprises a time measuring device by which the duration of the mechanical effects of a user can be determined.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is designed such that it depends on the amount of the mechanical effects on one of the at least two movable Furniture parts (2) caused acceleration determines whether it activates the first or the second operating mode.

4. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is designed such that it decides depending on the duration of the mechanical actions, whether it activates the first or the second operating mode.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least two furniture parts (2) in a common furniture body (5) are arranged.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the first of the at least two furniture parts (2) as an outer drawer (6) and the second of the at least two furniture parts (2) as in the furniture body (5) behind the outer drawer (6) arranged inner drawer ( 7) is formed.

7. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the at least two furniture parts (2) from a closed end position in or on a furniture body (5) is movably mounted in an opening direction, wherein the furniture part (2) is mounted in its closed end position in or on the furniture body (5), that it is movable by a predetermined distance against the opening direction relative to the furniture body (5).

8. Arrangement according to claim 2 and 7, characterized in that the control or

Control device (3) is designed such that it decides whether it activates the first or the second operating mode in dependence on the duration of the mechanical action by which the furniture part (2) is moved from its closed end position against the opening direction.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is designed such that it is in an at least partially open outer drawer (6) and in the closed end position in the furniture carcass ( 5) located inner drawer (7) with respect to the inner drawer (7) is in the first operating mode.

10. Arrangement according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is designed such that it with respect to at least partially open outer drawer (6) and an at least partially open inner drawer (7) both furniture parts (2) in the second

Operating mode is located.

11. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is designed such that it causes in the mechanical direction of the inner drawer (7) in the opening direction, the complete opening of both furniture parts (2) by the drive unit ,

12. Arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the Steuerbzw. Control device (3) is designed such that it causes the - preferably complete - opening of the outer drawer (6) and the - preferably complete - closing of the inner drawer (7) by the drive unit in a mechanical action on the outer drawer (6) in the opening direction.

13. Arrangement according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is designed such that it is in a mechanical action on the outer drawer (6) against the opening direction, the complete closing of both furniture parts (2 ) caused by the drive unit.

14. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the measuring device (4) comprises a path measuring device which is designed such that by them a movement of the furniture part (2) from the rest position - preferably from the closed end position, preferably against the opening direction - is measurable.

15. Arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the control or

Control device (3) is designed such that it determines the duration and / or the strength of the force exerted by the drive unit on the or to be moved (s) furniture part (s) (2) in dependence on the measuring signals of the displacement measuring device - preferably with respect to the movement of the furniture part (2) from the closed end position against the opening direction - determines.

16. The arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that the control or regulating device (3) is designed such that it is the length of the path through which the drive unit or the moving to (n) furniture part (s) (2 ), depending on the extent of movement of the furniture part (2) - preferably from its closed end position against the opening direction - determines.

17. Arrangement according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the Steuerbzw. Control device (3) is designed such that it calculates the speed of the furniture part (2) from the measuring signals of the displacement measuring device and the signals of the time measuring device - preferably in its movement from the closed end position against the opening direction.

18. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the drive unit comprises an electric motor (8).

19. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 18, characterized in that a feed device (9) is provided which secures at least one of the two furniture parts (2) in the closed end position with a predetermined force against movement in the opening direction.

20. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 19, characterized in that the distance by which the furniture part (2) from the closed end position against the opening direction is movable, by a sprung stop (10) is predetermined.

21. Arrangement according to claim 20, characterized in that the spring-loaded stop (10) is designed such that the force exerted by it on the furniture part (2) force increases disproportionately with increasing movement counter to the opening direction.

22. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that at least one of the furniture parts (2) has a handle-less aperture (17).

23. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that for each of the at least two movable furniture parts (2) has its own control or regulating device (3) is provided.

24. Arrangement according to claim 23, characterized in that for each of the at least two movable furniture parts (2) a separate drive unit (3) and / or a separate measuring device (4) is provided.

25. Arrangement comprising at least two movably mounted furniture parts, wherein for each of the at least two movably mounted furniture parts a drive unit for

Driving the respective furniture part and a control or regulating device for controlling or regulating the drive unit is provided, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the control or regulating device can exchange data with each other, characterized in that the control or Control device (3) of one of the at least two movably mounted furniture parts (2) as a master and the control or regulating device (3) of the other of the at least two movably mounted furniture parts (2) is configured as a slave.

26. Arrangement according to claim 25, characterized in that each of the at least two movably mounted furniture parts (2) has a switch, through which the

Control or regulating device (3) of the respective furniture part as a master or slave is configurable.