FURNITURE DRIVE FOR MOVING A FURNITURE PART THAT IS MOVABLY MOUNTED RELATIVE TO A FURNITURE BODY

Abstract

A furniture drive includes a housing which can be arranged on a furniture panel, an actuator arm movably mounted relative to the housing and to which a movable furniture part can be secured, a force accumulator device which can be used to exert a force onto the actuator arm, an adjustment device for adjusting the force which can be exerted onto the actuator arm by the force accumulator device, and a display device which can be used to display a force setting that can be perceived by the adjustment device. The housing has a support surface to bring the furniture drive into contact with the furniture panel, the housing has a housing face oriented transversely to the support surface, and the display device is arranged relative to the housing face such that the display device can be read in a viewing direction facing the housing face.

Claims

1. A furniture drive for moving a furniture part that is movably mounted relative to a furniture carcass, in particular a furniture flap that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis relative to the furniture carcass, comprising a housing, which can be arranged on a furniture panel of the furniture carcass, at least one actuating arm, which is movably mounted relative to the housing and to which the movable furniture part can be fastened, at least one energy storage device, with which a force can be exerted on the at least one actuating arm, at least one setting device for setting the force that can be exerted on the at least one actuating arm by the at least one energy storage device, and at least one display device, with which a force setting that can be made by means of the at least one setting device can be displayed, wherein the housing has a contact surface with which the furniture drive can be brought into contact with the furniture panel and the housing has at least one housing side oriented transversely to the contact surface, wherein the at least one display device is arranged relative to this at least one housing side in such a way that the at least one display device can be read when looking in the direction of this at least one housing side, and wherein the at least one housing side is configured to be located on an underside of the housing when the furniture drive is mounted on a furniture panel.

2. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one setting device—preferably in a usage position of the furniture drive, in which the housing is arranged on the furniture panel of the furniture carcass—can be actuated from a front side, preferably via a front side opening in the housing, wherein the front side is preferably arranged transversely to the contact surface and the housing side.

3. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one further housing side, wherein the at least one further housing side is arranged parallel to the at least one contact surface and a side of the furniture drive can be covered, at least in areas, by the at least one further housing side.

4. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one display device is formed, preferably spatially, separate from the at least one setting device.

5. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuating arm comprises at least one toothed wheel for moving the at least one actuating arm out of a first relative position into a second relative position separate from the first relative position, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one toothed wheel contacts the at least one setting device indirectly or directly.

6. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one setting device has at least one transfer means, wherein the at least one energy storage device can be arranged on the at least one transfer means and/or the at least one transfer means can be arranged on the at least one actuating arm, preferably by way of a control curve of the at least one transfer means, and/or the at least one energy storage device can be moved, preferably by way of an adjustment device, along an application line of the at least one setting device, preferably of at least one transfer means that may be present, to change a force transmission torque on the at least one actuating arm, wherein the at least one adjustment device can be moved by way of the at least one setting device, preferably in a translatory manner, and/or at least one damping device, which can be or is arranged on the at least one setting device, the at least one energy storage device and/or the at least one actuating arm, is arranged on the housing, and/or the at least one display device can be arranged, at least in areas, on the at least one energy storage device and/or the at least one setting device, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one display device is formed, particularly preferably completely, from metal.

7. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one display device is mounted rotatably on the housing and/or the at least one setting device.

8. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one display device is arranged at least in areas, preferably completely, inside the housing, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one display device can be read through at least one opening in the housing.

9. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one display device comprises at least one, particularly preferably curved, plate-shaped extension, preferably in the form of a sheet metal part, for transmitting a force setting of the at least one setting device to the at least one display device.

10. The furniture drive according to claim 9, wherein the at least one plate-shaped extension can be moved by a movement of the at least one energy storage device, preferably by way of at least one adjustment device that may be present and/or in a rotating manner, relative to the at least one setting device.

11. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one display device comprises at least one scale, wherein the at least one scale is movable relative to the housing when the force that can be exerted on the at least one actuating arm by the at least one energy storage device is set by the at least one setting device, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one scale is designed curved, particularly preferably convex.

12. The furniture drive according to claim 10, wherein the at least one scale and the at least one plate-shaped extension are formed spatially separate from one another.

13. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one marking with which a force setting that can be made by means of the at least one setting device can be read through a position of the at least one display device, preferably of at least one scale that may be present, relative to the at least one marking.

14. The furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the at least one setting device comprises an adjustment device, preferably in the form of a tool receiver, which can particularly preferably be actuated from the front side, wherein the setting of the force that can be exerted on the at least one actuating arm by the at least one energy storage device can be set by way of the adjustment device.

15. A piece of furniture with a furniture carcass and at least one furniture part that is movably mounted relative to the furniture carcass, in particular at least one furniture flap that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis relative to the furniture carcass in a usage position of the piece of furniture, wherein the piece of furniture has at least one furniture drive according to claim 1, wherein the furniture carcass has at least one, in particular vertically arranged, furniture panel, and the housing of the at least one furniture drive is arranged on the furniture panel, and wherein the at least one furniture part is or can be fastened to the at least one actuating arm of the at least one furniture drive, wherein the at least one furniture part can be moved relative to the furniture carcass by the at least one furniture drive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below by means of the description of the figures with reference to the embodiments represented in the drawings, in which:

[0045] FIGS. 1a-1b show a furniture drive according to a preferred embodiment with a setting device arranged between an actuating arm and an energy storage device as well as a display device in a first force setting, wherein a lateral face of the housing is removed for illustration, in a perspective view and an enlarged detail of the perspective view,

[0046] FIGS. 2a-2b show the furniture drive according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1a in a second force setting in a perspective view and an enlarged detail of the perspective view,

[0047] FIG. 3 shows the furniture drive according to the embodiment according to FIG. 2a in a further perspective view with an enlarged detail of an underside of the housing,

[0048] FIG. 4 shows the furniture drive according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1a in a further perspective view with an enlarged detail of the underside of the housing,

[0049] FIGS. 5a-5b show an exploded representation of component parts of the setting device, the display device and the housing and an enlarged representation of the display device in a perspective view,

[0050] FIGS. 6a-6b show the setting device, the display device and a part of the housing of the furniture drive according to FIG. 1a in a side view and a view from underneath with an enlarged detail of the display device,

[0051] FIGS. 7a-7b show the setting device, the display device and a part of the housing of the furniture drive according to FIG. 2a in a side view and a view from underneath with an enlarged detail of the display device,

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a piece of furniture according to a preferred embodiment with a furniture drive according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1a in a perspective view,

[0053] FIG. 9 shows the piece of furniture according to the embodiment according to FIG. 8 in a further perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] FIG. 1a shows a furniture drive 1 for moving a furniture part 3 that is movably mounted relative to a furniture carcass 2, comprising a housing 4 which can be arranged on a furniture panel 5 of the furniture carcass 2, an actuating arm 6 that is movably mounted relative to the housing 4 and an energy storage device 7 with which a force can be exerted on the actuating arm 6.

[0055] The furniture drive 1 has a setting device 8 for setting the force that can be exerted on the actuating arm 6 by the energy storage device 7, wherein a display device 9 is provided with which a force setting that can be made by means of the setting device 8 can be displayed.

[0056] The housing 4 of the furniture drive 1 has a contact surface 31 with which the furniture drive 1 can be brought into contact with the furniture panel 5. The housing 4 has a housing side 32 oriented transversely to the contact surface 31, wherein the display device 9 is arranged in such a way relative to this at least one housing side 32 that the display device 9 can be read when looking in the direction of the at least one housing side 32.

[0057] FIG. 1b shows a partial area of the furniture drive according to FIG. 1a that is represented enlarged, wherein it can be seen that the display device 9 is formed separate from the setting device 8, the energy storage device 7 and the actuating arm 6. The display device 9 is mounted rotatably on the setting device 8 and contacts the energy storage device 7 by way of an adjustment device 17.

[0058] The actuating arm 6 comprises two toothed wheels 12 for moving the actuating arm 6 from a first relative position to a second relative position separate from the first relative position, wherein a movement of the actuating arm 6 is made possible between an open position of the movable furniture part 3 and a closed position, and vice versa. A toothed wheel 12 contacts the setting device 8 directly by way of a control curve 16 in the form of an indentation in a transfer means 15 of the setting device 8. The transfer means 15 can generally also comprise a control curve 16, which makes a transmission of force to the movable furniture part 3 possible, which transmission is changed via a change in the relative position.

[0059] The transfer means 15 of the setting device 8 contacts the energy storage device 7, wherein the energy storage device 7 can be moved in a translatory manner by way of the adjustment device 17 along an application line 18 of the transfer means 15 of the setting device 8. The translatory movement can generally be overlaid by a pivoting movement. Through a movement of the adjustment device 17 along the application line 18, a force transmission torque on the actuating arm 6 is changed, as the application point of the energy storage device 7 is displaced relative to the actuating arm 6.

[0060] The adjustment device 17 can be moved in a translatory manner by way of the setting device 8, wherein the furniture drive 1 is present in a first force setting and the energy storage device 7 acts on the transfer means 15 at the top in the representation. This corresponds to a low force setting.

[0061] FIG. 2a shows the furniture drive 1 in a changed force setting with an increased transmission of force of the energy storage device 7 to the actuating arm 6 relative to FIG. 1a, wherein the energy storage device 7 acts on the transfer means 15 at the bottom in the representation and transmits force to the actuating arm 6 via the force setting device 8.

[0062] Arranged on the housing 4 is a damping device 19, which is arranged on the actuating arm 6 and indirectly on the setting device 8 during a damping movement. However, the damping device 19 can generally also be arranged on the energy storage device 7.

[0063] The display device 9 is rotatably mounted on the housing 4 by way of the further housing side 27 (not represented for reasons of clarity) and on the setting device 8. The display device 9 can generally also be arranged on the energy storage device 7.

[0064] The display device 9 is formed completely from metal.

[0065] The setting device 8 is arranged by way of the adjustment device 17 on the energy storage device 7 and by way of the transfer means 15 on the actuating arm 6.

[0066] FIG. 2b differs from FIG. 2a only to the extent that an enlarged section of the furniture drive 1 is represented.

[0067] If the display device 9 moves during a movement of the actuating arm 6—for example, in the case of a changed opening angle of the movable furniture part 3—it is possible that the display device 9 is moved relative to the housing 4, with the result that a force setting made by way of the setting device 8 is displayed in a varying manner on the display device 9. This does not pose a problem, however, as a user of the furniture drive only has to read the force setting of the furniture drive 1 in a specific position of the actuating arm 6 to be able to deduce the force setting. Consequently, a display on the display device 9 may by no means depend exclusively on the force setting of the setting device 8; but it provides information about the present force setting.

[0068] In practice, it is particularly relevant how the force setting of two corresponding furniture drives 1 was undertaken relative to one another. It is accordingly sufficient to compare the force setting via the display devices 9 of the two furniture drives 1 with one another in a desired position of the actuating arms 6, wherein in the case of different information through the display devices 9, the force setting of one of the two furniture drives 1 can be adapted by way of the setting device 8 by adjusting the application point of the energy storage device 7 on the related actuating arm 6, with the result that in the same position of the actuating arms 6, an identical force setting can be read through the display devices 9.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows the furniture drive 1 when looking in the direction of the housing side 32, wherein the display device 9 is arranged inside the housing 4 and can be read through an opening 29 in the housing 4. The opening 29 is generally of any desired shape. The display device 9 can generally protrude through the opening 29 or be located inside the housing 4 and visible via the opening 29; the display device 9 is particularly preferably arranged in the opening 29.

[0070] The display device 9, which is separate from the housing 4, comprises a scale 21, wherein the scale 21 is moved relative to the housing 4 when the force that can be exerted on the actuating arm 6 by the energy storage device 7 is set by the setting device 8. The scale 21 is designed convexly curved. The scale 21 is independent of the housing 4, but a scale 21 arranged on the housing side 32 is also conceivable, wherein via a relative position of the display device 9—for example, by a marking on the display device 9—relative to this scale 21, a force setting can be read from an underside of the housing 4.

[0071] The housing 4 comprises two markings 22, which are arranged on the housing side 32 and with which a force setting that can be made by means of the setting device 8 can be read by a relative position of the display device 9 via the scale 21 to the marking 22.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows the furniture drive 1, wherein the scale 21 is moved by comparison with the markings 22, relative to the position in FIG. 3. Compared with FIG. 3, the force setting has been changed by way of the setting device 8 by displacement of the energy storage device 7 by way of the adjustment device 17 along the application line 18 of the transfer means 15. The changed application point of the energy storage device 7 on the actuating arm 6 causes a deviating force transmission torque, whereby the force setting is increased (despite an increase in the pretensioning of the energy storage device 7).

[0073] Due to the movement of the adjustment device 17, the display device 9 was rotated and the scale 21 moved relative to the markings 22. A change of the application point of the energy storage device 7 is coupled kinematically to the movement of the display device 9.

[0074] The scale 21 has intervals, wherein arranged within the respective intervals is a numerical figure for interpreting the present interval on the scale 21. Other representations of the present force setting are generally also conceivable, however, wherein the scale 21 is not restricted to the display of the force setting that is shown.

[0075] The marking 22 is in the form of an engraved line; however, other markings such as stuck-on arrows or pointers, for example, via which a force setting can be read through the display device 9, are also generally possible.

[0076] FIG. 5a shows the constructional design of some components that are used according to the preferred embodiment of the furniture drive 1 for changing and displaying the force setting.

[0077] The setting device 8 comprises a rolling element, which contacts the actuating arm 6 during a movement of the movable piece of furniture and is mounted rotatably on the setting device 8.

[0078] FIG. 5b shows the display device 9 depicted in enlarged form, wherein the display device 9 comprises a curved plate-shaped extension 20 in the form of a sheet metal part for transmitting the force setting of the setting device 8 to the display device 9.

[0079] The plate-shaped extension 20 is moved by a movement of the energy storage device 7 preferably by way of the adjustment device 17 in a rotating manner relative to the setting device 8, whereby the scale 21 is moved relative to the opening 29.

[0080] A restoring element 30 with one free end is connected in a materially-bonded manner to the display device 9, wherein the restoring element 30 pushes the display device 9 in the direction of a starting position unless the display device 9 is pushed by the setting device 8 in an opposite direction. For example, the display device 9 is moved from the starting position into a force setting position, wherein due to the restoring element 30 the display device 9 returns again to the starting position as soon as the force setting position has been cancelled.

[0081] The restoring element 30 is formed resiliently and arranged opposite the plate-shaped extension 20. The scale 21 is arranged in parallel laterally adjacent to the restoring element 30 on a rib-shaped extension, wherein the scale 21 and the restoring element 30 are connected to an articulated region of the display device 9 by way of a connecting element arranged between the restoring element 30 and the scale 21 and the plate-shaped extension 20.

[0082] FIG. 6a shows the component parts represented in FIG. 5a in an assembled state.

[0083] FIG. 6b shows the assembled component parts of the furniture drive 1 according to FIG. 6a when looking in the direction of the housing side 32. The scale 21 arranged on the display device 9 can be read through the opening 29, whereby the force setting can be deduced.

[0084] FIG. 7a shows the component parts of the furniture drive 1 with a changed position of the display device 9 relative to the markings 22 of the housing 4.

[0085] The scale 21 and the plate-shaped extension 20 are formed spatially separate from one another.

[0086] In FIG. 7b it can be seen that due to a change of the force setting by way of the setting device 8, a changed relative position of the display device 9 exists. If the adjustment device 17 is displaced once more into the force setting position identified by “3”, the plate-shaped extension 20 (cf. FIG. 7a) is moved by the restoring element 30 likewise into this relative position of the display device 9 by the restoring element 30 being supported on the setting device 8. The restoring element 30 can generally also be supported on another component part, however.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a piece of furniture 25 with a furniture carcass 2 and a furniture part 3 movably mounted relative to the furniture carcass 2 in the form of a furniture flap, which is pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the furniture carcass 2 in a usage position of the piece of furniture 25.

[0088] The piece of furniture 25 has a furniture drive 1, wherein the furniture carcass 2 has a vertically arranged furniture panel 5 and the housing 4 of the furniture drive 1 is arranged on the furniture panel 5. The furniture part 3 is fastened to the movably mounted actuating arm 6 of the furniture drive 1, wherein the furniture part 3 is movable by the furniture drive 1 relative to the furniture carcass 2.

[0089] The housing 4 comprises a further housing side 27, wherein the further housing side 27 is arranged parallel to the contact surface 31. One side 28 of the furniture drive 1 can be covered completely by the further housing side 27. The housing side 32 is arranged between the further housing side 27 and the contact surface 31.

[0090] FIG. 9 shows the piece of furniture 25, wherein the setting device 8 can be actuated in a usage position 26 of the furniture drive 1, in which the housing 4 is arranged on the furniture panel 5 of the furniture carcass 2, from a front side 13 via a front side opening 14 in the housing 4. The front side 13 is arranged transversely at a right angle to the contact surface 31 and the housing side 32.

[0091] The setting device 8 comprises an adjustment device 23 in the form of a tool receiver 24 that can be actuated from the front side, wherein the setting of the force that can be exerted on the actuating arm 6 by the energy storage device 7 can be set by way of the adjustment device 23.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0092] Furniture drive (1) [0093] Furniture carcass (2) [0094] Furniture part (3) [0095] Housing (4) [0096] Furniture panel (5) [0097] Actuating arm (6) [0098] Energy storage device (7) [0099] Setting device (8) [0100] Display device (9) [0101] Toothed wheel (12) [0102] Front side (13) [0103] Front side opening (14) [0104] Transfer means (15) [0105] Control curve (16) [0106] Adjustment device (17) [0107] Application line (18) [0108] Damping device (19) [0109] Plate-shaped extension (20) [0110] Scale (21) [0111] Marking (22) [0112] Adjustment device (23) [0113] Tool receiver (24) [0114] Piece of furniture (25) [0115] Usage position (26) [0116] Further housing side (27) [0117] Side (28) [0118] Opening (29) [0119] Restoring element (30) [0120] Contact surface (31) [0121] Housing side (32)