FURNITURE DRIVE SYSTEM

Abstract

A furniture drive system for a furniture part that is moveably mounted on a furniture body, includes a mechanical control unit having a pivotally mounted control arm for moving the moveable furniture part and at least one energy store for applying force to the control arm; an electric drive unit configured as a component designed to be separate from the mechanical control unit, and which has an electric motor for the electric motor-powered support of the movement of the moveable furniture part and a driver that can be driven by the electric motor for transmitting a torque of the electric motor to the mechanical control unit; and a damping device for damping the movement of the moveable furniture part. The damping device is arranged in the component of the electric drive unit for damping the movement of the moveable furniture part.

Claims

1. A furniture drive system for a furniture part that is movably mounted on a furniture carcass, with a mechanical actuating unit, which has at least one pivotably mounted actuating arm for moving the movable furniture part and at least one energy storage mechanism for applying force to the at least one actuating arm, an electric drive unit, which is designed as an assembly formed separate from the mechanical actuating unit and which has at least one electric motor for the electromotive support of the movement of the movable furniture part and at least one driver, that can be driven by the at least one electric motor, for transmitting a torque of the electric motor to the mechanical actuating unit, and at least one damping device for damping the movement of the movable furniture part, wherein the at least one damping device for damping the movement of the movable furniture part is arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit.

2. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein a gear mechanism is provided between the at least one electric motor and the at least one driver, and the at least one damping device arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit can be acted upon by a part of the gear mechanism which preferably has a pivotably mounted lever, which is in contact with the damping device or can be brought into contact with the damping device.

3. The furniture drive system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one gear mechanism comprises at least two gear stages, a free-wheel clutch and/or an overload clutch.

4. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuating unit comprises at least one actuator, and the at least one damping device arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit can be acted upon by the actuator of the mechanical actuating unit.

5. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one damping device arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit can be acted upon only over a partial range of the movement of the pivotably mounted actuating arm, preferably wherein the partial range is arranged between a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm which corresponds to a partially open position of the movable furniture part and a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm which corresponds to a completely open position of the movable furniture part.

6. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuating unit also comprises at least one damping device for damping the movement of the movable furniture part, which can preferably be acted upon at least in a partial range between a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm which corresponds to a closed position of the movable furniture part and a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm which corresponds to a partially open position of the movable furniture part before the closed position.

7. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one damping device arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit is formed as a mechanical damping device.

8. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein at least the at least one damping device arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit is formed as a linear dashpot with a cylinder and a piston movable relative thereto, preferably wherein a stop for acting on the linear dashpot is arranged on the cylinder.

9. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuating unit and the electric drive unit can be detachably connected to each other.

10. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuating unit has at least one movably mounted actuating part for transmitting a force from the at least one energy storage mechanism to the at least one actuating arm, wherein the at least one actuating part has at least one transmission opening, in which the at least one driver that can be driven by the at least one electric motor engages or can engage.

11. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive unit has at least one mounting plate, on which at least the at least one electric motor is arranged, and which rests against the mechanical actuating unit at least in some areas.

12. The furniture drive system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one energy storage mechanism of the mechanical actuating unit is formed as a spring device.

13. A piece of furniture with a furniture carcass, at least one furniture part that is movably mounted on the furniture carcass and the furniture drive system according to claim 1 for moving the at least one furniture part, preferably wherein the at least one movable furniture part is pivotable about a horizontal axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below by means of the description of the figures with reference to the drawings. There are shown in:

[0020] FIG. 1a shows a piece of furniture with a movably mounted furniture part in the form of a furniture flap that is pivotable about a horizontal axis in a perspective view,

[0021] FIG. 1b shows the piece of furniture according to FIG. 1a, wherein the movable furniture part has been omitted in the representation,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the furniture drive system according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment example in a perspective view,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the mechanical actuating unit of the furniture drive system according to the preferred embodiment example in a perspective view,

[0024] FIG. 4a shows the furniture drive system according to the invention according to the preferred embodiment example in a view from the side, wherein a part of the gear mechanism has been omitted in the representation and the actuating arm is located in a partially open position,

[0025] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional representation along the section plane 39 drawn in in FIG. 4a,

[0026] FIG. 5a shows the furniture drive system according to the invention according to the preferred embodiment example in a view from the side, wherein a part of the gear mechanism has been omitted in the representation and the actuating arm is located in the completely open position, and

[0027] FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional representation along the section plane 39 drawn in in FIG. 5a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 1a shows a piece of furniture 27 in the form of a wall unit, wherein the piece of furniture 27 has a furniture carcass 2. A furniture part 3 in the form of a flap is movably mounted on the furniture carcass 2. The furniture part 3 is pivotable about a horizontal axis 28. The furniture carcass 2 comprises two side panels, on each of which is arranged a furniture drive system 1 according to a preferred embodiment example. The furniture part 3 is not represented in FIG. 1b.

[0029] According to the preferred embodiment example, the furniture drive system 1 is therefore designed to drive a flap 3 that is mounted pivotable about a horizontal axis 28. However, the furniture drive system can just as well also be used to drive a furniture door that is mounted pivotable about a vertical axis. For this, only slight modifications would be necessary, if any.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the furniture drive system 1 in a detailed representation, wherein the cover 40 to be seen in FIGS. 1a and 1b has been omitted. For one thing the furniture drive system 1 comprises a mechanical actuating unit 4, and an electric drive unit 7, which is designed as an assembly formed separate from the mechanical actuating unit 4.

[0031] The electric drive unit 7 comprises an electric motor 8 for the electromotive support of the movement of the movable furniture part 3, which, as can be seen in FIG. 1a, can be fastened to the actuating arm 5. Furthermore, the electric drive unit 7 comprises a driver 9, that can be driven by the electric motor 8, for transmitting a torque of the electric motor 8 to the mechanical actuating unit 4 or to the actuating arm 5, and a furniture part 3 optionally connected thereto.

[0032] The mechanical actuating unit 4 and the electric drive unit 7 can be detachably connected to each other. The electric drive unit 7 can thereby be connected to the mechanical actuating unit 4, or separated from it, in a simple manner.

[0033] The components of the electric drive unit 7 can be arranged on a mounting plate 29, as represented. The mounting plate 29 rests against the mechanical actuating unit 4 at least in some areas. In the embodiment example represented it separates the mechanical actuating unit 4 from the assembly of the electric drive unit 7.

[0034] In place of a mounting plate 29, a housing can for example also be used, which substantially encloses the assembly of the electric drive unit 7.

[0035] Between the electric motor 8 and the driver 9, a gear mechanism 12 is provided, which converts a torque of the electric motor 8 into a pivoting movement of the driver 9 about an axis of rotation 41. The gear mechanism 12 comprises several, specifically five, gear stages 14, 16, 17, 18 and 19. The gear stages mesh with each other in each case via gear teeth. Furthermore, the gear mechanism 12 comprises a free-wheel clutch 20, which is integrated in gear stage 17, as well as an overload clutch 21, which is integrated in gear stage 18.

[0036] In the embodiment example represented, the driver 9 is formed as a pin, which is mounted displaceable in a delimited manner in a guide contour 31, which is formed in the mounting plate 29. The driver 9 projects above the mounting plate 29 on the side which is opposite the side on which the electric motor 8 is arranged.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows details of the mechanical actuating unit 4, wherein sections of the housing of the mechanical actuating unit 4 have been omitted in the representation. This relates, for example, to the housing 30 of the damping device 11 provided in the mechanical actuating unit 4.

[0038] The mechanical actuating unit 4 comprises a pivotably mounted actuating arm 5 for moving the movable furniture part 3 and an energy storage mechanism 6 for applying force to the at least one actuating arm 5.

[0039] The actuating arm 5 is formed as an articulated lever, which comprises several pivot points.

[0040] The energy storage mechanism 6 is formed as a spring device. Specifically, it can be a compression spring, which is arranged on a spring guide 43. In the embodiment example represented, the energy storage mechanism 6 substantially serves to compensate for the weight of the furniture part 3.

[0041] The force that can be stored in the energy storage mechanism 6 is transmitted to the actuating arm 5 via deflection levers 32 and 33.

[0042] Furthermore, the mechanical actuating unit 4 comprises a movably mounted actuating part 25 for transmitting a force from the energy storage mechanism 6 to the actuating arm 5, wherein the actuating part 25 has a transmission opening 26, in which the driver 9 that can be driven by the electric motor 8 engages or can engage. A torque of the electric motor 8 is thus transmitted to the mechanical actuating unit 4 or the actuating arm 5 of the mechanical actuating unit 4 via the driver 9.

[0043] Although this is not realized in the embodiment example represented, it can also be provided that a protruding driver, which engages in an opening in the gear mechanism of the electric drive unit 7, is formed on the mechanical actuating unit 4.

[0044] The mechanical actuating unit 4 comprises a damping device 11 for damping the movement of the movable furniture part 3. The damping device 11 is formed as a linear dashpot and functions as a closing damper. This means that the damping device 11 can be acted upon at least in a partial range between a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm 5 which corresponds to a closed position of the movable furniture part 3 and a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm 5 which corresponds to a partially open position of the movable furniture part 3 before the closed position. The damping device 11 therefore makes soft closing of the movable furniture part 3 possible. Alternatively or in addition to the linear dashpot, a rotary dashpot can also be used.

[0045] According to the invention, the furniture drive system 1 has a damping device 10 for damping the movement of the movable furniture part 3, wherein this damping device 10 is arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit 7.

[0046] A preferred embodiment example is represented in particular in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b, wherein for better understanding compared with FIG. 2 part of gear stage 18 has been omitted. The damping device 10 can be acted upon by a part 13 of the gear mechanism 12, wherein this part 13 has a pivotably mounted lever 15, which can be brought into contact with the damping device 10. The part 13 is a component part of gear stage 18, which co-operates on one side with gear stage 17 and on the other side with gear stage 19. Further component parts of gear stage 18 are a gear wheel 42 connected to the part 13 in a rotationally fixed manner, and an overload clutch 21 (compare FIG. 2).

[0047] However, the damping device 10 can also be acted upon by another part of the gear mechanism 12. However, alternatively or in addition to this it can also be provided that the mechanical actuating unit 4 comprises at least one actuator, and the damping device 10 arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit 7 can be acted upon by the at least one actuator of the mechanical actuating unit 4. In this case, although the damping device 10 may be arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit 7, it need not be acted upon by a part of the drive train of the electric drive unit 7.

[0048] The damping device 10 is formed as a linear dashpot with a cylinder 22 and a piston 23 movable relative thereto, wherein a stop 24 for acting on the linear dashpot is arranged on the cylinder 22. Alternatively or in addition to the linear dashpot, a rotary dashpot can also be used.

[0049] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a position of the actuating arm 5 in which, in the case of a movement starting from the closed position, the lever 15 on the gear mechanism part 13 strikes the stop 24 on the cylinder 22. Up to this position, the lever 15 and the stop 24, or generally speaking the gear mechanism 12 and the damping device 10, are not in contact. Starting from the position shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, in the direction of the completely open position, which is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the lever 15 always rests against the stop 24. This means that the damping device 10 arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit 7 can be acted upon only over a partial range of the movement of the pivotably mounted actuating arm 5, wherein the partial range is arranged between a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm 5 which corresponds to a partially open position of the movable furniture part 3 and a position of the pivotably mounted actuating arm 5 which corresponds to a completely open position of the movable furniture part 3.

[0050] The damping device 10 arranged in the assembly of the electric drive unit 7 in the preferred embodiment example therefore functions as an opening damper, which ensures that the movable furniture part 3 is moved smoothly into the completely open position. However, this opening damping only takes place when the mechanical actuating unit 4 is operated together with the electric drive unit 7, since the damping device 10 is an integral component part of the electric drive unit 7 and is thus added to the mechanical actuating unit 4 together with it. If the electric drive unit 7 is removed, at the same time the damping device 10 is also removed and the mechanical actuating unit 4 comprises only the further damping devices optionally provided in the mechanical actuating unit. In this way it is possible to accommodate changes in the demands on the damping effect which result from the addition of the electric drive unit in a targeted manner.

[0051] From the cross-sectional representation according to FIG. 4b it emerges that the damping device 10 comprises a return spring 38 which conveys the damping device 10 into the starting position again once the damping stroke is completed, with the result that the damping device 10 is ready for a further damping stroke again.

[0052] Furthermore, it emerges from the cross-sectional representations according to FIGS. 4b and 5b that the piston 23 is connected to a piston rod 37, which braces itself against a stop 36, which is formed on the mounting plate 29. During the damping stroke, the cylinder 22 therefore moves relative to the stationary piston 23. The reverse kinematic solution is also possible, however, namely that, during the damping stroke, the cylinder remains at rest and the piston moves relative thereto. For this, for example, the end of the piston rod could be acted upon by a part of the gear mechanism 12.

[0053] FIGS. 5a and 5b show the furniture drive system 1 in the completely open position. A comparison with FIGS. 4a and 4b shows that the cylinder 22 of the damping device 10 has moved relative to the piston 23. This movement was caused by a rotational movement of the part 13 of the gear mechanism 12 or of the lever 15 connected to it, which is in contact with the stop 24 on the cylinder 22. This means that the movement of the actuating arm 5 or of a furniture part 3 connected to it into the completely open position has been damped by the damping device 10.

[0054] Alternatively or in addition to the opening damper, the electric drive unit can also comprise one or more additional damping devices, which damp other partial movements of the actuating arm 5 or of a furniture part 3 connected to it.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0055] 1 furniture drive system [0056] 2 furniture carcass [0057] 3 furniture part [0058] 4 mechanical actuating unit [0059] 5 actuating arm [0060] 6 energy storage mechanism [0061] 7 electric drive unit [0062] 8 electric motor [0063] 9 driver [0064] 10 damping device [0065] 11 damping device [0066] 12 gear mechanism [0067] 13 part of the gear mechanism [0068] 14 gear stage [0069] 15 lever [0070] 16 gear stage [0071] 17 gear stage [0072] 18 gear stage [0073] 19 gear stage [0074] 20 free-wheel clutch [0075] 21 overload clutch [0076] 22 cylinder [0077] 23 piston [0078] 24 stop [0079] 25 actuating part [0080] 26 transmission opening [0081] 27 piece of furniture [0082] 28 horizontal axis [0083] 29 mounting plate