SPINDLE SYSTEM, LINEAR ACTUATOR AND PIECE OF FURNITURE

Abstract

In a spindle system with a hollow spindle for a linear actuator, the linear actuator has a telescopic tube system including an outer tube and at least one inner tube arranged coaxially with the outer tube and at least partially surrounded by the outer tube. A bearing is arranged to transmit axial forces between the hollow spindle and the outer tube. The hollow spindle at least partially surrounds an inner shaft of the spindle system and is connected to the inner shaft of the spindle system by one or more tappets of a positive and axially displaceable shaft-hub connection. The hollow spindle has a bearing seat for the bearing and an external thread on an outer side.

Claims

1. A spindle system for a linear actuator, the spindle system having a hollow spindle, wherein the linear actuator has a telescopic tube system surrounding the hollow spindle, the telescopic tube system having an outer tube and at least one inner tube arranged coaxially with the outer tube and at least partially surrounded by the outer tube; a bearing configured to transmit axial thrust forces or axial tensile forces arranged between the hollow spindle and the outer tube; and wherein a rotational movement of the spindle system does not cause a rotational movement of the outer tube; wherein the hollow spindle: at least partially surrounds an inner shaft of the spindle system; is connected to the inner shaft of the spindle system by a positive and axially displaceable shaft-hub connection; has an external thread on an outer side thereof; and has a bearing seat for the bearing; and wherein the positive and axially displaceable shaft-hub connection is formed by a profiling of the inner shaft and a profiling of an inner side of the hollow spindle; the profiling of the inner shaft and the profiling of the inner side of the hollow spindle are each produced by one or more tappets, which form the positive and axially displaceable shaft-hub connection; the one or more tappets of the profiling of the inner shaft are formed by tappets on a sliding element, which is connected to the inner shaft in a rotationally fixed manner; the sliding element comprises one or more elastic compensating elements that engage the tappets of the hollow spindle to minimize radial play between the one or more tappets of the sliding element and the one or more tappets of the hollow spindle over an entire length of the hollow spindle; and the external thread of the hollow spindle, the one or more tappets of the hollow spindle and the bearing seat are made of a single casting and are made of a same plastic material.

2. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tappets are each in the form of ribs, wedges, teeth or non-circular profiles.

3. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein each of the tappets of the profiling of the inside of the hollow spindle has in each case two flanks whose distance from one another varies in an axial direction of the hollow spindle.

4. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein the hollow spindle has a first end and a second end, and wherein each of the tappets of the profiling of the inner side of the hollow spindle has in each case two flanks whose distance from one another between the first end and the second end in a middle of the hollow spindle is smaller than at the first end and the second end of the hollow spindle.

5. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the hollow spindle varies between opposing tappets of the profiling of the inner side of the hollow spindle in an axial direction of the hollow spindle.

6. The spindle system according to claim 5, wherein the hollow spindle has a first end and a second end, and wherein the inner diameter between opposing tappets of the profiling of the inside of the hollow spindle is smaller between the first end and the second end in the middle of the hollow spindle than at the first end and the second end of the hollow spindle.

7. The spindle system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more elastic compensating elements laterally nestles against flanks of the tappets of the hollow spindle.

8. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more elastic compensating elements comprises two legs that are spaced apart and elastic.

9. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more elastic compensating elements comprises an elastic, self-contained annular or elliptical, portion.

10. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein the bearing seat of the hollow spindle has an axial stop on both sides with respect to an inner ring of a rolling bearing or with respect to a disk-shaped plain bearing.

11. The spindle system according to claim 10, wherein there is a material connection between at least a part of the bearing and the axial stop on both sides of the bearing seat of the hollow spindle.

12. The spindle system according to claim 11, wherein an inner ring of the rolling bearing is at least partially overmolded with a plastic of the hollow spindle.

13. The spindle system according to claim 11, wherein a plastic inner ring of the rolling bearing is fused to the bearing seat.

14. The spindle system according to claim 11, wherein the plain bearing is at least partially overmolded with the plastic of the hollow spindle.

15. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein the external thread of the hollow spindle is interrupted in two circumferential regions of the hollow spindle, which extend over an entire axial length of the external thread and are arranged diametrically to each other with respect to a hollow spindle axis.

16. The spindle system according to claim 1, wherein the hollow spindle has an axis-parallel flattening in a region of a parting plane at its outer circumference.

17. A linear actuator comprising a spindle system according to claim 1, wherein the linear actuator comprises a telescopic tube system surrounding the spindle system, the telescopic tube system comprising an outer tube and at least one inner tube arranged coaxially with the outer tube and at least partially surrounded by the outer tube; a bearing for transmitting axial thrust forces or axial tensile forces arranged between the hollow spindle of the spindle system and the outer tube; and wherein a rotary movement of the spindle system does not cause a rotary movement of the outer tube.

18. A piece of furniture comprising at least one linear actuator according to claim 17.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Shown herein, in part simplified:

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a table with two telescopic columns;

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a spindle system in the extended state;

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a spindle system in the retracted state;

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a detail of the spindle system of FIG. 2;

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a further detail of the spindle system of FIG. 2;

[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates another detail of the spindle system of FIG. 2;

[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates details of one embodiment of the hollow spindle;

[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section through the hollow spindle of FIG. 7 with bearing seat and bearing;

[0045] FIG. 9 is a top view of the hollow spindle of FIG. 7 showing the profiling of the inside of the hollow spindle;

[0046] FIG. 10 is a representation of an exemplary shaft-hub connection between the inner shaft with its sliding element and the hollow spindle;

[0047] FIG. 11 is a top view of one embodiment of a sliding element;

[0048] FIG. 12a is another top view of the hollow spindle of FIG. 7;

[0049] FIG. 12b is a cross-section through the view in FIG. 12a;

[0050] FIG. 13a illustrates an embodiment of a sliding element with compensating elements;

[0051] FIG. 13b illustrates another view of the sliding element of FIG. 13a;

[0052] FIG. 14a illustrates a representation of an embodiment of a sliding element in a groove;

[0053] FIG. 14b illustrates a further embodiment of a sliding element in a groove; and

[0054] FIG. 15 illustrates a further embodiment of a sliding element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an electrically height-adjustable table 100 with, for example, two columns 110, 110. Each column 110, 110 is connected to a table base 120, 120 and table top 130. Each column 110, 110 includes a three-stage telescopic housing with coaxial profile tubes and a linear actuator (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0056] FIG. 2 shows an example of a spindle system 290 with an inner shaft 200, a hollow spindle 250, and an inner tube 220, each located within the outer tube 210. The spindle system in FIG. 2 is shown in the extended state.

[0057] FIG. 3 also shows the spindle system 290 of FIG. 2 in a slightly enlarged view and in the retracted state. A drive spindle nut 240 and a bearing, in this example a ball bearing 260, which are required for mounting the outer tube 210, can be seen.

[0058] The hollow spindle 250 has a sliding guide 280 at one end for the inner tube 220, which is non-rotatably connected to the hollow spindle 250. The inner tube 220 is smooth on the inside, and the sliding guide 280 allows rotational movement of the inner tube 220 relative to the hollow spindle 250.

[0059] A sliding element 270 is provided at the lower end of the inner shaft 200, which provides a positive and axially displaceable connection to the hollow spindle 250. With a drive, such as an electric motor, at the upper end of the shaft 200, the result is a linear actuator.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the spindle system 290 from FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in the area of the hollow spindle nut 245.

[0061] The hollow spindle 250 has a hollow spindle nut 245. The hollow spindle nut 245 includes a retainer 246 for non-rotatably mounting the inner tube 220 and a retainer 247 for non-rotatably mounting the outer tube 210. The retainer 247 for non-rotational mounting of the outer tube 210 is ribbed and engages a ribbing on the inner surface of the outer tube 210. The retainer 246 for non-rotational mounting of the inner tube 220 includes a shoulder onto which the inner tube 220 is fitted.

[0062] The drive screw nut 240 has a shoulder for mounting the outer tube 210. The drive screw nut 240 includes grippers or snappers 248 to engage around the ball bearing 260 to hold the hollow spindle 250 to the drive screw nut 240.

[0063] Once the outer tube 210 is in place, the outer tube 210 rests against the grippers or snappers 248, preventing the snapper 248 from bending and thereby preventing the ball bearing 260 from separating from the snapper 248.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the hollow spindle 250 with the ball bearing 260. The hollow spindle 250 and the ball bearing 260 are fixed to each other. The ball bearing 260 allows the outer tube 210 (not shown here) to be rotatably supported. Thus, rotation of the hollow spindle 250 within the outer tube 210 is enabled.

[0065] The hollow spindle 250 has one or more tappets, e.g. ribs or knobs 255 on its inner side, in which correspondingly shaped tappets on the outer side of the sliding element 270 (not visible here, see FIG. 11) engage and transmit the torque of the inner shaft 200 to the hollow spindle 250.

[0066] In FIG. 5, the inner tube 220 is mounted to the hollow spindle nut 245. The outer tube 210 is not mounted, but the bracket 247 for the outer tube can be seen.

[0067] In FIG. 6, the inner shaft 200 is visible with a sliding element 270 attached to the inner shaft 200. The sliding element 270 is attached to the end remote from the drive and includes one or more tappets (better seen in FIG. 11), such as ribs. The sliding element 270 is connected to the inner shaft 200 in a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable manner. The tappets of the sliding element 270 transmit torque to the hollow spindle 250 via one or more tappets 255, more visible in FIG. 5, on the inner side of the hollow spindle 250. The sliding element 270 engages the tappets 255 on the inner side of the hollow spindle 250 and forms an axially displaceable, positive shaft-hub connection between the inner shaft 200 of the spindle system and the hollow spindle 250.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the hollow spindle 250. The hollow spindle has a bearing 260, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a ball bearing.

[0069] The hollow spindle is manufactured by an injection mold, which has two mold halves that are joined together in a parting plane. The two mold halves form a thread profile 310 on the outer circumference. The thread profile 310 is interrupted in two circumferential regions by a flattening 300, 300 in each case. FIG. 7 shows only the front of the two flattenings. The second flattening is located on the rear side of the hollow spindle, which is not visible. The two circumferential areas run axially parallel, extend over the entire length of the thread and are arranged diametrically to each other.

[0070] In the area in which the parting line axially intersects the hollow spindle 250, the thread profile is flattened in each case parallel to the axis. These flattenings 300, 300 thus accommodate any minor inaccuracies that may occur in the parting line at the mold parting line of the two mold halves. The gating points for injection of the plastic into the mold are also located in the areas of the flattenings 300, 300.

[0071] As a result, the spindle with the plastic thread does not have to be removed from the injection mold in a time-consuming manner by rotating the spindle axially out of the mold. By interrupting the thread profile of the hollow spindle into two diametrically arranged axially extending circumferential areas, it is possible to produce the spindle by means of two mold halves, with the mold parting surface of the injection mold running in an axial plane of the spindle that axially intersects the circumferential areas in which the thread profile is missing. With respect to the plane of the mold parting surface, the thread profile 310 has no undercut due to the flattenings 300, 300, so that the mold tool can be separated and demolded in this parting surface.

[0072] FIG. 8 shows a cross-section through the hollow spindle. Prior to the injection process, the bearing 260 is inserted into the mold tool in order to produce the bearing 260 and the hollow spindle 250 in one step and from one casting. During the injection process, the bearing 260 is firmly bonded to the plastic of the hollow spindle by injecting the plastic compound to the outer surface of the insert. After curing, both the hollow spindle and the bearing seat with axial stops 320, 320 on both sides for the bearing have been produced during the same injection process. The bearing is overmolded from the same plastic from which the hollow spindle is molded. The axial stops 320, 320 extend circumferentially along the outer surface of the hollow spindle 250.

[0073] In one embodiment, the bearing 260 may be formed as a ball or roller bearing that is fixedly bonded 250 to the plastic of the hollow spindle after injection.

[0074] In one embodiment, an inner race, particularly a metallic inner race, of the ball or roller bearing is at least partially overmolded with the plastic of the hollow spindle 250.

[0075] In one embodiment, an inner ring of the ball or roller bearing comprising plastic is fused to the bearing seat.

[0076] In one embodiment, the bearing 260 may be formed as a plain bearing (not shown) that is permanently bonded to the plastic of the hollow spindle 250 after injection molding.

[0077] The injection mold includes, in addition to the two mold halves, one or two steel cores around which plastic is injected during the injection process. The one or two steel cores are removed after the injection process to leave the hollow interior of the hollow spindle. The one or two steel cores have a profiling on their outer surface that creates the profiling 330 shown in FIG. 9 on the inner surface of the hollow spindle 250.

[0078] The profiling 330 of the inside of the hollow spindle includes one or more tappets 255, 255, 255, 255. These tappets may be in the form of ribs, wedges, teeth, or out-of-round profiles, for example.

[0079] Each tappet 255, 255, 255, 255 has two flanks 340, 340 respectively.

[0080] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the hollow spindle and, in addition to the profiling, also shows one side of a ball bearing with one of the two axial, circumferential and uninterrupted stops 320.

[0081] FIG. 10 shows, in addition to the hollow spindle 250, a sliding element 270 with a profiling of the outer side, which has one or more tappets 350, 350, which engage in the tappets 255, 255, 255, 255 of the profiling of the inner side of the hollow spindle and produce an axially displaceable, positive shaft-hub connection between the hollow spindle 250 and the inner shaft 200 with the aid of the sliding element 270, which is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0082] FIG. 11 shows a top view of an embodiment of a sliding element 270. This embodiment comprises, for example, four tappets 350, 350, 350, 350. Each tappet has two flanks analogous to the tappets of the hollow spindle.

[0083] The sliding element 270 is pushed onto the inner shaft 200 and pressed, for example.

[0084] FIG. 12a shows a view of the profiling of the hollow spindle 250 with the one or more tappets 255, 255, 255, 255. The view is not to scale for ease of viewing.

[0085] With reference to a tappet 255 of the one or more tappets of the hollow spindle, it is shown that the two flanks 340 and 340 of the tappet 255 have a varying distance a1, a2 along the length of the hollow spindle, i.e. along the axial direction.

[0086] In one embodiment, the distance a1 between the flanks 340, 340 of the tappet 255 at the center of the hollow spindle 250 is less than the distance a2 at each of the two ends of the hollow spindle 250.

[0087] In an analogous manner, all of the tappets 255, 255, 255, 255 have such a varying distance between their respective flanks.

[0088] In a further embodiment, the inner diameter between any two opposing tappets 255, 255 of the profiling of the inside of the hollow spindle varies along the length of the hollow spindle 250.

[0089] In particular, the inner diameter d1 at the center of the hollow spindle is less than the inner diameter d2 at each of the two ends of the hollow spindle 250. For example, the inner diameter in each case reduces steadily from the outer ends of the hollow spindle 250 toward the center, thus becoming steadily smaller.

[0090] Because of the varying distances between the flanks of the tappets 255, 255, 255, 255, the width of the grooves between the tappets also varies. Using a groove 345 as an example, FIGS. 12a and 12b show how the width of the groove 345 extends.

[0091] FIG. 12b shows a cross-section along the section plane S from FIG. 12a. The width of the groove 345 is larger in the area of the two ends of the hollow spindle E1, E2 than in the center M of the hollow spindle 250. The width of the groove 345 reduces continuously in each case from the outer ends E1, E2 of the hollow spindle 250 toward the center M, i.e. it becomes steadily smaller.

[0092] This applies in an analogous manner to all grooves of the profiling of the hollow spindle 250.

[0093] The one or more tappets 255 255, 255, 255 and the one or more grooves 345 of the profiling 330 of the inside of the hollow spindle 250 are formed by one or two steel cores around which plastic is injected during the injection molding process. Due to the shown varying distances, widths and diameters of the one or more grooves and one or more tappets, it is possible to pull the one or two steel cores out of the hollow spindle 250 after the injection process.

[0094] FIG. 12b shows the progression of the width of the groove based on a groove 345, as created by the preferred use of two steel cores in the injection process. The course of the width of a groove resembles the shape of two isosceles trapezoids mirrored to each other. The first steel core extends from the first end E1 to the center M of the hollow spindle during the injection process. The second steel core extends from the second end E2 to the center M of the hollow spindle 250.

[0095] Alternatively, only one steel core can be used. In this case, however, the slot width at one end of the hollow spindle is larger, in particular twice as large, than when two steel cores are used. This increases the minimum achievable diameter of the hollow spindle and thus the diameter of the linear actuator, or the lifting column.

[0096] In order to achieve a positive shaft-hub connection between the sliding element 270 and the hollow spindle 250 over the entire axial displacement range of the sliding element 270 despite the different width ratios along the grooves, the sliding element 270 has in one embodiment one or more elastic compensating elements 360, 360, 360, 360 to minimize radial play between the one or more tappets 350, 350, 350, 350 of the sliding element and the one or more tappets 255, 255 255, 255 of the hollow spindle 250 along the entire length of the hollow spindle 250.

[0097] FIGS. 13a and 13b show an embodiment of a sliding element 270 with one or more elastic compensating elements 360, 360, 360, 360 in different views.

[0098] The one or more elastic compensating elements 360, 360, 360, 360 each lie in a groove 345 of the profiling of the hollow spindle 250 and nestle laterally against two flanks 340, 340 of the tappets of the hollow spindle, as shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b. FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b show the sliding element 270 at two different positions of the axial displacement range of the sliding element. In the region of the center M of the hollow spindle, the elastic compensating elements 360, 360, 360, 360 are pressed further towards each other than in the end regions, e.g. E1.

[0099] In one embodiment, each of the one or more compensating elements 360, 360, 360, 360, as shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b, comprises one or more legs, in particular two legs, that are spaced apart and elastic.

[0100] In an alternative embodiment, each of the one or more compensating elements 360, 360, 360, 360, as shown in FIG. 15, comprises an elastic, self-contained, in particular annular or elliptical portion.