ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE FURNITURE UNIT AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING AN ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE FURNITURE UNIT

Abstract

An electrically adjustable furniture unit, such as a sofa bed or recliner, comprises a static frame having a plurality of frame elements comprising side frame elements. At least two of the frame elements are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The furniture unit further comprises a plurality of kinematics modules comprising electrically adjustable arms, wherein the kinematics modules are contained in the at least two frame elements that are arranged substantially parallel to each other. A control unit is electrically coupled to each of the kinematics modules, wherein the control unit is adjusted to combine backrest arms of the adjustable arms to a first adjustment group and to combine legrest arms of the adjustable arms to a second adjustment group, and wherein for a backrest adjustment the control unit controls the backrest arms in the first adjustment group in parallel or synchronously and wherein for a legrest adjustment the control unit controls the legrest arms in the second adjustment group in parallel or synchronously.

Claims

1. An electrically adjustable furniture unit, such as a sofa bed or recliner, comprising: a static frame having a plurality of frame elements comprising side frame elements, at least two of the frame elements being arranged substantially parallel to each other; a plurality of kinematics modules comprising electrically adjustable arms, wherein the kinematics modules are contained in the at least two frame elements that are arranged substantially parallel to each other; and a control unit electrically coupled to each of the kinematics modules, wherein the control unit is adjusted to combine backrest arms of the adjustable arms to a first adjustment group and to combine legrest arms of the adjustable arms to a second adjustment group; wherein for a backrest adjustment the control unit controls the backrest arms in the first adjustment group in parallel or synchronously and wherein for a legrest adjustment the control unit controls the legrest arms in the second adjustment group in parallel or synchronously.

2. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of kinematics modules comprises one of the legrest arms and one of the backrest arms.

3. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of kinematics modules comprises complete electric parts required for an adjustment of the adjustable arms of the respective one of the plurality of kinematics modules.

4. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein the legrest arms are adjustable to a substantially vertical position with respect to a main extension plane of the static frame.

5. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein the kinematics modules further comprise a mechanism, in particular a carriage with rollers, such that a position of the kinematics modules within the at least two frame elements is adjustable with respect to the main extension axis of the at least two frame elements.

6. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 5, wherein during the backrest adjustment the control unit is further configured to adjust the position of the kinematics modules within the at least two frame elements, such that a constant protrusion of a backrest of the furniture unit with respect to a rearmost part of the static frame or of the rearmost part of the static frame with respect to the backrest is maintained.

7. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to perform the backrest adjustment and the legrest adjustment based on a set of predefined adjustments.

8. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 7, wherein the control unit further comprises a programmable memory comprising the set of predefined adjustments.

9. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, further comprising a pinch detection mechanism comprising sensors, with the sensors being configured to detect whether an object, in particular a limb of a user, is positioned within a path of motion of the adjustable arms, wherein the control unit is further configured to terminate the backrest adjustment and/or the legrest adjustment based on the sensor values.

10. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the kinematics modules is further configured to compare an actual adjustment of the adjustable arms of the first and the second adjustment group to an intended adjustment, in particular with respect to momentary position and/or adjustment speed; and report to the control unit a discrepancy between the actual adjustment and the intended adjustment; and wherein the control unit is further configured to generate a first and a second error flag for the first and the second adjustment group based on the discrepancy; and adjust the backrest adjustment and/or the legrest adjustment based on the first and the second error flag.

11. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, further comprising vibration motors in a support surface of the furniture, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the vibration motors.

12. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, further comprising a body sensor in a support surface, wherein the control unit is further configured to generate user-specific data based on a body sensor value received from the body sensor.

13. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a bidirectional connection interface for connecting to a home network, in particular to a wireless home network.

14. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 13, wherein the control unit is configured to be controlled via a smart home hub of a smart home environment.

15. The electrically adjustable furniture unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is coupled to each of the kinematics modules by means of a wireless connection.

16. A method for assembling an electrically adjustable furniture unit, the method comprising providing a plurality of frame elements of a static frame, the plurality of frame elements comprising side frame elements; arranging a plurality of kinematics modules within at least two frame elements, the kinematics modules comprising electrically adjustable arms; providing a control unit electrically coupled to each of the kinematics modules, wherein the control unit is adjusted to combine backrest arms of the adjustable arms to a first adjustment group and to combine legrest arms of the adjustable arms to a second adjustment group; wherein for delivery of the furniture to a customer the plurality of frame elements and the control unit are packaged individually with packaging materials.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising using at least part of the packaging materials as support for the frame elements; forming the static frame by interconnecting side frame elements and cross frame elements; attaching foot elements to the static frame; removing the support; establishing an electrical connection between the kinematics modules; and attaching a backrest support surface to the backrest arms and a legrest support surface to the legrest arms.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the kinematics modules are configured such that a position of the kinematics modules within the at least two frame elements is electrically adjustable with respect to the main extension axis of the at least two frame elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] The following description of figures of exemplary embodiments may further illustrate and explain aspects of the improved concept. Components and parts of the furniture unit with the same structure and the same effect, respectively, appear with equivalent reference symbols. In so far as components and parts of the furniture unit correspond to one another in terms of their function in different figures, the description thereof is not repeated for each of the following figures.

[0073] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a static frame according to the improved concept;

[0074] FIGS. 2-5 show an exemplary embodiment of an electrically adjustable furniture unit according to the improved concept in different adjustment positions;

[0075] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an exemplary embodiment of a kinematics module according to the improved concept in different adjustment positions;

[0076] FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an electrically adjustable furniture unit according to the improved concept;

[0077] FIGS. 9-12 show different customization options of the adjustable furniture unit according to the improved concept;

[0078] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a side frame element according to the improved concept; and

[0079] FIG. 14 shows a packaging option of a furniture unit according to the improved concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a static frame 10. The static frame 10 comprises two side frame elements 12 and two cross frame elements 11 that are connected to form the rectangular foot print via a connection mechanism, in particular a connection mechanism that does not require the use of special tools, for example a push-fit system. Depending on the height of the static frame 10 and that of the adjustable furniture unit 1, the static frame 10 may in addition comprise foot elements 13 to elevate the static frame 10 to a desired height. The side frame elements 12 in this example comprise an opening 14, in this case a slit, for mounting the kinematics modules 30.

[0081] The side frame elements 12 and/or cross frame elements 11 may be of different dimensions, depending on the specific type of the electrically adjustable furniture unit 1, for example to form the static frame 10 of a sofa bed or a recliner. Optionally, individual frame elements 11, 12 may be of different heights with respect to each other in order to provide an option for mounting storage compartments, for example.

[0082] The leg elements 13 may be exchangeable and/or height adjustable, in particular electrically height adjustable.

[0083] FIGS. 2 to 5 show an exemplary embodiment of an electrically adjustable furniture unit 1 in different adjustment positions. The furniture unit 1 shown is a sofa bed that may be electrically adjusted in order to change from a sitting position to a sleeping position, or vice versa. In addition to the static frame 10 described in FIG. 1, the furniture unit 1 comprises a legrest support surface 20 and a backrest support surface 21, with the support surfaces in this example comprising upholstery. As shown, the legrest support surface 20 and the backrest support surface 21 may be provided by means of a foldable mattress.

[0084] FIG. 2 shows the sofa bed in a sleeping position, wherein both the legrest support surface 20 as well as the backrest support surface 21 are adjusted to be substantially horizontal.

[0085] FIG. 3 shows the sofa bed in a sitting position, wherein the backrest support surface 21, in contrast to FIG. 2, is adjusted to be in an elevated position, for example in a certain angle with respect to a vertical position. In the sitting position, detachable armrests 22 may be added to the furniture unit 1. The armrests 22 may be attachable to the furniture unit via a non-permanent attachment mechanism, for example via hook and loop fasteners.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the sofa bed in a sitting position. In this view, the kinematics modules 30 are visible. In this exemplary embodiment, the sofa bed further comprises wallhugger arms 33 that provide the wallhugger mechanism. The wallhugger arms 33 may be connected to the kinematics modules 30 and the kinematics modules 30 may comprise a carriage with rollers, such that they can move inside and along the opening 14 of the side frame elements 12.

[0087] FIG. 5 shows the sofa bed, in which a seating angle is adjusted by means of legrest arms of the adjustable arms. Adjustment of the seating angle may be performed in order to achieve a more comfortable seating position for a user or to provide access to storage space, which may be located underneath the legrest support surface 20.

[0088] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an exemplary embodiment of a kinematics module 30 in different adjustment positions. The kinematics module shown comprises a backrest adjustment arm 31 and a legrest adjustment arm 32.

[0089] FIG. 6 shows the kinematics module 30, wherein the backrest adjustment arm 31 and the legrest adjustment arm 32 are set to a horizontal, or flat, position, for example for a sleeping position of the furniture unit 1.

[0090] FIG. 7 shows the kinematics module 30 adjusted to a sitting position, in which the backrest arm 31 is adjusted upwards to a certain angle, for example 65, in order to put the backrest support surface 21 in an elevated position comfortable to a sitting user. The legrest arm 32 is adjusted downwards to a vertical position in order to adjust the legrest support surface 20 to a stowed position.

[0091] The exemplary kinematics module 30 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be used for a recliner, for example. As for the sofa bed with adjustable seating angle shown in FIG. 5, the legrest arm 32 may be configured to be adjustable upwards instead of downwards. For other embodiments of the furniture unit 1, it may be desirable have the backrest arm 31 and/or the legrest arm 32 adjustable downwards and upwards with respect to a horizontal position.

[0092] FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an electrically adjustable furniture unit 1. As in FIGS. 2 to 5, the furniture unit 1 shown is a sofa bed that may be electrically adjusted in order to change from a sitting position to a sleeping position, or vice versa. In this embodiment, however, the static frame 10 consists of only two side frame elements 12 with the kinematics modules 30 that are mounted to a surface of the environment, such as a floor of a mobile home, for example.

[0093] The omission of cross frame elements 11 and instead mounting the side frame elements to the environment serves the purpose of not only reducing the weight of the furniture unit and possibly facilitating its assembly, but also ensuring a defined position within the environment, in particular if the environment is moving. This may for example be the case for a mobile home on the road.

[0094] FIGS. 9 to 12 show different customization options of the adjustable furniture unit 1 according to the improved concept. Customization options may include storage units 23 and dcor bands 24, for example.

[0095] FIG. 9 shows an optional storage unit 23 inside the static frame 10 that is accessible in an elevated adjustment position of the backrest support surface 21.

[0096] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary furniture unit 1, in which receptacles, such as drawers, are attached underneath the legrest support surface 20 as storage units 23. The receptacles may be accessible in an elevated adjustment position of the legrest support surface 20.

[0097] FIG. 11 shows storage units 23 that are attachable to a support surface 20, 21 of the furniture unit 1 or to the static frame 10. The storage units 23 shown here may be attachable via a non-permanent attachment mechanism, for example via hook and loop fasteners.

[0098] FIG. 12 shows an optional decorative element 24, for example a dcor band that may be attached to the static frame 10. The attachment mechanism may be based on a permanent method, such as glue, or based on a non-permanent method, such as hook and loop fasteners or magnets. The design of the decorative element 24 may be a print, for example. In particular a print that can be customized by a user to match a print of the support surfaces 21, 22, for instance.

[0099] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary side frame element 12 that may comprise a carriage mechanism 15 for the kinematics modules 30, for example a rail, as well as coupling means, such as magnets or hook and loop fasteners, for decorative elements on the outside, such as dcor bands.

[0100] FIG. 14 shows an example for a packaging concept 40. The frame elements of static frame 10 are individually packaged, such that each package meets the requirements of standard shipment services. The packaging concept 40 further ensures light-weight packages that facilitate handling by the customer/user.