Drive device for a movable furniture part

Abstract

A drive device for a movable furniture part includes a force-actuated ejection element for ejecting the movable furniture part from a closed position into an open position, and a locking device for locking the ejection element in a locking position. The locking device includes a control element connected to the ejection element, and a gate for the control element. The gate hasoutside an optionally present latch depressionsidewall regions that have different hardnesses in certain sections.

Claims

1. A drive device for a movable furniture part, comprising: a force-actuated ejection element for ejecting the movable furniture part from a closed position into an open position; a locking device for locking the force-actuated ejection element in a locking position, wherein the locking device comprises: a control element, which is connected to the force-actuated ejection element; and a corresponding overlay member; a carrier, including a sliding guide path for the control element, and a recess in which the corresponding overlay member is received, wherein the sliding guide path includes: a bearing section; a tensioning section; and a first sidewall region, wherein the corresponding overlay member defines a second sidewall region, wherein the first sidewall region has a different degree of hardness than the second sidewall region, the second sidewall region is positioned at one of a first surface of the carrier in a first area of the carrier adjacent to the bearing section of the sliding guide path, and a second surface of the carrier in a second area of the carrier adjacent to the tensioning section of the sliding guide path, and wherein the recess is defined by two lateral side regions connected by one longitudinal side region, the one longitudinal side region of the recess being longer than each of the two lateral side regions of the recess, wherein the one longitudinal side region of the recess is parallel to a longitudinal wall of the sliding guide path, wherein the two lateral side regions of the recess directly abut the longitudinal wall of the sliding guide path, wherein the corresponding overlay member has a projection with two lateral side surfaces and two longitudinal side surfaces, the two longitudinal side surfaces of the projection being longer than the two lateral side surfaces of the projection, wherein a first of the two longitudinal side surfaces of the projection faces the one longitudinal side region of the recess and a second of the two longitudinal side surfaces of the projection defines the second sidewall region, and wherein the corresponding overlay member is sized to fit inside the recess.

2. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is made of plastic, and the first sidewall region is at least partly made of the plastic of the carrier.

3. The drive device according to claim 2, wherein the carrier has an elastic modulus between 1.000 and 20.000 MPa.

4. The drive device according to claim 2, wherein the force-actuated ejection element is mounted so as to be linearly displaceable at the carrier.

5. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the second sidewall region is made of a rubber-elastic material.

6. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the second sidewall region has a hardness between 40 and 95 shore type A.

7. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding guide path has a deflection area and an impact area for the control element, and the second sidewall region is in the deflection area or the impact area.

8. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding guide path has a latch recess, and the control element is configured to abut the latch recess in the locking position of the locking device.

9. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding guide path further comprises a latching section defined by a latch recess, an over-pressing section with a deviating slant, an ejecting section, and a shifting section.

10. The drive device according to claim 9, wherein only the one of the first surface of the carrier in the first area of the carrier adjacent to the bearing section of the sliding guide path, and the second surface of the carrier in the second area of the carrier adjacent to the tensioning section of the sliding guide path has the second sidewall region.

11. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the force-actuated ejection element is force-actuated by an ejection force storer, which is fixed, on a first end, to the carrier and, on a second end, to the force-actuated ejection element.

12. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the control element is positioned on a control lever which is movably mounted to the force-actuated ejection element.

13. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is unlockable by over-pressing the movable furniture part in an over-pressed position, the over-pressed position being located behind the closed position.

14. The drive device according to claim 1, further comprising a retracting device for retracting the movable furniture part from the open position in a closing direction into the closed position.

15. An article of furniture with a furniture carcass, a movable furniture part movably mounted to the furniture carcass and the drive device of claim 1.

16. A drive device for a movable furniture part, comprising: a force-actuated ejection element for ejecting the movable furniture part from a closed position into an open position; and a locking device for locking the force-actuated ejection element in a locking position, wherein the locking device comprises: a control element, which is connected to the force-actuated ejection element; and a carrier, including a sliding guide path for the control element, a first recess, and a second recess, wherein the sliding guide path includes: a shifting section; a first sidewall region; and a second sidewall region, the second sidewall region being a wall including opposite ends, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, and being positioned in a first area of the carrier adjacent to the shifting section and having a predetermined thickness, wherein the opposite ends of the wall are fixed, respectively, to different portions of the first sidewall region, the first recess is closer to the first side of the wall than to the second side of the wall, and the second recess is closer to the second side of the wall than to the first side of the wall, wherein each of the first recess and the second recess are apertures that extend completely through a thickness of the carrier from an upper side of the carrier to a lower side of the carrier.

17. The drive device according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined thickness of the second sidewall region is below 0.6 mm.

18. The drive device according to claim 16, wherein the second sidewall region is formed in one piece with the carrier.

19. A drive device for a movable furniture part, comprising: a force-actuated ejection element for ejecting the movable furniture part from a closed position into an open position; a locking device for locking the force-actuated ejection element in a locking position, wherein the locking device comprises: a control element, which is connected to the force-actuated ejection element; a corresponding overlay member; and a carrier, including a sliding guide path for the control element, and a recess in which the corresponding overlay member is received, wherein the sliding guide path includes: a latch recess, the control element being configured to abut the latch recess in the locking position of the locking device; a bearing section; a tensioning section; and a first sidewall region, wherein the corresponding overlay member defines a second sidewall region, wherein the first sidewall region has a different degree of hardness than the second sidewall region, the second sidewall region is positioned at one of a first surface of the carrier in a first area of the carrier adjacent to the bearing section of the sliding guide path, and a second surface of the carrier in a second area of the carrier adjacent to the tensioning section of the sliding guide path, wherein a side of the corresponding overlay member defines a final corner area of the sliding guide path, the final corner area being positioned at an area of the sliding guide path which is farthest from the latch recess of the sliding guide path, and wherein the corresponding overlay member is sized to fit inside the recess.

20. A drive device for a movable furniture part, comprising: a force-actuated ejection element for ejecting the movable furniture part from a closed position into an open position; a locking device for locking the force-actuated ejection element in a locking position, wherein the locking device comprises: a control element, which is connected to the force-actuated ejection element; a corresponding overlay member; and a carrier, including a sliding guide path for the control element, and a recess in which the corresponding overlay member is received, wherein the sliding guide path includes: a bearing section; a tensioning section; and a first sidewall region, wherein the corresponding overlay member defines a second sidewall region, wherein the first sidewall region has a different degree of hardness than the second sidewall region, the second sidewall region is positioned at one of a first surface of the carrier in a first area of the carrier adjacent to the bearing section of the sliding guide path, and a second surface of the carrier in a second area of the carrier adjacent to the tensioning section of the sliding guide path, wherein the corresponding overlay member abuts a wall of the carrier on a side which is remote from a contact area with the control element, the wall of the carrier having a greater degree of hardness than the corresponding overlay member such that the corresponding overlay member is compressed between the wall of the carrier and the control element, and wherein the corresponding overlay member is sized to fit inside the recess.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 schematically shows an article of furniture with movable furniture parts in different positions,

(2) FIG. 2 shows a drive device in explosion view,

(3) FIG. 3 shows a drive device in explosion view,

(4) FIG. 4 shows a carrier with the overlays forming the soft sidewall regions,

(5) FIG. 5 shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(6) FIG. 6 shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(7) FIG. 7 shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(8) FIG. 8a shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(9) FIG. 8b shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(10) FIG. 9a shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(11) FIG. 9b shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(12) FIG. 10a shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(13) FIG. 10b shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(14) FIG. 11 shows a top view and a perspective illustration respectively of the control element in different sections of the sliding guide path,

(15) FIG. 12a shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions,

(16) FIG. 12b shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions,

(17) FIG. 13a shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions,

(18) FIG. 13b shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions,

(19) FIG. 14a shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions,

(20) FIG. 14b shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions,

(21) FIG. 15a shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions, and

(22) FIG. 15b shows a schematic comparison of differently formed hard and soft sidewall regions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(23) FIG. 1 schematically shows an article of furniture 17 consisting of a furniture carcass 18 and several movable furniture parts 2 (drawers). As substantial components the movable furniture parts 2 comprises the drawer box 21 and the front panel 20. The movable furniture part 2 is movably mounted on the furniture carcass 18 via an extension guide 24, wherein the extension guide 24 comprises a carcass rail 23, optionally a center rail (not shown) and a drawer rail 22.

(24) The drive device 1 is fixed via the carrier 10 to the movable furniture part 2 shown at the top and to its drawer rail 22 respectively. The sliding guide path 6 is formed in the carrier 10 and forms together with the control element 5 the locking device 4 for the ejection element 3. The ejection element 3, in turn, can be coupled via the entrainment member 10 to the carcass rail 23 and the furniture carcass respectively. The topmost drawer is located in an open position OS. At the same time the ejection force storage means 13 (in this case a compression spring) relaxes and the ejection element 3 is not locked via the control element 5 in the latching section R of the sliding guide path 6. Rather, the control element 5 is located in a section averted from the latching section R.

(25) If now moving the movable furniture part 2 from this open position OS into closing direction SR (see second drawer from above), so the ejection force storage means 13 is tensioned due to the manual force onto the movable furniture part 2 using the coupling of the ejection element 3 with the entrainment member 19, whereby the control element 5 is moved into the latching section R. Thereby, the locking device 4 is located in the locking position V. This is not apparent from this schematic drawing, but can be comprehend from the later following drawings.

(26) As soon as this locking position V is reached, the only schematically indicated retraction device 16 together with the damping device 15 retracts the movable furniture part 2 into the closed position SS (see third drawer from above). Also in this closed position SS the locking device 4 is locked in the locking position V.

(27) If then, according to the fourth drawer from above, manually pressing onto the movable furniture part 2, the movable furniture part 2 reaches an over-pressed position US located behind the closed position SS, in which unlocking of the locking device 4 occurs. Thereby, the ejection force storage means 13 can relax and the movable furniture part 2 is ejected into opening direction OR, so that the open position OS according to the topmost drawer is reached.

(28) A specific embodiment of a drive device 1 is shown in the explosion views according to the FIGS. 2 and 3. According to that the drive device comprises the carrier 10 and the cover 26, wherein the sliding guide path 6 is formed in both components. The carrier 10 and the cover 26 together form the housing of the drive device 1. The ejection slider 3 is mounted linearly movable in this housing and on this carrier 10 respectively. The ejection element 3 is force-actuated by the ejection force storage means 13 (two pull springs). The ejection force storage means 13 is on the one hand connected to the carrier 10 via the spring basis 33 and on the other hand connected via the spring basis 34 to the ejection element 3. The control lever 4 is pivotable mounted to the ejection element 3 via the rotational axis 29. The peg-formed or cylindrically formed control element 5 is arranged on the end of the control lever 4 which is remote from the ejection element 3, wherein this control element 5 is guided in the sliding guide path 6. A guiding roller 32 for the ejection element is also provided in the area of the ejection element, wherein the guiding roller 32 is guided in the guiding path 40 which is formed in the carrier 10 and in the cover 26. The latching damper 30 for the control element 5 is rotary mounted to the carrier 10, wherein the latching damper 30 is held on the carrier 10 by the holder 31. A retraction device 16 with a not shown retraction force storage means is further provided, wherein the retraction device 16 is movably guided in the guide path 35. Also a catch lever 25 is mounted pivotable to this retraction device 16, wherein a coupling with the here not shown entrainment member 19 is effected via this catch lever 25 Further, the components of the synchronization device 27 are shown in these FIGS. 2 and 3, by which a synchronization can be effected with a drive device 1 arranged on the opposite side of the furniture carcass 18. Moreover, a depth adjusting wheel 28 is provided with which the relative position of the housing to the drawer rail 22 and to the movable furniture part 2 respectively can be adjusted.

(29) As can already be seen well in the FIGS. 2 and 3, two overlays 11, which are forming the soft sidewall regions 9 of the sliding guide path 6, are arranged on the carrier 10. These overlays 11 are fixed, held and inserted respectively to the carrier 10, for example by positive-locking and/or frictional engagement. As indicated in FIG. 4 the main part of the sliding guide path 6 is formed in one piece with the carrier 10, respectively the carrier 10 forms the main part of the sliding guide path 6. This carrier 10 is injection-molded from a polycaprolactam and thus forms the hard sidewall region 8 of the sliding guide path 6, but also a soft sidewall region 9 can be formed by the polycaprolactam or directly by the carrier 10, wherein in that case a softer stop for the control element 5 is reached by the geometry and a thin wall.

(30) The essential sections of the sliding guide path 6 are illustrated in FIG. 5. There, the control element 5 abuts the latching recess 7 of the latching section R. Also a recess 37 is provided in this section, so that an interaction of the control element 5 with the latching damper 30 is possible. By over-pressing the movable furniture part 2 into the over-pressed position S the control element 5 reaches the over-pressing section due to the deviating slant 12. The ejection section A, in which the movable furniture part 2 is ejected, is directly linked to this over-pressing section . After the completion of the ejection process a shift of the control element 5 from the ejection section A to the tensioning section S must be effected. This is reached via the shifting section W which is arranged substantially lateral to the ejection direction. For reaching a subsequent freewheel of the movable furniture part 2, a bearing section L is formed on the end of the sliding guide path 6 which is remote from the latching section. The tensioning section S is linked to this bearing section L. Again the locking section VA follows on this tensioning section S, wherein the locking section VA finally leads to the latching section R. For the present invention it is now substantial that the sliding guide path 6 has differently hard sidewall regions 8 and 9 in certain areas outside the latch recess 7. Thereby, the soft sidewall regions 9 serve to reduce noise development by the impact of the control element 5 onto the sidewalls of the sliding guide path 6. For this purpose the overlays 11 made of a softer material (thermoplastic polyurethane) are arranged in the tensioning section S and in the bearing section L, whereby the noise development is strongly reduced upon an impact of the control element 5 onto these soft sidewall regions 9. The same effect applies to the soft sidewall region 9 in the region of the shifting section W, which is not made of another material, but is formed thin-walled with a wall thickness D below 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 0.3 mm. However, this region of the shifting section W is formed resilient not only due to this thin wall thickness D, also the recesses 36 are necessary for this purpose, so that the whole thin-walled sidewall region 9 can yield upon an impact of the control element 5. Therefore, the impact energy upon an impact of the control element 5 is not fully converted into noise, but also into a deformation, whereby a noise reduction is reached. The element 38 and the recess 39 serve as a deflector for the control element 5 in case of an operating error.

(31) Apposite to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the carrier 10 together with the control element 5, wherein the control element 5 is located in the latching section R. In order to avoid confusion in FIG. 5, it is shown in FIG. 6 in which section or areas of the sliding guide path 6 the impact areas G and the deflection areas U are located. Thus, exactly in the areas G and U, known for their high noise development, the soft sidewall regions 9 are provided.

(32) In FIGS. 7 to 11 the route of the control element 5 through the sliding guide path 6 is graphically visualized. According to FIG. 7 the control element 5 is located in the over-pressing section of the sliding guide path 7. The ejection force storage means 13 can relax as soon as the manual pressure onto the movable furniture part 2 ceases, whereby the control element 5 moves into the ejecting section A according to FIGS. 8a and 8b. At the end of the ejecting section A the control element eventually arrives in the shifting section W according to the FIGS. 9a and 9b. The impact on the sidewall of this shifting section W is partly absorbed or damped by the soft sidewall region 9. Subsequently, the control element 5 often arrives with still quite a large impetus in the bearing section L, wherein the impact in the bearing section L is cushioned by the sidewall region 9 consisting of a rubber-elastic material. Therefore, a lower noise development is given in these impact areas G. In the subsequent tensioning of the ejection force storage means 13 according to FIG. 11, the control element 5 is moved through the tensioning section S. The noise development in the deflection area U is reduced by the soft sidewall region 9 consisting of a rubber-elastic material.

(33) FIGS. 12a to 15b show a schematic comparison of differently formed sidewall regions and the effect of these sidewall regions in the case of an impact of the control element 5 with the same impact energy F. In FIG. 12a the control element 5 is shown before the impact on the hard sidewall region 8. The impact energy depends on the velocity, on the impact angle and on the force of the force storage means (ejection force storage means 13) acting on the control element 5. As illustrated in FIG. 12b, the hard sidewall region 8 does not yield (or only minimally yields) when impacting, whereby the noise development is relatively high. According to FIG. 13a the control element 5 is moved with the same impact energy F into the direction of the soft sidewall region 9 in the form of an overlay 11. When impacting according to FIG. 13b the impact energy is at least partly absorbed by the deformation of the soft sidewall region 9. Thus,in contrast to the hard sidewall region 8the surface is deformed compared to the unloaded state in FIG. 13a. So, the impact energy F is at least partly converted into a deformation of the soft sidewall region 9, for what reason the noise development is lower. The same applies for the soft sidewall regions 9 according to the FIGS. 14b and 15b. A surface deformation occurs when the control element 5 impacts with the same impact energy F. This is reached based on the geometric conditions (thin-walled sidewall region 9 and the recess 36 which is remote from the control element). As illustrated well in the FIGS. 12b to 15b, in each variant of the soft sidewall regions 9 there is a higher penetration depth of the control element 5 into the surface of the sliding guide path 6 compared to the hard sidewall region 8.

(34) Summarizing, the present invention thus is about the noise damping in a heart curve (sliding guide path 6) of a Touch Latch-mechanism (drive device 1). Function load shifts or switch points of the control peg (control element 5) occur within the heart curve during the opening and closing movements of a furniture fitting with an ejection. All of these points in a heart curve lead to more or less loud noises. In order to prevent or reduce these noises, these points in the heart curve are formed by soft parts and damping elements respectively (soft sidewall regions 9) or by specifically formed wall thicknesses which allow a yielding.