U.S. patent application number 11/575195 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for displacement device for displacing, in particular sliding and/or opening and closing at least one drawer, lid, door, or similar.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kuster Automotive Door Systems GmbH. Invention is credited to Martin Blucher, Carmelo Gutierrez, Stefan Keul, Thomas Schmidt.
Application Number | 20080191591 11/575195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35717535 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080191591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blucher; Martin ; et
al. |
August 14, 2008 |
Displacement Device for Displacing, in Particular Sliding and/or
Opening and Closing at Least One Drawer, Lid, Door, or Similar
Abstract
The invention relates to a displacement device for displacing,
in particular sliding and/or for opening and closing at least one
drawer (2), lid, door or similar, which can be located in an item
of furniture (3), such as for example a cupboard, in particular a
kitchen cupboard, or in a vehicle, such as for example a commercial
vehicle, in particular a service or emergency vehicle. Said device
comprises at least one electromotive drive unit, which acts on a
transmission element to displace the drawer or drawers (2), lid,
door or similar. The device is provided with a guide element (5),
which is displaceably mounted in a guide and on which the drive
unit (4) acts.
Inventors: |
Blucher; Martin;
(Ehringshausen, DE) ; Gutierrez; Carmelo;
(Ehringshausen, DE) ; Keul; Stefan; (Solms,
DE) ; Schmidt; Thomas; (Hungen-Rodheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ, LLP
P O BOX 2207
WILMINGTON
DE
19899
US
|
Assignee: |
Kuster Automotive Door Systems
GmbH
Enringshausen
DE
|
Family ID: |
35717535 |
Appl. No.: |
11/575195 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
September 16, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2005/010013 |
371 Date: |
December 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/319.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05Y 2800/404 20130101;
A47B 88/457 20170101; E05Y 2900/20 20130101; E05F 15/635 20150115;
E05F 15/619 20150115; E05Y 2400/502 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/319.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/04 20060101
A47B088/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 045 567.8 |
Claims
1. A displacement device for moving, so as to open and/or close at
least one drawer, lid, door or the like, comprising at least one
electromotive drive unit that acts upon a transmission element in
order to move the at least one drawer, lid, door or the like,
characterized in that the transmission element is movably arranged
in a guide and that is acted upon by the drive unit.
2. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission element is a drive cable.
3. The displacement device according to claim 2, wherein the drive
unit has a pinion that meshes with the drive cable.
4. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission element is a push-pull cable.
5. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the drive
unit is configured so as to be self-locking.
6. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission element is arranged in a guide rail that serves as a
guide for the at least one drawer, lid, door or the like.
7. The displacement device according to claim 6, further comprising
an adjustment mechanism to adjust the displacement device on the
guide or on the guide rail.
8. The displacement device according to claim 7, characterized in
that the adjustment mechanism is configured as an elongated hole
that matches a corresponding screw connection or clamp
connection.
9. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission element is in a guide tube that extends along
substantially the entire path of travel of the transmission
element.
10. The displacement device according to claim 9, characterized in
that the guide tube has an opening through which the drive unit
acts upon the transmission element.
11. The displacement device according to claim 9, characterized in
that the guide tube runs back along the guide rail.
12. The displacement device according to claim 11, characterized in
that the guide tube is hinged to the guide rail.
13. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission element is attached, on the one hand, to the at least
one drawer, lid, door or the like and, on the other hand, to
cabinetry of a piece of furniture or a vehicle.
14. The displacement device according to claim 1, further
comprising a second transmission element to move the at least one
drawer, lid, door or the like.
15. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission element is arranged on the bottom of a drawer.
16. The displacement device according to claim 12, wherein the
transmission element is arranged in a position of the bottom of the
drawer selected from the rear area, the center, and the side of the
bottom of the drawer.
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the drive
unit is attached to cabinetry of a piece of furniture or a
vehicle.
20. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the drive
unit is attached to the at least one drawer, lid, door or the
like.
21. The displacement device according to claim 19, wherein the
drive unit is arranged in an area between the cabinetry and the at
least one drawer, lid, door or the like.
22. The displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission element can be uncoupled from (i) the at least one
drawer, lid, door or the like, (ii) the drive unit, or (iii) either
the at least one drawer, lid, door or the like or the drive
unit.
23. The displacement device according to claim 1, further
comprising a catch attached to the at least one drawer, lid, door
or the like that is connected to the transmission element, so that
the catch transmits the movement of the transmission element to the
at least one drawer, lid, door or the like.
24. (canceled)
25. A drawer, lid, door or the like, comprising a displacement
device having at least one electromotive drive unit that acts upon
a transmission element in order to move the at least one drawer,
lid, door or the like, characterized in that the transmission
element is movably arranged in a guide and that is acted upon by
the drive unit.
26. A piece of furniture, comprising a drawer, lid, door or the
like according to claim 25.
27. A vehicle, comprising a drawer, lid, door or the like according
to claim 25.
28. The displacement device according to claim 20, wherein the
drive unit is arranged in an area between the cabinetry and the at
least one drawer, lid, door or the like.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a displacement device for moving,
particularly for sliding and/or opening and closing at least one
drawer, lid, door or the like, which can be arranged in a piece of
furniture such as, for instance, a cabinet, especially a kitchen
cabinet, or in a vehicle such as, for example, a utility vehicle,
especially a service vehicle or an emergency rescue vehicle,
comprising at least one electromotive drive unit that acts upon a
transmission element in order to move the at least one drawer, lid,
door or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Such a displacement device is disclosed, for example, in
German utility model DE 91 13 223 U1. There, a friction wheel whose
axis of rotation is perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the
drawer and which is arranged in the area underneath the
appertaining drawer serves as the transmission element. Underneath
or on the bottom of the drawer, there is a strip or the like with
which the friction wheel is in frictional contact. The drawer is
pulled in or out, depending on the direction of rotation of the
electromotive drive unit and thus on the direction of rotation of
the friction wheel.
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0003] This displacement device known from the state of the art for
purposes of sliding a drawer entails excessively high wear and tear
of the friction wheel, causing the displacement device to
malfunction. Such malfunctioning occurs when the friction wheel no
longer exerts sufficient friction onto the strip arranged
underneath or on the bottom of the drawer, The lack of frictional
contact then means that the drawer can no longer be opened or
closed properly.
[0004] Furthermore, a desk is disclosed in German patent
application DE 11 44 892 A. This desk has a drawer pedestal and
pushbuttons arranged in the tabletop that serve to push the drawers
in and out. A motor uses a shaft and sprocket wheel to drive a
chain that, via another sprocket wheel and another shaft, causes a
drive gear wheel to rotate. The drive gear wheel meshes with a rack
attached to the bottom of a drawer, as a result of which the
drawers can be moved into and open and closed position.
[0005] The many individual parts of the device according to this
state of the art have proven to be disadvantageous since they cause
the entire device to be highly prone to malfunctions.
OBJECTIVE AT HAND
[0006] Therefore, the invention is based on the objective of
creating a device of the above-mentioned type by means of which it
is ensured that a drawer, lid, door or the like can be moved
smoothly and flawlessly throughout its entire service life.
THE INVENTION AND ITS ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0007] This objective is achieved by means of a device having the
features of Claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can
be found in the subordinate claims.
[0008] Since a transmission element is provided that is movably
arranged in a guide and that is acted upon by the drive unit, only
negligible wear and tear occur due to friction, so that the sliding
of the furniture component is ensured throughout its entire service
life. The susceptibility to malfunction is also greatly reduced
since considerably fewer individual parts are needed for moving the
component than in the state of the art.
[0009] According to a first advantageous embodiment of the
invention, a drive cable is employed as the transmission element.
In addition to exhibiting only negligible wear and tear, such drive
cables have the advantage that they do not require much space in
order to be arranged on the piece of furniture or on the furniture
component, since their dimensions are very small. Moreover, the
flexibility of the trans-mission elements entails the advantage
that they can be attached to the piece of furniture or vehicle in
different arrangements.
[0010] In an advantageous manner, the drive unit has a pinion that
meshes with the drive cable, thus converting the rotational
movement of the drive shaft of the drive into a translatory motion
of the drive cable. As a result, movement, especially sliding, is
made possible to, for example, open and close the at least one
drawer, lid, door or the like.
[0011] As an alternative, it is also possible to provide a
push-pull cable as the trans-mission element. Such push-pull cables
can likewise be employed in a simple manner by a drive for moving
at least one drawer, lid, door or the like. In the simplest example
of this, a rack can be arranged on the drive end of the push-pull
cable and said rack can be likewise slid translatorially by a
pinion mounted on a drive shaft of the drive, thus transmitting its
movement to the push-pull cable and thus to the at least one
drawer, lid, door or the like.
[0012] It has likewise been found to be advantageous for the drive
to be configured so as to be self-locking. This measure means that
the furniture component cannot be manually slid when the
displacement device is in the normal operating state. This provides
an effective protection against theft of objects placed in the
drawer or behind the lid or door of the piece of furniture or of
the vehicle, since movement is only possible by using the
electromotive displacement device.
[0013] According to another advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the transmission element is arranged in a guide rail
that serves as a guide for the at least one drawer, lid, door or
the like. This measure further minimizes the space requirements for
the displacement device since the transmission element is arranged
in the hollow space of the guide rail or similar guide and
consequently, there is no need for additional space for the
transmission element.
[0014] In order to allow an exact adjustment, especially when the
device according to the invention is installed, an adjustment
mechanism is provided on the guide or on the guide rail. By means
of this adjustment mechanism, when the device is being installed,
it can be affixed in its optimal position that permits a smooth
movement of the drawer, lid, door or the like.
[0015] In this context, it has proven to be practical to configure
this adjustment mechanism as an elongated hole that matches a
corresponding screw connection or clamp connection. Such
connections can be made simply and without involving much material
or costs.
[0016] In order to mount the transmission element so that it can
run smoothly and also to protect it against external influences, a
guide tube is provided for the transmission element. This tube
preferably extends along the entire path of travel of the
trans-mission element.
[0017] The guide tube has an opening through which the drive acts
upon the transmission element. This measure ensures that the at
least one drawer, lid, door or the like can be moved while the
impairment due to external influences is minimized.
[0018] Advantageously, the guide tube runs back along the guide
rail, as a result of which the space requirements of the device
according to the invention are further minimized.
[0019] It has proven to be particularly advantageous for the guide
tube to be hinged to the guide rail. As a result, the position of
the guide tube is fixed, thus ensuring a reliable movement of the
drawer, lid, door or the like in case of any vibrations that might
occur, thus minimizing the susceptibility to malfunctions.
[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the transmission element is attached, on the one hand,
to the at least one drawer, lid, door or the like and, on the other
hand, to the piece of furniture or to the vehicle. This ensures
that, even after a prolonged period of operation of the
displacement device, the at least one drawer, lid, door or similar
piece of furniture always travels back to its original starting
position and does not position itself incorrectly in or on the
piece of furniture or the vehicle. Such incorrect positioning can
lead to injuries particularly if the drawer, lid, door or the like
is not properly closed since the front panel of the drawer, lid,
door or the like is no longer flush with the surface of the piece
of furniture or with the surface of the vehicle, but rather
protrudes from it.
[0021] In order to ensure a particularly smooth movement of the at
least one drawer, lid, door or the like, at least two transmission
elements are provided for the movement of the at least one drawer,
lid, door or the like.
[0022] It has likewise proven to be advantageous for the
transmission element to be arranged on the bottom of a drawer.
Owing to the compact design of the trans-mission element, this does
not have a detrimental impact on the overall height of the drawer.
Consequently, an efficient utilization of the storage space in the
drawer is ensured.
[0023] In this context, it has been found to be advantageous for
the transmission element to be arranged in the center of the bottom
of the drawer. Particularly when only one transmission element is
utilized, this allows a smooth sliding of the drawer.
[0024] Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous for the
transmission element to be arranged in the rear area of the bottom
of the drawer since this maximizes the path of travel of the
drawer.
[0025] Alternatively, it is of course also possible for the
transmission element to be arranged on the side of the bottomi of
the drawer, especially when two transmission element are used.
Here, both transmission elements should be arranged laterally and
across from each other on the drawer. This ensures a particularly
smooth sliding of the drawer, as a result of which uniform force
can be applied onto the drawer when it is slid.
[0026] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the trans-mission element is arranged in a guide rail
that serves to guide the drawer, lid, door or the like. This
embodiment is very efficient since here, the transmission element
does not take up any space inside the drawer. This measure also
further maximizes the storage space available in the drawer.
Especially in the case of a drive cable drive, the latter can be
very easily laid in the hollow guide rails.
[0027] According to another advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the electromotive drive can be attached to the piece of
furniture or to the vehicle. As a result, no energy is needed in
order to move the electromotive drive itself.
[0028] As an alternative, it naturally can also be provided for the
electromotive drive to be attached to the drawer, lid, door or the
like that is to be moved. This can be particularly advantageous
during repair or maintenance work to the drive since then it is
easily accessible.
[0029] It has proven to be particularly advantageous to arrange the
electromotive drive in the area between the piece of furniture or
the vehicle and the drawer, lid, door or the like. This arrangement
takes esthetic considerations into account since the drive remains
out of sight in all positions of the moveable drawer, lid, door or
the like.
[0030] In order for the moveable drawer, lid, door or the like to
remain functional even if the displacement device and especially
the transmission element or the electromotive drive malfunction,
the electromotive drive can be uncoupled from the transmission
element and/or the transmission element can be uncoupled from the
at least one drawer, lid, door or the like.
[0031] Furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous for a
catch attached to the drawer, lid, door or the like to be connected
to the transmission element. The movement of the transmission
element is transmitted by the catch to the drawer, lid, door or the
like.
[0032] When two transmission elements are employed, it is provided
for catches to be attached to the drawer, lid, door or the like at
two different places. This likewise ensures a smooth and
trouble-free movement of the drawer, lid, door or the like.
[0033] It is also proposed that it should be possible to move the
drawer, lid, door or the like manually, preferably by pushing or
pulling, in case the displacement device is defective.
[0034] The invention also relates to a drawer, lid, door or the
like having the displacement device as described here.
[0035] The invention likewise relates to a piece of furniture,
especially kitchen furniture, for instance, a kitchen cabinet, and
to a vehicle, for example, a utility vehicle, especially a service
vehicle or an emergency rescue vehicle, having such a furniture
component.
EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Other objectives, advantages, features and application
possibilities of the present invention can be gleaned from the
description below of an embodiment making reference to the
drawings. In this context, all of the described and/or depicted
features, either alone or in any desired meaningful combination,
constitute the subject matter of the present invention, also
independently of their compilation in the claims or in the way
their referring back to the preceding claims.
[0037] The following is shown:
[0038] FIGS. 1 to 3 a cabinet with a possible embodiment of a
displacement device according to the invention for the translatory
sliding of a drawer in various views:
[0039] FIGS. 4 to 6 an embodiment of the device according to the
invention arranged on a drawer in the manner of a drive cable
drive, in various views;
[0040] FIGS. 7 to 9 another embodiment of the device according to
the invention in the manner of a drive cable drive for drawers, in
various views.
[0041] FIGS. 1 to 3 depict a piece of furniture 3 which
accommodates a slidable drawer 2. This drawer 2 can be opened and
closed by an electric motor employing a drive unit 4 of a device 30
according to the invention located inside the piece of furniture
3.
[0042] FIGS. 4 to 6 show a displacement device 30 arranged on the
piece of furniture 3 or on the furniture component 1 configured as
a drawer 2, whereby the trans-mission elements 5 are configured as
drive cables 7 that can travel in the guide tubes 12. One end of
the drive cables 7 is attached to a catch 20 situated in the rear
area of the drawer 2. By attaching the catch 20 in the rear area of
the drawer 2, the drawer 2 can be pulled out of the piece of
furniture 3 to the maximum extent.
[0043] When the drawer 2 is in the closed state, the drive cables 7
are accommodated almost entirely--except for the section hinged on
the catch 20--in the appertaining guide tube 12. When the drive 4
is then activated, the drive cables 7 are moved out of their guide
tubes 12 by means of a transmission member 13. Since the drive
cables 7 are hinged onto the drawer 2 by means of the catches 20,
the drawer 2 likewise travels out of its closed position as shown
in FIGS. 6 to 8 into an open position (not shown here). In order to
close the drawer 2, the drive 4 is reversed, so that the
transmission element 13 changes its direction of rotation and the
drive cable 7 travels hack again into the guide tube 12 until the
drawer 2 has reached its closed position as shown in FIGS. 6 to
8
[0044] FIGS. 7 to 9 depict another embodiment of the device
according to the invention.
[0045] FIG. 7 shows a displacement device 30 for a drawer (not
shown here). This displacement device 30 consists essentially of
two guide rails 15 that can be arranged between a piece of
furniture and a drawer mounted therein. The drive 4 for the
displacement device 30 is arranged on the rear guide rail 15
depicted in FIG. 7. By means of a pinion 14, the drive 4 acts
directly upon a drive cable 7 that can be slid back and forth
inside the guide rail 16. By means of a drive shaft 6, the drive 4
acts in the same manner upon a drive cable 7 that is mounted in the
other guide rail 15 so that it can be slid back and forth. The
drive cables 7 are hinged on the guide rails 15 with a catch (not
shown here), so that their movement is transmitted to the guide
rails.
[0046] The drive cables 7 here are accommodated in a guide tube 12,
as a result of which they are protected against external
influences. The guide tubes 12 run back along the guide rail 15,
which results in a compact design for the entire displacement
device 30. The guide tubes 12 have attachment means 32 with which
they can be attached to the drawer or to the piece of furniture.
The guide rails 15 also have attachment elements 31 by means of
which the displacement device 30 can be affixed between a piece of
furniture and a drawer. Here, the attachment elements 31 are
affixed to the piece of furniture while the guide rails 15 are
attached to the drawer (not shown here).
[0047] The position depicted in FIG. 7 shows the displacement
device 30 in its closed state. For the most part, the drive cables
7 here are pushed into guide tubes 12 that run back along the guide
rails 15.
[0048] When the drive 4 is activated to move the displacement
device 30 into its open position as shown in FIG. 9, then pinions
14 engage with the drive cables 7. This causes the rotational
movement of the drive 4 to be converted into a translatory motion
of the drive cables 7. In this process, the drive cables 7 present
in the guide tubes 12 that run back along the guide rails 15 are
moved into the guide rails 15. A guide tube 12 for the drive cables
7 is also provided inside of the guide rails 15 so as to protect
the cables against external influences and damage.
[0049] In order to once again move the entire displacement device
30 out of its open position as shown in FIG. 9 into the closed
position shown in FIG. 7, the drive 4 is reversed so that the drive
cables 7 are pushed out of the guide tube 12 present in the guide
rail 15 back into the guide tube 12 that runs back along the guide
rail 15.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0050] 1 furniture component [0051] 2 drawer [0052] 3 piece of
furniture [0053] 4 drive motor [0054] 5 transmission element [0055]
6 drive shaft [0056] 7 drive cable [0057] 11 bottom of the drawer
[0058] 12 guide tube [0059] 13 transmission member [0060] 14 pinion
[0061] 15 guide rail [0062] 20 catch [0063] 25 attachment element
[0064] 28 drive shaft [0065] 30 displacement device [0066] 31
attachment element [0067] 31 attachment element
* * * * *