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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The invention also relates to a drawer, lid, door or the like having the displacement device as described here.

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

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.

The following is shown:

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:

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;

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.

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.

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.

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

FIGS. 7 to 9 depict another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

• 1 furniture component
• 2 drawer
• 3 piece of furniture
• 4 drive motor
• 5 transmission element
• 6 drive shaft
• 7 drive cable
• 11 bottom of the drawer
• 12 guide tube
• 13 transmission member
• 14 pinion
• 15 guide rail
• 20 catch
• 25 attachment element
• 28 drive shaft
• 30 displacement device
• 31 attachment element
• 31 attachment element

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.