Support Device Adjustable by Means of an Electric Motor

Abstract

A support device (2) adjustable by means of an electric motor for supporting cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on, in particular a mattress of a bed, comprises a base part (4) and a support part (6). At least one of the parts (4, 6) has at least one lifting guide element (34) which is located thereon and acts in a wedge-like manner, and which is shaped in such a way and is or can be brought into operative connection with the adjusting element (32) such that, in the event of a relative movement between the adjusting element (32) and the lifting guide element (34) along the linear axis, the support part (6) is pivoted about the support part pivot axis (8) with respect to the base part (4).

Description

The invention relates to a support device adjustable by means of an electric motor of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 for supporting cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on, in particular a mattress of a bed.

So-called double drives are known for adjusting slatted frames, for example, said double drives having a housing designed as a separate component which is connectable to the slatted frame and in which two adjusting units are housed, one of which is used, for example, to adjust a back support part and the other to adjust a leg support part of the slatted frame. In the known double drives, the adjusting units are designed as spindle drives, with the drive being coupled to a support part to be adjusted via a link lever which is non-rotatably connected to a pivot shaft assigned to the support part to be adjusted. To adjust the support part, the spindle nut of the spindle drive presses against the link lever so that the pivot shaft and thus the support part pivots. Such double drives are known, for example, from EP 0 372 032 A1 and DE 38 42 078 A1.

DE 100 17 979 C2 discloses a furniture drive designed as a double drive, in which each adjusting unit has an electric motor-output winding device for a traction device in the form of a cable, belt or chain, which is connected in the manner of a pulley block to a pivot lever which is non-rotatably connected to a pivot shaft, which in turn is operatively connected to a support part to be adjusted. Furniture drives operating according to a similar operating principle are also known from DE 34 09 223 C2, DE 198 43 259 CI and EP 1 020 171 A1.

Double drives working according to different operating principles are also known from DE 298 11 566 U1 and DE 297 14746 U1.

An adjustable slatted frame is known from DE 39 00 384 A1, in which the adjustment of a head or leg support part of the slatted frame takes place by means of a pneumatic cylinder.

DE 296 02 947 U1 discloses a gas spring adjustment fitting for slatted frames, wherein a cable is provided for actuating the gas spring.

DE 31 03 922 A1 discloses a slatted frame in which the adjustment of a part of the upper body support, for example, takes place via a windshield wiper motor and lifting scissors.

EP 1 294 255 B1 discloses a double drive, in which the transmission of power from a linearly movable drive element to a pivoted lever, which is operatively connected to a pivot shaft which is operatively connected to a support part to be adjusted, takes place via a pulley block. Similar furniture drives are also disclosed in FR 2 727 296 A, DE 34 09 223 C2, DE 198 43 259 C1, GB 2 334 435 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,948 A.

In addition, slatted frames are known in which the adjustment device for adjusting a support part is partially or completely integrated into a base body of the slatted frame. To this effect, DE 199 62 541 C2 shows and describes a motor-adjustable support device which has a first support part which has parallel longitudinal beams and which, in the support device known from the publication, is formed by a stationary central support part. The known support device also has further support parts which can be adjusted with respect to the first support part by drive means. In the support device known from the publication, a first longitudinal beam of the first support part is designed as a hollow profile to house the drive means, with the entire drive including a drive motor being housed in the hollow longitudinal beam. As a result, the drive motor does not project beyond the first longitudinal beam in the vertical direction, so that the support device known from the publication has an extremely low overall height. A similar support device is also known from DE 100 46 751 A1. WO 96/29970 discloses a motor-adjustable support device for a mattress of a bed, which has several successive support parts in the longitudinal direction of the support device, which can be pivoted with respect to a first support part by drive means. The support parts are mounted on an outer frame whose profile height is significantly greater than the profile height of the support parts. In the support device known from the publication, parts of the outer frame are designed as a hollow profile, with parts of the drive means for adjusting the support parts with respect to one another being housed in the hollow profile. The drive motor is arranged on an inside of a part of the outer frame.

EP 0 788 325 B1 discloses a motor-adjustable support device for a mattress of a bed, which has a first support part having a longitudinal beam and at least one second support part which can be pivoted with respect to the first support part by drive means. In the case of the known support device, the drive motor is arranged outside the base area of the support device and is fixed at a frame-like extension of the first support part.

EP 1 633 219 B1 discloses a slatted frame in which parts of the adjusting device are housed in a hollow longitudinal beam, while the drive motor is arranged outside the longitudinal beam and is in drive connection with the parts of the adjusting device housed in the longitudinal beam through a recess.

WO 2008/113401 discloses a furniture drive provided for adjusting a drawer with respect to a body of a cupboard, in which the drawer is adjusted via a flexible toothed rack which engages with a gear wheel.

EP 2 792 277 B2 discloses an electromotive furniture drive with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The furniture drive known from the publication has a housing in which a linearly movable output member is arranged, which is in drive connection with an electric motor and which, in the operating state of the furniture drive, is operatively connected to the traction cable of the Bowden cable in order to exert a tensile force on the traction cable, wherein the housing has a first attachment point for fixing the casing of the Bowden cable.

The furniture drive known from the publication is based on the idea to effect the power transmission from an electromotive drive unit, which is used, for example, to adjust the support parts of a slatted frame with respect to one another, to the support part to be adjusted via a Bowden cable with a traction cable and a casing. The furniture drive known from the publication thus breaks with the concepts of power transmission previously known, for example, from slatted frames, and provides for furniture drives what is known from other technical areas, for example, from brakes and gear shifts on bicycles, gas and clutch trains on motorcycles and from the principle of a Bowden cable known from the automotive technology. This construction results in significant technical advantages in that the degrees of freedom in terms of the arrangement of the furniture drive with respect to the support parts to be adjusted are significantly increased, a corresponding furniture drive can be implemented in a compact manner and with a low overall height, and is also simple in construction and robust.

EP 3 009 052 A1 discloses a support device which can be adjusted by means of an electric motor and has the features of the preamble of claim 1. The support device known from the publication has a base part, a support part which is connected to the base part and can pivot about a support part pivot axis, and an electromotive drive device which is operatively connected to the base part and the support part for pivoting the support part with respect to the base part, with the base part and the support part being designed in such a way and are operatively connected to the drive device in such a way that the support part can be adjusted between a non-adjusted starting position, in which the support part lies flat on the base part, and an end position of the adjustment movement, in which the support part is arranged at an angle to the base part.

It is the object of the invention to specify a support device which is adjustable by an electro motor of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, which is further improved compared to the known support device.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in claim 1.

The invention provides that the drive device has at least one drive train, through which the drive device is in drive connection with an adjusting element which is movable translationally along a linear axis in such a way that the adjusting element is movable between a starting position, which corresponds to the non-adjusted starting position of the support part, and an end position, which corresponds to the end position of the adjustment movement, by means of the drive device, and on at least one of the parts at least one lifting guide element acting in a wedge-like manner is arranged which is shaped in such a way and is or can be operatively connected to the adjusting element that, when there is a relative movement between the adjusting element and the lifting guide element along the linear axis, the support part is pivoted about the support part pivot axis with respect to the base part.

The invention provides a support device, which is adjustable by an electric motor, which has a simple and robust design and is suitable for applying large adjusting forces.

Advantageous and expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing. All the features described, shown in the drawing and claimed in the claims, taken in isolation and in any technically meaningful combination with one another, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their pooling in the claims and their back-references and regardless of their specific description or representation in the drawing. The subject and disclosure content of the present application also include sub-combinations of the claims in which at least one feature of the respective claim is omitted or replaced by another feature. The subject and disclosure content of the application also includes combinations of the individual exemplary embodiments, in which at least one feature of one exemplary embodiment is transferred to another exemplary embodiment. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the features disclosed in the individual exemplary embodiments further improve the respective exemplary embodiment taken in isolation, i. e. independently of the other features of the exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 1.1 to 1.9 show different perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIGS. 4.1 to 4.5 show different perspective views of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIGS. 5.1 and 5.2 show two perspective views of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIGS. 6.1 to 6.5 show different perspective views of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIGS. 7.1 to 7.4 show different perspective views of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIGS. 8.1 to 8.5 show different perspective views of an eighth exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention,

FIGS. 9.1 to 9.8 show different perspective and schematic views of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention, and

FIGS. 10.1 to 10.7 show various perspective and schematic views of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention.

In the figures of the drawing, identical or corresponding components are provided with the same reference numerals.

For the sake of illustration and to simplify the explanation, individual components are omitted from individual figures of the drawing. The omitted components are to be supplemented conceptually in the relevant figures.

A first exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1.1 to 1.9. FIGS. 1.1 to 1.9 show a first exemplary embodiment of a support device 2 which is adjustable by means of an electric motor according to the invention for supporting cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on, in particular a mattress of a bed. To simplify the illustration, the cushioning is not shown in the drawing. The manner in which a corresponding cushioning is supported by means of a support device is generally known to the person skilled in the art and is therefore not explained in more detail herein.

FIG. 1.1 shows support device 2 in a non-adjusted starting position of the adjustment movement, while FIG. 1.2 shows support device 2 in an end position of the adjustment movement.

Support device 2 has a base part 4 and a support part 6 which is connected to base part 4 and can pivot about a support part pivot axis 8 (cf. FIG. 1.4). Support device 2 is particularly suitable for retrofitting a support device which is not adjustable by means of an electric motor ex works, for example a slatted frame of a bed, with the functionality of an electric motor adjustment. Support device 2 according to the invention is also particularly suitable for temporarily equipping or permanently retrofitting a care or hotel bed in order to give it the functionality of an electric motor adjustment. The basic structure and possible uses of a corresponding support device are known from EP 3 009 052 A2, to which reference is made at this point and the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Support device 2 also has an electromotive drive device 10 which is operatively connected to base part 4 and support part 6 for pivoting adjustment of support part 6 with respect to base part 4. Base part 4 and support part 6 are designed in such a way and are operatively connected to drive device 10 in such a way that support part 6 is adjustable between a non-adjusted starting position (cf. FIG. 1.1) in which support part 6 rests flat on base part 4, and an end position of the adjustment movement, in which the support part is arranged at an angle to base part 4 (see. FIG. 1.2).

Support part 6 carries spring elements on its upper side, on which cushioning, for example a mattress of a bed, is supported when support device 2 is used. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring elements are formed by spring elements made of plastic, of which only one spring element is provided with reference numeral 12 as an example in FIGS. 1.1 and 1.2.

In FIG. 1.3, which corresponds to FIG. 1.1 and shows support device 2 in the non-adjusted starting position, and in FIG. 1.4, which corresponds to FIG. 1.2 and shows support device 2 in the end position of the adjustment movement, the spring elements 12 are omitted for further explanation of the structure of base part 4 and support part 6.

It can be seen in particular from FIG. 1.4 that support part 6 has longitudinal beams 14, 16, while base part 4 has longitudinal beams 18, 20 which are connected to one another via a transverse beam 22.

According to the invention, drive device 10 has at least one drive train, through which drive device 10 is in drive connection with an adjusting element which is translationally movable along a linear axis such that the adjusting element is movable by means of the drive device between a starting position which corresponds to the non-adjusted starting position of the support part, and an end position which corresponds to the end position of the adjustment movement. In the exemplary embodiment shown, there are two drive trains, namely a drive train 24 assigned to the longitudinal beams 14, 18 and a drive train 26 assigned to the longitudinal beams 16, 20. Only drive train 26 is explained in more detail below. Drive train 24 is constructed accordingly.

Drive train 26 has an output member 28 that is translationally movable along a linear axis, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is formed by a slide which is guided in a linear guide 30 which is defined by longitudinal beam 20 which is formed by a U-profile. In the U-profile, the slide is translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of longitudinal beam 20 along a linear axis which runs in the longitudinal direction of longitudinal beam 20.

In this exemplary embodiment, the electromotive drive device 10 is formed by a furniture drive using a Bowden cable having a traction cable and a casing. A corresponding furniture drive is known from EP 2 792 277 B2, the content of which is hereby fully incorporated into the present application by reference. To simplify the illustration, the Bowden cable is not shown in FIG. 1.1 to FIG. 1.9.

The output member 28 is connected to a movable part of the Bowden cable, so that it moves translationally along the linear axis when the furniture drive is actuated.

The moving part of the Bowden cable can be the traction cable of the Bowden cable, while the casing is stationary. In kinematic reversal, however, the movable part of the Bowden cable can also be the casing, while the traction cable is stationary, as is known from EP 3 157 389 A1. In order to adjust support part 6 with respect to base part 4, an adjusting element 32 is provided, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is integrally formed on output member 28. Depending on the structural design of support device 2, adjusting element 32 can also be designed as a separate component connected to the drive element in a non-shiftable manner, or it can be operatively connected to the output member 28 in some other suitable manner.

According to the invention, at least one lifting guide element 34 acting in a wedge-like manner is arranged on one of the parts (base part 4, support part 6), which is shaped in such a way and is or can be operatively connected to adjusting element 32 such that during a relative movement between adjusting element 32 and lifting guide element 34 along the linear axis, support part 6 is pivoted about support part pivot axis 8 with respect to base part 4.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, lifting guide element 34 acting in a wedge-like manner is arranged on the support part, specifically in the area of support part pivot axis 8 (cf. in particular FIGS. 1.5).

Thus, according to the arrangement on output member 28 guided in linear guide 30, adjusting element 32 is arranged on base part 4 in the exemplary embodiment shown.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the adjusting element 32 is designed like a nose and projects beyond base part 4 in the direction of support part 6, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 1.9 with respect to adjusting element 32′ of drive train 24.

In the starting position of the adjustment movement, adjusting element 32 is housed in a recess formed on support part 6, the inner wall of which forms a contact surface for adjusting element 32, the cross section of which tapers in the direction of support part pivot axis 8 in such a way that, in a translational movement of the adjusting element 32, support part 6 is pivotable or pivoted about support part pivot axis 8 in the direction of support part pivot axis 8.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, lifting guide element 34 is formed by a molded part which is connected to longitudinal beam 20 of support part 6 and whose side facing base part 4 forms the recess and contact surface for adjusting element 32, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 1.8.

In order to adjust support part 6 with respect to base part 4, the adjusting element is moved translationally with respect to lifting guide element 34 while it rests against it, lifting guide element 34 being designed or shaped in such a way and is operatively connected to adjusting element 32 in such a way that, in a translational relative movement between adjusting element 32 and lifting guide element 34, support part 6 is pivoted about support part pivot axis 8 with respect to base part 4.

In the non-adjusted starting position of the adjustment movement shown in FIGS. 1.1 and 1.3, support part 6 rests flat on base part 4, with nose-like adjusting element 32 being housed in the recess defined by lifting guide element 34 and projecting from the upper side of support part 6.

Starting from this starting position, the furniture drive (electromotive drive device 10) is actuated in such a way that adjusting element 32 moves along linear guide 30 translationally to the right in the drawing. During this relative movement, adjusting element 32 rests against the underside of lifting guide element 34, so that, due to the shape of lifting guide element 34, support part 6 is pivoted with respect to base part 4 about support part pivot axis 8 until the end position of the adjustment movement shown in FIG. 1.2 and FIG. 1.4 is reached, in which support part 6 is arranged at an angle with respect to base part 4 and is adjusted to the maximum.

FIG. 1.5 shows support device 2 in the same representation as FIG. 1.4 and illustrates the interaction of adjusting element 32 with lifting guide element 34.

FIG. 1.6 shows a detail from FIG. 1.5 in the area of adjusting element 32 and lifting guide element 34 on an enlarged scale compared to FIG. 1.5.

FIG. 1.7 shows lifting guide element 34 interacting with adjusting element 32, with the remaining components of support part 6 being omitted.

In FIG. 1.8, longitudinal beam 20 has also been omitted.

Support part 6 is returned to the starting position with respect to base part 4 when the drive device is switched on, but under the weight of the cushioning resting on support part 6 and possibly under the additional weight of a person resting on the cushioning.

Support device 2 according to the invention is simple and robust in construction and suitable for applying large adjustment forces, which are required, for example, when support part 6 is adjusted under the load of a person resting on the cushioning supported by support device 2.

The actuation of the Bowden cables assigned to drive trains 24, 26 can in principle take place by separate furniture drives which are synchronized in terms of control technology. However, in order to simplify the construction, the actuation preferably takes place by a common furniture drive which actuates both Bowden cables synchronously, as is known, for example, from EP 2 792 277 B1. In this way, the use of support part 6 during the adjustment is reliably avoided.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the drive is provided via 2 drive trains assigned to longitudinal beams 14, 18 and 16, 20, respectively. While retaining the basic principle according to the invention, a single drive train can also be used, which is arranged in the longitudinal center plane of support part 6 or base part 4.

According to the invention, a wedge-like effect is understood to mean that the relevant component performs the function of a wedge or an inclined plane, regardless of its shape and design.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a support device 2 according to the invention. While in the embodiment according to FIG. 1.1 to FIG. 1.9 the housing of the Bowden cable forms the moving part which is moved by the furniture drive, in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 the traction cable of the Bowden cable is the moving part. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the Bowden cable provided with reference numeral 36 is guided out of support device 2 to the furniture drive (not shown) forming electromotive drive device 10 in the area of support part pivot axis 8.

FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a support device 2 according to the invention, which differs from the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 in that the spring elements are formed by springwood slats, one of which being provided with reference numeral 38 in FIG. 3, for example.

FIGS. 4.1 to 4.5 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention, which differs from the previous exemplary embodiments in that, instead of two drive trains that are spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of support device 2, a single drive train 26 is provided, which is effective between a single longitudinal beam 20 of base part 4 and a single longitudinal beam 16 of support part 6.

Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4.1 to 4.5 differs from the previous exemplary embodiments in that a lever arrangement 40 is arranged in the drive train between base part 4 and support part 6. The use of a lever arrangement and the corresponding further developments in combination with the features of the preamble of claim 1, but independently of the features of the characterizing part of claim 1, have an independent inventive meaning.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, lever arrangement 40 has a stand-up lever arrangement 42 which functions as an adjusting element within the meaning of the invention and has at least one stand-up lever.

FIGS. 4.1 to 4.3 show support device 2 in the end position of the adjustment movement, with various components being omitted in FIGS. 4.2 and 4.3 for reasons of clarity.

FIGS. 4.4 and 4.5 show the support device in the non-adjusted starting position of the adjustment movement, with various components also being omitted in FIGS. 4.4 and 4.5 for reasons of clarity.

In detail, stand-up lever arrangement 42 (cf. in particular FIG. 4.5) has a first stand-up lever 44 whose one end is arranged at an angle and connected about a first articulation axis 46 to output member 28 and whose other end is arranged at an angle and connected about a second articulation axis 48 to one end of a second stand-up lever 50 whose free end is operatively connected to a lifting guide element 52 acting in a wedge-like manner.

The operative connection between second stand-up lever 50 and lifting guide element 52 is configured in such a way that, starting from the non-adjusted starting position of the adjustment movement (cf. FIG. 4.4), in a first kinematic phase, stand-up levers 44, 50 when not standing up, perform a translational movement, wherein stand-up levers 44, 50 are guided in linear guide 30 and the free end of second stand-up lever 50 interacts with lifting guide element 52 for pivoting support part 6 with respect to base part 4, and that in a second kinematic phase the free end of second stand-up lever 50 runs against a stop, so that stand-up levers 44, 50 stand up pivoting with respect to one another about second articulation axis 48, with support part 6 pivoting further about support part pivot axis 8 with respect to base part 4 until the end position of the adjustment movement is reached.

In particular from FIG. 4.5 it can be seen that lifting guide element 52 has a cross section that expands at least in sections along the linear axis of the adjustment element.

In this case, lifting guide element 52 is shaped in such a way that its cross section expands along the linear axis in such a way that the adjusting element in the area of the starting position of the adjustment movement rests against a section of smaller or minimal cross section of lifting guide element 52 and in the area of the end position of the adjustment movement against a section of larger or maximum cross section of lifting guide element 52. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4.5, lifting guide element 52 is wedge-shaped in the exemplary embodiment shown, with its cross section extending in the direction of support part pivot axis 8, i.e. in the direction in which stand-up lever arrangement 42, which acts as an adjustment element, moves upon adjusting from the starting position to the end position.

Depending on the respective structural circumstances and requirements, lifting guide element 52 can also be shaped in such a way that its cross section expands in the form of an arc or a ramp at least in sections. Any combination of arc-shaped and straight cross-sectional sections is also possible. The kinematics of the adjustment movement is defined by the cross-sectional shape of lifting guide element 52. This also applies to the other exemplary embodiments of the invention explained above and explained in more detail below.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 1.1 to FIG. 1.9, stand-up lever arrangement 42 acting as an adjusting element is guided in a linear guide 30 formed by the U-profile of longitudinal beam 18.

Starting from the starting position of the adjustment movement shown in FIG. 4, the furniture drive (electromotive drive device) assigned to the adjusting element is actuated in such a way that stand-up lever arrangement 42 when not standing up in the linear guide 30 moves to the right in the drawing.

Here, the free end of second stand-up lever 2 runs below lifting guide element 52 so that the lifting guide element is pivoted clockwise about support part pivot axis 8 in the drawing. As a result, support part 6 is pivoted in the desired manner with respect to base part 4. Because at the beginning of the adjustment movement, the free end of second stand-up lever 50 runs below lifting guide element 52, the dead center during the adjustment of support part 6 is overcome.

At the end of the first kinematic phase, the free end of second opening lever 50 runs against the end of linear guide 30 that acts as a stop, so that stand-up levers 44, 50 stand up with respect to one another pivoting about second articulation axis 2, as a result of which support part 6 moves further about support part pivot axis 8 until the end position of the adjustment movement shown in FIG. 4.1 is reached.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4.5, a roller arrangement 54 can be provided at the free end of second stand-up lever 50 in order to reduce the friction of setting lever arrangement 42 in linear guide 30.

FIGS. 5.1 and 5.2 show a modification of the previous embodiment, which differs therefrom in that stand-up levers 44, 50 have a greater length. In this way, the pivoting stroke upon pivoting adjustment of support part 6 with respect to base part 4 is increased and the load of the electromotive drive device is reduced. FIG. 5.1 shows support device 2 in the end position of the adjustment movement, while FIG. 5.2 shows support device 2 in the non-adjusted starting position of the adjustment movement.

FIGS. 6.1 to 6.5 show a further modification of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4.1 to 4.5 differing therefrom in that electromotive drive device 10 is not based on the functional principle of a Bowden cable, but rather on the functional principle of a spindle drive.

Electromotive drive device 10 has an electric motor 56, which is drive-connected to a rotatably mounted threaded spindle, rotates via a worm gear, on which a spindle nut 58 is arranged, secured against rotation and movable in the axial direction. Respective spindle drives are well known to those skilled in the field of furniture drives and are therefore not explained in more detail herein.

Spindle nut 58 is connected to stand-up lever arrangement 42 by means of tabs 60, 62 which extend in the longitudinal direction of linear guide 30 and which can be formed, for example, by sheet metal strips and between which the threaded spindle is housed.

Starting from the starting position of the adjustment movement shown in FIGS. 6.4 and 6.5, electric motor 56 drives the threaded spindle in such a way that spindle nut 58 moves to the right in the drawing. The pivotal adjustment of support part 6 with respect to base part 4 takes place in two successive kinematic phases, as has been explained for the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4.1 to 4.5.

Because the Bowden cable drive has been replaced by a spindle drive, drive train 26 has a high degree of rigidity.

It is apparent to the person skilled in the art that both in the exemplary embodiments described above and in the exemplary embodiments explained in more detail below, a Bowden cable drive can be exchanged for a drive having a spindle drive.

FIGS. 7.1 to 7.4 show a further exemplary embodiment of a support device 2 according to the invention using a lever arrangement. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the lever arrangement has a single lever 66 pivotably mounted about a stationary lever pivot axis 64 on base part 4, the free end of which carries a roller 68 (cf. FIG. 7.3) on which the underside of support part 6 rests loosely.

A lifting guide 52 is attached on the underside of lever 66, which interacts with an adjusting element for adjusting support part 6 with respect to base part 4, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is designed as a roller carriage 68 (cf. FIG. 7.4). On its side facing linear guide 30, roller carriage 68 has rollers 70, 72, on which it runs in linear guide 30. On its side facing lifting guide element 52, roller carriage 68 has a further roller 74, with which roller carriage 68 comes to rest against lifting guide element 52 during the adjustment movement.

As can be seen from FIG. 7.4, lifting guide element 52 has an elongated, wedge-like resting surface that expands in cross section toward lever pivot axis 64.

Roller carriage 68 is in a tensile connection with a movable part of a Bowden cable of a Bowden cable drive.

FIG. 7.1 shows support device 2 in the end position of the adjustment movement, while FIGS. 7.2 to 7.4 show the support device in the starting position. Starting from this starting position, the Bowden cable drive is actuated in such a way that roller carriage 68 in linear guide 30 is pulled to the left in the drawing. In this case, roller carriage 68 runs below lifting guide element 52, so that lever 66 is pivoted counterclockwise in FIG. 7.1. As a result, support part 6 lying loosely on the free end of lever 66 is pivoted clockwise until the end position of the adjustment movement shown in FIG. 7.1 is reached.

FIGS. 8.1 to 8.5 show a modification of the previous exemplary embodiment, which differs therefrom in that, instead of a Bowden cable drive, a spindle drive 57 is provided with a spindle nut 58 which is arranged on a threaded spindle 76.

FIG. 8.1 shows support device 2 in the end position of the adjustment movement, while FIGS. 8.2 to 8.5 show support device 2 in the starting position of the adjustment movement. Various components of support device 2 have been omitted in FIGS. 8.2 to 8.4 for reasons of clarity. FIG. 8.5 shows lifting guide element 52 used in the exemplary embodiment taken in isolation. FIG. 8.4 shows in particular that lever 66 has two parallel lever parts 78, 80 which are spaced apart from one another in the radial direction of the threaded spindle 76 and between which threaded spindle 76 is guided during the adjustment movement.

FIGS. 9.1 to 9.8 show a further exemplary embodiment of a support device 2 according to the invention, in which a lever arrangement 40 having a lever mechanism 82 is arranged in the drive train between base part 4 and support part 6.

Lever mechanism 82 has a first lever 84 which is mounted on base part 4 such that it is pivotable about a stationary lever pivot axis 86 which is parallel to support part pivot axis 8. With the end of first lever 84 facing away from lever pivot axis 86, one end of a second lever 92 is arranged at an angle and connected about a first lever pivot axis 88 parallel to lever pivot axis 86 at a first connection point 90. The other end of second lever 92 is arranged at an angle and pivotable about a second lever pivot axis 94 parallel to first lever pivot axis 88 at a second connection point 96 to one end of a third lever 98, the other end of which is guided pivotably and shiftably in a slot guide 100 in the axial direction of the linear axis. The end of third lever 98 connected to second lever 92, at second connection point 96, is guided shiftably in the longitudinal direction of support part 6 thereon and connected at an angle manner thereto.

Levers 84, 92, 98 are designed in such a way and connected to base part 4 or support part 6 and the drive device and operatively connected, that

• • in a first kinematic phase, starting from a starting position of the adjustment movement, first lever 84 is pivoted about the stationary lever pivot axis 86, support part 6 resting against second lever 92 being pivoted about support part pivot axis 8, second lever 92 shifting in the longitudinal direction of support part 4 away from support part pivot axis 8, and the third lever shifting in slot guide 100 in the direction away from support part pivot axis 8, until third lever 98 in slot guide 100 runs against a stop formed by the end of slot guide 100 facing away from support part pivot axis (8), and
  • in a second kinematic phase, first lever is pivoted further about stationary lever pivot axis 86, third lever 98 being pivoted about the end of slot guide 100 facing away from support part pivot axis 8, support part 6 lifting from first connection point 90 between first lever 84 and second lever 92, and second connection point 96 shifting between second lever 92 and third lever 98 towards the end of the support part facing away from the first pivot axis until the end position of the adjustment movement is reached.

FIG. 9.5 makes it clear that lifting guide element 52 is attached to the side of first lever 84 facing linear guide 30 and interacts with roller carriage 68 guided in linear guide 30. The pivoting of first lever 84 about lever pivot axis 86 accordingly takes place in a manner corresponding to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 8.1 to 8.5.

FIGS. 9.6 to 9.8 are schematic representations and show a kinematic model of the exemplary embodiment to illustrate the kinematic phases.

In the first kinematic phase shown in FIG. 9.6, first lever 84 is pivoted counterclockwise about lever pivot axis 86. In this case, the end of third lever 98 facing away from support part 6 moves in slot guide 100 in the direction of lever pivot axis 86, with support part 6 resting on third lever 98 at connection points 90, 96, and third lever 98 shifting with respect to support part 6 in the direction of its free end.

At the end of the first kinematic phase, third lever 98 comes to rest against the end of slot guide 100 facing lever pivot axis 6, so that a further translational movement in the direction of lever pivot axis 86 is prevented and third lever 98 is also pivoted counterclockwise. In this case, support part 6 lifts off second lever 92 at first connection point 90, with second connection point 96 shifting in the direction of the free end of support part 6, as shown in FIG. 9.7.

FIG. 9.8 shows the end position of the adjustment movement.

FIG. 9.1 shows that the lever arrangement formed from levers 84, 92 and 98 forms a parallelogram-like arrangement in the end position of the adjustment movement.

From FIG. 9.1 it can also be seen that first lever 84 and third lever 98 have a relatively great length, while second lever 92 is designed as a relatively short connecting lever. The lengths of levers 84, 92 and 98 are dimensioned such that the length of first lever 84 plus the length of second lever 92 corresponds to the length of the third lever plus the distance between lever pivot axis 86 and the end of slotted guide 100 facing away from lever pivot axis 86 along the linear axis.

Furthermore, it can be seen in particular from FIG. 9.1 and FIG. 9.2 that third lever 98 consists of two parallel lever parts which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of lever pivot axis 86 and between which, in the starting position of the adjustment movement, second lever 92 and the end of first lever 84 facing second lever 92 are housed, as can be seen from FIG. 9.1.

A further exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention using a lever mechanism 102 is shown in FIGS. 10.1 to 10.7.

FIG. 10.1 shows support device 2 in the end position of the adjustment movement, while FIGS. 10.2 and 10.3 show support device 2 in the starting position of the adjustment movement.

FIGS. 10.4 to 10.7 are schematic views to clarify the kinematic phases of the adjustment movement in this exemplary embodiment.

As in the previous exemplary embodiments, support device 2 has a base part 4 and a support part 6 which is connected to base part 4 so that it can pivot about a support part pivot axis 8. For pivoting support part 6 with respect to base part 4, an electromotive drive device (furniture drive) is provided, which is in drive connection with an adjusting element which is translationally movable along a linear axis.

The lever mechanism 102 has a one-armed first lever 104 which is mounted pivotably about a stationary lever swivel axis 106 parallel to support part pivot axis 8 on base part 4. Lever mechanism 102 also has a two-armed second lever 108, the free end of first lever 104 facing away from lever pivot axis 106 being articulated about a first lever articulation axis 110 to second lever 108 facing away from its ends. One end of second lever 108 is guided in a linear guide 112 so as to be translationally movable with respect to lever pivot axis 106, while the other end of second lever 108 is articulated and shiftably in the longitudinal direction connected to support part 6.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the adjusting element is formed by a carriage 114 which is drive-connected to the electromotive drive device and movable in linear guide 112 under the effect thereof.

The operative connection between lever mechanism 102, the electromotive drive device and base part 4 and support part 6 is configured in such a way that

• • in a first kinematic phase, starting from a starting position of the adjustment movement, the end of second lever 108 guided in linear guide 112 shifts in the direction of the lever pivot axis 106, with the other end of second lever 108 being located in the area of the end of support part 6 facing away from the support part pivot axis 8, whereby support part 6 is pivoted about support part pivot axis 8, and
  • in a second kinematic phase, the end of second lever 108 facing lever pivot axis 106 shifts further in the direction of lever pivot axis 106, while the end of second lever 108 facing away from lever pivot axis 106 shifts with respect to support part 6 in the direction of support part pivot axis 8, whereby support part 6 is pivoted further with respect to base part 4 about support part pivot axis 8 until the end position of the adjustment movement is reached.

FIGS. 10.3 to 10.6 are schematic representations and show a kinematic model of the exemplary embodiment to illustrate the kinematic phases.

In the non-adjusted starting position of the adjustment movement, support part 6 rests flat on base part 4, with levers 104, 108 lying flat in linear guide 112. In this position, the end of second lever 108 facing support part 6 is arranged at a distance from the free end of support part 6.

Starting from this position, carriage 114 is driven by the electromotive drive device in such a way that it moves to the left in the drawing and in doing so presses against the end of the second lever guided in linear guide 112, so that this end in linear guide 112 is pressed to the left in the drawing, whereby first lever 104 is pivoted counterclockwise in the drawing about lever pivot axis 106, and second lever 108 is pivoted clockwise about the lever articulation axis 110 with respect to first lever 104.

Here, the end of second lever 108 guided on support part 6 moves in the direction of the free end of support part 6 until lever 108 runs against a stop at this free end, as shown in FIG. 10.4.

With a further movement of carriage 114 in linear guide 112 to the left in the drawing, second lever 108 pivots further clockwise about lever articulation axis 110, with support part 6 being pivoted further clockwise in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 10.5.

With a further movement of carriage 114 in linear guide 112 to the left in the drawing, support part 6 is pivoted further clockwise, with the end of second lever 108 guided on support part 6 beginning to move away from the free end of support part 6 in the direction of support part pivot axis 8 until the end position of the adjustment movement shown in FIG. 10.6 is reached.

Claims

1. A support device adjustable by means of an electric motor, for supporting cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on, in particular a mattress of a bed, comprising:

a base part;

a support part which is connected to the base part and can be pivoted about a support part pivot axis;

an electromotive electromotive drive device which is operatively connected to the base part and the support part for pivoting adjustment of the support part with respect to the base part, and the base part and the support part are designed in such a way and are operatively connected to the drive device in such a way that the support part is adjustable between a non-adjusted starting position in which the support part rests flat on the base part, and an end position of the adjustment movement, in which the support part is arranged at an angle to the base part; and

the drive device has at least one drive train by which the drive device is in drive connection to an adjusting element that is movable translationally along a linear axis, in such a way that the adjusting element is movable between a starting position, which corresponds to the non-adjusted starting position of the support part, and an end position, which corresponds to the end position of the adjustment movement, by means of the drive device, and on at least one of the parts at least one lifting guide element which is acting in a wedge-like manner is arranged which is shaped in such a way and is or can be operatively connected to the adjusting element such that in a relative movement between the adjusting element and the lifting guide element along the linear axis, the support part is pivoted about the support part pivot axis with respect to the base part.

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

the lifting guide element which is acting in a wedge-like manner is arranged on the support part.

3. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

the lifting guide element is arranged in the area of the support part pivot axis on the support part.

4. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

the adjusting element is arranged on the base part.

5. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

the adjusting element is designed like a nose and projects beyond the base part and, in the starting position of the adjustment movement, is housed in a recess formed on the support part, the inner wall of which forming a resting surface for the adjusting element, the cross section of which tapers in the direction of the support part pivot axis in such a way that, in a translational movement of the adjusting element, the support part is pivotable or pivoted about the support part pivot axis in the direction of the support part pivot axis.

6. The support device according to claim 5, wherein:

the recess is formed in the support part or in a separate component which is connected to the support part.

7. The support device according to claim 6, wherein:

the component is made of plastic, preferably designed as an injection molded part.

8. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

the electromotive drive device is designed in such a way and is operatively connected to the adjusting element that, upon actuation of the drive device, the adjusting element is moved translationally along its linear axis to adjust the support part with respect to the base part.

9. The support device according to claim 8, wherein:

the drive device has at least one Bowden cable which is operatively connected to an electric motor and has a casing and a traction cable housed in the casing, the movable part of which is operatively connected to the adjusting element for translational movement thereof along the linear axis.

10. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

for adjustment of the support part with respect to the base part, the adjusting element resting on the lifting guide element moves translationally with respect thereto, with the lifting guide element being designed or shaped in such a way and operatively connected to the adjusting element in such a way that, in a translational relative movement between the adjusting element and the lifting guide element, the support part is pivoted about the support part pivot axis with respect to the base part.

11. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one lifting guide element has a cross section which is expanding along the linear axis of the adjusting element at least in sections.

12. The support device according to claim 11, wherein:

the lifting guide element is shaped in such a way that its cross section expands along the linear axis in such a way that the adjusting element, in the region of the starting position of the adjustment movement, rests on a section of smaller or minimum cross section of the lifting guide element, and in the area of the end position of the adjustment movement, rests on a section of larger or maximum cross section of the lifting guide element.

13. The support device according to claim 11, wherein:

at least one lifting guide element is shaped in such a way that its cross section expands in the form of an arc or a ramp at least in sections.

14. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

a lever arrangement with at least one lever is arranged in the drive train between the base part and the support part.

15. The support device according to claim 14, wherein:

the lever arrangement has a stand-up lever arrangement with at least one stand-up lever.

16. The support device according to claim 15, wherein:

the stand-up lever arrangement has a first stand-up lever, one end of which is articulated and connected about a first articulation axis to the drive element or a component connected thereto, and the other end of which is articulated and connected about a second articulation axis to a second stand-up lever, the free end of which being operatively connected to the lifting guide element which is acting in a wedge-like manner, the operative connection between the second open stand-up lever and the lifting guide element being configured in such a way that, starting from the starting position of the adjustment movement, in a first kinematic phase the stand-up levers execute a translational movement when not standing up, the free end of the second stand-up lever interacting with the lifting guide element for pivoting the support part with respect to the base part, and that in a second the kinematic phase, the free end of the second stand-up lever runs against a stop, so that the stand-up levers stand up with respect to one another in a pivoting manner about the second articulation axis, whereby the support part with respect to the base part further pivots about the support part pivot axis until the end position of the adjustment movement is reached.

17. The support device according to claim 1, wherein:

the adjusting element is guided along the linear axis in a linear guide which is formed on the base part.

18. The support device according to claim 17, wherein:

the stand-up lever arrangement is guided in the linear guide.

19. The support device according to claim 14, wherein:

the lever arrangement has a lever mechanism.

20. The support device according to claim 19, wherein:

the lever mechanism has a first lever which is pivotably mounted on the base part about a stationary lever pivot axis parallel to the support part pivot axis, one end of a second lever being articulated to the end facing away from the lever pivot axis and articulated about a first articulation axis which is parallel to the lever pivot axis at a first connection point, the other end of which being articulated and pivotably about a second articulation axis which is parallel to the first articulation axis connected to one end of a third lever at a second connection point, the other end of which being pivotably and shiftably guided in a slot guide in the axial direction of the linear axis, wherein the end of the third lever connected to the second lever at the second connection point is guided shiftably thereon in the longitudinal direction of the support part and articulated thereto, the levers being designed in such a way and connected to the base part or the support part and the drive device and operatively connected such that

in a first kinematic phase, starting from a starting position of the adjustment movement, the first lever is pivoted about the stationary lever pivot axis, the support part resting against the second lever being pivoted about the support part pivot axis, the second lever shifting in the longitudinal direction of the support part away from the support part pivot axis, and the third lever shifting in the slot guide in the direction away from the support part pivot axis, until the third lever in the slot guide runs against a stop formed by the end of the slot guide facing away from the support part pivot axis; and

in a second kinematic phase, the first lever is pivoted further about the stationary lever pivot axis, the third lever being pivoted about the end of the slot guide facing away from the support part pivot axis, the support part lifting from the first connection point between the first lever and the second lever, and the second connection point shifting between the second lever and the third lever in the direction of the end of the support part facing away from the first pivot axis until the end position of the adjustment movement is reached.

21. The support device according to claim 19, wherein:

the lever mechanism has a one-armed first lever which is pivotably mounted on the base part about a stationary lever pivot axis which is parallel to the support part pivot axis, and has a two-armed second lever, wherein the free end of the first lever facing away from the lever pivot axis is articulated about a first articulation axis to the second lever facing away from its ends, wherein one end of the second lever is guided in a linear guide in a translationally movable manner with respect to the lever pivot axis, and the other end of the second lever is articulated and connected to the support part shiftably thereto in the longitudinal direction, the operative connection between the lever mechanism, the drive device and the base part and the support part being configured in such a way that

in a first kinematic phase, starting from a starting position of the adjustment movement, the end of the second lever guided in the linear guide shifts in the direction of the lever pivot axis, with the other end of the second lever being located in the area of the end of the support part facing away from the support part pivot axis, whereby the support part is pivoted about the support part pivot axis; and

in a second kinematic phase, the end of the second lever facing the lever pivot axis shifts further in the direction of the lever pivot axis, while the end of the second lever facing away from the lever pivot axis shifts with respect to the support part in the direction of the support part pivot axis, whereby the support part is pivoted further about the support part pivot axis with respect to the base part until the end position of the adjustment movement is reached.