ADJUSTABLE PADDING DEVICE

Abstract

Adjustable padding device for a piece of furniture used for sitting and/or lying has a flat elastically deformable padding element and an adjustable supporting device having a main body for supporting the padding element in a plane. Padding device also has an electric-motor adjusting device, on the supporting device for adjusting part of supporting device in its inclination and/or height of the part of supporting device, so padding element is connected to supporting device and to the adjusting device and forms a unit, and so padding element and the supporting device and the adjusting device are in a common casing. Common casing substantially completely surrounds the unit including the padding element and the supporting device together with the adjusting device. A charging/discharging device is provided for pressure loading/pressure relief of padding element, and loading/relief device is in the common casing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an adjustable padding device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Padding devices of this type are generally known, and have a support device, for example in the form of a slatted frame. The support device has a base body with at least two support parts that are adjustable relative to one another, and on which spring elements are situated which support the padding when the support device is being used. An electric motor-driven adjustment device is provided for adjusting the support parts relative to one another.

A support device is known from DE 10 2010 021 362 A1, in which a loading/relief device for achieving pressure loading or relief of the padding is provided. The pressure loading/relief device is situated beneath the base body of the support device.

Similar support devices are also known from DE 10 2008 031 043 A1, DE 20 2005 009 180 U1, WO 2012/052972 A1, and DE 29509909 U1.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable padding device for seating and/or lounging furniture, having expanded functionality.

This object is achieved by the invention set forth herein.

According to the invention, the functionality of the padding device is expanded by providing a loading/relief device for achieving pressure loading or relief of the padding element, the loading/relief device being accommodated in a shared casing.

In this way, it is possible not only for the padding device to be adjustable by electric motor, but also for it to carry out a massage function, for example. As a result of all components of the padding device, including the loading/relief device, being accommodated in the shared casing, the padding device according to the invention gives the visual impression of a conventional mattress without an electric motor-driven adjustment device and a loading/relief device.

A further advantage of the padding device according to the invention is that it has a low installation height.

One advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the loading and relief device for achieving pressure loading or relief acts on least one spring element. In this embodiment, at least one spring element is thus acted on with pressure or is relieved of pressure by the loading and relief device.

The loading and relief device may operate according to any given suitable operating principle, and may be designed as a pneumatic loading and relief device, for example. In this regard, one particularly advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the loading and relief device is an electromechanical loading and relief device. Such electromechanical devices have a relatively simple, inexpensive design, and allow pressure loading or relief, corresponding to any given kinematics, within broad limits.

One advantageous further embodiment of the above-mentioned embodiment provides that the loading and relief device has at least one electric motor that is in operative connection with at least one pressure element, by means of which a pressure force is or may be exerted on at least one spring element in order to achieve pressure loading or relief.

This results in a particularly simple design of the loading and relief device, in that the electric motor drives at least one pressure element that provides pressure loading or relief of the padding. In principle, a single pressure element is sufficient for achieving pressure loading or relief. According to the invention, however, two or more pressure elements may also be provided, so that the number of pressure elements is selectable within broad limits, depending on the particular requirements. The same correspondingly applies for the design of the pressure elements. Furthermore, according to the invention it is sufficient in principle when a single electric motor is provided. However, two or more electric motors may be provided if necessary, depending on the particular requirements.

Another advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides a control device for controlling the electric motor or the electric motors. The control device may in particular have a manual switch via which a user of the support device may select whether, to what extent, or corresponding to which kinematics, pressure loading or relief is to be exerted.

One advantageous further embodiment of the above-mentioned embodiment provides that the control device controls the electric motor or the electric motors in such a way that the pressure element or the pressure elements act(s) on at least two spring elements sequentially in time. In this embodiment, the pressure loading or relief of an individual spring element may vary over time, so that, due to appropriate pressure loading or relief of adjacently situated spring elements, pressure loading or relief that varies over time, and in particular is “rolling,” may be achieved, as is known per se for so-called massage chairs, for example.

One advantageous further embodiment of the above-mentioned embodiment provides that the control device controls the electric motor or the electric motors in such a way that at least one pressure element acts on at least two spring elements sequentially in time. This results in a particularly simple design.

Another extremely advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the or each pressure element loosely acts on the or each associated spring element. In this embodiment, a connection between the pressure element and the associated spring element is not necessary, thus simplifying assembly and disassembly of the loading and relief device, also for maintenance, for example. Another advantage of this embodiment is that the pressure element acts on an associated spring element with pressure for achieving pressure loading, while the pressure element is otherwise not in contact with the spring element, so that the spring element then develops its full spring effect.

Another advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the spring elements are bed frames.

According to another further embodiment of the invention, the spring elements may also be elastic slats.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the appended drawings, in which embodiments of a support device according to the invention is illustrated. All features that are described, illustrated in the drawings, and claimed in the patent claims, alone or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their description or illustration in the drawings, and regardless of their recapitulation in the patent claims.

Relative terms such as left, right, up, and down are for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a highly schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a padding device according to the invention that is adjustable by electric motor;

FIG. 2 shows a highly schematic first side view of the padding device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a highly schematic second side view of the padding device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the padding device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a padding support device 2 according to the invention that includes a base body 20 embodied as a slatted bed frame carrying a plurality of spring elements, formed by slats;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the charging/discharging device 26;

FIG. 7 shows the interaction between the pressure exerting element 36 and the slat 24;

FIG. 8 shows support device 2, with some of slats omitted to show details of the charging/discharging device 26;

FIG. 9 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 11 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a padding device according to the invention that is adjustable by electric motor, having a support device 2 for supporting padding of seating and/or lounging furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed. In the illustrated embodiment, the support device 2 is designed as described in EP 1 239 753 B1, the contents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference into the present patent application.

As described in EP 1 239 753 B1, the support device 2 has a base body with at least two support parts that are adjustable relative to one another, and on which spring elements are situated which support the padding when the support device is being used. FIG. 1 illustrates a padding element 4 in the form of a mattress. As further described in EP 1 239 753 B1, the padding element 4 together with the support device 2 and an electric motor-driven adjustment device is joined to form a unit for adjusting the support parts relative to one another.

The padding element 4 together with the support device 2 and the electric motor-driven adjustment device is accommodated in a shared casing which essentially completely surrounds the unit comprising the padding element 4 and the support device 2 together with the adjustment device. The casing is symbolically represented by a dashed line 6 in FIG. 3.

The embodiment illustrated in the drawings is thus an adjustable padding device in the sense of EP 1 239 753 B1.

In the illustrated embodiment, a charging/discharging device or loading/relief device 8 is provided for achieving pressure loading or relief of the padding. The loading/relief device 8 may operate according to any given suitable operating principle. In the illustrated embodiment, the loading/relief device is depicted as a pneumatically operating device. For achieving pressure loading or relief, the loading/relief device acts on at least one spring element, for example an elastic slat, of the support device. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment the loading/relief device has a plurality of pressure elements situated in succession in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2; in FIG. 1, only one pressure element is denoted by reference numeral 10. The pressure elements 10 situated in succession in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2 act on spring elements situated in succession in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure elements 10 each have a cushion-like design and are inflatable by means of a pump. The pneumatic control takes place via valves in such a way that the pressure elements 10 are inflatable independently of one another.

As indicated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the loading/relief device is situated within the profile height of the base body of the support device 2. According to the invention, an arrangement of the loading/relief device 8 within the profile height of the base body of the support device 2 is understood to mean that the components of the loading/relief device 8 are situated within an upper delimiting plane and a lower delimiting plane that are defined, respectively, by the top side and the bottom side of the base body of the support device 2, while pressure elements, by means of which the loading/relief device 8 brings about pressure loading or relief of the padding, protrude beyond the profile height during operation of the loading/relief device. In the illustrated embodiment (see FIG. 2), the pressure elements 10 are situated within the profile height of the support device 2 in the uninflated state, whereas in the inflated state they protrude beyond the profile height, as required for achieving pressure loading of the padding 4.

According to the invention, the loading/relief device 8 is accommodated in the shared casing 6, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the padding has a foam cover 12 on which a user lies during use of the support device 2. By inflation of the pressure elements 10, a pressure force is exerted on spring elements, for example elastic slats of the support device 2, situated between the foam cover 12 and the pressure elements 10; the spring elements transmit the pressure force to the foam cover 12 on which a user lies during use of the support device 2. A massage effect, for example, is achievable in this way.

Although the loading/relief device 8 is illustrated in the drawings of FIGS. 1-4 as a pneumatically operating device, in practice it is preferred for the loading/relief device to be an electromechanical loading/relief device having least one electric motor that is in operative connection with at least one pressure element, by means of which a pressure force is or may be exerted on at least one spring element in order to achieve pressure loading.

For controlling the electric motor or the electric motors, a control device is provided that preferably controls the electric motor or the electric motors in such a way that the pressure element or the pressure elements act(s) on at least two spring elements sequentially in time. The control device preferably controls the electric motor or the electric motors in such a way that at least one pressure element acts on at least two spring elements sequentially in time. In this way, rolling pressure loading may be provided, as is known for so-called massage chairs, for example.

In the sense of a simple and maintenance-friendly design, it is preferred that the or each pressure element loosely acts on the or each associated spring element. This means that the pressure element has no fixed mechanical connection to the spring element, and in the active state exerts a pressure force on the associated spring element, while the pressure element in the inactive state is retracted by the spring element, so that in this state the spring effect of the spring element is not impaired, and in this state the spring element is thus freely resilient and its spring effect is thus not adversely affected in this state.

Accordingly, in FIGS. 5-11, there is shown in another preferred embodiment of the invention, a support device 2 directed to the use of springs to carry out the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a support device 2 which is part of the padding device according to the invention. The support device 2 includes a base body 20 which is embodied as a slatted bed frame carrying a plurality of spring elements, which are embodied as flexible slats. In FIG. 5 only two slats are referenced by reference numerals 22, 24. The upper side of the slats define a support plane, on which, in use, a padding element of the padding device is supported.

In order to provide a massage function, a charging/discharging device 26 is provided which will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic view of the charging/discharging device 26.

The charging/discharging device 26 includes at first slide 28 being linearly movable in the longitudinal direction of the padding device, as symbolized in FIG. 6 by a double arrow 30, by means of a first linear actuator 32 along a linear axis, the first slide 28 being in operative connection with a first electric motor 34, the first slide 32 carrying at least one arm 33, the free end of which carrying a pressure exerting element 36 for charging/discharging interaction with the slats 22, 24.

The pressure exerting element 36 is embodied as a wheel or a roller.

The pressure exerting element 36 is adjustable relative to the support plane defined by the slats 22, 24. An adjustment drive 38 is arranged for adjusting the pressure exerting element 36 relative to the support plane, as symbolized by a double arrow 40 in FIG. 6, the adjustment drive 38 including a second electric motor. The adjustment drive 38 will be described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to FIG. 11.

The slats 22,24 are connected to and sandwiched between flexible straps, which are symbolized by broken lines 40, 42 in FIG. 6.

In use, in order to cause a massage effect upon a user resting on the padding device, the first slide 28 is moved along its linear axis by means of the first linear actuator 28 to the left in FIG. 6.

The pressure exerting element 36 is adjusted toward the lower side of the slats 22, 24 by means of the adjustment drive 38, so as to interact with the slats 22, 24.

FIG. 7 depicts the interaction between the pressure exerting element 36 and the slat 24, wherein the pressure exerting element 36 is charging the slat 24 so as to protrude over the support plane. As can been seen from FIG. 7, the pressure exerting element 36 abuts against the side of the strap 40 facing away from the slats 22, 24.

As it is evident from FIGS. 6 and 7, upon linear motion of the first slide 28 along the longitudinal direction of the support device 2, the slats may be charged consecutively so as to effect a ‘rolling’ massage effect.

An embodiment for putting the basic principle illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 into practice will now be explained in greater detail with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11.

FIG. 8 depicts the support device 2, wherein some of slats are omitted in order disclose details of the charging/discharging device 26.

In this embodiment, in addition to the charging/discharging device 26, a further charging/discharging device 26′ is provided. The charging/discharging devices 26, 26′ are arranged so as to cause a massage effect in different areas of the padding device. Both charging/discharging devices 26, 26′ have the same construction. Accordingly, in the following only the charging/discharging device 26 will be described in greater detail. For ease of reference, in FIGS. 9 to 11 only the charging/discharging device 26 is shown, while the charging/discharging device 26′ is omitted.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the charging/discharging device 26 includes the first slide 28, which is linearly movable in the longitudinal direction of the padding device by means of the first linear actuator along a linear axis. The linear axis is defined by a first linear guide 44 extending in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2.

The first slide 28 is in operative connection with the first electric motor 34, the first slide carrying the arm 33 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10), the free end of which carries the pressure exerting element 36 for charging/discharging interaction with the slats 22, 24. The pressure exerting element 36 is embodied as a wheel or roller, which is rotatable relative to the arm 33, abutting against the side of strap 40 facing away from the slats 22, 24 (see in particular FIG. 10).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first slide 28 carries at least two arms, namely the arm 33 and additional arm 33′, each of the arms 33, 33′ carrying a pressure exerting element 36 and 36′ respectively, the pressure exerting elements 36, 36′ being spaced apart from each other transverse to the longitudinal direction of the padding device, as can be seen best from FIG. 10.

The pressure exerting elements 36 and 36′ are adjustable relative to the support plane defined by the slats, the adjustment drive 38 being arranged for adjusting the pressure exerting elements 36, 36′ relative to the support plane.

The first slide 28 carries a pivot shaft 46 (see FIG. 10) defining a pivot axis, the arms 33, 33′ being connected to the pivot shaft 46 in a manner fixed against rotation, the adjustment drive 38 being arranged for pivoting the pivot shaft 46 about its pivot axis, so as to adjust the pressure exerting elements 36, 36′ relative to the support plane by pivoting the arms 33, 33′. Consequently, the arms 33, 33′ have the function of pivot levers.

In order to move the first slide 28 along the first linear guide 44 a first linear actuator including a first spindle drive 48 (see FIG. 10) is provided. The first spindle drive 48 includes a first spindle extending in the longitudinal direction of the first linear guide 44 and being fixed against rotation. A first spindle nut is threaded on the first spindle and is in rotary drive connection with the output shaft of the first electric motor 34 via a worm gear. The first spindle nut together with the worm gear and the output shaft of the first electric motor is received within the first slide 28, which has a housing-like structure.

Upon rotation of the drive shaft of the first electric motor 34 the first spindle nut rotates. Consequently, the first slide 28 moves along the first linear guide 44 in one direction or the other, depending from the sense of rotation of the spindle nut. Consequently, the slide together with the pressure exerting elements 36, 36′ is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the first linear guide 44, so as to charge different slats.

In parallel to the first linear guide 44 a second linear guide 50 (see FIG. 9) is provided. On the second linear guide 50, a second slide 52 is guided in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2.

On the second slide 52, the pivot shaft 46 is mounted so as to rotate about its pivot axis. By means of pivot shaft 46 the second slide 52 is coupled to the first slide. Consequently, both slides 28, 52 move synchronously, when the first slide moves upon actuation of the first electric motor 34.

The adjustment drive 38 will now be described in greater detail referring to FIG. 11.

The adjustment drive 38 includes a second linear actuator including a second electric motor 54 and a second spindle drive 56. The second electric motor 54 is in rotary drive connection with a rotatable spindle of the second spindle drive 56.

On the spindle, a second spindle nut 58 is located in a manner fixed against rotation. The second spindle nut 58 constitutes the output element of the second spindle drive. Consequently, upon actuation of the second electric motor 54 the spindle rotates causing the second spindle nut 58 to move in the axial direction of the spindle.

Referring now to FIG. 11, for rotating the pivot shaft 46 about its pivot axis upon linear movement of the spindle nut 58, a connecting link 60 is provided. A first end of the connecting link 60 is connected to the spindle nut 58 by a first hinge joint 62, a second end of the connecting link 60 being connected to the pivot shaft 46 by means of a second hinge joint 64 eccentrically to the pivot axis of the pivot shaft 46, so as to pivot the pivot shaft 46 upon linear motion of the spindle nut 58.

A control device 64 (see FIG. 6) is provided for controlling the electric motors 34, 54. Upon actuation of the first electric motor 34, the slides 28, 52 are positioned relative to the slats 22, 24 along the linear guides 44, 50 so as to charge different slats according to the respective position of the slides 28, 52. Upon actuation of the second electric motor 54, the pivot shaft 46 pivots causing the pressure exerting elements 36, 36′ to charge the respective slat. The intensity of the resulting massage effect may be controlled by controlling the pivot angle of the pivot shaft 46.

The invention provides a support device having a high level of functionality, and which is not only adjustable by electric motor, but also has an integrated loading/relief device for achieving pressure loading or relief of the padding.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable padding device for seating and/or lounging furniture, the device comprising: a) at least one flat, elastically deformable padding element;b) at least one support device with a base body for supporting the padding element in a planar manner;c) the padding element together with the support device is joined to form a unit;d) the padding element together with the support device is accommodated in a shared casing which essentially completely surrounds the unit comprising the padding element and the support device;e) a charging/discharging device for achieving pressure loading or relief of the padding element is provided; andf) the charging/discharging device is accommodated in the shared casing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a) the charging/discharging device acts on at least one spring element to achieve pressure loading or relief.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a) the charging/discharging device is an electromechanical loading/relief device.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: a) the charging/discharging device includes at least one electric motor, the at least one electric motor being in operative connection with a pressure exerting element, by which pressure is exerted or exhertable on at least one spring element effecting a pressure charging/discharging function.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: a) a control device for controlling the electric motor or the electric motors.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: a) the control device controls the electric motor or the electric motors in such a way that the pressure element or the pressure elements act(s) on at least two spring elements sequentially in time.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein: a) the control device controls the electric motor or the electric motors in such a way that at least one pressure element acts on at least two spring elements sequentially in time.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein: a) the pressure element loosely acts on the or each associated spring element.

9. The device according to claim 2, wherein: a) the at least one spring element is a bed frame.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein: a) the at least one spring element is a springy slat.

11. The device according to claim 4, wherein: a) the charging/discharging device includes at least one slide being linearly movable in a longitudinal direction of the padding device by a linear actuator, the slide carrying at least one arm, a free end of which carries the pressure exerting element for charging/discharging interaction with the at least one spring element.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein: a) the at least one slide carries at least two arms, each of the arms carrying a pressure exerting element, the pressure exerting elements being spaced apart from each other transverse to the longitudinal direction of the padding device.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein: a) the at least one spring element is a slat, the slat being connected with a least one flexible strap, the at least one strap extending in the longitudinal direction of the padding device, the at least one pressure exerting element abutting against the strap for interaction with the strap for charging/discharging the slats.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein: a) the pressure exerting element is a roll or a roller.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein: a) the linear actuator including a spindle drive.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein: a) the at least one slide includes a spindle nut or is connected with a spindle nut, the spindle nut being fixed against rotation and being movable in the axial direction of a spindle, the spindle being in drive connection with the at least one electric motor.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a) at least two charging/discharging devices are provided, the at least two charging/discharging devices being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the padding device for interacting with different areas of the same.