Patent Application
20150025688
The invention relates to a control unit for at least one electromotive adjustment drive to be arranged in a piece of furniture, having at least one adjustment drive terminal for connection to the at least one electromotive adjustment drive and an interface for coupling to at least one operating unit, wherein, upon actuation of an operating element of the operating unit, a switching signal is output at the terminal to activate the at least one electromotive adjustment drive or an electric motor of the electromotive adjustment drive. The invention furthermore relates to an auxiliary device for connection to a control unit, a system having a control unit, and a piece of furniture equipped therewith.
Adjustment drives, frequently also referred to as electromotive furniture drives, are installed in lounging furniture and seating furniture, to be able to move comfortably an adjustment of furniture parts such as seats, backrests, foot rests, etc. in relation to a main body of the furniture and in relation to one another. Adjustable seating furniture, in particular so-called television or relaxation chairs, typically have for this purpose a furniture fitting which is relatively mechanically complex, and which, in cooperation with a plurality of levers and linkages, enables a complex movement sequence of the various cushion units installed thereon.
For the activation and power supply of the adjustment drives, a control unit is arranged on or in the piece of furniture, which receives operating commands of a user from an operating unit and converts them into activation signals for the adjustment drives.
Such a control unit and operating unit is known, for example, from document DE 10 2008 033 627 A1. A control unit is known in document DE 93 16 465 U1, which, in addition to the activation of adjustment drives, has further functionalities. An emergency lowering function and a control by a timer are thus integrated. It is disadvantageous in this case that for different desired further functionalities, a corresponding control unit must be prepared as an independent product in each case, which increases development, production, and warehousing costs.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an adaptation-capable control unit, which can be supplemented easily with desired auxiliary functions.
The object is achieved by a control unit and an auxiliary device having the respective features of the independent claims. The object is furthermore achieved by a system made of such a control unit and such an auxiliary device, and also a piece of furniture equipped therewith. Preferred refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
A control unit according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset has a multifunction terminal implemented as a multifunction interface, which has at least one data signal line for data transmission, at least one power supply line, and at least one input signal line and one output signal line. In this case, the control unit is configured for the purpose of outputting, on the data signal line of the multifunction interface, data signals in dependence on an actuation of one of the operating elements or further operating elements of the operating unit. Such a multifunction interface enables auxiliary devices to be connected, which then interact with the control unit and can also be operated via the operating unit, in that the data signals transmitted via the data signal line or the output signal line are analyzed. The data signal lines are preferably designed in this case for serial data transmission. Alternatively, parallel data transmission is possible. The system can be expanded flexibly by the multifunction interface and is therefore producible in a material-effective and cost-effective manner in a basic version and is nonetheless adaptable if needed.
In an advantageous embodiment of the control unit, voltage is applied to the at least one output signal line by the control unit in dependence on an actuation of one of the operating elements or further operating elements of the operating unit. Auxiliary devices can thus offer at least specific functionalities, without themselves requiring a logic circuit, for example, a bus interface, to analyze signals on the data signal lines. The at least one output signal line is preferably configured to activate an illuminant. The frequently requested auxiliary functionality of a light can thus be implemented very easily and using a cost-effective auxiliary device.
In an advantageous embodiment of the control unit, a signal on the at least one input signal line is input and analyzed by the control unit. This is also used for the purpose of being able to implement frequently required auxiliary functionalities easily in auxiliary devices. The signal on the at least one input signal line preferably relates to emergency lowering of the at least one adjustment drive, wherein the control unit is configured for the purpose of actuating the at least one adjustment drive independently of an actuation of an operating element of the operating unit. This safety-critical function can thus be implemented without analyzing signals on the data signal lines. This is not only cost-effective, but rather also preferable with regard to safety technology in relation to a signal transmission for emergency lowering via the data signal lines. The multifunction terminal particularly preferably has, in addition to the power supply line, an emergency power supply line, which can be used in this context if the regular power supply is not available.
An auxiliary device according to the invention for connection to such a control unit has a multifunction cable having multifunction plug for connection to the multifunction terminal of the control unit, whereby the multifunction interface is available in the auxiliary device. Using an auxiliary device compatible in this manner with the control unit, the advantages of the multifunction interface can be used for the auxiliary device.
In an advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary device has a multifunction terminal having an electrical connection to the multifunction cable. Multiple auxiliary devices can thus be connected chained in succession (daisy-chained), also if the control unit only has one multifunction terminal.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary device is implemented as a lighting unit and has an illuminant, which is supplied with power and/or activated via one of the output signal lines of the multifunction interface. In an advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary device is implemented as an emergency lowering unit and has an emergency switch, which interacts with one of the input signal lines of the multifunction interface. A battery receptacle for at least one battery is particularly preferably provided in this case and the emergency lowering unit is configured for the purpose of applying a voltage of the at least one battery to an emergency power supply line of the multifunction interface upon actuation of the emergency switch. The mentioned auxiliary functions are thus available in the system in a manner that can be retrofitted.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary device is implemented as a USB terminal unit and has at least one USB terminal, which is connected to power supply lines and/or data signal lines of the multifunction interface. In addition, an audio terminal is preferably provided for relaying an audio signal via an audio cable. In addition, a Bluetooth interface can also be provided for coupling to a smart phone, inter alia. Such an auxiliary device expands the control unit with multimedia functionalities and in practical use provides a charging capability for multimedia and telephone devices. This thus prevents excessively many cables of charging devices from lying around the piece of furniture, from which a tripping hazard originates.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary device is implemented as a multifunction radio device and has a radio and optionally a clock. Functionalities of the above-mentioned auxiliary device can preferably also be integrated here.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary device has a network power socket, which is switchable via data signals on the data signal line of the multifunction interface. Further consumers or devices can thus be controlled.
A system according to the invention for controlling at least one adjustment drive of a piece of furniture comprises an above-described control unit, which is connected to the adjustment drive, and at least one above-described auxiliary device. A piece of furniture according to the invention having a frame element and a support element, which is guided movably in the frame element via at least one adjustment drive, comprises such a system. The advantages mentioned in conjunction with the control unit and the auxiliary device result.
The invention will be explained in greater detail hereafter on the basis of exemplary embodiments with the aid of the appended drawings. In the figures:
a show schematic perspective views of an operating unit;
a, 5b show a schematic perspective view of an emergency lowering unit as a second exemplary embodiment of an auxiliary device;
The support element 3 has here a back part 4 and a leg part 5, which are arranged movably mounted in relation to a further support element or in relation to the base part 2. This movable arrangement is implemented here by means of a so-called movement fitting 6. The movement is implemented as displaceable and/or pivotable.
The movably mounted back part 4 and the leg part 5 are each coupled to an electromotive adjustment drive 7, 8. The back part 4 is thus coupled to the electromotive adjustment drive 7. The electromotive adjustment drive 8 is provided for the movement or adjustment of the leg part 5.
The electromotive adjustment drives 7, 8 are implemented here as linear drives. The linear drives have one or a number of electric motors, wherein a speed-reducing gear having at least one gear step is connected downstream from each motor. A further gear, for example, in the form of a threaded spindle gear, which generates a linear movement of an output element from the rotational movement of the motor, can be connected downstream from the speed-reducing gear. The last gear element or a further element connected thereto forms the output element. The output element of the respective adjustment drive is connected to the respective movable furniture component (back part 4, leg part 5) or alternatively to a component connected to the base frame 2, so that during an operation of the electric motor of the respective adjustment drive 7, 8, the movable furniture components 4, 5 are adjusted in relation to one another or in relation to the base frame 2.
The electromotive adjustment drives 7, 8 are connected to a control unit 9. This connection can be embodied, for example, as a pluggable cable connection, which is not shown in greater detail here. The control unit 9 has an electrical supply unit, which provides the electrical energy, for example, from the network, for the electromotive adjustment drives 7, 8. For this purpose, the control unit 9 is connectable in this example via a network cable (not shown) having a network plug to a network terminal. The network plug conducts, via the network cable, the input-side network voltage to the electrical supply unit of the control unit 9, which outputs a low voltage in the form of a DC voltage on the secondary side and relays it to a motor controller.
Alternatively thereto, a network-dependent voltage supply (not shown in greater detail) having network input and having secondary-side low-voltage output, is connected upstream from the control unit 9, said voltage supply supplying the low voltage in the form of a DC voltage via the line 9d.
Furthermore, an operating unit 10, 10′ is assigned to the piece of furniture 1. Schematic perspective views of an operating unit 10, 10′ are shown in two different embodiments in
The operating unit 10 according to
In another embodiment, the operating unit 10′ is implemented with an operating line 18 in wired form, as shown in
The operating unit 10, 10′ is provided with operating elements 12, 13, which are provided for operating a respective electromotive adjustment drive 7, 8. The operating elements 12, 13 are embodied as buttons, for example. For example, the operating elements 12 are used for raising and the operating elements 13 are used for lowering the respective movable furniture part.
Furthermore, the operating unit 10, 10′ is equipped with a signal element 14, for example, a light-emitting diode or a display unit. The signal element 14 is used, for example, for the function display or feedback, error display, etc.
A further auxiliary operating element 15, which can also consist of multiple operating elements and/or a combination operating element, is used for a so-called memory function of the electromotive adjustment drives 7, 8.
Upon actuation of an operating element 12, 13, a control signal for activating the respective electromechanical adjustment drive 7, 8 is transmitted wirelessly or in a wired manner to the control unit 9 via the transmission link. The control unit has switch elements, which convert the control signals of the transmission link into switching signals for switching the respective adjustment drive 7, 8. The switching elements can be, for example, relay switches and/or semiconductor switches. The manually operable operating elements 12, 13 of the operating unit 10 generate control signals, which are converted by the receiver of the control unit 9 into control currents for the switching elements. In the case of the wired operating unit 10′, the operating elements 12, 13 switch the control current of the relay switches or the semiconductor switches. In both cases, the power switches of the relay switches or the semiconductor switches switch the high motor current of the respective adjustment drive 7, 8.
The control unit 9 has a supply terminal 90, which is implemented here as a network cable terminal. In an alternative embodiment, the supply terminal 90 can be implemented as a low-voltage terminal, which is connected via an external power supply unit, for example, a plug power supply unit, to the power network. The control unit 9 and also the adjustment drives 7, 8 are supplied with power via the power supply terminal 90. Furthermore, the power supply terminal 90 is used for the power supply of further components connected to the control unit 9, as explained in greater detail hereafter.
In addition to the power supply terminal 90, the control unit 9 has adjustment drive terminals 91, which are each connected to one of the adjustment units 7, 8. Electric motors arranged in the adjustment drives 7, 8 are activated directly and supplied with power via the adjustment drive terminals 91. In addition, a signal of an end switch arranged in the respective adjustment drive 7, 8 can be transmitted to the control unit 9 via the adjustment drive terminals 91. However, it can also be provided that the end switch signal is analyzed in the respective adjustment drive 7, 8. Furthermore, signal lines can be provided, via which a position of the output element of the adjustment drive 7, 8 is transmitted to the control unit 9, to take this position signal into consideration during the activation of the adjustment drives 7, 8.
Furthermore, an interface 92 is arranged on the control unit 9, via which the control unit 9 receives signals from the operating unit 10. As stated in conjunction with
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
To be able to assist flexible optional equipment features of a motorized piece of furniture 1, the control unit 9 according to the application has a multifunction terminal 93, on which a multifunction interface is provided. Auxiliary devices can be connected via the multifunction terminal 93, for example, in
The lighting unit 20, which is also shown once again in a perspective view in
The multifunction interface applied to the multifunction terminals 93, 23 is a multi-pole interface, which comprises various line groups. On the one hand, at least two power supply lines, for example, one having a positive potential applied and one having ground potential, are provided. Components connected to the multifunction interface can be supplied with power via the power supply line. Furthermore, at least one data signal line is available, via which a preferably bidirectional serial data transmission can be performed. Instead of a signal data signal line, the potentials of which are acquired in relation to the shared ground line of the power supply lines in this meaning, a differential data signal transmission via two data signal lines is also possible. In general, known serial protocols such as RS232, RS485, or according to the USB (universal serial bus) standard can run on the data signal line or lines. A parallel data transmission can alternatively also be implemented.
In addition to the lines for power supply and for data transmission, signal lines are provided, at least one output line and one input line. The lines for signal transmission differ from those for data signal transmission in that they can transmit a single-pole digital switching signal. In this case, voltage is applied or is not applied to the output signal line by the control unit 9 in dependence on the actuation of specific ones of the operating elements 12, 13 or auxiliary operating elements 16, 17 on the operating unit 10. The output signal line is capable in this case by way of a switching element provided in the control unit of directly operating a load current of the order of magnitude of up to several hundred milliamps (mA), for example.
The at least one output line is provided according to the application for connecting an illuminant 21, for example, one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) of the lighting unit 20. Upon installation of the lighting unit 20 in the interior bed frame, an under bed light, which allows safe standing up out of the bed also at night, can thus be turned on by actuating a corresponding button on the operating unit 10. In addition, the illuminant 21 can be used as a signal light, in that specific operating states—for example, an error operating state—are signaled, for example, by a specific flashing rhythm of the illuminant 21.
Further output lines can be provided, for example, for the actuation of relays, using which network consumers can then be switched. Output lines can also be used for the selective power supply of components or parts of the components, for example, microcontrollers, connected to the multifunction interface.
In addition to the lighting unit 20, an emergency lowering unit 30 is connected to the control unit 9 as a further unit. The emergency lowering unit 30 is schematically shown in
It has, like the lighting unit 20, a multifunction cable 31 having multifunction plug 32, and also a multifunction terminal 33 arranged in the housing. The emergency lowering unit 30 is plugged using its multifunction plug 32 into the multifunction terminal 23 of the lighting unit 20 in the exemplary embodiment of
The emergency lowering unit 30 furthermore has an illuminant 34, which, like the illuminant 24 of the lighting unit 20, can function as a nightlight or also for status display. In addition, it has an emergency switch 35 embodied as a button, which acts directly on one of the lines in the multifunction cable 31 or 21 and is input by the control unit 9 as an input of the multifunction interface 93. Upon actuation of the emergency switch 35, the control unit 9 immediately instructs the adjustment drives 7, 8 to stop an upward movement. A possibly slowed downward movement is initiated simultaneously. The actuation of the emergency switch 35 has higher priority than contrary operating commands which are possibly output by the operating unit 10 and received by the radio interface 92.
As an additional safety measure, two receptacle shafts for emergency supply batteries 36, for example, in the form of commercially available 9 V blocks, are provided in the emergency lowering unit 30. The emergency supply batteries 36 are contacted via the battery clips 37. Upon actuation of the emergency switch 35, the battery voltage of the emergency supply batteries 36 is applied to a further line defined in the multifunction cable 31 or 21 and in the multifunction interface 93. It is thus ensured that also in the event of a failure of the power supply, sufficient energy for the control unit 9 for actuating the adjustment drives 7, 8 to lower the corresponding furniture part is available at the supply terminal 90 of the control unit 9. The energy of the emergency supply batteries 36 is typically sufficient at least for one lowering operation. However, the emergency supply batteries 36 are advantageously not continuously applied to the corresponding line of the multifunction interface 93, to prevent draining of the batteries by leakage currents, inter alia. The energy of the emergency supply batteries 36 is thus stored secured for an emergency in the event of actuation of the emergency switch 35.
Fastening holes 26 are provided for fastening the lighting unit 20, fastening tabs 38, also having corresponding holes for screws, are provided for fastening the emergency lowering unit 30. Other fastening possibilities, for example, sticking on via double-sided adhesive tape on a frame of the piece of furniture 1, are also conceivable.
The USB unit 40 provides one or more, two USB terminals 44 here, for example, which can be used in a simplest embodiment of the USB unit 40 as charging sockets for connected USB devices, for example, smart phones or tablets. In an expanded embodiment of the USB unit 40, data lines of the USB terminals 44 are also actively usable and are switched to the data signal lines of the multifunctional interface, optionally after a protocol adaptation. In such an embodiment, for example, a USB memory stick can be connected to one of the USB terminals 44, wherein an update of operating software of the control unit is loaded via this USB memory stick, for example.
Furthermore, the USB unit 40 can optionally function as an audio interface. For this purpose, audio terminals 35, for example, 3.5 mm jacks, are provided, which are connected to an audio cable 46. The audio cable 46 has, on its free end, audio terminals, for example, also jack plugs, which are pluggable into an audio system installed under the bed.
For the fastening, the USB unit 40 has a depressed surface below the terminals 44, 45. The USB unit 40 can thus be inserted in a simple manner between mattress and bed frame, wherein it is fixed by the mattress and the terminals 44, 45 are easily externally accessible. Alternatively, the USB unit 40 having the depressed surface 47 can also be fixed on the bed frame with the aid of double-sided adhesive tape. Magnetic fastening is also possible and suggests itself in particular in the case of bed frames or slatted frames made of iron or steel.
The multifunction radio device 50 has a radio part 54 and a clock part 55, which preferably cooperate as a radio alarm clock. Furthermore, sensors 56 can be provided, for example, a brightness sensor for setting the brightness of the display of the clock 55 and/or a movement detector, which automatically turns on a background light of operating elements of the multifunction radio device 50 when a movement of a user is detected. Furthermore, it can be provided that a registered movement of a user is relayed as a corresponding signal to the multifunction interface. Thus, for example, a lighting unit, for example, the lighting unit 20, can be turned on.
Furthermore, a light or lamp 57 can be provided, which can be turned on both as a reading lamp at the multifunction radio device 50 and can also be turned on by a corresponding command of the operating unit 10, like the illuminants 24 and 34, via the corresponding line of the multifunction interface 93. Furthermore, USB terminals 58 can also be provided here, with regard to the function of which reference is made to the USB unit of
Finally, the multifunction radio device 50 optionally has operating elements 60, using which a control of the control unit 9 and the adjustment drives 7, 8 can be performed, in addition to the operating unit 10. Corresponding control commands are transmitted via the data signal lines of the multifunction cable 51. An emergency switch, which corresponds in its function to the emergency switch 35 of the emergency lowering unit 30, can also be provided in the multifunction radio device 50. One or more batteries for the emergency supply, corresponding to the battery 36 of the emergency lowering unit 30, can also be arranged in the multifunction radio device 50.
In the illustrated or alternative further auxiliary devices, a Bluetooth interface can additionally be provided, for example, to couple a smart phone, for the purpose of data exchange or for operation of the piece of furniture 1, to the data signal lines of the multifunction terminal.
In a further embodiment of the system, it is provided that a further control unit for adjustment drives, which are on the piece of furniture 1 or a further piece of furniture, for example, a second part of a double bed, is arranged, via which the multifunction interface is connected to the control unit 9. Data and/or signals exchanged via the multifunction interface can be used to synchronize the further control unit with the control unit 9, so that, for example, synchronized movements of furniture parts can be performed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2012 101 626.7 | Feb 2012 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2013/054097 | 2/28/2013 | WO | 00 |
