Patent Application
20250082107
The invention relates to a frame element for an adjustable bed with a wallhugger mechanism. The invention further relates to a modular frame with at least two such frame elements, and to an adjustable bed.
Adjustable beds with a wallhugger mechanism are widely known. The known beds have a certain number of inclinable parts which are pivotable with respect to a fixed frame and allow the person lying down to adopt the desired inclination depending on the desired relaxation position. The articulated parts are set in motion by an adjustment mechanism with one or more electric motors and change their position with the aid of intermediate links and swivel levers. The most common use of these bed frames is to raise the part for the upper body so that the user is in a half-sitting position, which makes reading easier, for example.
The wallhugger mechanism prevents the user from systematically moving away from a head of the bed, i.e. the light, bedside cabinet, telephone, etc., by pivoting this upper body part relative to the rest of the frame. This is typically realized by a mechanism that allows the entire adjustment mechanism to move relative to the fixed frame in accordance with the lifting of the upper body section, so that the user's head always remains in close proximity to the head of the bed in both the lying and sitting positions.
Such a mechanism can cause noise emissions, for example rolling noises or squeaking when moving an adjustment mechanism, which is regularly perceived as rather unpleasant by users.
Furthermore, the aforementioned principle can cause bruising or pinching situations due to the movement.
The problem to be solved is to specify an improved concept for a frame element of a wallhugger bed, which exhibits improved acoustic behavior during movement and avoids bruising and crushing situations.
The problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent patent claims.
According to a first aspect, a frame element for an adjustable bed is described. The frame element is configured as a longitudinal element for a longitudinal side of the bed. The frame element has a frame carrier and an adjustment mechanism with at least one actuator for adjusting the bed, i.e., for adjusting segments of the bed.
According to a first embodiment, the frame element has a profile. The adjustment mechanism and the profile form a module which is movably guided along the frame carrier. This allows the wallhugging described above to be carried out. The displaceable module may be guided on the frame carrier using rollers or sliding elements, for example. The profile may, for example, have a form of a profile tube or a profile that is in general open on at least one side.
For example, the frame carrier and the displaceable module form an integrated unit.
According to a further embodiment, the module has at least two guiding devices, which are arranged separately from one another, for example. A first guiding device is located, for example, in a region of a first end of the module. A second guiding device is located, for example, in a region of a second end of the module opposite the first end. Each guiding device comprises a support roller and a guiding element, which are arranged perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to one another. This means that an axis of rotation of a support roller of a guiding device is arranged perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to a fastening axis of a guiding element of the respective guiding device. The support roller is configured to support the weight of the module and to displace the module. The axis of the support roller can, for example, be mounted horizontally to an installation plane in the module.
The fact that the support roller and guiding element are arranged perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to each other means, for example, that the axis of rotation of the support roller and the fastening axis of the guiding element are at a 90° angle to each other. However, manufacturing tolerances can of course occur here. Alternatively, the aforementioned axes can also be arranged at an angle of between 85° and 95° to each other, for example at an angle of 87.5° or 92.5°, instead of 90°. With an angle deviating from 90°, for example with an angle between said axes of 87.5° or 92.5°, signs of wear on the guiding elements can be reduced compared to embodiments in which said axes are exactly perpendicular to each other.
The guiding element can be a guide roller or a sliding block. The guiding element is mounted, for example, on a rod-shaped machine part, e.g. a perpendicular or essentially perpendicular axis, which is aligned perpendicular or essentially perpendicular to the axis of the support roller. In this case, an extension direction of the rod-shaped machine part corresponds to the fastening axis of the guiding element. The guiding element is configured to guide the module along the frame carrier and to avoid noise thereby.
According to a further embodiment, the profile allows the adjustment mechanism and at least two support rollers to be mounted. For this purpose, one axis per support roller is put through two side walls of the profile, for example. This allows the support roller to roll along a running surface of the frame carrier. The frame carrier can be shaped as a U or L profile, for example, but can also have any other shape as long as it has a running surface, e.g. arranged horizontally, along or on which the support roller can roll. For example, the profile of the displaceable module is an extruded profile.
According to a further embodiment, the profile is a hollow tube, for example an essentially closed profile. For example, it can be a closed, rectangular steel profile. In this context, closed means that the side walls of the profile are essentially closed. The side walls of the profile only have openings for mounting the adjustment mechanism, openings for the support rollers and support roller axes and at least one slotted hole. The at least one slotted hole extends, for example, in a longitudinal direction of the tube.
According to a further embodiment, the adjustment mechanism is located between the at least two guiding devices. This improves the stability of the module.
According to a further embodiment, each guiding element is arranged within the profile. The width or diameter of each guiding element is selected so that the contact surface of each guiding element can only touch one side wall of the profile at a time. The arrangement inside the profile provides protection against touching and soiling and further provides a guiding of the profile, i.e., the module, along the frame carrier. In a preferred design, the guiding element guides the module horizontally, i.e. it avoids excessive horizontal deviation from the axis of the profile or shearing.
According to a further embodiment, the frame carrier has at least two rod-shaped machine parts, i.e., axes for carrying and bearing one guiding element each. Each of these rod-shaped machine parts protrudes through the at least one slotted hole into the interior of the module in order to support one of the guiding elements located there or, for example, to support it with a ball bearing. In a first version, the module can have slotted hole which extends over the entire length of the module and which accommodates each of the aforementioned rod-shaped machine parts. In a second version, the module can have one slotted hole per machine part.
In combination with the slotted hole, the rod-shaped machine part allows the module to be moved along the frame carrier. At the same time, the rod-shaped machine part connects the displaceable module to the frame carrier, in particular through the guiding element, thereby ensuring that the displaceable module forms an integrated, non-detachable unit with the frame carrier, which can already be manufactured as a unit ex works. This allows a frame element to be manufactured that contains both the adjustment mechanism and the displaceable module required for the wallhugger mechanism. On site in a bedroom, only the frame element needs to be connected to crossbars and bed legs. It is not necessary to assemble movable parts of the Wallhugger mechanism or the adjustment mechanism, which makes the assembly much easier.
According to a further embodiment, each guiding element has a first sliding surface and at least one flank with a second sliding surface. The first sliding surface is in contact with at most one of the inner surfaces of the profile of the module at the same time. The first sliding surface of each guiding element ensures that the module runs straight along the frame carrier. In addition to the first sliding surface, the second sliding surface on a flank of the guiding element, which is essentially perpendicular to the first sliding surface, prevents the module from tilting.
For example, the guiding element can lie horizontally to an installation plane and the first sliding surface can therefore come into contact with the vertical inner surfaces of the module. In this case, the flank is horizontal, has a second sliding surface and can come into contact, through the second sliding surface, with a horizontal inner surface of the profile of the module. This ensures that the module is guided by the first sliding surface in a first direction and is guided by the second sliding surface on the flank in a direction perpendicular to it.
The first and second sliding surfaces of the guiding elements can be coated in order to achieve good sliding properties, particularly with regard to quietness.
The at least two guiding elements prevent the displaceable module from pivoting and, in combination with the slotted hole, also hold the module on the frame carrier so that it cannot be detached.
In an advantageous embodiment, the profile and the frame carrier are made of an extruded material, for example. As a result, the inner surfaces of the profile for the guiding elements and the running surfaces of the frame carrier for the rollers have advantageous surface properties, in particular they are produced as free of grooves as possible without the need for subsequent production steps. This ensures low-noise rolling of the module in the frame carrier on the one hand and in the profile on the other.
According to one embodiment, the frame element has at least one fastening device.
The fastening device can, for example, have a bed leg or enable the mounting of such a bed leg.
The fastening device can be used, for example, to connect the frame element to a transverse element of a bed to form a bed frame.
The fastening device can be realized as a corner connector, for example.
The fastening device can, for example, include mounts for screen elements. Such mounts may be magnetic mounts.
According to a further embodiment, the adjustment mechanism of the frame element has a lever arm which is pivotably mounted on a segment of the adjustment mechanism, in particular on a segment associated with the head or upper body part of the bed, and is pivotably mounted on the frame carrier.
Alternatively, the lever arm may be pivotably mounted on a segment of the adjustment mechanism, in particular on a segment associated with the head or upper body part of the bed, and pivotably mounted on the at least one fastening device.
The lever arm is an example for realizing the wallhugging described above. By coupling the lever arm to the fixed frame carrier, the adjustment mechanism, i.e., the module can be moved relative to the frame carrier by actuating the at least one actuator.
According to a second aspect, a modular frame for an adjustable bed is disclosed, which is formed by two frame elements according to the first aspect, which are configured as longitudinal elements, and by at least one transverse element, which is configured for a transverse side of the bed.
According to one embodiment, the longitudinal elements can be arranged on the transverse element in such a way that a distance between the longitudinal elements can be adjusted. This means that different bed sizes can be realized with one and the same frame elements. This enables a wide range of variants using the modular frame, whereby only a few identical parts are required.
According to a further embodiment, opposing segments of the adjustment mechanisms of the longitudinal elements are connected via one or more support elements for supporting a mattress. For example, rigid boards, in particular wooden boards, may be used as support elements. These contribute to stiffening the frame so that no further support or transverse connections between the longitudinal elements are required to stiffen the frame.
According to a third aspect, an adjustable bed is disclosed which has two frame elements according to the first aspect, which are set up as longitudinal elements for a longitudinal side of the bed. Opposite segments of the adjustment mechanisms of the longitudinal elements are connected via one or more support elements for supporting a mattress.
Advantageously, the concept described herein enables the modular installation of a bed on site. As a result, transportation costs can be reduced since, for example, an already assembled, space-consuming frame does not have to be transported. Furthermore, the bed can be transported in modules to an installation site, which offers advantages, for example, when transporting the frame elements in confined spaces or buildings such as stairwells or doorways. This enables additional distribution options such as online shipping. The concept allows the bed to be easily assembled by the bed customer.
According to a fourth aspect, a mounting method for a frame element according to the first aspect is disclosed. The mounting method comprises the steps of:
According to one embodiment, the at least one slotted hole may have a recess through which the at least one guiding element is inserted into the interior of the profile.
According to a further embodiment, the lever arm is mounted between a segment of the adjustment mechanism and the frame carrier in such a way that the guiding element is not located in the area of the recess of the at least one slotted hole after the lever arm has been mounted. This ensures that the frame carrier and profile can no longer be detached from each other after the lever arm has been mounted.
The invention will now be described and explained using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures.
Components that are functionally identical or have an identical effect may be provided with identical reference signs. Identical components or components with an identical function might only be explained in relation to the figure in which they first appear. The explanation is not necessarily repeated in the subsequent figures.
The figures show, partly simplified:
The frame elements are supported towards the floor by multiple bed legs, in this example by up to six bed legs.
The frame element 110 has a frame carrier 200, which is arranged in a fixed or stationary manner. The frame carrier 200 is formed by a metal profile. The metal profile may, for example, be an L-shaped or U-shaped profile (see
In addition to the frame carrier 200, the frame element 110 comprises an adjustment mechanism 210 with at least one actuator 240′, 240″. The adjustment mechanism 210 is connected to the frame carrier 200. The actuators 240′, 240″ comprise, for example, electric motors (see
The adjustment mechanism 210 comprises a plurality of segments 220a to 220d which are pivotably connected to one another, as well as further lever arms. The segments 220a to 220d are arranged to be connected to one or more carrier elements or support elements such as boards or the like, on which a mattress or the like may be arranged.
The first segment 220a is directly connected to the frame carrier 200 or to a fastening device 310′ of the frame carrier 200 via a lever arm 230, which allows the wallhugging function described above to be realized. If the first actuator 240′ is actuated, the segment 220a is displaced upwards in Z-direction, for example, whereby the entire module with the adjustment mechanism 210 is displaced in a first direction along the frame carrier 200 due to the lever arm 230. If the segment 220a is lowered, the entire module is displaced in a second, opposite direction.
The frame carrier 200 is configured to be mechanically connected or coupled at its opposite ends to further frame elements of the bed 100, in particular transverse elements 120, as described with respect to
The fastening devices 310′, 310″ may also have other configurations in order to establish a mechanical coupling with the transverse elements 120. In alternative embodiments, the fastening devices 310′, 310″ are not part of the frame element 110 and may be part of corresponding transverse elements 120 or may be separate components. In this embodiment, the fastening devices 310′, 310″ are tabs that partially encompass a corresponding transverse element 120 and can be screwed to it.
In a further embodiment, supports 320′ and 320″ for segments of the adjustment mechanism may be arranged on the profile 500, in particular for the head section segment 220a and the foot section segment 220d.
The adjustment mechanism with its segments, levers and at least one actuator forms a module 300 together with the profile, which is movably guided on the frame carrier.
In a further embodiment, the module 300 is guided in the frame carrier 200 by means of at least two guiding devices. Each guiding device comprises a guiding element 410′, 410″, for example a guide roller, and a support roller 400′, 400″. One guiding device is located, for example, at each end region of the profile 500. The support rollers 400′, 400″ support the displaceable module 300 relative to the frame carrier 200 and enable displacement along the frame carrier 200.
For example, the support rollers 400′, 400″ may be coated or may be rubber rollers in order to enable particularly quiet movement of the module 300.
For example, the frame carrier 200 is open at the top and has a U-shaped or L-shaped profile.
For example, the support rollers 400′, 400″ run on a horizontal inner surface of the frame carrier 200. Alternatively, the inner surface may also be inclined and the support rollers may run on an inclined inner surface.
In a further embodiment, each support roller may, for example, be discontinuous in a center or contain a notch in order to be guided along a longitudinal bridge that engages in the notch.
In a further embodiment, each guiding element 410′, 410″ is attached to a rod-shaped machine part 510′, 510″ and arranged perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the support rollers 400′, 400″. Each rod-shaped machine part is realized, for example, by a screw which is inserted through an opening in the frame carrier 200.
In a further embodiment, the guide roller may be mounted on the rod-shaped machine part in a sliding manner and the roller bearing may be omitted.
In a further embodiment, the guiding element may also be a sliding block or sliding piece (not shown).
a show the frame element 110, which is formed by frame carrier 200, profile 500 and adjustment mechanism 210 after assembly, wherein the adjustment mechanism and the profile 500 form an module 300, which is displaceable guided on the frame carrier, wherein the module is guided by means of at least two guiding devices, and wherein each guiding device comprises a support roller 400′, 400″ and a guiding element 410′, 410″, which are arranged perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to one another.
The frame element 110 is configured such that the frame carrier 200 and the displaceable module 300 form an integrated unit as described above. In other words, the frame element 110 is designed as a compact module and can be connected directly to support elements for supporting a mattress without further support or carrier structures.
In this embodiment, the support roller 400″ is also located within the profile 500 and is arranged such that a part of the circumference of the support roller protrudes outwards through an opening in the profile 500, for example approximately 2 mm, thus enabling the support roller to run on an inner surface of the frame carrier 200.
In this embodiment of the guide roller 410, the guide roller has a circumferential first sliding surface 550 and two flanks. One of the two flanks 560 has a second sliding surface 570, which in this example is shaped like a nose in a flank of the guide roller.
The circumference of the guide roller is smaller than the distance between two inner walls of the profile, which means that the first sliding surface 550 of the guide roller comes into contact with at most one inner wall at once.
In this embodiment, the second sliding surface 570 on the flank 560 of the guide roller prevents the profile 500 from tilting in the frame carrier 200. When the profile tilts, an inner surface of the profile comes into contact with the second sliding surface. The second sliding surface allows only minimal play between the frame carrier and the profile and therefore only minimal tilting.
For example, the second sliding surface 570 can be coated to prevent noise.
The rod-shaped machine part 510 may, for example, be realized as a hinge bolt or carriage bolt. Such screws have a semicircular screw head with no drive and a square neck under the head. This rounding of the head means that the hinge bolt can be fitted discretely and is flush with the frame carrier. The square neck in combination with a corresponding punched hole in the frame carrier (see
a show a bottom view of the displaceable module 300. The profile 500 has at least one slotted hole 600′, 600″ on the bottom side.
For example, one slotted hole 600′ allows the guiding element 410′ and its axis 510′ to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the profile 500. The example shown in
In a further embodiment, each slotted hole 600′, 600″ may have a recess 620′, 620″ on one side for easier insertion of the guiding element 410′, 410″ into the profile 500 during assembly, the recess having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the guiding element 410′, 410″.
Furthermore, the profile 500 has openings 610′, 610″ for the support rollers and openings 630′, 630″ for the axes of the support rollers. The opening of each axis 630′, 630″ is arranged in the profile 500 in such a way that the running surface of the support roller projects outwards through the opening for the support roller 610′, 610″ in order to enable the profile 500 to be displaced along the frame carrier 200. For example, the support rollers protrude by approx. 2 mm.
The profile has an opening 650, for example, which is used to connect the adjustment mechanism to the profile. The adjustment mechanism is inserted into the opening and screwed to the profile via the openings 690a to 690c.
The profile can, for example, have slots 660′, 660″, which serve to accommodate attachments or axes of the motors of the adjustment mechanism.
For example, since the profile 500 is arranged to move only about 2 mm above the frame carrier 200, the profile may have a further slotted hole 700 which serves to accommodate a projecting fastening (e.g. screw or nut) for the central bed leg.
The frame carrier 200 comprises a plurality of openings, which may be formed, for example: as drilled opening or punched opening (e.g.: square or hexagonal).
The frame carrier has openings 640′, 640″ at each end for mounting a bed leg.
In one embodiment, the fastening device 310′, 310″ is secured by screwing on a bed leg.
The frame carrier 200 has openings 635′, 635″ at each end for mounting the lever arm 230 on the frame carrier.
In one embodiment, the frame carrier 200 has an opening 710 for a central bed leg.
The frame carrier 200 has openings 680a to 680d for mounting the rod-shaped machine parts 510′, 510″. For the example of a symmetrical embodiment of a frame carrier, the frame carrier has more openings than guide rollers are used. For example, openings 680a and 680c are used when the frame carrier is used as the right longitudinal element of the bed, and openings 680b and 680c are used when the frame carrier is used as the left longitudinal element.
The openings 680a to 680d are square, for example, if the rod-shaped machine parts 510′, 510″ are designed as hinge bolts to accommodate the square necks.
A guiding element can assume various positions along the slotted hole.
800′ is the assembly position. The guiding element is in this position so that it can be placed inside the profile when assembling the frame carrier 200 with the profile 500.
After assembly, the guiding element in the slotted hole only moves between a first position 810′ and a second position 820′. If the guiding element is in the area between these two positions, the frame carrier cannot detach from the profile. However, the frame carrier and profile can be moved longitudinally with respect to each other.
For example, a guiding element is in the first position when the head section is in a flat position and in the second position when the head section is in a raised position.
The lever arm 230 prevents a guide roller from being brought back into the assembly position 800′ after the lever arm has been mounted. The lever arm 230 thus allows the profile 500 to be moved along the frame carrier 200, but at the same time prevents the profile from being detached from the frame carrier.
During assembly, the frame carrier 200 and the displaceable module 300 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the at least one guiding element 410′, 410″ is aligned with the recess 620′, 620″ of the at least one slotted hole of the profile 500 in order to be able to insert the guiding element into the inside of the profile.
The module is then moved in relation to the profile so that the at least one guiding element is no longer located in the area of the recess, but in the area between the first and second position. This means that the profile can no longer detach from the frame carrier.
The lever arm 230 for the wallhugger mechanism is then mounted between the profile and the frame carrier. The length of the lever arm and the mounting points of the lever arm on a segment of the adjustment mechanism and on the frame carrier are selected such that the at least one guiding element can only move in the range between the first and the second position.
In a step S1, a frame carrier, for example a frame carrier as described with reference to the previous figures, is provided.
In a step S2, a displaceable module, for example a displaceable module as described with reference to the previous figures, is provided.
In a step S3, a lever arm, for example as described with reference to the previous figures, is provided.
In a step S4, the frame carrier and the displaceable module are aligned in such a way that at least one guiding element of the frame carrier can be inserted into the inside of the profile of the displaceable module through at least one slot of a profile of the displaceable module.
In a step S5, the frame carrier and profile are connected to each other using the lever arm.
This embodiment has advantages in terms of wear of the guiding element, in particular when a guide roller is used. If the profile tube 500 moves relative to the guide roller and the fastening axis 510 is inclined at a small angle 840 (for example less than 2.5° to the vertical), then there is only one contact point 830 between the horizontal base surface of the profile tube 500 and the guide roller 410. At this point, the profile tube drives the guide roller. At the diametrically opposite point of the guide roller, the guide roller rotates in the opposite direction and therefore at twice the relative speed of the profile tube. In contrast to an exactly vertical fastening axis, there is no contact with the profile tube at this opposite point because the guide roller is lifted off. This prevents increased wear on the guide roller.
In a preferred embodiment, the fastening axis 510 is inclined outwards by an angle of 2.5° to the vertical 840. In this context, outward means towards the outer edge of the bed (see
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 2022 100 206.1 | Jan 2022 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2023/050713 | 1/13/2023 | WO |
