This application claims the benefit under 35 USC ยง119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 20 2013 008 777.3 filed Oct. 7, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a hinge for a furniture part and item of furniture.
In the furniture sector, hinges for the pivotable mounting of furniture parts on a furniture body are known. The hinges may comprise an attachment part or hinge part, respectively, which is installable on the furniture body, and a hinge part which is fixable on the movable furniture part. Using the attachment parts which are pivotable in relation to one another, furniture parts, such as, for example, a door leaf or a flap can be moved via an articulation mechanism which is provided with the hinge.
In the case of what are referred to as double-link hinges or four-bar hinges, two articulation levers or articulation arms are present on the hinge, for example.
It is an object of the present invention to design the above-mentioned assemblies in a compact manner, so as to have extended functionality; in particular, misalignments of hinge parts that arise here during the operation of the hinge should be self-rectifying.
The present invention is based on a hinge for a movable furniture part which is accommodatable via the hinge on a furniture body of an item of furniture, in particular, a furniture hinge for a door or flap, wherein the hinge displays a first attachment part which is installable on the furniture body and which, via an articulation mechanism, is pivotably connected to a second attachment part which is installable on the movable furniture part, wherein the articulation mechanism comprises articulation levers which are mounted by way of articulation axles, and wherein a further lever which acts on a damper assembly of the hinge and which is pivotably accommodated by way of an axle separate to the articulation axles and, in the case of a pivoting movement according to the intended use of the hinge, is temporarily engaged on a guide portion on the hinge, wherein, in the usual operation of the hinge, the further lever, prior to an engaging operation, assumes a predetermined ready position from which the further lever engages on the guide portion.
The core of the present invention is to be seen in that a setting portion which is tuned to the further lever is configured in such a manner that the further lever on the hinge, from a pivoted position which, prior to the engaging operation, is different from the predetermined ready position, interacts with the setting portion in the case of the pivoting movement according to the intended use of the hinge such that the setting portion forces the further lever into the engaged state. The further lever is thus also placeable in a functionally correct manner on the hinge into the engaged state on the guide portion of the hinge by way of the setting portion when the further lever is in the non-regulating positions. By way of the invention, self-healing of an undesirable misalignment or exceptional position, respectively, which however cannot be entirely excluded, of the hinge or the further lever, respectively, is advantageously provided in particular without any particular measure or in a manner which is not perceivable to the user, respectively.
When opening the movable furniture part and thus the hinge, it may happen that the further lever assumes a misalignment which does not correspond to the defined ready position. This may be the case, for example, in an opening operation of the movable furniture part which is too fast or too severe, respectively, having loading peaks which briefly act on the hinge. Without an assembly or setting portion, respectively, according to the present invention, a malfunction of the hinge would arise, since the further lever and the guide portion would not be able to interact according to the intended use. Without the setting portion according to the present invention, the further lever and the guide portion, in particular, would move past one another in the event of a closing movement of the movable furniture part, this making available only a limited functionality of the hinge. This is avoided by the invention.
The invention is particularly advantageous with respect to the functioning of the damper assembly. Accordingly, the further pivotably mounted lever, in the case of a complete pivoting movement according to the intended use of the hinge, is temporarily engaged on a guide portion on the hinge, wherein the further level acts on the damper assembly of the hinge. The damper assembly of the hinge, in the case of a pivoting movement according to the intended use of the hinge, in particular, serves to achieve a damped or braked movement into a terminal position of the pivoting operation executed with the hinge. In the mounted state of the hinge on the item of furniture, this allows for an undesirable heavy slamming of the movable furniture part, in particular, an unpleasant slamming noise or damage to the furniture part and to the furniture body, respectively, to be avoided.
Without the assembly according to the present invention, the damping effect in the case of a pivoted position of the further lever, which, prior to the engaging operation, is different from the predetermined ready position, would not be initiated when closing the hinge, or would not be initiated in a functionally correct manner.
In the hinge working in a functionally correct manner, the actuation of the damper assembly, in cooperation of the further lever with the guide portion, advantageously always takes place at the same location of the pivoting movement of the furniture part or at an always identical pivoted position of the hinge on its way into a terminal position of the pivoting movement possible with the hinge, respectively. The interaction of the further lever with the guide portion may be implemented in a very space-saving or compact manner, respectively. The further lever and the guide portion, in particular, may be provided in regions which are anyway vacant in the case of known corresponding hinges. These regions preferably lie in the interior of the hinge and are not or hardly visible from outside. In the case of an assembly according to the present invention, this allows for a desired visual impact or a preferred exterior design, respectively, to be realized.
Alternatively or additionally, instead of the damper assembly, the hinge may comprise an actuator, such that, in the case of a complete pivoting movement according to the intended use of the hinge, further lever is temporarily engaged on a guide portion on the hinge, wherein the further lever acts on the actuator of the hinge. Actuator is generally to be understood as an element which transforms an input variable into an output variable of a different type, in order to elicit a desired action or an effect. Conceivable actuator principles are, for example, inductive electric motors, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, cylinders, electro-chemical or electro-mechanical actuators, piezo actuators.
An electric motor can be operated or activated, respectively, in particular, by way of the cooperation of the further lever with the guide portion.
With the actuator or the electric motor, respectively, a closing and/or opening movement of the movable furniture part may be influenced, for example.
Also, by way of the actuator, a locking or latching of the movable furniture part, in particular, in a closed terminal position, is conceivable by way of the actuator.
It is not excluded, in principle, that a plurality of components, for example, a damper assembly and an actuator, may be acted on by way of the cooperation of the further lever with the guide portion.
Two or more further levers, in particular, having in each case one assigned guide portion, may also be provided on one hinge.
In the installed state of the hinge on the item of furniture, a kinematically defined reciprocating movement, the terminal positions of which is assigned to a completely closed and completely open position of the item of furniture in relation to the furniture body is provided with the hinge. Engaging takes place at a particular point of the pivoting movement, and disengaging of the further lever on the guide portion takes place in the later reverse movement. In this cooperation, proceeding from a terminal point after a determined proportion of the entire possible rotating or pivoting movement, respectively, of the hinge, the further lever and the guide portion are brought together. On account, for example, of meshing of the two elements, their further movement then takes place in a collective or interconnected manner, respectively. In this engaging state the lever acts on the damper assembly or the actuator, respectively.
The meshing or the engaging, respectively, may take place, for example, by means of a catching or threading mechanism, respectively. To this end, the guide portion may display, for example, a gate guide for the further lever. To this end, a portion of the further lever in its shape is exactly tuned to the gate guide.
The system may also be considered to be a type of enforced control of the further lever by the guide portion. The further lever remains motionless in the non-engaged state and is pivoted in the engaging state.
It is also possible for a movement of the guide portion and of the further lever to take place until engagement, even in a mutually opposing or mutually rotating manner, respectively. When engaging, a stoppage of the movement of one of the two components may arise. In the engaged state, the entire system of guide portion and further lever continues to move in a defined manner, wherein resulting guiding in the guide portion may correspond to the velocity pole of the movement of the further lever.
Preferably, the further lever is pivotably accommodated by way of an axle separate to the articulation axles. In this way, a positioning of the further lever which is adapted to spatial circumstances or is variable, respectively, can take place. The further lever may be present, for example, on an attachment part in the region between two present articulation axles.
Moreover, it is advantageous for a bearing portion of the further lever which is engageable with the guide portion to be present, wherein the setting portion comprises a guide edge which is tuned to the bearing portion and which is obliquely oriented in a direction of movement of the bearing portion. The setting portion is present in particular on a component or lever, respectively, on which the guide portion is configured.
According to an advantageous variant, an extent of the setting portion is adapted to at least one substantial extent of the guide portion. In this way, the setting portion and the guide portion advantageously collaborate.
It is furthermore of advantage that the setting portion comprises a passage for the bearing portion, wherein the passage displays oblique faces which lie opposite one another. Preferably, the setting portion displays oblique faces which taper in the direction of the passage toward the guide portion. This also increases the functionality of the setting portion.
It is also advantageous for the further lever and the guide portion to be tuned to one another in such a manner that an engagement state between the further lever and the guide portion, which is established in the case of a pivoting movement according to the intended use of the hinge into a terminal position, is neutralized in the case of a pivoting movement of the hinge out of the terminal position. The engagement of the further lever on the guide portion and the retaining of the engagement state takes place over part or a phase, respectively, of the entire pivoting movement which is possible with the hinge. This phase describes in particular a phase prior to attaining a terminal point of the pivoting movement, that is to say the engaging point, up to the associated terminal point, without a reversal of the direction of movement. Out of this terminal position and under reversal of the direction of movement, the engagement state is retained until the corresponding engaging point is attained and disengaging or decoupling, respectively, takes place. Typically, disengaging is retained until the other terminal point is attained. However, further engaging in the pivoting movement in the other terminal point is not excluded.
In the case of being mounted on the item of furniture, in a reverse movement of the hinge, for example, when opening the movable furniture part in relation to the furniture body, a decoupled or uncoupled situation, respectively, of the further lever and of the guide portion is attained. Here, the damper assembly or the actuator, respectively, is again returned to an initial state corresponding to the one prior to the action by the lever. In the following renewed closing movement, the damper assembly or the actuator of the image, respectively, is again operated.
It is furthermore proposed, that the further lever is configured to act on a portion of a component which is present on the first attachment part which is installable on the furniture body. In this manner, the damper or an actuator, respectively, can be housed on the attachment part which is installed on the furniture body, which is customarily advantageous for constructive reasons or space reasons, respectively.
However, it is in principle not excluded that the damper assembly or the actuator, respectively, is present on the attachment part which is accommodated on the furniture body.
The guide portion is advantageously accommodated between two articulation axles of the hinge. In particular, the guide portion advantageously may be present between a positionally fixed articulation axle on an attachment part and an articulation axle which is conjointly moved in the pivoting operation. In this way, the guide portion can be housed in a particularly space-saving manner.
It is furthermore advantageous for the guide portion to comprise a guide track which is raised or sunken in relation to the adjacent regions and which is configured so as to be tuned for the temporary engagement with a meshing portion of the further lever. The guide track is in particular designed as a guide groove or as a guide duct. For example, a projecting or raised part, such as, for example, a meshing nose can engage in the guide groove on the further lever and optionally be moved along the guide groove in the engagement state. A reversal of the shape, according to which the guide portion displays a meshing portion which meshes in a guide groove on the further lever in the engaging state, is not excluded.
It is furthermore advantageous for the guide portion to be present in such a manner that, in the case of a pivoting movement according to the intended use of the hinge, the guide portion is conjointly moved. The guide portion in particular always moves when the pivoting movement takes place. In this manner, the guide portion may be provided, for example, on an articulation lever, for example, integrally therewith or as an additional part thereon.
It is furthermore advantageous for the further lever to be pivotably mounted on one of the attachment parts. The further lever is configured as a two-armed lever. In this manner, the further lever may interact with one end with the guide portion and with the other end with the damper assembly or the actuator, respectively. When viewed in the longitudinal direction, the further lever, in particular, in the region of its axle, may display a kink or a bend, respectively.
It is furthermore proposed that the further lever and the damper assembly are disposed on the same attachment part. In this manner, action on the damper by the lever may take place in the immediate proximity. Accordingly, the further lever and the actuator may be disposed on the same attachment part.
It is furthermore preferable for the hinge to be configured as a knuckle-joint hinge. Specifically, the knuckle-joint hinge may be designed so as to be particularly rugged and for various maximum angular ranges of the pivoting movement which can be bridged. The articulation mechanism of a knuckle-joint hinge in particular may comprise a first and a second cross arm and a first and a second connection lever, wherein the first connection lever is connected by way of a first articulation on the first attachment part and by way of a second articulation to the first cross arm which is accommodated by way of a third attachment-side cross-arm articulation on the second attachment part, and the second connection lever is connected by way of a fourth articulation on the second attachment part and by way of a fifth articulation to the second cross arm which is accommodated by way of a sixth attachment-side cross-arm articulation on the first attachment part, and wherein the two cross arms are connected to one another in an articulated manner by way of a knuckle joint. In the case of an articulation movement, all levers may be simultaneously pivoted about in each case one assigned articulation of the aforementioned articulations.
It is preferable here that the guide portion is provided between the knuckle joint and an attachment-side cross-arm articulation and is conjointly movable according to the movement of one of the two cross arms in a pivoting movement which is executable by the hinge.
In an advantageous modification of the subject matter of the present invention, the hinge is configured as a wide-angle hinge. In the use state, a wide-angle hinge enables a particularly wide opening or pivoting, respectively, of the movable furniture part in relation to a closed position on the furniture body. In this manner, in particular also comparatively large pivot angles up to more than 160 angular degrees can be implemented.
The invention moreover relates to an item of furniture having a movable furniture part which is attached on a furniture body of the item of furniture, in particular, having a door or flap, wherein the item of furniture displays a hinge according to one of the abovementioned embodiments. In this manner, the advantages already explained above can be implemented on the item of furniture.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained by means of the hinges illustrated in the figures.
a show a side view of the assembly according to
b shows two components of the assembly according to
a shows the hinge according to
b shows two components of the assembly according to
In the case of the assembly according to the present invention shown in the figures, the same reference signs have been used in part for parts which correspond to the shown, known assembly.
The known hinge 1 shown in
By way of the articulation mechanism provided by the hinge 1, the movable furniture part M, in the mounted state on the item of furniture, may therewith be brought out of its closed position in relation to the furniture body K or the terminal position of the hinge 1, respectively, according to
As emerges from
It is furthermore evident from
A connecting pin 21 serves for connecting the mounting part 15 and the capping part 16.
For acting on the damper 19 in a targeted manner, a control system is provided which comprises an operating lever 22 which is connected to the housing 19a and which, by way of a boring 23 in the operating lever 22, a boring 25 in the capping part 16, and an axle pin 24 which engages through the borings 23 and 25, is pivotably mounted on the capping part 16, having a pivoting axle which runs parallel to the articulation axles 8 to 14. For coupling the movements of the pivoting movement of the operating lever 22 with the translatory movement of the housing 19a, the operating lever 22 is configured as a two-armed lever. The operating lever 22, on its end which faces the capping part 16, by way of an axle pin 26, is connected in an articulated manner by way of a further boring 28 on the end side of the operating lever 22 and a boring 27 in the operating bracket 20 to the operating bracket 20. On the end facing away from the capping part 16, the operating lever 22 is provided with a meshing portion in the form of a profile feature, here in the form of a nose 29 which projects laterally in relation to the longitudinal extent and which temporarily or in a phase-wise manner, respectively, interacts or is engageable and disengageable with a guide portion 30 on a guide lever 31.
The guide portion 30 in the guide lever 31 comprises a groove 30a which runs in a slightly curved manner, which is evident in particular according to
Instead of the guide groove, a slot hole which is open on the end side, a notch, a gate guide, etc. may be configured.
The guide lever 31 on the end displays in each case borings 31a, 31b, by way of which the guide lever 31 is clamped between the axle pins 13a and 14a or the corresponding articulations 13 and 14, respectively. The guide lever 31 is therewith conjointly moved in a corresponding manner to the part of the second cross arm 5 which is moved in the pivoting operation with the hinge 1. This also becomes clear from
In principle, the guide portion or the guide lever 31, respectively, and the further lever or the operating lever 22, respectively, may be present on another location in the hinge 1 or in other hinges, respectively.
The hinge 1 moreover displays a draw-in assembly 32 which is integrated in the first cross arm 4 and which, on a last part-portion of the pivoting movement, prior to attaining a closed position according to
The draw-in assembly 32 is held on the cross arm 4 by way of two cotter pins 36, 37.
When re-opening the movable furniture part M attached on the furniture-part hinge part 3 in relation to the furniture body K, the draw-in assembly 32 is brought into its preloaded position again (
In this manner, in spite of the automatic draw-in or of slamming, no shock-like striking of the furniture part M on the furniture body K can take place in the case of the pivoting operation when closing the furniture part M. When damping the closing movement, the housing 19a is moved in the direction of a forward end of the plunger rod 19b which projects from the housing 19a and is held in a positionally fixed manner. This movement takes place in a damped or braked manner, respectively.
During the damping operation, the operating lever 22 is pivoted in the clockwise direction about the axle pin 24 in the boring 25, according to the arrow P1 in
According to
In normal operation, the guide lever 39 and the operating lever 40 function in a corresponding manner to the interaction of the guide lever 31 with the operating lever 22, according to the hinge 1, and therefore, in their basic shape, very closely resemble the guide lever 31 or the operating lever 22, respectively, or are correspondingly disposed, respectively.
For threading-in a forward end region 41 of the operating lever 40 into a gate or groove 42, respectively, on the guide lever 39, the guide lever 39 displays a guide face 43 which, by way of the longitudinal extent of the groove 42, is configured on the periphery thereof which is oriented toward the end region 41. The guide face 43 is configured such or tuned to the end region 41 which conjointly moves with the pivoting of the operating lever 40 such, respectively, that in a pivoted position of the operating lever 40, according to the direction of movement P3, prior to an engaging operation of the operating lever 40 on the guide lever 39, wherein the pivoted position is different from a predefined functionally correct ready position, brings the end region 41 of the operating lever 40 and, therefore, the latter itself into the functionally correct position in relation to the guide lever 39 and further into the correct engagement position of the operating lever 40 and guide lever 39.
For a smooth or gliding interaction, respectively, of the operating lever 40 and guide lever 39, the orientation or the profile, respectively, and/or the shape of the guide face 43 may be configured on a corresponding counter face which interacts therewith on the end region 41 of the operating lever 40, in order to ensure a jolt-free hinge movement.
The guide face 43 may be designed on the forward periphery 43a in such a manner that the end region 41 of the operating lever 40 can engage without significant resistance in the groove 42 when a hinge movement of the hinge 38 takes place, in which the operating lever 40 engages on the guide lever 39. This triggers a damper 19 on the hinge 38, such that the closing movement of the movable furniture part which is not illustrated takes place in a gentle manner.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2013 008 777.3 | Oct 2013 | DE | national |