Abstract:
A furniture hinge has at least two fitting parts for fixing the hinge to furniture parts. One of the fitting parts is designed as a hinge arm with at least one joint lever which pivots during the hinge movement and a rotation damper for damping a hinge movement. A slide, movably mounted on the hinge arm, may be driven by the pivotable joint lever, and the slide acts on the rotation damper by means of a transmission mechanism (T).

Description:
This application is a Continuation of International application No. PCT/AT2009/000409, filed Oct. 20, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a furniture hinge comprising at least two fitment parts for fixing to furniture parts, wherein one of the fitment parts is in the form of a hinge arm, at least one joint lever pivotable during the hinge movement, and a rotation damper for damping a hinge movement. 
     The invention further concerns an article of furniture comprising at least one furniture hinge of the kind to be described. 
     Rotation dampers for damping hinge movements are frequently in the form of a fluid damper having at least two damping components which—at least in the damping stroke—are arranged rotatably relative to each other. Provided between the two damping components is a space (preferably a shearing gap) with a damping fluid on which shearing forces act during the damping stroke, whereby a damping action can be generated. Rotation dampers usually have a travel-dependent damping function (i.e., the degree of damping is dependent on the rotary angle range covered by the two damping components relative to each other). Thus a certain damping travel has to be provided to achieve the desired soft damping effect. In practice, the fulfillment of those requirements repeatedly encounters limits which are predetermined by the geometry of the furniture hinge. Thus, it is often difficult for a rotation damper to be integrated into the furniture hinge in such a way that, on the one hand, damping begins at a given relative position of the fitment parts with respect to each other but, on the other hand, a sufficient rotary angle range of one damping component relative to the other is still covered. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a furniture hinge of the general kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, wherein good damping results can be achieved even with large opening angles in respect of the furniture hinge. 
     In an advantageous configuration according to the invention, the object is achieved in that a slider mounted displaceably on the hinge arm is drivable by the pivotable joint lever and the slider acts on the rotation damper by way of a transmission mechanism. 
     The invention can be particularly desirably implemented in relation to wide-angle hinges having at least seven axes of rotation. In general, an opening angle which is greater than 90° is achieved with a wide-angle hinge. Frequently such wide-angle hinges have a maximum opening angle of between 170° and 180°. To increase the length of the hinge arm, wide-angle hinges are frequently provided with intermediate portions which are arranged movably by way of joint levers between the actual fitment parts (the hinge arm and the hinge cup respectively). Now, use is made of those joint levers which are pivoted during the hinge movement to provide that at least one of those joint levers is used to act on the slider which is mounted on the hinge arm and is displaceable during the damping stroke relative to the hinge arm—preferably with a translatory movement. That linear movement of the slider is transmitted to the rotation damper by way of a transmission mechanism (for example a rack-pinion arrangement), whereby an opening and/or closing movement of the furniture hinge can be dampened. In that respect, the transmission mechanism can have a transmission ratio by which a pivotal angle movement covered by the joint lever can be stepped up to a higher rotary angle range of the rotation damper. Thus, a relatively small pivotal movement of the joint lever is already enough to trigger a correspondingly higher rotary movement of the rotation damper so as to ensure adequate shearing of the damping fluid between the two damping components of the rotation damper. 
     In a possible embodiment of the invention, the slider can be separate from the joint lever, and the slider can be acted upon by the joint lever only as from a predetermined relative position of the fitment parts with respect to each other. In other words, therefore there does not have to be positive coupling of the rotation damper. The joint lever is therefore movable independently of the slider over the great part of the pivotal movement of the joint lever and it acts on the slider only as from a predetermined relative position of the fitment parts with respect to each other. The slider acts on the joint lever by pure contacting, that is to say during the damping stroke the joint lever bears only loosely against the slider, whereas in the opening movement the joint lever can immediately lift off the slider so that the furniture hinge is movable into the completely open position independently of the rotation damper. 
     In a possible configuration of the invention, the rotation damper can be mounted at that end of the hinge arm which is remote from the second fitment part. In the state of the art, it was hitherto usual for the rotation damper to be arranged admittedly on the hinge arm, but in the immediate proximity of a hinge axis connecting the two fitment parts. In the present invention, in contrast, the rotation damper can be arranged at the free end of the hinge arm, with overall more free space being available. In that case, the rotation damper can be arranged so that all components thereof (that is to say the rotation damper in its entirety), during the damping stroke, move relative to the hinge arm and also relative to the second fitment part (for example the hinge cup). In that way, the beginning, the progress, and the end of the damping procedure can be additionally influenced. 
     The article of furniture according to the invention is characterized by at least one furniture hinge of the kind described. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention are described by means of the specific description hereinafter, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an article of furniture having a movable furniture part mounted pivotably relative to a furniture carcass by way of furniture hinges according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the furniture hinge mounted to the furniture parts, 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  show side views of the furniture hinge in time successions of the damping process in the closing direction, 
         FIGS. 4   a,    4   b  show perspective views of the furniture hinge in an open position and 
         FIGS. 5   a - 5   e  show various views of the linearly displaceable slider and the switching member for deactivation of the damping function of the furniture hinge, 
         FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the carcass-side part of the furniture hinge, 
         FIGS. 7   a,    7   b  show a possible embodiment for deactivation of the damping function of the furniture hinge, 
         FIGS. 8   a,    8   b  show perspective views in vertical section of the rotation damper, wherein the damping function of the furniture hinge can be switched on and off by the switching member, 
         FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  show various positions of the switching knob which is displaceable by the switching member and enlarged detail views thereof, and 
         FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  show various views of the selective coupling between the shaft and the damping component for activation and deactivation of the damping function of the furniture hinge and enlarged detail views thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an article of furniture  1  in cabinet form having a furniture carcass  1   a  and a furniture part  1   b  which is pivotable relative thereto and which is mounted limitedly movably between a closed position and an open position by way of two furniture hinges  2  according to the invention. The furniture hinges  2  are preferably in the form of wide-angle hinges, that is to say the movable furniture part  1   b  can assume an opening angle of more than 90° relative to the front face of the furniture carcass  1   a . The furniture hinges  2  have fitment parts in the form of a hinge arm  3  and a hinge cup  4  respectively, which is recessed in a bore in the movable furniture part  1   b.    
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the furniture hinge  2 , the hinge arm  3  of which can be releasably latched to a mounting plate  5  known from the state of the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the second fitment part is in the form of a hinge cup  4  provided for connection to the movable furniture part  1   b . An intermediate portion  6  is positively guided by way of two pivotable joint levers  7   a ,  7   b  relative to the hinge arm  3 . Pivotally connected to the intermediate portion  6  is an intermediate lever  8   a  which is hingedly connected to the hinge cup  4  by way of a further intermediate lever  8   b . What is of particular significance is a movable slider  9  which is mounted at the free rear end of the hinge arm  3  and which is linearly displaceable at least during the damping stroke, relative to the hinge arm  3 . The pivotable joint lever  7   a  is provided for acting on the slider  9  which in the course of the closing movement of the furniture hinge  2  is urged into a rear end position by the joint lever  7   a  only as from a predetermined relative position of the hinge cup  4  with respect to the hinge arm  3 . A rotation damper  10  mounted on the slider  9  (or also on the hinge arm  3 ) is drivable by that triggered linear movement of the slider  9 . Provided for selectively switching the damping function of the rotation damper  10  on and off is a switching member  11  which is displaceable transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hinge arm  3 . 
       FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  show side views of the furniture hinge  2  in time successions of the damping process in the direction of the closed position.  FIG. 3   a  shows an open position of the furniture hinge  2 . The furniture hinge  2  is in the form of a wide-angle hinge having at least seven axes of rotation S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4 , S 5 , S 6  and S 7 , wherein the axis of rotation S 6  lies within the hinge cup  4 . The first joint lever  7   a  which is pivotally connected on the one hand by way of the axis of rotation S 1  to the stationary hinge arm  3  and on the other hand to the movable intermediate portion  6  by way of the axis of rotation S 2  is provided for acting on the displaceable slider  9 . In  FIG. 3   a  the joint lever  7   a  is spaced relative to the slider  9 , whereby the rotation damper  10  mounted in or on the slider  9  or in or on the hinge arm  3  is initially not active. 
     It can be seen from  FIG. 3   b  that, in the illustrated relative intermediate position of the hinge cup  4  with respect to the hinge arm  3 , the joint lever  7   a  engages (contacts) the slider  9  whereby the damping process starts. In the further closing movement, the slider  9  is moved (pushed) relative to the hinge arm  3  into a rear end position by the joint lever  7   a , as is shown in  FIG. 3   c .  FIG. 3   c  therefore shows the furniture hinge  2  in the fully closed position. The rotation damper  10  (not visible here) is drivable by the triggered linear movement of the slider  9  so that the pivoting movement of the joint lever  7   a  (and therewith the closing movement of the furniture hinge  2 ) can take place in damped fashion. Starting from the completely closed position shown in  FIG. 3   c  the furniture hinge  2  can be opened again, in which case the pivotable joint lever  7   a  immediately lifts off the slider  9  and the furniture hinge  2  is movable in the direction of the open position, in a manner in which it is uncoupled from the rotation damper  10 . For returning the slider  9  into a position intended for the next damping stroke, there is a return mechanism (for example a return spring), by which the slider  9  can be moved back into a position as shown in  FIG. 3   a  again. The slider  9  can possibly also have lateral projections (not shown) on which the joint lever  7   a  can act. 
       FIG. 4   a  shows a perspective view of the furniture hinge  2  in an open position. It is possible to see the two fitment parts in the form of the hinge arm  3  and the hinge cup  4 . By virtue of the intermediate portion  6 , it is possible for the two furniture parts  1   a ,  1   b  not only to be pivoted relative to each other, but to also increase their mutual spacing in the pivotal movement. For that purpose, starting from the closed position shown in  FIG. 4   b , the intermediate portion  6  is pivoted by the joint levers  7   a ,  7   b  beyond the hinge arm  3 , and effectively prolongs the hinge arm into an open position, as shown in  FIG. 4   a . Thus, the two fitment parts  3 ,  4  are spaced at different distances from each other in the two end positions.  FIG. 4   a  also shows the switching member  11  in a switching position in which the hinge movement takes place in damped relationship. In the course of the closing movement, the two lateral joint levers  7   a  meet (contact) the slider  9  and displace it rearwardly, so that a damping effect is generated in that case. In contrast,  FIG. 4   b  shows the switching member  11  in a switching position in which the hinge movement takes place undamped. Accordingly, the user is therefore responsible for deciding whether a damping action on the furniture hinge  2  is or is not to be provided, by suitable actuation of the switching member  11 . 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   e  show various views of the linearly displaceable slider  9  and the switching member  11  for deactivation of the damping function of the rotation damper  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slider  9  is also in the form of a housing for the rotation damper  10 .  FIG. 5   a  shows the slider  9  with the rotation damper  10  integrated therein, wherein a shaft  10   a  has a pinion  10   b  mounted thereon for driving the rotation damper  10 . The switching knob  12  can be axially displaced along the shaft  10   a  by the switching member  11 —which is not shown in  FIG. 5   a —, whereby the damping action can be deactivated.  FIG. 5   b  shows a perspective view illustrating the underside of the hinge arm  3 , showing the transmission mechanism T. Arranged on the hinge arm  3  is a stationary rack  10   c , along which the pinion  10   b  can run when the slider  9  is acted upon by the joint lever  7   a . It is possible to see a return mechanism  13  in the form of a torsion spring which is stressed during the damping stroke by the displacement of the slider  9 . After damping has been effected, the pinion  10   b  is moved by the stored energy of the torsion spring in the opposite direction of rotation, whereby the slider  9  can also be moved back again into a ready position for the next damping stroke. The return mechanism  13  with the torsion spring is therefore operative between the slider  9  and the pinion  10   b . In a mechanical reversal it is also possible for the rotation damper  10  with the pinion  10   b  to be arranged on the hinge arm  3  and the rack  10   c  on the movable slider  9 . 
       FIG. 5   c  shows a perspective view of the switching member  11  from below, while  FIG. 5   d  shows a plan view of the switching member  11 .  FIG. 5   e  shows a sectional view of the switching member  11  along the arrows in  FIG. 5   d .  FIG. 5   e  shows an inclined sliding guide  11   a  for raising and lowering the switching knob  12  shown in  FIG. 5   a , wherein the damping function of the rotation damper  10  can be deactivated in a lowered position of the switching knob  12 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the carcass-side part of the furniture hinge  2  as an exploded view. The furniture hinge  2  can be releasably latched by way of a plate holder  14  to a mounting plate  5  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The relative position of the hinge arm  3  with respect to the plate holder  14  can be variably adjustable by way of a depth adjusting device  15   a  and by way of a height adjusting device  15   b . The drawing also shows the rack  10   c  arranged stationarily on the hinge arm  3  and provided for meshing with the pinion  10   b  of the rotation damper  10 . The return mechanism  13  in the form of the torsion spring serves for rotating the pinion  10   b  back again, whereby the slider  9  is also movable back into a starting position for the next damping stroke again. Mounted on the shaft  10   a  is a rotatable damping component  16  which, in the mounting position, is arranged rotatably relative to the slider  9 . A shearing gap with a damping fluid is operative between the damping component  16  and the slider  9 . The rotation damper  10  also includes a freewheel clutch  20  with a cage  20   a  rotatable by the switching member  11 , wherein a damping function of the furniture hinge  2  is provided in a first switching position of the switching member  11  and the damping function is deactivated in a second switching position of the switching member  11 . That is controlled by the switching member  11  which moves the switching knob  12  downwardly by way of the sliding guide  11   a  shown in  FIG. 5   e , whereby the cage  20   a  is rotated. Thereby, the damping component  16  is uncoupled from the rotary movement of the shaft  10   a . The intermediate portion  6  is connected to the hinge arm  3  by way of the first joint lever  7   a . The joint lever  7   a  serves, on the one hand, for acting on the slider  9  and, on the other hand, for connecting the intermediate portion  6  to the hinge arm  3 .  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show a very simple structure for deactivation of the damping function of the rotation damper  10 . Axial displacement of the shaft  10   a  with the pinion  10   b  arranged thereon is possible by way of a displacement of the switching member  11  ( FIG. 6 ) so that the pinion  10   b  is moved out of the rack  10   c . The uncoupled position of the pinion  10   b  is shown in  FIG. 7   a , in which case the hinge movement can take place in undamped fashion. In  FIG. 10   b , in contrast, the switching member  11  is set so that the pinion  10   b  is in engagement with the rack  10   c , whereby a hinge movement can be damped. 
       FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show a further possible way of deactivating the damping function of the rotation damper  10 . The illustrated Figures show perspective vertical sections of the slider  9  with the rotation damper  10  arranged therein. It is possible to see the shaft  10   a  drivable by the pinion  10   b  as well as the damping component  16  arranged rotatably within the slider  9 , wherein an annular shearing gap  18  for receiving a damping fluid remains between the damping component  16  and the slider  9 . In  FIG. 8   a , the switching member  11  is in a deactivating switching position in which the damping function of the rotation damper  10  is deactivated. At least one clamping body  19  is controllable in the peripheral direction of the shaft  10   a  by the switching member  11 , the clamping body  19  selectively coupling the damping component  16  to the movement of the shaft  10   a . The clamping body  19  has been raised out of the plane of the section, for the sake of improved clarity. In  FIG. 8   a , the clamping body  19  therefore does not form a clamping connection between the shaft  10   a  and the damping component  16 , whereby no relative movement of the damping component  16  with respect to the outer slider  9  also takes place. The hinge movement therefore takes place undamped. 
     In  FIG. 8   b , in contrast, the switching member  11  has been moved into a damping switching position, whereby the clamping body  19  now forms a clamping connection between the shaft  10   a  and the damping component  16 . When now the shaft  10   a  is moved by way of the pinion  10   b , the damping component  16  is also moved with the shaft  10   a  by virtue of the clamping connection. Thus, there is a relative movement between the damping component  16  and the outer slider  9 , that movement being braked by the damping fluid arranged in the shearing gap  18 . 
       FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  show various views of the switching knob  12  which is adjustable in respect of height by displacement of the switching member  11  by way of the sliding guide  11   a  ( FIG. 5   e ).  FIG. 9   a  shows the central shaft  10   a  with the damping component  16  which can be coupled thereto, an annular shearing gap  18  for receiving the damping fluid remaining between the damping component  16  and the slider  9 .  FIG. 9   a  shows the raised position of the switching knob  12  so that the damping function is deactivated.  FIG. 9   b  shows a detail view on an enlarged scale of the region circled in  FIG. 9   a . In  FIG. 9   b  the switching knob  12  has inclined surfaces  12   a  arranged thereon, which can cooperate with corresponding inclined surfaces of a cage  20   a  surrounding the shaft  10   a.    
     The switching knob  12  can only be moved axially relative to the shaft  10   a  by virtue of the non-circular cross-section. In the case of a purely axial movement of the switching knob  12  relative to the shaft  10 , the case  20   a  is consequently rotatable in the peripheral direction of the shaft  10   a . That situation is shown in  FIG. 9   c  and in particular in the detail view of  FIG. 9   d . The cage  20   a  is rotatable by a downward movement of the switching knob  12 —caused by displacement of the switching member  11 —, whereby the clamping bodies  19  (not visible here) couple the damping component  16  to the shaft  10   a  so that therefore the damping component  16  is also rotated with the shaft  10   a . That rotation of the damping component  16 , however, is braked by the damping fluid in the shearing gap  18  so that the hinge movement can also be braked thereby. A spring  21  is provided for acting on the cage  20   a  or the clamping body  19  in the direction of the freewheel position. 
       FIG. 10   a  shows the shaft  10   a  with the surrounding clamping bodies  19  which selectively couple the rotatable damping component  16  to the rotary movement of the shaft  10   a , or not. It is possible to see the cage  20   a  ( FIGS. 9   a  through  9   c ) which is displaceable by a movement of the switching member  11  and by way of the switching knob  12  in the peripheral direction of the shaft  10   a .  FIG. 10   a  and the enlarged detail view in  FIG. 10   b  do not involve a damping function as the clamping bodies  19  respectively come to lie in recesses in the shaft  10   a , whereby a rotary movement of the shaft  10   a  is not transmitted to the damping component  16 . In  FIG. 10   c , in contrast the cage  20   a  has been displaced by the switching member  11  in the peripheral direction of the shaft  10   a  so that the clamping bodies  19  are moved out of the recesses in the shaft  10   a  and now come to bear against inclined surfaces of the shaft  10   a , whereby therefore a clamping connection can be made between the shaft  10   a  and the rotatable damping component  16 . When, therefore, the shaft  10   a  is rotated by way of the pinion  10   b , the damping component  16  is also rotated by virtue of the force-locking coupling by the switchable clamping bodies  19 . It will be noted however that that movement is damped by the damping fluid in the shearing gap  18 . 
     The width of the slider  9  is preferably greater than that of the hinge arm  3 , and the slider  9  can be movable relative to the hinge arm  3  by way of linear sliding guides. It will be appreciated that it is also possible to move the slider  9  relative to the hinge arm  3  by way of guide elements which can be guided in or along straight or also curved guide paths. In the illustrated embodiments the slider  9  is mounted slidingly at an outside of the hinge arm  3 . The shaft  10   a  of the rotation damper  10  can be arranged transversely, preferably at a right angle, to a longitudinal axis of the hinge arm  3  and substantially parallel to a vertical plane in relation to that longitudinal axis. 
     The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and includes or extends to all variants and technical equivalents which can fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto. The positional references adopted in the description such as for example up, down, lateral and so forth are also related to the usual installation position of the furniture hinge  2  or the directly described and illustrated Figure and upon a change in position are to be appropriately transferred to the new position.