Abstract:
A piece of furniture has an outer construction (frame), an inner body that can be raised and lowered in relation to the outer construction via a body motor, and a leaf (flap) that is movable via a leaf motor for covering the front face of the raised inner body. The leaf is articulated on the outer construction, and an electronic controller operable by way of at least one operating switch is provided for coordinated actuation of the leaf motor and the body motor. Starting from a position with the leaf open and the inner body lowered, the inner body first moves at least partially upwards before the leaf closes in order to close the piece of furniture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns an article of furniture comprising an external structure, an inner body which can be raised and lowered motor-driven by way of a body motor in relation to the external structure, and a moveable flap motor-driven by way of a flap motor for covering the front side of the upwardly moved inner body, wherein the flap is articulated on the external structure. 
     It should be noted that the terms “body motor” and “flap motor” refer in that case not just to a pure motor but also to the peripheral devices which are usually employed by a man skilled in the art for technical implementation of a motor movement, like for example a suitable transmission device, that is to say they refer to the entire motorized drive unit. 
     In addition, it should also be first pointed out that the invention is not limited to an article of furniture with a given type of inner body or flap. The flap can be, for example, an upwardly moveable flap in regard to which in turn a distinction is essentially made between one-piece high-level flaps, so-called upwardly foldable flaps comprising at least two flap portions, one-piece upwardly pivotable flaps or so-called upward lift flaps (see in that respect for example AT 009 076 U1). 
     The articles of furniture set forth in the opening part of this specification are known for example from AT 507 804 A1 to the present applicant, wherein the invention disclosed in that specification is directed in particular to optimizing the basic structure of such articles of furniture in regard to fitment thereof to a wall. 
     Similar structures are described in JP 2009 297271 A and WO 2007 131251 A2. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is now to improve safety and at the same time operating comfort for the user. For example, it was hitherto not possible to entirely exclude the risk of fingers becoming jammed between the flap and the inner body of the article of furniture by a relative movement of those two components with respect to each other. 
     Therefore, a basic idea of the invention involves actuating the flap motor and the body motor in coordinated relationship. 
     That coordinated actuation can be promoted by the provision of a device connected to the control device for detecting the height-wise position of the inner body. More specifically, the control device can then actuate the flap motor and the body motor in coordinated relationship in dependence on the detected height-wise position of the inner body. The height-wise position specifies the height-wise position in which the inner body is disposed relative to the article of furniture. The device for detecting that height-wise position can be different sensors which are usually employed for that purpose by a man skilled in the art. As an alternative thereto, the body motor itself can also function as such a device, more specifically when for example this involves a stepping motor, the number of revolutions of which is detected and related to the travel distance covered by the inner body. 
     To exclude the risk, referred to in the opening part of this specification, of fingers becoming jammed between the flap and the inner body of the article of furniture due to a relative movement of those two components with respect to each other, it is advantageous when closing the article of furniture—starting from a position with the flap open and the inner body moved downwardly—that firstly the inner body moves at least partially upwardly before the flap closes. As an alternative thereto, both movements—that is to say the upward movement of the inner body and closure of the flap—can also begin at the same time. In that case, however, the speed of the closing movement of the flap is reduced to such an extent that the upward travel movement of the inner body is ended before the flap finally closes. 
     In regard to the above-mentioned operating comfort for the user, it has proven to be desirable if closure of the article of furniture can be triggered in the above-described manner by a one-off actuation of only one actuating switch. 
     The coordinated actuation of the flap motor and the body motor—besides the possibility of providing a device for detecting the height-wise position of the inner body—can also be still further promoted if there is provided a device connected to the control device, for detecting the position of the flap. In relation to the possible technical implementations of such a device, different sensors are also presented here, as well as the possibility of determining the instantaneous flap position indirectly by way of detection of the number of revolutions of the flap motor. 
     To further increase safety, it is advantageous if the downward movement of the inner body is prevented when the flap is closed. That can be achieved for example by way of the electronic control device and/or by virtue of an actuating switch, by means of which the downward movement of the inner body can be triggered, being concealed by the flap when the flap is closed and thus not being accessible from the exterior. 
     An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterised in that opening of the flap, downward and upward movement of the inner body and/or closure of the article of furniture (in the above-described manner) can be triggered by actuation of an actuating switch. This case therefore involves a “one-switch operating mode”. In that case, specific triggering of the above-mentioned processes can be effected by actuations that last for different periods of time and/or different sequences of actuating pulses of the actuating switch. It is for example conceivable that—starting from a closed flap and an upwardly moved inner body—the first actuation of the actuating switch (irrespective of how long it lasts) always opens the flap. As from a given moment in time, that is to say from a given position of the flap, the actuating switch is released again for renewed actuation. The nature of this renewed actuation now decides whether the flap closes again or the inner body moves downwardly. For example, a brief actuation can cause closure of the flap and a long actuation can cause downward movement of the inner body, or vice-versa. As an alternative thereto, the distinction can also be made by way of a different number of actuating pulses in a predetermined time window. In the downwardly moved condition of the inner body, it is possible for the user to again be allowed to decide (by differing actuation of the actuating switch) whether he would now want to only move the inner body upwardly or whether in addition the flap is also to be closed (in the above-described manner). 
     A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterised in that there are provided at least two actuating switches, and
         opening and closing of the flap can be triggered by actuation of one of the at least two actuating switches, and   upward and downward movement of the inner body can be triggered by actuation of the other of the at least two actuating switches.       

     In addition, by actuation of the actuating switch, by the actuation of which opening and closing of the flap can be triggered, closing of the article of furniture can also be triggered (in the above-described manner). 
     Particularly in the case of articles of furniture with a large inner body, it is possible to provide two such respective actuating switches at the left-hand and right-hand sides of the article of furniture—in the position of use. The two actuating switches for example are arranged one above the other on the two sides, and the two upper switches are characterised by a given functionality—and more specifically the same one. The two lower switches are characterised by another functionality—which however is also the same in respect of those two lower switches. That configuration has the advantage that, to operate the article of furniture, the user can select that two-switch group of actuating switches, which is disposed closer to where he is. 
     A very elegant structure is characterised in that at least one actuating switch, and more specifically preferably that which triggers opening of the flap when the flap is closed and the inner body is moved upwardly, bears at least region-wise against the inside surface of the flap when the flap is closed, and is actuable by external pressure on the flap. 
     In addition, it is advantageous if
         the at least one actuating switch or at least one of the provided actuating switches is a pushbutton switch, and/or   the body motor and/or the flap motor is an electric motor, and/or   the front side of the inner body is at least region-wise open, and/or   the inner body has at least one compartment shelf.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter by means of the specific description with reference to the embodiments by way of example illustrated in the drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are diagrammatic views of a preferred embodiment of the article of furniture with the flap closed and the inner body moved upwardly,  FIG. 1   a  being a perspective view and  FIG. 1   b  being a side view, 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are diagrammatic views of the preferred embodiment of the article of furniture with the flap open and the inner body moved upwardly,  FIG. 2   a  being a perspective view and  FIG. 2   b  being a side view, 
         FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are diagrammatic views of the preferred embodiment of the article of furniture with the flap open and the inner body moved downwardly,  FIG. 3   a  being a perspective view and  FIG. 3   b  being a side view, 
         FIG. 4   a  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the article of furniture with the flap open and the inner body moved upwardly, 
         FIG. 4   b  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the article of furniture with the flap partially closed and the inner body partially moved upwardly, and 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view showing the principle to illustrate coordinated actuation of the flap motor and the body motor in the preferred embodiment of the article of furniture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1   a  through  4   b  show various conditions of the preferred embodiment of the article of furniture  1  during the opening and closing movements. In that respect,  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show the completely closed condition (i.e., the condition in which the inner body is moved completely upwardly and is concealed by the completely closed flap  5 ).  FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view while  FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the article of furniture  1  in that condition. It is possible to see: an external frame structure  15 , the flap  5  which in this case is an upward fold flap made in two parts, a part of the body motor  2  and a power supply device  7  which supplies electric energy to the two motors and the electronic control device as well as all further electronic components of the article of furniture  1 . 
     In the enlarged portion of the side view (see  FIG. 1   b ), it is possible to see two actuating switches S 1  and S 2  provided for operation of the electronic control device. The particularity in regard to the arrangement of these two actuating switches S 1  and S 2  is that they are concealed by the flap  5  when the flap  5  is closed. In addition, the switch S 1  bears against the inside surface of the flap  5  and can be actuated by an external pressure D 1  on the flap  5 . The switch S 2  in contrast is arranged within the external frame structure  15  and is therefore only indicated in broken line in  FIG. 1   b . If now there should be a wish to open the flap  5  of the article of furniture  1 , then a brief pressure movement D 1  from the exterior on the flap  5  is sufficient to actuate the switch S 1  and thereby set in operation the opening mechanism of the flap  5 . 
     Both of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show the condition of the article of furniture  1  with the flap  5  completely open, more specifically also once again as a perspective view and a side view. As the flap  5  is now open, the observer can look into the inside of the article of furniture  1  and in so doing see a part of the flap motor  4 , the inner body  3 , the two compartment shelves  14  and now also in the perspective view the two actuating switches S 1  and S 2 . Those two actuating switches S 1  and S 2  are arranged both at the left-hand and also at the right-hand side of the article of furniture  1 . That configuration has the advantage that for operation of the article of furniture, the user can select that two-switch group of actuating switches S 1  and S 2 , which is closer to where he is. By virtue of that duplication of the actuating switches S 1  and S 2 —particularly in the case of articles of furniture  1  with a large inner body  3 , it does not matter at what location on the flap  5  the initial opening pressure command D 1  is exerted as in any case one of the two switches S 1  arranged at both sides will respond to that pressure D 1 . 
     Starting from that open condition of the article of furniture  1 , the user has the possibility either of closing the flap  5  again by renewed—but this time direct—actuation D 2  of the actuating switch S 1 , or in some manner causing the inner body  3  to move downwardly in order to more easily put articles into it or remove them therefrom. If the user should want to trigger the latter movement, he can do that by actuation D 3  of one of the two switches S 2 . 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show the condition of the article of furniture  1 , in which the flap  5  is completely open and the inner body  3  is moved completely down. The height-wise position of the inner body  3 , which specifies the height-wise position of the inner body  3  relative to the remaining part (frame structure  15  and flap  5 ) of the article of furniture  1 , is denoted by reference H in  FIG. 3   b.    
     In this condition of the article of furniture, the user once again has a choice between two operating options: on the one hand by renewed actuation D 4  of the switch S 2  he can again cause the inner body  3  to move upwardly again without the flap  5  closing, and on the other hand he has the option of causing both the inner body  3  to move upwardly and also the flap  5  to close, by applying pressure D 5  to the switch S 1 . In this case, that combined closing movement of the article of furniture  1  is so coordinated that firstly the inner body  3  at least partially moves upwardly and it is only then that the flap  5  closes. The expression “at least partially” signifies that, in the course of that closing movement, firstly the inner body  3  moves completely upwardly and it is only then that the closing movement of the flap  5  begins (that situation is shown in  FIG. 4   a ) or however the inner body  3  moves partially upwardly and then the closing movement of the flap  5  is triggered (see in that respect  FIG. 4   b ). In both scenarios, the risk of fingers of the user being jammed by the relative movement of the inner body  3  and the flap  5  is excluded, as this arrangement ensures that, during the movement of the inner body  3 , the spacing of the flap  5  relative to the inner body  3  does not fall below a given safety spacing. The flap  5  only completely approaches the inner body  3  when the latter has already come to a halt. 
       FIG. 5  serves to illustrate the coordinated actuation of the flap motor  4  and the body motor  2  in the preferred embodiment of the article of furniture. The central component part for implementing such coordinated actuation is the electronic control device  6  connected both to the body motor  2  and the flap motor  4  and also to the two actuating switches S 1  and S 2 . In the simplest case, those connections  9  through  13  are electrical connections. By actuation of the two actuating switches S 1  and S 2 , a user can give operating commands to the electronic control device  6 , which thereupon actuates the two motors  2  and  4  in coordinated relationship, that coordination just for example involving the procedure wherein to close the article of furniture—starting from a position with the flap open and the inner body moved downwardly—firstly the inner body at least partially moves upwardly before the flap closes, or downward movement of the inner body is prevented when the flap is closed. 
     The two broken lines  8  and  11  show that the two motors  2  and  4  in this embodiment respectively function as a device for detecting the height-wise position of the inner body and for detecting the position of the flap, respectively. The motors  2 ,  4  feed those items of information about the height-wise position and the flap position back to the control device  6  (as indicated by the broken lines  8 ,  11 ). However, as already stated hereinbefore in the introductory part of this description, it is also possible to provide sensor devices which are separate from the motors for the purpose of providing feedback information. 
     The right-hand part of  FIG. 5 , which is separated off by the dash-dotted line, diagrammatically shows the two preferred embodiments of the actuating switches S 1  and S 2 , the actuating switch S 1  being a so-called “single pole/single throw” switch and the switch S 2  being a so-called “single pole/double throw” switch. 
     Finally, it should also be noted that  FIG. 5  only shows the underlying principle for coordinated actuation of the flap motor  4  and the body motor  5 , and that all further electronic components which naturally are also still necessary for technical implementation (being however familiar to a man skilled in the art) have been omitted for the sake of clarity of the drawing.