Abstract:
A drive device for a moveable furniture part including an ejection element, an ejection force accumulator, and a locking device for the ejection element. The locking device includes a locking journal which is subjected to force of the ejection force accumulator and can be locked in a locked position in a latch region of a guide track. The guide track is shaped like a curved heart and has a tightening section in which the locking journal can be moved when the ejection force accumulator is tightened, and a latching movement section of the locking journal prior to reaching the locked position in the latch region. The locking journal impinged upon by the tightened ejection force accumulator can be slowed down and/or dampened in the latching movement section and can be placed in the latch region.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a drive device for a moveable furniture part comprising an ejection element, an ejection force storage member (accumulator) and a locking device for the ejection element. The locking device has a locking pin which is acted upon by the ejection force storage member (accumulator) and which is lockable in a locking position in a latching region of a guide path. The guide path has a cardioid-shaped configuration and the cardioid-shaped guide path has a stressing portion in which the locking pin is moveable upon stressing of the ejection force accumulator and a latching engagement movement region of the locking pin before the locking position in the latching region is reached. The invention further concerns an article of furniture comprising a furniture carcass, a furniture part moveable relative to the furniture carcass and such a drive device for the moveable furniture part. 
     Drive devices for ejecting a moveable furniture part from a closed position into an open position have already been known for many years in the furniture fitting industry. To guarantee that the ejection element or the moveable furniture part is securely held in a closed position, locking devices are provided in that arrangement. When opening of the moveable furniture part is wanted, the locking device can then be unlocked by actuation of a triggering mechanism. Unlocking can be effected for example by pressing against the moveable furniture part to push it into an over-pressing position. Triggering or unlocking is also possible by pulling. After such unlocking an ejection force accumulator can deliver its force and in so doing move the moveable furniture part in the opening direction by way of the ejection element. 
     After the ejection force accumulator has been relieved of its load upon opening of the moveable furniture part that ejection force must be restored to the ejection force accumulator again by stressing. That is generally effected when closing a moveable furniture part (but it can also be effected upon opening) by an operator who moves the moveable furniture by hand. When therefore a pressing force is applied to the moveable furniture part upon closure thereof, pressure is also applied against the force of the ejection force accumulator. As soon as the ejection force accumulator is fully stressed the locking pin of the locking device passes along the guide path into the latching region, in which case then the hand no longer holds the ejection force accumulator in its stressed position but the locking pin locks or holds the stressed ejection force accumulator in the locking position at the latching region. 
     A critical region in terms of stressing and locking is the region immediately prior to reaching the locking position in the latching region. More specifically if the latching pin, by virtue of the configuration of the guide path, passes into a region shortly before reaching the latching region, then the ejection force accumulator can act with a relatively high force on that locking pin, in which case that then comes into an abutment condition in the latching region with the production of a relatively large amount of noise and heavy wear. 
     DE 10 2011 002 212 R1 discloses a spring element which forms a latching recess but which only serves to also permit pulling unlocking. 
     WO 2007/112463 A2 entails the problem of noise generation, but for that purpose the entire moveable furniture part is braked before the ejection force accumulator is loaded. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a drive device which is improved over the state of the art. In particular, the invention seeks to provide that locking can be effected as quietly as possible. The invention further seeks to provide that locking can be effected with the lowest possible loading on the components involved. 
     Accordingly, it is provided that the locking pin which is acted upon by the stressed ejection force accumulator in braked and/or damped relationship is moveable in the latching engagement movement region and can be placed in the latching region. Accordingly, the full force of the ejection force accumulator no longer acts on the locking pin when the latching region is reached, but the movement of the locking pin is damped or braked before reaching the latching region. 
     With such a cardioid-shaped guide path, preferably the latching region is spaced in the opening direction of the moveable furniture part from a transitional region which is between the stressing region and the latching engagement movement region, preferably by between 0.2 mm and 3 mm. As the locking pin can be preferably completely uncoupled from a movement of the moveable furniture part as from reaching the transitional region and as therefore the locking pin is moveable into the latching region by the ejection force accumulator along the latching engagement movement region, it is precisely that spacing between the transitional region and the latching region in the previous cardioid-shaped guide paths that is the reason that relatively severe striking and locking noises occur by virtue of the high force which acts on the locking pin from the ejection force accumulator. The greater the force of the ejection force accumulator, the louder and more disturbing can the locking noises be. That is now prevented by the braking or damping action in respect of the locking pin. 
     In principle, a plurality of different ways in which the locking pin can be placed in the latching region in braked or damped relationship are conceivable. 
     A first variant provides that there is provided a damping device which is operative between the ejection force accumulator and the locking pin and which damps the kinetic energy transmitted from the ejection force accumulator into the locking pin before the locking position is reached. Thus, it is not the full energy that is transmitted to the locking pin as from attainment of the transitional region. In other words, the kinetic energy acting on the locking pin is reduced by the damping device. It is particularly preferable for that purpose that the kinetic energy acting on the locking pin is reduced by the damping device only in the latching engagement movement region of the locking pin. That damping device also does not have to damp the movement of the locking pin in the entire latching engagement movement region, but can also damp it only in a part of that region. A particularly preferred embodiment of such a damping device provides that the damping device is in the form of a travel transmission mechanism. Thus, it is not the entire energy that is immediately transmitted to the locking pin from the ejection force accumulator. That can be effected for example by an arrangement whereby the locking pin can be placed in the latching region in cam-controlled relationship by the travel transmission mechanism, wherein the travel transmission mechanism has a control cam by which the kinetic energy acting from the ejection force accumulator on the locking pin is preferably steadily increased along the latching engagement movement region in dependence on the control cam. A further variant for this slow delivery of the energy from the ejection force storage means to the locking pin provides that a damper, for example in the form of a linear damper, is arranged for example in the region of the ejection force accumulator or at its head. Thus, the first part of the stress relief travel of the ejection force accumulator is from full stressing to almost full stressing which is achieved in the closed position. 
     A second variant for placing the locking pin in the latching region in braked and/or damped relationship provides that the transfer of kinetic energy to the locking pin is not delayed or controlled, but rather the movement of the locking pin itself—on which the full force of the ejection force accumulator is already acting—is damped or braked. For that purpose an alternative configuration provides that the damping device has a moveable damping element, preferably a rotational damper, wherein the damping element includes a gear which is mounted in damped rotary relationship. At least one tooth of the gear can be contacted by the locking pin in the latching engagement movement region and is moveable in damped relationship in the direction of the latching region. Thus, in practice, the tooth of the gear in the latching engagement movement region forms a kind of brake so that the locking pin cannot move unimpededly into the latching region. As the locking pin is preferably arranged on a pivotable locking lever, the locking pin damping action can also be produced by the provision of a rotational damper or a friction brake in the region of the axis of rotation of the locking lever. 
     In principle, preferably a base plate and a slider form the ejection element, to give a structurally simple configuration, wherein the slider is moveable relative to the base plate and is lockable by way of the locking device to the base plate. In that case, the ejection force accumulator which is preferably in the form of a tension spring is fixed on the one hand to the base plate and on the other hand to the slider. To permit the movement of the locking pin in the guide path, preferably the locking pin is mounted rotatably to the slider by way of a locking lever and engages into the guide path in the base plate. In that case, as stated, the movement of the locking lever can also be damped by way of a damping device. 
     In principle, the ejection force accumulator can be loaded by opening and/or closing the moveable furniture part. It is also possible that the entire drive device can be unlocked or triggered by over-pressing the moveable furniture part into an over-pressing position which is behind the closed position in a closing direction and/or by pulling on the moveable furniture part into an open position in front of the closed position. 
     The essential components of the drive device can be arranged on the furniture carcass, and the moveable furniture part can be ejected by way of an entrainment portion mounted to the moveable furniture part or the drawer rail. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the base plate of the drive device can be arranged on the moveable article of furniture, and an entrainment portion which can be brought into engagement with the ejection element is arranged on the furniture carcass. Thus, the moveable furniture part virtually pushes itself away against the furniture carcass by the drive device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter by the specific description with reference to the embodiments by way of example illustrated in the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an article of furniture with moveable furniture parts in various positions, 
         FIG. 2  is a 3D view of a moveable furniture part, 
         FIG. 3  shows the moveable furniture part from below with a drive device, 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the drive device, 
         FIG. 5 through 18  show the drive device in various positions, 
         FIG. 19 a    is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the drive device, 
         FIG. 19 b    shows details of the second drive device, 
         FIGS. 20 a -20 g    show an embodiment of the damping device produced using two-component injection molding, 
         FIGS. 20 h -20 k    show an embodiment of the damping device produced using multi-component injection molding, 
         FIGS. 21 through 26  show a different position of the second drive device, 
         FIGS. 27 through 28  show a further embodiment of a damping device, 
         FIGS. 29 through 30  show a damping device in the form of a cushioned abutment, 
         FIG. 31  diagrammatically shows the basic principle of the present invention, 
         FIG. 32  is a graph illustrating the spring force of the ejection force storage means matching the first variant, and 
         FIGS. 33 through 40  show further examples for triggering by pulling. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an article of furniture  17  with a plurality of moveable furniture parts  2  in the form of drawers, mounted moveably to the furniture carcass  18 . In this case, the individual moveable furniture parts  2  are respectively fixed to the furniture carcass  18  by an extension guide  24 , the extension guide  24  including at least a carcass rail  22  and a drawer rail  23 . There may possibly also be a central rail. The moveable furniture part  2  itself has at least one drawer container  20  and a front panel  21 . The moveable furniture part  2  which is shown right at the top is in an open position OS and it can be diagrammatically seen that the drive device  1  is mounted to the drawer container  20  or the drawer rail  23 . As essential components, the drive device  1  has a base plate  14  and an ejection element  3  moveable relative to the base plate  14 . That ejection element  3  is in the form of a displaceable slider and is acted upon by the ejection force accumulator  4 . The ejection element  3  is in engagement by way of an entrainment portion  19  with the carcass rail  22  and with the furniture carcass  18 , respectively. Upon ejection, the drive device  1  bears against the entrainment portion  19  by the ejection element  3  and the ejection force accumulator  4  which in this case is in the form of a compression spring and moves the moveable furniture part  2  in the opening direction OR. That ejection element  3  is lockable to the base plate  14  by a locking device  5 . For that purpose, the locking device  5  has a locking lever  16  mounted pivotably to the slider  15 , the locking pin  7  disposed at the front end of the locking lever  16  and the guide path  6 , in the base plate  14 , together with the latching region R. When the moveable furniture part  2  is moved from the position shown by the uppermost drawer into the position therebeneath, then in that movement in the closing direction SR the slider  15  is moved towards the right relative to the base plate  14 , with the ejection force accumulator  4  being stressed. As soon as the locking pin  7  passes into the latching region R of the guide path  6 , the locking position V of the locking device  5  is reached. That can already be the case when the moveable furniture part  2  is still open, in particular when the moveable furniture part  2  is moved from the second illustrated position into the third illustrated position by a retraction device  25  (only diagrammatically indicated here) into the closed position SS. The lowermost illustration in  FIG. 1  shows the triggering position or over-pressing position ÜS in which a pressure is applied to the moveable furniture part  2  in the closing direction SR thereby to unlock the locking device  5 . It is, however, also possible to provide for unlocking by pulling. 
       FIG. 2  shows a 3D view of the moveable furniture part  2 , in which respect it can be seen that the moveable furniture part  2  comprises a drawer container  20  and the front panel  21 . It can further be seen that the moveable furniture part  2  is connected to an extension guide  24 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the moveable furniture part  2  from below, with the drive device  1  together with the base plate  14  being mounted on the drawer bottom  27 . Fixed to the carcass rail  22  is the entrainment plate  26  to which the entrainment portion  19  is mounted. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the drive device  1 , wherein the two main components are the base plate  14  and the slider  15  forming the ejection element  3 . The linear movement of those two components  14  and  15  relative to each other is limited at least by the slider path limiter  37  mounted to the base plate  14  and the slider path  36  in the slider  15 . A further important component is the ejection force accumulator  4  which is held at the spring base  31  on the base plate  14  and the spring base  32  on the slider  15 . That ejection force accumulator  4  is in the form of a tension spring. The locking lever  16  with locking pin  7  and the cardioid-shaped guide path  6  are provided as the locking device  5 . The locking lever  16  is mounted rotatably or pivotably at the rotary bearing  28  in the slider  15 . In the mounted condition, the locking pin  7  engages into the guide path  6 . There is further provided a transmission element  42  which is limitedly moveably mounted by the guide limiting member  52  to a path (not shown) provided at the underside of the slider  15 . The coupling element  33  is pivotably mounted to that transmission element  42  at the pivot bearing  73 . That coupling element  33  has the catch region  34  for the entrainment portion  19  (not shown). The pivotal movement of the coupling element  33  is controlled by way of the guide element  74  as the guide element  74  is guided in the coupling element guide path  35  in the slider  15 . There is also a connecting element  41  mounted rotatably in the rotary bearing  44 . A stressing abutment  55  is provided on that connecting element  41 . Provided as a further component is the control element  29  which is moveable or displaceable by way of the guide elements  57  in the control element guide path  30  in the base plate  14 . Also mounted to the control element  29  is the stressing element  56  which, upon stressing of the ejection force accumulator  4 , bears against the stressing abutment  55  of the connecting element  41 . The control element  29  also has the control cam  9 , against which the abutment  43  on the transmission element  42  bears depending on the respective position. Those two components  43  and  9  together form a kind of travel transmission mechanism and thereby the damping device  8  for moving the locking pin  7  into the latching region R in damped relationship (this will be described in greater detail in the following Figures). In addition, the first pulling triggering element  46  is mounted rotatably to the base plate  14  by way of the rotary bearing  19 . That first pulling triggering element  46  has the two limiting elements  61 , between which the abutment  43  of the transmission element  42  is positioned in the closed position SS. There is also a second pulling triggering element  47  on which is provided the locking abutment  45  which also forms the latching region R. That locking abutment  45  thus forms a part of the guide path  6  and is moveable relative to the base plate  14 . The displacement of that second pulling triggering element  47  is limited by the guide abutment  75  and the side surface  76  of the base plate  14 . In addition, that second pulling triggering element  46  is pressured by way of the compression spring  48 , wherein that compression spring  48  is fixed or held on the one hand at the spring base  50  and on the other hand at the spring base  51  on the second pulling triggering element  47 . Lastly, the drive device  1  also has a retraction device  25  which as essential components has the retraction force accumulator  40 , the retraction coupling element  39  and the cover element  38 , wherein the cover element  38  is held by way of the holding clips  77  to the openings  78  in the base plate  14 . The retraction force accumulator  40  is in the form of a tension spring. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the entire moveable furniture part  2  is in an open position OS, with the moveable furniture part  2  still being in the free-running condition. In other words, there is still no contact with the diagrammatically illustrated entrainment portion  19 . The ejection force accumulator  4  is still relieved of stress, but pulls on the slider  15  until the end of the slider path  36  bears against the slider path limiting member  37 . The locking pin  7  is guided in a stressing portion (stressing region) S of the guide path  6 . The stressing element  56  of the control element  29  still does not bear against the stressing abutment  55  of the connecting element  41 , but in contrast the abutment  43  of the transmission element  42  already bears against the control element  29  and there at the beginning of the control cam  9 . By virtue of the compression spring (not shown) operative between the spring base  53  and the spring base  54 , the connecting element  41  is pivoted towards the left about the rotary bearing  44 . It can further be seen in the detailed view at bottom right that the guide path  6  has the latching engagement movement region E after the stressing region S and the transitional region Ü. The latching region R formed by the locking abutment  45  mounted to the second pulling triggering element  47  is disposed at the end of that latching engagement movement region E. That latching region R is followed by the ejection portion A, wherein the locking pin  7  passes into that ejection portion A by way of the diversion surface  79 . It is only upon unlocking by over-pressing that the locking pin  7  meets that diversion surface  79 . In contrast upon unlocking by pulling the locking abutment  45  is pulled away downwardly so that the path for the locking pin  7  into the ejection portion A is also free and the ejection force storage means  4  can be relieved of stress.  FIGS. 6 through 18  which are described hereinafter do not always show all reference numbers. Naturally, however, the reference numbers always correspondingly apply for each of  FIGS. 5 through 18 . 
     If now as shown in  FIG. 6 , the moveable furniture part  2  is moved together with the drive device  1  in the closing direction SR, then the coupling element  23  comes into abutment with the entrainment portion  19  which is fixed with respect to the carcass. As a result, by virtue of the configuration of the coupling element guide path  35  and the guide element  74  guided therein the coupling element  33  is pivoted about the pivot axis  73  and the entrainment portion  19  is caught in the catch region  34  of the coupling element  33 . The coupling element  33  has already moved together with the transmission element  42  as shown in  FIG. 6  by a considerable distance relative to the  FIG. 5  position, by virtue of the manual closing movement of the moveable furniture part  2  in the closing direction SR. The control element  29  is also moved by that movement, by way of the abutment  43 . As once again the stressing element  56  is provided on that control element  29 , the connecting element  41  is also moved by way of the stressing abutment  55 . As that connecting element  41  is again mounted in the rotary bearing  44  on the slider  15  the entire slider  15  and therewith the ejection element  3  are displaced relative to the base plate  14 , with stressing of the ejection force accumulator  4 . By virtue of that displacement, the locking pin  7  also already passes further along the stressing portion S into the proximity of the transitional region Ü. It can also already be seen from  FIG. 6  that the control element  29  pivots slightly by way of the guide element  57  and the control element guide path  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , that pivotal movement of the control element  29  has already further continued, whereby the abutment  43  of the transmission element  42  has already moved along the control cam  9  on the control element  29 . At the same time the locking pin  7  has also already moved beyond the transitional region Ü and is at the beginning of the latching engagement movement region E. In previous embodiments, at that moment the ejection element  3  and the slider  15  were uncoupled from the pressing movement of an operator and the slider  15  was free. As a result, the full ejection force of the ejection force accumulator  4  could act on the locking pin  7  and move the pin  7  quickly and with a large amount of force along the latching engagement movement region E into the latching region R. As a result, in previous embodiments, there was the disadvantage of a large amount of noise being produced and a severe loading on the parts of the locking device  5 . In comparison, it will be seen from  FIG. 7  that the slider  15  was admittedly already slightly decoupled from the transmission element  42  and its abutment  43  by the ejection force accumulator  4 , but entire decoupling has not yet occurred by virtue of the configuration of the control cam  9 . Rather, the abutment  43  and the control cam  9  form a travel transmission mechanism and thereby a kind of damping device  8  for the locking pin  7 . As a result, the kinetic energy operative from the ejection force accumulator on the locking pin  7  increases only slowly. 
     This can also be seen from  FIG. 8 , wherein the abutment  43  has again moved further along the control cam  9  and at the same time there has been a further movement of the locking pin  7  in the latching engagement movement region E. The fact that the ejection force accumulator  4  has already moved the slider  15  again relative to the base plate  14  can also be seen from the fact that the slider path limiting means  37  has moved relative to the slider path  36 , in relation to  FIG. 7 . 
     In  FIG. 9  there is no longer any contact between the abutment  43  and the control cam  9  of the control element  29  whereby the full force of the ejection force storage means  4  is acting on the locking pin  7  by the slider  15 , the rotary bearing  28 , and the locking lever  16 . As, at the moment of full force being exerted by the ejection force accumulator  4  on the locking pin  7 , that locking pin  7  however is already in the latching region R, no loud noises are produced and there is no heavy wear. In that position as shown in  FIG. 9 , the control element  29  is loose and is not subjected to force in the control element guide path  30 . It will further be seen that, by virtue of the further movement of the transmission element  42 , the connecting element  41  pivots in the clockwise direction against the force of the compression spring (not shown). That takes place as the diversion abutment  58  on the connecting element  41  is moved or diverted by the diversion surface  59  on the transmission element  42 . It can further be seen from  FIG. 9  that the locking device  5  is admittedly already in the locking position V, but the moveable furniture part  2  is still in an open position OS. By virtue of the manual closing movement, however, the coupling element  33  has already moved relative to the base plate  14  to such an extent that the retraction coupling element  39  has moved out of the angled end portion  80  of the retraction device  25  so that the retraction coupling element  39  is coupled to the coupling pin  60  on the coupling element  33 . Because the retraction coupling element  39  is now no longer in the angled end portion  80  the retraction force accumulator  40  can also be relieved of stress, contracting as it does so, so that the entire moveable furniture part  2  is further moved in the closing direction SR and reaches the position shown in  FIG. 10 . That position corresponds to a position shortly before reaching the closed position SS. It will also be seen from this  FIG. 10  that, by virtue of the further movement of the transmission element  42  relative to the slider  15 , the connecting element  41  has been further pivoted in the clockwise direction by the diversion abutment  58 . As a result, the stressing element  56  of the control element  29  comes out of engagement with the stressing abutment  55  of the connecting element  41 .  FIG. 10  further shows that the abutment  43  of the transmission element  42  is now between the limiting elements  61  of the first pulling triggering element  46 , wherein the arm  81  of the first pulling triggering element  46  bears laterally against the elastic arm  62  of the second pulling triggering element  47 . 
     When now the retraction force accumulator  40  is relieved of stress as shown in  FIG. 11  the closed position SS as shown in  FIG. 11  is reached. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the first pulling triggering element  46  has also rotated about the rotary bearing  49  in the counter-clockwise direction by virtue of the pressure exerted by way of the abutment  43  and the transmission element  42 , wherein the arm  81  now bears against the front side of that elastic arm  62 , with flexing of the elastic arm  62 . 
     If now a pressing force is applied to the moveable furniture part  2  in the closing direction SR starting from that closed position SS as shown in  FIG. 11 , then the moveable furniture part passes into the over-pressing position ÜS as shown in  FIG. 12 . As the transmission element  42  has already reached the end of the path in the slider  15  by the guide limiting means  52  as shown in  FIG. 11 , then in the over-pressing situation the entire slider  15  is moved relative to the base plate  14 , whereby the locking pin  7  also passes out of the latching region R into the ejection portion A by way of the diversion surface  79 . 
     As an alternative thereto, as shown in  FIG. 13 , unlocking can also be effected by pulling. In that case, starting from the position shown in  FIG. 11 , the moveable furniture part  2  is pulled, in which case the transmission element  42  and its abutment  43  are moved relative to the slider  15  by way of the coupling element  33 . As the abutment  43  as shown in  FIG. 11  is still caught between the limiting elements  61 , the first pulling triggering element  46  is rotated in the clockwise direction about the rotary bearing  49  by that pulling movement. As the arm  81  of that first pulling triggering element  46  bears against the end of the elastic arm  62 —which, when it is acted upon with force by that end does not elastically yield but remains stiff—of the second pulling triggering element  47 , that pulling triggering element  47  is moved relative to the base plate  14  against the force of the spring  48  which is compressed in  FIG. 13 , whereby the locking abutment  45  also moves away from the latching region R. As a result, the locking pin  7  is no longer held or locked in the latching region R and it passes into the ejection portion A by virtue of the spring force of the ejection force storage means  4 . 
     Irrespective of whether the locking device  5  was unlocked by pulling or by over-pressing, the drive device  1  then at any event passes into the open position OS as shown in  FIG. 14 . With that movement, the first pulling triggering element  46  is also further rotated in the clockwise direction by way of the abutment  43 , whereby the second pulling triggering element  47  is moved against the force of the spring  48  until the first pulling triggering element  46  passes into the position shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     During that ejection movement, the retraction force accumulator  40  of the retraction device  25  is also stressed by way of the coupling pin  16 . The locking pin  7  passes into the stressing portion S again (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     In  FIG. 16  the retraction coupling element  39  is again uncoupled from the coupling pin  60  of the coupling element  33  and the retraction coupling element  39  is held in the angled end portion  80  with the retraction force accumulator  40  in the stressed condition. In  FIG. 16 , the ejection force accumulator  4  is not yet entirely relieved of stress. 
     In  FIG. 17 , however, the ejection force accumulator  4  has been relieved of stress to such an extent that now the slider  15  bears against the base plate  14  by way of the slider path  36  and the slider path limiting means  37 , in an end position. The moveable furniture part  2  is now freely moveable or for example can move still further in the opening direction OR due to the inertia triggered by the ejection force accumulator  4 . As the entrainment portion  19  is still held in the catch region  34  of the coupling element in the further movement in the opening direction OR the coupling element  33  together with the transmission element  42  is moved further relative to the slider  15 , in which case the abutment  43  already comes into contact with the abutment  63  on the control element  29 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , whereby the control element  29  is also moved along the control element guide path  30  by the transmission element  42  relative to the slider  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18  the transmission element  42  has moved relative to the slider  15  until the control element  29  is again at the height of the connecting element  41 . At the same time, the spring (not shown) between the connecting element  41  and the slider  15  has also been relieved of stress by virtue of the diversion abutment  58  which is no longer deflected by the diversion surface  59 . In  FIG. 18 , the coupling element  33  has also reached the angled end portion of the coupling element guide path  35  so that the coupling element  33  has been pivoted about the pivot bearing  73  so that the entrainment portion  19  is released from the catch region  34  of the coupling element  33 . The initial position shown in  FIG. 5  is thus restored. 
     Another way of not immediately causing the entire force of the ejection force accumulator  4  to act on the locking pin  7 —as in the case of the travel transmission mechanism—provides that the ejection force accumulator  4  itself is damped. For that purpose in particular in the first range of movement of the ejection force accumulator  4 , acting in the opening direction OR, going from the over-pressing position ÜS to the closed position SS, a damping device  8  can reduce the transmission of force from the ejection force accumulator  4  to the slider  15 . That is diagrammatically shown in  FIG. 32 . It will be seen from the graph in  FIG. 32  how the spring force F of the ejection force accumulator  4  acts along the path of movement of the moveable furniture part  2 . In normal ejection illustrated by the broken line, when the moveable furniture part  2  is released in the over-pressing position ÜS, a high force on the part of the ejection force accumulator  4  becomes free whereby the spring force F rises to a high Newton value N even before the closed position SS is reached. As the same applies for the transmission of force from the ejection force accumulator  4  to the locking pin  7  not only in the region between the over-pressing position ÜS and the closed position SS, but also for the substantially identical drawer travel movement region between the transitional region Ü and the latching region R, it will be apparent that, when the latching region R is reached by the ejection force accumulator  4 , a very high spring force F acts on the locking pin  7  and on the guide path  6  in the latching region R, which can cause loud knocking noises. In order to reduce that high transmission of force in that latching engagement movement region E, either the travel transmission mechanism which has a damping effect in accordance with the first embodiment is provided or a damping device  8  (for example a linear damper) between the ejection force accumulator  4  and the slider  15  is provided. For example, that damping device  8  can be integrated into the ejection force accumulator  4  or connected in parallel therewith. 
     A further embodiment of a drive device  1 , in which the locking pin  7  can be placed in the latching region R in braked and/or damped relationship is shown as an exploded view in  FIG. 19 a   . In this case once again, the guide path  6  with latching region R is provided in the base plate  14 . That base plate  14  can be displaced relative to the moveable furniture part  2  by the depth adjusting wheel  65  so that it is possible to adjust the front panel gap. The ejection element  33  or the slider  15  is mounted displaceably relative to the base plate  14  along the coupling element guide path  35 . The coupling element  33  is also mounted pivotably on the slider  15 . In addition, the synchronization element  67  is also connected to the slider  15 . Drive devices  1  arranged on opposite sides of the moveable furniture part  2  can be coupled or synchronized by way of that synchronization element  67 . The locking lever  16  is mounted rotatably or pivotably to the slider  15  by the locking lever pivot bearing  70 . The locking pin  7  is also fixed to the locking lever  16 . The ejection force accumulator  4  is operative between the slider  15  and the base plate  14 . In this embodiment, provided as an additional element is a base plate cover  64  in which the damping device  8  is provided. For that purpose, the base plate cover  64  has a gear rotary bearing  66  at which the gear  11  is rotatably mounted. That gear  11  and the gear rotary bearing  66  together with a damping medium therebetween form the rotational damper  10 . To achieve a good connection between the gear  11  and the bearing  66  the arrangement has the holding element  68  which presses the gear  11  on to the bearing  66 . 
       FIG. 19 b    is a detail view showing that the gear  11  and the bearing  66  have corresponding concentric grooves. To provide a good damping action a suitable, preferably viscous damping medium, for example Opanol, is present in or introduced into those grooves. It can also already be seen from  FIG. 19 b    that an opening  69  is provided in the base plate cover  64 . The edge of that opening  69  substantially coincides with a part of the guide path  6  and is provided sufficiently accurately opposite or above that region of the guide path  6  in the base plate  14 , in the base plate cover  64 . The edge of the opening  69  therefore also corresponds in a region thereof to the latching engagement movement region E, into which, in the assembled condition, a tooth  12  of the gear  11  projects. 
       FIGS. 20 a  through 20 g    show a further embodiment of a damping device  8 . In this variant it is possible to dispense with the use of a damping medium insofar as the damping action is produced by friction between two components which are preferably produced in a two-component injection molding.  FIGS. 20 a  and 20 b    show the star-shaped gear  11  and the holding element  68  which jointly form the rotational damper  10 . The holding element  68  made from steel has a bent-up extension portion  83  and an opening, wherein the extension portion  83  at the same time forms the gear rotary bearing  66 . It will be seen from the sections in  FIGS. 20 c  and 20 d    that the extension  83  projects into the gear  11  which comprises plastic. Shortly after the two-component injection molding operation the bent-up extension portion  83  and the gear contact each other substantially over the entire surface (see  FIG. 20 e   ). Due to the contraction or shrinkage  84  of the plastic material after the injection molding operation the connection between the bent-up extension portion  83  and the gear  11  is at least partially released (see  FIG. 20 f   ). That results in an undersize in relation to the sheet metal thickness. As a result the gear  11  can rotate relative to the holding element  68 . The torque can be adjusted by adaptation of the wall thickness and the choice of material.  FIG. 20 g    shows the damping device  8  in the installed condition on the base plate cover  64 . 
     A possible design configuration for the damping device  8  in the form of a multi-component injection molding is shown in  FIGS. 20 h  through 20 k   . In these views the gear rotary bearing  66  is not in the form of part of the holding element  68 , but is “added by injection” as a separate plastic part to the holding element  68  and projects through an opening in the holding element  68 . A further plastic part forming the gear  11  is also mounted rotatably to that plastic part forming the bearing  66 . The damping action is produced by friction between the gear  11  and the bearing  66 . 
     A damping medium is no longer necessary with those design configurations for the damping device  8 , there are slight torque fluctuations, there is a low degree of temperature sensitivity and a longer service life is achieved. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21  the moveable furniture part  2  is in an open position OS, the locking pin  7  still being at the beginning of a stressing movement of the ejection force accumulator  4 . It is also already apparent that a tooth  12  of the gear  11  projects into the latching engagement movement region E of the guide path  6 . 
     When now the moveable furniture part  2  is moved in the closing direction SR the entrainment portion  19  is caught in the catch region  34  of the coupling element  33 . At the same time the locking pin  7  moves along the stressing portion S (see  FIG. 22 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 23  the locking pin  7  has moved past the transitional region Ü and thereby passes into the latching engagement movement region E in which the full force of the ejection force accumulator  4  acts on the locking pin  7 . That force, however, can act only until the locking pin  7  bears against the tooth  12  projecting into the latching engagement movement region E. More specifically, as soon as the locking pin  7  bears against that tooth  12  the movement of the locking pin  7  is braked by virtue of the damping action of the rotational damper  10  and the locking pin  7  moves only slowly in the direction of the latching region R. 
     As soon as the gear  11  has moved in the counter-clockwise direction, with damping of the movement of the locking pin  7 , until it no longer projects into the latching engagement movement region E, the locking pin  7  is in the latching region R of the guide path  6  as shown in  FIG. 24 . Thus the movement of the locking pin  7  is braked at least in a part of the latching engagement movement region E by the damping device  8  in the form of the rotational damper  10 . 
       FIG. 25 —as is known per se—shows the over-pressing position ÜS in which the locking pin  7  moves from the latching region R by way of the diversion surface  79  into the ejection portion A by over-pressing of the moveable furniture part  2  into an over-pressing position ÜS which is behind the closed position SS in the closing direction SR. 
     In  FIG. 26 , an open position OS is then again reached, in which the locking pin  7  passes into the region of the initial position again. A more detailed description of the remaining components and the remaining procedural movements of this embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 19 through 26  will not be set forth here as the basic implementation substantially corresponds to the first embodiment and for that reason attention is correspondingly directed in substance thereto. 
     A further alternative embodiment of a possible way of placing the locking pin  7  in the latching region R in braked or damped relationship is shown in  FIGS. 27 and 28 . The basic structure in this embodiment also corresponds to the embodiment of  FIGS. 19 through 26 , it is only the damping device  8  that is of a different configuration. In this embodiment, there is no rotational damper  10  in the region of the latching engagement movement region E, but the pivotal movement of the locking lever  16  is damped by a damping device  8 . For that purpose, the damping device  8  is disposed in the region of the axis of rotation D of the locking lever  16  on the synchronization element  67  or on the slider  15 . More specifically,  FIG. 28  shows a sectional view illustrating that a pin  71  forms the axis of rotation D for the locking lever  16 . A friction brake  72  is arranged in an annular configuration between that pin  71  and the locking lever  16 . The pivotal movement of the locking lever  16  can be damped by virtue of the fact that the friction brake  72  is very strongly clamped into the region between the locking lever  16  and the pin  71 . As a result, the locking pin  7  is moved in a reduced-speed movement along the latching engagement movement region E. It will be appreciated that other kinds of shaft dampers are also conceivable. 
     A further variant which is not according to the invention for moving the locking pin into the latching region R in braked or damped relationship is shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . In that case, the transmission of force from the ejection force accumulator  4  to the slider  15  is not damped and also the locking pin  7  is not braked in the latching engagement movement region E, but rather provided in the latching region R is a damping device  8  in the form of a cushioning  13  or an elastically yielding element. In that respect, it can be seen from  FIG. 29  how the locking pin  7 , after passing beyond the transitional region Ü, reaches the latching engagement movement region E. In that region E the locking pin  7  moves at full speed and under full load in the direction of the latching region R, where it arrives as shown in  FIG. 30 . To reduce the generation of noise the cushioning  13  is provided in the latching region R. Abutting contact is damped thereby. 
     The fundamental concepts of the present invention are diagrammatically summarized once again in  FIG. 31 . It is essential that locking of the locking pin  7  in the latching region R of the guide path  6  is effected as quietly as possible. 
     For the purpose, in accordance with a first embodiment ( FIGS. 3 through 18  and  FIG. 32 ), there is provided a damped movement region B along the latching engagement movement region E. In this case, that can be effected by the fact that it is not the full force of the ejection force accumulator  4  that acts on the locking pin  7  or the guide path  6 , for example by way of a travel transmission mechanism or a linear damper, along that latching engagement movement region E. 
     In a further embodiment ( FIGS. 19 a    through  28 ) the movement of the locking pin  7  in that movement region B can be braked at least portion-wise by a damping device  8  for example in the form of a rotational damper or a pivotal movement damper. 
     As a third variant which is not according to the invention (see also  FIGS. 29 and 30 ) abutment in the latching region R can be damped in itself. For that purpose, the damping device  8  can be in the form of a cushioning  13  or an elastic element fitted to the wall of the guide path  6 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an embodiment for unlocking and ejection by pulling. A further variant for unlocking by pulling is shown in  FIGS. 33 through 36 , whereby the drive device  1  has a pulling triggering element  46  rotatable about the rotary bearing  49 . That triggering element  46  engages by an arm  81  into an opening in the pulling triggering element  47 . The locking abutment  45  is provided on that pulling triggering element  47 . When, starting from the closed position SS as shown in  FIG. 34  a pulling force is applied to the moveable furniture part  2  in the opening direction OR the pulling triggering element  46  is rotated by the abutment  43  in the clockwise direction about the bearing  49  so that, by way of the arm  81 , the pulling triggering element  47  is moved against the force of the spring  48  (see  FIG. 35 ). As a result, the locking abutment  45  is also moved and enables a passage for the locking pin  7 . In that way, the ejection force accumulator  4  can be relieved of stress and the moveable furniture part  2  is moved into an open position OS, in which case the locking pin  7  passes into the position shown in  FIG. 36 . 
     A further pulling triggering variant is shown in  FIGS. 37 through 40  wherein the locking abutment  45  is provided on a pulling triggering element  47  moveable transversely relative to the closing direction SR. When, starting from the closed position SS as shown in  FIG. 38  a pulling force is applied to the moveable furniture part  2  in the opening direction OR, then the locking pin  7  itself moves the pulling triggering element  47  together with the locking abutment  45  against the force of the spring  48  into the position according to  39 . This means that the locking pin  7  is no longer locked and a passage for the locking pin  7  is enabled or opened. The ejection force accumulator  4  can then be relieved of stress and ejects the moveable furniture part  2  in the opening direction OR into an open position OS whereby the locking pin  7  passes into the position shown in  FIG. 40 .