Abstract:
The invention relates to a furniture flap drive comprising an electric drive having an electric motor and a mechanical actuating unit having an actuating arm, the mechanical actuating unit and the electric drive being separate components and being releasably fastenable to each other. The actuating unit has a bearing in which the electric drive can be suspended, the suspended electric drive being swivelable about the bearing towards the actuating unit. A locking device is mounted at a distance to the bearing and can be used to lock the electric drive, in a preferably releasable manner, with the actuating unit once the latter has been swiveled open.

Description:
This application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/AT2010/000159, filed May 10, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The invention concerns a furniture flap drive comprising an electric drive having an electric motor and a mechanical actuating unit having an actuating arm, wherein the mechanical actuating unit and the electric drive are separate components and can be releasably fastened together. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     WO 2008/134786 A1 discloses a flap mounted movably to a furniture carcass and having a mechanical actuating unit which has an actuating arm which can be connected to the flap and a force storage means acting on the actuating arm. In addition an electric drive in the form of a separate component can be fastened to the actuating unit, wherein fastening is possible even when the actuating unit is already mounted to the furniture carcass. 
     Depending on the respective furniture flap type, different mechanical actuating units are used, which differ in particular in the configuration of the actuating lever or the lever mechanism of which the actuating lever is a part in order to be able to perform the respective characteristic movement of the furniture flap. The mechanical actuating unit is usually also always provided with a spring pack which serves to compensate for or calibrate for the weight of the furniture flap within certain limits. 
     In that case arranging the mechanical actuating unit on the furniture carcass can be effected at various locations thereon. Situations can occur there, in particular when the corresponding furniture carcasses are arranged at overhead height, where subsequent fastening of the electric drive is difficult to do. That applies all the more when, as is hitherto usual, the electric drive is screwed to the actuating unit, for which purpose through holes are provided in the actuating unit and in the electric drive. 
     Therefore the object of the invention is to avoid that disadvantage and provide a simple fixing option for fastening the electric drive to the actuating unit. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-described object is attained by a furniture flap drive having the following features. 
     The furniture flap drive according to the invention has an electric drive which includes an electric motor and is in the form of a component separate from the mechanical actuating unit which includes an actuating arm. Both components, that is to say the electric drive and the mechanical actuating unit, are releasably fastened to each other, wherein the electric drive can also be fastened to the actuating unit even when the actuating unit is already mounted to the furniture carcass. That permits replacement of a defective electric drive without having to remove the mechanical actuating unit from the furniture carcass. 
     Insofar as the actuating unit now has a bearing, i.e. a mounting location in which the electric drive can be suspended, that permits initial coarse positioning of the electric drive on or at the actuating unit without any screws having to be fitted into through holes for that purpose. 
     Insofar as it is now further provided that the suspended, i.e. engaged electric drive is swivelable or pivotable towards the actuating unit, in which case the actuating unit can already be mounted to the furniture carcass, more accurate positioning of the electric drive is made possible by a simple swiveling movement, starting from the electric drive being in the engaged condition. The electric drive and the actuating unit can already be connected together by that pivotal movement. 
     To prevent release, that is to say detachment, of the electric drive from the actuating unit, there is provided a locking device which is remote from the bearing and which permits fixing of the electric drive connected to the actuating unit, wherein the electric drive can be locked to the actuating unit after being swiveled thereonto. It is preferably provided in that respect that the locking device has means with which the locking action is releasable. The locking device can have both components arranged on or at the electric drive and also components arranged on or at the actuating unit. 
     Instead of having to use a plurality of fastening screws for fixing the electric drive to the actuating unit in an awkward fashion, in which case they possibly have to be screwed together in positions which involve difficult access, fastening and possibly also fixing of the electric drive to the actuating unit is made possible in accordance with the invention in a simple manner by a movement with which the electric drive can be hangingly engaged, i.e. suspended to the actuating unit and subsequent swiveling movement into the suspended condition. 
     Further advantageous configurations of the invention are defined in the claims. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention the actuating unit has a short axis which is arranged perpendicularly to a long axis of the actuating unit, the long axis of the actuating unit facing in the direction of the longitudinal extent thereof. The short axis thus faces in the direction of the transverse extent of the actuating unit, which is shorter than the longitudinal extent. According to the invention it is now provided that the suspended electric drive is swivelable about the short axis towards the actuating unit. In this case the short axis can be arranged substantially vertically in the mounted position of the actuating unit. 
     This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the actuating unit is already mounted to the side wall of the furniture carcass and is therefore disposed in particular in the mounted position. In that case the short axis can be oriented parallel to the side wall and to the rear wall of the furniture carcass, to which the actuating unit is fastened. In general mechanical actuating units for furniture flaps are so designed that the actuating arm is arranged in the front part, that is to say in the region of the furniture flap which is to be opened, and extends lengthwise in the rear region of the furniture carcass. Particularly in the case of furniture flaps arranged at a great height, with actuating units extending in the longitudinal direction, subsequent mounting of an electric drive can therefore be difficult. If the bearing which is remote from the locking device is arranged in the rear region, that pivotability about the short axis of the actuating unit is particularly advantageous as the electric drive only has to be suspended, i.e. engaged in regions of the short transverse extent and in that case the swiveling movement can be effected in the direction of the locking device which is preferably arranged in the front region. That facilitates subsequently arranging an electric drive on the actuating unit. 
     In an embodiment of the invention the locking device is in the form of a mechanical latching connection. It can be provided for that purpose that the locking device has a latching element which is arranged on the electric drive or the actuating unit and which can then be brought into engagement with a holding element arranged on or at the actuating unit or the electric drive. The holding element is therefore arranged on the respective other one of those components, on or at which the latching element is disposed. If the latching element is arranged on the electric drive then an associated holding element is arranged on the actuating unit, and vice-versa. 
     In that respect it is particularly preferably provided that the mechanical latching connection is of a self-latching nature. For that purpose it can be provided that the latching connection has a snap-action connection and the electric drive is locked on the actuating unit by the corresponding components of the locking device being brought into engagement by pressing in the direction of the pivotal movement. In that case the electric drive can be clipped onto the actuating unit in the region of the locking device. The locking device in that case can have a touch-latch functionality, that is to say it can be released again by further pressing on the electric drive in the direction of the actuating unit. 
     A latching element which is possibly provided can be brought into engagement in that case in a corresponding holding element with a self-latching or self-locking action, by the latching element being pressed onto the holding element. A possible configuration of such a latching element represents a latching pawl. 
     For that purpose it can be provided that parts of the locking device, that is to say for example the latching element, are of a resilient nature or are spring-loaded. It can further be provided in that case that the latching connection can be brought out of engagement by pressure in opposite relationship to the spring force. In that way the locking device can be releasable and the electric drive can be unlocked from the actuating unit and ultimately released or detached. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention the locking device has locking element and a corresponding holding element or abutment element, wherein the locking element can be brought into engagement with the holding element or abutment element. The latching element can be arranged on or at the electric drive and the associated holding element can be arranged on or at the actuating unit, or vice-versa. In that case the locking element can be moved into at least two positions, one of the positions being a locking position in which the locking element is in engagement with the holding element or abutment element in such a way that detachment or release of the electric drive from the actuating unit is no longer possible. The other position is an unlocking position in which it is possible to arrange the electric drive on the actuating unit for fastening those two components or for releasing those components again. 
     In that respect it is particularly preferably provided that the at least one locking element is mounted rotatably and can be brought into engagement by a rotary movement with the associated holding element or abutment element. In that case the locking element can be actuated by an actuating device, wherein that actuating device is preferably arranged on or at a locking lever which is part of the locking device and which can itself be mounted rotatably. The locking device can be moved by the locking lever into the corresponding locking position. Movement into an unlocking position can also be possible. 
     The mounting location, i.e. the bearing is arranged remote from the locking device. An embodiment of the invention provides that the bearing has at least one abutment element which for example can be in the form of an abutment edge. That abutment element can be brought into engagement with one or more corresponding holding noses arranged on the electric drive. For that purpose the holding noses are displaced over or into the abutment elements in such a way that the electric drive is hung in the actuating unit and can be swiveled about that position. In that case the holding noses bear against the abutment elements. In principle the reversed arrangement is also possible, in which case the holding nose or noses is or are arranged on the actuating unit and the abutment elements on the electric drive. The holding nose or the abutment elements serve as holding elements for the suspended electric drive. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention the actuating unit or the electric drive has a centering device so that no play can occur when fastening the electric drive to the actuating unit and the components can be positioned exactly on each other. In that respect it can be provided that the centering device includes a centering pin and a receiving opening corresponding thereto, wherein the centering pin is arranged on the electric drive and the receiving opening in the actuating unit or vice-versa. 
     The invention further concerns an article of furniture comprising a furniture carcass and a flap mounted movably to the furniture carcass, wherein a furniture flap drive according to the invention is arranged on one or both sides of the furniture carcass and the actuating arm of the furniture flap drive is connected to the flap. 
     In that respect it can be further provided that a mechanical actuating unit with force storage means and actuating arm is admittedly arranged at both sides, but only one of those actuating units is connected to an electric drive according to the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the Figures and the related specific description, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a furniture flap drive, 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show a diagrammatic view of the working steps for fastening an electric drive to an actuating unit of a furniture flap drive according to the invention, 
         FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  show side views of three actuating units of differing configurations for moving different types of furniture flap, 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an electric drive which can be fastened to the actuating units which are shown in  FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  and which are of a different configuration, 
         FIG. 5  shows a detail view of the portion marked with A in  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  shows a partly broken-away view of  FIG. 5 , 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of a part of the components which are essential for the invention, of the electric drive, 
         FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show a side view of an embodiment of an electric drive and a detail view of the portion marked with B in  FIG. 8   a,    
         FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show the embodiment of the electric drive of  FIG. 8 , wherein the locking lever is adjusted in the locking position and a detail view of the portion marked with C in  FIG. 9   a,    
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective detail view of the electric drive fastened to the actuating unit, 
         FIGS. 11   a  through  11   c  show a side view and a front view of an embodiment of an electric drive fastened to an actuating unit and a detail view of the portion marked with D in  FIG. 11   a,    
         FIGS. 12   a  through  12   d  show three perspective views and a plan view of a furniture flap drive according to the invention, wherein the electric drive and the actuating unit are still completely separated from each other, 
         FIGS. 13   a  through  13   e  show four perspective views and a plan view of the furniture flap drive of  FIG. 12 , wherein the electric drive is engaged into the actuating unit, 
         FIGS. 14   a  through  14   e  show four perspective views and a plan view of the furniture flap drive of  FIG. 12 , wherein the electric drive and the actuating unit are connected and locked, and 
         FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b  each show a perspective view of a furniture carcass with a mounted furniture flap drive for a specific type of furniture flap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of a furniture flap drive  1  which is mounted to a furniture carcass  2  and which includes a mechanical actuating unit  8  and an electric drive  7 . The mechanical actuating unit  8  has an actuating arm  4  which in turn includes a plate  5  to which a furniture flap  3  can be fastened. The opening angle φ is measured in this case between two notional straight lines of which one extends parallel to the longitudinal extent of the actuating arm  4 . The second straight line extends at least approximately vertically and through the pivot point of the actuating arm  4 . 
     The actuating arm  4  is acted upon by a force storage means which is generally in the form of a spring pack. The mechanical actuating unit  8  and the electric drive  7  themselves are known per se in the state of the art and therefore do not have to be described in greater detail. 
     This embodiment of the lever mechanism of the actuating unit  8  serves as a so-called upwardly pivotable flap in which the furniture flap  3  is pivoted rearwardly over the furniture carcass  2 . It will be appreciated that the invention can also be used for further types of flap such as for example so-called upwardly foldable flaps or upward lift flaps. Such flap types are known per se in the state of the art and are described in greater detail for example in DE 20 2006 000 535 U1. 
       FIG. 2   a  diagrammatically shows the operating principle of the invention. The electric drive  7  has means with which it can be suspended or hangingly engaged in the actuating unit  8 . The actuating unit  8  is already mounted to the furniture carcass  2 . The electric drive  7  is hung in position in the rear region of the actuating unit  8 , on the side towards the rear wall of the furniture carcass  2 , which would be accessible only with difficulty for making a screw connection. The suspension or the hanging engagement operation itself however can be easily implemented. The electric drive  7  which is suspended in the actuating unit  8  is then swiveled in the direction indicated by the arrow towards the actuating unit  8 , the swiveling movement being about the bearing  28  at which the electric drive  7  is suspended into the actuating unit  8 . The electric drive  7  has a force transmission device  11  which transmits the force made available by the electric motor to the actuating unit  8  and thereby moves the actuating arm  4  for the opening or closing movement. A centering pin  15  serves for centering the electric drive  7  so that it can be exactly positioned and can be connected without play to the actuating unit  8 . The suspended electric drive  7  is swiveled in the direction towards the mounted actuating unit  8  about the short axis which is parallel to the side wall and the rear wall of the furniture carcass  2 . The locking device  27  is arranged in the front region of the furniture carcass while the bearing  28  is arranged in the rear region. In that way the electric drive  7  which is suspended in the rear region of the actuating unit  8  in regions of its transverse extent is pivoted about the short axis, in this case arranged vertically, of the actuating unit  8 , the pivot points being arranged in the rear region of the furniture carcass  2 . Such an embodiment facilitates subsequently arranging the electric drive  7  on the actuating unit  8  as suspension engagement is necessary only in regions of the transverse extent of the actuating unit  8 . 
       FIG. 2   b  diagrammatically shows how the electric drive  7  and the actuating unit  8  are now connected after the electric drive  7  has been swiveled towards the actuating unit  8 . A locking device  27  serves in that case to lock the actuating unit  8  and the electric drive  7  in that position, that is to say to fix same. 
       FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  respectively show a side view of an embodiment of a mechanical actuating unit  8 . Depending on which type of furniture flap is to be used, a corresponding actuating unit  8  is employed. 
       FIG. 3   a  shows a mechanical actuating unit  8  for an upwardly foldable flap. The angle range which can be covered from the closure position to the open position of the furniture flap  3  is 143° in this embodiment. The interface  9  which in the form of a receiving opening in the actuating arm  4  is disposed in that position in which the furniture flap  3  or the actuating arm  4  is in the open position. The force transmission device  11  can be brought into engagement with the interface  9 . For the opening and closing movement of the actuating arm  4  the interface  9  and the force transmission device  11  move along the guide path  10 . 
     The actuating unit  8  in  FIG. 3   b  serves for movement of an upwardly pivotable flap (UPF). The angle range which can be covered in this embodiment is 151°. The interface  9  which is in the form of a receiving opening in the actuating arm  4  is in that position in which the furniture flap  3  or the actuating arm  4  is in the open position. Once again the force transmission device  11  of the electric drive  7  can be brought into engagement with the interface  9  and both are moved during the opening or closing movement, along the guide path  10 . 
       FIG. 3   c  shows an actuating unit  8  for moving an upward lift flap (ULF). In this embodiment the angle range which can be covered is 161°. Once again the interface  9  which is in the form of a receiving opening is in that position in which the furniture flap  3  is in its open position. The force transmission device  11  is brought into engagement with the interface  9 . Both move along the guide path  10  during the opening and closing movement. 
     In the open position the interface  9 , depending on the respective type of flap used, is at various opening angles φ, whereby the position of the force transmission device  11  has to be appropriately adapted to be brought into engagement with the interface  9 . That positional adaptation is effected in an embodiment of the invention with a locking lever  12  which in this embodiment is part of the locking device  27  and brings locking elements  14  into engagement with associated holding elements  25 . 
     A perspective view in  FIG. 4  shows an electric drive  7  which can be releasably fastened to various configurations of the actuating unit  8 . In that respect, besides a centering pin  15  which can be pushed into an associated receiving opening  26  in the actuating unit  8 , two holding noses  16  serve for releasable fixing, the noses  16  bearing against corresponding surfaces and edges  28 ′,  28 ″ of the actuating unit  8  and being partially supported there. Those surfaces and edges serve as abutment elements or abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ and by virtue of the support action at the same time form a bearing  28  in which the electric drive  7  can be suspended and about which the electric drive  7  is swivelable. The abutment elements or abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ serve as holding elements for the holding noses  16  of the electric drive  7  as soon as it is suspended in the actuating unit  8 . 
     The actuating unit  8  has the force transmission device  11  which is inserted into the interface  9  in the form of the receiving opening and thereby brought into engagement. The locking lever  12  is provided with an actuating device  13  with which the force transmission device  11  is movable. The force transmission device  11  is partially displaced along a receiving opening  17  in the housing of the electric drive  7  by actuation of the actuating device  13 , by the locking lever  12 . The locking lever  12  is part of the locking device  27  and has locking elements  14  in the form of hooked projections for fixing or locking the electric drive  7  to the actuating unit  8 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the portion marked with A in  FIG. 4 . In this case the actuating device  13  can be displaced to different positions. Those positions are marked on a surface  18  (“HL” denoting ULF, “HF” denoting UFF and “HS” denoting UPF, and “LOCKED”) and identify the various types of flap and the locking position. The first three positions are unlocked positions in which arrangement and release of the electric drive  7  on and from the actuating unit  8  is possible. Displacement of the actuating device  13  actuates the locking lever  12  which on the one hand displaces the force transmission device  11  for adaptation to the various positions of the interface  9 , depending on the respective type of furniture flap, with the force transmission device  11  being partially displaced along the receiving opening  17 . On the other hand the locking elements  14  are also moved in a housing opening  23  by rotation of the locking lever  12 . 
     For mounting to an upwardly foldable flap (UFF) the actuating device  13  and therewith the force transmission device  11  for fastening the electric drive  7  to the actuating unit  8  is displaced furthest along the receiving opening  17  as that type of flap involves the smallest opening angle γ of the three illustrated types of flap. To close the upwardly foldable flap the force transmission device  11  with the actuating arm  4  is moved from that starting point, that is to say from the position marked with “HF”, downwardly along the receiving opening  17 . 
     The upward lift flap involves the largest opening angle φ so that, for fastening the electric drive  7  to the actuating unit  8 , the force transmission device  11  must be displaced in this case least along the guide path  17 . To close the upward lift flap the force transmission device  11  is moved with the actuating arm  4  from that starting point, that is to say from the position marked by “HL”, downwardly along the receiving opening  17 . 
     Disposed therebetween is the marking for the upwardly pivotable flap. To close the upwardly pivotable flap the force transmission device  11  is moved with the actuating arm  4  from that starting position, that is to say from the position marked by “HS”, downwardly along the receiving opening  17 . 
     When now the electric drive  7  is fastened to the actuating unit  8  and pivoted towards it the actuating device is previously manually set to the respective type of flap. In that respect it can be provided that the locking lever  12  or the actuating device  13  comes into latching engagement at the respective position or that position can be felt in the displacement movement. With that displacement the force transmission device  11  is displaced in such a way that it can be pushed into the interface  9  in the form of the receiving opening at the actuating unit  8  which is possibly already fitted to the furniture carcass  2 . 
     After fastening of the two components  7 ,  8  to each other the actuating device  13  can be displaced to the locking position. That position is identified by “LOCKED” on the marking surface  18 . Two locking elements  14  which are in the form of hooked projections on the locking lever  12  are displaced by a displacement of the actuating device  13  to that position, to a position at which they come into engagement with abutment or holding elements  25  provided for that purpose on the actuating unit  8 , representing a further part of the locking device  27 . In that way the electric drive  7  can no longer be released from the actuating unit  8  because detachment of the electric drive  7  from the actuating unit  8  is prevented by the locking elements  14  and the abutment or holding elements  25 . It is only when the actuating device  13  is removed from the “LOCKED” position again that release is possible. 
     The partly broken-away perspective view in  FIG. 6  shows the rotatably mounted locking lever  12  which has two mutually opposite actuating devices  13 . The locking lever  12  is rotated by displacement of the actuating devices  13 , whereby abutment elements  12 ′ are displaced and thereby displaceably move the force transmission device  11 . The force transmission device  11  in turn is arranged on an eccentric transmission gear  19 . Locking elements  14  in the form of hooked projections which are also rotated upon rotation of the locking lever  12  are arranged on the locking lever  12 . An indicator device  20  acted upon by a spring  21  serves to indicate whether the two components  7 ,  8  are correctly fastened together or locked. 
     The exploded view in  FIG. 7  shows once again the components  7 ,  8  of the invention that are essential for locking. The force transmission device  11  is arranged on the eccentric transmission gear  19 . The locking lever  12  has abutment elements  12 ′ and locking elements  14  which are displaced by actuation of the actuating devices  13 . The markings for the corresponding types of flap and the locking position are disposed on the housing  22  of the first component  7 . 
     The detail view in  FIG. 8   b  of the portion marked with B in  FIG. 8   a , showing a side view of an embodiment of the electric drive  7 , illustrates how the actuating device  13  of the locking lever  12  is arranged in the position marked for the upwardly foldable flap. In this case the abutment element  12 ′ of the locking lever  12  has displaced the force transmission device  11  into a suitable position. The locking element  14  is arranged in a receiving opening  23  in the housing  22  and is not in engagement with the holding or abutment element  25 . 
     When the electric drive  7  and the actuating unit  8  are fastened together, the actuating device  13  is displaced to the position marked with “LOCKED” as shown in the detail view in  FIG. 9   b  of the portion marked with C in  FIG. 9   a . The locking lever  12  and therewith the locking elements  14  are rotated by that displacement of the actuating device  13  whereby they have been brought into engagement with corresponding abutment or holding elements  25  of the second component  8  so that detachment of the electric drive  7  from the actuating unit  8  is no longer possible. 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective detail view of the components  7  and  8  fastened together. It shows how the force transmission device  11  which is in the form of a shaft pin has been inserted into the interface  9  in the form of the receiving opening and has thereby come into engagement therewith. The electric motor now moves the force transmission device  11  along the guide path  10  whereby the actuating arm  4  is correspondingly moved. The indicator device  20  can be seen in a receiving opening  24  in the housing, indicating whether the electric drive  7  and the actuating unit  8  are correctly fastened together or locked. The centering pin  15  is inserted into an associated receiving opening  26  for play-free positioning. 
       FIGS. 11   a  through  11   c  again show the components  7  and  8  fastened together. As can be seen the locking elements  14  are in engagement with corresponding abutment or holding elements  25 . The force transmission device  11  is also in engagement with the interface  9  and the holding noses  16  are in engagement with abutment elements or abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ and bear against the abutment elements or the abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ and the surfaces of the actuating unit  8 , that are adjacent to the abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″. 
       FIG. 12   a  shows that situation in which the electric drive  7  and the actuating unit  8  are still completely separated.  FIG. 12   a  shows that as a perspective view while  FIG. 12   b  shows a plan view of that situation. The electric drive  7  has two holding noses  16  which can be brought into engagement with abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ and with surfaces of the actuating unit  8 , that are adjacent to the abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ and serve as abutment elements. In this case both the terminal edge  28 ′ of a horizontal limb  29  and also the edge  28 ″ arranged perpendicularly thereto serve as abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″. The edges  28 ′,  28 ″ and the surfaces of the actuating unit  8 , that adjoin same and against which the holding noses  16  bear, serve as abutment elements and as a bearing  28  about which the electric drive  7  is swivelable towards the actuating unit  8 , in which case the holding noses  16  bear against the abutment elements. 
       FIG. 12   c  shows a perspective detail view of one of the holding noses  16  with the associated abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ which are formed both as the edge of the horizontal limb  29  and also the surface perpendicularly thereto, wherein the holding noses  16  bear against those surfaces in the engaged condition of the electric drive  7  and are supported there in particular for the pivotal movement. Those regions therefore serve together with the abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ as the bearing  28 . 
     A further perspective view is shown in  FIG. 12   d . The horizontal limb  29  serving as the abutment or holding element and the abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″ can be particularly clearly seen here. 
       FIG. 13   a  shows a perspective view illustrating how the electric drive  7  and the actuating unit  8  are at least partially connected, wherein the holding noses  16  have been brought into engagement with the abutment elements which in this case are formed by the horizontal limb  29  and the transverse surface arranged perpendicularly thereto and the abutment edges  28 ′,  28 ″. In this condition the electric drive  7  is suspended in the actuating unit  8 . Those region against which the holding noses  16  bear serve as the bearing  28  about which the electric drive  7  is now pivoted towards the actuating unit  8 , starting from the condition illustrated here. 
       FIG. 13   b  shows that condition as a plan view while  FIG. 13   c  as a perspective detail view shows how one of the holding noses  16  bears both against the horizontal limb  29  and also against the transverse surface arranged perpendicularly thereto. This can also be seen in the perspective view in  FIG. 13   d.    
       FIG. 13   e  shows a perspective detail view of a part of the locking device  27  which includes a locking lever  12  with locking elements  14  arranged thereon, which are disposed on or in the electric drive  7 . The locking elements  14  come into engagement with holding elements  25  by actuation of the locking lever  12  by means of the actuating device  13 . A centering pin  15  arranged on the electric drive  7  is inserted into an opening  26  of the actuating unit  8  during the pivotal movement and serves as a play-free positioning means. The force transmission device  11  is inserted into an interface in the form of a receiving opening  9 . During the opening and closing movement the force transmission device  11  moves along the guide path  10  and in so doing moves the actuating arm  4  for opening or closing the furniture flap  3 . 
       FIG. 14   a  shows a perspective view of the actuating unit  8  and the electric drive  7  of the furniture flap drive  1  in the connected condition.  FIG. 14   b  shows a plan view thereof. 
       FIG. 14   c  in turn shows the bearing at which the holding noses  16  of the electric drive  7  bear against abutment elements.  FIG. 14   d  shows a further perspective view thereof. It can also be seen here how the force transmission device  11  is arranged in the guide path  10  in which the force transmission device  11  is movable. The centering pin  15  is arranged in the associated receiving opening  26 . 
       FIG. 14   e  is a perspective detail view showing how the locking device  27  locks the actuating unit  8  and the electric drive  7  in the connected position. The locking elements  14  are displaced by the locking lever  12  in such a way that they are brought into engagement with abutment elements  25  so that release, that is to say detachment, of the electric drive  7  from the actuating unit  8  is prevented. The centering pin  15  is inserted into the associated receiving opening  26 . 
       FIG. 15   a  shows a furniture carcass  2  with a furniture flap  3  mounted movably thereto in the form of an upwardly foldable flap, and a furniture flap drive  1  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 14 . Upwardly foldable flaps are flaps  3  which are of a two-part structure, wherein a first flap portion is rotatably connected to the furniture carcass  2  and a second flap portion is rotatably connected to the first flap portion. When the flap  3  is moved into the open position the first flap portion is pivoted upwardly away from the furniture carcass  2  while the second flap portion is also pivoted upwardly towards the furniture carcass  2  so that the flap  3  is folded together in the open position. 
       FIG. 15   b  shows a perspective detail view of  FIG. 15   a  viewing in another direction. 
     The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments but embraces all technical equivalents which can fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     The positional references adopted in the description such as for example up, down, lateral and so forth are also related to the directly described and illustrated Figure and are to be appropriately transferred to the new position upon a change in position.