ACTUATOR FOR MOVABLE FURNITURE PARTS

• US 20160160551A1
• Filed: 02/10/2016
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Julius BLUM GmbH (BLUM Verwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Julius BLUM GmbH (BLUM Verwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: Lutz, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 9,631,411 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/40 supported on arms movable in vertical planes
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/105 with a compression spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1058 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/416 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/474 Compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/499 Spring tensioners; Tension sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/624 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/70 Nuts
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/266 curved
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/20 for furniture, e.g. cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 1/02 characterised by shape or material of spring, e.g. helical, spiral, coil
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 1/10 for producing output movement other than rotary, e.g. vibratory

Abstract

An actuator for moving a movable furniture part includes at least one movably mounted actuating member for moving the movable furniture part, a spring device for applying a force to the actuating member, and a setting device by which a force of the spring device that acts on the actuating member can be set. The setting device has a threaded portion and a screw nut mounted adjustably between two end positions, and the force of the spring device acting on the actuating member can be set by adjusting the screw nut along the threaded portion. At least one supporting element is provided which relieves the screw nut in at least one of the two end positions of the force of the spring device.

Claims

1. An actuator for moving a moveable furniture part comprising:

at least one moveably mounted actuating member for moving the moveable furniture part,

a spring device for applying a force to the actuating member,

an adjusting device by which a force of the spring device, that acts on the actuating member, is adjustable,

wherein the adjusting device has a threaded portion and a screw nut mounted displaceably between two end positions, wherein the force of the spring device, that acts on the actuating member, is adjustable by displacement of the screw nut along the threaded portion,

wherein there is provided at least one support element which relieves the screw nut of the force of the spring device in at least one of the two end positions.

2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a housing, wherein the support element can be supported against a counterpart abutment fixed with respect to the housing.

3. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the spring device is supported indirectly by way of the support element against the screw nut.

4. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the support element is in the form of a sleeve which at least portion-wise surrounds the threaded portion.

5. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the support element is mounted loosely to the threaded portion.

6. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the support element has an opening for receiving the screw nut.

7. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein there is provided at least one spring element by which the screw nut can be acted upon in at least one end position with a force facing away from said end position.

8. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein a thread-less portion adjoins the threaded portion, wherein in one of the two end positions, the screw nut can pass into said thread-less portion and can be brought out of engagement from the threaded portion.

9. The actuator according to claim 8, wherein in the cooperation of the screw nut with the threaded portion, the force of the spring device presses onto the screw nut and that in the cooperation of the screw nut with the thread-less portion, the screw nut is relieved of the force of the spring device by the support of the support element against a counterpart abutment which is fixed with respect to the housing.

10. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the spring device for acting on the actuating member includes at least one coil spring.

11. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member is in the form of an actuating arm mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation.

12. The actuator according to claim 11, wherein the actuating arm is pivotable by way of a control cam along which a pressure roller loaded by the spring device runs.

13. The actuator according to claim 12, wherein the control cam is arranged or formed on the actuating arm, wherein the control cam provides a differing radial spacing relative to the axis of rotation of the actuating arm.

14. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device includes an adjusting wheel by which the screw nut is moveable along the threaded portion.

15. An arrangement comprising a moveable furniture part and an actuator according to claim 1.

16. The actuator according to claim 6, wherein the opening for receiving the screw nut is step-shaped.

17. The actuator according to claim 10, wherein the at least one coil spring is a compression spring.