Pneumatic pivoting device

• US 20040232754A1
• Filed: 04/09/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prospective Concepts AG
• Original Assignee: Prospective Concepts AG
• Inventors: Steffen, Josef
• Granted Patent: US 7,017,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/403
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/048 by fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/506 of adjustable type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/5066 by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/26 Locking mechanisms

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pneumatic device for the pivoting of a pivotal component (1). This is articulated to a structural element (5) by means of a joint (2). Hoses (9) produced from a material of low ductility, to which compressed air can be admitted, are inserted between the pivotal component (1) and the structural element (5) in mounting surfaces (3) intended for this purpose. The hoses (9) themselves contain an airtight bag (10). When these bags (10) are inflated via valves (11), compressive forces act both on the structural element (5) and on the pivotal component (1), causing the latter to swivel out. In order that the hoses (9) cannot migrate, webs (4) run from the joint (2) to the hoses (9). Whilst the hoses (9) are pressurized, the webs (4) are subjected to tensile loading. In order to be able to relieve the hoses (9) in a specific limit position of the pivotal component (1), and to prevent oscillatory movements of the pivotal component (1), a locking device (12) is provided. The locking device (12) comprises a rod (8), which runs through a brake device (6) fixed to an arm (7).

Claims

1. Pneumatically actuated pivot device for a component (1) capable of pivoting about a joint (2, 17, 53) and fixed to a structural element (5), the pneumatically active part comprising a set of airtight hoses (9) with valves (11) and the hoses (9) being arranged between parts (3, 14), which belong to the structural element (5) or/or to the pivotal component (1), and the hoses (9) when pressurized, introducing torques into the said plates (14), characterized in that

the hoses (9) are connected to at least one web (4), which is also fixed, essentially over its entire length, close to the joint (2, 17, 53), and thus the pneumatically active hoses (9) fill only a curved part of the volume of the circular segment with opening angle a and with the hinged joint (2, 17, 53) at the apex, so that the volume to be pressurized can be minimized.

2. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, characterized in that a locking device (12) is provided, which with the hoses (9) unpressurized allows a torque acting on the pivotal component (1) to be transmitted directly to the structural element (5).

3. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 2, characterized in that a valve system is provided, which connects the locking device 12 and the set of hoses (9) in such a way that pressure is admitted to the hoses (9) only when the pivotal component (1) is being moved.

4. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hoses (9) are airtight coated hoses of textile material.

5. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hoses (9) are constructed from a textile casing and an airtight bag (10) of elastic plastic material inserted into the casing.

6. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the pivotal component (1) is connected to the structural element (5) by a spring element (20, 54), so that the torque which the spring element (20, 54) exerts on the pivotal component (1) counteracts that exerted by the hoses (9).

7. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one further set of hoses (9) is provided and arranged so that the torque which they exert on the pivotal component (16) counteracts that which the first set of hoses (9) exerts on the pivotal component (1).

8. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve control is equipped with two control keys (42, 43), which control the hoses (9) and pneumatic actuators of the locking device 12 so that by operating

the first control key (42) for swivelling the pivotal component (1) out under load

compressed air is first admitted to the set of hoses (9) until the locking device 12 is relieved,

the pressure in the set of hoses (9) is then increased further until the first control key (42) is released

on releasing the first control key (42) the locking device is reactivated, so that the pivotal component 1 and the structural element 5 are again firmly connected to one another, and the set of hoses (9) is evacuated,

the second control key (43) to run the pivotal component (1) back under load

compressed air is first admitted to the set of hoses (9) until the locking device 12 is relieved,

the pressure in the set of hoses (9) is then reduced until the second control key (43) is released

on releasing the second control key (43) the locking device is reactivated, so that the pivotal component 1 and the structural element 5 are again firmly connected to one another, and the set of hoses (9) is evacuated,

9. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking device 12 comprises the following elements

a ratchet (19), which is connected to the structural element (5),

a catch device (24), which is connected to the pivotal component (1),

the catch device (24) can engage in the ratchet (19) and be actuated by pneumatic actuators, in such a way that with the hoses (9) unpressurized a torque acting on the pivotal component (1) is transmitted via the ratchet (19) and the catch device (24) to the structural element (5).

10. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 9, characterized in that

the ratchet (19) is connected to the structural element (5) via a rod (22),

the rod (22) is moveable in relation to the structural element over a small travel, this movement in relation to the structural element (5) being limited by a disk (21),

a spring (20) is provided, which presses the ratchet (19) against the structural element (5),

a first control valve (23) is provided, which is actuated by the rod (22).

11. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 8, characterized in that

a friction brake (25) is connected to the structural element (5) via a rod (22),

a second brake device (27) is connected to the pivotal component (1),

the brake device (27) of the friction brake (25) is capable of acting on the brake disk (26) and can be actuated by pneumatic actuators in such a way that with hoses (9) unpressurized a torque acting on the pivotal component (1) is transmitted via the brake disk (26) and the second brake device (27) to the structural element (5).

12. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking device 12 comprises the following elements

a bar 8 articulated on the pivotal component 1,

the bar 8 runs through a friction brake in the form of a first brake device 6,

the first brake device 6 is pivotally supported on an arm 7 fixed to the structural element 5.

13. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 6 and one of claims 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the pivotal component (1) is a flap-like element.

14. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 13, characterized in that the pivotal component (1) is designed as head part (46) of a bed (45), the structural element (5) being formed by a middle part (50) of the bed (45).

15. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 13, characterized in that the pivotal component (1) is designed as foot part (47) of a bed (45), the structural element (5) being formed by a middle part (50) of the bed (45).

16. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 13, characterized in that the pivotal component (1) is designed as a footrest of a seat, the structural element (5) being formed at least indirectly by a seat surface of the seat.

17. Pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 13, characterized in that the pivotal component (1) is designed as a door (52).