EP3532689B2 - Opening and closing system having an ejection apparatus for an item of furniture, and operating method for an opening and closing system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an opening and closing system for a piece of furniture comprising at least one movable furniture part and a moving fitting. The opening and closing system includes an ejection device with a tensionable mechanical energy storage device and a tensioning device for charging the mechanical energy storage device, the tensioning device being supplied with energy via an electrical energy storage device. The ejection device is configured to move the movable furniture part into a partially open position when the mechanical energy storage device is unlocked. The invention further relates to an operating method for such an opening and closing system.

In furniture, particularly with hinged doors as movable components, so-called push-to-open mechanisms are known, allowing the door to be opened even without a handle or recessed grip. To open, the door is pushed further from its closed rest position towards the furniture body, whereupon an ejector, such as a plunger, extends and pushes the door open at least far enough to allow a grasp. To close, the door is closed against the force of the ejector, which re-tensions the energy storage device. Typically, a locking mechanism with a heart-shaped cam as a control cam is provided, which holds the ejector in the tensioned position until the door is pushed against the furniture body again.

The printed matter WO 2008/135315 A2 This describes an electromechanical ejection device, which in one embodiment is further developed to also retract the furniture component. A disadvantage is that, due to the purely electromechanical drive, the ejection device requires a correspondingly sized electric motor, which entails a larger installation space.

From the printed text AT 413 933 B A known ejection device for furniture consists of a spring-loaded plunger that serves as the ejection element, pushing open the movable furniture part. An electric drive unit is also provided, which, after the movable furniture part has been pushed open, re-tensions the energy storage device of the ejection device, thus retracting the ejection element. This allows for a more convenient closing process for the user of the furniture part, such as a furniture door, as the effort required to tension the energy storage device of the ejection device is eliminated. In such an arrangement, the ejector can also be combined with a self-closing mechanism, which makes the closing process of the furniture part even more convenient and ensures that it securely enters the closed position.

According to the printed document, the drive unit is to be controlled as follows: AT 413 933 B A sensor is provided that registers any movement of the movable furniture part by the user. According to the printed document, the drive unit locks the energy storage device of the ejection mechanism in the charged position. After detecting the movement of the furniture part by the user, the drive unit first releases the lock, allowing the energy storage device to relax and the furniture part to move, and then retracts the ejection element into the retracted position while recharging the energy storage device.

The printed matter WO 2010/009780 A1 Figure 1 shows a comparable system, in which the ejection device is arranged on an extension guide. The ejection device recharges the energy storage device immediately after ejection.

A disadvantage of the previously known systems is that the closing process must always be carried out manually. In particular, if the ejection mechanism is triggered unintentionally by the user, there is a risk that the door will remain in a partially open position until it is closed again. Especially with a household appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer, which is considered furniture for the purposes of this application, it would be desirable if, after an unintentional triggering of the ejection mechanism, the door, as a moving part of the furniture, would automatically return to the closed position.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an opening and closing system of the type mentioned at the outset and an operating method for such an opening and closing system in which, after an unintentional triggering of the ejection device, the movable part of the furniture is automatically moved back into the closed position.

This task is solved by an opening and closing system or an operating procedure with the features of the respective independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

An opening and closing system according to the invention of the type mentioned above is characterized in that the moving fitting has a retraction device and a damping device, which is designed to move the movable furniture part from a partially open position, which lies within a predetermined operating range, to a closed position in a damped manner. The partially open position of the movable furniture part achieved by the ejection device lies within the predetermined operating range of the retraction device.

In this way, it is ensured that when the ejection element of the ejection device is retracted, the movable The furniture component, e.g., a door or a drawer element, is moved back into the closed position by the retraction device. Thus, even after an unintentional triggering of the ejection device, automatic closing is achieved when the ejection element is retracted. The forces acting on the furniture component from the energy storage device of the ejection device and the retraction device are selected such that the ejection device can open the furniture component against the force of the retraction device and—as long as the ejection element is not retracted by the clamping device—also hold it open. As mentioned at the outset, household appliances such as refrigerators or freezers are considered furniture within the scope of the application, in which the opening and closing system according to the invention can be used.

In an advantageous embodiment of the opening and closing system, the ejection device features a linearly displaceable plunger as the ejection element for the movable furniture part. A spring is preferably provided as the mechanical energy storage device. A heart-shaped cam control is also preferably provided to lock the plunger in a retracted rest position with the spring tensioned and to release it after mechanical deduction beyond the rest position. In this way, the ejection device is fully mechanically operable. The automatic tensioning of the spring by the tensioning device is a convenience feature but is not a prerequisite for the push-to-open functionality. Thus, the opening and closing system remains usable even in the event of a malfunction of electrical components of the system or a discharged energy storage device. Batteries, e.g., disposable or rechargeable batteries, can preferably be used as the energy storage device. The energy storage device provided by the batteries supplies a nominal voltage of 0.8 V to 24 V.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the opening and closing system, the clamping device has a sensor that detects the position of the plunger. The sensor can be used to activate the clamping device. Preferably, a timer is started, which initially runs for an adjustable or fixed period without any further action. During this time, the user has the opportunity to grasp behind the movable furniture part pressed open by the ejection device and fully open it. This time can range from a few seconds to several tens of seconds. After this time has elapsed, the clamping device is then activated.

Alternatively, the ejection device can have a mechanical slide that is pre-tensioned and protrudes from a housing of the ejection device, resting against the movable furniture part in a closed position, the ejection device having a sensor that detects the position of the slide. Preferably, the mechanical slide is a sleeve arranged concentrically around the plunger.

In both cases, the sensor can be a push button whose contacts are open, for example, when the movable part of the furniture is in the closed position.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the opening and closing system, the clamping device of the ejection device comprises an electric motor, preferably a low-voltage DC motor, with a downstream gearbox and a spindle, wherein a spindle nut arranged on the spindle engages a driver of the plunger to move it into the rest position. Such a design is compact and, for example, quiet in operation when helical gears are used in the gearbox.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the clamping device only performs the clamping process if the voltage of the electrical energy storage device is above a defined undervoltage limit of at least 3 V nominal voltage or a higher value. This ensures that the spindle nut can always be moved to its rest position. The undervoltage limit is checked before each clamping process. If the undervoltage limit is undershot, no further clamping process is triggered. From this point on, the battery can be replaced, and the ejection device can continue to be operated. Only the clamping process then has to be carried out manually by a person.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the clamping device only performs the clamping process if the voltage of the electrical energy storage device is below a defined overvoltage limit of a maximum of 24 V or a lower value. This measure protects the system against overvoltage.

Advantageously, the undervoltage limit and the overvoltage limit are chosen such that the difference between the two limits is at least 1.8 V.

In a further embodiment, the ejection device has a circuit board with a control unit that includes a microcontroller and switching elements controlled by it in an H-bridge arrangement for controlling the motor.

Preferably, the switching elements of the H-bridge arrangement are MOSFETs (metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors) or IGBTs (insulated-gate bipolar transistors), and the microcontroller is implemented using CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) technology. This allows for low quiescent current and high energy efficiency during operation, enabling a battery life of up to two years when using commercially available batteries and with an average operating frequency of up to 20 ejection cycles per day. The control unit features a sleep mode in which the maximum quiescent current consumption is less than 200 nA, and preferably less than 150 nA.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the opening and closing system, the control unit includes current measuring devices for measuring the motor's operating current. Preferably, the control unit is configured to detect the end position of the spindle nut by observing whether a predetermined limit value of the measured motor current has been exceeded. This eliminates the need for a separate sensor for end-position detection of the spindle nut, simplifying the mechanical design of the ejection device and reducing manufacturing costs. Preferably, the limit value is dependent on a measured voltage of the electrical energy storage device, such as the batteries. This ensures reliable detection of the spindle nut's end position even as the batteries' charge level decreases.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the opening and closing system, the motion fitting is designed as a hinge with a retraction mechanism and an integrated damping device. The hinge can be a so-called single-joint, four-joint, or seven-joint hinge with integrated damping. Examples of such hinges are found in the... DE 20 2011 103 288 U1 , DE 101 21 977 B4 , EP 2 176 486 B1 or WO2014/118320A1 The damping device in the hinge can include a tension or compression linear damper or a rotary damper. These dampers can be arranged in the hinge cup or in the hinge arm.

Advantageously, the hinge has a hinge cup that is mounted on the door side and a hinge arm that can be mounted either directly or using a mounting plate on the cabinet side. The hinge includes a closing spring and a damping device. The closing spring acts as a retraction mechanism. The damping device in the hinge can be a linear damper (either tension or compression) or a rotary damper. These dampers can be located in the hinge cup or in the hinge arm.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the hinge, the linear damper is pivotably arranged in the hinge arm and is coupled at least temporarily to at least one articulated arm of the hinge via coupling means.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the hinge, the damping device and the retraction device of the hinge are effective during the closing process between an opening angle of the door of at least 10° and a closed position of the door.

The operating method according to the invention is designed for an opening and closing system for a piece of furniture, which has at least one movable furniture part and a hinge with a retraction device and a damping device. The opening and closing system includes an ejection device with a tensionable mechanical energy storage device and a tensioning device for charging the mechanical energy storage device, the tensioning device being supplied with energy by an electrical energy storage device. The operating method comprises the following steps: After manual pressure on the movable furniture part, the ejection device of the opening and closing system moves the movable furniture part into a partially open position by means of an ejection element. After a predetermined time interval, the tensioning device charges the mechanical energy storage device and retracts the ejection element. During the retraction of the ejection element, the movable furniture part is moved into a closed position by the retraction device of the hinge and against the damping effect of the damping device. The predetermined time interval allows the user to fully open the pressed-on furniture part. If this does not occur, the furniture component is automatically returned to the closed position by the interaction of the clamping device and the retraction mechanism. This results in the advantages described in connection with the opening and closing system.

In an advantageous embodiment of the operating method, the ejection element is a linearly movable plunger. The clamping device of the ejection device comprises an electric motor, preferably a low-voltage DC motor, with a downstream gearbox and a spindle, wherein a spindle nut arranged on the spindle can engage a driver of the plunger. During the clamping process, the spindle nut is moved such that the plunger is retracted into a retracted position. Subsequently, the spindle nut is moved in the opposite direction to a rest position. Preferably, a cam-type control is provided to lock the plunger in the retracted rest position, wherein the plunger's rest position is reached for locking while the spindle nut moves towards its rest position.

Fig. 1a

eine isometrische Darstellung eines Möbels mit einer Ausstoßvorrichtung;

Fig. 1b

eine Vergrößerung eines Ausschnitts von Fig. 1a;

Fig. 2, 3

jeweils eine Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts des Möbels aus Fig. 1a in verschiedenen Betriebsstellungen der Ausstoßvorrichtung;

Fig. 4a, b

eine Draufsicht und eine Schrägansicht einer Ausstoßvorrichtung in einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Ruhestellung;

Fig. 5a, b bis 8a, b

die Ausstoßvorrichtung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels in verschiedenen Betriebsstellungen;

Fig. 9a, b

eine Draufsicht und eine Schrägansicht einer Ausstoßvorrichtung in einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Ruhestellung; und

Fig. 10a, b bis 12a, b

die Ausstoßvorrichtung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels in verschiedenen Betriebsstellungen.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. The figures show:

Fig. 1a

an isometric representation of a piece of furniture with an ejection device;

Fig. 1b

an enlargement of a section of Fig. 1a ;

Fig. 2, 3

each a sectional view of a section of the furniture made of Fig. 1a in various operating positions of the ejection device;

Fig. 4a, b

a top view and an oblique view of an ejection device in a first embodiment in a rest position;

Figs. 5a, b to 8a, b

the ejection device of the first embodiment in various operating positions;

Fig. 9a, b

a top view and an oblique view of an ejection device in a second embodiment in a rest position; and

Fig. 10a, b to 12a, b

the ejection device of the second embodiment in various operating positions.

Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a piece of furniture 1 with an opening and closing device as described in the patent application. A cabinet is shown here as an example of the piece of furniture 1. The piece of furniture 1 has a body 2 with side walls 3. A door, as a movable furniture part 4 (hereinafter also referred to as door 4), is pivotally attached to the side wall 3 shown on the left of the figure by means of a motion fitting (not visible here). The motion fitting, which here, for example, has two hinges, is provided with a (self-)closing device, preferably with a damping device, so that the door 4 is retracted during the closing process as soon as a certain opening angle is undershot.

On the opposite side wall 3, as can be seen from the cutouts in the body 2 and the door 4, an ejection device 10 is mounted. The cutout in the furniture 1 with the ejection device 10 is in Fig. 1b Shown in greater detail and enlarged.

The ejection device 10 comprises a housing 11 from which a plunger 12 can extend to push open the door 4. A sleeve 13 is arranged concentrically to the plunger 12; this sleeve serves to control the ejection device 10, as will be explained in more detail below.

In the Figs. 2 and 3 Each figure shows a horizontal section through the furniture 1 and the ejection device 10 in the area of the ejection device 10. The figures depict two different operating states of the ejection device 10. Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows furniture 1 with closed door 4, with the ejection device 10 in a rest position. In this state, both the plunger 12 (in this Fig. 2 (not visible) as well as the sleeve 13 on the inner surface of the door 4. A gap is visible between the door 4 and the side wall 3, which allows the door 4 to be pushed towards the furniture body 2. This movement serves to trigger the ejection device 10.

In Fig. 3 The ejection device 10 is shown with the plunger 12 extended. The extended plunger 12 has accordingly opened the door 4 against the closing force of the self-closing mechanism of the motion fitting. The sleeve 13, which is also slidably mounted in the ejection device 10 independently of the plunger 12, is positioned relative to the one shown in Fig. 2 The sleeve 13 is also disengaged in the position shown. Compared to the plunger 12, which performs an opening movement of several tens of millimeters, the sleeve 13 is only disengaged by a few millimeters. As will be explained in detail below, the disengagement of the sleeve 13 serves to detect the position of the door 4 independently of the plunger 12.

Moved by the plunger 12 is in the Fig. 3 In the illustrated operating position, door 4 is opened sufficiently for a user to comfortably reach behind it and open it fully. The opening angle of door 4 is selected by its geometry, the positioning of the ejection device 10, and the stroke of the plunger 12 such that it remains within the angular range in which the self-closing mechanism of the motion fitting is active. Accordingly, door 4 rests against the plunger 12 with the force applied by the closing mechanism, thus preventing uncontrolled swinging of door 4 after the ejection process. Furthermore, this ensures that after the plunger 12 has retracted, door 4—if not opened by the user—is returned to the closed position by the closing mechanism as shown. Fig. 2 is transferred. Thus, if the ejection device 10 is unintentionally activated, the door 4 will close automatically.

In Fig. 4a The ejection device 10 is shown in more detail in a top view. A housing cover has been removed from the housing 11 to allow a view of the internal structure of the ejection device 10. Fig. 4b shows the ejection device 10 in the same operating position as Fig. 4a in an isometric oblique view.

The ejection device 10 has a substantially rectangular shape. The side facing the user, from which the plunger 12 also emerges, is hereinafter referred to as the front region of the ejection device 10. A battery compartment 14 is located in the opposite rear region of the ejection device 10, into which batteries 140 can be inserted to power the ejection device 10. The batteries 140 can be disposable or rechargeable. The power consumption, in particular the standby power consumption of the ejection device 10, is minimized to such an extent that a battery life of up to two years can be achieved with an average operating frequency of up to 20 ejection cycles per day.

In the front area of the ejection device 10, on one of the two sides (in Fig. 4a Above the plunger 12, a control unit is arranged on a circuit board 15. The circuit board 15 carries electronic components (not shown in detail) for controlling the ejection device 10, in particular a microcontroller, which is preferably built using CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) technology to achieve a low quiescent current. The microcontroller is connected to a motor driver, preferably configured as an H-bridge with switching elements exhibiting low through-resistance. These switching elements can preferably be MOSFETs or IGBTs. A current measuring device, for example a shunt, is preferably integrated in series with or within the motor driver to measure the motor current.

In a central area of the ejection device 10, a drive unit 16 for the plunger 12 is arranged. The drive unit 16 comprises a motor 160, preferably a low-voltage DC motor, which is connected to and controlled by the control unit on the circuit board 15. A gearbox 161 is arranged downstream of the motor 160; in this case, a gearbox with two gear stages, each with helical gears. Due to the helical gearing, a reduction in speed can be achieved by the gearbox 161 with low noise generation. On the output side, the gearbox 161 is coupled to a spindle 162, which is arranged substantially parallel to the plunger 12 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. A spindle nut 163 is mounted on the spindle 162, which is guided in the housing 11 so as to be rotationally fixed and longitudinally displaceable.

In the Figs. 4a and 4b In the rest position shown, the spindle nut 163 is at a forward stop, i.e., at its maximum distance from the gearbox 161. When the spindle nut 163 is moved by rotating the spindle 162 in the corresponding direction, the end position of the spindle nut 163 is reached by moving the spindle nut 163 against a stop formed by the housing 11. Due to the mechanical stop, the current of the motor 160 increases above a limit value, which is detected by the control unit on the circuit board 15, whereupon the motor 160 is switched off in the end position of the spindle nut 163. The limit value is preferably dependent on a measured voltage of the batteries 140. Alternatively, a sensor could be provided to detect the end position of the spindle nut 163, for example in the form of a limit switch.

The plunger 12 has a shaft 120 which, in the illustrated position of the plunger 12, is located essentially within the housing 11. The plunger 12 is guided longitudinally within the housing 11 by means of the shaft 120. At the front end of the shaft 120, the plunger 12 projects slightly beyond the front surface of the housing 11 with a head 121. The head 121 can be made of a rubberized or otherwise elastic material to ensure that the plunger 12 strikes the door 4 as quietly as possible. On the side opposite the head 121, the plunger 12 is coupled to a cam-type actuator 122. In a known manner, the cam-type actuator 122 is configured to lock the plunger 12 in the retracted position shown. In this state, it is pre-tensioned by a spring located inside the plunger 12, which is not visible in this operating position. A driver 123 is arranged laterally on the plunger 12, into which the spindle nut 163 can engage and retract an extended plunger 12.

As already mentioned in connection with the Fig. 1a and 1b As explained, the plunger 12 is concentrically surrounded by a sleeve 13. This sleeve has a ring 130 in its outer region, which is also longitudinally displaceable by a laterally arranged guide 131. A spring 132 is located in the area of the guide 131, which moves the ring 130 out of the housing 11 with a small spring force. The length of the ring 130 ranges from a few millimeters to one centimeter. The range of movement of the sleeve 13 out of the housing 11 is also limited to a few millimeters. A projection formed on the ring 130 or on the guide 131 actuates the microswitch 150 located on the circuit board 15. The sleeve 13 and the microswitch 150 are positioned such that the extension of the sleeve 13 out of the housing 11 is detected from a certain position of the sleeve 13.

Various operating positions of the ejection device 10 and various operating positions of the plunger 12 and the driver 123 are described below using the following: Figures 5a to 8a or 5b to 8b. The figures with the index a show the ejection device 10 analogously to Fig. 4a In a top view, figures with the index b are analogous to Fig. 4b in a symmetrical oblique view.

In the Figure 4a A first vertical dashed line 20 marks the rest position of the front surface of the head 121 of the plunger 12 and also of the sleeve 13. The head 121 and the sleeve 13 are in this position when the door 4 is closed, according to... Fig. 1a or Fig. 2 .

To open door 4, it is moved from its rest position (line 20) towards the furniture body 2. The range of motion for door 4 towards the body 1 is defined by the Fig. 2 The gap shown between door 4 and side wall 3 is given. It measures a few millimeters (mm), specifically about 2 mm. The position to which door 4, and thus the head 121 of the plunger 12, can be moved is shown in the Fig. 4a represented by a second dashed line 21.

The Figures 5a and 5b The ejection device 10 is shown again in exactly this position (line 21). Pressing the plunger 12 into this position releases the locking mechanism of the heart-shaped cam control 122, so that the plunger 12, then subjected to the spring force, extends and opens the door 4 as soon as the user releases the door 4 after pressing it in.

The Figures 6a and 6b The ejection device 10 is shown after the plunger 12 has been fully extended. The position of the head 121 of the fully extended plunger 12 is shown in the Fig. 6a marked by a dashed line 22.

In the Figures 6a and 6b The previously mentioned spring, designated by reference numeral 17, is clearly visible. When door 4 is pushed open, the ring 130 of the sleeve 13, driven by spring 132, can move to its maximum extended position, thereby actuating switch 150. The opening of door 4 is thus detected by switch 150, which then activates the control unit on circuit board 15. In the control unit, a timer is initially started, which runs for an adjustable or preset time without any further action. During this time, the user has the opportunity to reach behind door 4, which has been pushed open by plunger 12, and fully open it. This time can range from a few seconds to several tens of seconds.

After this time has elapsed, the motor 160 is activated and the spindle 162 rotates so that the spindle nut 163 moves towards the battery compartment 14. The spindle nut 163 engages with the driver 123 of the plunger 12 and accordingly pulls the plunger 12 back into the housing 11, thereby tensioning the spring 17. As in Figures 7a and 7b As can be seen, the sleeve 13 remains in the extended position because the door 4 is not yet closed. The spindle 12 retracts until the spring 17 is fully tensioned and the cam control 122 locks the plunger 12. This end position of the plunger 12 can also be measured by measuring the operating current of the motor 160.

After the plunger 12 has been retracted to the aforementioned locked end position, the motor 160 is reversed to rotate the spindle 162 in the opposite direction. Correspondingly, the spindle nut 163 returns to its forward stop, as described in the Figures 8a and 8b as shown. After the user manually closes door 4, the system returns to its initial state, which is shown in the Figures 4a and 4b shown.

If, starting from the one in the Figures 6a and 6b In the operating position shown, if door 4 is not manually opened further by the user, it will close again due to the retraction device when the plunger 12 retracts. Even then, after the spindle nut 163 extends again, the system is once more in the position shown. Figures 4a and 4b Operating state shown.

In the Figures 9a to 12a or 9b to 12b is in the same way as in the Figures 4a to 8a Figures 4b to 8b show a second embodiment of an ejection device 10 in a top view or an isometric oblique view. The same reference numerals in these figures denote identical or equivalent elements as in the preceding figures.

Regarding the basic structure, it corresponds to the one in the Figures 9a to 12a and 9b to 12b The ejection device 10 shown in the first embodiment, to whose description reference is hereby made, can be used in the same way as in the first embodiment. Fig. 1a The furniture shown will be used.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the ejection device 10 shown here does not have a sleeve 13, which in the first embodiment was used to detect the position of the moving furniture part in conjunction with the switch 150. Instead of the sleeve 10, a protruding actuator 124 is attached to the shaft 120 of the plunger 12 in the rear region of the plunger 12. When the plunger 12 is fully extended, this actuator 124 actuates the switch 150. In this way, an open furniture door is detected by means of the extended plunger 12.

In the Figures 9a and 9b The ejection device 10 is initially shown in its rest position, in which the spring 17 (not visible here) is fully tensioned and the plunger 12 is locked by the heart-shaped cam control 122. Pressing in the movable furniture part, for example the door 4, according to... Fig. 1a This leads to the insertion of the plunger 12 and thus to the unlocking of the heart rate control 122. This is in the Figures 10a and 10b reproduced.

As a result, the plunger 12, driven by the spring 17, extends and opens the movable furniture part. The fully extended position is in the Figs. 11a and 11b reproduced. In Fig. 11a The actuation of switch 150 by actuator 124 is clearly visible.

After the specified or adjustable waiting time has elapsed, the drive motor 160 is operated in a direction of rotation in which the spindle nut 163 draws the plunger 12 into the housing 11 via the driver 123, thereby tensioning the spring 17. The position of the spindle nut 163 at the end of this insertion and tensioning process is described in the Figures 12a and 12b reproduced. By retracting, the heart-shaped cam control 122 locks the plunger 12 back into the fully retracted position. After the spindle nut 163 is then moved back into the forward position, the system is again in the position described in the Figures 9a and 9b depicted resting state.

Reference symbol list

1

Furniture

2

Body

3

side wall

4

movable furniture part (door)

10

Ejection device

11

Housing

12

Pestle

120

shaft

121

Head

122

Cardiac curve control

123

drive

124

Actuator

13

sleeve

130

ring

131

guide

132

Feather

14

Battery compartment

140

battery

15

circuit board

150

Switch

16

drive unit

160

Motor

161

transmission

162

spindle

163

Spindle nut

17

Feather

20, 21, 22

Line (for position marking)

Claims (19)

1. Opening and closing system for an item of furniture (1) which has at least one movable furniture part (4) and a movement fitting, wherein the opening and closing system has an ejection apparatus (10) with a loadable mechanical force store and a tensioning apparatus for loading the mechanical force store, wherein the tensioning apparatus is supplied with energy by an electrical energy storage device, and wherein the ejection apparatus (10) is designed, when the mechanical energy store is unlocked, to move the movable furniture part into a partially open position, wherein the movement fitting comprises a retraction apparatus and a damping apparatus which is provided to move the movable furniture part (4) in a damped manner from a further partially open position which lies within a predetermined effective range into a closed position, characterized in that the partially open position of the movable furniture part (4) achieved by the ejection apparatus (10) lies within the predetermined effective range of the retraction apparatus, wherein the ejection apparatus (10) has a linearly displaceable plunger (12) as ejection element for the movable furniture part as well as a mechanical slide which projects in a pretensioned manner beyond a housing (11) of the ejection apparatus (10) and, in a closed position of the movable furniture part (4), rests against the latter, wherein the ejection apparatus (10) has a sensor which detects a position of the slide and wherein the mechanical slide is a sleeve (13) arranged concentrically relative to the plunger (12) around the plunger (12).
2. Opening and closing system according to claim 1, in which a spring (17) is provided as a mechanical force store.
3. Opening and closing system according to claims 1 and 2, in which a heart cam control (122) is provided in order to lock the plunger (12) in a retracted rest position when the spring (17) is tensioned and to release it beyond the rest position after mechanical impression.
4. Opening and closing system according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the tensioning apparatus has a sensor which detects a position of the plunger (12).
5. Opening and closing system according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the sensor is a pushbutton (150) whose contacts are open when the movable furniture part is in the closed position.
6. Opening and closing system according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the tensioning apparatus of the ejection apparatus (10) has an electric motor (160), preferably a DC low-voltage motor, with a downstream gear (161) and a spindle (162), wherein a spindle nut (163) arranged on the spindle (162) engages in a driver (123) of the plunger (12) in order to move the latter into the rest position.
7. Opening and closing system according to claim 6, in which the ejection apparatus (10) comprises a circuit board (15) with a control device which has a microcontroller and switching elements controlled by it in an H-bridge arrangement.
8. Opening and closing system according to claim 7, in which the switching elements of the H-bridge arrangement are MOSFETs or IGBTs.
9. Opening and closing system according to claim 7 or 8, in which the control device comprises current measuring means for measuring an operating current of the motor (160).
10. Opening and closing system according to claim 9, in which the control device is adapted to detect an end position of the spindle nut (163) by exceeding a predetermined limit value of the measured motor current.
11. Opening and closing system according to claim 10, in which the limit value depends on a measured voltage of the electrical energy storage device.
12. Opening and closing system according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the electrical energy storage device comprises at least one battery (140) arranged in the ejection apparatus (10).
13. Opening and closing system according to claim 1, in which the movement fitting is formed by a hinge with a hinge pot on the door side and a hinge arm, which is optionally mounted directly or by means of a mounting plate on the body side, wherein the hinge has a closing spring and a damping apparatus.
14. Opening and closing system according to claim 13, in which the damping apparatus has a tension or compression linear damper or a rotary damper in the hinge and the damper is arranged in the hinge pot or in the hinge arm.
15. Opening and closing system according to claim 14, in which the tension or compression linear damper is pivotably arranged in the hinge arm and is coupled via coupling means at least temporarily to at least one articulated arm of the hinge.
16. Opening and closing system according to claim 14, in which the rotational damper is arranged in the hinge pot and is coupled via coupling means at least temporarily to at least one articulated arm of the hinge.
17. Operating method for an opening and closing system for an item of furniture (1) which comprises at least one movable furniture part (4) and a hinge with a retraction apparatus and a damping apparatus, wherein the opening and closing system comprises an ejection apparatus (10) with a loadable mechanical force store and a tensioning apparatus for loading the mechanical force store, wherein the tensioning apparatus is supplied with energy by an electrical energy storage device, wherein

    - the ejection element is a linearly movable plunger (12) and the tensioning apparatus of the ejection apparatus (10) has an electric motor (160) having a downstream gear (161) and a spindle (162), wherein a spindle nut (163) arranged on the spindle (162) engages in a driver (123) of the plunger (12), and wherein

    - during the tensioning operation the spindle nut (163) is moved in such a way that the plunger (12) is moved into a retracted position, and

    - subsequently the spindle nut (163) is moved in the opposite direction to a rest position, and wherein

    - the ejection apparatus (10) of the opening and closing system moves the movable furniture part (4) into a partially open position by manually pressing the movable furniture part (4) by means of an ejection element;

    characterized in that

    - after a predetermined period of time, the tensioning apparatus loads the mechanical force store and in this case retracts the ejection element; and that

    - during the retraction of the ejection element, the movable furniture part (4) is moved into a closed position by the retraction apparatus of the hinge and against a damping action of the damping apparatus.
18. Operating method according to claim 17, wherein the electric motor (160) is a DC low-voltage motor.
19. Operating method according to claim 18, in which a heart cam controller (122) is provided to lock the plunger (12) in the retracted rest position, wherein

    - the rest position of the plunger (12) for locking is reached while the spindle nut (163) moves into the direction of its rest position.