Control-head for pneumatic springs, particularly for adjusting seats of sitting furniture.

The invention relates to a control head for pneumatic spring actuator, in particular for the seat plate adjustment on seats.

Gas springs in seating furniture, such as chairs, armchairs, car seats and the like., Used both for the seat height adjustment as well as for the seat tilt adjustment. While the seat height adjustment the ejection force of the gas spring piston rod utilized usually only for the upward movement of the unloaded seat plate and the piston rod is blocked by setting der'gewünschten seat height, when the seat inclination adjustment, the steamed-free movement of the gas spring piston rod in connection with the natural emissions trend and allow in cooperation with other suspension elements a weighing or swing effect. The spring conditions can be chosen so that the seat assembly respectively in which currently-indicating equilibrium "braked" remains.

It should be noted, however, that to achieve this freedom to move the control element of the gas spring must be pressed continuously, which can lead to complicated locking and release mechanisms on seating or operating difficulties in the tilt adjustment. The resulting deficiencies also heard that a perceived as currently comfortable sitting position is changed even at a most minor Körpergewichtsverlagerun.g again. The result of the described control difficulties often lead to far-reaching freedom of movement of the seat assembly also has the consequence that the seat assembly after full discharge into a visually or use comparatively unfavorable starting position can move back, and / or immediately starts moving again when reloading.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an agent which allows the user of the chair, select the type of seat angle adjustment on gas spring-assisted chairs and seats in any position of the seat plate by a momentary keypress.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a by a pulse control command to be actuated control head for defining the operation of a Gäsfeder which control head is characterized by the claim. 1 Embodiments thereof are defined by the dependent claims.

An embodiment of the inventive control head will be explained with reference to the drawing. This shows:<ul><li>Fig. LA, 1B the mounted on the piston rod of a gas spring control head in A = B = blocked and freely movable position of the piston rod, cut at each partially housing and shown in side view telescopically interlocking control parts,</li><li>FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the control head of FIG. 1 on a larger scale, the coaxially arranged components of a locking mechanism in exploded, and the characteristic of the individual components engagement zones are shown respectively on the left in the figure separately in each case functionally interest plan view, and</li><li>Aligned Fig. 3a, b and c, the engagement zones on control head housing and the two telescoping control parts in a) exploded settlement (schematic diagram) on groove-wedge and four grooves Wedge engaging areas b) "blocked piston rod" in the transition of the control position in the control position "piston rod-free", and c) "free piston rod" in the transition of the control position "blocked piston rod" in the control position, respectively in forward shift direction between adjacent grooves-wedge or slanted surface wedge intervention areas, and each one grooving wedge engagement area.</li></ul>

In FIGS. LA, 1B, 1 respectively the upper or piston-rod-side end of a gas spring, 2 the gas spring piston rod, and 3 thereof provided with a screw fastening end. This can directly, or through the intermediary of a threaded-Einpressbüchse 4 ', to be inserted into the mounting hole 4 of the control head housing 5 shown. With 6 the gas spring control rod is indicated, which passes through the piston rod 2 coaxially and acts on a (not shown) gas spring valve assembly. In Fig. LA is the gas lift control rod 6 in exhaust begins position (piston rod blocks) in Fig. 1B contrast in depressed position (piston rod "free" movement). A general with 7 designated latch mechanism inside the control head housing 5 sets these two positions of the control rod 6, as described later in detail, firmly. From this locking mechanism 7, for example, pushbutton-shaped shaped end 8 a likewise described in detail below control sleeve 9 on the upper end of the housing protrudes.

With 10 outstanding coupling members are called side via the control head housing, which can be designed as a pivot pin for example, in pendulous suspension of the gas spring. It is understood that the housing 5, which is fixedly connected in the illustrated design of the inventive gas spring control head of the piston rod 2, can also be provided with differently shaped terminal means.

Design details and operation of the components in the embodiment of the inventive control head shown in the drawings will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3a-c. Like reference numerals in the figures of the drawing indicate the same or functionally corresponding components.

The Ge shown in FIG. 2 with more detail housing 5 includes a continuous cylindrical recess 11 with the previously mentioned installation opening 4 containing terminal portion 12, an (average) guide zone 13 and an operating-side centering and Ankupplungsabschnitt 14. The left in Fig. 2 of the Verti floor plan or end view .kalschnittdarstellung shown shows the housing 5 her.gesehen of the piston rod side.

The (average) guide zone 13 has a number, preferably two to four a narrowed-remote base hole 13 'radially inwardly directed guide cams 15, which over the periphery of the base hole 13' arranged uniformly distributed and are each distanced from each other by an axially oriented guide grooves 16 , The guide cam 15 are 12 axial end facing with a detent toothing 17 provided on its connecting section whose peripheral profile can best be seen from Figs. 3a-c and is explained with reference to these figures later. At the other axial end of the guide cam 15 a centering and stop sleeve 18 is pressed into the base hole 13 '. The sleeve 18 serves both as a movement restriction member for the above-mentioned control sleeve 9 in the latch mechanism 7, and for centering the shaped as Drucktastglied end 8 of the control sleeve 9 in the housing 5. Instead of the sleeve 18 can also be a differently designed centering and stop means may be provided. Optionally, an end row over at least part of the sleeve length reduction of the base hole to be 13 'is provided, wherein the movement stop for the control sleeve 9 would provide about at the outer ends of the guide grooves 16th

The control sleeve 9 is in the region lying within the guide cam 15 central portion of the cylindrical recess 11 slidably mounted in the housing 5 and has as the related end view of the left of the 'side elevational view of the guide portion 9' is, according to the number guide grooves 16 in the housing 5, four via an axial guide portion 9 'reaching axially oriented guide keys 19 which engage in the guide grooves 16 between the cams 15 and the control sleeve 9 is prevented from turning in the housing. 5 The control sleeve 9 also has a central blind bore 20 and has its Oeffnungsseite a transport gear 21, the peripheral profile of Figs. 3a-c can be seen and will be explained in detail later.

In the blind holes 20 of the centering pin 22 of a switching element 23 is rotatably mounted. The switching element 23 (see also Fig. LA, 1B) includes a one end of the centering pin 22 formed switching head 24 consisting 25 and four evenly distributed from a disc-shaped stop disk on the periphery and at the adjacent end of the centering pin 22 formed axially oriented switching wedges 26th the switching wedges 26 are, as the associated end view left from the one shown in the main view of FIG. 2 in side view switching member_,23 shows the same as the guide keys 19 is dimensioned so that they switch a part in the guide grooves 16th are pushed and thereby the switching member 23 in the cylindrical recess 11 in the housing 5 against twisting si Chern. Others part they center the switching element 23, when it is located outside of the guide grooves 16 and thereby free to rotate in the cylindrical recess 11 in the housing. 5 The the spigot 22 ends facing the switching wedges 26 are provided with oblique Schaltanflächungen 27th The inclined surfaces 27 are concurrently oriented in the circumferential direction viewed and work with the locking teeth 17 of the guide cam 15 and on the transport toothing 21 of the control sleeve 9 in the manner described below with reference to Fig. 3a-c way together.

Fig. 3a shows schematically and in a way of illustration only imaginary exploded view, the settlement of: (I) the distanced from each other by the guide grooves 16 guide cam 15 and its locking teeth 17 inside the control head housing 5, (II) the guide portion 9 'of the control sleeve 9 with arranged thereon guide wedges 19 and the end-side transport toothing 21; below and (III) the switching element 23 and the switch head 24 with the thereon switching wedges 26 including the inclined Schaltanflächungen 27, and the stop plate 25. According to the arrangement of the mechanical parts in the control head or the relevant construction details, the housing, the guide zone 13 containing 5 as a "fixed" component (I), generally designated by (II) designated control sleeve 9 as an actuating member, and denoted by (III) switching element 23 as a control member. Further, in accordance with their from Figs. 3b and 3c recognizable functions (longer) tooth surface 17 ' "denotes the locking teeth 17 in the solid component I as a locking surface and the (shorter) tooth surface 17 as a sliding surface. Similarly, the inclined surfaces 21' of the transport toothing 21 designated at the control sleeve 9 as the feed surface, and the related shifting action of the passive Gegenschrägung 21 "as a stop surface. The toothed surfaces 17 ', 17 "and the inclined surfaces 21' are clearly effective as a cam follower surfaces here.

The spring symbols 28 to indicate that the switching member 23 operatively always exercised under one of the gas lift control rod 6 (Fig. LA, 1B) pressing force is, which is supported on the piston rod end 3 at the housing 5. Similarly, designated 29 in the "fixed" component (I), the stop shoulder on the centering and stop sleeve 18 (Fig. 2), and 30, the free ends of the guide keys 19 on the control sleeve 9, which ends in the switching position shown in FIG. 3b as follows described against the sleeve 18 bewegungsbegrenzend rest.

In Fig. 3a symbolized with (I), (II) and (III) and pulled apart shown components of the control head are shown in Fig. 3b by solid lines in the blocking position of the gas spring piston rod 2 (Fig. LA, 1B) shown in said control rod 6 is ejected. Accordingly, the switching element is pushed 23 in its retracted position in the locking mechanism. 7 In this position, the components I, II and III of the switching key 26 is caught in the guide groove 26, and its inclined surface 27 abuts against the relevant feed surface 21 'of the transport teeth 21 on the actuating member (control sleeve 9), the (s) turn on the free ends 30 of the wedges 19 on the housing-fixed stop shoulder_'29 is supported.

It should be noted that 21 are angefürht for explaining the switching element movements of FIGS. 3a and 3b, only one shift key 26, and only the adjacent thereto in the considered position, parts of the locking teeth 17 and the transport toothing. It is understood that in each of the switching keys 26 / Fig. 3a the same movement and engagement conditions occur.

If the actuator II = control sleeve 9 is urged downward in the direction of arrow A, the shifting key 26 is pushed by the engagement of the inclined surfaces 21 ', 27 down from the guide groove 16th Once the shift key 26 the groove 16 exits, slides its inclined surface 27 on the inclined surface 21 'and 21⁺ to the left into the position shown by broken lines stop position between the control sleeve inclined surfaces 21 and 21⁺⁺, If we let now the actuator II according to arrow B to slide back into its starting position, so enters the inclined surface 27 or 27 at the pushed-switching key 26 first with the higher end of the locking surface 17 'in contact and then slides under the action of the spring force 28 of this area along the left -upward into the position shown with dotted lines further wedge position. In this position, the inclined surface 27 rests⁺⁺ on the inclined surface 17 'of the "fixed" component (I) and the shifting key 26' is to the left against the stop surface 17 of the detent toothing 17th This position corresponds to a central position between two adjacent guide grooves, wherein the switch member 23 'by the dimension h is pushed out of its starting position. The path h is such that the gas lift control rod 6 (Fig. LA, 1B), the operation of the piston rod 2 switches to "freely".

In short, the switching wedge lying in the guide groove 16 is formed by a pulse-like pressure on the push-button-shaped end 8 of the control sleeve 9 26 pushed out of the groove 16 and the switching member 23 thereto under the action of the recoil force (symbolic: spring 28) of the gas spring control rod 6 with a brought left-rotational movement to an intermediate detent position on the transport teeth 21 of the control sleeve. 9 After releasing the pressure on the control sleeve 9 of the switching wedge 26 slides along the locking surface 17 'on the control head housing 5 in a "discharged (stable) intermediate latching position in which the gas spring piston rod 2 is now free to move.

The downshift from the "ejected" (stable) intermediate locking position according to FIG. 3b, in which also "stable" retracted position of the switching member 23 is now. 3c explained with reference to FIG. Same reference numerals as in Fig. 3b designate the same construction. or functional elements. The dash-dot end position of the shift key 26 'in Fig. 2b corresponds to the initial position shown in solid lines of the switching key 26 in Fig. 3c.

Pressing the actuator II = control sleeve 9 by pressing on their end 8 in direction of the arrow A 'downwards, the shifting key 26 by the engagement of the inclined surfaces 21', 27 along the abutment surface 17⁺ pushed down. Once the shifting key 26 passes out of engagement with the stop surface 17, slides his Schrägflä surface 27 on the feed surface 21 'and 21⁺ to the left as shown in the broken lines stop position between the control sleeve bevels 21⁺ and 21⁺⁺,

If we let now the actuator II according to arrow B 'to its original position to slide back, so enters the inclined surface 27 or 27⁺ the pushed-switching key 26 ', first with the oblique sliding surface 17 "of the housing-fixed locking teeth 17 into contact and then slides under the action of the spring force 28 of the sliding surface 17' along the left-upwards into the position shown by dash-dotted lines in the groove 16. In this position rests the inclined surface 27⁺⁺ on the feed surface 21 'of the transport toothing 21. This position of the shift key 26 and the switching member 23 in principle corresponds to the starting position according to Fig. 3b, where the switching member 23' again by the dimension h farther into the latch mechanism 7 is immersed. The gas spring control rod 6 (Fig. LA, 1B) is relieved again and the piston rod 2 is "blocked" to be switched.

In short, the shift key 26 "ejected" from its pushed out intermediate locking position in the locking teeth 17 by a farther pulsed pressure to the end 8 of the control sleeve. 9 Under the influence of the recoil force (symbolic: spring 28) of the gas spring control rod 6 is the switching element 23 along the control sleeve inclined surface 21⁺ "Bringing the housing-fixed detent toothing 17th After releasing the pressure on the control sleeve 9 of the switching wedge 26 slides along the slide surface 17" on the sliding surface 17 by the further action of the repulsive force of the gas spring control rod 6 and continuation of the left-turning motion into the next guide groove 16 the housing-fixed locking teeth 17 inside. Because while the gas lift control rod 6 is released, it will shut the gas lift valve assembly (not shown) to the "piston rod blocks" to.

The control head for the actuation of the control elements of a gas spring described above thus allows a compact arrangement to provide a locking mechanism 7, with which the two modes of operation of the gas spring by pulse operation: piston rod "blocked" and piston rod are "freely" selectable. It is essential that the inventive control head as a self-contained device on the piston rod 2 of the gas spring is placed, and that the selected by impulse operating operation of the gas spring is maintained by Met code without external power or control action. This pulse operation can, of course, both in the manner of a pushbutton operation and by other actuating means such as piston-cylinder units or electromechanically.

It goes on to say that with respect to the illustrated embodiment of the inventive control head a number variations are possible. Thus, the rotation of the control sleeve 9 with a single guide key 19 or with an example, could be generally achieved by some different cross-sectional shape. Also, the locking of the switching element can werden.'Diese 23 achieved with differently designed locking zones in the housing-fixed locking teeth 17 finally be profiled that in the forward circuit of the switching element 23 of this goes right.