JP2009535138A - furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is furniture (1) comprising at least one drawer and / or door, the front cover (3) of which is provided with a handle element (4) fitted with at least one luminaire (6). Yes. This at least one luminaire (6), which can be switched using the control device (21, 25, 26), is outward in the region of the handle element (4) when the drawer or door is closed. While illuminating, the interior of the drawer (5) or the interior adjacent to the door is illuminated with at least one luminaire (7) in the open position of the drawer, so even under inadequate lighting conditions Can be seen clearly.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The invention comprises at least one drawer and / or door, the front panel of which is provided with a handle element having at least one illumination means that can be switched using a control device, the at least one illumination The means relates to furniture that illuminates outwardly in the region of the handle element when the drawer or door is closed.

  German Patent No. 29914083 discloses furniture in which a handle with illumination means is provided on the front panel of the drawer. This makes the handle visible even in a dark environment, i.e. it is easy to handle and provides a visually attractive effect. However, in a very dark environment, the interior containing the deposited articles is usually less visible after the drawer is opened.

  German Patent No. 102 36 211 discloses a kitchen utensil that is configured so that the various fronts and edges are illuminated, which provides a particularly visually appealing appearance. Objective. The intentional switching of the lighting means used, for example in conjunction with the movement of furniture parts such as flaps or drawers, is not disclosed in DE 102 362 211.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide furniture that is easy to handle even in light conditions where the drawers or doors are dark.

  This object is achieved by a furniture having the features of claim 1.

  According to the invention, the furniture is provided with lighting means in the area of the handle element and with this the interior of the drawer or the interior adjacent to the door is at least one lighting means in the drawer open position. Both with at least one illumination means to be illuminated. This allows the user to easily grasp the article stored in the drawer or furniture and see the interior clearly after opening the drawer or door.

  Preferably, the illumination means for illuminating the interior can be switched on while the drawer or door is open and can be switched off when it is closed. This allows the amount of energy required to be reduced to a minimum since the interior must be illuminated only when the drawer is open. In this case, the circuit can optionally be controlled in such a way that the illumination means outside the handle element are switched off in the open position. This makes the open position easily and clearly visible.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first illumination means are arranged on the handle element and the second illumination means are arranged inside the drawer. In this case, both illumination means can be arranged on the handle element, the first illumination means illuminate the outside and the second illumination means are provided to illuminate the interior. Obviously, the illumination means for illuminating the interior may be provided on the side wall of the drawer or at a different location. However, the wiring is optimally simplified when both illumination means are arranged close to the handle element.

  In order to better illuminate the drawer with low energy consumption, the illumination means may comprise LED strips.

  Preferably, the control device has a limit switch for detecting the closed position so that the illumination means can be switched accordingly. The lighting means can be electrically powered, either using an energy storage device located on the furniture, or then using wiring leading to the drawer, sliding contact, cable loop, or other Electrical power can be supplied through any appropriate means.

  The control device may also comprise a timing circuit with which the illumination means for illuminating the interior can be switched off after a predetermined period. In this way, in particular, the illumination means provided in the furniture can be freely controlled.

  Preferably, the outwardly directed illuminating means can be switched using a control device to send signals of different signal states or indications. In particular, the illuminating means can be illuminated in different colors in order to signal the display means information regarding the closed state of the flaps or drawers and / or as items of information about the surroundings.

  The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The furniture 1 includes a furniture body 2 and a plurality of drawers, and the plurality of drawers arranged vertically are movably accommodated in the furniture body 2 and have a front panel 3 on which a handle element 4 is fixed. The drawer can be opened by withdrawing the handle element 4, so that the interior 5 of the drawer is accessible from the outside. The invention will be described schematically on the basis of a drawer with a front panel 3, but it is of course possible here to provide a rotatable door with a corresponding handle element 4 instead of a drawer. It is. Therefore, the provided front cover may be in the form of a flap, a revolving door, a folding door, a sliding door, etc.

  A lighting strip 6 extends over the entire width of the handle element 4 and is provided outwardly on the handle element 4. A further lighting strip 7 which can be switched using a control device (not shown) is also provided on the handle element 4 on the side towards the interior 5. In this case, the drawer can activate a switch, for example a limit switch, to detect whether the drawer is in the closed position while it is open. When the drawer is moved from the closed position, the control device can illuminate the interior 5 of the drawer using the illumination means 7, as symbolically illustrated by the arrow 8. This makes the interior 5 clearly visible after the drawer is opened, i.e. this is an advantage especially in poor light conditions.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light strip 7 also extends across the width of the handle element 4, and the light strip 7 has a strip composed of LED lighting, so that the interior 5 Lighting is guaranteed. Since a lens or diffuser can be provided to guide the light, the light strip 7 does not blind the user.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the handle element secured to the drawer front panel 3. The handle element 4 is provided with a slot 11, on the bottom of which an LED strip 13 is arranged that emits light to a contour 15 of transparent plastic material. The plastic material element 15 has a groove 10 that can be locked to the slot 11 using the locking means 12. Light from the LED strip 13 is distributed through the plastic material element 15, which can be clearly seen from the outside, even under poor light conditions.

  On the opposite side, the handle element 4 has a strip-shaped hole 16 in which a further LED strip 14 is mounted. The LED strip 14 may include a transparent cover for guiding light.

  The light strips 6 and 7 can be powered by a cable loop or by an energy storage device attached to the drawer 3 or the furniture body 2 by sliding contact with the metal foil joined thereon. .

  In the exemplary embodiment shown, the handle element 4 is arranged on the front panel 3 in such a way that the handle element 4 has illumination means 6 and illumination means 7 radiating in opposite directions on both sides. It is of course possible to arrange other handle shapes in the drawer, which can also have a reference function, for example symbolically indicating a part or other element. A light strip 7 can also be arranged away from the handle element 4 to illuminate the interior 5 in the inner region of the drawer. For example, corresponding light strips can be provided on opposite side walls of the drawer.

  The control device can also have a timer switch so that the light strip 6 or 7 can be switched on and off after a predetermined period of time. In addition, specific lighting effects can be achieved by flashing or using LEDs of different colors.

  When the drawer is in the closed position, only the illumination means 6 outside the front panel 3 is lit. When the drawer is opened, the illumination means 7 is switched on so that the interior 5 of the drawer is illuminated. When the drawer is closed, the position can be detected using a limit switch and the illumination means 7 is switched off again accordingly.

  FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the control device 21 for the furniture 1. The control device 21 for the illumination means 6 and 7 comprises a switch 20 or a distance meter based on laser or infrared so that one illumination means 6, 7 disappears and the front panel 3 moves. The other lighting means 6, 7 starts to operate. In this case, the switch 20 can be switched automatically or manually by moving the front panel.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram in which a control device 21 for operating the illumination means 6 and 7 is provided on the front panel 3. When the drawer is closed, the outwardly directed illumination means 6 and the storage element (for example a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery) are powered using the line. While the drawer is open, contacts 23 and 24 are isolated and only the inner light 7 is still powered by the storage element (rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery). In this case, the contacts 23 and 24 can be configured as sliding contacts or plugs with sockets.

  FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram provided with a control device 25 for the illumination means 6 and 7, and since the control device 25 is provided with an operation sensor, the control device 25 controls the illumination means 6 and 7 when the drawer is operated. Switch on / off intentionally.

  FIG. 9 provides a circuit diagram with a control device 26, in which, for example, the handle is activated in such a way that the activation / contact of the handle element starts the inner illumination means 7 and the outer illumination means 6 disappears. A switch 27 on the outside of the front panel 3, such as an element sensor, is designed.

  The control devices 21, 25, 26 shown in the above example are designed in such a way that the light is dimmed on / off and the lighting means 7 are switched off after a defined time. Can do. Furthermore, the control devices 21, 25, 26 can have a changeover switch, a distance meter, a motion sensor and / or a capacitive switch to detect the closed position of the drawer as required.

  FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which a flap 3 'that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis is arranged in a kitchen unit as furniture 1'. The flap 3 'has a protruding handle strip 4', illuminated externally by illumination means 6 ', which can be configured as an LED strip, background illumination or otherwise. Illumination means 7 'is also provided to illuminate the interior 5' and the work area located on the worktable 30 below it when the flap 3 'is opened.

  The lighting means used may be different in the construction of the lighting means and it is not necessary to detect the entire edge of the front panel, so there may be room for creative freedom for the designer.

  The handle elements according to the invention can be used not only for panel and furniture elements without further joints, but also for refrigerators, dishwashers, built-in ovens and the like. They should also be considered “furniture” in the sense of application because they are usually integrated into kitchen furniture in addition to their function as appliances. It is. The main part of this type of front or the top of the front usually does not have any switching or signal elements.

  Furthermore, it is possible for the illumination means to display signal states of different colors outward. As a result, the signal state can be visually recognized using the information line as a message to the user. Thus, for example, red can be used for bolted drawers or doors, and yellow can be used as an alarm message, for example, “Flap or refrigerator door is open” Green can be used as “Dishwasher is complete”.

  In addition, the lighting means can be used to indicate access permission, particularly in building closure systems, furniture, refrigerators, etc., where red = lock, green = permission, etc. Can be used for authorized users.

  Furthermore, the illumination means can be used to provide an indication of the state on the handle element for seismic restriction in areas where there is a risk of earthquake. In the event of an earthquake limit, the closure system can automatically bolt devices such as flaps, drawers, or refrigerators, and can light the color “red” on the handle display.

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of furniture according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of furniture with an open drawer. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle element of the furniture according to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle element of the furniture according to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the handle element of the furniture according to FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is various block diagrams relating to a control device for furniture. FIG. 5 is various block diagrams relating to a control device for furniture. FIG. 5 is various block diagrams relating to a control device for furniture. FIG. 5 is various block diagrams relating to a control device for furniture. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment.

Claims (13)

The front panel (3) is provided with a handle element (4) with at least one drawer and / or door and having at least one illumination means (6) switched using a control device (21, 25, 26). The furniture (1), wherein the at least one illumination means (6) illuminates outwardly in the region of the handle element (4) when the drawer or the door is closed,
Furniture, characterized in that the interior of the drawer (5) or the interior adjacent to the door is illuminated with at least one lighting means (7) in the open position of the drawer.   The illuminating means (7) for illuminating the interior (5) can be switched on while the drawer or the door is open and can be switched on using the control device while it is closed. 2. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be cut.   Furniture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lighting means (6) outside the handle element (4) are switched off in the open position.   The first illumination means (6) is arranged on the handle element (4) and the second illumination means (7) is arranged inside the drawer or the door, characterized in that The furniture according to any one of 3 above.   Furniture according to claim 4, characterized in that both the first lighting means (6) and the second lighting means (7) are arranged on the handle element (4).   Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting means (6, 7) comprise LED strips (13, 14).   The furniture according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a limit switch for detecting the closed position of the drawer or the door.   Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an energy storage device is provided for electrically supplying power to the lighting means (6, 7).   The control device comprises a timing circuit, and the lighting means (7) for illuminating the interior (5) using the timing circuit is switched off after a predetermined period of time. Item 9. The furniture according to any one of Items 1 to 8.   10. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the control device comprises a changeover switch, a distance meter, a motion sensor and / or a capacitive switch for detecting the closed position of the drawer. The furniture described.   The said door is configured as a rotatable flap (3 '), the lighting means (7') illuminate at least a part of the work area under the flap (3 '). The furniture according to any one of 10 to 10.   12. The lighting means (6) directed outwards can be switched using a control device to send signals of different signal states or indications. Furniture described in the section.   Claims characterized in that the outwardly directed illumination means (6) can be illuminated with different colors to signal as information of the display means regarding the closed state and / or as an item of information about the surroundings. Item 15. The furniture according to any one of Items 1 to 12.

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