One-way extension damper

Abstract

This invention discloses a unidirectional extension damper, including a connecting rod, a connecting block around the connecting rod, and a connecting head connected to the bottom of the connecting rod. An outer sleeve is connected to one side of the connecting head, a support spring is installed inside the outer sleeve, and an inner sliding rod is installed inside the support spring. An inner sleeve is installed on the right side of the outer sleeve, and an inner damping tube is installed inside the inner sleeve. This unidirectional extension damper, through the combination of a rubber sliding plate and a conical support seat, allows the tailgate to open easily and effortlessly. When the tailgate is opened, the support rod needs to extend. Because the damper moves to the right, the rubber sliding plate moves at the same speed as the support rod, without contacting the support rod sleeve to generate friction, thus eliminating damping force. This prevents traditional dampers from failing to identify the damping direction, causing damping to act solely on the support rod when opening and closing the tailgate, achieving a unidirectional damping state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive technology, specifically to a unidirectional extension damper. Background Technology

[0002] In automobile manufacturing, to ensure sufficient storage space, a tailgate is often incorporated, utilizing the rear space for storage. However, tailgate design requires careful consideration of opening and closing for easy access to items. Simultaneously, the tailgate design must minimize the space needed for opening and closing, allowing the vehicle to be parked in any location. Therefore, most existing car tailgates are upward-opening, achieved by pulling the tailgate upwards. This design facilitates opening and closing the door, saves space, and further enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. While convenient for retrieving and loading goods, the top-opening tailgate requires support to prevent it from closing due to gravity. This is achieved through struts. Two symmetrical struts on the tailgate utilize a telescopic mechanism to ensure opening and closing, while internal damping mechanisms generate resistance to counteract the tailgate's weight, keeping it suspended and preventing it from falling due to gravity after opening. However, current dampers on the market still have the following problems:

[0003] 1. The damper used in traditional struts provides a single damping force. This means that when opening the tailgate, the user not only needs to overcome the weight of the tailgate but also the damping force from the damper. This makes opening and closing the tailgate require a large amount of force, making it difficult to use.

[0004] 2. Currently, there are two types of tailgate struts on the market: electric struts for high-end vehicles and balanced struts for mid-to-low-end vehicles. Since mid-to-low-end vehicles still constitute the majority of the total number of vehicles on the road, balanced struts have a higher market share. Balanced struts typically use internal gas springs to support the tailgate. However, gas springs have significant drawbacks. Because they rely on high-pressure gas for support, and gas is greatly affected by temperature, the gas pressure varies at different temperatures, resulting in varying support forces. In low-temperature regions, insufficient support can easily occur.

[0005] 3. Since the balance struts on the market use gas springs as the supporting structure, the gas springs need to have good sealing performance, which increases the production cost. After long-term use, the gas springs will have poor sealing performance due to daily friction, resulting in internal gas leakage. Ultimately, the struts will not be able to support the tailgate of the car. In addition, the compression and expansion of gas during the use of gas springs will generate a lot of airflow noise, resulting in obvious noise during the use of the tailgate.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, an innovative design was implemented on the existing damper. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a unidirectional extension damper to address the problem mentioned in the background art where the damping force provided by traditional tailgate struts is singular. This means that when opening the tailgate, the user not only needs to overcome the weight of the tailgate but also the damping force provided by the damper. This results in the tailgate requiring a large force to open and close, making it difficult and inconvenient to use. Currently, there are two types of tailgate struts on the market: electric struts for high-end vehicles and balanced struts for mid-to-low-end vehicles. Since mid-to-low-end vehicles still constitute the majority of the current vehicle fleet, balanced struts have a higher market share. Balanced struts typically use an internal gas spring to achieve tailgate... While gas springs provide support, they also have significant drawbacks. Because they rely on high-pressure gas for support, and gas pressure is greatly affected by temperature, the supporting force varies with temperature. In low-temperature regions, insufficient support can easily occur. Since commercially available balance struts use gas springs as the supporting structure, these springs require excellent sealing, increasing production costs. Furthermore, with prolonged use and friction, the gas spring's sealing deteriorates, leading to internal gas leakage. Ultimately, this prevents the strut from supporting the tailgate. Additionally, the compression and expansion of the gas during operation generates significant airflow noise, resulting in noticeable noise during tailgate operation.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a unidirectional extension damper, comprising a connecting rod, a connecting block provided around the connecting rod, a connecting head connected below the connecting rod, an outer sleeve connected to one side of the connecting head, a support spring provided inside the outer sleeve, an inner sliding rod provided inside the support spring, an inner sleeve provided on the right side of the outer sleeve, an inner damping tube provided inside the inner sleeve, a left retaining spring provided on the right side of the inner sliding rod, a left retaining groove connected to one side of the left retaining spring, a left washer provided on the right side of the left retaining spring, a conical support provided on the right side of the left washer, a rubber slide provided on the right side of the conical support, an expansion groove provided on one side of the rubber slide, a film head connected to the right side of the rubber slide, a left spring washer provided on the right side of the film head, a damping spring provided on the right side of the left spring washer, a right spring washer provided on the right side of the damping spring, and a right retaining spring provided on the right side of the right spring washer.

[0009] Preferably, the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are slidably connected, and the inner diameter of the outer sleeve is equal to the outer diameter of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is fixedly connected to the connector through a connecting groove, and the outer sleeve and the support spring form a spring return structure.

[0010] Preferably, the inner sleeve is fixedly connected to the connector and the inner damping tube is fixedly connected to the inner damping tube. The inner sleeve and the support spring form a spring return structure, and the inner diameter of the inner sleeve is equal to the diameter of the support spring. The inner damping tube is threadedly connected to the connector through a threaded head and is slidably connected to the inner slide rod.

[0011] Preferably, the connecting rod and the connecting block are integrated, and the connecting rod and the connecting head are rotatably connected. The connecting rod is symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the support rod. The connecting head is fixedly connected to the outer sheath, and a round hole is opened on the top of the outer sheath. The connecting head is threadedly connected to the inner slide rod through a threaded head, and the connecting head is symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the support rod.

[0012] Preferably, the left retaining spring engages with the inner slide rod via the left retaining groove, and the left retaining spring is fixedly connected to the left washer. The left washer is slidably connected to the inner slide rod, and the left washer is made of rubber.

[0013] Preferably, the vertebral support is fixedly connected to the inner slide rod, and the right side of the vertebral support is set with an inclined surface, and the diameter of the right side of the vertebral support is smaller than the inner diameter of the left side of the rubber slide. The vertebral support is made of hard plastic, and the diameter of the left side of the vertebral support is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner damping tube.

[0014] Preferably, the rubber slide is fixedly connected to the film head, and the film head is slidably connected to the inner slide rod. The diameter of the rubber slide is equal to the inner diameter of the inner damping tube, and the rubber slide has equally spaced anti-slip grooves on its outer periphery. Furthermore, an expansion groove is provided in the annular matrix on the left side of the rubber slide.

[0015] Preferably, the left spring washer is slidably connected to the inner slide rod, and the left spring washer and the right spring washer are symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the damping spring. The left spring washer and the right spring washer are made of rubber material. The left spring washer and the right spring washer form a spring return structure through the damping spring. The right spring washer is fixedly connected to the right retaining ring, and the right retaining ring is engaged with the inner slide rod through the right retaining groove.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: this unidirectional extension damper,

[0017] 1. By combining the rubber slide and the cone support, the tailgate of the car is opened. At this time, the support rod needs to extend. Since the damper moves to the right, the rubber slide moves at the same speed as the support rod and does not contact the support rod sleeve to generate friction. Therefore, no damping force is generated, making the tailgate easy to open and close without effort. This can prevent the traditional damper from not being able to distinguish the damping direction, which would cause the damping to act on the support rod when opening and closing the tailgate, thus achieving a one-way damping state.

[0018] 2. By using a rubber sliding plate instead of a traditional gas spring for support, when the tailgate is open and hovering, the strut is subjected to the weight of the tailgate, causing it to tend to retract. At this time, as the cone-shaped support moves outward with the strut, it widens the opening of the rubber sliding plate, causing the sliding plate to come into close contact with the strut sleeve and generate friction. This frictional force hinders the movement of the strut, thus preventing it from retracting. The support is achieved by the damping force generated by the damper, eliminating the need for a gas spring. This also avoids the problem of insufficient support in low-temperature areas due to air pressure differences caused by temperature changes, allowing the strut using this damper to be adapted to a wider range of regions.

[0019] 3. The entire tailgate is supported by the rubber slide of the damper, eliminating the need for a gas spring and a sealing structure. This reduces the precision requirements of the production molds, thereby lowering production costs. It also solves the problem of air leakage and damage caused by long-term use of traditional gas spring structures, enabling the strut to be used for a longer period of time and extending its lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall front view cross-sectional structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point B;

[0023] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the overall left-side cross-sectional structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the connection between the vertebral support and the rubber slide of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the main body of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Outer tube; 2. Support spring; 3. Inner slide rod; 4. Inner sleeve; 5. Inner damping tube; 6. Connecting rod; 7. Connecting block; 8. Connector; 9. Outer sheath; 10. Connecting slot; 11. Threaded head; 12. Left snap ring; 13. Left slot; 14. Left washer; 15. Conical support; 16. Rubber slide; 17. Rubber sheet head; 18. Left spring washer; 19. Damping spring; 20. Right spring washer; 21. Right snap ring; 22. Right slot; 23. Expansion groove. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6This invention provides a technical solution: a unidirectional extension damper, including a connecting rod 6. To ensure a secure connection between the damper and the support rod, and for easy connection to a car tailgate, a connecting block 7 is provided around the connecting rod 6. A connector 8 is connected below the connecting rod 6, and an outer sleeve 1 is connected to one side of the connector 8. A support spring 2 is provided inside the outer sleeve 1, and an inner sliding rod 3 is provided inside the support spring 2. An inner sleeve 4 is provided on the right side of the outer sleeve 1, and an inner damping tube 5 is provided inside the inner sleeve 4. The outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 4 are slidably connected, and the inner diameter of the outer sleeve 1 is equal to the outer diameter of the inner sleeve 4. The outer sleeve 1 is fixedly connected to the connector 8 through a connecting slot 10, and the outer sleeve 1 and the support spring 2 form a spring return structure. The inner sleeve 4 is fixedly connected to the connector 8, and the inner sleeve... The inner sleeve 4 is fixedly connected to the inner damping tube 5. The inner sleeve 4 and the support spring 2 form a spring return structure. The inner diameter of the inner sleeve 4 is equal to the diameter of the support spring 2. The inner damping tube 5 is threadedly connected to the connector 8 through the threaded head 11. The inner damping tube 5 is slidably connected to the inner slide rod 3. The connecting rod 6 and the connecting stop 7 are integrated. The connecting rod 6 and the connector 8 are rotatably connected. The connecting rod 6 is symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the support rod. The connector 8 is fixedly connected to the outer sheath 9. A round hole is opened on the top of the outer sheath 9. The connector 8 is threadedly connected to the inner slide rod 3 through the threaded head 11. The connector 8 is symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the support rod. The threaded head 11 makes the damper and the support rod structure firmly connected. At the same time, the connecting rod 6 makes it easy to install the support rod on the tailgate of the car.

[0030] Please see Figure 1-6To enable the damper to achieve unidirectional damping and ensure it can support the weight of the tailgate, a left retaining spring 12 is provided on the right side of the inner slide rod 3, and a left retaining groove 13 is connected to one side of the left retaining spring 12. A left washer 14 is provided on the right side of the left retaining spring 12, and a cone-shaped support 15 is provided on the right side of the left washer 14. A rubber slide 16 is provided on the right side of the cone-shaped support 15, and an expansion groove 23 is provided on one side of the rubber slide 16. A film head 17 is connected to the right side of the rubber slide 16, and a left spring washer 18 is provided on the right side of the film head 17. A damping spring 19 is provided on the right side of the 18, and a right spring washer 20 is provided on the right side of the damping spring 19. A right retaining ring 21 is provided on the right side of the right spring washer 20. The left retaining ring 12 is engaged with the inner slide rod 3 through the left retaining groove 13, and the left retaining ring 12 is fixedly connected to the left washer 14. The left washer 14 is slidably connected to the inner slide rod 3, and the left washer 14 is made of rubber. The cone support 15 is fixedly connected to the inner slide rod 3, and the right side of the cone support 15 is set with an inclined surface. The diameter of the right side of the cone support 15 is smaller than that of the left side of the rubber slide 16. The inner diameter of the vertebral support 15 is made of rigid plastic, and the diameter of the left side of the vertebral support 15 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner damping tube 5. The rubber slide 16 is fixedly connected to the film head 17, and the film head 17 is slidably connected to the inner slide rod 3. The diameter of the rubber slide 16 is equal to the inner diameter of the inner damping tube 5, and the outer periphery of the rubber slide 16 has equally spaced anti-slip grooves. An expansion groove 23 is provided in an annular matrix on the left side of the rubber slide 16. The left spring washer 18 is slidably connected to the inner slide rod 3, and the left spring washer 18 and the right spring washer 20 are about the damping spring 19. The springs are symmetrically arranged along the vertical centerline, and the left spring washer 18 and the right spring washer 20 are made of rubber. The left spring washer 18 forms a spring return structure with the right spring washer 20 through the damping spring 19. The right spring washer 20 is fixedly connected to the right retaining ring 21, and the right retaining ring 21 is engaged with the inner slide rod 3 through the right retaining groove 22. The unidirectional damping effect is achieved through the combined action of the rubber slide 16 and the cone support 15. During the damping process, the cone support 15 opens the rubber slide 16, thereby increasing the damping friction.

[0031] Working principle: According to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6First, the device needs to be installed on the tailgate. This is done by inserting the connecting rod 6 into the pre-drilled hole on the tailgate and securing it firmly with the connecting block 7, ensuring the stability of the installation. Then, connect the other end of the connecting rod 6 to the vehicle body, again securing it with the connecting block 7. At this point, the support rod is installed on the vehicle body. Due to the rotatable connection between the connecting rod 6 and the connector 8, the support rod can operate normally after installation, allowing it to rotate around the tailgate during the opening and closing of the door, thus extending and retracting. Meanwhile, the outer protective sleeve 9 prevents dust and other dirt from entering the gap between the connecting rod 6 and the connector 8, ensuring that the rotating structure will not become stuck over time.

[0032] according to Figure 1-6 After installation, when the tailgate needs to be opened, lift one end of the tailgate upwards. Since the outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 4 are slidably connected, the outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 4 slide together, increasing the connection length between them. At the same time, the internal support spring 2 also extends, providing force to open the tailgate, making it easier to open. Simultaneously, when opening the tailgate, the inner sliding rod 3 is fixedly connected to the connector 8 via the threaded structure of the threaded head 11. The connector 8 is then fixedly engaged with the outer sleeve 1 via the connecting slot 10, thus fixing the inner sliding rod 3 to the outer sleeve 1. Moving the outer sleeve 1 will then move the inner sliding rod 3. Similarly, the inner damping tube 5 is fixedly connected to the connector 8 via the threaded structure of the threaded head 11, thus fixing the inner damping tube 5 to the inner sleeve 4. At this point, because the inner sleeve 4 and the outer sleeve 4 are connected... The sleeve 1 slides, causing the inner slide rod 3 and the inner damping tube 5 to slide against each other. At this time, the inner slide rod 3 will drive the vertebral support 15 fixed on its surface, so that it moves within the inner damping tube 5. At the same time, the left washer 14 ensures that the vertebral support 15 will not collide during movement. Meanwhile, the right slot 22 and the right snap spring 21 engage with each other, so that the right snap spring 21 drives the right spring washer 20 and pushes the damping spring 19 to drive the left spring washer 18. Thus, the rubber slide 16 is moved to the left by the film head 17. Since the rubber slide 16 is in light contact with the inner wall of the inner damping tube 5 and the rubber slide 16 moves to the left in the inner damping tube 5, it is subjected to frictional force to the right. Thus, the damping spring 19 is compressed by the left spring washer 18, so that the rubber slide 16 does not contact the vertebral support 15. At this time, the frictional force between the rubber slide 16 and the inner damping tube 5 is small, which facilitates the extension of the support rod.

[0033] according to Figure 1-6When the tailgate is hovering, the tailgate exerts a downward force on the connector 8 through the connecting rod 6 due to gravity. Simultaneously, the connector 8 transmits this force through the inner slide rod 3, causing it to slide and contract. This force is then transferred to the left retaining spring 12, which engages with the inner slide rod 3 via the left retaining groove 13. The left retaining spring 12, through the left washer 14, moves the cone support 15 to the right. Because the rubber slide 16 is in light contact with the inner damping tube 5, it experiences a slight frictional force to the left, maintaining its original stationary state. This causes the right inclined surface of the cone support 15 to insert into the rubber slide 16, allowing the expansion groove 23 to... The opening increases the diameter of the rubber slide plate 16, causing it to press against the inner wall of the inner damping tube 5. The increased pressure increases friction, which in turn increases damping force, thus supporting the tailgate and preventing it from closing. When the tailgate needs to be closed, pulling it provides additional force, making the force on the inner slide rod 3 greater than the damping force generated by the rubber slide plate 16. This causes the rubber slide plate 16 to slide within the inner damping tube 5. At the same time, the rubber material of the left washer 14 ensures that the pressure during sliding is absorbed, preventing the cone support 15 from being damaged. The contents not described in detail in this specification are prior art known to those skilled in the art.

[0034] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A unidirectional extension damper, comprising a connecting rod (6), characterized in that: A connecting stop (7) is provided around the connecting rod (6), and a connector (8) is connected to the bottom of the connecting rod (6). An outer sleeve (1) is connected to the left side of the connector (8). A support spring (2) is provided inside the outer sleeve (1), and an inner slide rod (3) is provided inside the support spring (2). An inner sleeve (4) is provided on the right side of the outer sleeve (1), and an inner damping tube (5) is provided inside the inner sleeve (4). A left retaining ring (12) is provided on the right side of the inner slide rod (3), and a left retaining groove (13) is connected to one side of the left retaining ring (12). A left retaining ring (12) is provided on the right side of the left retaining ring (12). A left washer (14) is provided, and a vertebral support (15) is provided on the right side of the left washer (14). A rubber slide (16) is provided on the right side of the vertebral support (15), and an expansion groove (23) is provided on one side of the rubber slide (16). A film head (17) is connected to the right side of the rubber slide (16), and a left spring washer (18) is provided on the right side of the film head (17). A damping spring (19) is provided on the right side of the left spring washer (18), and a right spring washer (20) is provided on the right side of the damping spring (19). A right retaining ring (21) is provided on the right side of the right spring washer (20). The vertebral support (15) is fixedly connected to the inner slide rod (3), and the right side of the vertebral support (15) is set with an inclined surface. The diameter of the right side of the vertebral support (15) is smaller than the inner diameter of the left side of the rubber slide (16). The vertebral support (15) is made of hard plastic, and the diameter of the left side of the vertebral support (15) is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner damping tube (5). The rubber slide (16) is fixedly connected to the film head (17), and the film head (17) is slidably connected to the inner slide rod (3). The diameter of the rubber slide (16) is equal to the inner diameter of the inner damping tube (5). The rubber slide (16) has anti-slip grooves with equal spacing around its periphery, and an expansion groove (23) is provided on the left side of the rubber slide (16) in an annular matrix. The outer sleeve (1) is slidably connected to the inner sleeve (4), and the inner sleeve (4) is fixedly connected to the inner damping tube (5).

2. The unidirectional extension damper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the outer sleeve (1) is equal to the outer diameter of the inner sleeve (4). The outer sleeve (1) is fixedly connected to the left connector (8) through the connecting slot (10), and the outer sleeve (1) and the support spring (2) form a spring reset structure.

3. The unidirectional extension damper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner sleeve (4) is fixedly connected to the connector (8) on the right side. The inner sleeve (4) and the support spring (2) form a spring reset structure. The inner diameter of the inner sleeve (4) is equal to the diameter of the support spring (2). The inner damping tube (5) is threadedly connected to the connector (8) on the right side through the threaded head (11). The inner damping tube (5) is slidably connected to the inner slide rod (3).

4. A unidirectional extension damper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting rod (6) and the connecting block (7) are integrated, and the connecting rod (6) and the connecting head (8) are rotatably connected. The connecting rods (6) on the left and right sides are symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the support rod. The connecting head (8) is fixedly connected to the outer sleeve (9), and a round hole is opened on the top of the outer sleeve (9). The connecting head (8) on the left side is threaded to the inner slide rod (3) through the threaded head (11), and the connecting heads (8) on the left and right sides are symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the support rod.

5. A unidirectional extension damper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left retaining ring (12) engages with the inner slide rod (3) through the left retaining groove (13), and the left retaining ring (12) is fixedly connected to the left washer (14). The left washer (14) is slidably connected to the inner slide rod (3), and the left washer (14) is made of rubber.

6. A unidirectional extension damper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left spring washer (18) is slidably connected to the inner slide rod (3), and the left spring washer (18) and the right spring washer (20) are symmetrically arranged about the vertical center line of the damping spring (19). The left spring washer (18) and the right spring washer (20) are made of rubber material. The left spring washer (18) forms a spring return structure with the damping spring (19) and the right spring washer (20). The right spring washer (20) is fixedly connected to the right snap ring (21), and the right snap ring (21) is engaged with the inner slide rod (3) through the right snap groove (22).

Images