Damping valve device for a damper

Abstract

The invention relates to a damping valve device for a vibration damper, comprising: a valve carrier having an annular recess in which an annular valve element having a variable diameter is arranged, which valve element forms a throttle point together with a flow guide surface, the valve element being switched from an open position into a throttle position as the flow rate in the throttle point increases; the invention relates to a valve element for an internal combustion engine, comprising a valve element and an annular and slotted return spring which bears against a vertical side of the valve element and has two impact ends, which return spring moves the valve element back in the direction of an open position, the vertical side having at least one radially oriented recess for receiving one of the impact ends.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a damping valve arrangement for a shock absorber according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] A universal throttling point is known from patent document DE 10 2019 215 559 A1, which comprises an annular valve element and assumes a throttling position starting from an open position by means of a change in diameter. The annular valve element can be formed, for example, by a slotted ring made of metal or plastic material, or by at least two arms or multiple segments connected by a hinge (see patent documents DE 10 2016 210 790 A1, DE 10 2019 215 558 A1, DE 10 2020209 107A1).

[0003] In particular, in valve element designs without inherent elasticity, a return spring is provided which moves the valve element back to the open position from any throttle position. A particularly simple design of the return spring is provided by a slotted ring which bears against the side of the valve element. When bearing against the side, the return spring can rotate relative to the valve element in the circumferential direction when the throttling point is operated and can thus change the characteristics of the throttling point.

[0004] Patent document DE 10 2019 215 559 A1 describes a friction-optimized construction of a universal throttle point. The variants shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 have a return spring arranged on the cover side of the valve element. In order to secure the return spring in place, the latter has bent ends, each of which engages in a blind hole opening in each arm of the valve element. Although the return spring is fixed in a non-rotating manner, conventional spring steels for the return spring are not very suitable for this type of metal forming, since there is an increased risk of cracking in the region of the bending radius. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to achieve a simple device for fixing a return spring element in a non-rotational manner relative to a valve element.

[0006] This object is achieved in that the vertical side surface has at least one radially oriented recess for accommodating one of the striking ends.

[0007] The at least one recess ensures that the return spring element is blocked in the circumferential direction. This blocking on one side / on a single side is sufficient to properly fix the position of the return spring element relative to the valve element. Due to the radial orientation of the recess, the return spring element is automatically pulled into the recess by its own tension. The actuation force of the return spring element and the radial shape of the recess have a common orientation.

[0008] In another advantageous configuration, the valve element has a plurality of recesses arranged in a row for at least one impact end of the resetting spring element. If the resetting spring element still moves relative to the valve element in the circumferential direction when engaged in the first recess, a second recess is provided to prevent further rotational movement.

[0009] It is provided that two recesses in the valve element for the two impact ends of the return spring piece move relative to each other as the diameter of the valve element changes, wherein the circumferential distance between the first recess and the second recess is determined so that only one end face of the impact end of the return spring piece stays in one of the recesses. It is therefore desirable that the return spring piece has a certain amount of spacing relative to the valve element in the circumferential direction in order to positively influence the tension distribution in the return spring piece.

[0010] Preferably, the radial depth of the recess in the valve element decreases with increasing distance from the adjacent impact end. The shallower radial depth of the recess results in a greater radial bias of the return spring, which is reduced / mitigated by partially widening the return spring and positioning the impact ends slightly further apart. This facilitates intrusion of the impact end into the first adjacent recess.

[0011] According to an advantageous dependent claim, the valve element comprises a plurality of segments having the same basic shape, wherein the segments have at least two recesses oriented in opposite directions.

[0012] In a further advantageous configuration, the at least one recess has a closure device in the axial direction of the cover side of the valve element, which closure device can be formed, for example, by a side wall of an annular groove of the valve carrier.

[0013] Preferably, the closing device forms part of the valve element. Thus, the subassembly consisting of the valve element and the return spring is axially fixed before the subassembly is inserted into the valve carrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail in the following description based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the shock absorber in the region of the throttling point,

[0016] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a valve carrier,

[0017] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 A plan view of a valve element including a return elastic member,

[0018] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 2 A modification plan of the structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1 A damping valve arrangement 1 (only partially shown) is shown for any type of shock absorber 3 . In addition to the damping valve arrangement 1 , the shock absorber 3 comprises a first damping valve 5 having a damping valve body which is configured as a piston 7 and is fastened to a piston rod 9 .

[0020] The damping valve body 7 divides the cylinder 11 of the shock absorber 3 into a working chamber 13 on the piston rod side and a working chamber 15 remote from the piston rod, both of which are filled with damping medium. In the damping valve body 7, through-channels 17, 19 are configured for one flow direction in each case in different partial circuits. The structure of the through-channels 17, 19 should be interpreted as merely exemplary. The outlet side of the through-channels 17, 19 is at least partially covered by at least one valve disk 21, 23.

[0021] By way of example, the valve carrier 25 of the damping valve arrangement 1 is fastened directly to the piston rod 9 .

[0022] The valve carrier 25 has a circumferential annular groove 27, in which a valve element 29 with a variable diameter is guided. The valve element 29 is radially movable and forms a valve body for a throttling point 31 as part of the damping valve device 1. The valve element 29 forms the throttling point 31 together with the inner wall of the cylinder 11. The inner wall is in the form of a flow guide surface 33.

[0023] The valve element 29 is matched with an annular restoring elastic member 35. A variable throttle cross section 39 is provided between the flow guide surface 33 and the outer side surface 37 of the valve element 29, and the throttle cross section generates an additional damping force.

[0024] When the piston rod speed is in a first operating range of, for example, less than 0.5 m / s, the throttle point 31 is completely open. In this case, the damping force is generated only by the through-channels 17, 19 in conjunction with the valve disks 21, 23. When the valve disks 21, 23 are subjected to fluid, the valve disks 21, 23 are lifted from their valve seat surfaces 41, 43. The lifting movement is correspondingly limited by the support rings 45, 47.

[0025] In a second operating range, in which the piston rod speed is greater than the threshold speed of the first operating range, i.e. greater than 0.5 m / s given by way of example, the valve element 29 switches to the throttling position and performs a closing movement in the direction of the flow guide surface 33. The high flow velocity of the damping medium in the throttling point 31 formed as an annular gap causes a pressure drop, which leads to a radial expansion of the valve element 29. The return spring 35 returns the valve element 29 to the initial position with the maximum throttling cross section 39.

[0026] Figure 2An enlarged view of the damping valve device 1 is shown. The inner side 49 of the valve element 29 and the annular groove 27 of the valve carrier 25 form a pressure chamber 51 which is delimited at the outer edge by the valve element 29. The pressure chamber 51 is connected to the working chamber 13 on the piston rod side via an inlet opening 53 and an outlet opening 55. In principle, the damping valve device 1 can also be arranged to be hydraulically coupled to a working chamber 15 remote from the piston rod. The pressure chamber 51 is permanently filled with a damping medium. When the throttling point 31 is subjected to a fluid, the pressure chamber 51 is pressurized via the inlet opening 53, since the cross section of the inlet opening 53 is larger than the cross section of the outlet opening 55. The size difference between the inlet opening 53 and the outlet opening 55 is determined according to the required damping force function. The pressure in the pressure chamber 51 provides an additional force component which assists the movement of the valve element 29.

[0027] Will Figure 2 and Figure 3 Taken together, the annular and slotted return spring 35 is shown resting against the vertical side 57 of the valve element 29, which has two impact ends 59, 61. The vertical side 57 extending radially offset from the outer side 37 of the valve element 29 has at least one radially oriented recess 63 for accommodating one of the impact ends 59, 61.

[0028] In accordance with Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the configuration of the valve element 29, the valve element 29 has a plurality of recesses 63A1-63C1, 63A2-63C2 arranged in a row, which are used to reset at least one impact end 59, 61 of the elastic member 35. The recesses 63 arranged in a row do not have to be the same in length or depth. Preferably, the radial depth T of the recesses in the valve element decreases as the distance from the adjacent impact end increases. The circumferential length L of the recess is greater than its depth T, so that a continuous transition is formed between the vertical side 57 and the recess 63 in the vertical side 57.

[0029] The main purpose of fixing the return spring 35 in a non-rotational manner by means of the recesses 63 is not to fix the return spring 35 without a spacing between the engaged recesses 63. Rather, it is provided that two engaged recesses, for example recesses 63B1, 63B2, for the two impact ends 59, 61 of the return spring 35 in the valve element 29 move relative to each other when the diameter of the valve element 29 changes, wherein the circumferential distance between the first recess 63B1 and the second recess 63B2 is sized so that only one end face 59S, 61S of the impact end 59, 61 of the return spring 35 abuts against one of the recesses 63B1, 63B2. In this case, the other end face is not fixed in the recess, but the return spring 35 can penetrate into the recess through its inner circumference 65.

[0030] In the current configuration, the valve element 29 includes a plurality of segments 29S1, 29S2 having the same basic shape. The purpose is to use segments that are as consistent as possible to minimize the cost of the valve element 29 and ensure that, for example, two molds do not have to be used to manufacture these segments. In order to allow the use of segments 29S1, 29S2 in any desired combination, the segments 29S1, 29S2 have at least two recesses 63A1, 63A3, which are oriented in opposite directions. With regard to the reset elastic member 35 that fixes the two segments 29S1, 29S2 together, the bisector of the reset elastic member 35 is consistent with the vertical main axis 69 of the valve element. In this exemplary embodiment, the vertical main axis tangentially connects the convex end of one segment to the convex end of another segment. The inlet side 71 of the recess 63 of the segments 29S1, 29S2 points to the horizontal main axis 73 accordingly, which extends at right angles to the vertical main axis 69 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0031] The return spring 35 is also secured against axially falling out of the at least one recess 63 holding the return spring 35. For this purpose, the at least one recess 63 has a closing device 77 in the direction of the axial cover side 75 of the valve element 29. The closing device 77 forms part of the wall of the cover side 75 of the valve element 29, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 4 Observe together as shown.

[0032] Reference numerals

[0033] 1 Damping valve device

[0034] 3 Shock absorber

[0035] 5 First damping valve

[0036] 7 Damping valve body

[0037] 9 Piston rod

[0038] 11 Cylinder

[0039] 13 Working chamber on the piston rod side

[0040] 15 Working chamber away from piston rod

[0041] 17 Through Channel

[0042] 19 Through Channel

[0043] 21 Valve disc

[0044] 23 Valve disc

[0045] 25 Valve carrier

[0046] 27 Annular groove

[0047] 29 Valve element

[0048] 29S1 Valve Element Segment

[0049] 29S2 Valve Component Segment

[0050] 31 Throttling Point

[0051] 33. Guide surface

[0052] 35 Reset elastic member

[0053] 37 Outer surface of valve element

[0054] 39 Throttle cross section at throttle point

[0055] 41 Valve seat surface

[0056] 43 Valve seat surface

[0057] 45 Support ring

[0058] 47 Support ring

[0059] 49 inner side

[0060] 51 Pressure chamber

[0061] 53 Inflow opening

[0062] 55 Outflow opening

[0063] 57 vertical side

[0064] 59 Impact end

[0065] 59S Impact end face

[0066] 61 Impact end

[0067] 61S End face of impact end

[0068] 63 recess

[0069] 65 inner circumference

[0070] 67 Bisector of the resetting elastic element

[0071] 69 Vertical main axis of valve element

[0072] 71 Entrance side

[0073] 73 Horizontal main axis

[0074] 75 Cover side

[0075] 77 Closure device.

Claims

1. A damping valve device (31) for a shock absorber (3), the damping valve device comprising: A valve carrier (25) having an annular groove (27), in which an annular valve element (29) with a variable diameter is arranged, the valve element and a guide surface (33) together forming a throttling point (31), wherein as the flow velocity in the throttling point (31) increases, the valve element (29) switches from an open position to a throttling position; and an annular and grooved return spring (35), which abuts against a vertical side surface (57) of the valve element (29) and has two impact ends (59, 61), the return spring moves the valve element (29) back in the direction of the open position, wherein the vertical side surface (57) has at least one radially oriented recess (63) for accommodating one of the impact ends (59, 61).

2. The damping valve device according to claim 1, wherein: The valve element (29) has a plurality of recesses (63A1-63C1, 63B1-63B3) arranged in a row, the recesses being used for at least one impact end (59, 61) of the return elastic member (35).

3. The damping valve device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The two recesses (63) in the valve element (29) for the two impact ends (59, 61) of the restoring elastic member (35) move relative to each other when the diameter of the valve element (29) changes, wherein the circumferential distance between the first recess (63A) and the second recess (63B) is sized so that only one end face (59S, 61S) of the impact end (59, 61) of the restoring elastic member (35) abuts against one of the recesses (63).

4. The damping valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The radial depth (T) of the recess (63) in the valve element (29) decreases with increasing distance from adjacent impact ends (59, 61).

5. The damping valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The valve element (29) comprises a plurality of segments (29S1, 29S2) having the same basic shape, wherein the segments (29S1, 29S2) have at least two recesses (63) oriented in opposite directions.

6. The damping valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: At least one of the recesses (63) has a closing device (77) in the direction of the axial cover side (75) of the valve element (29).

7. The damping valve device according to claim 6, wherein: The closure device (77) forms part of the valve element (29).

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