Spring support for a vehicle floop

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring support (1; 101), comprising: a housing (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (L), with a first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4), the first housing part (3) being telescopically adjustable relative to the second housing part (4) between a retracted position and an extended position; a pre-tensioning device (7) arranged in the housing (2) for pre-tensioning the first housing part (3) relative to the second housing part (4) into an extended position; the guiding means (8; 108) having a guide tube (9; 109) and a guide tube (9; 109) which is movably guided into the guide tube (9; 109) in a guide rod (10; 110), at a first open end (9a; 109a) for guiding the guide rod (10; 110) for guiding a guide element (11; 111), and a first stop (12) which is arranged on the end (10a) of the guide rod (10) introduced into the guide tube (9). The guide tube (9; 109), on its inner circumference, has at least one first guide element (11; 111) which is axially spaced apart from the second stop (13; 113), thereby producing an inexpensive and reliable spring support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spring support for a vehicle tailgate or door, comprising: a telescopically retractable and extendable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion; and a prestressing device disposed in the housing for prestressing the housing into an extended position. The spring support further comprises a guide device for guiding the prestressing device, the first housing portion, and the second housing portion. Background Art

[0002] In practice, known spring systems are arranged between a deflectable vehicle flap and the vehicle body, supporting the flap or door in its open position. Typically, these spring systems are designed as air springs, as they provide sufficient force to support the flap's adjustment movement and also offer high bending resistance, particularly in the fully extended position. However, air springs have the disadvantage of being relatively complex in design and their adjustment force is temperature-dependent. Furthermore, air springs are relatively expensive.

[0003] DE 101 44 791 A1 discloses a spring support for a vehicle fender. The spring support comprises a hollow cylindrical housing and a gas spring with a cylinder and a piston rod guided therein. The ends of the gas spring are connected between the vehicle body and the fender via connecting members. The spring support also includes two preload devices, designed as helical compression springs, which are clamped between the end faces of the cylinder and the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective and reliable spring support for a vehicle panel or a vehicle door.

[0005] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned task is solved by a spring support member according to a preferred technical solution of the present invention.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a spring support for a vehicle fender or vehicle door is provided, the spring support comprising a housing extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion is telescopically adjustable relative to the second housing portion between a retracted position and an extended position. Furthermore, the spring support comprises: a preload device disposed in the housing for preload-loading the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion to an extended position; a guide device having a guide tube and a guide rod movably introduced into the guide tube, wherein a guide element for guiding the guide rod is disposed at a first open end of the guide tube; and a first stop disposed at the end of the guide rod introduced into the guide tube. The spring support of the present invention is characterized in that the guide tube has a second stop on its inner circumference that is axially spaced apart from the first guide element.

[0007] Advantageously, the second stop can be variably arranged on the guide tube depending on the required travel in the guide tube. Conversely, the guide rod can be manufactured according to standards with the same length and always have the same first stop at the end leading into the guide tube. In particular, the second stop ensures an axial overlap between the first and second housing parts that is sufficiently large to improve the bending strength, even when the spring support is fully extended.

[0008] In a preferred first embodiment, the second stop is designed as a stop member fixed to the inner circumference of the guide tube. Advantageously, the stop member tapers the inner circumference of the guide tube so that when the guide rod moves, the first stop contacts the stop member, thereby limiting the travel of the spring support member into the extended position. The stop member is preferably annular in shape. Furthermore, the stop member is preferably materially connected to the guide tube. This advantageously ensures that the stop member is sufficiently securely fixed to the guide tube, maintaining its fixed position even when additional force is applied from the outside in the direction of extension of the spring support member.

[0009] In a preferred first design of the spring support, both the stop member and the guide tube are made of plastic. Advantageously, the guide device as a whole is lightweight while also possessing sufficient torsional strength. Furthermore, the stop member and the guide tube can be cohesively connected by laser welding. To this end, the guide tube is made of laser-transparent plastic, and the stop member is made of laser-opaque plastic. Advantageously, this eliminates the need for adhesives and allows for particularly precise positioning of the stop member relative to the guide tube.

[0010] In another preferred embodiment of the spring support, the second stop is integrally formed with the guide tube. The second stop can advantageously be designed as a profiled portion of the guide tube, disposed between the guide element and the first stop. The second stop is preferably designed as a tapered portion of the guide tube. This tapered portion annularly surrounds the entire circumference of the guide tube, thereby providing an annular stop surface for the first stop disposed on the guide rod.

[0011] The guide tube is preferably made of metal, in particular aluminum. Advantageously, the guide tube can be correspondingly formed at a point between the two opposite ends of the guide tube by annular crimping or rolling, wherein the second stop is formed by the annular constriction. Advantageously, no additional material or fastening steps are required to produce the second stop.

[0012] In one advantageous design, the second stop is arranged axially between the guide element and the first stop. Particularly preferably, the guide tube is fixedly connected to one of the first and second housing parts, and the guide rod is fixedly connected to the other of the first and second housing parts. Advantageously, when the spring support member extends to the extended position, the first stop disposed on the guide tube moves toward the second stop. This advantageously effectively limits the travel of the spring support member in the extension direction.

[0013] It is particularly preferred that the guide device and the housing are arranged concentrically around the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the housing is uniformly guided and supported regardless of whether the spring support rotates around the longitudinal axis. In particular, the first stop and the second stop are preferably configured to be rotationally symmetrical around the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the spring support, the preload device is arranged radially between the guide device and the housing. Advantageously, the preload device is preferably designed as a helical compression spring, which is guided securely from the outside through the housing and from the inside through the guide device. In particular, the housing and the guide device prevent the preload device from bending during operation of the spring support, which could impede adjustment of the first and second housing parts and potentially generate undesirable noise.

[0015] Alternatively, the prestressing device can also be arranged in the guide tube and axially between one of the first and second housing parts and the first stop. Advantageously, the prestressing device prestresses the guide device into the extended position, wherein the housing is also prestressed into the extended position due to the clear assignment of the guide tube and the guide rod to the first and second housing parts.

[0016] Furthermore, in another embodiment, in addition to the prestressing device for prestressing the first and second housing parts relative to one another into the extended position, a further prestressing device is provided, which prestresses the guide device into the extended position. It is particularly preferred that the second prestressing device has a significantly shorter length, wherein the second prestressing device provides prestressing substantially only over a first, small adjustment path between a completely closed vehicle flap and a partially opened vehicle flap.

[0017] Further advantages, developments and features of the present invention can be derived from the following description of preferred embodiments and optional technical solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment showing the spring support 1 in a fully retracted state;

[0020] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the spring support member 1 in a fully extended state;

[0021] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment showing the spring support 101 in a fully retracted state;

[0022] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 sectional view of the spring support member 101 in the fully extended state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of a spring support 1 is shown in a fully retracted state. The spring support 1 comprises a housing 2 extending along a longitudinal axis L and designed to be telescopically retractable and extendable. To this end, the housing 2 comprises a first housing portion 3 and a second housing portion 4, wherein the second housing portion 4 is radially guided within the first housing portion 3 and can therefore advantageously be displaced axially relative to the first housing portion 3. A first connecting member 5 is secured to a first end 3a of the first housing portion 3 and is provided for connecting the spring support 1 to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle fender.

[0024] The first connecting member 5 is designed as a ball socket or seat and is pressed into the first end 3a of the first housing part 3. Alternatively or additionally, the first connecting member 5 can also be connected to the first end 3a of the first housing part 3 by a material fit (e.g., by laser welding). Opposite the first end of the housing 2, the second connecting member 6 is connected to the first end 4a of the second housing part 4. The second connecting member 6 is also designed as a ball socket and is pressed into the first end 4a of the second housing part 4. Alternatively or additionally, the second connecting member 6 can also be connected to the first end 4a of the second housing part 4 by a material fit.

[0025] A prestressing device 7, designed as a helical compression spring, is arranged between the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4. The prestressing device 7 prestresses the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 relative to each other into the extended position of the housing 2. The prestressing device 7 is supported with a first end 7a on an annular step 3b of the first housing part 3 and with a second end 7b, opposite the first end 7a, on an annular step 4b of the second housing part 4.

[0026] The spring support 1 also includes a guide device 8. The guide device 8 comprises a guide tube 9 and a guide rod 10, which is radially guided in the guide tube 9 and can be telescopically retracted and extended relative to the guide tube 9. The guide device 8 serves to guide both the preload device 7 and the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4. In particular, the guide device 8 ensures greater stability and higher bending strength of the housing 2 in the extended state.

[0027] A guide element 11 is arranged at the first open end 9a of the guide tube 9. The guide element 11 is configured to radially support the guide rod 10 relative to the guide tube 9. The guide element 11 is connected to the inner circumference of the guide tube 9. A second end 9b of the guide tube 9, opposite the first end 9a, is screwed to the second connecting member 6 via an external thread 9c. Advantageously, the guide tube 9 is fixedly connected to the second housing portion 4, so that when the second housing portion 4 is displaced, the guide tube 9 also undergoes axial displacement.

[0028] The guide rod 10 has a first stop member 12 at its first end 10a, which provides a first stop for limiting the travel of the guide rod 10 relative to the guide tube 9. The first stop member 12 is designed as a ring having an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the guide rod 10 and smaller than the inner diameter of the guide tube 9. Therefore, the first stop member 12 does not contact the inner circumference of the guide tube 9. A second end 10b of the guide rod 10, opposite the first end 10a, is screwed to the first connector 5, thereby enabling axial displacement of the guide rod 10 together with the first housing portion 3.

[0029] The guide device 8 further includes a second stop member 13 having a structure substantially identical to that of the guide element 11, but being fixed to the inner circumference of the guide tube 9 at a distance therefrom. In the first embodiment shown here, the guide tube 9 and the second stop member 13 are made of plastic, wherein the second stop member 13 is connected to the guide tube 9 by laser welding.

[0030] Second stop member 13 is located between first guide element 11 and first stop member 12, which is arranged at first end 10a of guide rod 10. Advantageously, the travel of spring support 1 in the extension direction is limited by first stop member 12 and second stop member 13. Furthermore, even when housing 2 is fully extended, a certain axial distance is maintained between guide element 11 and first stop member 12. This generally increases the bending strength of housing 2 because, as will be described later, the axial overlap between first housing portion 3 and second housing portion 4 is increased.

[0031] Figure 2A cross-section of the spring support 1 is shown in the fully extended state. It can be seen that, under the preload of the preload device 7, the guide rod 10 of the guide device 8 extends from the guide tube 9 in a similar manner to the second housing part 4 relative to the first housing part 3. The first stop element 12 connected to the guide rod 10 now abuts against the second stop element 13, thereby advantageously limiting the travel into the extended position.

[0032] The first stop member 12 is secured to the first end 10a of the guide rod 10 via an annular groove 10c. Since, even in this fully extended state, there is still a significant axial overlap between the guide tube 9 and the guide rod 10 on the one hand, and between the first housing portion 3 and the second housing portion 4 on the other hand, a significantly higher bending strength is achieved, comparable to that of an air spring. Furthermore, due to the axial spacing of the second stop member 13 from the guide element 11, the guide rod 10 and the guide element 11 are additionally supported radially by the second stop member 13. Advantageously, the spring support 1 or guide device 8 is significantly less expensive and lighter than an air spring, while still providing good bending strength.

[0033] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the spring support 101 is shown in a fully retracted state. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of the first embodiment shown in is basically similar, including a shell 2 extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis L and being retractable and extendable, the shell having a first shell part 3 and a second shell part 4, wherein the second shell part 4 is axially movably inserted into the first shell part 3.

[0034] Furthermore, the first and second connecting members 5 and 6 are connected to opposite ends of the housing 2, each designed as a ball and socket. Furthermore, a preload device 7 in the form of a helical compression spring is disposed between the first housing portion 3 and the second housing portion 4. This preload device is used to preload the housing 2 into the extended position. Furthermore, the spring support 101 includes a guide device 108 modified from the first embodiment. This guide device comprises a guide tube 109 and a guide rod 110, wherein the guide rod 110 is guided in the guide tube 109 in a retractable and extendable manner.

[0035] A guide element 111 is arranged at the first open end 109a of the guide tube 109, wherein the guide element 111 is fixed to the inner circumference of the guide tube 109. A first stop member 112 is fixed to the first end 110a of the guide rod 110, which is inserted into the guide tube 109. A second stop member 113 is provided on the guide tube 109 axially between the guide element 111 and the first stop member 112. This stop member 113 is formed by a narrowing of the inner circumference of the guide tube 109, produced by forming. Advantageously, this stop member 113 can be produced by rolling the guide tube 109. In the embodiment shown here, the guide tube 109 is made of aluminum, which is easy to form.

[0036] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the spring support 101 in the fully extended state. It can be seen that, under the preload of the preload device 7, the guide rod 110 of the guide device 108 extends from the guide tube 109 in a manner similar to the second housing part 4 relative to the first housing part 3 of the housing 2. The first stop member 112 connected to the guide rod 110 now abuts against a stop 113 integrally formed with the guide tube, thereby advantageously limiting the travel into the extended state.

Claims

1. A spring support member (1; 101) for a vehicle fender or a vehicle door, comprising: A housing (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (L), the housing having a first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4), wherein the first housing part (3) is telescopically adjustable relative to the second housing part (4) between a retracted position and an extended position; a pre-tightening device (7) arranged in the housing (2) for pre-tightening the first housing part (3) to an extended position relative to the second housing part (4); and A guide device (8; 108) comprising a guide tube (9; 109) and a guide rod (10; 110) movably introduced into the guide tube (9; 109), wherein a guide element (11; 111) for guiding the guide rod (10; 110) is arranged at a first open end (9a; 109a) of the guide tube; and a first stop (12) arranged on the end (10a) of the guide rod (10) which is introduced into the guide tube (9), It is characterized by: The guide tube (9; 109) has a second stop (13; 113) on its inner circumference, which is axially spaced apart from the first guide element (11; 111).

2. The spring support according to claim 1, wherein: The second stopper (13) is configured as a stopper component fixed to the inner circumference of the guide tube (9).

3. The spring support according to claim 2, wherein: The stop element is annular in design.

4. The spring support according to claim 2, wherein: The stop component is connected to the guide tube (9) in a material-fitting manner.

5. The spring support according to claim 4, characterized in that The stop member and the guide tube (9) are made of plastic.

6. The spring support according to claim 5, characterized in that The stop component and the guide tube (9) are welded together by laser.

7. The spring support according to claim 1, wherein: The second stopper (113) is formed integrally with the guide tube (109).

8. The spring support according to claim 7, wherein: The second stop (113) is designed as a tapered portion of the guide tube (109).

9. The spring support according to claim 1, wherein: The second stop (13; 113) is arranged axially between the guide element (11; 111) and the first stop (12).

10. The spring support according to claim 1, wherein The prestressing device (7) is arranged radially between the guide device (8; 108) and the housing (2).

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