Shock absorber with pressure medium connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a damper having at least one pressure medium connection, comprising a pressure medium connection housing which is sealingly fixed to the outside of the damper, wherein a movable valve body is arranged in the interior of the pressure medium connection housing, wherein a line coupling for conveying pressure medium is fixed at the pressure medium connection, wherein the pressure medium connection is fixed as a self-contained and sealed structural unit by means of a connection holder, wherein a holding force is exerted on the connection holder via the line coupling by means of a pressure plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration damper having a pressure medium interface as described in the preamble of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] German patent document DE102021211369A1 discloses a shock absorber with a pressure medium interface, which is fixed to the outer cylinder of the shock absorber at the interface housing by a circumferential, hydraulically sealed weld. Inside the interface housing are a housing insert with an external annular seal, a closing spring, and a valve body. The valve body is pre-tensioned to the valve seat surface of the housing insert by the closing spring. The annular seal prevents internal leakage between the housing insert and the inner wall of the interface housing. A retaining ring is provided to prevent the housing insert from being pushed out under the internal working pressure of the shock absorber.

[0003] The advantage of this structural design is that the damper can be manufactured and welded to the interface housing, including cleaning and painting. This ensures that the annular seal is neither affected by the heat input during interface housing welding nor by the corrosive cleaning agents used during damper cleaning.

[0004] On the other hand, its drawback is that the function of the pressure medium interface can only be tested together with the shock absorber. In the first test step, the sealing of the weld between the interface housing and the outer cylinder must be checked. If a leak is present, it may be repaired by welding. If, for example, the interface housing is deformed, the annular seal may not function adequately. It is practically impossible to remove the concealed safety ring without damaging the pressure medium interface. Therefore, the entire shock absorber will be considered irreparable scrap. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to minimize the manufacturing problems known in the prior art.

[0006] The problem is solved in the following way: the pressure medium interface is fixed as a self-enclosed and sealed structural unit by means of an interface retainer, wherein a retaining force is applied to the interface retainer by means of a clamping plate via a pipeline coupler.

[0007] The advantage of this approach is that the function of the pressure medium interface can be checked before it is installed on the vibration damper. Furthermore, securing the pressure medium interface with a clamping plate allows the interface or its housing to be made of any material, eliminating the need for a material-bonding method of fixation.

[0008] In another advantageous embodiment, the clamping plate is pre-tightened by a clamping plate retainer that is fixed in position relative to the outer cylinder of the shock absorber. For example, a clamping screw can be fixed to the clamping plate retainer, or the clamping plate retainer may have a clamping screw, such as a clamping nut, or the clamping bolt may be modified into a rivet.

[0009] According to an advantageous dependent claim, the interface retainer is fixed by a material bonding method and has a receiving opening for receiving a pressure medium interface. The interface retainer absolutely does not need to be pressure-sealed onto the damper. A partial connection is perfectly sufficient. This allows for the selection of the length and cross-section of the welded connection to the outer cylinder, resulting in a very low risk of cylinder deformation. The receiving opening ensures precise alignment of the pressure medium interface relative to the connection port in the outer cylinder.

[0010] A very simple method of securing the pressure interface involves a retainer having a retaining surface for the pressure medium interface, formed by plastic deformation. This fixation only requires a certain retaining force, set as the pressure acting on the pressure interface during vehicle installation when the shock absorber is stationary. This retaining force is no longer needed when the shock absorber is fully installed and ready, i.e., when the pipe coupler is connected and the clamping plate is installed.

[0011] Another measure to ensure the safe operation of the pressure medium interface is to seal the leakage path between the pressure medium interface housing and the interface retainer through a seal.

[0012] One particularly advantageous embodiment is to place the seal at the bottom of the pressure medium interface housing. The seal is thus pre-tightened by a clamping force applied to the clamping plate.

[0013] In principle, there is an advantageous possibility that the clamping plate retainer is fixed to the outer cylinder of the shock absorber by means of material bonding. The clamping plate retainer is fixed at a certain distance from the pressure medium interface. By arranging the clamping plate retainer separately from the interface retainer, deformation of components that might affect the pressure medium interface is avoided.

[0014] There are vibration dampers with two pressure medium interfaces. Optionally, the two pressure medium interfaces are fixed to the vibration damper by a common interface retainer.

[0015] Especially in vibration dampers with two pressure medium inlets, it is advantageous if the clamping plate retainer is fixed to the inlet retainer. This allows for optimal use of the structural space between the two pressure medium inlets.

[0016] Optionally, the clamping plate retainer may be specified to extend through the interface retainer and have a retaining head that is clamped between the interface retainer and the outer cylinder of the shock absorber. The clamping plate retainer does not need to be threaded or welded to the interface retainer, thus simplifying its installation.

[0017] According to one embodiment, functionally, a separate locking ring is arranged between the interface retainer and the pressure medium interface housing. The interface retainer bears deformation forces through the locking ring. The locking ring can be constructed, for example, as a tightening nut. Thus, the interface retainer is provided with fastening threads.

[0018] Alternatively, the locking ring can be fitted into the retaining groove of the interface retainer in a form-fit manner. For this purpose, the pressure medium interface is inserted into the interface retainer, where a concentric surface determines the correct position of the pressure medium interface. The locking ring is then pressed into the annular gap between the interface retainer and the pressure medium interface, thereby generating a sufficiently large retaining force at the pressure medium interface.

[0019] Whether the locking ring is constructed as a tightening nut or a form-fitting element, it can have a deformable region on its end side facing the pressure plate, which withstands deformation forces when the pressure plate is pressed down. This deformable region is particularly useful in applications with two pressure medium interfaces to compensate for tolerances arising from different radial elongations of the pressure medium interfaces within the interface retainer. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The diagram is as follows: Figure 1 This is a longitudinal section view of the vibration damper; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Detailed images; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Detailed images; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An illustration of the cropped portion; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 External view; Figure 6 yes Figures 1 to 5 Alternatives; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Cross-sectional view; Figure 8 yes Figure 6 The illustration shows the clamping plate retainer as a single part; Figure 9 and Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process; Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a diagram of the locking ring as a single component; Figure 13 It is based on Figures 6 to 12 Variations of the invention shown; Figure 14 and Figure 15 yes Figures 6 to 13 Alternative implementation of the clamping plate shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 1 A full sectional view of the damper 1 is shown. In this embodiment, the damper 1 includes a working cylinder 3 completely filled with damping medium, in which a piston rod 5, together with a piston 7, is axially movable and guided. The piston 7 is optionally equipped with a damping valve or may also be equipped with an overpressure valve, dividing the working cylinder 3 into a working chamber 9 on the piston rod side and a working chamber 11 away from the piston rod. The working chamber 9 on the piston rod side is connected to a first adjustable damping valve device 17 via at least one connection port 13 and a fluid passage 15. This adjustable damping valve device generates a damping force when the piston rod 5 extends out of the working cylinder 3. The structural design of the adjustable damping valve device 17 is secondary to the present invention. For example, reference can be made to document DE102015200348A1. Figure 1 In general, the internal structure of the shock absorber is not important to this invention.

[0023] The working chamber 11, located away from the piston rod, is connected to a second adjustable damping valve device 23 via a connection port 19 and a second fluid channel 21. This second device generates damping force during the retraction of the piston rod 5. Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, the structural design of the second adjustable damping valve device 23 is the same as that of the first damping valve device 17. The two fluid channels 15 and 21 are not only spatially separated by the annular separating element 25, but also hydraulically separated. On the outflow side, the two damping valve devices 17 and 23 are connected to a common annular storage channel 31 within the separating element 25 via the outflow channel 27.

[0024] The working cylinder 3 is completely enclosed by the outer cylinder body 33, thus extending from the piston rod guide 35, which serves as a seal for the working chamber 9 on the piston rod side, to the bottom 37 of the working chamber 11 away from the piston rod. The annular space between the outer cylinder body 33 and the working cylinder 3 is available for use by two fluid passages 15 and 21.

[0025] The outer cylinder block 33 comprises three sections 33A, 33B, and 33V, which are non-detachably connected to each other. The middle section of the outer cylinder block 33 is formed by a valve seat 33V. The sleeve-shaped valve seat 33V is welded to the first cylinder block section 33A, which extends to the piston rod guide 35. The second cylinder block section 33B defines the second fluid passage 21 from the bottom 37 to the valve seat 33V.

[0026] In this embodiment, the valve seat 33V has a large wall thickness to facilitate a very simple connection between the valve housing 29 of the adjustable damping valve devices 17, 23 and the external cylinder 33. This structural form is not mandatory for this invention.

[0027] The vibration damper 1 includes at least one pressure medium interface 39, which in this embodiment is two pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41, each with a pressure medium interface housing 43 and 45. The pressure medium interface housings 43 and 45 are sealed and fixed to the outside of the vibration damper 1, in this example, to a valve seat 33V. Movable valve bodies 47 and 49 are provided within the pressure medium interface housings 43 and 45. These valve bodies are subjected to pressure within fluid channels 15 and 21, as well as to pressure medium delivery couplings 51 and 53 fixed to the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41. When the couplings 51 and 53 are disconnected, the pressure in the corresponding fluid channels 15 and 21 ensures that the valve bodies 47 and 49 are in the closed position, preventing leakage of the damping medium from the vibration damper 1. When the couplings 51 and 53 are installed on the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41, the spring force acting on both sides of the valve bodies 47 and 49 ensures that they are in the open position within the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41. The core function of pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41 is that a shock absorber 1, fully filled with pressure or damping medium, can be connected to pipelines 55 and 57, which are also filled with pressure medium, without the need for a refilling process. Pipelines 55 and 57 can be connected to a passive storage container, or to a pump or any other hydraulic device.

[0028] Figure 2The diagram shows a view of the damper 1 in the region of pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41. In the front view of the damper 1, annular interface retainers 59 and 61 are visible, which are fixed to the outer cylinder 33 or valve seat 33V by a material bond. The material bond connection does not need to be implemented across the entire circumference of the interface retainers 59 and 61. The interface retainers 59 and 61 have receiving openings 65 into which the pressure medium interface 39 is fitted at its end using retaining flanges 67. Retaining surfaces 69, formed by plastic deformation on the interface retainers 59 and 61, secure the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41, which are self-contained structural units, inside the interface retainers 59 and 61, thereby securing them to the outer cylinder 33. The self-contained structural unit means that the pressure medium interfaces 59 and 61 have an external pressure medium interface housing 43 and 45, which encloses all components used for valve function. During the manufacturing process of the vibration damper 1, this structural unit, as a finished product, only needs to be installed and does not require assembly during the connection of the pipe couplers 51 and 53. The retaining surface 69 is pressed against the fastening flange 67 by deformation of the edge region of the receiving opening 65 of the interface retainers 59 and 61. The retaining force of the retaining surface 69 only needs to support the internal working pressure of the vibration damper 1 in a static state when the pipe couplers 51 and 53 are not connected. Figure 3 In the enlarged view of the pressure medium interfaces 43 and 45, the valve body 47 extending from the pressure medium interface housing can be seen. The valve body is pressed in when the pipeline couplers 51 and 53 are installed on the pressure medium interface housings 43 and 45.

[0029] also, Figure 2 A clamping plate retainer 71 is shown, which is spatially and material-bonded between the two interface retainers 59 and 61 as a bolt. The position of the clamping plate retainer 71 here allows for a robust welded connection, as deformation here does not affect the function of the damper 1 or the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41. Preferably, the clamping plate retainer 71 is arranged on the connecting line between the center points of the two interface retainers 59 and 61, such as... Figure 4 As shown in the cross-section. The clamping plate retainer 71 can be inserted into the blind hole 75 of the outer cylinder 33.

[0030] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5It can be seen that the clamping plate 77 applies a holding force to the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41, especially the interface retainers 59 and 61. The clamping plate 77 is pre-tightened by the clamping plate retainer 71, which is fixedly fastened to the outer cylinder 33 of the shock absorber 1. Each pipe coupler 51 and 53 is provided with a through hole 79 and 81 on the clamping plate 77, through which the pipe housings 83 and 85 pass. Preferably, the through holes 79 and 81 are constructed as stepped holes, wherein the stepped portion accommodates the retaining flanges 87 and 89 of the pipe housings 83 and 85.

[0031] On the outer cylinder body 33, interface retainers 59, 61 and clamping plate retainer 71 are fixed by a material bonding method. Separator 25 can be installed on the outside of the working cylinder 3 or the inside of the outer cylinder body 33. This assembly is cleaned and then sprayed on the outside of the area of ​​the outer cylinder body 33. In further assembly, the working cylinder 3 with piston rod 5 and piston 7, along with piston rod guide 35, is installed and inserted into the outer cylinder body 33. Afterwards, adjustable damping valve devices 17, 23 and pressure medium interfaces 39, 41 are installed. Leakage paths between the pressure medium interface housings 43, 45 and interface retainers 59, 61 are sealed by seals 91, 93, which are arranged at the bottom 95, 97 of the pressure medium interface housings 43, 45. Figure 4 In subsequent processes, the damper is filled with damping medium. A pressure medium interface prevents leakage of the damping medium from the external cylinder 33.

[0032] In another step, two pipes 55 and 57 with pipe couplers 51 and 53 are inserted into the through holes 79 and 81 of the clamping plate 77. The clamping plate 77 is pushed against the clamping plate retainer 71 via the through hole 99, the threaded section 101 of which protrudes as a threaded section on the side facing away from the outer cylinder body 33. In the correct position, the through hole 99 is located on the retaining flanges 87 and 89 of the pipe couplers 51 and 53. The clamping nut 103 is then tightened on the clamping plate retainer 71, thereby pressing the clamping plate 77 against the interface retainers 59 and 61. The pipe couplers 51 and 53 may move slightly within the through holes 79 and 81. However, this slight displacement has no effect on the flow cross-section at the valve bodies 47 and 49.

[0033] Figures 6 to 8 An alternative embodiment of the invention is described, wherein two pressure medium ports 39, 41 are secured to the damper 1 by a common port retainer 59. The port retainer 59 is constructed of a plate that is bonded to the outer cylinder 33 by means of a material bond, preferably on a side 105 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the damper 1. The port retainer 59 includes two receiving openings 65A, 65B for the pressure medium ports 39, 41.

[0034] Figure 8 The clamping plate retainer 71 is fixed to the interface retainer 59, the clamping plate retainer 71 extends through the interface retainer 59, and has a retaining head 107, which is clamped between the interface retainer 59 and the outer cylinder 33 of the damper 1. Optionally, the journal region 109 or the retaining head 107 may have a clamping section 111, so that the interface retainer 59 is fixed to the clamping plate retainer 71 by a retaining force during installation. In this embodiment, the clamping section 101 is formed by a gear ring profile.

[0035] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the implementation, the interface retainer 59 is used to provide the retaining surface 69, while Figures 6 to 12 In this embodiment, functionally, a separate locking ring 113, 115 is arranged between the interface retainer 59 and the pressure medium interface housings 43, 45. The locking rings 113, 115 are fitted into the retaining grooves 117, 119 within the receiving openings 65A, 65B of the interface retainer 59 in a form-fitting manner (see...). Figure 9 and Figure 10 ).

[0036] Figure 11 The image shows the locking rings 113 and 115 as individual components before being installed onto the interface retainer 59. The locking rings 113 and 115 have a rectangular cross-section with constant inner and outer diameters. Both end faces are flat and extend parallel to each other.

[0037] During installation, the rod of the clamping plate retainer 71 is passed through the through hole 99 of the interface retainer 59 until the retaining head 107 no longer protrudes from the back of the interface retainer 59 facing the outer cylinder 33. Then, the interface retainer 59 is fixed to the outer cylinder 33 by material bonding, preferably welding. In a subsequent step, the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41 are pushed into the receiving openings 65A and 65B of the interface retainer 59 until the bottoms 95 and 97 of the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41 are against the outer cylinder 33.

[0038] according to Figure 11 Insert the locking rings 113 and 115 into the annular space between the pressure medium interface housings 43 and 45 and their retaining flanges 87 and 89 and the interface retainer 59, see [reference]. Figure 9Then, an axial locking force is applied to the locking rings 113 and 115 by the axially movable closing tool 121. The locking rings 113 and 115 transmit the locking force to the pressure medium interfaces 39 and 41, thereby pre-tightening the seals 91 and 93 at the bottom 95 and 97 of the pressure interfaces 39 and 41 as specified. Under continuous locking force and feed action, the closing tool 121 squeezes a portion of the volume of the locking rings 113 and 115 into the retaining grooves 117 and 119 of the interface retainer 59.

[0039] Furthermore, the closing tool 121 forms a deformation region 123 on the end side of the locking rings 113 and 115 facing the pressure plate 77, see [link / reference] Figure 10 and 12 Then, the clamping plate 77, together with the pipe couplers 51 and 53 and the pipes 55 and 57, is installed onto the clamping plate retainer 71 and pre-tightened by the clamping nut 103, so that the deformation area 123 of the locking rings 113 and 115 is subjected to deformation force, which at least causes the locking rings 113 and 115 to undergo elastic deformation. In this way, any shape and positional deviations that may exist in the clamping chain formed by the pressure interface housings 43 and 45, the interface retainer 39, and the clamping plate 77 can be compensated.

[0040] Figure 13 A variant of the invention is shown, wherein locking rings 113, 115 are designed for tightening nuts. In this case, locking rings 113, 115 have tool openings 125, for example, for known socket wrenches.

[0041] Figure 14 and Figure 15 An alternative clamping plate 77 is shown, having receiving openings 65A, 65B for pressure medium interfaces 39, 41, which are in the form of longitudinal grooves open at the ends. This configuration is particularly suitable for situations where the clamping plate 77 has very limited structural space in its longitudinal direction. List of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Vibration damper 3 working cylinders 5. Piston rod 7 Pistons 9. Working chamber on the piston rod side 11. Working chamber away from the piston rod 13 Connection Ports 15 Fluid Channels 17 Adjustable damping valve device 19 Connection Port 21 Second Fluid Channel 23 Second damping valve device 25. Separating elements 27 Outflow Channel 29 valve housing 31 Storage Channels 33 External cylinder block 33A First Cylinder Block Section 33B Second Cylinder Block Section 33V valve seat 35 Piston rod guide 37 Bottom 39 Pressure Medium Interface 41 Pressure Medium Interface 43 Pressure medium interface housing 45 Pressure medium interface housing 47 Valve body 49 Valve body 51 Pipeline Coupler 53 Pipeline Coupler 55 Pipeline 57 Pipeline 59 Interface retainer 61 Interface retainer 63 Weld 65 Accommodation opening 65A Accommodation Opening 65B Accommodation opening 67. Maintain the flange 69. Maintain surface 71. Clamping plate retainer 73 Welded joint 75 Blind Hole 77. Pressure Plate 79 Through hole (pressure plate) 81 Through hole (pressure plate) 83 Pipe shell 85 Pipe shell 87. Maintain the flange 89. Maintain the flange 91 Seals 93 Seals 95 Bottom of the pressure medium interface housing 97 Bottom of the pressure medium interface housing 99. Through hole for clamping plate retainer 101 Clamping plate retainer threaded section 103 Tightening nut 105 Side 107 Keep your head up 109 journal area 111 Clamping Section 113 Locking Ring 115 Locking Ring 117 Retaining groove 119 Retaining groove 121 Closing Tool 123 Deformation area of ​​the locking ring 125 Tool opening.

Claims

1. A vibration damper (1) having at least one pressure medium port (39, 41), the pressure medium port comprising a pressure medium port housing (43, 45) hermetically fixed to the outside of the vibration damper (1), wherein, Movable valve bodies (47, 49) are disposed inside the pressure medium interface housing (43, 45), wherein the pipeline coupler (51, 53) for conveying pressure medium is fixed at the pressure medium interface (39, 41), characterized in that the pressure medium interface (39, 41) is fixed as a self-enclosed and sealed structural unit by means of interface retainers (59, 61), wherein a retaining force is applied to the interface retainers (59, 61) by means of a clamping plate (77) via the pipeline coupler (51, 53).

2. The vibration damper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping plate (77) is pre-tightened by a clamping plate retainer (71) whose position is fixed relative to the outer cylinder (33) of the shock absorber.

3. The vibration damper (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The interface retainers (59, 61) are fixed by material bonding and have receiving openings (65, 65A, 65B) for accommodating the pressure medium interface (39, 41).

4. The vibration damper (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The interface retainer (59, 61) has a retaining surface (69) for the pressure medium interface (39, 41) formed by plastic deformation.

5. The damper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The leakage path between the pressure medium interface housing (43, 45) and the interface retainer (59, 61) is sealed by the seals (91, 93).

6. The vibration damper (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The seals (91, 93) are arranged at the bottom (95, 97) of the pressure medium interface housing (43, 45).

7. The vibration damper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The clamping plate retainer (71) is fixed to the outer cylinder (33) of the damper (1) by means of material bonding.

8. The damper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The damper (1) has two pressure medium ports (39, 41), which are fixed to the damper (1) by a common port retainer (59).

9. The vibration damper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8, characterized in that, The clamping plate retainer (71) is fixed on the interface retainer (59).

10. The vibration damper (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The clamping plate retainer (71) extends through the interface retainer (59) and has a retaining head (107) that is held between the interface retainer (59) and the outer cylinder (33) of the shock absorber.

11. The vibration damper (1) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5 to 10, characterized in that, Functionally, a separate locking ring (113, 115) is arranged between the interface retainer (59, 61) and the pressure medium interface housing (43, 45).

12. The vibration damper (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The locking rings (113, 115) are fitted into the retaining grooves (117, 119) of the interface retainers (59, 61) in a form-fit manner.

13. The vibration damper (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The locking rings (113, 115) have a deformation region (123) on the end side facing the pressure plate (77), which bears the deformation force when the pressure plate (71) is pressed.

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