Pneumatic adjustable balance damper

Abstract

The utility model discloses a pneumatic adjustable balance damper which comprises a first cylinder body part, a piston rod and a first piston, and the first piston is connected in the first cylinder body part in a sliding mode so as to divide the inner space of the first cylinder body part into a first cavity filled with gas and a second cavity filled with liquid. The damper further comprises a second cylinder body part, a second piston, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a first throttling valve and a second throttling valve, and the second piston is slidably connected into the first cylinder body part so as to divide the space in the second cylinder body part into a third cavity full of liquid and a fourth cavity full of gas. The second chamber is connected with the third chamber in parallel through the first flow channel and the second flow channel; the damper further comprises an air blowing device and an air storage tank. The utility model provides a pneumatic adjustable balance damper which can be pneumatically controlled to stretch out and draw back, and when the damper is in a balance state, the hand pushing comfort is better, and the damper can be stopped at will.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of damper technology, and in particular to a pneumatically adjustable balance damper. Background Technology

[0002] Existing automotive dampers, such as those used in tailgates, are basically divided into two types: pneumatic support rods and electric push rods. Pneumatic support rods have the following disadvantages: First, when in use, after the user opens the tailgate, the pneumatic support rod extends and automatically opens the tailgate upwards until it reaches its maximum extension; it cannot be stopped midway, meaning the opening angle of the tailgate cannot be adjusted. Second, closing the tailgate requires the user to press down forcefully; it lacks an automatic closing function. While electric push rods can automatically open and close the tailgate, manually pushing the tailgate after the electric push rod stops requires significant resistance, resulting in poor comfort. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of existing dampers, this invention proposes a pneumatically adjustable balance damper. The damper's extension and retraction can be controlled pneumatically, resulting in better manual pushing comfort and allowing for arbitrary control of the damper's length when in equilibrium.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A pneumatically adjustable balance damper includes a first cylinder body, a piston rod, and a first piston. The first piston is slidably connected within the first cylinder body to divide the space within the first cylinder body into a first chamber filled with gas and a second chamber filled with liquid. One end of the piston rod is located within the first chamber and fixedly connected to the first piston, while the other end extends outside the first cylinder body. The damper also includes a second cylinder body, a second piston, a first check valve, a second check valve, a first throttle valve, and a second throttle valve. The second piston is slidably connected within the first cylinder body to... The internal space of the second cylinder is divided into a third chamber filled with liquid and a fourth chamber filled with gas. The second chamber is connected in parallel with the third chamber through a first flow channel and a second flow channel. A first check valve and a first throttle valve are installed on the first flow channel, and a second check valve and a second throttle valve are installed on the second flow channel. The first check valve and the second check valve are in opposite directions. The damper also includes a blower and a gas tank. The blower is connected to the first chamber or the fourth chamber through the gas tank. When the gas tank is connected to one of the chambers, the other chamber is connected to the atmosphere.

[0006] With the above setup, the air-blowing device pneumatically drives the piston rod to control the extension and retraction of the damper; after the air-blowing device balances the air pressure, the piston rod is more comfortable to push by hand, and the piston rod self-locks after being released, allowing the length of the damper to be controlled at will.

[0007] Furthermore, the damper also includes a reversing valve. The first chamber and the fourth chamber are connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve. The reversing valve has a lifting state and a lowering state. In the lifting state, the fourth chamber is connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve, and the first chamber is connected to the atmosphere. In the lowering state, the first chamber is connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve, and the fourth chamber is connected to the atmosphere.

[0008] With the above settings, the connection between the gas storage tank and the first and fourth chambers is switched by the reversing valve.

[0009] Furthermore, the air-blowing device includes an air pump connected to an air tank, and a pressure gauge for detecting air pressure.

[0010] Furthermore, air pumps and air pressure gauges are also used in automotive air suspension systems.

[0011] With the above setup, the damper and the car's air suspension system share a single air pump and pressure gauge, reducing costs.

[0012] Furthermore, the volume of the gas storage tank is at least five times greater than the larger of the volumes of the first and fourth chambers, and a pressure gauge is installed on the gas storage tank.

[0013] With the above setup, the internal pressure remains basically unchanged when the volumes of the first and fourth chambers change.

[0014] Furthermore, the first check valve and the second check valve are spring check valves.

[0015] Furthermore, the gases in the first and fourth chambers are inert gases, and the liquids in the second and third chambers are oils.

[0016] The above settings improve the installability of the damper. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the damper in an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the piston rod moving upwards in an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the piston rod moving downwards in an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, a pneumatically adjustable balance damper includes a first cylinder body 3, a piston rod 4, and a first piston 5. The first piston 5 is slidably connected within the first cylinder body 3 to divide the space within the first cylinder body 3 into a first chamber 6 filled with gas and a second chamber 7 filled with liquid. One end of the piston rod 4 is located within the first chamber 6 and fixedly connected to the first piston 5, while the other end extends outside the first cylinder body 3. The damper also includes a second cylinder body 8, a second piston 9, a first check valve 10, a second check valve 11, a first throttle valve 12, and a second throttle valve 13. The second piston 9 is slidably connected within the first cylinder body 3 to divide the space within the first cylinder body 3 into a first chamber 6 filled with gas and a second chamber 7 filled with liquid. The internal space is divided into a third chamber 14 filled with liquid and a fourth chamber 15 filled with gas; the second chamber 7 is connected in parallel with the third chamber 14 through a first flow channel 16 and a second flow channel 17. A first check valve 10 and a first throttle valve 12 are provided on the first flow channel 16, and a second check valve 11 and a second throttle valve 13 are provided on the second flow channel 17. The first check valve 10 and the second check valve 11 are in opposite directions; the damper also includes an air blowing device and an air storage tank 18. The air blowing device is connected to the first chamber 6 or the fourth chamber 15 through the air storage tank 18. When the air storage tank 18 is connected to one of the chambers, the other chamber is connected to the atmosphere.

[0022] With the above settings, the air-blowing device blows air to pneumatically drive the piston rod 4 to control the extension and retraction of the damper; after the air-blowing device balances the air pressure, pushing the piston rod 4 by hand is more comfortable, and the piston rod 4 self-locks after being released, so the length of the damper can be controlled at will.

[0023] The first cylinder block 3 and the second cylinder block 8 of this application can be separated or are two parts of one cylinder. In this application, the first cylinder block 3 and the second cylinder block 8 are separated. The first cylinder block 3 is used to support the load, while the second cylinder block can be hidden inside the car to improve aesthetics. The outer end of the piston rod 4 is connected to the tailgate or other automotive parts and other loads, and rises and falls with the load. In this application, the tailgate is used as an example. When the tailgate is opened upward, the piston rod 4 moves upward, and when the tailgate is closed downward, the piston rod 4 moves downward. The outer circumferential surface of the piston rod 4 is sealed and slidably connected to the end of the first cylinder body 3 to prevent air leakage in the first chamber 6. The bottom of the first cylinder body 3 is mounted on the vehicle. The first one-way valve 10 and the second one-way valve 11 prevent the reverse-moving liquid from passing through. When the forward liquid thrust is small, the liquid cannot open the first one-way valve 10 and the second one-way valve 11, and the liquid cannot pass through the first flow channel 16 and the second flow channel 17. When the liquid thrust exceeds the threshold, the liquid opens the first one-way valve 10 and the second one-way valve 11 and flows in the first flow channel 16 and the second flow channel 17. When the liquid flows through the first throttle valve 12 and the second throttle valve 13, damping is generated to control the tailgate opening and closing speed. In this application, the first one-way valve 10 controls the flow direction upward, and the second one-way valve 11 controls the flow direction downward. The volume of the gas tank 18 is much larger than the volume of the first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15. The volume change of the first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15 will not cause a change in the gas pressure inside the gas tank 18.

[0024] In actual use, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the tailgate needs to be pneumatically opened, the air tank 18 is connected to the fourth chamber 15, and the first chamber 6 is connected to the atmosphere. The air blowing device increases the air pressure in the air tank 18 and the fourth chamber 15. The air pressure on the lower side of the second piston 9 is greater than the pressure on the upper side, so the second piston 9 moves upward. The liquid in the third chamber 14 enters the second chamber 7 through the first flow channel 16, the first throttle valve 12, and the first one-way valve 10. Due to the incompressible nature of the liquid, the first piston 5 drives the piston rod 4 to move upward.

[0025] After the damper extends to the required length, the blowing device reduces the air pressure in the fourth chamber 15 and the air tank 18, so that when the air pressure on the lower side of the second piston 9 is equal to the pressure on the upper side, the second piston 9, the first piston 5 and the piston rod 4 stop moving. At this time, the damper is in a balanced state, and the first one-way valve 10 and the second one-way valve 11 close the first flow channel 16 and the second flow channel 17. The piston rod 4, the first piston 5 and the second piston 9 will not move when no external force intervenes. When the tailgate is manually pushed up or down, for example, when the tailgate is pushed down, the piston rod 4 drives the first piston 5 to squeeze the liquid in the second chamber 7 downward, increasing the liquid pressure in the second chamber 7. When the pressure exceeds the threshold, the liquid opens the second one-way valve 11, flows through the second throttle valve 13 and the second flow channel 17 into the third chamber 14. After the pressure in the third chamber 14 increases, the second piston 9 moves downward, and the gas in the fourth chamber 15 enters the gas tank 18. Since the gas tank 18 has a large volume, the gas pressure in the fourth chamber 15 remains basically unchanged. After releasing the hand, the pressure in the second chamber 7 returns to normal, the second one-way valve 11 automatically closes the second flow channel 17, and the positions of the first piston 5, piston rod 4 and second piston 9 are automatically locked. Similarly, when piston rod 4 is pushed upwards, the liquid pressure in the second chamber 7 decreases. After the pressure difference between the upper and lower parts of the first one-way valve 10 exceeds the threshold, the liquid in the third chamber 14 opens the first one-way valve 10, flows through the first flow channel 16 and the first throttle valve 12 into the second chamber 7, and the volume of the fourth chamber 15 increases. Gas from the gas tank 18 enters the fourth chamber 15. After releasing the handle, the pressure in the second chamber 7 recovers, the first one-way valve 10 automatically closes the first flow channel 16, and the positions of the first piston 5, piston rod 4, and second piston 9 are automatically locked. In the balanced state, the damper of this application only needs to overcome the resistance of the first one-way valve 10 and the second one-way valve 11 to push the tailgate up and down, making opening and closing more effortless and more comfortable. After releasing the handle, the length of the damper stops changing, providing a stop-at-any-time effect, thereby achieving the effect of freely adjusting the opening angle of the tailgate.

[0026] When pneumatic closing of the tailgate is required, such as Figure 3 As shown, the gas storage tank 18 is connected to the first chamber 6, and the fourth chamber 15 is connected to the atmosphere. The gas in the gas storage tank 18 enters the first chamber 6. Under the action of the load, the piston rod 4 and the first piston 5 move downward. The liquid in the second chamber 7 opens the second one-way valve 11 and flows through the second flow channel 17 and the second throttle valve 13 into the third chamber 14. The second throttle valve 13 generates damping to prevent the load and the piston rod 4 from falling too fast.

[0027] As one implementation, the damper also includes a reversing valve 19. The first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15 are connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve 19. The reversing valve 19 has a lifting state and a lowering state. In the lifting state, the fourth chamber 15 is connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve 19, and the first chamber 6 is connected to the atmosphere. In the lowering state, the first chamber 6 is connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve 19, and the fourth chamber 15 is connected to the atmosphere.

[0028] With the above settings, the connection between the gas storage tank 18 and the first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15 is switched by the reversing valve 19.

[0029] The reversing valve 19 of this application can be purchased from the market as a four-way reversing valve. Three ports of the reversing valve 19 are connected to the gas tank 18, the first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15 respectively, and the remaining port is connected to the atmosphere. The reversing valve 19 can be electrically driven to quickly switch the connection relationship of the gas tank 18.

[0030] In one implementation, the air-blowing device includes an air pump 20 connected to an air tank 18, and a pressure gauge 21 for detecting air pressure.

[0031] Air pump 20 is connected to air tank 18 to regulate the air pressure inside air tank 18. Pressure gauge 21 monitors the pressure in air tank 18 in real time. The pressure in the fourth chamber 15 is basically equal to the pressure in air tank 18. When the pressure in the fourth chamber 15 is greater than the pressure on the upper side of the second piston 9, the piston rod 4 moves upward. When the pressure in the fourth chamber 15 is equal to the pressure on the upper side of the second piston 9, the damper is in a balanced state, the piston rod 4 stops moving, and the tailgate can be opened and closed manually. The damper can be stopped at will.

[0032] As one implementation, the air pump 20 and the air pressure gauge 21 are also used in the vehicle air suspension system.

[0033] With the above setup, the damper and the vehicle's air suspension system share a single air pump 20 and air pressure gauge 21, reducing costs.

[0034] As one implementation, the volume of the gas storage tank 18 is at least five times larger than the larger of the volumes of the first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15, and the pressure gauge 21 is installed on the gas storage tank 18.

[0035] With the above settings, the internal pressure remains basically unchanged when the volumes of the first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15 change.

[0036] As one implementation method, the first check valve 10 and the second check valve 11 are spring check valves.

[0037] The spring check valve in this application can be a ball spring check valve, a spring plate check valve, a cone spring check valve, or other types of check valves, all of which can be purchased from the market. Taking the ball spring check valve as an example, the ball seals the flow channel under the action of the spring, preventing the reverse-flowing liquid from flowing through the flow channel and preventing the forward-flowing fluid with a small thrust from flowing through the flow channel. When the forward-flowing fluid thrust is greater than the spring force, the spring contracts, and a gap is created between the ball and the flow channel, allowing the fluid to pass through.

[0038] In one implementation, the gas in the first chamber 6 and the fourth chamber 15 is an inert gas, and the liquid in the second chamber 7 and the third chamber 14 is an oil.

[0039] The above settings improve the installability of the damper.

[0040] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pneumatically adjustable balance damper, characterized in that, It includes a first cylinder body, a piston rod, and a first piston. The first piston is slidably connected inside the first cylinder body to divide the space inside the first cylinder body into a first chamber filled with gas and a second chamber filled with liquid. One end of the piston rod is located inside the first chamber and is fixedly connected to the first piston, while the other end extends outside the first cylinder body. The damper further includes a second cylinder, a second piston, a first check valve, a second check valve, a first throttle valve, and a second throttle valve. The second piston is slidably connected within the first cylinder to divide the space within the second cylinder into a third chamber filled with liquid and a fourth chamber filled with gas. The second chamber is connected in parallel with the third chamber via a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The first check valve and the first throttle valve are disposed on the first flow channel, and the second check valve and the second throttle valve are disposed on the second flow channel. The first check valve and the second check valve are in opposite directions. The damper also includes an air blowing device and an air storage tank. The air blowing device is connected to the first chamber or the fourth chamber through the air storage tank. When the air storage tank is connected to one of the chambers, the other chamber is connected to the atmosphere.

2. The pneumatically adjustable balance damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The damper also includes a reversing valve. The first chamber and the fourth chamber are connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve. The reversing valve has a lifting state and a lowering state. In the lifting state, the fourth chamber is connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve, and the first chamber is connected to the atmosphere. In the lowering state, the first chamber is connected to the air blowing device through the reversing valve, and the fourth chamber is connected to the atmosphere.

3. The pneumatically adjustable balance damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-blowing device includes an air pump connected to the air storage tank and a pressure gauge for detecting air pressure.

4. A pneumatically adjustable balance damper according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air pump and the pressure gauge are also used in the vehicle air suspension system.

5. A pneumatically adjustable balance damper according to claim 3, characterized in that, The volume of the gas storage tank is at least five times greater than the larger of the volumes of the first and fourth chambers, and the pressure gauge is installed on the gas storage tank.

6. A pneumatically adjustable balance damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first check valve and the second check valve are spring check valves.

7. A pneumatically adjustable balance damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas in the first chamber and the fourth chamber is an inert gas, and the liquid in the second chamber and the third chamber is an oil.

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