Hybrid bellows, height adjustment device and height adjustment system for a vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of mixed telescopic bag, height adjusting device and the height adjusting system of vehicle, and the mixed telescopic bag of height adjusting device for vehicle includes multilayer basic body (2), it has first free end (3) and second free end (4) and the working cavity (5) that can be formed between free end (3,4), wherein, basic body (2) has the internal elastomer layer (6) towards working cavity (5) and the external elastomer layer (8) towards environment (7), wherein, internal elastomer layer (6) has first material composition and external elastomer layer (8) has second material composition.The mixed telescopic bag is characterized in that, first material composition and second material composition are different from each other.The utility model is also related to a kind of height adjusting device for vehicle, it includes such a mixed telescopic bag (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a hybrid balg for a vehicle height adjustment device, and a vehicle height adjustment device including such a hybrid balg. Background Technology

[0002] Devices for adjusting the height or level of motor vehicles are used to adjustably change the horizontal position of the vehicle or cab, or to maintain it constant under different loads. Adaptation of the horizontal position is achieved by changing the pressure in the fluid-tightly sealed working chamber of the device, wherein the pressure is changed by supplying a suitable working medium into the working chamber or by discharging a working medium from the working chamber.

[0003] For this purpose, conventional devices have a telescopic bladder made of an elastomeric material, which, together with the cover element and the rolling piston, forms a working chamber. Compressed air is typically used as the working medium. For horizontal adjustment, the telescopic bladder rolls up or down along the outer surface of the rolling piston with at least one rolling fold, depending on the pressure in the working chamber, thereby changing its height.

[0004] Existing telescopic bladders are typically multi-layered, with a central reinforcing layer (which includes a single or multiple load-bearing elements embedded in an elastic matrix) covered by an elastomeric layer on each side, i.e., inward toward the working cavity and outward toward the ambient air.

[0005] For example, such a telescopic bladder is described in EP 4 077 517 A1. However, the working medium used there is compressed air, so the requirements for the inner elastomer layer are essentially the same as those for the outer elastomer layer. Therefore, the elastomer layers used there are each composed of the same rubber compound.

[0006] However, in the bladder of a hydraulically operated system, the working chamber is filled with a fluid medium instead of compressed air. Depending on the application, different media may be used, such as water, ethylene glycol, oil, brake fluid, or mixtures of the aforementioned substances. These fluid media exert different levels of stress on the inner side of the bladder than, for example, air, which may lead to premature failure of the internal elastomer layer, for example, through the premature appearance of cracks in the internal layer. Utility Model Content

[0007] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to eliminate the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a hybrid telescopic bladder for a vehicle height adjustment device that has a longer service life than existing known solutions.

[0008] According to this invention, the task is solved by a hybrid telescopic bladder for a vehicle height adjustment device, wherein the hybrid telescopic bladder comprises a multi-layered base having a first free end and a second free end, and a working cavity that can be formed between the free ends. The base has an inner elastomer layer facing the working cavity and an outer elastomer layer facing the environment. The inner elastomer layer has a first material composition, and the outer elastomer layer has a second material composition. The hybrid telescopic bladder is characterized in that the first and second material compositions are different from each other. Therefore, in terms of the elastomer materials used, the telescopic bladder is not "sortenrein" (of pure variety).

[0009] Here, "working chamber" should be understood as the area of ​​the hybrid telescopic bladder located between the connection point of the first free end and the rolling piston and the connection point of the second free end and the cover element or the like when the telescopic bladder is used as specified.

[0010] This hybrid bladder design is particularly suitable for hydraulically operated systems because the inner and outer elastomeric layers of the bladder can be optimally adapted to their respective contact media. The contact media refers to the medium that comes into contact with either the outer or inner layer of the bladder. In the case of the outer layer, the contact media is typically air; the contact media for the inner layer is particularly an incompressible fluid medium. Therefore, for the outer elastomeric layer, a material composition can be selected that imparts specific resistance to ambient air. Furthermore, the material composition of the outer layer can be selected to enable it to withstand other environmental influences, such as heat, cold, or ozone. The inner layer of the bladder may include a material composition that is particularly resistant to the corresponding fluid in the working chamber. For the purposes of this disclosure, the material composition of the inner layer is referred to as the "first material composition," and the material composition of the outer layer is referred to as the "second material composition." Because the first and second material compositions of the bladder are optimally adapted to their respective contact media, the risk of damage or wear to the hybrid bladder due to chemical abrasion is minimized.

[0011] According to an improved design, when using the hybrid expansion bladder as specified, the working chamber can be filled with fluid. In this case, the working chamber should be specifically fluid-sealed. This prevents accidental leakage of fluid from the working chamber and also prevents accidental entry of air from the external environment into the working chamber.

[0012] According to one improved design, the fluid in the working chamber can be selected from the group consisting of brake fluid, oil (especially hydraulic oil), coolant, ethylene glycol, and ethylene glycol-water mixtures. It is particularly advantageous to select fluids that are intended for a specific vehicle regardless of the specific application, as this avoids additional maintenance work.

[0013] According to an improved embodiment, the second material composition may include an elastomer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polybutadiene rubber (“BR”), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (“NBR”), hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, silicone or ethylene propylene rubber (“EPDM”). The aforementioned materials are characterized by particularly high resistance to oil-containing and / or ethylene glycol-containing liquids. BR exhibits high elasticity and very good cold resistance due to its low glass transition temperature. NBR has polar groups that interact minimally with non-polar liquids (such as gasoline, oil, or fats), thus the material does not swell upon contact with these media. EPDM withstands temperatures up to 150°C. This material is also resistant to polar substances. Advantageously, the first and second material compositions should be selected such that they can be adherently disposed on each other. If an intermediate layer having a third material composition is used, the first and second material compositions should be selected such that they can be adherntly disposed on the third material composition, respectively.

[0014] According to one improved approach, the first material composition may be specified as including a chloroprene rubber-based elastomer (“CR-based elastomer” or “CR elastomer”). CR-based elastomers are particularly robust to external environmental influences, making them ideal for use as external elastomer layers. Furthermore, there is extensive experience with the use of CR-based elastomers in bladders, so their performance can be well predicted and / or simulated during the design phase.

[0015] According to one improved design, the substrate may have a reinforcing layer disposed between the inner and outer elastomer layers. This reinforcing layer stabilizes the hybrid bladder. In this way, it can be ensured that the unreinforced sealed bladder can withstand high pressure without experiencing undesirable deformation or tearing.

[0016] According to one improvement, the reinforcing layer may comprise an elastomer matrix and at least one load-bearing structural layer, wherein the at least one load-bearing structural layer is at least partially embedded in the elastomer matrix. In a further improvement, the reinforcing layer may have two load-bearing structural layers, which are at least partially embedded in the elastomer matrix. The use of multiple load-bearing structural layers has proven particularly suitable because the reinforcing layer thus exhibits high stability while maintaining a light weight.

[0017] According to one improvement, the elastomer matrix can be specified to have a third material composition. According to another improvement, the third material composition can also be specified to be substantially the same as the first material composition, or substantially the same as the second material composition. This simplifies the manufacture of the expansion bladder because the apparatus, or at least a portion thereof, used to manufacture the elastomer of the reinforcing layer can be the same as the apparatus used to manufacture the inner or outer elastomer layers. However, it is also conceivable that the third material composition differs from the first and second material compositions.

[0018] According to one improvement, each load-bearing structural layer may be specified to include multiple load-bearing elements. According to another improvement, the load-bearing elements may preferably be fibers, yarns, or filaments of polyamide and / or polyester, or fabrics of polyamide and / or polyester. The use of such fiber reinforcement has proven particularly suitable because the hybrid bladder thus exhibits high stability while remaining lightweight, and its flexibility in the fiber direction is limited to the flexibility of the fibers. Consequently, the bladder is also easy and inexpensive to manufacture. In the sense of this disclosure, the terms "fiber," "yarn," and "filament" are used interchangeably unless the contrary conclusion is drawn from the corresponding context. All terms essentially refer to elongated structures made of natural or synthetic materials, wherein natural fiber materials may have plant, animal, or mineral origins, and wherein synthetic fiber materials particularly include polymers.

[0019] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a height adjustment device for a vehicle, comprising two hybrid telescopic bladders according to the present disclosure. The height adjustment device further includes a first wall element and a second wall element axially spaced from the first wall element, wherein the first wall element, the second wall element, and the hybrid telescopic bladders form a working cavity. For this purpose, the free end of each hybrid telescopic bladder is respectively fixed to the first and second wall elements, for example, by a clamping ring. This height adjustment device is particularly durable because the elastomeric layer applied to the inner or outer load-bearing structural layer can be adapted to its respective contact medium, thereby achieving high chemical resistance.

[0020] According to one improved design, the height adjustment device can be specifically specified as a hydraulic height adjustment device. A hybrid telescopic bladder defines a pressure-bearing working chamber, in which the bladder forms rolling folds. Changes in pressure within the working chamber cause changes in volume, which in turn cause movement of the bladder within the rolling folds, thereby resulting in adaptation of the vehicle's height position.

[0021] According to one improved design, the height adjustment device is a spring seat adjustment device for a coil spring in a motor vehicle chassis.

[0022] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a height adjustment system for a vehicle, comprising a height adjustment device according to the present disclosure, a first spring support, a second spring support, and a spring disposed between the first spring support and the second spring support. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other features, details, and advantages of this utility model will become apparent from the following description of embodiments based on the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic cross-section of the basic body of the hybrid telescopic bladder according to the first embodiment is shown; Figure 2 A schematic cross-section of the basic body of the hybrid telescopic bladder according to the second embodiment is shown; Figure 3 A schematic cross-section of the basic body of the hybrid telescopic bladder according to the third embodiment is shown; and Figure 4 A height adjustment system for a vehicle is shown according to one possible implementation.

[0024] List of reference numerals 1. Hybrid expandable bladder 2. Basic 3 First Free End 4 Second Free End 5 Working Chamber 6. Internal elastomer layer 7 Environment 8. External elastomer layer 9. Enhancement layer 10. Elastomer Matrix 11 Load-bearing structural layer 12 load-bearing components 13 Fluid 14 Height adjustment device 15 First wall element 16 Second wall element 17 First Spring Support 18 Second Spring Support 19 Springs 20 Rolling pleats 21 Stop cover element 22 Auxiliary Spring 23 Shock absorbers 100° height adjustment system L (vertical axis) Axial Detailed Implementation

[0025] In the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and therefore will not be repeated unless appropriate. To avoid repetition, described features will not be repeated and are applicable to all elements having the same or corresponding reference numerals, unless explicitly excluded. The disclosure contained throughout this specification can be correspondingly transferred to the same parts having the same reference numerals or the same part names. Furthermore, the positional information selected in the specification, such as above, below, side, etc., is with respect to the drawings directly described and shown, and should be transferred accordingly to the new position when the position changes. Moreover, individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described may themselves constitute independent, inventive, or in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic cross-section of the basic body 2 of a hybrid telescopic bladder 1 according to one possible embodiment. The basic body 2 has a first free end 3 and a second free end 4, which can be connected, for example, to a rolling piston and a cover element (neither shown), thereby forming a working chamber 5. The basic body includes an inner elastomeric layer 6 facing the working chamber 5 and an outer elastomeric layer 8 facing the external environment 7. The working chamber 5 is filled with fluid 13.

[0027] The inner elastomer layer 6 has a first material composition, and the outer elastomer layer 8 has a second material composition that differs from the first material composition. In the illustrated example, the difference between the two material compositions is represented by different cross-sectional lines of the inner elastomer layer 6 and the outer elastomer layer 8.

[0028] A double-layer reinforcing layer 9 is also arranged between the inner elastomer layer 6 and the outer elastomer layer 8. Therefore, Figure 1 The reinforcing layer 9 shown has two load-bearing structural layers 11 embedded in a common elastomeric matrix 10. Each load-bearing structural layer 11 includes multiple linear load-bearing elements 12, preferably made of polyamide and / or polyester. In the illustrated example, the third material composition of the elastomeric matrix 10 of the reinforcing layer 9 is substantially the same as the first material composition of the inner elastomeric layer 6, as indicated by similar cross-sectional lines. This simplifies the manufacture of the hybrid expansion bladder 1, as the reinforcing layer 9 can be applied in the same working step as the inner elastomeric layer 6.

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic cross-section of the basic body 2 of the hybrid telescopic bladder 1 according to the second embodiment is shown. Figure 2 The hybrid telescopic bladder 1 shown is Figure 1 The main difference in the hybrid expansion capsule 1 is that the third material composition of the elastomeric matrix 10 of the reinforcing layer 9 is basically the same as the second material composition of the outer elastomeric layer 8.

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic cross-section of the basic body 2 of the hybrid telescopic bladder 1 according to the third embodiment is shown. Figure 3 In this example, all three materials have different compositions. Therefore, the elastomeric matrix 10 of the reinforcing layer 9 has a different material composition than the inner elastomeric layer 6 and the outer elastomeric layer 8, which are also different from each other in terms of their material compositions.

[0031] Figure 4 A height adjustment system 100 for a vehicle is shown according to one possible embodiment. The height adjustment system 100 is used for shock absorption and cushioning of a motor vehicle, as well as for leveling or height adjustment. For leveling the motor vehicle, it has a height adjustment device 14. Figure 4 In this case, the height adjustment device is a spring seat adjustment device. The height adjustment device 14 includes a first wall element 15 and a second wall element 16, which are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis L. The first wall element 15 and the second wall element 16 are interconnected by two mixing expansion bladders 1 and together with the mixing expansion bladders 1 form a rolling fold 20, thereby surrounding a variable fluid volume in a working chamber 5. For this purpose, the free ends 3 and 4 of the mixing expansion bladders are fixed to the first wall element 15 or the second wall element 16, respectively. The second wall element 16 also serves as the first spring support 17 of the spring 19. Figure 4 The height adjustment system 100 shown exemplarily illustrates the prescribed use of the hybrid telescopic bladder 1 described herein.

[0032] The longitudinal axis L passes through the height adjustment system 100, and height adjustment is performed in this direction. The height adjustment system 100 includes a shock absorber 23, which is a hydraulic shock absorber in the example shown. A stop cover element 21 is fixed to the end face of the hydraulic shock absorber 23. The shock absorber rod extends from the shock absorber housing on the same end face and is connected to a corresponding support that serves as a second spring support 18.

[0033] The height adjustment system 100 also includes a spring 19, which in Figure 4The spring 19 is shown as a helical compression spring. One end of it is supported on a first spring support 17, and the other end is supported on a second spring support. In the example shown, the first spring support 17 is above the second wall element 16, and the second spring support 18 is a corresponding support. Applying a force to the height adjustment device 14 in the direction of the corresponding support or applying a force to the corresponding support in the direction of the height adjustment device 14 causes compression of the spring 19. To prevent overloading or even full compression of the spring 19, the height adjustment system 100 also has an elastic auxiliary spring 22. The auxiliary spring 22 is arranged between the height adjustment device 14 and the corresponding support. Furthermore, the auxiliary spring 22 is opposite to the stop cover element 21 along the longitudinal axis L. To limit the compression stroke, the auxiliary spring 22 can therefore abut against the stop cover element 21.

[0034] When the vehicle is loaded, the spring 19 drops according to its load-related travel, and the vehicle lowers accordingly. This can now be counteracted by a leveling device 14. To return the vehicle to its original level before loading, additional fluid 13 is pumped into the working chamber 5 of the height adjusting device 14, thereby increasing the volume of the working chamber 5 and moving the fulcrum of the second wall element 16 of the height adjusting device 14 and the spring 19. The preloaded spring 19 is adjusted along the longitudinal axis L, and the corresponding support is thus pushed back to its original level.

[0035] This invention is not limited to any of the foregoing embodiments, but can be modified in various ways. To avoid repetition, features disclosed according to the apparatus should also be considered as disclosed according to the method. Similarly, features disclosed according to the method should also be considered as disclosed according to the apparatus.

[0036] All features and advantages derived from the specification and drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangement and method steps, are essential to this invention, either individually or in various combinations.

Claims

1. A hybrid telescopic bladder (1) for a vehicle height adjustment device (14), the hybrid telescopic bladder (1) comprising a multi-layered base body (2), the base body (2) having a first free end (3) and a second free end (4) and a working cavity (5) capable of being formed between the first free end (3) and the second free end (4), wherein, The base body (2) has an inner elastomer layer (6) facing the working cavity (5) and an outer elastomer layer (8) facing the environment (7), wherein the inner elastomer layer (6) has a first material composition and the outer elastomer layer (8) has a second material composition, characterized in that the first material composition and the second material composition are different from each other.

2. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the hybrid telescopic bladder (1) is used as specified, the working chamber (5) is filled with fluid (13).

3. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fluid (13) in the working chamber (5) is selected from the group consisting of brake fluid, oil, coolant, ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol-water mixture.

4. The hybrid expansion capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first material composition includes an elastomer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polybutadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, silicone or ethylene propylene rubber.

5. The hybrid telescopic bladder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second material composition includes an elastomer based on chloroprene rubber.

6. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (2) has a reinforcing layer (9) disposed between the inner elastomer layer (6) and the outer elastomer layer (8).

7. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 6, characterized in that, The reinforcing layer (9) includes an elastomer matrix (10) and at least one load-bearing structural layer (11), wherein the at least one load-bearing structural layer (11) is at least partially embedded in the elastomer matrix (10).

8. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 7, characterized in that, The reinforcing layer (9) has two load-bearing structural layers (11) that are at least partially embedded in the elastomer matrix (10).

9. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The elastomer matrix (10) has a third material composition.

10. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 9, characterized in that, The third material composition is substantially the same as the first material composition, or the third material composition is substantially the same as the second material composition.

11. The hybrid telescopic bladder according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each load-bearing structural layer (11) includes multiple load-bearing components (12).

12. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 11, characterized in that, The load-bearing component (12) is a fiber of polyamide and / or polyester, or a fabric of polyamide and / or polyester.

13. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that, The working cavity (5) that can be formed from the basic body (2) is fluid-sealed.

14. The hybrid telescopic capsule according to claim 3, characterized in that, The oil is hydraulic oil.

15. A height adjustment device for a vehicle, characterized in that, The height adjustment device (14) includes: Two hybrid telescopic bladders according to any one of claims 1 to 14, A first wall element (15) and a second wall element (16) axially spaced from the first wall element (15), wherein the first wall element (15), the second wall element (16) and the two hybrid telescopic bladders (1) form a working cavity (5).

16. The height adjustment device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The height adjustment device (14) is a hydraulically operated height adjustment device (14).

17. A vehicle height adjustment system, characterized in that, The height adjustment system (100) include: The height adjustment device (14) according to claim 15 or 16, First spring support (17), The second spring support (18), and A spring (19) is arranged between the first spring support (17) and the second spring support (18).

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