Door vibration damper for a motor vehicle door and motor vehicle door with a door vibration damper

Abstract

Door vibration damper (1) for a motor vehicle door (25) having a closing direction (23) with - a virtual main axis (11) to be aligned along the closing direction (23), - a rigid base (4), - a retarder mass (15) and - a spring arrangement (16) elastically coupling the damping mass (15) to the base (4); - wherein the base (4) has at one axial end fastening devices for rigidly fastening the base (4) to a fastening area (3) of a structure (2) of the motor vehicle door (25) and a first attachment area (12) extending away from the one axial end along the main axis (11), - wherein the damping mass (15) comprises a main mass (14) made of metal, which has a second connection area (13) extending around the first connection area (12), - wherein the first attachment area (12) of the base (4) and the second attachment area (13) of the main mass (14) are opposite each other across a gap, - wherein the spring arrangement (16) is arranged in the space and is made of elastomer material (17) which is connected to the first connection area (12) and the second connection area (13), and - wherein the damping mass (15) further comprises on its side facing away from one axial end of the base (4) a stop buffer arrangement (22) made of elastomeric material (17) which is connected to the main mass (14) outside the second connection area (13), characterized in that - that the stop buffer arrangement (22) extends along the main axis (11) over the main mass (14) and the base (4) on the side of the damper mass (15) facing away from one axial end of the base (4) and is designed to strike a stop area (24) of the structure (2) of the vehicle door (25) when the vehicle door (25) is closed in the closing direction (23) against a stop area (24) of the structure (2) of the vehicle door (25) that is located opposite the mounting area (3) at a distance in or against the closing direction (23).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a door vibration damper for a motor vehicle door having a closing direction. In particular, the present invention relates to a door vibration damper with a virtual main axis to be aligned along the closing direction of the motor vehicle door, a rigid base, a damping mass, a spring arrangement elastically coupling the damping mass to the base, and with the further features of the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle door with a closing direction, a structure having a mounting area and a door vibration damper attached to the mounting area of ​​the structure in such a way that its main axis is aligned along the closing direction. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] From DE 10 2011 008 339 A1, a vibration damper for a vehicle part, in particular a body part such as a tailgate or a hood, of a motor vehicle is known, which has the features of the preamble of independent claim 1. The known vibration damper has an approximately rectangular damper plate made of metal with two recesses. In each of the two recesses, one of two elastomer springs of an elastic spring assembly is arranged and covered by a circular retaining clip. Each of the elastomer springs is connected on one side to an outer fitting pressed into the damper plate and on the other side to an inner fitting attached to a support plate. The respective elastomer spring forms an elastomer bead on the side of the outer fitting facing the support plate, which acts as a stop damper when the damper mass moves towards the support plate.Furthermore, the elastomer spring forms an annular elastomer stop that dampens the vibration of the damper mass in a direction extending away from the carrier plate, the vibration being limited by the anti-loss device. The anti-loss device is disc-shaped and projects beyond the carrier plate and away from the carrier plate. The elastomer stop, which abuts the damper plate, is located in the respective recess of the damper plate. The integrated anti-loss device is designed to prevent the damper plate from moving freely through the vehicle structure in the event of damage to the elastomer spring, causing the driver to experience unexpected impact noises and potentially damaging other vehicle components. It also prevents overloading of the elastomer spring. Conversely, such overloading of the elastomer spring is prevented by the damper plate abutting the carrier plate via the elastomer bead.The well-known vibration damper has a complex, multi-part structure and is correspondingly expensive. TASK OF INVENTION

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of demonstrating a door vibration damper for a motor vehicle door having a closing direction, which has full functionality and operational reliability despite its simple design. SOLUTION

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by a door vibration damper having the features of independent claim 1. Dependent claims 2 to 8 relate to preferred embodiments of the door vibration damper according to the invention. Claims 9 and 10 are directed to a motor vehicle door with a door vibration damper according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A door vibration damper according to the invention for a motor vehicle door with a closing direction comprises a virtual main axis to be aligned along the closing direction, a rigid base, a damping mass, and a spring arrangement that elastically couples the damping mass to the base. The base has fastening devices at one axial end for rigidly attaching the base to a mounting area of ​​a structure of the motor vehicle door and a first connection area extending from this axial end along the main axis. The damping mass comprises a main mass made of metal, which has a second connection area extending around the first connection area. The first connection area of ​​the base and the second connection area of ​​the main mass are located opposite each other across a gap.The spring assembly is arranged in this space and is made of an elastomeric material, which is connected to the first and second connection areas. The damping mass further comprises, on its side facing away from one axial end of the base, a stop buffer assembly made of elastomeric material, which is connected to the main mass outside the second connection area. According to the invention, the stop buffer assembly projects along the main axis beyond the main mass and the base on the side of the damping mass facing away from one axial end of the base, and is thus designed to strike a stop area of ​​the vehicle door structure, located at a distance from the mounting area, either in or against the closing direction, when the vehicle door is closed.

[0007] The door vibration damper according to the invention does not have a captive locking mechanism integrated into its base. Instead, the stop buffer arrangement is designed such that the door vibration damper, with the stop buffer arrangement, abuts the stop area of ​​the vehicle door structure to limit the deflection of the damper mass relative to the base of the door vibration damper. This stop area thus effectively acts as a captive locking mechanism for the damper mass of the door vibration damper. Most importantly, however, the damper mass striking the stop area via the stop buffer arrangement prevents the spring assembly made of elastomer material from being overloaded when the vehicle door slams shut. During this slamming action, the structure of the vehicle door is significantly decelerated as the vehicle door reaches its closed position.This typically occurs when the structure is struck against a door frame of the vehicle's body via seals. However, due to its inertia, the damper mass initially continues to move in the closing direction. Although it is slowed down by the spring assembly at its connection to the base, this deceleration is minimal if the spring assembly is tuned to a low natural frequency for the damper. This creates the risk that the damper mass will be deflected so far relative to the base that the elastomer material of the spring assembly will tear or detach from the first or second connection point. This overload of the spring assembly is prevented by the impact of the stop buffer assembly against the door's stop area, thus braking the damper mass in the opposite direction to the closing of the vehicle door.

[0008] The described risk of overloading the spring assembly when the vehicle door closes primarily exists in the closing direction of the vehicle door, i.e., in a single direction. Accordingly, it may be sufficient to provide the damper mass with the stop buffer assembly in this direction. In other words, one embodiment of the door vibration damper according to the invention has no further stop buffer assembly on the side of its damper mass facing the mounting area. The elastomer material then forms exclusively the spring assembly and the single stop buffer assembly that projects beyond the remaining damper mass, i.e., its main mass, and the base in the closing direction of the vehicle door.

[0009] In another embodiment of the door vibration damper according to the invention, the damper mass comprises, on its opposite side from the stop buffer arrangement, a further stop buffer arrangement made of elastomeric material, which is connected to the main mass outside the second connection area. This further stop buffer arrangement on the opposite side of the damper mass also projects beyond the main mass along its main axis and is designed to strike, when the vehicle door closes, either in the closing direction or against the closing direction, a further stop area of ​​the vehicle door structure adjacent to the mounting area and / or at the base. This further stop buffer arrangement takes into account the fact that, after significant deflection in the closing direction, the damper mass rebounds strongly against the closing direction. The spring assembly may also be damaged in this process.This is prevented by the stop buffer arrangement and the additional stop buffer arrangement acting in the opposite direction. The stop buffer arrangement, or alternatively the additional stop buffer arrangement, can be located on the side of the damping mass facing the closing direction.

[0010] In the preceding and following definition of the door vibration damper according to the invention, the term motor vehicle door is to be interpreted very broadly, in particular to the extent that it also covers trunk lids, tailgates, hoods and the like, which also have a closing direction and can be slammed shut in the closing direction, whereby they are quickly decelerated when they reach their closed position.

[0011] In the door vibration damper according to the invention, the main metal mass of the damping mass preferably consists of a single metal molded body. It therefore does not include an external fitting that is pressed into the metal molded body. Rather, the metal molded body preferably has the second connection area directly, in which the spring assembly is connected to the damping mass.

[0012] The main mass is preferably ring-shaped or cylindrical shell-shaped and extends around the main axis of the door vibration damper according to the invention.

[0013] The base of the door vibration damper according to the invention preferably also consists of a single metal molded body and is not composed of several such molded bodies. Specifically, the base can be cup-shaped with a central mounting bore in the bottom of the cup, with the outer circumference of the cup forming the first connection area.

[0014] One or each stop buffer arrangement of the door vibration damper according to the invention can comprise a stop ring extending around the main axis. Alternatively or additionally, one or each stop buffer arrangement can comprise several local stop buffers distributed around the main axis. If only such local stop buffers are present, the amount of elastomer material required for the stop buffer arrangement can be kept particularly low.

[0015] The spring assembly of the door vibration damper according to the invention can have several spring arms extending radially to the main axis. These spring arms can be separated by gaps in the space between the first and second connection areas. This allows for a particularly soft tuning of the spring assembly and, accordingly, a particularly low damping natural frequency of the door vibration damper according to the invention. However, this presents a significant risk of damage to the spring assembly when the vehicle door is closed due to excessive deflection of the damper mass relative to its base in the closing direction of the vehicle door. This risk is effectively countered in the door vibration damper according to the invention by the design of the stop buffer assembly, which is precisely aligned with the stop area of ​​the vehicle door.

[0016] Specifically, the local stop buffers of the stop buffer arrangement can be arranged in the same radial directions to the main axis of the door vibration damper according to the invention as the spring arms of the spring arrangement. In this way, each of the stop buffers provides special protection to the spring arm arranged in the same radial direction.

[0017] The total cross-sectional area of ​​one or more stop buffer arrangements can decrease continuously away from the main mass. This results in a soft impact of the stop buffer arrangement on the impact area of ​​the vehicle door structure. However, since the damping mass only impacts the impact area via the stop buffer arrangement when the respective vehicle door is closed, and not during normal operation of the door vibration damper (i.e., when damping vibrations of the vehicle door structure), such a soft impact can be omitted. In other words, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the stop buffer arrangement can also remain essentially constant away from the main mass.

[0018] In an inventive motor vehicle door with a closing direction, a structure having a mounting area and an inventive door vibration damper attached to the mounting area of ​​the structure in such a way that its main axis is aligned along the closing direction, the structure has a stop area opposite the mounting area at a distance in the closing direction, and the door vibration damper strikes the stop area with its stop buffer arrangement when the motor vehicle door is closed in the closing direction, either in or against the closing direction.

[0019] Preferably, the door vibration damper according to the invention and the distance between the stop area and the mounting area of ​​the structure of the motor vehicle door according to the invention are coordinated in such a way that the damper mass is prevented by striking the stop area from moving so far in the closing direction relative to the base that the spring arrangement is damaged.

[0020] Advantageous further developments of the invention are evident from the claims, the description, and the drawings. The advantages of features and combinations of features mentioned in the description are merely examples and can have an effect alternatively or cumulatively, without necessarily requiring that the advantages be achieved by embodiments of the invention. Without thereby altering the subject matter of the attached claims, the following applies with regard to the disclosure content of the original application documents and the patent: further features can be seen from the drawings—in particular, the geometries and relative dimensions of several components to one another, as well as their relative arrangement and functional connection.The combination of features from different embodiments of the invention or from features of different claims is also possible, deviating from the chosen cross-references in the claims, and is hereby encouraged. This also applies to features that are illustrated in separate drawings or mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features from different claims. Likewise, features listed in the claims can be omitted for further embodiments of the invention.

[0021] The features mentioned in the claims and the description are to be understood, with regard to their number, as meaning that exactly that number or a greater number than stated is present, without the need for the explicit use of the adverb "at least". Thus, for example, if a fastening element is mentioned, this is to be understood as meaning that exactly one fastening element, two fastening elements, or more fastening elements are present. The features listed in the claims may be supplemented by other features or may be the only features comprising the respective product.

[0022] The reference numerals contained in the patent claims do not constitute a limitation of the scope of the subject matter protected by the patent claims. They serve only the purpose of making the patent claims easier to understand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The invention will now be further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the figures. Fig. Figure 1 is a top view of a door vibration damper according to the invention, with the viewing direction opposite to the closing direction of the associated motor vehicle door. Fig. Figure 2 shows the door vibration damper according to the invention in a section through a motor vehicle door according to the invention, wherein the vibration damper according to the invention is located along the Fig. The section line AA, drawn in the direction of its main axis, is shown as being cut. FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0024] The one in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The two door vibration dampers shown (1) serve to reduce vibrations of a door in Fig. Figure 2 shows the structure 2 of a motor vehicle door 25, which is not shown in Figure 2. The focus is on vibrations of the structure 2 in a mounting area 3. A base 4 is rigidly attached to the mounting area 3 of the structure 2. For this purpose, the cup-shaped base 4 has a central mounting opening 6 in its base 5. A mounting screw 7 engages an internal thread 8 in the mounting area 3 through the mounting opening 6. The mounting screw 7 may itself have cut the internal thread 8 in a blind hole 9 in the area 3. Additionally, the cup-shaped base 4 is supported by one or more support pedestals 10, which project from the structure 2 to the base 4 in the mounting area 3. A cylindrical connection area 12, extending around a principal axis 11 of the door vibration damper 1, is formed on the outer circumference of the base 4.Opposite this, at a distance, is a similarly cylindrical connection area 13 on the inner circumference of an annular main mass 14 made of metal. The main mass 14 is part of a damping mass 15 of the door vibration damper 1. The damping mass 15 is elastically coupled to the base 4 via a spring assembly 16. The spring assembly 16 consists of elastomer material 17, which is connected to the connection areas 12 and 13 and forms spring arms 18 of the spring assembly 16. Specifically, the door vibration damper 1 has three spring arms 18 made of elastomer material 17, arranged rotationally symmetrically around the main axis 11. The spring arms 18 have a relatively small cross-section in order to couple the damping mass 15 to the base 4 relatively softly. This corresponds to tuning the door vibration damper 1 to a comparatively low damping natural frequency in the range of, for example, 40–50 Hz.In this area, the door vibration damper 1 is effective in reducing vibrations of the structure 2 of the vehicle door 25. The elastomer material 17 forms not only the spring assembly 16, but also corrosion-protective coatings 19 and 20 over the entire metal base 4 and the metal main mass 14. Furthermore, stop buffers 21 of a stop buffer assembly 22, which are part of the damper mass 15, are formed from the elastomer material 17. The stop buffers 21 extend over the main mass 14 and the base 4 in a closing direction 23 of the vehicle door 25 as shown. Fig.2. When the vehicle door 25 closes in this closing direction 23, and specifically when the structure 2 is rapidly decelerated by striking a door frame, the damping mass 15 continues to move in the closing direction 23 with only slight resistance from the soft spring assembly 16. To prevent damage or even destruction of the spring assembly 16, the stop buffers 21 strike a stop area 24 of the structure 2. This decelerates the damping mass 15. In the normal operation of the door vibration damper 1, i.e., when its damping mass 15 oscillates relative to its base 4 to generate counterforces to oscillations of the mounting area 3 of the structure 2, the damping mass 15 does not strike the stop area 24.

[0025] Not shown in the figures is an optional additional stop buffer arrangement, via which the damping mass 15 can strike the base 4 and / or another stop area adjacent to the mounting area in order to contain the damping mass 15's rebound after a strong deflection towards the stop area 24 when the vehicle door 25 is closed. This additional stop buffer arrangement is then located on the side of the damping mass 15 opposite the stop buffer arrangement 22 and can otherwise be designed in the same way as the stop buffer arrangement 22. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Door vibration damper 2 Structure 3 Mounting area 4 Basic 5 bowl bottom 6 Mounting opening 7 Mounting screw 8 internal threads 9 blind hole 10 support bases 11 Main axis 12 (first) connection area 13 (second) connection area 14 Main mass 15 Reactor mass 16 Spring arrangement 17 Elastomer material 18 spring arm 19 coating 20 coating 21 bump stops 22 Stop buffer arrangement 23 Closing direction 24 stop area 25 Motor vehicle door

Claims

[1] Door vibration damper (1) for a motor vehicle door (25) having a closing direction (23) with - a virtual main axis (11) to be aligned along the closing direction (23), - a rigid base (4), - a retarder mass (15) and - a spring arrangement (16) elastically coupling the damping mass (15) to the base (4); - wherein the base (4) has at one axial end fastening devices for rigidly fastening the base (4) to a fastening area (3) of a structure (2) of the motor vehicle door (25) and a first attachment area (12) extending away from the one axial end along the main axis (11), - wherein the damping mass (15) comprises a main mass (14) made of metal, which has a second connection area (13) extending around the first connection area (12), - wherein the first attachment area (12) of the base (4) and the second attachment area (13) of the main mass (14) are opposite each other across a gap, - wherein the spring arrangement (16) is arranged in the space and is made of elastomer material (17) which is connected to the first connection area (12) and the second connection area (13), and - wherein the damping mass (15) further comprises on its side facing away from one axial end of the base (4) a stop buffer arrangement (22) made of elastomer material (17) which is connected to the main mass (14) outside the second connection area (13), characterized by , - that the stop buffer arrangement (22) extends along the main axis (11) over the main mass (14) and the base (4) on the side of the damper mass (15) facing away from one axial end of the base (4) and is designed to strike a stop area (24) of the structure (2) of the vehicle door (25) when the vehicle door (25) is closed in the closing direction (23) against a stop area (24) of the structure (2) of the vehicle door (25) that is located opposite the mounting area (3) at a distance in or against the closing direction (23). [2] Door vibration damper (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the main metal mass (14) consists of a single first metal body and / or - that the main mass (14) is ring-shaped or cylindrical shell-shaped. [3] Door vibration damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the base (4) consists of a single second metal molded body and / or - that the base (4) is cup-shaped with a central fastening opening (6) in the bottom of the cup (5). [4] Door vibration damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the damping mass (15) comprises on its other side, which faces away from the stop buffer arrangement (22), a further stop buffer arrangement made of elastomer material (17), which is connected to the main mass (14) outside the second connection area (13), - wherein the further stop buffer arrangement on the other side of the damper mass (15) extends along the main axis (11) beyond the main mass (14) and is designed to strike against a further stop area of ​​the structure (2) of the vehicle door (25) adjacent to the mounting area (3) and / or against the base (4) when the vehicle door (25) is closed in the closing direction (23). [5] Door vibration damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that at least one of the stop buffer arrangements (22) comprises a stop ring extending around the main axis (11) and / or - that at least one of the stop buffer arrangements (22) comprises several local stop buffers (21) distributed around the main axis (11) and / or. [6] Door vibration damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the spring assembly (16) has several spring arms (18) extending radially to the main axis (11), - wherein the spring arms (18) are optionally separated by free spaces in the space between. [7] Door vibration damper (1) according to claim 6 insofar as it refers back to claim 5, characterized by , that the local stop buffers (21) are arranged in the same radial directions to the main axis (11) as the spring arms (18). [8] Door vibration damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the total cross-sectional area of ​​at least one of the stop buffer arrangements (22) decreases continuously away from the main mass (14). [9] Motor vehicle door (25) with - one closing direction (23), - a structure (2) having a fastening area (3) and - a door vibration damper (1) attached to the mounting area (3) of the structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims such that its main axis (11) is aligned along the closing direction (23), characterized by , - that the structure (2) has a stop area (24) opposite the fastening area (3) at a distance in the closing direction (23) and - that the door vibration damper (1) with its stop buffer arrangement (22) strikes the stop area (24) when the motor vehicle door (25) is closed in the closing direction (23). [10] Motor vehicle door (25) according to claim 9, characterized by, that the door vibration damper (1) and the distance between the stop area (24) and the mounting area (3) of the structure (2) are matched in such a way that the damper mass (15) is prevented by striking the stop area (24) from moving in the closing direction (23) so far relative to the base (4) that the spring assembly (16) is damaged.

Images