Vibration damper with a connection to a hydraulic system

Abstract

Vibration damper (1) comprising a cylinder (3) in which a piston (7) on a piston rod (5) separates a piston rod-side working chamber (13) from a piston rod-remote working chamber (15), wherein both working chambers (13; 15) are connected via fluid lines (23; 29) within a line block (19) connected to the cylinder (3) to a hydraulic system (79) connectable to at least one connection opening (79; 81) of the line block (19), wherein the line block (19) has at least one arbitrarily actuable shut-off valve (91; 93) for a volume flow through the connection opening (79; 81), wherein a valve body (101; 103) of the shut-off valve (91; 93) is guided in a receiving chamber (109) of the line block (19) which is open at its end to the external environment of the vibration damper, wherein the receiving chamber (109; 111) has an internal thread (112; 114) by the valve body (103;105) is guided and axially held, wherein a stop (113) determines a maximum passage position of the valve body (101; 103) within the receiving space (109), wherein the stop (113) is designed axially outside the receiving space (109) on the pipe block (19), characterized in that the stop (113) is formed by a stop plate (113) fixed on an outer end face (117) of the pipe block (19) by means of a screw connection (89).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vibration damper according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2019 206 455 A1 a vibration damper is known which, in order to optimize the spatial arrangement, has an end-side line block which includes a line system for connecting a working space on the piston rod side and a working space far from the piston rod, each with an adjustable damping valve device.

[0003] This type of vibration damper can also be connected to a hydraulic system if the line block is designed according to the specifications. Fig. 7 provides.

[0004] The execution becomes problematic after the Fig. 7 of DE 10 2019 206 455 A1 applies in particular when the vibration damper and the hydraulic system are mounted separately and only connected in the vehicle. During vehicle assembly, the vibration damper cannot be filled within the usual timeframe. The required equipment would be far too complex.

[0005] In the older German patent applications DE 10 2021 212 966 A1 or DE 10 2021 202 237 A1, a pipe block has at least one manually operated shut-off valve to control the connection between the vibration damper and the hydraulic system. The shut-off valve comprises a valve body that is held in a receiving chamber by means of a thread. A mechanical stop in the form of a retaining ring is arranged within the receiving chamber to support a maximum flow position. One problem is that the retaining ring is very difficult to remove from the receiving chamber when necessary to disassemble the valve body of the shut-off valve. This poses a risk of damaging the wall of the receiving chamber.

[0006] The conductor block is preferably made of aluminum, which is significantly softer than a steel solution. This further increases the risk of damage.

[0007] In the case of an aluminum pipe block, the valve seat surfaces of the shut-off valve can also be affected if the tightening torque for the closed position is exceeded.

[0008] Basically, there is an extreme lack of space in the installation area of ​​the pipe block, which makes it difficult to operate the shut-off valve.

[0009] GB 873 061 A relates to a vibration damper with an adjustable needle valve. The needle valve comprises a valve body with a threaded section, which is guided in a cylinder block. A lock nut, which is itself guided on the valve body, secures a specific valve body position. However, the lock nut does not secure the maximum opening position, as the valve body can be unscrewed from the cylinder block to any desired extent despite the lock nut.

[0010] DE 11 23 926 A discloses a control unit with a vibratingly mounted mass whose vibration behavior can be adjusted via an adjustable plunger. An adjustable needle valve is arranged in parallel. Both the adjustable plunger and the needle valve are mounted via an adjusting thread in a plate screwed to the control unit. The needle valve can be removed from the control unit without a stop function.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to minimize the problems known from the prior art.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0013] By eliminating the previously used retaining ring, the removal of the valve body from the shut-off valve can be carried out much more easily and safely. Furthermore, the comparatively complex step of machining the groove for the retaining ring is no longer necessary.

[0014] The stop plate can be formed from a simple sheet metal body.

[0015] For ease of overall assembly, the stop controls at least two shut-off valves.

[0016] One simple option for attaching the stop to the terminal block is to fix the stop to the terminal block using a screw connection.

[0017] To minimize the overall effort required for screwing, the screw connection links the stop and a connection block for at least one hydraulic line to the pipe block. A further advantage is that components mounted on both sides of the pipe block only require one direction of access to actuate the screw connection, thus accommodating the limited installation space.

[0018] The external stop allows for a functional seal to be positioned between the pipe block and the stop, separating it from the receiving chamber. This prevents dirt from entering the receiving chamber within the shut-off valve for the valve body.

[0019] To address the issue of wear on the valve seat surfaces, the shut-off valve is designed with an elastic valve seat ring connected to the pipe assembly or the valve body. The valve seat ring can be attached to the valve seat surface on the housing side, i.e., in the pipe assembly, or to the valve body itself.

[0020] Alternatively, the valve body can have an elastomer insert which, compared to a rigid valve body, compensates for age-related settling phenomena within the shut-off valve.

[0021] To allow for greater freedom of choice in the selection of the material for the elastomer body insert, it can be pre-tensioned by a pre-tension spring in the closing direction of the shut-off valve.

[0022] The influence of the preload spring can be influenced in particular by mounting the elastomer body insert axially with play on the valve body.

[0023] Another measure to simplify the operation of the shut-off valve, even in very confined spaces, is that the valve body comprises a rotatably actuated, axially stationary actuator head and a closing head that is connected to the actuator head in a torque-transmitting and axially movable manner. This ensures that the actuating tool for the actuator head always remains in the same pivoting plane.

[0024] The invention will be explained in more detail using the description of the figures.

[0025] It shows: Fig. 1 and 2 Longitudinal section through a vibration damper according to the invention Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and 8 variants of the stop for the shut-off valves Fig. 5 and 6 variants for valve inserts in the shut-off valve Fig. 9. Shut-off valve with multi-part valve body

[0026] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through a vibration damper 1 with a cylinder 3 in which an axially movable piston rod 5 with a piston 7 is guided. The piston 7 can be flowed through on both sides via damping valves 9; 11 and divides the cylinder 3 into a working chamber 13; 15 on the piston rod side and a working chamber 13; 15 on the remote side. Both working chambers are completely filled with a hydraulic damping medium.

[0027] The piston rod-side working chamber 13 is closed at its end by a piston rod guide 17. At the other end of the cylinder 3, a line block 19 is arranged in series with the cylinder 3, and a funnel-shaped reducer 21 is arranged between the cylinder 3 and the line block 19. The reducer 21 forms an annular base for the working chamber 15 furthest from the piston rod, with a first fluid connection 23 to an adjustable damping valve assembly 25. In this variant, the reducer 21 is formed by a component separate from the line block 19, particularly to simplify the manufacture of the line block 19. Alternatively, the reducer could also be an integral part of the cylinder 3 wall, i.e., it could be a single piece or welded to the cylinder 3.

[0028] The piston rod-side working chamber 13 is connected to a second damping valve assembly 29 via a second fluid connection 27. The second fluid connection 27 is connected to the piston rod-side working chamber 13 via a connection opening 31 within the piston rod guide 17 or in a region of the cylinder 3 that is not traversed by the piston 7.

[0029] The cylinder 3 is enclosed by an intermediate tube 33, which is positioned radially on the cylinder 3 with a connection area 35. An annular space between the intermediate tube 33 and an outer surface of the cylinder 3 forms the longest section of the second fluid connection 29.

[0030] At its other end, the intermediate pipe 33 is centered and held by a nozzle 37 of the pipe block 19 ( Fig. 2).

[0031] The cylinder 3 and the intermediate tube 33 are in turn enclosed by an outer reservoir tube 41. The reservoir tube 41 extends at least from an outer end face 43 of the piston rod guide 17 to a centering projection 45 of the pipe block 19. Consequently, the pipe block 19 forms an end closure for the entire vibration damper 1.

[0032] An annular space between the intermediate tube 33 and an inner wall of the container tube 41 forms a compensating chamber 47, only partially filled with damping medium, which compensates for the volume of damping medium displaced by the piston rod 5 from the working chambers 13; 15 of the cylinder 3. Both adjustable damping valve assemblies 25; 29 are connected to the common compensating chamber 47 in the outflow direction.

[0033] The second fluid connection 27 is also connected to the pipe block 19, and both fluid connections 25; 29 have a separate radial channel 49; 51 within the pipe block 19, each of which is connected to an inlet opening (not shown) of the damping valve devices 25; 29. ​​For the design and function of the two damping valve devices 25; 29, which are structurally identical, reference is made to DE 10 2013 218 658 A1 by way of example.

[0034] A longitudinal section 57 of the second fluid connection 27 runs within the pipe block 19. The reducer 21 separates an annular space 59 within the second fluid connection 27 in the region of an end face 61 of the pipe block 19 from the working chamber 15 furthest from the piston rod. This annular space 59 forms a radial transition within the second fluid connection 27 in the region of the outer surface of the cylinder 3 and the axial longitudinal section 57 of the second fluid connection 27 within the pipe block 19. The radial channel 51 for the damping valve assembly 29 of the working chamber 13 on the piston rod side is connected to this axial longitudinal section 57.

[0035] A length section 63 of the first fluid connection 23 runs concentrically within the line block 19 ( Fig. 2) This longitudinal section 63 accommodates the reducer 21 and has the radial channel 49 in conjunction with a connection 65 for the damping valve assembly 25 for the working space 15 remote from the piston rod. The two radial channels 49; 51 have axial overlap, with the two damping valve assemblies 25; 29 in this specific embodiment even having an identical axial distance to an end face 67 of the pipe block 19. Due to the annular space 59, the longitudinal section 57 can be positioned radially inwards relative to the longitudinal section 63, which also minimizes the distance between the connection assemblies 65; 69 for the two damping valve assemblies 25; 29.

[0036] The pipe block 19 has a circumferential annular web 53 as part of the centering extension. This annular web 53 is axially overlapped with the vessel tube 41. An outer housing 55 of the damping valve assemblies 25; 29 is pressure-tightly connected to the pipe block 19 in the area of ​​the annular web 53 by means of a weld 71. Furthermore, all axial channels 63; 57 open into an end face of the pipe block 19 facing towards the working chambers and the compensation chamber. The connection area 39 for the intermediate tube 33 is axially offset from the annular web 53 in the direction of the radial channels 49; 51.

[0037] Consequently, a receiving chamber 73; 75 for the two damping valve devices 25; 29 intersects the end region of the compensation chamber 47. This creates transfer channels between the compensation chamber 47 and the damping valve devices 25; 29.

[0038] A hydraulic system 77 is connected to the pipe block 19, which pumps the damping medium into the two working chambers 13; 15 by means of a pump (not shown). For this purpose, the pipe block 19 has a first and a second connection opening 79; 81, to which a connection line 85; 87 of the hydraulic system 79 is coupled by means of a connection block 83. The connection block 83 is mechanically connected to the pipe block 19 by means of at least one fastening element 89. Fig. 3, Fig. 6)

[0039] Furthermore, the pipe block 19 has at least one arbitrarily actuated shut-off valve 91; 93 for a volume flow through the connection openings 79; 81. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, at least one shut-off valve and at least one adjustable damping valve assembly 25; 29 are arranged axially on different planes. Preferably, the two shut-off valves 91; 93 are positioned axially between the two damping valve assemblies 25; 29 and a connecting element 95 fixed to the pipe block 19.

[0040] The hydraulic system 77 is preferably designed such that each working chamber 13; 15 is connected to one of the connection openings 79; 81. The connection openings 79; 81 can be flowed through in both directions during operation of the vibration damper, since, depending on requirements, a working chamber must be filled with damping medium or damping medium must be discharged from this working chamber, e.g. into a storage tank of the hydraulic system (not shown).

[0041] One shut-off valve 91; 93 and one adjustable damping valve assembly 25; 29 are each connected to the common fluid channel. The connection openings 79; 81 for the hydraulic system 77 and the shut-off valves 91; 93 have a common angular orientation within the vibration damper 1, so that these components are arranged opposite each other on the pipe block 19. Furthermore, the longitudinal axes of the at least one shut-off valve and the at least one adjustable damping valve assembly 25; 27 intersect.

[0042] As can be seen in particular from the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, the shut-off valve 91; 93 has a connection chamber 97; 99, which is connected, for example, to the fluid line 63 in the line block 19 and to the connection opening 79, wherein the connection chamber 97; 99 has a valve seat surface 101 for a valve body 103; 105 of the shut-off valve. A shoulder of the connection opening 79; 91 forms the valve seat surface 101 for the valve body 103; 105. Even a slight axial adjustment of the valve body 103; 105 results in a large opening cross-section at the shut-off valve 91; 93. The shut-off valve 91; 93 is aligned horizontally within the connection chamber 97; 99 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vibration damper 1.

[0043] The valve body 103; 105 has a groove on its outer surface for a sealing ring 107, which seals the connection chamber 97 to the atmosphere.

[0044] During the assembly of the vibration damper 1, the pipe block 19 is welded to the outer container pipe 41 in the manner of a conventional base. The two shut-off valves 91 and 93 are in the closed position, meaning that the vibration damper 1 is hermetically sealed to the pipe block 19. In the subsequent assembly process, the vibration damper is filled with damping medium and, if necessary, a volume of gas.

[0045] In a further assembly step, the vibration damper 1, which is closed via the shut-off valves 91 and 93, is connected to the hydraulic system 77. For this purpose, the connection block is screwed onto the pipe block 19. This assembly step can be carried out at any installation location. Only when the shut-off valves 91 and 93 are open is there a hydraulic connection between the vibration damper 1 and the hydraulic system 77.

[0046] The Fig. Figures 3 to 9 show the pipe block 19 in the section plane through one of the shut-off valves 91; 93. In the Fig. 3 The valve body 103 of the shut-off valve 91 is guided in a receiving chamber 109; 111 of the pipe block 19, which is open at its end to the external environment of the vibration damper 1. The receiving chamber 109; 111 has an internal thread 112; 114 in which the valve body 103; 105 is guided and axially held. The threaded connection is permanently under the operating pressure within the connected connection chamber. A stop 113 determines a maximum passage position of the valve body 103; 105 within the receiving chamber 109; 111 by ensuring that an end face of the valve body 103; 105 opposite the connection chamber 97; 99 bears against the stop 113.

[0047] The stop 113 is designed as a stop plate 115 axially outside the receiving space 109; 111 on the pipe block 19 on a flat outer end face 117 of the pipe block. The stop 113, or the stop plate 115, is fixed to the pipe block 19 by means of the screw connection 89. The screw connection 89 connects the stop 113 and the connection block 83 for the at least one connecting line 85; 87 of the hydraulic system 77 to the pipe block 19. The connection block 83 and the stop 113 are arranged on both sides of the pipe block 19, so that there is only one through-opening for the screw connection 89 within the pipe block 19. The screw head of the screw connection 89 and the shut-off valve 91; 93 are accessible on a common side of the pipe block 19.

[0048] Functionally, a seal 119 is arranged between the pipe block 19 and the stop 113, separating it from the receiving chamber 109; 111. This ensures that when the shut-off valve 91; 93 is in the open position, corresponding to its permanent position, the valve body 103; 105 rests against the stop 113, thus sealing the receiving chamber 109; 111. Therefore, a through-opening 121; 123 in the stop 113, allowing access to the valve body 103; 105, does not adversely affect contamination of the receiving chamber 109; 111.

[0049] With the Fig. Figure 4 will show that the screw connection 89 does not necessarily have to be a through bolt. In this embodiment of the connection between the stop 113 and the line block 19, the connection block 83 and the stop 113 have separate fastening means 89. This allows the longitudinal section 63 of the connection with the damping valve assembly 25 to be designed axially deeper.

[0050] The Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the stop 113 controls both shut-off valves 91; 93 by extending over the two receiving chambers 109; 111. The screw connection 89 is arranged between the two shut-off valves.

[0051] Furthermore, the Fig. 5. A shut-off valve 91, in which the valve body 103 has an elastomer insert 127 which rests on the valve seat surface 101 of the shut-off valve 91 in the blocked position. A blind opening 129 extends from an end face facing the valve seat surface 101 into the valve body 103, in which the elastomer insert 127 is guided radially. The elastomer insert 127 is mounted axially on the valve body 103 with clearance. Optionally, a retaining ring 131 can close a connection with a wall of the valve body 103, the necessary grooves in the components allowing limited axial displacement of the elastomer insert 127 relative to the valve body 103. This axial play between the elastomer body insert 127 and the valve body 103 serves as a preload spring 133, by means of which the elastomer body insert 127 is preloaded in the closing direction of the shut-off valve 91.This is intended to compensate for age-related settling phenomena within the shut-off valve 91, in particular to avoid very large preloads within the thread 112; 114 between the valve body 103; 105 and the pipe block 19.

[0052] A similarly functioning form of elastomer insert within the shut-off valve is found in the Fig. Figure 6 illustrates this. The elastomer insert can also be designed as an elastic valve seat ring 135, which likewise forms the valve seat surface, but is fixed in the connection chamber 97, for example via a support ring. Alternatively or additionally, the elastomer insert can also be fixed as a ring element on the end face in the area of ​​the end face of the valve body 93.

[0053] In the Fig. 7 The stop 113 is fixed to the conductor block 19 without a screw connection. Alternatively, the conductor block 19 has a clamping edge for fixing the stop plate 115, against which the stop plate 115 is supported. The clamping edge has at least two parallel receiving grooves 139; 141 for edge areas of the stop plate 115. If necessary, the stop plate 115 can have a slight shielding to prevent it from detaching from the conductor block 19 during operation of the vibration damper 1.

[0054] Another simplified fastening method for the stop 113 is shown in the Fig. Figure 8 shows that the attachment of the entire vibration damper 1 to a load-bearing or supported component is also used for the stop plate 115. In this case, the screw connection of an axle part 145 in the area of ​​the connection element of the vibration damper serves as the attachment point for the stop 113.

[0055] The design of the stop 113 and the valve body 103 according to Fig. 9 is particularly advantageous when only extremely limited space is available for the assembly and disassembly of the valve body 103. The difference to the ones described in the Fig. The shut-off valves 91 and 93 shown in Figures 1 to 8 consist in that the valve body 103 comprises a rotatably actuated, axially stationary actuator head 147 and a closing head 149 connected to the actuator head 147 in a torque-transmitting and axially movable manner. The closing head 149 is threaded in the thread 112 according to the Fig.Guided by 1 to 8, the actuator head 147 has a plunger 151 extending towards the stop 113. This plunger engages in a blind hole 153 of the actuator head 147. The plunger 151 has a polygonal profile 155 that engages in a corresponding counter-profile 157 in the actuator head 147, thus generating a torque-transmitting function. The plunger length is dimensioned such that a torque-transmitting engagement of the closing head 149 in the actuator head 147 is always present, regardless of the operating position of the shut-off valve 91. The axial fixation of the actuator head 147, in conjunction with the profile connection 155; 157 and the threaded connection 112 between the closing head 149 and the pipe block 19, ensures that a rotary movement of the actuator head 147 is converted into an axial working movement of the closing head 149. The major advantage is that the drive head 147 does not perform any axial movement. Reference sign 1 vibration damper 3 cylinders 5 piston rod 7 pistons 9 Damping valve 11 Damping valve 13 piston rod-side working space 15 working space far from piston rod 17 Piston rod guide 19 Line block 21 Reducer 23 first fluid connection 25 adjustable damping valve assembly 27 second fluid connection 29 second adjustable damping valve device 31 Connection opening 33 Intermediate pipe 35 Connection area 37 stubs 39 Connection area 41 Container pipe 43 outer front surface 45 Centering attachment 47 Compensation area 49 Radial canal 51 Radial canal 53 Ring Bridge 55 Housing of the damping valve assembly 57 Longitudinal section 59 Ring space 61 Front surface 63 Length section 65 connection spigots 67 Front surface 69 connection spigots 71 weld 73 Recording Room 75 Recording room 77 Hydraulic system 79 first connection opening 81 second connection opening 83 Terminal block 85 Connection cable 87 Connection cable 89 Fasteners 91 shut-off valve 93 shut-off valve 95 Connection element 97 Connection room 99 Connection room 101 Valve seat surface 103 Valve bodies 105 Valve bodies 107 Sealing ring 109 Recording Room 111 Recording Room 112 internal threads 113 attacks 114 internal threads 115 Stop plate 117 Front surface of the conductor block 119 Seal 121 Passage opening 123 Passage opening 125 Fasteners 127 Elastomer body insert 129 Blind hole opening 131 Retaining ring 133 Preload spring 135 Valve seat ring 137 Clamping edge 139 recordings 141 recordings 143 Screw connection 145 axle part 147 Drive head 149 Locking head 151 pestles 153 Blind hole opening 155 Multi-sided profile 157 Counter-profile

Claims

[1] Vibration damper (1) comprising a cylinder (3) in which a piston (7) on a piston rod (5) separates a working chamber (13) on the piston rod side from a working chamber (15) further away from the piston rod, wherein both working chambers (13; 15) are connected via fluid lines (23; 29) within a line block (19) connected to the cylinder (3) to a hydraulic system (79) connectable to at least one connection opening (79; 81) of the line block (19), wherein the line block (19) has at least one arbitrarily actuable shut-off valve (91; 93) for a volume flow through the connection opening (79; 81), wherein a valve body (101; 103) of the shut-off valve (91; 93) is guided in a receiving chamber (109) of the line block (19) which is open at its end to the external environment of the vibration damper, wherein the receiving chamber (109; 111) has an internal thread (112; 114) by the valve body (103;105) is guided and held axially, wherein a stop (113) determines a maximum passage position of the valve body (101; 103) within the receiving space (109), wherein the stop (113) is designed axially outside the receiving space (109) on the pipe block (19), ; characterized by , that the stop (113) is formed by a stop plate (113) fixed on an outer end face (117) of the conductor block (19) by means of a screw connection (89). [2] Vibration damper (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the stop (113) controls at least two shut-off valves (91; 93). [3] Vibration damper (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the screw connection (89) connects the stop (113) and a connection block (83) for at least one connection line (85; 87) to the hydraulic system (79) with the line block (19). [4] Vibration damper (1) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized by, that functionally a seal (119) to the receiving space (109) is arranged between the conductor block (19) and the stop (113). [5] Vibration damper (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized by , that the shut-off valve (91; 93) has an elastic valve seat ring (135) which is connected to the pipe block (19) or the valve body (101; 103). [6] Vibration damper (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized by , that the valve body (101; 103) has an elastomer body insert (127). [7] Vibration damper (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the elastomer body insert (127) is pre-tensioned by a pre-tension spring (133) in the closing direction of the shut-off valve (91; 93). [8] Vibration damper (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by , that the elastomer body insert (127) is mounted axially with play on the valve body (101; 103). [9] Vibration damper (1) according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized by , that the valve body (101; 103) comprises a rotatably actuated, axially stationary drive head (147) and a closing head (149) connected to the drive head (147) in a torque-transmitting and axially movable manner.

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