Rotating damper for reducing and especially braking a rotational or swiveling movement of a second component that is rotatable relative to a first component

Abstract

Rotary damper (1) for reducing and, in particular, braking a rotary or pivoting movement of a second component rotatable relative to a first component, wherein the rotary damper (1) comprises: - a first damper component (2) which is, in particular, rigidly connected or connectable to the first component; - a second damper component (3) which is, in particular, rigidly connected or connectable to the second component; and - a damping mechanism (4), wherein the first damper component (2) is rotatable relative to the second damper component (3), and wherein, in a first direction of rotation, a rotary movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) is braked or can be braked due to the damping mechanism (4), wherein the rotary damper (1) further comprises a coupling mechanism (5) which is configuredto effectively connect the second damper component (3) to the damping mechanism (4) when the first damper component (2) moves relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation, and to release and / or prevent an effective connection between the second damper component (3) and the damping mechanism (4) when the first damper component (2) moves relative to the second damper component (3) in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, wherein the coupling mechanism (5) has at least one locking element (6) which is floatingly mounted such that the locking element (6) can be moved between an engagement position and a free-running position, wherein the at least one locking element (6) is in the engagement position when the first damper component (2) moves relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation.in which the at least one locking element (6) is operatively connected to the second damper component (3) by positive locking, and wherein, during movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the second direction of rotation, the at least one locking element (6) is in the free-running position in which a positive locking operative connection between the at least one locking element (6) and the second damper component (3) is released or prevented, wherein the at least one locking element (6) has a preferably cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical base body (7), wherein the base body (7) is provided on its lateral surface with at least one first toothing (8) which is designed to engage positively or at least substantially positively with an engagement structure (10) of the second damper component (3) in the engagement position of the at least one locking element (6).

Description

The present invention relates generally to motion control devices and in particular to motion control devices in the form of damper devices, which are designed to reduce or decelerate (“dampe”) the movement of a second component that is movable relative to a first component. Publication EP 0 846 886 B1 relates to a device for damping the movement of a pivotally mounted structural element, such as for damping the movement of a flap of a vehicle. The publication EP 1 344 958 B1 relates to a one-way brake device with a first sealed chamber filled with a viscous fluid, a brake rotor rotatably mounted in a first housing which partially defines the first sealed chamber, wherein the housing or the brake rotor interacts with a pinion which in turn interacts with a rack or gear or the like. The publication DE 10 2006 000 950 B4 relates to a linear damper with an integrated switch for damping the movement of a moving part, comprising a switch housing in which two contact elements are arranged and a third contact element connecting the contact elements, which is actuated by the linear damper. The publication DE 42 09 821 A1 relates to a rotary damper with a plate-shaped housing with a circular recess, and a rotor which has a substantially horizontally mounted rotating part that is rotatable within the circular recess. The publication DE 10 2011 113 617 A1 relates to a rotary damper with freewheel, comprising a housing with an inner surface, a rotor rotatably arranged in the housing and at least one braking element which, when the rotor rotates in a first direction of rotation, comes into contact with the inner surface of the housing in order to generate a braking torque acting on the rotor. The publication DE 10 2011 114 572 B4 relates to a device for damping the rotational speed of a dent when winding and / or unwinding a safety belt. In recent years, damping devices have been developed to slow down and / or control the relative movement of components. For example, vehicles are often equipped with various pivoting assemblies (e.g., tailgates, cargo doors, glove compartments, center console lids, hoods, etc.). The components of such pivoting assemblies are connected to each other to rotate relative to one another, and one or more damping devices are connected to these components to regulate their rotational speed. Certain known damping devices are designed to dampen, i.e., slow down, the relative movement of components that pivot due to gravity. If a lower component (e.g., a glove compartment door) is released to pivot relative to a higher component (e.g., a dashboard), the damping device slows down the downward rotation of the lower component. Such damping devices known from the prior art are often designed as air dampers or hydraulic dampers, in which a working medium (air, hydraulic fluid or grease) is forced through an orifice or throttle from a first working chamber into a second working chamber, as a result of which a force / movement introduced into the damping device is damped, i.e. reduced / braked. Rotary dampers are also well known, and their operation is based on the shear principle. The known damping devices naturally have a relatively complex design, in which the tightness of the working chambers must be ensured. Particularly with commonly known damping devices, which are primarily designed as air or hydraulic dampers, there is a risk that the systems will develop leaks over time and thus lose or even completely lose their damping function. Furthermore, damping devices that operate with liquid working media, such as oils, have the disadvantage that the damping behavior is often temperature-dependent, since the viscosity of the damping medium or damping fluid increases at low temperatures. Linear dampers, which contain a rotary damper, are known from the prior art and are used in particular to slow down or dampen movements of parts such as glove compartment lids or movable flaps. For example, such linear dampers with a rotary damper included therein are known from the documents EP 0 846 886 B1 , EP 1 344 958 B1 and DE 10 2006 000 950 B4. Conventional rotary dampers typically feature a rotor that is rotatably mounted inside the damper. A braking fluid, such as silicone oil, between the rotor and an outer wall of the damper provides damping when the rotor rotates within the damper. A pinion is usually mounted on the rotor shaft, which meshes with a toothed segment, for example, part of a rack. Such a rotary damper is often installed in a stationary housing component. Furthermore, a linear guide is provided for the rack, which is pivotally mounted around the axis of the rotor shaft and keeps the rack engaged with the pinion, regardless of the rack's rotational position. The guide allows translational movement of the rack within it, thus causing a corresponding rotation of the pinion. Any pivoting of the rack is absorbed by the rotating guide. Therefore, any movement of the component to be damped results in a linear movement within the guide and corresponding damping via the rotary damper. A rotary damper of the type considered herein is also known, for example, from publication DE 42 09 821 A1. The rotary damper known from this prior art has a disc-shaped housing with a circular recess in which a rotor with a rotating part attached to it is arranged, the rotor with the attached rotating part being rotatably mounted within a circular recess. The rotor comprises a shaft rising from the rotating part. This shaft is connected to a rotating or sliding part whose movement is to be dampened, for example, the cover of a glove compartment or a movable ashtray in a motor vehicle, in order to absorb the rotary motion of the rotating or sliding part. To dampen the movement of the rotating or sliding part, an annular elastic element is arranged along the inner circumference of the circular recess in the housing. Notches are provided on the outer circumference of the rotating part of the rotor in which balls or...The rollers are mounted on which, when the rotor rotates, they press into the circumference of the ring-shaped elastic part, thereby damping the rotation of the rotor and damping the movement of the rotating or sliding part attached to the shaft of the rotor. In one embodiment of this rotary damper, which is generally known from the prior art and described, for example, in German publication DE 42 09 821 A1, it is provided that damping of the rotational movement of the rotor within the housing only occurs in one direction of rotation, while the rotor can rotate freely in the opposite direction. This known rotary damper thus generates a braking torque when the rotor rotates in a first direction and exhibits a freewheel when the rotor rotates in the opposite direction. The rotary damper described above, and known, for example, from publication DE 42 09 821 A1, proves to be unreliable in practical use and very complex to manufacture and assemble. In particular, inserting the balls or rollers into the notches of the rotating part attached to the rotor proves to be time-consuming and requires considerable skill during assembly of this rotary damper. On the other hand, a one-way braking device is known from EP 1 344 958 B1, which includes a rotary damper. In this device, a braking torque is generated in a first direction of rotation of the rotary damper, while a freewheel is present in the opposite direction of rotation. The rotary damper is a fluid damper with a housing containing a viscous fluid, such as silicone oil. A brake rotor is rotatably mounted within the housing. When the rotor rotates, the viscous fluid creates resistance, which manifests as a braking torque. The rotary damper can be connected to a rotating or sliding part, such as a glove compartment lid in a vehicle, via a shaft extending from the housing and coupled to a rack or toothed segment via a gear. In the one-way braking device known from EP 1 344 958 B1, a freewheel of the braking device is generated between the housing of the rotary damper and another housing that receives the rotary damper. The rotary damper is floatingly mounted in a chamber of the other housing, and a positive coupling is generated between the circumference of the rotary damper housing and a section of the inner wall of the chamber receiving the rotary damper when the rotary damper rotates in a first direction. In the opposite direction of rotation, the coupling between the rotary damper housing and the inner circumference of the chamber of the other housing is released, so that the rotary damper can rotate freely in the other housing in the opposite direction without being subject to a braking torque. This one-way braking device also proves to be complex in its design and assembly. Furthermore, the use of a fluid rotary damper makes this one-way braking device disadvantageous because the braking torque is highly dependent on the ambient temperature due to the temperature-dependent viscosity of the damping fluid. This can cause problems, especially in vehicles, where significant temperature variations can occur. Additionally, the positive-locking coupling of the rotary damper housing to the other housing, which may be designed as a toothed mechanism, leads to undesirable noise generation. Based on the disadvantages described above in the prior art, the invention aims to provide a rotary damper with freewheel that has the simplest possible design and is as easy to assemble as possible, while at the same time being as smooth-running and quiet as possible in operation and generating a braking torque that is largely independent of temperature. In particular, the present invention is based on the objective of providing a damping device designed as a rotary damper for reducing / damping the movement of a component, which offers a wide range of possible applications. Above all, there is a need for damping devices with a simple design, so that the damping device can be manufactured and assembled cost-effectively, while at the same time achieving a damping capacity that is as independent of temperature as possible. This problem(s) is / are solved according to the invention by a damper device according to independent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments of the damper device according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims. Accordingly, the damper device according to the invention is in particular a rotary damper for reducing and in particular braking a rotary or pivoting movement of a second component rotatable relative to a first component. The rotary damper is suitable, for example, for damping, i.e. braking / reducing, a pivoting movement of flaps or glove compartment lids located in the interior of a vehicle. The rotary damper according to the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that it forms a freewheel in one direction of rotation. The movement of the component to be damped is then transmitted only in one direction of rotation. In the opposite direction of rotation, the component is decoupled from the damping mechanism, so that the movement of the component in this direction of rotation is undamped and possible with minimal effort. For example, the opening movement of a flap can be dampened in this way, while the closing movement of the flap can take place without braking effect and thus without damping. The rotary damper according to the invention comprises a first damper component which is in particular firmly connected or connectable to the first component, a second damper component which is in particular firmly connected or connectable to the second component, and the damping mechanism already mentioned. The first damper component is rotatable or pivotable relative to the second damper component, wherein in a first direction of rotation a rotational movement of the first damper component relative to the second damper component is slowed down or can be slowed down due to the damping mechanism. To realize the freewheel function, the invention provides that the rotary damper further comprises a coupling mechanism which is designed to effectively connect the second damper component to the damping mechanism when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the first direction of rotation, and to release and / or prevent an effective connection between the second damper component and the damping mechanism when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. The coupling mechanism incorporates a locking device in a particularly easy-to-implement yet effective manner. Preferably, the locking mechanism is transferable between an engaged position and a free-running position. In particular, according to embodiments of the rotary damper according to the invention, it is provided that when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the first direction of rotation, the locking mechanism is in the engaged position, in which the locking mechanism is operatively connected to the second damper component by positive locking. Conversely, when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation, the locking mechanism is in its free-running position, in which a positive-locking operative connection between the locking mechanism is released or prevented. In this way, it is possible that, in order to realize the freewheel function, the effective connection between the second damper component and the damping mechanism is dissolved or prevented when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation. It is particularly preferred that the locking mechanism is further designed to automatically assume the engagement position when the first damper component is moved relative to the second damper component in the first direction of rotation, and to automatically assume the freewheel position when the first damper component is moved relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation. According to the invention, the coupling mechanism or the locking mechanism of the coupling mechanism has at least one locking element which is mounted in such a floating manner that the locking element can be moved between an engagement position and a free-running position. It is provided that when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the first direction of rotation, the at least one locking element is in the engaged position, in which the at least one locking element is operatively connected to the second damper component by positive locking. When the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation, however, the at least one locking element is in the free-running position, in which a positive-locking operative connection between the at least one locking element and the second damper component is released or prevented. According to preferred embodiments of the rotary damper according to the invention, the damper, or rather its coupling mechanism, comprises several, in particular three, identical locking elements of the aforementioned type, each of which is mounted in a floating manner so that each locking element can be moved between an engaged position and a free-running position. The locking elements and their (floating) mounting are selected such that each locking element is in its corresponding engaged position when the first damper component is moved relative to the second damper component in the first direction of rotation. Similarly, all locking elements are in their corresponding free-running positions when the first damper component is moved relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation. Providing preferably three locking elements of identical design has the advantage that, in the corresponding engagement position, the locking elements form a positive-locking connection with the second damper component as uniformly as possible. Of course, it is also conceivable to provide a different number of locking elements. On the other hand, this embodiment is particularly distinguished by its simplicity. The coupling mechanism, which achieves the freewheeling of the rotary damper, consists solely of the appropriately floating locking elements. The arrangement and geometry of the components allow for simple linear assembly. In particular, it is provided that the at least one locking element and preferably all locking elements of the coupling mechanism are designed to automatically assume the engagement position when the first damper component is moved relative to the second damper component in the first direction of rotation, and to automatically assume the freewheel position when the first damper component is moved relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation. With regard to the at least one locking element of the coupling mechanism, the invention provides that the locking element has a preferably cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical base body. However, the invention is not limited to the cylindrical shape of the base body. For example, a frustoconical base body or the like would also be conceivable. However, the basic body should, in principle, be at least essentially rotationally symmetrical. The base body has a first toothing on its outer surface, which is designed to engage positively or at least substantially positively with an engagement structure of the second damper component in the engagement position of the locking body. In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the at least one first tooth of the base body of the locking element comprises at least one first tooth and preferably a plurality of first teeth, distributed in an equidistant manner around the circumference of the base body's surface. It is advantageous for the first tooth or teeth of the first tooth of the base body of the locking element to be designed as pawls to form a rotary locking mechanism. This means that each first tooth of the first tooth of the base body of the locking element has a steep flank and a flat flank. As already explained, the base body of the locking element is in operative contact with the engagement structure of the second damper component and thus with the second damper component via the first toothing in the engagement position of the locking element. On the other hand, it is provided that the base body of the at least one locking element, at least in the engagement position of the at least one locking element, is also operatively connected to the damping mechanism in such a way that a rotational movement of the second damping component relative to the damping mechanism is interrupted or prevented. In other words, in the engagement position of the at least one locking element, the damping mechanism is operatively connected to the second damping component and can no longer be rotated relative to the second damping component. If, however, the base body of the at least one locking element is not in operative contact with the engagement structure of the second damping component via the first toothing in the free-running position of the at least one locking element, the base body of the at least one locking element can still be in operative contact with the damping mechanism, according to various embodiments. However, in this situation, a rotational movement of the second damping component relative to the damping mechanism is possible, since the second damping component is decoupled from the damping mechanism because the at least one locking element is not in the engagement position, but in the free-running position. In particular, it is thus provided that the at least one locking element is mounted in such a floating manner, and that the at least one first toothing of the locking element and the engagement structure of the second damper component are designed in such a way that, when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation, the at least one first toothing of the locking element slides or can slide over the engagement structure of the second damper component, so that there is no operative connection between the locking element and the engagement structure of the second damper component or the second damper component. When the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the first direction of rotation, the at least one tooth of the locking element engages with a tooth of the engagement structure of the second damper component, thus forming a positive connection with the engagement structure of the second damper component and therefore indirectly at least with the second damper component. As a result, rotation of the second damper component relative to the locking element is interrupted. This establishes the functional connection between the at least one locking element and the second damper component. According to a further development of the aforementioned embodiments of the rotary damper according to the invention, it is provided that the base body of the at least one locking element is provided on its outer surface with a further (second) toothing, which is designed to be in operative contact with the supporting structure of the damping mechanism, preferably in a positive-locking manner and even more preferably in a substantially positive-locking manner, at least in the engagement position of the at least one locking element. It is specifically designed that the teeth of the second set of teeth on the locking element are different from the teeth of the first set of teeth on the locking element. As already explained, it is advantageous for the first teeth of the first set of teeth to be designed as a pawl with one steep and one flat flank per tooth. In contrast, the flanks of each tooth on the second set of teeth can be the same, as in a gear. The damping mechanism preferably comprises a lamellar or ribbed structure, in particular made of an elastically deformable plastic material, such as a rubber or elastomer. The lamellar or ribbed structure has a plurality of projecting areas, for example, lamellae, fingers, knobs and / or ribs, which are preferably at least partially or partially elastically deflectable in the direction of movement of the first damper component. By providing such a lamellar or rib structure for the damping mechanism, it is advantageously made possible that the functioning of the damping mechanism is not based on the displacement of a working fluid, in particular a hydraulic fluid (oil or grease), or on a gas, in particular air. This makes the damping mechanism significantly easier to implement from a design perspective, while at the same time allowing the damping characteristics of the damping device to be adjusted in a particularly efficient manner, especially individually, i.e., according to the user. Furthermore, the damping characteristics of the rotary damper are largely independent of environmental conditions, especially temperature. During a rotational movement of the first damping component relative to the damping mechanism operatively connected to the second damping component, the lamellae, fingers, knobs, and / or ribs of the lamellar or rib structure of the damping mechanism slide over the first damping component. The damping mechanism operates on the principle that at least a portion of the kinetic energy introduced into the damping mechanism via the first damping component is converted into heat energy through elastic deformation or through frictional work. Preferably, the lamellae, fingers, knobs, and / or ribs, or the projecting areas of the lamellar or rib structure, are made of an elastic material, particularly a plastic material, whose elasticity varies only slightly over the widest possible temperature range. Preferably, the damping mechanism further comprises a support structure for the lamellar or ribbed structure. The support structure is preferably made of a harder material, in particular a plastic material. As already indicated, with regard to the coupling mechanism, it is advantageous that the at least one locking element has a further, second toothed section, which is designed to engage, preferably positively, and even more preferably substantially positively, with the support structure of the damping mechanism, at least in the engagement position of the locking element. It is advantageous for the supporting structure of the damping mechanism to have a toothing that is at least partially or partially complementary to the second toothing of the at least one locking element, and which is designed to form a positive-locking or at least substantially positive-locking connection with the second toothing of the locking element, at least in the engagement position of the at least one locking element and preferably both in the engagement position and in the free-running position of the at least one locking element. With regard to the floating mounting of the locking element, implementations of the rotary damper according to the invention provide that the locking element is floatingly mounted in a guide designed as an elongated hole, such that the locking element in its engagement position is in a position closer to the engagement structure of the second damper component compared to the position in which the locking element is in its free-running position. The engagement structure of the second damper component has at least one toothing, which is preferably designed to be at least substantially complementary to the at least one first tooth of the at least one first toothing of the locking body. Preferably, the toothing of the engagement structure of the second damper component is also designed as a pawl, i.e., with teeth having one steep and one flat flank, so that when the first damper component moves relative to the second damper component in the second direction of rotation, the locking element can slide over the engagement structure of the second damper component. According to a preferred implementation of the rotary damper, the first damper component is designed as a hollow body, in particular cylindrical, wherein the damping mechanism is preferably partially or partially accommodated in the hollow body of the first damper component, preferably coaxially or concentrically. The second damper component is arranged at an end region of the first damper component, which is designed as a hollow body, in particular a cylindrical shape. The second damper component is connected to the first damper component and / or to the damping mechanism via the coupling mechanism and is, in particular, operatively connected. The rotary damper according to the invention is characterized by the fact that a freewheel function can be easily implemented, particularly by providing identical locking elements, while simultaneously enabling particularly simple assembly of the rotary damper. Furthermore, many components of the freewheel assembly can be integrated, at least partially, into the damper components, which reduces manufacturing costs and significantly improves, i.e., reduces, the overall size of the rotary damper. A preferred embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic and isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic and side view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic and isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Figure 1 without the first damper component; Figure 4 shows a schematic and side view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Figure 1 without the first damper component and without the lamellar or rib structure of the damping mechanism; Figure 5 shows a schematic and isometric view of the support structure for the lamellar or rib structure of the damping mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view along line BB in Figure 1.4 to illustrate components of the coupling mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Fig. 1, whereby, for the sake of clarity, the locking elements of the coupling mechanism are not shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 7 schematically and in an isometric view the engagement structure of the second damper component of the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Fig. 1; Fig. 8 schematically and in an isometric view a locking element of the coupling mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Fig. 1; Fig. 9 schematically and in a top view of the locking element of the coupling mechanism according to Fig. 8; Fig.Fig. 10A schematically and in a cross-sectional view a region of the coupling mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention with inserted locking elements, each in their free-running position; Fig. 10B schematically the cross-sectional view of the coupling mechanism according to Fig. 10A, wherein, however, the locking elements are in their engaged position; Fig. 11A schematically another sectional view through the coupling mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper according to the invention according to Fig. 1, wherein the locking elements are each in their free-running position; Fig. 11B schematically the cross-sectional view according to Fig. 11A, wherein, however, the locking elements are each in their engaged position; Fig. 12A schematically a sectional view along line AA in Fig. 4, wherein the locking elements of the coupling mechanism are each in their free-running position; Fig.Fig. 12B schematically shows the sectional view according to Fig. 12A, but here the locking elements are each in their engagement position; and Fig. 13 schematically shows a sectional view along the line DD in Fig. 2. The exemplary embodiment of the damper according to the invention shown in the drawings is a rotary damper 1 for reducing and in particular braking a rotary or pivoting movement of a second component (also not shown) that is rotatable relative to a first component (not shown). In short, the rotary damper 1 has a first damping component 2, which can be rigidly connected to the first component. The rotary damper 1 also has a second damping component 3, which can be rigidly connected to the second component. Furthermore, a damping mechanism 4 is provided. The first damper component 2 is rotatable relative to the second damper component 3, with the axis of rotation extending along the longitudinal axis of the rotary damper 1. As described in more detail below, the rotary damper 1 shown in the drawings includes a freewheel function. It is provided that, in a first direction of rotation, the rotational movement of the first damper component 2 relative to the second damper component 3 is slowed down or can be slowed down due to the damping mechanism 4. However, if the first damper component 2 moves relative to the second damper component 3 in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, no braking effect on the second damper component 3 occurs via the damping mechanism 4. To realize this freewheel function, the rotary damper 1 has a coupling mechanism which is designed to effectively connect the second damper component 3 with the damping mechanism 4 when the first damper component 2 moves relative to the second damper component 3 in the first direction of rotation, and to release and / or prevent an effective connection between the second damper component 3 and the damping mechanism 4 when the first damper component 2 moves relative to the second damper component 3 in the second direction of rotation, which is opposite to the first direction of rotation. In principle, it is conceivable in this context that a coupling mechanism 5 of the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper 1 according to the invention has a locking device that can be moved between an engaged position and a free-running position, wherein, during movement of the first damper component 2 relative to the second damper component 3 in the first direction of rotation, the locking device is in the engaged position, in which the locking device is operatively connected to the second damper component 3 by positive locking. During movement of the first damper component 2 relative to the second damper component 3 in the second direction of rotation, however, the locking device is in the free-running position, in which a positive-locking operative connection between the locking device is released or prevented. The structure and function of the coupling mechanism 5 or the locking device, which is used in the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, is described in more detail below with reference in particular to the illustrations in Figs. 5 to 12B. In detail, in the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, the first damper component 2 is designed as a hollow body, in particular cylindrical, as can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 1 or the illustration in Fig. 2. The damping mechanism 4 is in particular partially or partially incorporated in the particularly cylindrical hollow body of the first damper component 2, preferably coaxially or concentrically, as can be seen from the sectional view in Fig. 13. In detail, the damping mechanism 4 has a lamellar or rib structure 12 and a supporting structure 13 associated with the lamellar or rib structure 12. An isometric view of the support structure 13 is shown in Fig. 5. This consists of a long, pin-shaped section onto which the sleeve-shaped lamellar or rib structure 12 is mounted and connected to the shaft section. At one end of the support structure 13, an engagement structure 14 with internal teeth, belonging to the coupling mechanism 5, is formed. The second damper component 3 is arranged at an end region of the first damper component 2, which is designed as a hollow body, in particular a cylindrical shape. The second damper component 3 is operatively connected to the first damper component 2 and / or to the damping mechanism 4 via the coupling mechanism 5. The lamellar or ribbed structure 12 of the damping mechanism 4 is preferably made of an elastically deformable plastic material, such as rubber. At least during movement of the first damper component 2 relative to the second damper component 3 in the first direction of rotation, the lamellar or ribbed structure 12 of the damping mechanism 4 interacts with the first damper component 2 in such a way that at least part of the kinetic energy of the first damper component 2 is converted into heat and / or deformation work by interaction with the lamellar or ribbed structure 12 of the damping mechanism 4. The coupling mechanism 5, by means of which the second damper component 3 - depending on the direction of rotation of the first damper component 2 relative to the second damper component 3 - is rotatable in operative connection with the damping mechanism 4, comprises the aforementioned locking device, which in detail is formed in the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper 1 according to the invention by three identical locking elements 6. An isometric view of such a locking body 6 is shown in Fig. 8, while Fig. 9 shows a top view of the locking body 6. The locking element 6 has a preferably cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical base body 7, wherein the base body 7 is provided on its outer surface with a first toothing 8 and with a second toothing 9. The first toothing 8 is designed to interact with an engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3, while the second toothing 9 of the locking body 6 serves to interact with the engagement structure 14 of the support structure 13 of the damping mechanism 4. Fig. 7 shows an isometric view of the engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3. As shown, the intervention structure 10 comprises a total of three tooth regions, each tooth region being formed from a flat and a steep flank in order to form a kind of "locking bar". On the other hand, the teeth of the first toothing 8 of the locking body 6 are also designed as locking bars, thus each having a steep and a flat flank. Each locking element 6 of the coupling mechanism 5 is mounted in such a way that the locking element 6 can be moved between an engaged position and a free-running position. The floating mounting is achieved – as indicated in Fig. 6 – by means of elongated holes. Figure 10A shows a sectional view of how the locking elements 6 are arranged in their free-running position. Figure 10B shows the same teeth, but here the locking elements 6 are in their engaged position. When the first damper component 2 moves relative to the second damper component 3 in the first direction of rotation, the locking elements 6 are in their engagement position, in which the locking elements 6 are operatively connected to the second damper component 3 or to the engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3 by means of positive locking. In contrast, when the first damper component 2 moves relative to the second damper component 3 in the second direction of rotation, the locking elements 6 are in their free-running position, in which a positive-locking functional connection between the locking elements 6 and the second damper component 3 or the engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3 is released or prevented. It is specifically provided that the locking elements 6 automatically assume the engagement position when the first damper component 2 is moved relative to the second damper component 3 in the first direction of rotation, and automatically assume the freewheel position when the first damper component 2 is moved relative to the second damper component 3 in the second direction of rotation. In the engagement position, each locking element 6 engages positively via the first toothing 8 with the engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3, and in particular with the teeth of the engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3, as can be seen in the sectional view in Fig. 11B. In this engagement position, a rotational movement of the second damper component 3 relative to the damping mechanism 4 is interrupted or prevented. The locking elements 6 are mounted in such a floating manner that, when the first damper component 2 moves relative to the second damper component 3 in the second direction of rotation, the teeth of the first toothing 8 of the locking elements 6 slide over the engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3, while when the first damper component 2 moves relative to the second damper component 3 in the first direction of rotation, the teeth of the first toothing 8 of the locking element 6 abut against a tooth of the engagement structure 10 of the second damper component 3, forming a corresponding positive locking and interrupting a rotation of the second damper component 3 relative to the locking element 6 or relative to the damping mechanism 4. The second toothing 9 of the locking body 6 is designed to be in operative connection with the support structure 13 of the damping mechanism 4, preferably in the engagement position of the locking body 6, and even more preferably in a substantially form-fitting manner, via the engagement structure 10 of the support structure 13 of the damping mechanism 4. As can be seen from the sectional views in Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B, there is an effective connection between the second toothing 9 of the locking elements 6 and the engagement structure 10 of the support structure 13 of the damping mechanism 4 not only in the engagement position of the locking elements 6, but also in the free-running position of the locking elements 6. The engagement structure 10 of the support structure 13 of the damping mechanism 4 has a toothing that is at least partially or partially complementary to the second toothing 9 of the locking elements 6, which is designed to form a positive locking or at least substantially positive locking connection with the locking elements 6 via the corresponding second toothing 9, at least in the engagement position of the locking elements 6 and preferably both in the engagement position and in the free-running position of the locking elements 6. The guides 15, designed as elongated holes, with which the locking elements 6 are floatingly mounted, are designed such that the locking elements 6 in their engagement position are in a position closer to the engagement structure 10, 14 of the second damper component 3 compared to the position in which the locking elements 6 are in their free-running position, as shown by a comparison of Fig. 10A with Fig. 10B. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment of the rotary damper 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list 1 Rotary damper 2 First damper component 3 Second damper component 4 Damping mechanism 5 Coupling mechanism 6 Locking element 7 Base body of the locking element 8 First toothing of the locking element 9 Second toothing of the locking element 10 Engagement structure of the second damper component 11 Toothing of the engagement structure of the second damper component 12 Lamellar or rib structure of the damping mechanism 13 Support structure of the damping mechanism 14 Engagement structure of the support structure 15 Guide

Claims

Rotary damper (1) for reducing and, in particular, braking a rotary or pivoting movement of a second component rotatable relative to a first component, wherein the rotary damper (1) comprises: - a first damper component (2) which is, in particular, rigidly connected or connectable to the first component; - a second damper component (3) which is, in particular, rigidly connected or connectable to the second component; and - a damping mechanism (4), wherein the first damper component (2) is rotatable relative to the second damper component (3), and wherein, in a first direction of rotation, a rotary movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) is braked or can be braked due to the damping mechanism (4), wherein the rotary damper (1) further comprises a coupling mechanism (5) which is configuredto effectively connect the second damper component (3) to the damping mechanism (4) when the first damper component (2) moves relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation, and to release and / or prevent an effective connection between the second damper component (3) and the damping mechanism (4) when the first damper component (2) moves relative to the second damper component (3) in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, wherein the coupling mechanism (5) has at least one locking element (6) which is floatingly mounted such that the locking element (6) can be moved between an engagement position and a free-running position, wherein the at least one locking element (6) is in the engagement position when the first damper component (2) moves relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation.in which the at least one locking element (6) is operatively connected to the second damper component (3) by positive locking, and wherein, during movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the second direction of rotation, the at least one locking element (6) is in the free-running position in which a positive locking operative connection between the at least one locking element (6) and the second damper component (3) is released or prevented, wherein the at least one locking element (6) has a preferably cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical base body (7), wherein the base body (7) is provided on its lateral surface with at least one first toothing (8) which is designed to engage positively or at least substantially positively with an engagement structure (10) of the second damper component (3) in the engagement position of the at least one locking element (6). Rotary damper (1) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism (5) has a locking mechanism which can be moved between an engagement position and a free-running position, wherein, during a movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation, the locking mechanism is in the engagement position in which the locking mechanism is operatively connected to the second damper component (3) by positive locking, and wherein, during a movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the second direction of rotation, the locking mechanism is in the free-running position in which a positive-locking operative connection between the locking mechanism is released or prevented. Rotary damper (1) according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to automatically assume the engagement position when the first damper component (2) is moved relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation, and to automatically assume the freewheel position when the first damper component (2) is moved relative to the second damper component (3) in the second direction of rotation. Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one locking element (6) is designed to automatically assume the engagement position when the first damper component (2) is moved relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation, and to automatically assume the freewheel position when the first damper component (2) is moved relative to the second damper component (3) in the second direction of rotation. Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement structure (10) of the second damper component (3) has at least one toothing (11) which is preferably designed to be at least substantially complementary to the at least one first toothing (8) of the locking body (6). Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one first toothing (8) of the base body (7) of the at least one locking body (6) has at least one first tooth and preferably a plurality of first teeth distributed in an equidistant manner over the circumference of the lateral surface of the base body (7), wherein the at least one first tooth of the at least one first toothing (8) of the base body (7) of the locking body (6) has a steep flank and a flat flank. Rotary damper (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one first toothing (8) of the base body (7) of the at least one locking element (6) is in operative connection with the damping mechanism (4) at least in the engagement position of the at least one locking element (6) such that a rotational movement of the second damper component (3) relative to the damping mechanism (4) is interrupted or prevented, while a rotational movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the damping mechanism (4) is still possible, in particular with simultaneous conversion of kinetic energy of the first damper component (2) in particular into frictional work or heat. Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one locking element (6) is floatingly mounted, particularly with regard to the second damper component (3), and the at least one first toothing (8) of the locking element (6) and the engagement structure (10) of the second damper component (3) are designed such that, during movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the second direction of rotation, the at least one first toothing (8) of the locking element (6) slides or is capable of sliding over the engagement structure (10) of the second damper component (3), while during movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation, the at least one first toothing (8) of the locking element (6) abuts a toothing (11) of the engagement structure (10) of the second damper component (3).with it forms a positive connection and interrupts a rotation of the second damper component (3) relative to the damping mechanism (4). Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the damping mechanism (4) has a lamellar or rib structure (12) preferably made of an elastically deformable plastic material, in particular rubber or elastomer, wherein at least during a movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation the lamellar or rib structure (12) of the damping mechanism (4) interacts with the first damper component (2) in such a way that at least a part of the kinetic energy of the first damper component (2) is converted into heat and / or deformation work by interaction with the lamellar or rib structure (12) of the damping mechanism (4). Rotary damper (1) according to claim 9, wherein the damping mechanism (4) further comprises a support structure (13) for the lamellar or rib structure (12), wherein the support structure (13) for the lamellar or rib structure (12) comprises an engagement structure (14) via which the support structure (13) of the damping mechanism (4) and the lamellar or rib structure (12) supported by the support structure (13) are operatively connected or operatively connectable to the second damper component (3) via the coupling mechanism (5). Rotary damper (1) according to claim 10, wherein the base body (7) of the at least one locking body (6) is provided on its outer surface with a second toothing (9) which is designed to be in operative contact with the engagement structure (14) of the support structure (13) of the damping mechanism (4), preferably in a positive-locking manner and even more preferably in a substantially positive-locking manner, at least in the engagement position of the at least one locking body (6). Rotary damper (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the support structure (13) of the damping mechanism (4) and in particular the engagement structure (14) of the support structure (13) of the damping mechanism (4) has a toothing that is at least partially or partially complementary to the second toothing (9) of the at least one locking element (6), which is designed to form a positive locking or at least substantially positive locking connection with the at least one locking element (6), at least in the engagement position of the at least one locking element (6) and preferably both in the engagement position and in the free-running position of the at least one locking element (6). Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one locking element (6) is floatingly mounted in a guide (15) designed as an elongated hole such that the locking element (6) in its engagement position is in a position closer to the engagement structure (10) of the second damper component (3) compared to the position in which the locking element (6) is in its free-running position. Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first damper component (2) is operatively connected to the damping mechanism (4) in such a way that at least in the case of a movement of the first damper component (2) relative to the second damper component (3) in the first direction of rotation, the degree of freedom of a movement, in particular a rotational movement, of the first damper component (2) relative to the damping mechanism (4) is given, wherein such a relative movement is slowed down or reduced with the aid of the damping mechanism (4) by converting kinetic energy into deformation work and / or heat. Rotary damper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first damper component (2) is designed as a hollow body, in particular cylindrical, wherein the damping mechanism (4) is preferably partially or partially received in the hollow body of the first damper component (2), in particular cylindrical, preferably coaxially or concentrically, and wherein the second damper component (3) is arranged at an end region of the first damper component (2), which is designed as a hollow body, in particular cylindrical, wherein the second damper component (3) is connected to the first damper component (2) and / or to the damping mechanism (4) via the coupling mechanism (5) and is in particular operatively connected.

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