Plug connector on a vibration damper

Abstract

A plug connector (29) on a vibration damper (1), comprising a plug (19) and a socket (27), wherein one of these two components (19; 27) is axially mounted in a hollow piston rod (5) which has an internal multi-tooth profile (61) into which an external multi-tooth profile (59) of the other component (27) engages and thereby closes an anti-rotation device, wherein the internal multi-tooth profile (61) and / or the external multi-tooth profile (59) has an asymmetry within the respective profile, wherein the internal multi-tooth profile (61) has a plurality of intersecting tooth flanks (63; 65) which form a tooth gap (67) with a flank angle (θ), wherein the flank angle (θ) on at least one tooth flank pair (63; 65) is larger than the flank angles (θ) of the external multi-tooth profile (59) and the larger flank angle (&bgr;) with respect to an axis of symmetry (77) between the intersection of the two tooth flanks (63;65) and a cross-sectional center (79) of the internal multi-tooth profile (61) is designed asymmetrically.;

Description

The invention relates to a plug coupling according to the preamble of claim 1.DE 10 2021 201 888 A1 discloses a vibration damper with an adjustable damping valve which is supplied with energy via a line within a hollow piston rod. An outer end of the piston rod with respect to a working cylinder is designed with a plug coupling, via which an external line is connected to the line inside the piston rod. For further details, reference is made to DE 10 2017 221 842 A1The plug coupling comprises a rotationally movably mounted plug which automatically rotationally aligns itself when a plug socket is introduced into the piston rod, so that the plug socket can be placed on pins of the plug.To prevent rotation of the socket relative to the piston rod, the piston rod has an internal quadrilateral profile in which an external quadrilateral profile on the housing of the socket engages.When the plug coupling is closed, it is repeatedly the case that the housing of the socket is not aligned with the internal tooth profile with its external quadrilateral profile. During the manual assembly movement, the optical control is made more difficult by a bearing housing of the vibration damper enclosing the plug coupling. In addition, the clearance for correcting the angular orientation of the housing is restricted by the comparatively small bearing housing.DE 20 50 485 A1 discloses a plug coupling with a plug and a socket. For the closing process of the plug coupling, numerous pins must be engaged in a defined position. For this purpose, an asymmetrical profile is formed on the plug coupling components, so that only a single closing position of the plug in the socket is possible.The object of the present invention is to assist the closing process of the plug coupling and to prevent jamming of the plug coupling.The object is achieved by the features of claim 1.The great advantage is that when the external quadrilateral profile is inserted into the internal quadrilateral profile, only a slight radial overlap of the two components of the plug coupling can occur, which leads to a jamming of the two components. In the case of an initial point support, an insertion of the external quadrilateral profile into the internal quadrilateral profile can be achieved even with a minimal twisting or shaking movement.Overall, there is a slight circumferential clearance, which, however, does not have any effects for the function of preventing the plug coupling from rotating. The probability that the external multiple tooth profile engages more easily with the internal multiple tooth profile in this angular shape is significantly greater than in the case of a symmetrical angular shape.In addition, an outer end face of the internal tooth profile can be designed to be inclined in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the internal tooth profile. This promotes the sliding movement between the components of the plug coupling.The same is achieved if a transition profile inclined in the direction of the tooth flanks is present between the tooth flanks and the end face of the internal quadrilateral profile. The inclination of the end face in combination with the transition profile results in a particularly good result.According to an advantageous dependent claim, the external quadrilateral profile is formed by axially extending profiled webs, wherein at least one circumferential angle between two adjacent profiled webs deviates from a second circumferential angle on another pair of profiled webs. With this measure, the external quadrilateral profile is also designed asymmetrically. In principle, the asymmetry on the internal quadrilateral profile and on the external quadrilateral profile can be used independently of one another.In addition, the shape of an individual profiled web can also deviate from the shape of another profiled web. The profile webs have two intersecting tooth cover surfaces which form a tooth angle, wherein a tooth angle on one of the profile webs is greater than a tooth angle on another profile web.Here too, there is the possibility of an additional asymmetry in that the larger tooth angle is designed asymmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry between a profile web and the central axis of the external quadrilateral profile.Particularly good results in the assembly capability of the plug coupling were achieved if the asymmetry of the flank angle and the asymmetry of the tooth angle are embodied in opposite directions.A further advantageous measure consists in the fact that the profile webs have a different axial distance from an end face of the internal quadrilateral profile. This ensures that the profile webs engage one after the other depending on the insertion depth of the external quadrilateral profile into the internal quadrilateral profile, thus avoiding jamming.It has proven to be advantageous if the profile webs have different axial lengths. A common end level of the profile webs can be achieved via the different lengths of the profile webs, so that no tilting movement can occur between the components when the plug coupling is closed.An asymmetry has also been produced on the end faces of the profile webs in that the profile webs have an insertion bevel in the entry direction to the internal quadrilateral profile, wherein an oblique angle of the insertion bevel is greater on one of the profile webs between the end face of the internal quadrilateral profile and the profile web than on another profile web.The profiled web with the greatest distance from the insertion bevel has the greatest oblique angle. No significant alignment function is provided on the last-engaging profiled web. On the other hand, any risk of jamming is to be avoided.In order that the plug coupling can be produced very easily by injection molding, the arrangement of the profile elements is optimized for this purpose. At least one axial rotation web is arranged on the plug with the profile webs, which rotation web is arranged upstream of the external quadrilateral profile and engages in a rotation profile of the socket, wherein the rotation web has two opposite side flanks, wherein the rotation web and the closest profile web enclose an angle of less than 180° with their outer side flank and their outer tooth cover surface. A main transverse axis of the plug runs on the one hand through a profile web and an equatorial point of the plug opposite the profile web, wherein said profile web is arranged directly between two rotation webs, as viewed in the circumferential direction. The outer side flank and the outer tooth cover surface with the main transverse axis each form mutually facing corner angles which are less than or equal to 90°. A die can therefore be formed without a slide of two parts with a parting joint. The parting joint lies on the main transverse axis.In order that the plug coupling can also be easily released again if necessary, at least one of the rotation webs has an inclined surface which slopes radially outwards on its end face pointing in the direction of the external quadrilateral profile.The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following description of the figures FIG. 1 shows a detail of an adjustable vibration damper FIG. 2 shows a piston rod as an individual part from FIG. 1 FIGS. 3 and 4 are two views of a plug coupling FIGS. 5 and 6 show alternative profile shapes in the case of the internal quadrilateral profile of the piston rod according to FIG. 1 FIG. 7 is a top view of the piston rod into the internal quadrilateral profile FIG. 8 is a vertical section through the external quadrilateral profile of the socket FIG. 9 shows a sectional view through the closed plug coupling FIG. 10 shows a detailed illustration of the external quadrilateral tooth profile FIGS. 11A-11C are views showing the closing operation of the connector coupler FIG. 12 shows a sectional view through an injection mold for producing the plug socketFIG. 1 shows a detail of adjustable vibration dampers 1. A hollow piston rod 5 is guided in an axially movable manner in a cylinder 3, which rod serves, inter alia, as a longitudinal channel 7 for a line 9 of an electric coil 11. The coil 11 comprises a coil base body 13 and a winding 15, which is only schematically shown. A pot-shaped coil housing 17 is secured to the hollow piston rod 5 and receives the coil 11.The coil housing 17 is fixed to the hollow piston rod 5 by means of a locally heat-limited welding process. Preferably, a laser welding method is used.FIG. 2 shows the hollow piston rod 5 in which a plug 19 connected to the line 9 is arranged in the region of the end of the piston rod facing away from the coil housing 17. The line 9 has a second line socket 21 for connection to a plug coupling, not shown, of the coil housing 17.Both the first plug 19 and the line socket 21 are mounted axially fixed, but rotatably in the circumferential direction, within the piston rod 5. The piston rod 5 comprises a tubular portion 23 of constant cross-section. Welded to the tubular portion 23 is a piston rod pin 25 in which the plug 19 is arranged. The plug 19 receives a plug socket 27 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and thus establishes a connection of the coil housing 17 to a vehicle electrical system of a motor vehicle, not shown.FIGS. 3 and 4 show a first plug coupling 29 with the plug 19 as coupling component within the hollow piston rod 5 and the socket 27 which can be pushed into the piston rod 5 in different views.The plug 19 has an end profile sleeve 31 with a curved profile 33 with a first and a second upper turning contour 35; 37, wherein the curved profile ends, starting from a maximum of the guide slots 39; 41 arranged axially lower within the turning contours 35; 37. The variant shown has two turning contours 35; 37 which are opposite one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of the plug coupling 29. As is shown in particular in FIG. 4, the turning contours 35; 37 differ in their course, so that there is asymmetry within the plug coupling 29.The axially extending rotation webs 43; 45 of the socket 27 engage in the guide slots 39; 41 when the socket 27 is aligned rotationally with the plug 19 as intended. The torsion webs 43; 45 are arranged on an outer lateral surface 47 of a mating sleeve 49 of the plug socket 27. The lateral surface 47 has an outer diameter which is smaller than an inner diameter of the profiled sleeve 31, so that the mating sleeve 49 can be inserted into the profiled sleeve 31. The axially extending rotation webs 43; 45 form with their radial outer surfaces 51; 53 a diameter which in turn is larger than the inner diameter of the profiled sleeve 31. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the socket 27 has two axially running rotation webs 43; 45 arranged opposite one another.The mating sleeve 49 has, in the direction of a line housing 57 of the plug socket 27, a longitudinal section with a multi-tooth profile 59 which is enlarged in diameter with respect to the lateral surface 47 with the axially running rotational webs 43; 45 and which engages in a multi-tooth hollow profile 61 in the piston rod 5. The socket 27 is secured in the circumferential direction when the external quadrilateral profile 59 engages in the internal quadrilateral profile 61 and can only be moved axially within the piston rod 5.The axially extending torsion bars 43; 45 are formed with the counter-profile 55 for sliding movement on the cam profile 33. The counter profile 55 and the cam profile 33 are in contact at least in sections during a connecting movement of the two clutch components and generate a twisting moment between the two clutch components 19; 27.When the axially extending rotation webs 43; 45 engage in the guide slots 39; 41, the correct assignment of the plug 19 to the socket 27 is established.In addition or as an alternative to an asymmetry between the profiled sleeve 31 and the mating sleeve 49, the internal quadrilateral profile 59 and / or the external quadrilateral profile 61 has an asymmetry within the respective profile.FIGS. 5 and 6 each show the outside end of the piston rod 5 in section with respect to the vibration damper 1. It can be seen in FIG. 5 that two intersecting tooth flanks 63; 65 each form a tooth 67 and a tooth gap 69. Each tooth 67 of the internal quadrilateral profile 61 terminates in an outer end face 71. Between the tooth flanks 63, 65 and the end face 71 of the internal quadrilateral profile 61 there is a transition profile 73 inclined in the direction of the tooth flanks. The transition profile 73 can be formed by a radius or also an inclination on each tooth flank 63; 65, and thus promotes the penetration of the outer quadrilateral profile 59 into the inner quadrilateral profile 61. Additionally or alternatively, the outer end face 71 of the inner quadrilateral profile 61 can be designed to be inclined with the angle α in the direction of a longitudinal axis 75 of the inner quadrilateral profile 61, as FIG. 6 shows. For better visibility of the details, the two variants are shown separately in FIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the hollow piston rod 5. the inner quadrilateral profile 61 with its tooth flanks 63; 65 can be seen. the intersecting tooth flanks 63; 65 form, for at least one tooth gap 69, a flank angle β which is greater on at least one tooth flank pair than the other flank angles of the outer quadrilateral profile 59, as can be seen in conjunction with FIG. 8, which shows a height section through the socket 27 in the region of the outer quadrilateral profile 59.The larger flank angle β is designed asymmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry 77 between the intersection point of the two tooth flanks 63; 65 and a cross-sectional center or the longitudinal axis 75 of the internal quadrilateral profile 61. The situation applies to β 1 > β 2, wherein the larger flank angle β 1 lies on the right side with respect to the axis of symmetry 77.It can be seen in FIG. 8 that the external quadrilateral profile 59 of the socket 27 is formed by axially extending profiled webs 81- 85, wherein at least one circumferential angle δ 1 between two adjacent profiled webs 81; 83 deviates from a second circumferential angle δ 2 on another pair of profiled webs 83; 85. The deviations are not serious, since the external quadrilateral profile 59 is naturally intended to engage in the internal quadrilateral profile 61.In the case of the external quadrilateral profile 59 as well, the profile webs 81- 85 have two intersecting tooth cover surfaces 87; 89, which form a tooth tip with a tooth angle γ, wherein a tooth angle γ 1 on the profile web 81 is greater than a tooth angle γ 2 on the other profile web, e.g. profile web 83.Comparable to the configuration of the inner tooth profile 61, the larger tooth angle γ is also designed asymmetrically here with respect to an axis of symmetry 91 between a tooth tip of the profile webs and a central axis 93 of the outer tooth profile 59. However, the asymmetry of the flank angle β and the asymmetry of the tooth angle γ are embodied in opposite directions. Here, γ 1.1 > γ 1.2.FIG. 9 shows a vertical section through a closed plug coupling 29, In this illustration, a clear head clearance between the internal quadrilateral profile 61 and the external quadrilateral profile 59 becomes clear. Both profiles 59; 61 do not lie flat, but rather in the form of a linear contact. This results in a certain amount of play, which, however, is on the one hand so small that a quick, clamp-free mounting of the plug coupling 29 is possible, but on the other hand a sufficient securing against rotation is provided.FIG. 10 is intended to show that the profile webs 81- 85 of the socket 27 have a different axial distance and a different axial length from an end face 71 of the internal quadrilateral profile 61. Instead of the end face 71 of the internal tooth profile, an end face beyond the torsion bars 43; 45 can be used as reference. As a result, the profiled webs 81-85 become active as a function of travel during the closing movement of the plug coupling 29. The profiled web 81 with the smallest distance from the end face 71 first engages in the internal quadrilateral profile 61 of the piston rod 5. Consequently, clamping can only occur at this profile web.The profile webs 81- 85 have an insertion bevel 95 in the entry direction to the internal quadrilateral profile 61, wherein an oblique angle λ 1 of the insertion bevel 95, e.g. on the profile web 81, between the end face 71 of the piston rod 5 is greater than on another profile web. As a result, a slight rotational movement of the socket towards the piston rod or the internal quadrilateral profile is generated at a point of the profile engagement.The profiled web 85 with the greatest distance from the end face 71 of the piston rod 5 has the greatest oblique angle λ. The more acute oblique angle λ 2 of the shortest profiled web 85 serves primarily as an insertion aid.In the sequence of figures 11A to 11C, the closing movement between the inner and outer tooth profiles 59; 61 of the plug coupling 29 is shown in steps.In FIG. 11A, the socket 27 is already inserted into the hollow piston rod 5, and the inner tooth profile 61 and the outer tooth profile 59 are not yet engaged. The height section indicates that a clamping-free insertion of the socket 27 into the piston rod would not be possible without clamping, since the ends of the two multi-tooth profiles 59; 61 would lie axially on one another at the end face with their tooth profiles.FIG. 11B shows a first engagement of the profiled web 83 with a tooth gap 69 of the internal quadrilateral profile 61, The oblique angle on this profiled web 83 causes a slight rotational movement and leads to the closed plug coupling according to FIG. 11C.It can be clearly seen in FIG. 10 that the axial rotation webs 43; 45 arranged upstream of the external quadrilateral profile are arranged on the socket 27 as a component of the plug coupling 29 with the profile webs 81-85. At least one of the torsion bars 43; 45 has an inclined surface 97 which slopes radially outwards on its end face pointing in the direction of the external quadrilateral profile 59. During a withdrawal movement of the socket 27 from the piston rod 5, the torsion webs 43; 45 are rejected at the edges within the piston rod 5 and thus prevent the socket 27 from getting caught.The torsion webs 43; 45 and the profiled webs 81-85 are not arranged randomly in the circumferential direction with respect to one another. FIG. 12 shows a greatly simplified illustration of a injection mold 99 for producing the socket 27. The torsion webs 43; 45 have two opposite side flanks 101; 103, wherein twice a torsion web 43; 45 and the closest profiled web 81; 85 form an angle of less than / equal to 180° with the outer side flank 101 and the outer tooth cover surface 87.A main transverse axis 105 of the component or the socket 27 runs, on the one hand, through a profiled web, for example 83, and an equatorial point 107 of the plug component or the socket 27 opposite the profiled web 83, said main transverse axis 105 being congruent with a parting joint of the injection molding tool 99. The said profiled web 83 is arranged directly between the two rotation webs 43; 45, as viewed in the circumferential direction. There are no further profile webs between this profile web 83 in the region of the main transverse axis 107 and the two rotation webs 43; 45.The outer side flank 101 of the torsion web 43; 45 and the outer tooth top surface 87 form corner angles 109 which face one another with the main transverse axis 105 and are less than or equal to 90°. Due to this arrangement rule, it is possible that a particularly simple injection mold 99 with only one parting joint can be used.Reference numerals denote reference numerals1 Vibration damper 3 Cylinder 5 Piston rod 7 Longitudinal channel 9 Line 11 Coil 13 Coil base body 15 Winding 17 Coil housing 19 Plug 21 Second line socket 23 Tubular section of the piston rod 25 Piston rod pin 27 Plug socket 29 Plug coupling 31 Profile sleeve 33 Curved profile 35 Turning contour 37 Turning contour 39 Guide slot 41 Guide slot 43 Turning web 45 Turning web 47 Lateral surface 49 Mating sleeve 51 Outer surface 53 Outer surface 55 Mating profile 57 Line socket 59 Outer quadrilateral profile 61 Inner quadrilateral profile 63 Tooth flank 65 Tooth flank 67 Tooth 69 Tooth gap 71 Outer end surface 73 Transition profile 75 Longitudinal axis 77 Axis of symmetry 79 Cross-sectional center 81 Profile web 83 Profile web 85 Profile web 87 Tooth top surface 89 Tooth top surface 91 Axis of symmetry 93 Central axis 95 Insertion bevel 97 Inclined surface 99 Injection tool 101 Lateral surface 103 Lateral surface 105 Main transverse axis 107 Equatorial point 109 Corner angle

Claims

Plug coupling (29) on a vibration damper (1) comprising a plug (19) and a socket (27), wherein one of these two components (19; 27) is axially mounted in a hollow piston rod (5) which has an internal quadrilateral profile (61), in which an external quadrilateral profile (59) of the other component (27) engages and thereby closes an anti-rotation means, characterized in that the internal quadrilateral profile (61) and / or the external quadrilateral profile (59) has an asymmetry within the respective profile, wherein the internal quadrilateral profile (61) has a plurality of intersecting tooth flanks (63; 65) which form a tooth gap (67) having a flank angle (β), wherein the flank angle (β) on at least one pair of tooth flanks (63; 65); 65) is larger than the flank angle (γ) of the outer tooth profile (59), and the larger flank angle (β) is designed asymmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry (77) between the intersection of the two tooth flanks (63; 65) and a cross-sectional center point (79) of the inner tooth profile (61).Plug coupling (29) according to Claim 1, characterized in that an outer end face (71) of the internal quadrilateral profile (61) is designed to be inclined in the direction of a longitudinal axis (75) of the internal quadrilateral profile (61).Plug coupling (29) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a transition profile (73) inclined in the direction of the tooth flanks (63; 65) is present between the tooth flanks (63; 65) and the end face (71) of the internal quadrilateral profile (61).Plug coupling (29) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the external quadrilateral profile (59) is formed by axially running profiled webs (81 - 85), at least one circumferential angle (δ 1) between two adjacent profiled webs (81; 83) deviating from a second circumferential angle (δ 2) on another pair of profiled webs (83; 85).Plug coupling (29) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the profiled webs (81 - 85) have two intersecting tooth cover surfaces (87; 89) which form a tooth angle (γ), wherein a tooth angle (γ 1) on one profiled web (81) is greater than a tooth angle (γ 2) on another profiled web (83; 85).Plug coupling (29) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the larger tooth angle (γ 1) is designed asymmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry (91) between a tooth tip and the central axis (93) of the external quadrilateral profile (59).Plug coupling (29) according to Claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the asymmetry of the flank angle (β) and the asymmetry of the tooth angle (γ) are embodied in opposite directions.Plug coupling (29) according to one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the profile webs (81-85) have a different axial spacing from an end face (71) of the internal quadrilateral profile (61).Plug coupling (29) according to one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the profiled webs (81 - 85) have different axial lengths.Plug coupling (29) according to one of Claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the profiled webs (81 - 85) have an insertion bevel (95) in the entry direction to the internal quadrilateral profile (61), wherein an oblique angle (λ 2) of the insertion bevel (95) on one of the profiled webs (85) between the end face (71) of the internal quadrilateral profile (61) and the profiled web (81) is greater than an oblique angle (λ 1) on another profiled web (81; 83).Plug coupling (29) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the profiled web (85) has the greatest oblique angle (λ) with the greatest distance from the insertion bevel (71).Plug coupling (29) according to one of Claims 4 - 11, characterized in that at least one axial torsion web (43; 45), which is mounted upstream of the external quadrilateral profile (59) and engages in a rotational profile (35; 37; 39; 41) of the plug (19), is arranged on the plug socket (27) with the profile webs (81 - 85), the torsion web (43; 45) having two opposite side flanks (101; 103), the torsion web (43; 45) and the closest profile web (81; 85) having their outer side flank (101; 103) and its outer tooth cover surface (87) enclose an angle of less than / equal to 180°, wherein a main transverse axis (105) of the socket (27) runs on the one hand through the profile web (83) and an equatorial point of the socket (27) opposite the profile web (83), wherein said profile web (83) is arranged directly between two rotation webs (43; 45), as viewed in the circumferential direction, wherein the outer side flank (103) and the outer tooth cover surface (87) form corner angles (109) facing each other with the main transverse axis (105), which are less than / equal to 90°.Plug coupling (29) according to Claim 12, characterized in that at least one of the torsion webs (43; 45) has an inclined surface (97) which slopes radially outwards on its end face which points in the direction of the external quadrilateral profile (59).

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