Vibration damper protection tube

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration damper protection tube (2) comprising a tubular body (3) which surrounds an inner region (4) to be shielded, the body (3) defining the inner region (4) in cross-section with an inner contour (11) extending radially outwards. The body (3) has, in cross-section, at at least one junction (7, 8), two open ends (12, 14; 13, 15) which overlap each other, with one end (12; 13) being inserted circumferentially and radially inwards to the other end (14; 15), and which are displaceable relative to each other. Furthermore, the degree of overlap of each of the two ends (12, 14; 13, 15) can be varied by displacing them relative to each other, thereby changing the circumference (16) of the inner contour (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vibration damper protection tube comprising a tubular body that surrounds an inner area to be shielded, the body defining the inner area in cross-section with an inner contour extending radially outwards. The invention further relates to a vibration damper with the aforementioned vibration damper protection tube and to a method for manufacturing a vibration damper protection tube.

[0002] Motor vehicle suspensions typically utilize vibration dampers in the form of telescopic dampers, sometimes designed as monotube dampers, but predominantly as twin-tube dampers. In both monotube and twin-tube telescopic dampers, a piston is slidably guided within a working cylinder, dividing the cylinder's interior into two working chambers. This piston is connected to a piston rod. The axially movable piston rod extends beyond the cylinder at one end, forming a mounting point for the telescopic damper.

[0003] Often, a protective tube is attached to the protruding end of the piston rod, which surrounds the piston rod and also the working cylinder or a damper tube, protecting it from mechanical damage and the introduction of contaminants.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2019 203 368 A1 discloses a protective tube for a vibration damper, wherein the protective tube has a tubular body. The tubular body encloses an inner area to be shielded, and the body has a fixed inner contour in cross-section, which radially defines the outer boundary of the inner area to be shielded.

[0005] Starting from the prior art described above, the object of the present invention is to create a protective tube for a vibration damper, wherein this protective tube should be universally suitable for use with different vibration dampers in a simple manner.

[0006] This problem is solved from a device engineering perspective, starting from the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with its characterizing features. The subsequent dependent claims each describe advantageous embodiments of the invention. A vibration damper in which a vibration damper protection tube according to the invention is provided is further the subject of claim 10. In addition, claims 11 to 14 each relate to a method for manufacturing a vibration damper protection tube.

[0007] According to the dependent claim 1, a vibration damper protection tube comprises a tubular body which surrounds an inner region to be shielded. For this purpose, the body defines the inner region in cross-section with an inner contour extending radially outwards.

[0008] The vibration damper protection tube according to the invention is a protective tube explicitly designed for use in a vibration damper. Within a vibration damper, the vibration damper protection tube serves to shield internal components of the damper, in particular a damper tube and the end of a piston rod extending from the damper tube. Preferably, the vibration damper protection tube is attached to the end of the piston rod, for which purpose the vibration damper protection tube is equipped with a mounting section in addition to its tubular body. In this respect, the tubular body, along with this mounting section, forms a further section of the vibration damper protection tube.

[0009] The internal components of the vibration damper are shielded by the tubular body enclosing an inner chamber in which the components to be shielded are located when the vibration damper's protective tube is installed. To define this inner chamber, the body's cross-section features an inner contour that radially surrounds and thus delimits it.

[0010] For the purposes of the invention, "radial" is to be understood as an orientation in the diameter direction with a center point which lies on a longitudinal central axis of the tubular body. "In the circumferential direction," on the other hand, means a direction along a respective circumference, in particular a circumference of the inner contour.

[0011] Preferably, the body has a substantially ring-like shape in cross-section, in that the tubular body is bounded in cross-section not only by an inner contour but also by an outer contour. Both the inner and outer contours can each be approximately circular in cross-section, so that the body also has an approximately ring-like shape in cross-section.

[0012] According to dependent claim 1, the invention now comprises the technical teaching that the body has, in cross-section, at least one separation point, two open ends which overlap each other, in that one end of each is inserted circumferentially overlapping and radially inward to the other end, and which are displaceable relative to each other. The degree of overlap of each of the two ends can be varied when they are displaced relative to each other, and thus the circumference of the inner contour can also be changed.

[0013] In other words, the body is split in cross-section at at least one separation point, thereby forming two open ends which overlap because one end of each is radially inside the other and circumferentially overlaps the other end. The two open ends are displaceable relative to each other. In the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention, the degree of overlap, i.e., how far the two ends overlap, can be changed by relative displacement of the two ends, which also results in a change in the circumference of the inner contour.

[0014] This design of a vibration damper protection tube has the advantage that, due to the variability of the inner contour's circumference, the vibration damper protection tube is universally suitable for use with different vibration dampers. This is because a change in the overlap with which the two ends of the at least one joint are positioned relative to each other also results in a corresponding change in the inner contour's circumference. Consequently, the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention, with its tubular body, can be easily adapted to the inner area to be shielded, and thus also to the outer diameter of the components located therein, by appropriately changing the degree of overlap. This universal applicability reduces manufacturing costs.

[0015] Essential to the invention is that the tubular body is divided in cross-section at at least one dividing point, forming two open ends at each of these dividing points. At each dividing point, one end of each dividing point is guided radially inside the other end, resulting in circumferential overlap between the two ends. By shifting the two ends relative to each other circumferentially, the overlap can be varied, and thus the circumference of the inner contour can also be changed. Increasing the overlap reduces the circumference of the inner contour, while decreasing the overlap increases the circumference of the inner contour.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two ends of the at least one separation point can be positioned relative to each other in different, discrete positions. Consequently, different fixed values ​​for the degree of overlap and thus also for the circumference of the inner contour can be achieved in the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention.

[0017] In a further development of the aforementioned embodiment, a detent contour is formed at each end of the at least one separation point, projecting radially towards the other end of the at least one separation point. The other end has a recess for each possible discrete position, also projecting radially towards one end of the at least one separation point, into which the respective detent contour engages in the corresponding position. This positively prevents the ends of the at least one separation point from spreading apart circumferentially. Advantageously, this allows for a suitable definition of the discrete positions and reliably prevents the unintentional departure of each end from a set position.

[0018] According to an alternative or supplementary embodiment of the invention, the two ends of the at least one separation point can be continuously positioned relative to each other within a range of positions. In this case, the respective overlap of the two ends can therefore be continuously adjusted within the representable range of positions, thus also enabling a continuous adjustment of the circumference of the inner contour.

[0019] If the body has exactly one separation point in its cross-section, the positioning of the two ends of this separation point can be either discrete or stepless. If, however, the body has multiple separation points, all of these separation points could be designed with discrete positions, all of these separation points could be stepless, or some of the separation points could be designed with discrete positions and some of the separation points could be stepless.

[0020] In a variant of the invention, the body has exactly one separation point in cross-section, wherein the body is formed by rolling a flat semi-finished product into the tube shape. One end of the separation point is overlapped circumferentially by the rolling process and inserted radially inwards towards the other end, thus creating the respective overlap of the ends. This allows the inventive variability of the circumference of the inner contour to be easily achieved. The relative positioning of the two ends of the separation point is particularly preferably designed to be stepless.

[0021] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the body has two separation points in cross-section and is formed by joining two ring-segment-shaped parts. At each separation point, one end overlaps the other end circumferentially and is inserted radially inwards, thus creating the respective overlap of the ends at the respective separation point. This also allows for a suitable structure to be implemented for varying the circumference.

[0022] Particularly preferred are the ends of the at least one separation point, which define a specific circumference of the inner contour, fixed to one another with a set degree of overlap. This ensures that the inner contour of the body retains the set circumference and, in particular, prevents unwanted expansion or contraction of the tubular body, especially when the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention is installed in a vibration damper.

[0023] The aforementioned fixing can be achieved by frictional or form-fitting means, but is preferably realized by material bonding. Depending on the choice of material for the tubular body, this can be accomplished by gluing or welding.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, the body consists of a plastic material or metal. In the former case, this allows for a low weight of the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention, while in the latter case, high strength and good weldability are particularly advantageous.

[0025] A vibration damper protection tube designed according to one or more of the variants described above is, in particular, part of a vibration damper, which is preferably designed as a telescopic vibration damper. In a vibration damper, the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention is then, in particular, attached to one end of a piston rod, with which the piston rod extends out of a damper tube. The damper tube and the extended portion of the piston rod are then preferably located in the inner area shielded by the tubular body.

[0026] According to dependent claim 11, the invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a vibration damper protection tube. A tubular body is formed and surrounds an inner area to be shielded, wherein the cross-section of the body defines the circumference of an inner contour bounding the inner area. For this purpose, at at least one separation point of the body, two open, mutually displaceable ends are positioned with an overlap relative to each other by inserting one end circumferentially and radially inward to the other end. The degree of overlap is set for each end to define the circumference.This allows for the creation of a universally applicable vibration damper protection tube, which, within the framework of the process, can then be reliably adapted to the respective application by adjusting the overlap in each case, precisely matching the circumference of the inner contour.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, the circumference of the inner contour is defined at exactly one separation point by rolling a flat semi-finished product into the tube shape. During this rolling process, one end of the separation point is overlapped circumferentially and inserted radially inwards towards the other end, thereby establishing the overlap.

[0028] Alternatively, a variant of the invention is that the circumference of the inner contour is defined at two separation points by forming the body by joining two ring-segment-shaped parts, whereby at each separation point one end is inserted circumferentially and radially inwards to the other end, thereby adjusting the respective overlap.

[0029] In both of the aforementioned cases, the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention can be manufactured in a suitable manner, and a desired circumference of the inner contour of the tubular body can be achieved by adjusting the respective overlap.

[0030] In particular, the ends of the at least one separation point are fixed to each other with the respective set degree of overlap in order to maintain the set degree. This fixing can be force-fit or form-fit, but is preferably achieved by material bonding, for example by gluing or welding.

[0031] Advantageous embodiments of the invention, which are explained below, are illustrated in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a vibration damper with a vibration damper protection tube according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a sectional view of another vibration damper with the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention made of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a sectional view of a vibration damper with a vibration damper protection tube according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 a sectional view of another vibration damper with the vibration damper protection tube according to the invention made of Fig. 3.

[0032] Out of Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a vibration damper 1, which is specifically a telescopic vibration damper. The vibration damper 1 comprises a vibration damper protection tube 2, which is designed according to a first embodiment of the invention. The sectional view in Fig. 1 is designed as a cross-section transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the vibration damper 1 and also of a tubular body 3 of the vibration damper protection tube 2.

[0033] In the present case, the tubular body 3 surrounds an inner region 4 in which a component 5 of the vibration damper 1, to be shielded by the vibration damper protection tube 2, is placed in the area shown. This component 5 is in particular a damper tube of the vibration damper 1, wherein the component 5 has an outer diameter 6.

[0034] The body 3 of the vibration damper protection tube 2 is divided at two separation points 7 and 8 into two ring-segment-shaped parts 9 and 10, which together form a ring-like cross-section of the body 3 and define both an outer contour and an inner contour 11 of the cross-section of the body 3. This inner contour 11 radially delimits the inner region 4.

[0035] Parts 9 and 10 each have open ends 12, 13, 14, and 15 at the separation points 7 and 8, respectively. Parts 9 and 10 form body 3 by overlapping, firstly, at separation point 7, the end 12 of part 9 overlaps the end 14 of part 10. For this overlap, the end 12 of part 9 is inserted radially inwards into the end 14 of part 10 and is thereby circumferentially overlapping with the end 14. Secondly, at separation point 8, the end 13 of part 9 overlaps the end 15 of part 10. For this overlap, the end 13 of part 9 is inserted radially inwards into the end 15 of part 10, with the two ends 13 and 15 circumferentially overlapping each other.

[0036] The two ends 12 and 14, and 13 and 15, of parts 9 and 10 are displaceable relative to each other at the respective separation point 7 and 8, respectively. Each displacement changes the degree of overlap between the two ends 12 and 14, and 13 and 15, respectively, in the circumferential direction. This also results in a change to the circumference 16 of the inner contour 11, whereby an increase in the overlap at the respective separation point 7 or 8 reduces the circumference 16, and conversely, a decrease in the overlap at the respective separation point 7 or 8 increases the circumference 16.

[0037] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the corresponding ends 12 and 14, and 13 and 15, respectively, can be positioned relative to each other in discrete positions at both the separation point 7 and the separation point 8, thereby enabling specific values ​​of the circumference 16. For this purpose, part 9 is provided at its ends 12 and 13 with a locking contour 17 and 18, respectively, which project radially outwards from part 9 in a hook-like manner. Part 10 is provided at its ends 14 and 15 with two recesses 19 and 20, and 21 and 22, respectively, which are each formed on a radial inner surface of part 10. In each discrete position of the corresponding ends 12 and 14 or 13 and 15 relative to each other, the respective locking contour 17 or 18 engages in one of the two associated recesses 19 and 20 or 21 and 22, respectively. This prevents the two ends 12 and 14 or 13 and 15 from separating circumferentially by a positive locking mechanism.

[0038] In the case of the vibration damper 1 in Fig. In this arrangement, the discrete positioning of the ends 12 and 14 relative to each other is achieved at the separation point 7 to adapt to the outer diameter 6 of component 5. At this point, the discrete positioning of the ends 12 and 14 relative to each other is achieved at the separation point 8, where the locking contour 17 engages in the recess 19. At this point, the discrete positioning of the ends 13 and 15 relative to each other is achieved at the separation point 8, where the locking contour 18 engages in the recess 21. This results in the smallest possible overlap of the corresponding ends 12 and 14 at the separation point 7 and 13 and 15 at the separation point 8, and thus the largest possible circumference 16. In this state, the two parts 9 and 10 can also be fixed to each other at the separation points 7 and 8 by means of a material bond, for example, by welding. Preferably, the two parts 9 and 10 are made of plastic.

[0039] In Fig. 2 is the vibration damper protection tube 2 made of Fig. 1 shown when used with a different vibration damper 23. In contrast to the vibration damper 1 made of Fig. 1 has a component 24 located in the inner area 4 of the body 3 of the vibration damper protection tube 2, which has an outer diameter 25 that is smaller than the outer diameter 6 of the component 5 of the vibration damper 1. Fig. 1. To adapt the circumference 16 of the inner contour 11 to this smaller outer diameter 25, the end 12 of part 9, at the parting point 7, engages with the recess 20 formed at the end 14 of part 10 via the locking contour 17. Similarly, at the parting point 8, the locking contour 18 of end 13 now engages in the recess 22 of end 15, thereby achieving the maximum possible overlap of ends 12 and 14, and 13 and 15, at parting points 7 and 8, and thus the smallest possible circumference 16. Here, too, parts 9 and 10 can be fixed together by a material bond.

[0040] Furthermore, it is assumed that Fig. 3 a sectional view of a vibration damper 26 which is in accordance with the vibration damper 1 made of Fig. 1. A component 5 has an outer diameter of 6. In contrast to the variant according to Fig. However, in the vibration damper 26, a vibration damper protection tube 27 is now provided, which is designed according to a second embodiment of the invention and, unlike the vibration damper protection tube 2, is made of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is designed. Although the vibration damper protection tube 27 also has a tubular body 28 which surrounds the component 5 located in an inner area 29, this body 28 is now designed as a single piece.

[0041] The body 28 of the vibration damper protection tube 27 is formed by rolling a flat, metallic semi-finished product into the tube shape, resulting in a junction 30 with open ends 31 and 32 and defining an inner contour 33 of the body 28. This inner contour 33 radially defines the inner region 29. At the junction 30, the end 31 is inserted radially inwards into the end 32 and brought into circumferential contact with the end 32, resulting in an overlap of the ends 31 and 32. The two ends 31 and 32 are displaceable relative to each other, and this displacement changes the overlap of the ends 31 and 32, which also results in a change in the circumference 34 of the inner contour 33. The overlap of the two ends 31 and 32 can be continuously adjusted, so that a value of the circumference 34 can also be continuously adjusted.

[0042] In Fig. At the ends 31 and 32 of the separation point 30, a suitable overlap is selected with respect to the outer diameter 6 of component 5, thereby achieving a suitable value for the circumference 34. In particular, the two ends 31 and 32 are fixed to each other at the separation point 30 in this position, which is achieved in particular by welding the two ends 31 and 32 together.

[0043] In contrast, the vibration damper protection tube 27 is in Fig. 4 is used in a vibration damper 35, in which a component 24 with an outer diameter 25 is placed in the inner region 29 of the body 28. This outer diameter 25 is smaller than the outer diameter 6 of the component 5 made of Fig.3, whereby, to adapt to this, the circumference 34 of the inner contour 33 of the body 28 is chosen to be smaller. This is achieved by the fact that the two ends 31 and 32 now have a greater overlap at the separation point 30, which results in a smaller value for the circumference 34. In particular, the ends 31 and 32 are also fixed together in this position by welding.

[0044] Using the embodiments according to the invention, a universally applicable vibration damper protection tube can be realized in each case. Reference sign 1 vibration damper 2 vibration damper protection tubes 3 bodies 4 Indoor area 5 components 6 Outer diameters 7 Separation point 8 Separation point Part 9 Part 10 11 Inner contour 12 End 13 End 14 End 15 End 16 Scope 17 Rast contour 18 Rast contour 19 Exclusion 20 Exclusion 21 Exclusion 22 Exclusion 23 vibration dampers 24 components 25 outer diameter 26 vibration dampers 27 Vibration damper protection tube 28 bodies 29 Indoor area 30 Separation point 31 End 32 End 33 Inner contour 34 Scope 35 vibration dampers QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 203 368 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Vibration damper protection tube (2; 27), comprising a tubular body (3; 28) which surrounds an inner area (4; 29) to be shielded, the body (3; 28) defining the inner area (4; 29) in cross-section with an inner contour (11; 33) extending radially outwards, characterized by , that the body (3; 28) has in cross-section at at least one separation point (7, 8; 30) two open ends (12, 14; 13, 15; 31, 32) which overlap each other, in that each end (12; 13; 31) is inserted circumferentially overlapping and radially inward to the other end (14; 15; 32), and which are displaceable relative to each other, and that the degree of each overlap of the two ends (12, 14; 13, 15; 31, 32) can be varied when they are displaced relative to each other, and thus a circumference (16; 34) of the inner contour (11; 33) can be changed. [2] Vibration damper protection tube (2) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the two ends (12, 14; 13, 15) of the at least one separation point (7, 8) can be positioned relative to each other in different, discrete positions. [3] Vibration damper protection tube (2) according to claim 2, characterized by , that at one of the respective ends (12, 13) of the at least one separation point (7, 8) a locking contour (17, 18) is formed, which each projects radially towards the other end (14, 15) of the at least one separation point (7, 8), wherein the other end (14, 15) has a recess (19, 20, 21, 22) for each possible discrete position, which points radially towards one end (12, 13) of the at least one separation point (7, 8) and into which each locking contour (17, 18) engages in the corresponding position, whereby the ends (12, 14; 13, 15) of the at least one separation point (7, 8) are positively prevented from moving apart in the circumferential direction. [4] Vibration damper protection tube (27) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the two ends (31, 32) of the at least one separation point (30) can be positioned steplessly relative to each other within a range of positions. [5] Vibration damper protection tube (27) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the body (28) has exactly one separation point (30) in cross-section, wherein the body (28) is formed by rolling a flat semi-finished product into the tube shape, and wherein one end (31) of the separation point (30) is inserted by rolling in the circumferential direction overlapping with and radially inward to the other end (32) and thereby the respective overlap of the ends (31, 32) is represented. [6] Vibration damper protection tube (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the body (3) has two separation points (7, 8) in cross-section and is formed by joining two ring-segment-shaped parts (9, 10), wherein at each separation point (7, 8) one end (12, 13) is inserted circumferentially overlapping and radially inward to the other end (14, 15) and thereby the respective overlap of the respective ends (12, 14; 13, 15) of the respective separation point (7, 8) is shown. [7] Vibration damper protection tube (2; 27) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ends (12, 14; 13, 15; 31, 32) of the at least one separation point (7, 8; 30) are fixed to each other with a set degree of overlap to represent a certain perimeter of the inner contour (11; 33). [8] Vibration damper protection tube (2; 27) according to claim 7, characterized by that the fixation is carried out in a material-bonded manner. [9] Vibration damper protection tube (2; 27) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the body (3; 28) is made of a plastic material or metal. [10] Vibration damper (1; 23; 26; 35), in particular telescopic vibration damper, comprising a vibration damper protection tube (2; 27) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9. [11] Method for manufacturing a vibration damper protection tube (2; 27), wherein a tubular body (3; 28) is formed and surrounds an inner region (4; 29) to be shielded, wherein the body (3; 28) has a cross-sectional circumference (16; 34) of an inner contour (11; 33) surrounding the inner region (4; 29), for which purpose two open, mutually displaceable ends (12, 14; 13, 15; 31, 32) are positioned at at least one separation point (7, 8; 30) of the body (3; 28) with an overlap to each other, by inserting one end (12; 13; 31) in the circumferential direction overlapping and radially inward to the other end (14; 15; 32), and wherein the circumference (16; 34) is defined in each case Each degree of overlap is set. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by, that the circumference (34) of the inner contour (33) is defined at exactly one separation point (30) by rolling the body (28) into the tube shape by rolling a flat semi-finished product, whereby during the rolling one end (31) of the separation point (30) is inserted circumferentially overlapping and radially inward to the other end (32) and thereby the overlap is set. [13] Method according to claim 11, characterized by , that the circumference (16) of the inner contour (11) is defined at two separation points (7, 8) by forming the body (3) by joining two ring-segment-shaped parts (9, 10), for which purpose at each separation point (7, 8) one end (12; 13) is inserted circumferentially and radially inside the other end (14; 15) and thereby the respective overlap is set. [14] Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by, that the ends (12, 14; 13, 15; 31, 32) of the at least one separation point (7, 8; 30) are fixed to each other with the respective set degree of overlap.

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