Connector for an adjustable vibration damper

Abstract

Connector for a vibration damper, comprising a connector housing that engages in an open end of a piston rod of the vibration damper, wherein the connector housing forms a positive-locking connection with the piston rod, which is locked by means of a locking sleeve by moving the locking sleeve from a connector mounting position to a locked position, wherein there is an axially effective positive guidance between the locking sleeve and the connector housing, such that a displacement movement of the locking sleeve towards the hollow piston rod is connected with an insertion movement of the connector housing into the hollow piston rod, wherein the locking sleeve has a base covering a central end face of the connector housing and the locking sleeve has a sliding surface at its periphery on a central closing surface on the base.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for an adjustable vibration damper.

[0002] From DE 10 2017 221 842 A1, a connector and its mechanical connection with a hollow piston rod are known, the piston rod having a receiving profile for a connector housing at its end facing the connector. The receiving profile, together with an outer profile on the connector housing, serves to prevent rotation between the connector and the piston rod.

[0003] For the electrical connection, a rotatable plug sleeve is used inside the hollow piston rod, which aligns itself circumferentially with the plug housing upon axial contact and ensures correct alignment of the pins inside the plug housing to the line connections in the plug sleeve.

[0004] Consequently, two connections between the connector housing and the piston rod must be closed. Fig. Figure 1 shows a connector with the connection principle according to DE 10 2017 221 842 A1. Additionally, the Fig. Figure 1 shows that the connector has an axially movable locking sleeve that secures the connector in its final assembly position on the piston rod. When the mechanical connection between the connector housing and the piston rod is closed, this connection is locked via the locking sleeve. Therefore, the assembly process requires two elements, the connector housing and the locking sleeve, to be actuated axially separately. Due to the relatively small mounting surface on the connector housing, which is limited by the annular locking sleeve, it cannot be ruled out that the locking sleeve might be displaced before the connector reaches its final position on the piston rod, thus disrupting the further assembly process.

[0005] WO 2014 / 194 997 A1 shows a connector housing on the piston rod of a vibration damper. The connector housing forms a positive-locking connection with the piston rod for trigger safety. The connector housing has a ring shape with a central through-hole for the piston rod.

[0006] US Patent 2007 / 0254518A1 relates to a connector coupling with a multi-part housing, in which a plug sleeve provides a locking mechanism. The base of the plug sleeve is a flat surface with various openings. A plug housing can be mounted independently of the plug sleeve, so there is no forced guidance between the plug sleeve and the plug housing.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to solve the assembly problem known from the prior art.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] This prevents the locking sleeve from assuming its locking position relative to the connector housing before the positive locking connection between the connector housing and the piston rod is closed. The need for tedious removal of the locking sleeve is therefore completely eliminated.

[0010] A special feature to support the positive guidance is that the locking sleeve has a base that covers a central end face of the connector housing. During assembly, the mounting force can be applied very easily to the connector housing, with the force always being transmitted via the locking sleeve.

[0011] The central force transmission during assembly is facilitated by the fact that the locking sleeve has a sliding surface on its edge at a central closing surface on the base. This sliding surface is, for example, designed as a concave groove.

[0012] The design provides that the locking sleeve is axially supported against a support rim of the connector housing. The connection between the support rim and the locking sleeve exemplifies the positive guidance.

[0013] The preferred method is to design the bearing edge on a form-fitting sleeve of the connector housing. This advantageously directs the assembly force into an area of ​​the connector housing that is relatively far from the electrical conductors, thus protecting them from damage.

[0014] To accommodate moderate assembly forces, the positive locking sleeve is radially elastic. With the locking sleeve engaged, it is subject to only minimal mechanical stress.

[0015] According to an advantageous dependent claim, the positive locking sleeve has at least one positive locking surface that interacts with the piston rod. For this purpose, the piston rod has, for example, an annular groove or an annular bead on its outer surface as a positive locking element.

[0016] The at least one positive locking surface for the positive connection with the piston rod and the support rim are arranged alternately on an inner and an outer wall of the positive locking sleeve. When the locking sleeve is released, the positive locking surface of the positive locking sleeve, and thus the connector housing, is additionally pre-tensioned in the direction of a reinforcement of the positive locking connection. This ensures that the connector remains securely inserted in the piston rod until the locking sleeve is released.

[0017] To optimize the actuation forces during the closing movement of the plug, the locking sleeve is designed to be radially elastic.

[0018] Optionally, the locking sleeve can have a radially oriented force transmission rib. This rib can, for example, serve to support the locking sleeve in an outer housing in the area of ​​a vehicle strut tower for the vibration damper. Furthermore, the force transmission rib can also be used to initiate a sliding movement towards the release position of the locking sleeve.

[0019] The following description of the figures will be used to explain the invention in more detail.

[0020] It shows: Fig. 1 State of the art for a connector on a vibration damper Fig. 2. Inventive embodiment of the plug Fig. 3A and 3B assembly movement

[0021] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a connector 1 for an adjustable vibration damper 3. Only one piston rod 5 of the vibration damper 3 is shown, as the further construction principle of an adjustable damper with an adjustable damping valve device attached to the piston rod 5 is known from numerous publications. For example, reference is made to DE 10 2019203 898 A1.

[0022] The connector 1 comprises a connector housing 7 with a twist profile 9, which rests on a sliding guide 11 of a circumferentially rotatable connector sleeve 13. An axial movement of the connector housing 7 at the open end of the piston rod 5 is converted into a rotational movement of the connector sleeve 13 by the sliding connection between the twist profile 9 and the sliding guide 11, so that the pins (not shown) in the connector housing 7 and in the connector sleeve 13 come into conductive contact as intended.

[0023] The hollow piston rod 5 has a multi-sewed profile 15 at its open end, into which an anti-rotation profile 17 on an outer surface of the connector housing 7 engages when the rotational alignment of the pins has progressed sufficiently. This creates an anti-rotation feature effective in the circumferential direction between the connector housing 7 and the piston rod 5. Further axial insertion of the connector housing into the hollow piston rod remains possible.

[0024] At the end of the insertion movement of the plug housing 7 into the hollow piston rod 5, the plug housing 7 and the piston rod 5 form a positive locking connection (see Fig. 3B), which is effective in the extension direction of the plug housing 7 from the piston rod 5. In summary, the Fig. 2; Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows that the connector housing 7 carries a positive locking sleeve 19. At least one positive locking surface 21 is provided on an inner wall of the positive locking sleeve 19. The positive locking surface can, for example, also be segmented. It is aligned with a circumferential outer groove 21 in the piston rod 5.

[0025] On its outer side, the connector housing 7 carries a locking sleeve 25. In its initial position, the locking sleeve 25 is supported by at least one support segment 27, but preferably by several web segments 27 arranged in a plane on the inside, on a support rim 29 arranged on an outer wall of the positive locking sleeve 19. The locking sleeve 25 is guided slidably on the connector housing 7, but has an annular gap to the positive locking sleeve 19, at least outside the support segments 27.

[0026] The locking sleeve 25 is preferably connected to a base 33 that covers a central end face 31 of the connector housing 7. The base 33 completely covers the end face of the connector housing 7, so that there is practically no direct axial force application surface. Thus, the locking sleeve 25 and the base 33 form a locking cap 35.

[0027] In the Fig. In step 3A, the connector housing 7 is partially inserted into the hollow piston rod 5. Mechanical contact between the twisting profile 9 and the sliding guide 11 of the connector sleeve 13 already exists. The locking cap 35 rests on the support rim 29 of the positive locking sleeve 19 of the connector housing 7. The support rim 29 and the positive locking surface 21 are arranged alternately on the positive locking sleeve 19. A distance A exists between the base 33 of the locking cap 35 and the end face 31 of the connector housing 7, which corresponds at least to the closing path of the locking cap 35.

[0028] An axial assembly force on the connector housing 7 can practically only be introduced onto the connector housing 7 via an external closing surface 37 on the bottom of the locking cap 35, since the locking cap 35 preferably has a sliding surface 39 on the edge of the central closing surface 37 on the bottom 33, which is convex, but preferably concave.

[0029] During the further insertion movement of the plug housing 7 into the hollow piston rod 5, the positive locking surface 21 of the positive locking sleeve 19 slides into the groove 23 of the piston rod 5. To support this radial locking movement, the positive locking sleeve 19 is radially elastic. The locking sleeve of the locking cap is also radially elastic, thereby facilitating the sliding of the positive locking surface 21 on the piston rod 5 into the groove 23 of the piston rod 5.

[0030] Until the positive locking surface 21 engages in the groove 23 of the piston rod 5, an axially effective positive guidance exists between the locking sleeve 25 and the connector housing 7 via this connection, so that a displacement movement of the locking sleeve 25 towards the hollow piston rod 5 is always associated with an insertion movement of the connector housing 7 into the hollow piston rod 5. When the positive locking connection between the piston rod 5 and the positive locking sleeve 19 is established, the electrical connection between the connector 1 and the connector sleeve 13 in the piston rod 5 is also closed.

[0031] The further axial displacement of the locking cap 35 relative to the connector housing 7 and the piston rod 5 is intended to secure the existing electrical and mechanical connection by allowing the at least one support segment 27 to slide over the bearing edge 29 of the positive locking sleeve, causing the locking sleeve 25 to expand radially. The inner diameter of the locking sleeve 25 is slightly smaller in the longitudinal section between the support segment 27 and the underside of the base 33 than in the longitudinal section between the support segment and an end face 43 of the locking sleeve. The locking sleeve 25 prevents the positive locking sleeve 19 from expanding.

[0032] The locking cap 35 has a radially oriented force transmission web 43, which is used, for example, for connecting the locking cap 35 to an outer housing that may be provided to cover the piston rod end, or when the locking cap 35 is removed from the locking position. Fig. 3B is to be tightened axially, whereby the support segment 27 is moved axially over the bearing edge 29 of the plug housing 7 to release the positive locking connection between the positive locking sleeve 19 and the piston rod 5. Reference sign 1 plug 3 vibration dampers 5 piston rod 7 connector housings 9 Twist profile 11 Sliding guide 13 Plug sleeve 15 multi-seam profile 17 Anti-rotation profile 19 Form-fitting sleeve 21 Positive locking surface 23 Groove in the piston rod 25 locking sleeve 27 Support segment 29 Bearing edge 31 End face of the connector housing 33 Floor 35 Closing cap 37 Closing surface 39 Slip surface 41 Front surface 43 Power transmission bridge

Claims

[1] Connector(1) for a vibration damper (3), comprising a connector housing (7) that can engage in an open end of a piston rod (5) of the vibration damper (3), wherein the connector housing (7) forms a positive locking connection with the piston rod (5), which is locked by means of a locking sleeve (25) by moving the locking sleeve (25) from a connector mounting position to a locking position, wherein there is an axially effective positive guidance between the locking sleeve (25) and the connector housing (7), such that a displacement movement of the locking sleeve (25) in the direction of the hollow piston rod (5) is associated with an insertion movement of the connector housing (7) into the hollow piston rod (5), characterized by , that the locking sleeve (25) has a base (33) covering a central end face (31) of the plug housing (7) and the locking sleeve (25) has a sliding surface (39) on the edge of a central closing surface (37) on the base (33). [2] Plug (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the locking sleeve (25) is axially supported on a support edge (29) of the plug housing (7). [3] Plug (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the bearing edge (29) is designed on a form-fitting sleeve (19) of the plug housing (7). [4] Plug (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the positive locking sleeve (19) is designed to be radially elastic. [5] Plug (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the positive locking sleeve (19) has at least one positive locking surface (21) that interacts with the piston rod (5). [6] Plug (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the at least one positive locking surface (21) for the positive locking connection with the piston rod (5) and the support edge (29) are arranged alternately on an inner wall and an outer wall of the positive locking sleeve (19). [7] Connector (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that the locking sleeve (25) is radially elastic. [8] Connector (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the locking sleeve (25) has a radially oriented force transmission rib (45).

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