Device for compensating for height differences on a vehicle

Abstract

The invention is concerned with a device (1) for compensating for height differences on a parked vehicle (2). In order to seal a tube opening (5) in a tube section (4) which forms a lifting cushion (3) of the device (1), it is proposed, inter alia, to arrange a seal (8) between two clamping strips (6, 7) holding together the tube opening (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for compensating for height differences on a vehicle, wherein the device has a lifting cushion which can be filled with a fluid, preferably with air or water, wherein the lifting cushion is formed from at least one hose section, wherein the hose section has at least one hose opening which is closed by clamping strips of the device.

[0002] To compensate for height differences on a vehicle, the lifting cushion can be placed under one or more wheels of the vehicle, which is standing on an uneven and / or at least partially inclined surface, at or near a certain point and filled with a fluid, preferably air or water.

[0003] Such a device, which has the features of the preamble of the independent claim, is known from publication DE 10 2012 014 661 A1 and has proven its worth.From publication DE 28 02 716 A1, a pressure vessel for fluids or pastes is known, wherein the pressure vessel has a receiving vessel characterized in that the receiving vessel is made of a textile and squeezable material with relatively low elasticity, preferably fire hose, industrial hose, construction and sewer cleaning hose or a pressure hose with a similar structure, and the wall of the hose body is stabilized against inflation under fluid pressure, and at least one enclosed hose chamber is formed in the hose body, and at least one end face of the hose chamber is sealed by means of a shut-off device with an upper part and a lower part, and the upper part and the lower part of the shut-off device bear against the hose body opposite each other under clamping action and have at least linear opposing contact areas, and the hose chamber has at least one fluid connection.

[0004] Document DE 101 63 819 A1 discloses a double rolling bellows suspension device with two spring elements arranged in opposite directions, each consisting essentially of a rolling bellows and a rolling piston.

[0005] Document AU 2015 365 265 A1 discloses an air lifter comprising an airtight body in the form of a bag with a sealed structure made of a film, an air supply hose whose base end section is inserted airtight into the airtight body and which is provided at its tip section with a connector having a check valve connected to an air supply source, a valve attachment hose whose base end section is inserted airtight into the airtight body and which is provided at its tip section with a safety valve, and a cover body in the form of a bag made of a synthetic resin material with low frictional resistance, which receives the airtight body in a state in which the tip sections of the air supply hose and the valve attachment hose are closed.the valve mounting hose protrudes outwards, an inner body formed from a fabric of synthetic fibers in the form of a bag, which accommodates the airtight body and the cover body in a state in which the tip sections of the air supply hose orof the valve mounting hose projecting outwards, and a cylindrical outer body formed by inverting a hose having the same structure as a fire hose, or a cylindrical outer body produced by applying a coating to a cylindrical fabric, wherein the outer body accommodates the airtight body, the cover body and the inner body in a state in which the tip sections of at least the connecting piece with check valve and the safety valve project outwards from an end section of the outer body, and is formed in the shape of a flat bag in a state in which both end sections are closed.

[0006] The publication EP 0 115 199 A1 discloses a hydraulic jack comprising an elongated, seamless body made of an impermeable, flexible material which can be inflated from a flattened state to an expanded state with a pressurized hydraulic fluid, preferably water.

[0007] German patent application DE 92 05 418 U1 discloses a pressure vessel comprising a flexible hose segment, each end of which is sealed in a closure area connecting the hose material in a double layer, and which can be filled with a fluid, e.g., compressed air, via a valve in the interior. The pressure vessel is characterized by the fact that a sealing edge, convexly curved towards the hose segment, is formed in the closure area.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned above that can be manufactured easily.

[0009] To solve the problem, it is first proposed for the aforementioned device that a seal be arranged, in particular clamped, between the two clamping strips in order to seal a clamping point defined by the clamping strips on the hose section.

[0010] This eliminates the need for a comparatively complex gluing process at the hose opening.

[0011] The at least one hose opening of the lifting cushion, formed from at least one hose section, can be reliably sealed using the seal, even without adhesive. In one embodiment of the device, a hose section with two hose openings can be used. The hose openings can be arranged at opposite ends of the hose section. Each hose opening can be closed by two clamping strips. The device then has two pairs of clamping strips for closing the hose openings of the hose section. To seal each of the two hose openings, a seal can then be arranged between the clamping strips at each hose opening.

[0012] According to the invention, a section of sealing tape is used as a seal. The seal can be made, for example, of rubber, plastic and / or synthetic rubber.

[0013] A particularly good seal is achieved when the seal is positioned within at least one hose section and between the clamping strips. This allows the pressure exerted by the clamping strips to close the hose opening on the hose section material to also be transferred to the seal, without the seal having to make direct contact with the clamping strips. This protects the seal from damage.

[0014] In an unclaimed example, the seal has at least one thickening, preferably at its edge. This thickening can be deformed or compressed by means of the clamping strips such that a satisfactory sealing effect can also be achieved in an edge or corner area of ​​the hose opening to be sealed. In one embodiment of the device, the at least one thickening can have a round or circular cross-section.

[0015] According to the invention, the seal has at least two edge-side thickenings, oriented, for example, parallel to each other and / or to the longitudinal direction of the seal. When the seal is in its operating position, the thickenings can be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the clamping strips.

[0016] In an unstressed example of the seal, at least one edge thickening protrudes on opposite flat sides of the seal. This allows for a deformation of the seal on both flat sides, thus enhancing its sealing effect.

[0017] The at least one edge thickening of the seal can, according to an unclaimed example, extend over at least a large part of the seal's length, in particular the sealing strip section. The seal can have a dimension that corresponds to at least 80% of the length of the two clamping strips.

[0018] According to the invention, the seal between the at least two edge-side thickenings has at least one through-hole for a fastener, in particular a screw, for connecting the clamping strips. Each of the two clamping strips can also have at least one such through-hole. According to the invention, the at least one through-hole is surrounded by at least one annular, preferably closed annular, thickening of the seal. The thickening can completely surround the through-hole and thus provide a reliable seal. The thickening can, for example, have a round or circular cross-section. The thickening can be compressed by the clamping strips of the device, thereby improving the sealing effect of the seal, particularly in the area of ​​the fastener.

[0019] In this way, it is possible to connect the two clamping strips in their clamped position on the lifting cushion to close the hose opening of the hose section using a fastening device, which is guided both through the clamping strips and through the seal arranged between the clamping strips. Preferably, as already mentioned, a screw is used as the fastening device.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the device, the clamping strips and / or the seal arranged between the clamping strips have at least two, preferably a series of, such through-holes. This makes it possible to achieve uniform surface pressure on the hose section and / or the seal arranged between the clamping strips using the fastening means, in particular the screws. This can correspondingly improve the sealing effect of the seal.

[0021] In a further embodiment, at least one of the clamping strips has a clamping profile on its clamping side facing the hose section. Preferably, both clamping strips have clamping profiles on their respective clamping sides facing the hose section. The clamping profiles can be corresponding to each other.

[0022] Using the clamping profile on at least one of the two clamping strips of the device assigned to a hose opening, it is possible to increase the pressure transmitted to the hose section by the clamping strips in the area of ​​the clamping profile to such an extent that the hose opening of the hose section is sealed fluid-tight. The previously mentioned gluing of the hose opening of the hose section can then be omitted in this case as well. This facilitates the simplest and cleanest possible adhesive-free manufacturing of the device.

[0023] In one embodiment of this device, a hose section with two hose openings can be used. The hose openings can be arranged at opposite ends of the hose section. Each hose opening can be closed by two clamping strips. The device then has two pairs of clamping strips for closing the hose openings of the hose section. To seal each of the two hose openings, at least one clamping strip of the pair assigned to the hose openings can have a clamping profile.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device has the clamping profile described above on at least one of the clamping strips and the seal described above between the two clamping strips.

[0025] This ensures a particularly reliable seal at the hose opening of the hose section forming the lifting cushion. The clamping profile on at least one clamping strip of the device allows the pressure exerted by the clamping strips to be increased to such an extent that a particularly reliable seal is created.

[0026] In a further embodiment, at least one clamping strip has a clamping profile with at least one clamping structure. The clamping structure is a clamping rib and / or a clamping groove. The clamping rib can be a projection on the clamping side of the clamping strip.

[0027] Particularly when the clamping structure is a continuous, uninterrupted clamping ridge, the clamping ridge can increase the clamping force transmitted from the clamping strip to the hose section and / or the seal along a line. This can promote a particularly reliable seal of the hose opening.

[0028] At least one clamping structure can be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the terminal strip and / or extend over at least a large part of the length of the terminal strip.

[0029] A clamping strip can have a clamping profile with at least one clamping groove as its clamping structure. This clamping groove can correspond to at least one clamping rib of the other clamping strip. The clamping groove of one clamping strip and the clamping rib of the other can have corresponding geometries, so that any hose material and / or seal material displaced by the at least one clamping rib during installation of the clamping strips can be displaced into the corresponding clamping groove of the other clamping strip.

[0030] At least one clamping groove can be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the terminal strip and / or extend over at least a large part of the length of the terminal strip.

[0031] In one embodiment of the device, at least one of the two clamping strips has an L-shaped cross-section.

[0032] This clamping strip can have two legs of different cross-sectional lengths. The clamping profile, with at least one clamping structure, in particular with at least one clamping rib, can be formed on the longer leg of the two legs.

[0033] The two clamping strips can be screwed together. Furthermore, it is possible for each of the two clamping strips to have at least one through-hole for a fastener, in particular a screw. In one embodiment of the device, at least one through-hole is arranged between two clamping ribs of a clamping strip. It is also possible for at least one through-hole to be arranged between two clamping grooves of a clamping strip.

[0034] In one embodiment of the device, comprising a clamping strip having two preferably parallel clamping ribs and a further clamping strip having two preferably parallel clamping grooves, a series of through-holes can be arranged between the clamping ribs and a further series of through-holes between the clamping grooves. In this way, the two clamping strips can be connected to each other, for example, by means of screws in an area between the clamping structures of the clamping profiles of the clamping strips.

[0035] For filling and / or emptying the lifting cushion, the device, and in particular the lifting cushion itself, can have at least one valve. This valve can preferably be located at the edge of the hose section of the lifting cushion and / or adjacent to the clamping strips associated with a hose opening. By arranging the valve at the edge of the hose section of the lifting cushion, the lifting cushion can be driven over by a vehicle without running over and damaging the valve.

[0036] The aforementioned lifting cushion can be positioned under a wheel that is sunk into uneven ground on a parked vehicle, such as a caravan or motorhome, to compensate for height differences. By filling the lifting cushion, its volume can be increased, and the vehicle can be raised accordingly to achieve the desired height adjustment and level the vehicle.

[0037] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment, but is not limited to this embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments result from combining the features of one or more claims with one another, preferably in combination with one or more features of the exemplary embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1: A rear view of a caravan or motorhome, the right rear wheel of which, as seen from the viewer's perspective, is supported by the device according to the invention in such a way that the vehicle floor is leveled against the uneven ground. Fig. 2: A top view of the device according to the invention. Figure 1Device shown in operating position, Figs. 3 to 5: different views of one of two clamping strips with which a hose opening of a hose section forming a lifting cushion of the device can be closed, wherein the clamping strip has a clamping profile with two parallel clamping ribs extending longitudinally along the entire length of the clamping strip, Figs. 6 to 8: different views of another of two clamping strips with which a hose opening of a hose section forming a lifting cushion of the device can be closed, wherein the clamping strip has a clamping profile with two parallel clamping grooves extending longitudinally along the entire length of the clamping strip, Fig. 9: a top view of a seal arranged between the clamping strips of the device in operating position, Fig. 10: a side view of the Figure 9 shown seal, Fig. 11: an end-face view of the seal in the Figures 9 and 10shown seal as well as Fig. 12: a perspective view of the seal in the Figures 9 to 11 shown seal.

[0038] The Figures 1-8 Figures 9 to 12 show at least parts of a device designated as a whole as 1 for compensating for height differences on a vehicle 2.

[0039] The device 1 comprises a lifting cushion 3, which can be filled with a fluid, preferably air or water. The lifting cushion 3 is formed from a hose section 4. The hose section 4 has at least one, and in the present embodiment two, hose openings 5. The hose openings 5 ​​are formed at opposite ends of the hose section 4 and are each closed by a pair of clamping strips 6 and 7 of the device 1. The device 1 thus has a total of four clamping strips 6 and 7.

[0040] A seal 8 is arranged between two clamping strips 6 and 7 assigned to a hose opening 5, namely clamped in order to seal a clamping point defined by the clamping strips 6,7 on the hose section 4.

[0041] The seal 8 consists of a sealing strip section and is arranged between the two clamping strips 6 and 7 and within the hose section 4 to close the respective hose opening 5.

[0042] The seal 8 has, according to the Figures 9 to 12Two edge-side thickenings 9, projecting from the top and bottom of the seal 8, are oriented longitudinally to the clamping strips 6 and 7 when the seal 8 is in its operating position and extend over the entire length of the seal 8. Between these edge-side thickenings 9, the seal 8 has a series of through-holes 10 for fasteners 11, namely screws, which are used to connect the clamping strips 6 and 7. Each of the through-holes 10 is surrounded on the top and bottom of the seal 8 by a closed annular thickening 23. The annular thickenings 23 completely surround the through-holes 10 of the seal 8 and, just like the edge-side thickenings 9, can be compressed by the clamping strips 6 and 7 to create a seal, thus enhancing the sealing effect of the seal 8.

[0043] According to Figure 11The thickenings 9 and 23 of the seal 8 have a round, in particular circular, cross-section.

[0044] The two clamping strips 6 and 7 each have a clamping profile 13 on their clamping sides 12 facing the hose section 4. The two clamping profiles 13 of the clamping strips 6 and 7 are corresponding clamping profiles to each other.

[0045] The clamping profiles 13 of the clamping strips 6 and 7 comprise clamping structures 14, namely, in the case of clamping strip 6, two parallel clamping webs 15 spaced apart from each other and extending longitudinally along the clamping strip 6. On the clamping strip 7, two parallel clamping grooves 16 spaced apart from each other and extending longitudinally along the clamping strip 7 are provided as clamping structures 14. The clamping structures 14, i.e., the clamping webs 15 and the clamping grooves 16, each extend over the entire length of the respective clamping strip 6 or 7. The clamping structures 14, 15, 16 can act upon the seal 8 and, in particular, the previously mentioned thickenings 9 of the seal 8, compressing them to improve the sealing effect.

[0046] A comparison of Figures 5 and 8, which shows the clamping strips 6 and 7 in a side view, illustrates that the clamping webs 15 and the clamping grooves 16 of the clamping profiles 13 of the two clamping strips 6 and 7 have geometries corresponding to each other.

[0047] The Figures 3 to 5 The different views of the clamping strip 6 illustrate that the clamping strip 6 has an L-shaped cross-section. The clamping strip 6 comprises two legs 17 and 18 of different cross-sectional lengths, with the clamping profile 13, including the two parallel clamping webs 15, being formed on the longer leg 18 of the two legs 17 and 18.

[0048] In the operating position of the device 1, the two clamping strips 6 and 7, each assigned to a hose opening 5, are screwed together. For this purpose, both clamping strips 6 and 7, as well as the previously described seal 8, each have a series of through-holes 19 for the fastening means 11, namely for screws.

[0049] The Figures 3-5 Figures 6-8 illustrate that the through-holes 19 are arranged between the clamping structures 14, namely on the one hand between the clamping webs 15 of the terminal strip 6 and on the other hand between the clamping grooves 16 of the terminal strip 7.

[0050] To fill the lifting cushion 3 with a fluid, preferably air or water, the device 1 has a valve 20 through which the lifting cushion 3 can be filled with the fluid. The valve 20 is located at the edge of the hose section 4 of the lifting cushion 3 and adjacent to one of the two pairs of clamping strips 6 and 7. Due to the edge-to-edge arrangement of the valve 20 on the hose section 4 of the lifting cushion 3, the lifting cushion 3 can be driven over by a vehicle 2 without running over and damaging the valve 20.

[0051] Figure 1 The device 1 with its lifting cushion 3 is shown in its operating position under a wheel 21 of a vehicle 2.

[0052] It can be clearly seen that the fluid-filled lifting cushion 3 of the device 1 compensates for unevenness of a surface 22 on which the vehicle 3 is parked, in such a way that the vehicle 3 is level or at least almost level.

[0053] The invention relates to a device 1 for compensating for height differences on a parked vehicle 2. In order to seal a hose opening 5 of a hose section 4, which forms a lifting cushion 3 of the device 1, it is proposed, among other things, to arrange a seal 8 between two clamping strips 6 and 7 that hold the hose opening 5 together. Reference symbol list

[0054] 1 Device 2 Vehicle 3 Lifting cushion 4 Hose section 5 Hose opening 6 Clamping strip 7 Clamping strip 8 Seal 9 Edge thickening 10 Through-hole 11 Fastening device 12 Clamping side 13 Clamping profile 14 Clamping structure 15 Clamping web 16 Clamping groove 17 Leg of 6 18 Longer leg of 6 19 Through-hole at 6 and 7 20 Valve 21 Wheel 22 Substrate 23 Ring-shaped thickening

Claims

1. Device (1) for compensating for differences in height on a vehicle (2), wherein the device (1) has a lifting cushion (3) that can be filled with a fluid, preferably air or water, wherein the lifting cushion (3) is formed from at least one hose section (4), wherein the hose section (4) has at least one hose opening (5) which is closed by clamping strips (6, 7) of the device (1), characterized in that a seal (8) in the form of a sealing tape section with at least two edge-side thickenings (9) is arranged, in particular clamped, between the two clamping strips (6, 7) in order to seal a clamping point defined by the clamping strips (6, 7) on the hose section (4), wherein the seal (8) has at least one plug-through opening (10) between the at least two edge-side thickenings (9) for a fastening means (11) for connecting the clamping strips (6, 7), wherein the at least one plug-through opening (10) is surrounded by at least one annular thickening (23) of the seal (8).

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the seal (8) is arranged within the at least one hose section (4).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two edge-side thickenings of the seal are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the clamping strips (6, 7) when the seal (8) is in the position of use and / or extend over at least a major part of the length of the seal (8).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the clamping strips (6, 7) has, on its clamping side (12) facing the hose section (4), a clamping profile (13) with at least one clamping structure (14), in particular with a clamping web (15) and / or with a clamping groove (16).

5. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one clamping structure (14), in particular the at least one clamping web (15) and / or the at least one clamping groove (16), is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the clamping strips (6, 7) and / or extends over at least a large part of a length of the clamping strips (6, 7).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein both clamping strips (6, 7) have clamping profiles (12) corresponding to each other on their clamping sides (12) facing the hose section (4).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one clamping strip (6, 7) of the two clamping strips (6, 7) has an L-shaped cross-section, in particular with two legs (17, 18) of different lengths in cross-section.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping strips (6, 7) are screwed together and / or each have at least one plug-through opening (19) for a fastening means (11), in particular for a screw.

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, having at least one valve (20) for filling and / or emptying the lifting cushion (3), preferably wherein the valve is arranged adjacent to the clamping strips (6, 7) and / or preferably at the edge side on the hose section (4).

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