Spring / damper system, spring fork, shock absorber and motor vehicle

Abstract

A spring / damper system, having a working space in which a working piston which divides the working space into a first working chamber and into a second working chamber is arranged movably, and wherein the working space is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a first compensation space and at least one second compensation space, and wherein a first compression stage valve is arranged between the working space and the first compensation space, and a second compression stage valve is arranged between the working space and the second compensation space.

Description

[0001] Spring-Z damper system, suspension fork, shock absorber and motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a spring / damper system, a suspension fork, a shock absorber and a motor vehicle.

[0003] Spring / damper systems of the type in question are intended for use in wheel suspensions. They can be used to cushion and dampen the vibrations of the body (the vehicle) as well as the vibrations of the wheels. The adjustability of the rebound stage, as well as the compression stage or spring rate, is generally known. However, the simultaneous adjustment of all of the aforementioned parameters presents a challenge. DE 10 2020 108 821 A1, for example, discloses a spring / damper unit for a single-track motor vehicle with a suspension spring and a damper arranged parallel to it and filled with a fluid. The spring / damper unit uses two expansion tanks to adjust the spring rate.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to further increase the adjustability of known spring-damper systems.

[0005] This object is achieved by a spring-Z-damper system according to claim 1, a suspension fork according to claim 11, a shock absorber according to claim 12 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 13. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.

[0006] According to the invention, a spring-damper system has a working chamber in which a working piston, which divides the working chamber into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, is displaceably arranged, and wherein the working chamber is fluidly connected to a first compensation chamber and at least one second compensation chamber, and wherein a first pressure stage valve is arranged between the working chamber and the first compensation chamber and a second pressure stage valve is arranged between the working chamber and the second compensation chamber. A suspension spring (also called a spring element), such as a helical or spiral spring, or an air spring, is arranged or connected parallel to the working chamber, which is filled with a working medium, in particular a fluid such as oil. The suspension spring can be a component of the spring / damper system or can also be arranged separately.During compression, the working piston moves from the second working chamber towards the first working chamber. The first working chamber is fluidly connected to the first compensation chamber and to at least the second compensation chamber. During this piston movement, the fluid is moved towards the two compensation chambers. Advantageously, a compression stage valve, also known as a base valve, is arranged in front of each of the compensation chambers. This advantageously makes it possible to individually regulate the compression stage. The compression stage regulates the immersion speed of the working piston, in this case in particular the movement of the working piston from the second working chamber towards the first working chamber. The proposed arrangement allows the compression stage to be individually adjusted for each spring rate. The spring rate, in turn, depends on how the at least two compensation chambers are fluidically interconnected.

[0007] The compensation chambers can be provided by separate compensation tanks. Alternatively, the compensation chambers, or at least one compensation chamber, can be integrated into the housing, which also houses the working chamber; see also the design and structure of classic twin-tube (shock) absorbers.

[0008] The compensation chambers expediently comprise spring elements and separating pistons. In the compensation chambers, the fluid can be pressurized via the spring elements. Preferred spring elements are, for example, an air spring and / or a helical / coil spring. The spring elements are preferably also individually adjustable, so that, for example, the air pressure of the air spring can be varied. Likewise, the preload of the helical spring can be individually adjustable.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, a main line opens into the working space, in this case in particular into the first working chamber. The main line preferably branches into several supply lines. In the case of two compensation chambers, the main line splits into two supply lines. In the case of three compensation chambers, into three supply lines, etc. In the case of separately arranged and formed compensation tanks / compensation chambers, the aforementioned lines are designed in particular as tubular lines made of metal and / or plastic. In the case of integrated compensation tanks or compensation chambers, the lines are designed as channels, which are formed, for example, directly in the housing.

[0010] The pressure stage valves are arranged in the aforementioned supply lines.

[0011] The compression valves have multiple flow channels. The compression valves generate a pressure difference during compression that is relevant for damping. When the working piston retracts, the fluid can flow back largely unhindered through the compression valve.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, a valve, in particular a two-way valve, is arranged between the working chamber, in this case in particular between the first working chamber, and at least one compensation chamber, whereby the fluid flow from and / or to the corresponding compensation chamber can be regulated. A two-way valve is understood here to be a valve with two switching positions, which in particular includes the switching positions "open" and "closed". The directional control valve is arranged, for example, in one of the two supply lines to the compensation chambers. The main line, which divides into the corresponding supply lines leading to the compensation chambers, expediently starts at the working chamber. Depending on the switching position of the valve, it can be set whether or not both / all compensation chambers are fluidically connected to the working chamber. The spring rate can then be adjusted using this.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, control valves can be arranged in the supply lines, which function as check valves and / or throttle valves. The system pressure and thus the spring rate can also be regulated via appropriately arranged and controlled check valves.

[0014] By conveniently arranging a compression valve / bottom valve in each supply line to each compensation chamber, it is possible to individually adjust the compression damping to the set spring rate. For this purpose, the compression valves are conveniently designed to be adjustable. For example, the effective flow cross-sections can be adjusted using an adjustment wheel or similar device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the respective pressure stage valve is between the

[0016] Valve, such as the aforementioned two-way valve, if present, and the respective compensation chamber. In particular, the pressure stage valves are therefore not located or provided in the main line, but rather in the supply line(s).

[0017] According to one embodiment, the supply lines to the compensation chambers are fluidically connected via a connecting line. A throttle valve is preferably arranged in the connecting line. Its task is to equalize the intermediate pressure in the system when the two-way shutoff valve is closed. If no throttle is used, sudden changes in the overall spring rate can occur when the two-way valve is switched. Alternatively, an intelligent valve control system is used in the connecting line, which selects the switching points so that a constant intermediate pressure is always present when the two-way valve is switched.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the spring / damper system comprises one or more control means designed to control and / or regulate at least one of the valves. This refers in particular to the compression valves, the valves arranged in the supply lines, and the rebound valve, which is formed, for example, in the working piston.

[0019] The valves and / or the working piston are expediently designed to provide multiple flow and / or flow paths for the fluid, whereby, for example, different spring and / or damping characteristics can be adjusted through the different flow cross-sections. In particular, the provision of a compression stage valve or base valve in each supply line allows for individual adjustment of the compression stage to the respective set spring rate.

[0020] As already mentioned, a wide variety of valves can be arranged or configured in the supply lines, especially check valves. These allow, for example, spring rate adjustment or level control, depending on the switching position.

[0021] The invention also relates to a suspension fork comprising a spring / damper system according to the invention. A spring element, such as an air spring or a suspension spring, such as a spiral / coil spring, is expediently connected in parallel with the working chamber. The invention also relates to a shock absorber comprising a damper system according to the invention. A spring element, such as an air spring or a spiral or coil spring, is expediently connected in parallel with the working chamber of the spring / damper system. The term "shock absorber" is also understood here to include suspension struts. Suspension struts are essentially the same in their basic design as shock absorbers, but simultaneously also guide the wheel.

[0022] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one spring / damper system according to the invention. Motor vehicles are preferably, in particular, land vehicles, such as passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and especially motorcycles, whereby the term "motorcycles" encompasses both single-track and multi-track vehicles, such as quads or LNM (Lean Multi Wheel) vehicles. Instead of the term "motorcycle," the term "tilting vehicle" can also be used.

[0023] Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of two damper systems with reference to the attached figures.

[0024] They show:

[0025] Fig. 1: a first embodiment of a damper system according to the invention;

[0026] Fig. 2: a second embodiment of a damper system according to the invention.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a spring / damper system, comprising a working chamber 1 in which a displaceable working piston 2 is arranged. This divides the working chamber 1 into a first working chamber 3 and a second working chamber 4. A suspension spring, which is arranged, for example, parallel to the working chamber 1 sketched here, such as a spiral spring, is not shown here. During compression, the working piston 2 moves from the second working chamber 4 towards the first working chamber 3. The fluid in the working chamber 1, such as the oil, is displaced via a main line 5 to a first compensation chamber 10 and a second compensation chamber 20. The aforementioned compensation chambers 10 and 20 are connected to the main line 5 via corresponding supply lines 14 and 24 and each comprise spring elements 40 and separating pistons 42. The upper spring element 40 is, for example, an air spring.Reference numeral 30 denotes a valve, in this case in particular a two-way valve, which has an open position and a closed position. The first compensation chamber 10 is fluidically connected to the working chamber 1 or the first working chamber 3. In the first compensation chamber 10, the working medium is pressurized, see the spring element 40. This is initiated, for example, by a gas, but can alternatively be applied, for example, by a conventional steel spring, as in the second compensation chamber 20. The pressurization prevents cavitation of the oil. Depending on the switching position of the two-way valve 30, the displaced working medium is distributed into the two compensation chambers 10 and 20. This allows a spring rate adjustment to be realized, depending on which compensation chambers 10, 20 are fluidically connected. The base valves orThe compression valves 12 and 22 are arranged, allowing individual adjustment of the compression stage. In other words, this creates the possibility of responding to the currently set spring rate with the compression damping.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a spring / damper system, the essential features of which are already known from Fig. 1. A key difference is that a supply line 14 and a supply line 24 are connected in this case via a connecting line 50 comprising a throttle valve 52. The latter's task is to equalize the intermediate pressure in the system when the two-way valve 30 is closed. If no throttle 52 is used, sudden changes in the overall spring rate can occur when the two-way valve 30 is switched. Alternatively, an intelligent valve control system can be used, which selects the switching points so that a constant intermediate pressure is always present when the two-way shut-off valve is switched. A further difference is that a first compensation chamber 10 and a second compensation chamber 20 are accommodated in a (single) container housing.At this point it should also be mentioned that according to one embodiment the separating pistons can also be provided with a diaphragm to improve the response behavior. When the two-way shut-off valve is open and the damper compresses, the working medium flows into the first compensation chamber and into the second compensation chamber. The pressures present there depend on the volume of the displaced medium and thus on the movement of the damper. Due to the interconnection, the pressures in the compensation chambers are equal. If a sufficiently high pressure builds up in the systems, the separating pistons move in the compensation chambers and thus force is introduced into the respective spring elements 40. Due to the selected system structure and the resulting interconnection, the spring elements 40 outlined here act in series with one another. This series connection acts parallel to a suspension spring (not shown here), which is arranged parallel to the working chamber 1.

[0029] When the valve is closed, the working fluid cannot flow into the first compensation chamber, but instead flows into the second compensation chamber. The displacement of the oil from the damper generates a lifting movement of the corresponding separating piston in the second working chamber. The corresponding spring element 40 generates a corresponding system pressure depending on the stroke and spring rate, which results in an extension force of the piston rod. This leads to a parallel connection of the suspension spring and the spring element 40, which interacts with the second compensation chamber 20.

[0030] Because a compression stage valve or a base valve 12 or 22 is arranged in each of the two supply lines 14 and 24, the compression stage can be individually adjusted to the set spring rate.

[0031] List of reference symbols

[0032] 1 workroom

[0033] 2 Working piston 3 First working chamber

[0034] 4 second working chamber

[0035] 5 Main line

[0036] 10 First compensation room

[0037] 12 First pressure stage valve / bottom valve 14 (First) supply line

[0038] 20 Second compensation room

[0039] 22 Second pressure valve / bottom valve

[0040] 24 (Second) supply line

[0041] 30 (2-way) valve, control valve 40 spring element

[0042] 42 separating pistons

[0043] 50 connecting cable

[0044] 52 throttle valve

Claims

Claims 1. Spring / damper system, comprising a working chamber (1) in which a working piston (2), which divides the working chamber (1) into a first working chamber (3) and a second working chamber (4), is displaceably arranged, and wherein the working chamber (1) is fluidly connected to a first compensation chamber (10) and at least one second compensation chamber (20), and wherein a first compression stage valve (12) is arranged between the working chamber (1) and the first compensation chamber (10) and a second compression stage valve (22) is arranged between the working chamber (1) and the second compensation chamber (20).

2. Spring / damper system according to claim 1, wherein the compensation chambers (10, 20) comprise spring elements (40) and separating pistons (42).

3. Spring / damper system according to claim 2, wherein the spring elements (40) are selected from at least one of the following: air spring, coil spring.

4. Spring / damper system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a valve (30), in particular a 2-way valve, is arranged between the working chamber (1) and at least one compensation chamber (10, 20), whereby the fluid flow from and / or to the corresponding compensation chamber (10, 20) can be regulated.

5. Spring / damper system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a compensation tank which comprises the at least two compensation chambers.

6. Spring / damper system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the respective compression stage valve (12, 22) is arranged between the valve (30) and the respective compensation chamber (10, 20).

7. Spring / damper system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply lines (14, 24) to the compensation chambers (10, 20) are fluidly connected via a connecting line (50).

8. Spring / damper system according to claim 7, wherein a throttle valve (52) is arranged in the connecting line (50).

9. Spring / damper system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising control means which are designed to control and / or regulate at least one of the valves (12, 22, 30, 52).

10. Spring / damper system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one valve (12, 22, 30 52) and / or the working piston (2) provide a plurality of flow paths.

11. Suspension fork comprising a spring / damper system according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Shock absorber comprising a spring / damper system according to one of claims 1 to 10.

13. Motor vehicle, in particular motorcycle, comprising at least one spring / damper system according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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