Gas pressure spring with switchable blocking device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STABILUS GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure DE2026100044_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0002] Gas spring with switchable locking device
[0003] Technical field
[0004] The invention relates to a gas spring comprising a pressure tube; a piston slidably mounted in the pressure tube along a stroke axis, which divides the pressure tube into a first working chamber and a second working chamber; and a piston rod attached to the piston and extending out of the pressure tube along the stroke axis. The piston includes a channel that fluidly connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber; and a locking device for switchable locking of the channel. The gas spring includes a switching plunger extending out of the pressure tube along the stroke axis through the piston rod, which is configured to switch the locking device from a closed state, blocking the channel, to an open state, releasing the channel, by moving the switching plunger along the stroke axis.
[0005] State of the art
[0006] Gas springs of this type with switchable locking are known, for example, from German patent applications DE 101 31 523 B4, EP 3330568 A1 and DE 43 11 625 A1. In these known gas springs, the switching plunger for engaging the locking device can be moved along the stroke axis by an actuating device attached to the outer end of the piston rod. The actuating device can be a lever oriented perpendicular to the stroke axis for manual actuation, an electric motor, or a thermal expansion element. Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0007] A gas spring with a switchable locking mechanism can be used, for example, to assist the opening of a car's tailgate. In normal operation, the tailgate can only be opened to a certain angle when the locking device is in the closed position. When the locking device is switched to the open position, the tailgate can be opened further in oversized load mode. This prevents the tailgate from hitting nearby objects during normal operation and allows it to be opened wide enough to load and unload bulky items.
[0008] Due to its large space requirement, a lever oriented perpendicular to the stroke axis is a disadvantage when using a gas spring in the confined space of a car's tailgate, for example. While using an electric motor as the actuating device reduces the space requirement, the electric motor and the additional components necessary for its power supply and control increase the manufacturing and operating costs, as well as the installation and maintenance effort for the gas spring.
[0009] Technical task
[0010] The object of the invention is to create a gas spring with a switchable locking device that is particularly cost-effective, space-saving and requires little maintenance.
[0011] Technical solution
[0012] The present invention provides a gas spring according to claim 1, which solves the technical problem. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0013] The gas spring comprises a pressure tube, which may, for example, be essentially hollow cylindrical; may be made of a metal, in particular of steel; and / or may be filled with a gas, in particular nitrogen, and / or with a liquid, in particular oil.
[0014] The gas spring comprises a piston slidably mounted in the pressure tube along a stroke axis, dividing the pressure tube into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. The stroke axis is, for example, coaxial with the pressure tube. The piston carries, for example, a sealing element, in particular a sealing ring, which seals the piston to the pressure tube, in particular in a fluid-tight manner.
[0015] The pressure tube has, for example, at least one axial groove on its inner surface facing the piston, which fluidly connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber. The axial groove preferably extends over a section of the piston's stroke within the pressure tube. This allows the piston to move within this section with minimal resistance.
[0016] The gas spring comprises a piston rod attached to the piston and extending from the pressure tube along the stroke axis. The axial groove in the pressure tube defines a stroke range for the piston rod, within which the piston rod can be pushed into and pulled out of the pressure tube with minimal resistance. This stroke range corresponds, for example, to an opening angle range within which a car's tailgate, supported by the gas spring, should move with minimal resistance during normal operation.
[0017] The piston includes a channel that fluidly connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber; and a blocking device for switchable blocking of the channel. The blocking device includes, for example, a valve seat and a valve body that seals against the valve seat to block the channel. The valve body is Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0018] for example, movable relative to the valve body along the stroke axis to block or release the channel.
[0019] When the locking device blocks the channel, the gas spring offers greater resistance to the piston rod moving into or out of the pressure tube than when the locking device releases the channel. In particular, if the locking occurs when the piston is in a position without an axial groove in the pressure tube, movement of the piston rod can be completely prevented. For example, if the gas spring is used to support a car's tailgate, the locking device can block the channel during normal operation, thus preventing the tailgate from opening beyond its intended opening angle. When the locking device is switched to an opening position that releases the channel, the tailgate can be opened beyond its intended opening angle.
[0020] The gas spring includes a switching plunger extending along the stroke axis through the piston rod from the pressure tube. This plunger is configured to switch the locking device from a closed, channel-blocking state to an open, channel-releasing state by moving the switching plunger relative to the locking device along the stroke axis. For example, the switching plunger is configured to move the valve body of the locking device relative to the valve seat of the locking device along the stroke axis from a closed, channel-blocking position to an open, channel-releasing position.
[0021] The gas spring comprises a guide element attached to an outer end of the piston rod extending from the pressure tube, and an actuating tube that radially encloses the guide element at least partially to the stroke axis and is designed to actuate the locking device. The guide element connects, for example, the piston rod mechanically, in particular rigidly, to a connecting element, in particular to Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0022] A ball socket is used to connect the gas spring to a component supported by the gas spring. The actuating tube is, for example, hollow cylindrical and / or arranged coaxially to the stroke axis. The actuating tube is rotatably guided by the guide element, in particular on the guide element, at least about the stroke axis. The actuating tube is connected to the switching plunger in such a way that a rotation of the actuating tube about the stroke axis causes a displacement of the switching plunger along the stroke axis relative to the locking device. Because the guide element rotatably guides the actuating tube at least about the stroke axis, the actuating tube is rotatable relative to the guide element at least about the stroke axis. The actuating tube can optionally be movable in one or more additional directions relative to the guide element. In particular, the actuating tube can be movable relative to the guide element along the stroke axis.The mobility of the actuating tube along the stroke axis and the rotatability of the actuating tube around the stroke axis can, in particular, result in the actuating tube being guided along a helical line around the stroke axis.
[0023] Beneficial effects
[0024] The actuating tube is more space-saving than a radially oriented actuating lever for manually operating the locking device. Because the actuating tube partially encloses the guide element, it is easily accessible for manual operation of the locking device. This connection between the actuating tube and the guide element allows the shift plunger to be easily moved along the stroke axis by simply rotating the actuating tube around the stroke axis. Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0025] Description of the execution types
[0026] The actuating tube is movably guided by the guide element, preferably along a helical path around the stroke axis. Guiding the actuating tube along the helical path allows the shift plunger to be moved along the stroke axis by manually rotating the actuating tube around the stroke axis with minimal effort.
[0027] The gas spring preferably comprises a release element arranged at the outer end of the piston rod for displacing the switching plunger, wherein the release element is slidably guided by the guide element, particularly within the guide element, along the stroke axis. The actuating tube is preferably configured to displace the release element relative to the locking device along the stroke axis when the actuating tube rotates relative to the guide element about the stroke axis. The rotation of the actuating tube thus causes the switching plunger to be displaced along the stroke axis relative to the locking device via the release element, in order to engage the locking device.
[0028] The release element preferably comprises a bolt oriented transversely to the stroke axis, wherein the guide element preferably comprises an elongated hole in which the bolt is slidably guided along the stroke axis.
[0029] The actuating tube preferably has at least one driver, for example at least one projection circumferentially around the stroke axis, on an inner surface facing the guide element. This driver displaces the bolt along the stroke axis when the actuating tube rotates about the stroke axis. The driver and the bolt enable a reliable conversion of the rotation of the actuating tube into a displacement of the switching plunger for engaging the locking device, using simple means. The driver, for example, has at least one contact surface with the bolt that is oriented obliquely to the stroke axis. This contact surface is configured to convert the rotation of the actuating tube about the stroke axis into a displacement of the bolt along the stroke axis.
[0030] translate. The contact surface, which is oriented at an angle to the lifting axis, runs, for example, along a helical line around the lifting axis.
[0031] The actuating tube preferably has an internal thread on its inner surface facing the guide element. The guide element preferably has an external thread on its outer surface facing the actuating tube. The internal and external threads preferably work together to guide the actuating tube along the guide element in a helical path around the stroke axis. The internal and external threads enable reliable guidance of the actuating tube along the helical path using simple means.
[0032] The switching plunger is preferably configured to switch the locking device from the closed position, blocking the channel, to the open position, releasing the channel, by shifting the switching plunger onto the locking device. The switching plunger can be pushed away from the locking device by the internal pressure in the pressure tube to switch the locking device from the open position to the closed position. This has the advantage that only compressive forces, and no tensile forces, need to be transmitted from the actuating tube to the switching plunger to switch the locking device to the open position. The return of the locking device to the closed position can be effected by the internal pressure, which pushes the switching plunger away from the locking device as soon as the switching plunger is no longer pressed against the locking device by the actuating tube.This allows for a particularly simple mechanical connection between the actuating tube and the shift plunger.
[0033] The gas spring can be designed, for example by a sufficiently smooth movement of the actuating tube and / or by a sufficiently high internal pressure, so that the internal pressure automatically switches the locking device into the closed position as soon as the Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0034] The actuating tube is no longer manually operated. This is particularly advantageous when a gas spring lock is a safety feature, for example, when the lock prevents a car's tailgate from opening too far.
[0035] The locking device preferably comprises a spring element, for example a coil spring, configured to force the locking device, in particular the valve body of the locking device, into the closed position. The actuating tube only needs to be configured to switch the locking device from the closed to the open position, for example by transmitting only compressive forces from the actuating tube to the switching plunger, while the spring element ensures the locking device returns to the closed position. This allows for a particularly simple mechanical connection between the actuating tube and the switching plunger.
[0036] The gas spring can be designed, for example by ensuring sufficiently smooth movement of the actuating tube and / or a sufficiently high spring force of the spring element, so that the spring element automatically switches the locking device to the closed position as soon as the actuating tube is no longer manually operated. This is particularly advantageous when locking the gas spring is a safety feature, for example, when the locking prevents a car's tailgate from opening too far.
[0037] Depending on the internal pressure of the gas spring, which is determined, for example, by the desired extension force of the gas spring, the internal pressure alone or in combination with the spring element can exert a sufficiently high force on the locking device to automatically switch the locking device into the closed position.
[0038] The blocking device preferably comprises a damping element, for example a hydraulic damper, which is designed to prevent movement of the blocking device, in particular of the valve body of Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0039] The damping element dampens the movement of the locking device from the open to the closed position. This element can delay the automatic return of the locking device to the closed position, for example, due to internal pressure in the pressure tube or a spring element. This allows the locking device to remain in the open position for a predefined period after the actuating tube has been used to move the locking device to the open position. This predefined period is, for example, long enough to fully open a car's tailgate supported by a gas spring before the locking device returns to the closed position. The damping element thus simplifies the operation of the gas spring.
[0040] The open state of the locking device preferably corresponds to an open position of the actuating tube with respect to rotation about the stroke axis. The locking device and the actuating tube are therefore preferably connected to each other in such a way that the locking device is in the open state precisely when the actuating tube is in the open position.
[0041] The closed state of the locking device preferably corresponds to a closed position of the actuating tube with respect to a rotation about the stroke axis. The locking device and the actuating tube are therefore preferably connected to each other in such a way that the locking device is in the closed state precisely when the actuating tube is in the closed position.
[0042] The actuating tube is preferably connected to the pressure tube via a cam guide. The cam guide thus couples the linear movement of the piston rod with the rotary movement of the actuating tube in a simple manner. Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0043] The cam guide is preferably configured to rotate the actuating tube from the open position around the stroke axis to the closed position when the piston rod is inserted into the pressure tube. If the piston rod is inserted while the locking device is in the open position, the cam guide switches the locking device to the closed position by rotating the actuating tube.
[0044] This results in exceptionally high operational reliability, superior user comfort, and a cost-effective and robust design for the gas spring. The cam mechanism ensures automatic and forced return of the locking device to the secure closed position.
[0045] The gas spring, for example when used to support a car's tailgate, can be configured so that the piston rod can only be extended from the pressure tube to a predetermined length when the locking device is closed, and beyond this predetermined length when the locking device is open. In such a configuration, the locking device should typically remain in the closed position during normal operation of the gas spring to prevent unintentional extension of the piston rod beyond the predetermined length, which could, for example, lead to the tailgate opening too far. Therefore, it is advantageous for the cam follower to return the locking device to the closed position when the piston rod is retracted after it has been extended beyond the predetermined length in the open position.
[0046] The cam guide preferably comprises at least one cam arranged on an inner side of the actuating tube facing the pressure tube and at least one cam projection arranged on an outer side of the pressure tube facing the actuating tube and guided in the cam. Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0047] The cam preferably comprises a closing section in which the cam projection is displaceable along the stroke axis over the entire stroke of the gas spring piston rod when the actuating tube is in the closed position. As long as the actuating tube is in the closed position, and thus the locking device is in the closed state, the cam guide, due to the closing section, does not cause the actuating tube to rotate when the piston rod is inserted or withdrawn.
[0048] The cam profile preferably comprises an opening section in which the cam projection is displaceable along the stroke axis when the piston rod is extended to a predefined length and the actuating tube is in the open position. The predefined length is preferably at least as long as the piston rod can be extended with the locking device in the closed position. Thus, the cam guide does not cause the actuating tube to rotate when the piston rod is moved within the extended position with the locking device in the open position.
[0049] The cam preferably includes a transition section designed to guide the cam projection from the opening section to the closing section when the piston rod is inserted into the pressure tube below the predefined length and the actuating tube is rotated from the open position to the closed position. As soon as the piston rod with the locking device is inserted below the predefined length in the open position, the cam guide switches the locking device to the closed position, in which the locking device then remains until the actuating tube is actuated again, thus preventing the piston rod from being extended beyond the predefined length. Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0050] Brief description of the drawings
[0051] Further advantages, objectives and features of the invention are explained with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.
[0052] Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a gas spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0053] Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a gas spring according to a further embodiment of the invention.
[0054] Figure 3 schematically shows a cam track of a gas spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0055] Fig. 1
[0056] Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a gas spring 100 according to an embodiment of the invention along a stroke axis H of the gas spring 100. The gas spring 100 shown comprises a pressure tube 110, which is filled, for example, with nitrogen gas and / or with oil. The gas spring 100 comprises a piston 120 slidably mounted in the pressure tube 110 along the stroke axis H, which divides the pressure tube 110 into a first working chamber 111 and a second working chamber 112. The piston 120 is sealed, for example, by a sealing element 125 to an inner side of the pressure tube 110. The gas spring 100 comprises a piston rod 130 attached to the piston 120 and extending out of the pressure tube 110 along the stroke axis H, for example, by a guide-seal unit 180.The piston 120 comprises a channel 121 that fluidly connects the first working chamber 111 to the second working chamber 112, and a locking device 122 for switchable blocking of the channel 121. The locking device 122 includes, for example, a valve body 127 displaceable along the stroke axis H, which interacts with a valve seat 126 to block the channel. Gas spring 100Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1.
[0057] The locking device 122 comprises a switching plunger 131 extending along the stroke axis H through the piston rod 130 from the pressure tube 110, which is configured to switch the locking device 122 from a closed state blocking the channel 121 to an open state releasing the channel 121 by displacing the switching plunger 131 along the stroke axis H, in particular towards the locking device 122. The locking device 122 preferably comprises a spring element 123, for example a coil spring, which is configured to force the locking device 122 into the closed state, in particular by displacing the valve body 127 of the locking device 122 along the stroke axis H towards the switching plunger 131.The gas spring 100 comprises a guide element 140 attached to an outer end 132 of the piston rod 130 extending from the pressure tube 110, and an actuating tube 150 that radially encloses the guide element 140 at least partially with respect to the stroke axis H. On the side of the guide element 140 facing away from the piston rod 130, a first connecting element 170, in particular a ball socket, is attached for connecting the gas spring 100 to a component supported by the gas spring. A second connecting element 170 is attached, for example, to the pressure tube 110 at an end of the gas spring 100 opposite the first connecting element 170 along the stroke axis H. The actuating tube 150 is rotatably guided by the guide element 140 about the stroke axis H and is connected to the switching plunger 131 in such a way that a rotation of the actuating tube 150 about the stroke axis H causes a displacement of the switching plunger 131 along the stroke axis H.To guide the actuating tube 150, the guide element 140 has, for example, an external thread 144 on an outer surface of the guide element 140 facing the actuating tube 150, which interacts with an internal thread 152 arranged on an inner surface of the actuating tube 150 facing the guide element 140 to guide the actuating tube 150 along a helical path around the stroke axis H. The gas spring 100 comprises a release element 141 arranged at the outer end 132 of the piston rod 130, for example inStabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1.
[0058] Form of a bolt for displacing the switching plunger 131, wherein the release element 141 is slidably guided by the guide element 140, for example in an elongated hole 143 in the guide element 140, along the stroke axis H.
[0059] Fig. 2
[0060] Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a gas spring 100 according to a further embodiment of the invention along the stroke axis H of the gas spring 100. Features of the gas spring 100 in Figure 2 that correspond to features of the gas spring in Figure 1 are designated in Figure 2 with the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 and are not described again here. The actuating tube 150 of the gas spring 100 is configured to displace the release element 141 of the gas spring 100 along the stroke axis H when the actuating tube 150 is rotated about the stroke axis H. For this purpose, the actuating tube 150 has at least one driver 151, for example two drivers 151, in particular in the form of projections, on an inner side of the actuating tube 150 facing the guide element 140, for displacing the release element 141 designed as a bolt along the stroke axis H when the actuating tube 150 is rotated about the stroke axis H.The opening state of the locking device 122 of the gas spring 100 corresponds to an opening position of the actuating tube 150 of the gas spring 100 with respect to a rotation about the stroke axis H, and the closing state of the locking device 122 corresponds to a closing position of the actuating tube 150 with respect to a rotation about the stroke axis H. The actuating tube 150 is connected to the pressure tube 110 via a cam guide 160, the cam guide 160 being configured to rotate the actuating tube 150 from the opening position about the stroke axis H to the closed position when the piston rod 130 is inserted into the pressure tube 110. The cam guide 160 comprises a cam 161 arranged on an inner side of the actuating tube 150 facing the pressure tube 110 and a
[0061] cam projection 162, which is arranged on the outside of the pressure tube 110 facing the actuating tube 150 and guided in the cam 161.
[0062] Fig. 3
[0063] Figure 3 schematically shows a cam guide 160 of a gas spring 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The cam 161 of the cam guide 160 comprises an opening section 164 in which the cam projection 162 is displaceable along the stroke axis H in a state where the piston rod 130 of the gas spring 100 is extended over a predefined length (symbolized by double arrows between the positions of the cam projection 162 marked 1 and 3) when the actuating tube 150 of the gas spring 100 is in the open position. The cam 161 includes a closing section 163 in which the cam projection 162 is displaceable along the stroke axis H over an entire stroke of the piston rod 130 (symbolized by double arrows between the positions of the cam projection 162 marked 2 and 6) when the actuating tube 150 is in the closed position.The cam 161 includes a transition section 165, which is designed to guide the cam projection 162 from the opening position to the closing position from the opening section 164 to the closing section 163 when the piston rod 130 is inserted below the predefined length into the pressure tube 110 and the actuating tube 150 is rotated (symbolized by arrows around the position of the cam projection 162 marked with 5). In the position where the piston rod 130 is extended beyond the predefined length, the actuating tube 150 can be manually rotated from the open position to the closed position and back, whereby the cam projection 162 moves from the opening section 164 to the closing section 163 and back (symbolized by double arrows between the positions marked 1 and 2 and between the positions of the cam projection 162 marked 3 and 4). Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1.
[0064] The present invention provides a gas spring with a switchable locking device, characterized by particularly high operational reliability, superior user comfort, and a cost-effective and robust design. These advantages are achieved in particular by the cam mechanism described above.
[0065] A key advantage of the cam-guided mechanism lies in the automatic and forced resetting of the locking device to the safe closed position. This eliminates a significant safety risk of conventional manual systems: If a user forgets to manually reactivate the locking device after using the extended opening range (bulky goods operation), a rear door, for example, could extend uncontrollably to its maximum stop during the next opening operation and collide with an obstacle, such as a low garage ceiling. The cam-guided mechanism according to the invention forces the linear retraction movement of the piston rod to a rotary movement of the actuating tube. Thus, the locking device is automatically reactivated as soon as the rear door is closed, without the user having to remember to do so. The system automatically returns to its safe home state.
[0066] This results in a significant increase in user-friendliness and intuitive ease of use. The user only needs to perform one conscious action – turning the operating tube to unlock it. The safety-relevant re-engagement, i.e., the re-locking, occurs fully automatically and requires no further attention. Operation is therefore simple, safe, and error-resistant.
[0067] Another significant advantage lies in the purely mechanical implementation of this intelligent function. In contrast to electronic alternatives, which would rely on complex and failure-prone components such as electric motors, sensors, control units, and wiring, the solution according to the invention offers high robustness and durability. This is particularly important in the demanding operating environment of a vehicle. Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0068] Temperature fluctuations, humidity, and vibrations are of great importance. The mechanical solution directly leads to lower manufacturing costs and minimal maintenance throughout the product's entire lifespan.
[0069] Finally, the coaxial arrangement of the actuating tube around the piston rod enables an extremely space-saving design. Compared to radially projecting actuating levers, the gas spring according to the invention requires no additional installation space and can therefore be easily integrated even in very tight installation conditions.
[0070] List of reference symbols
[0071] H lifting axis
[0072] 100 gas springs
[0073] 110 pressure pipe
[0074] 111 first workroom
[0075] 112 second workroom
[0076] 120 pistons
[0077] Channel 121
[0078] 122 Locking device
[0079] 123 Spring element
[0080] 125 sealing element
[0081] 126 Valve seat Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1
[0082] 127 Valve bodies
[0083] 130 piston rod
[0084] 131 shift plungers
[0085] 132 Outer end
[0086] 140 guide element
[0087] 141 Trigger element
[0088] 143 Slotted hole
[0089] 144 external threads
[0090] 150 Actuating tube
[0091] 151 drivers
[0092] 152 internal threads
[0093] 160 Backstage Tour
[0094] 161 Scenery
[0095] 162 backdrop advantage
[0096] 163 Locking section
[0097] 164 Opening section
[0098] 165 Transition section
[0099] 170 Connection element
[0100] 180 Guide-seal unit
Claims
Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1 Claims 1. Gas spring (100) comprising a. a pressure pipe (110); b. a piston (120) slidably mounted in the pressure tube (110) along a stroke axis (H), which divides the pressure tube (110) into a first working chamber (111) and a second working chamber (112); and c. a piston rod (130) attached to the piston (120) and extending out of the pressure tube (110) along the stroke axis (H); d. wherein the piston (120) comprises a channel (121) which fluidly connects the first working chamber (111) to the second working chamber (112); e. wherein the piston (120) comprises a blocking device (122) for switchable blocking of the channel (121); and f. wherein the gas spring (100) comprises a switching plunger (131) extending along the stroke axis (H) through the piston rod (130) out of the pressure tube (110), which is configured to switch the locking device (122) by a displacement of the switching plunger (131) along the stroke axis (H) from a closed state blocking the channel (121) to an open state releasing the channel (121); characterized by the fact that g. the gas spring (100) comprises a guide element (140) attached to an outer end (132) of the piston rod (130) extending out of the pressure tube (110); h. wherein the gas spring (100) comprises an actuating tube (150) which encloses the guide element (140) radially to the stroke axis (H) at least partially and is provided for actuating the locking device (122); i. wherein the actuating tube (150) is rotatably guided by the guide element (140) at least about the stroke axis (H); Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1 j. wherein the actuating tube (150) is connected to the shift plunger (131) in such a way that a rotation of the actuating tube (150) about the stroke axis (H) causes a displacement of the shift plunger (131) along the stroke axis (H).
2. Gas spring (100) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating tube (150) is rotatably guided by the guide element (140) along a helical line about the stroke axis (H).
3. Gas spring (100) according to claim 1 or 2, a. wherein the gas spring (100) comprises a release element (141) arranged at the outer end (132) for displacing the switching plunger (131), b. wherein the release element (141) is slidably guided by the guide element (140) along the lifting axis (H); and c. wherein the actuating tube (150) is configured to move the release element (141) along the stroke axis (H) when the actuating tube (150) is rotated about the stroke axis (H).
4. Gas spring (100) according to claim 3, a. wherein the release element (141) comprises a bolt oriented transversely to the stroke axis (H); b. wherein the guide element (140) comprises an elongated hole (143) in which the bolt is slidably guided along the stroke axis (H); and c. wherein the actuating tube (150) has at least one driver (151) on an inner side of the actuating tube (150) facing the guide element (140) for displacing the bolt along the stroke axis (H) when the actuating tube (150) is rotated about the stroke axis (H).
5. Gas spring (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1 a. wherein the actuating tube (150) has an internal thread (152) on an inner side of the actuating tube (150) facing the guide element (140); and b. wherein the guide element (140) has an external thread (144) on an outer side of the guide element (140) facing the actuating tube (150); c. wherein the internal thread (152) and the external thread (144) cooperate to guide the actuating tube (150) along a helical line around the stroke axis (H).
6. Gas spring (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the switching plunger (131) is configured to switch the locking device (122) from the closed state to the open state by shifting the switching plunger (131) towards the locking device (122).
7. Gas spring (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking device (122) comprises a spring element (123) which is configured to force the locking device (122) into the closed position.
8. Gas spring (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locking device (122) comprises a damping element which is configured to dampen a movement of the locking device (122) from the open state to the closed state.
9. Gas spring (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the opening state of the locking device (122) corresponds to an opening position of the actuating tube (150) with respect to a rotation about the stroke axis (H), and wherein the closing state of the locking device (122) corresponds to a closing position of the actuating tube (150) with respect to a rotation about the stroke axis (H). Stabilus GmbH 24I01WOP1 10. Gas spring (100) according to claim 9, wherein the actuating tube (150) is connected to the pressure tube (110) via a cam guide (160).
11. Gas spring (100) according to claim 10, wherein the cam guide (160) is configured to rotate the actuating tube (150) from the opening position about the stroke axis (H) to the closed position when the piston rod (130) is inserted into the pressure tube (110).
12. Gas spring (100) according to claim 11, wherein the cam guide (160) comprises a cam (161) arranged on an inner side of the actuating tube (150) facing the pressure tube (110) and a cam projection (162) arranged on an outer side of the pressure tube (110) facing the actuating tube (150) and guided in the cam (161).
13. Gas spring (100) according to claim 11 , a. wherein the cam (161) comprises a closing section (163) in which the cam projection (162) is displaceable along the stroke axis (H) over an entire stroke of the piston rod (130) when the actuating tube (150) is in the closed position; b. wherein the cam (161) comprises an opening section (164) in which the cam projection (162) is displaceable along the stroke axis (H) in a state of the piston rod (130) extended over a predefined length when the actuating tube (150) is in the open position; and c. wherein the cam (161) includes a transition section (165) which is designed to guide the cam projection (162) from the opening section (164) to the closing section (163) when the piston rod (130) is inserted below the predefined length into the pressure tube (110) and the actuating tube (150) is rotated from the opening position to the closing position.