VIBRATION DAMPER AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration damper for a motor vehicle comprising an inner tube, an outer tube and at least one compensating chamber, which is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube and comprises at least one gas bag, which is arranged in the compensating chamber, wherein the compensating chamber is fluidically connected to at least one working area of the inner tube filled with a hydraulic fluid, wherein at least one guide element is provided, which deflects a flow of the hydraulic fluid during a rebound stage or a compression stage in such a way that the gas bag is indirectly subjected to flow. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. Vibration damper for a motor vehicle comprising an inner tube, an outer tube and at least one compensating chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube and comprising at least one gas bag, which is arranged in the compensating chamber, wherein the compensating chamber (13) is fluidically connected to at least one working area of the inner tube filled with a hydraulic fluid, wherein at least one guide element is provided, which deflects a flow of the hydraulic fluid during a rebound stage or a compression stage in such a way that the gas bag is indirectly subjected to flow.

2. Vibration damper according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is arranged in the flow direction between the gas bag and the at least one working area of the inner tube.

3. Vibration damper according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is arranged in the compensating chamber between a longitudinal end of the gas bag and an inlet opening for the hydraulic fluid.

4. Vibration damper according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is designed in such a way that the hydraulic fluid is guided between the gas bag and at least one tube wall during a rebound stage or compression stage.

5. Vibration damper according to claim 4, wherein the guide element in the cross-section has at least one guide limb which guides the hydraulic fluid to the tube wall during a rebound stage or a compression stage.

6. Vibration damper according to claim 1, wherein the guide element comprises at least one passage opening, in particular, a slit, through which the hydraulic fluid flows past during a rebound stage at the longitudinal end of the gas bag.

7. Vibration damper according to claim 1, wherein the guide element comprises at least one oblong extension with a flow channel, in particular, a flue, which at least partially guides the hydraulic fluid along the gas bag.

8. Vibration damper according to claim 7, wherein the extension is between two lateral ends of the gas bag, in particular, longitudinally running ones, and overlaps both side ends to protect against damage.

9. Vibration damper according to claim 1, wherein at least one intermediate tube is arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube, which divides the compensating chamber into a first annular space and a second annular space, wherein at least one first gas bag is arranged in the first annular space for the rebound stage, and at least one second gas bag is arranged in the second annular space for the compression stage.

10. Vibration damper according to claim 9, wherein a guide element is assigned to each of the gas bags in order to deflect the flow of the hydraulic fluid upstream to the gas bag during a rebound stage or a compression stage.

11. Vibration damper according to claim 9, wherein the guide element is designed as a single piece and deflects the flow of the hydraulic fluid during a rebound stage and a compression stage in such a way that both gas bags are indirectly subjected to flow.

12. Vibration damper according to claim 9, wherein the guide element is arranged between the intermediate tube and a base element, wherein the guide element comprises at least one first seal area facing the intermediate tube and at least one second seal area facing the base element in order to seal the annular spaces against each other in a fluid-tight manner.

13. Vibration damper according to claim 9. wherein the intermediate tube has at least one face-side cutting edge which at least partially cuts into the guide element in the first seal area to seal the annular spaces in a fluid-tight manner

14. Vibration damper according to claim 12, wherein the base element comprises at least one circumferential groove, into which the guide element engages in the second seal area for sealing the annular spaces in a fluid-tight manner.

15. Vibration damper according to claim 9, wherein at least one weld seam is formed in the first seal area, which connects the guide element to the intermediate tube to seal the annular spaces in a fluid-tight manner.

16. Vibration damper according to claim 9. wherein at least one sealing element, in particular an O-ring, is arranged in the second seal area which seals the annular spaces against each other.

17. Vibration damper according to claim 12, wherein the base element has at least one cutting edge which cuts into the guide element in the second seal area to at least partially seal the annular spaces in a fluid-tight manner.

18. Vibration damper according to claim 12, wherein the guide element is connected to the intermediate tube and the base element in a metal-sealing manner.

19. Vibration damper according to claim 1. wherein the guide element is formed by a weldable turned part, a weldable cold-extruded part, an aluminium turned part or an aluminium die-cast part.

20. Motor vehicle with at least one vibration damper according to claim 1.

Description

[0035] The figures show:

[0036] FIG. 1 a longitudinal view of a vibration damper in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

[0037] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a vibration damper in accordance with another exemplary embodiment according to the invention, wherein a guide element is shown in an installed and a non-installed state;

[0038] FIG. 3 a perspective partial view of a vibration damper in accordance with another exemplary embodiment according to the invention with a guide element in the installed state;

[0039] FIG. 4 a perspective top view of a guide element,

[0040] FIG. 5 a detailed section of a longitudinal view of a vibration damper in accordance with another exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

[0041] FIG. 6 a detailed section of a longitudinal view of a vibration damper in accordance with another exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

[0042] FIG. 7 a detail of the view of the vibration damper in accordance with FIG. 6;

[0043] FIG. 8 a detailed section of a longitudinal view of a vibration damper in accordance with another exemplary embodiment according to the invention.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal view of a vibration damper 10 for a motor vehicle in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment according to the invention. The vibration damper 10 comprises a first inner tube 11, a second inner tube 11, an intermediate tube 26 and an outer tube 12. The tubes 11, 11, 12, 26 are arranged coaxially. Furthermore, the vibration damper 10 comprises a piston rod 37 with a piston 38, which is moveably guided in the first inner tube 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vibration damper 10. The piston 38 comprises at least two valve units for the rebound stage and the compression stage. Furthermore, the piston 38 divides the interior space of the first inner tube 11 into a first working area 39 and a second working area 41. In accordance with FIG. 1, the first working area 39 is shown arranged above and the second working area 41 is shown arranged below.

[0045] As described above, the tubes 11, 11, 12, 26 are coaxially arranged. The first inner tube 11 is arranged in the second inner tube 11. Between the first and the second inner tube 11, 11, a ring-shaped intermediate space 42 is formed, which is fluidically connected to the first working area 39. The intermediate space 42 is an extension of the first working area 39. The intermediate space 42 is partially formed in the longitudinal direction of the vibration damper 10. In other words, the intermediate space 42 is formed across a partial length of the inner tubes 11, 11.

[0046] The inner tubes 11, 11 are both arranged in the intermediate tube 26, wherein the intermediate tube 26 in the outer tube 12 is arranged. In other words, the intermediate tube 26 is arranged between the second inner tube 11 and the outer tube 12. The intermediate tube 26 divides a compensating chamber 13 into two annular spaces 27, 27, wherein the compensating chamber 13 between the second inner tube 11 and the outer tube 12 is provided. In summary, the first inner tube 11, the second inner tube 11, the intermediate tube 26 and the outer tube 12 are provided transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vibration damper 10 seen from the inside to the outside.

[0047] A first annular space 27 is formed between the second inner tube 11 and the intermediate tube 26. Furthermore, a second annular space 27 is formed between the intermediate tube 26 and the outer tube 12. A first gas bag 14 is arranged in the first annular space 27 for the rebound stage and a second gas bag 14 is arranged in the second annular space 27 for the compression stage. The working areas 39, 41, the intermediate space 42 and the two annular spaces 27, 27 are filled with a hydraulic fluid e.g. a damper oil. Furthermore, the gas bags 14, 14 are filled with a damper gas, for example, nitrogen.

[0048] The vibration damper 10 also includes a sealing pack 43 and a base element 28. The sealing pack 43 seals the inner tubes 11, 11 at a piston rod facing end 44 of the vibration damper 10 in a fluid-tight manner. The piston rod 37 is arranged in the sealing pack 43 in an axially guided manner. During a rebound stage or compression stage, the piston rod 37 moves in or out through the sealing pack 43 from the first inner tube 11. The base element 28 seals all four tubes 11, 11, 12, 26 at a piston rod-away end 45 of the vibration damper 10 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0049] The base element 45 comprises a first fluid channel 46 and a second fluid channel 47, which fluidically connect the interior space of the first inner tube 11 to the annular spaces 27, 27. Specifically, the first working area 39 is fluidically connected to the first annular space 27 via the intermediate space 42, the first fluid channel 46 and a rebound stage valve 48. The base element 28 has an unrepresented inlet opening, which fluidically connects the rebound stage valve 48 to the first annular space 27. Furthermore, the second working area 41 is fluidically connected via the second fluid channel 47, a compression stage valve 49 and a second inlet opening 51 to the second annular space 27.

[0050] In accordance with FIG. 1, the vibration damper 10 comprises two guide elements 16, wherein a first guide element 16 is arranged in the first annular space 27 and a second guide element 16 is arranged in the second annular space 27. The guide elements 16, 16 deflect the flow or the flow stream of the hydraulic fluid during a rebound stage or a compression stage in such a way that the respective gas bag 14, 14 is indirectly subjected to flow. In other words, the guide elements 16, 16 deflect the flow stream of the hydraulic fluid in such a way that the hydraulic fluid is indirectly introduced to the gas bags 14, 14. The guide elements 16, 16 thus favourably prevent a direct flow of the gas bags 14, 14 whereby their service life is increased. The guide elements 16 are rotationally symmetric. It is conceivable that the guide elements 16 also have a different form from a rotationally symmetric form.

[0051] As can be recognized in FIG. 1, the guide elements 16, 16 are arranged in the annular spaces 27, 27 in the flow direction upstream from the respective gas bag 14, 14. Concretely, the first guide element 16 in the first annular space 27 is arranged in the flow direction before the first gas bag 14. Further, the second guide element 16 in the second annular space 27 is arranged in the flow direction upstream from the second gas bag 14. The respective guide element 16, 16 is arranged between the longitudinal end 17, in particular axial end, the respective gas bag 14, 14 and the respective inlet opening of the base element 28.

[0052] The guide elements 16, 16 are designed in such a way that the hydraulic fluid is guided between the respective gas bag 14, 14 and a tube wall 19 during a rebound stage or a compression stage. Between the guide elements 16, 16 and the respective tube wall 19, at least one slit 52 is formed, through which the hydraulic fluid flows during operation. The slit 52 can be fully circumferential. The slit 52 can also be formed in sections. It is also conceivable that the guide element 16, 16 has at least one flow opening for the hydraulic fluid. The guide elements 16, 16 each have a guide limb 21, which guides the hydraulic fluid to the tube wall 19 during a rebound stage or a compression stage. The guide limb 21 will be discussed in more detail later.

[0053] In accordance with FIG. 1, the hydraulic fluid is guided to an outer tube wall 19 of the second inner tube 11 during a rebound stage. It is also conceivable that the hydraulic fluid is guided to an inner tube wall of the intermediate tube 26 during a rebound stage. The flow stream of the hydraulic fluid is passed by the longitudinal end 17 of the first gas bag 14 so that the hydraulic fluid flows along the gas bag 14 between the circumference of the first gas bag 14 and the outer tube wall 19. The progressive course of the flow stream is shown by the arrow 71.

[0054] During a compression stage, the hydraulic fluid is guided to an outer tube wall 19 of the intermediate tube 26. It is also conceivable that the hydraulic fluid is guided to an inner tube wall of the outer tube 12 during a compression stage. The flow stream of the hydraulic fluid is passed by the longitudinal end 17 of the second gas bag 14 so that the hydraulic fluid flows along the gas bag 14 between the circumference of the second gas bag 14 and the outer tube wall 19. The progressive course of the flow stream is shown by the arrow 72.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a guide element 16 of a vibration damper according to another exemplary embodiment according to the invention. In the left diagram, the guide element 16 is shown in the installed state and in the right representation in the non-installed state.

[0056] In addition to the embodiments of the guide elements 16, 16 mentioned in FIG. 1, the guide element 16 in accordance with FIG. 2 comprises, an oblong extension 23 with a flow channel 24. The oblong extension 23 forms a flue, which partially guides the hydraulic fluid along the respective gas bag 14, 14. During a rebound stage or compression stage, the hydraulic fluid flows through the flow channel 24 of the extension 23 in the longitudinal direction along the gas bag 14, 14. At the same time, a partial flow of the hydraulic fluid flows radially between the gas bag 14, 14 and the one in FIG. 1 described outer tube wall 19, 19 along the gas bag 14, 14.

[0057] In accordance with FIG. 2, the oblong extension 23 is essentially U-shaped. The oblong extension 23 is arranged between two lateral ends 25 of the gas bag 14, 14, in particular longitudinally running ones. The extension 23 overlaps both lateral ends 25 for protection against damage. Due to the overlapping of the lateral ends 25 of the gas bag 14, 14, these are stabilized and protected from the flow of the hydraulic fluid. The guide element 16 also comprises a circumferential bag 53, into which the gas bag 14, 14 engages with its longitudinal end 17.

[0058] As can be recognized in FIG. 2, the gas bag 14, 14 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The gas bag 14, 14 is radially open towards the outside in a circumferential area. The oblong extension 23 additionally serves as a spacer, which keeps the two lateral ends 25 at a constant distance from each other.

[0059] The lateral ends 25 of the gas bag 14, 14 run essentially normally with the longitudinal ends 17 or axial ends of the gas bag 14, 14, in particular, being perpendicular to them. The gas bag 14, 14 respectively has an edge reinforcement 54 at each of its lateral ends 25. The edge reinforcement 54 can be formed by means of an excess plastic melt. Alternatively, the lateral ends 25 of the gas bag 14, 14 can each be reinforced with at least one plastic element, in particular, plastic rods. The plastic element can be welded to the lateral end 25 by induction welding and/or ultrasonic welding.

[0060] In accordance with FIG. 3 a vibration damper 10 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment according to the invention is shown, wherein for better understanding, only an intermediate tube 26, a base element 28 and a guide element 16 are shown. In contrast to the vibration damper in accordance with the FIGS. 1 to 3, only one single guide element 16 is provided for the flow distribution for the rebound stage and the compression stage in the case of the vibration damper 10 in accordance with FIG. 4. The guide element 16 dissipates the flow of the hydraulic fluid during a rebound stage and a compression stage in such a way that both gas bags 14, 14 are indirectly subjected to flow. The guide element 16 is schematically shown in the illustrations of FIG. 3.

[0061] As in the detail view in accordance with FIG. 3 (right representation) is shown, the guide element 16 is arranged between the intermediate tube 26 and a base element 28. Specifically, the guide element 16 is arranged between an end face of the intermediate tube 26 and the base element 28. The guide element 16 protrudes into the first annular space 27 and the second annular space 27 to deflect the flow of the hydraulic fluid from the longitudinal end 17, in particular, axial end, of the gas bag 14, 14. The guide element 16 is U-shaped and has two guide limbs 21. The guide limbs 21 are spaced from the base element 28 and thus from the not shown inlet openings.

[0062] In accordance with the guide element 16, as is shown in FIG. 3, the hydraulic fluid is guided to an outer tube wall of the second inner tube 11 (not shown) during a rebound stage. It is also conceivable that the hydraulic fluid is guided to an inner tube wall of the intermediate tube 26 during a rebound stage. The flow stream of the hydraulic fluid is passed by the longitudinal end 17 of the first gas bag 14 (not shown) so that the hydraulic fluid flows between the circumference of the first gas bag 14 and the outer tube wall along the gas bag 14.

[0063] During a compression stage, the hydraulic fluid is guided to an inner tube wall of the outer tube 12 (not shown). It is also conceivable that the hydraulic fluid is guided to an outer tube wall of the intermediate tube 26 during a compression stage. The flow stream of the hydraulic fluid is passed by the longitudinal end 17 of the second gas bag 14 (not shown) so that the hydraulic fluid flows between the circumference of the second gas bag 14 and the inner tube wall along the gas bag 14.

[0064] The guide element 16 in accordance with FIG. 3 comprises a first seal area 29 facing the intermediate tube 26 and a second seal area 31 facing the base element 28 in order to seal the annular spaces 27, 27 against each other in a fluid-tight manner. Specifically, the first seal area 29 is provided for sealing the guide element 16 against the intermediate tube 26 and the second seal area 31 is provided for sealing the guide element 16 against to the base element 28.

[0065] In accordance with FIG. 3, the intermediate tube 26 has a face-side cutting edge 32, which cuts into the guide element 16 in the first seal area 29 for sealing the annular spaces 27, 27 in a fluid-tight manner. The intermediate tube 26 can also have a plurality of face-side cutting edges. The face-side cutting edge 32 is pressed into the guide element 16 in the first seal area 29. In other words, the guide element 16 is plastically deformed by the cutting edge 32 in the first seal area 29.

[0066] Furthermore, the base element 28 in accordance with FIG. 3 comprises a circumferential groove 33, into which the guide element 16 engages in the second seal area 31 to seal the annular spaces 27, 27 in a fluid-tight manner. The guide element 16 is plastically deformed by pressing into the circumferential groove 33 in such a way that the annular spaces 27, 27 are fluid-tightly sealed against each other. In the first seal area 29, a circumferential sealing edge is formed by the cutting edge 32. Furthermore, two circumferential sealing edges are formed by the circumferential groove 33. The guide element 16 works together with the intermediate tube 26 and the base element 28 in a metal-sealing manner. The guide element 16 can be designed as an aluminium turned part or as an aluminium die-cast part.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows a perspective top view of a guide element 16 as it is used in the vibration dampers 10 in accordance with FIGS. 5 to 8. The guide element 16 has a rotationally symmetrical shape. The guide element 16 has a plurality of passage openings 22, by means of which the hydraulic fluid flows by the longitudinal end 17 of the gas bag 14 during a rebound stage. The passage openings 22 are each formed by a slit. The passage openings 22 can also be formed by holes. The passage openings 22 are formed in an unevenly distributed manner in the circumferential direction. It is also conceivable that the passage openings 22 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0068] In accordance with FIG. 5, the guide element 16, as has already been described in FIG. 3, is arranged between the intermediate tube 26 and the base element 28. In contrast to the vibration damper 10 in accordance with FIG. 3, the guide element 16 in accordance with FIG. 5 is welded to the intermediate tube 26 in the first seal area 29. Specifically, a weld seam is formed between the guide element 16 and the end face of the intermediate tube 26, which connects the guide element 16 to the intermediate tube 26 to seal the annular spaces 27, 27 in a fluid-tight manner. The weld seam can be formed by means of laser welding. The root penetration of the weld seam can be from 0.5-0.8 mm. The guide element 16 is made of a weldable material. The guide element 16 can be formed as a turning part, in particular, from S355 (material number). It is also conceivable that the guide element 16 is designed as a cold-extruded part.

[0069] As is evident in FIG. 5, the guide element 16 has a nib 55 in the second seal area 31, at which a sealing element 34 is arranged. The sealing element 34 is formed by an O-ring. The sealing element 34 is located at a projection 56 of the base element 28 so that the guide element 16 is sealed against the base element 28 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0070] In accordance with the FIGS. 5 to 8, the guide element 16 has two guide limbs 21, wherein a first guide limb 21 is arranged in the first annular space 27 and a second guide limb 21 is arranged in the second annular space 27. During a rebound stage, the first guide limb 21 together with the base element 28 guides the hydraulic fluid into the outer tube wall of the second inner tube 11 so that the flow stream is passed by the longitudinal end 17 of the first gas bag 14. The second guide limb 21 guides the flow stream of the hydraulic fluid to the passage opening 22 during a compression stage in accordance with FIG. 4. The passage opening 22 is provided with an inner side flush with the outer tube wall of the intermediate tube 26. Through the passage opening 22, the hydraulic fluid flows past the longitudinal end 17 of the second gas bag 14.

[0071] In contrast to FIG. 5, a cutting edge seal is provided in the second seal area 31 instead of a sealing element in accordance with FIG. 6. Specifically, the guide element 16 on an inside of the nib 55 has a chamfer 57 and the projection 56 has a cutting edge 36, wherein the cutting edge 36 cuts into the chamfer 57. By cutting the cutting edge 36 of the projection 56 into the chamfer 57 of the guide element 16, a fluid-tight connection is established. This is marked in FIG. 6 by the circle 73. In FIG. 7, the cutting edge connection can be seen in detail. Hereby, the fluid-tight connection is established by the pressing in of the cutting edge 36 into the chamfer 57.

[0072] In accordance with FIG. 8, in contrast to FIG. 6, no weld seam is formed in the first seal area 29. The intermediate tube 26 in accordance with FIG. 8 has a cutting edge (not shown), which, in the first seal area 29, cuts into the guide element 16 to seal the annular spaces 27, 27. The intermediate tube 26 can also have several cutting edges. The cutting edge is pressed into the guide element 16 in the first seal area 29. In other words, the guide element 16 in the first seal area 29 is plastically deformed by the cutting edge 32 so that the annular spaces 27, 27 are sealed against each other. The cutting edge sealing in the first seal area 29 and in the second seal area 31 of the guide element 16 is characterized by the circles 73. In accordance with FIG. 8, the guide element 16 is connected to the intermediate tube 26 and the base element 28 in a metal-sealing manner. The guide element 16 can be designed as an aluminium turned part or as an aluminium die-cast part.

REFERENCE LIST

[0073] 10 vibration damper

[0074] 11, 11, 11 inner tube

[0075] 12 outer tube

[0076] 13 compensating chamber

[0077] 14, 14, 14 gas bag

[0078] 15, 15, 15 working area

[0079] 16, 16, 16 guide element

[0080] 17 longitudinal end of the gas bag

[0081] 18 inlet opening

[0082] 19 tube wall

[0083] 19, 19 outer tube wall

[0084] 21 guide limb

[0085] 22 passage opening

[0086] 23 oblong extension

[0087] 24 flow channel

[0088] 25 lateral end

[0089] 26 intermediate tube

[0090] 27, 27 annular space

[0091] 28 base element

[0092] 29 first seal area

[0093] 31 second seal area

[0094] 32 face-side cutting edge

[0095] 33 circumferential groove

[0096] 34 weld seam

[0097] 35 sealing element

[0098] 36 cutting edge of the base element

[0099] 37 piston rod

[0100] 38 piston

[0101] 39 first working area

[0102] 41 second working area

[0103] 42 intermediate space

[0104] 43 sealing pack

[0105] 44 end facing the piston rod

[0106] 45 end facing away from the piston rod

[0107] 46 first fluid channel

[0108] 47 second fluid channel

[0109] 48 valve unit for the rebound stage

[0110] 49 valve unit for the compression stage

[0111] 51 second inlet opening

[0112] 52 slit

[0113] 53 bag

[0114] 54 edge reinforcement

[0115] 55 nib

[0116] 56 projection

[0117] 57 chamfer

[0118] 71 flow stream of the rebound stage

[0119] 72 flow stream of the compression stage

[0120] 73 circle