Damping system for damping a movement of a flap of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a damping system for damping a movement of a flap of a vehicle relative to a body of the vehicle. The damping system comprises two coupling elements for coupling the damping system to the flap and to the body, wherein the two coupling elements are connected to one another so as to be linearly displaceable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the damping system, and a spindle gear with a rotary element selected from a threaded spindle aligned along the longitudinal axis and a spindle nut guided on the threaded spindle. The spindle gear is connected to a first of the two coupling elements in such a way that the spindle gear translates a translation of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element along the longitudinal axis into a rotation of the rotary element about the longitudinal axis. The damping system comprises a damping device and a centrifugal clutch, wherein the centrifugal clutch is configured to connect the rotary element to the damping device for damping the rotation of the rotary element when a speed of the rotary element exceeds a switching speed.

Claims

1. A damping system for damping a movement of a flap of a vehicle relative to a body of the vehicle, the damping system comprising: two coupling elements for coupling the damping system to the flap and to the body, wherein the two coupling elements are connected to one another so as to be linearly displaceable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the damping system; a threaded spindle aligned along the longitudinal axis; a spindle nut guided on the threaded spindle; a spindle gear with a rotary element selected from the threaded spindle and the spindle nut, wherein the spindle gear is connected to a first of the two coupling elements in such a way that the spindle gear translates a translation of the first coupling element along the longitudinal axis relative to the second coupling element into a rotation of the rotary element about the longitudinal axis; a damping device; and a centrifugal clutch, wherein the centrifugal clutch is configured to connect the rotary element to the damping device for damping the rotation of the rotary element when a speed of the rotary element exceeds a switching speed.

2. The damping system according to claim 1, wherein the centrifugal clutch comprises an outer rotor rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the second coupling element and an inner rotor rotatably mounted in the outer rotor about the longitudinal axis relative to the outer rotor and to the second coupling element, wherein the rotary element of the spindle gear is connected to the inner rotor for transmitting its rotation to the inner rotor, wherein the inner rotor comprises a connecting element which is configured to connect the inner rotor to the outer rotor for transmitting its rotation to the outer rotor when the speed of the rotary element exceeds the switching speed, wherein the damping device for damping the rotation of the outer rotor is connected to the outer rotor.

3. The damping system according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element is configured to form-fittingly connect the inner rotor to the outer rotor with respect to a rotation about the longitudinal axis when the speed of the rotary element exceeds the switching speed.

4. The damping system according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element comprises a displacement element mounted so as to be radially displaceable to the longitudinal axis relative to the inner rotor.

5. The damping system according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the outer rotor facing the inner rotor comprises a recess for partially receiving the connecting element.

6. The damping system according to claim 5, wherein the recess is shaped in such a way that the connecting element is driven out of the recess toward the longitudinal axis in a release direction during rotation of the inner rotor about the longitudinal axis relative to the outer rotor.

7. The damping system according to claim 5, wherein the recess is shaped in such a way that the connecting element is blocked in the recess during rotation of the inner rotor about the longitudinal axis relative to the outer rotor in a blocking direction.

8. The damping system according to claim 2, wherein the centrifugal clutch comprises a spring element, wherein the spring element is configured to separate the rotary element from the damping device when the speed of the rotary element falls below the switching speed.

9. The damping system according to claim 8, wherein the spring element connects the connecting element to the inner rotor in such a way that the spring element exerts a spring force on the connecting element directed toward the longitudinal axis.

10. The damping system according to claim 9, wherein the damping system comprises a friction element, wherein the friction element frictionally connects the rotary element to the damping device for damping the rotation of the rotary element, independently of the speed of the rotary element.

11. The damping system according to claim 10, wherein the friction element comprises a tolerance ring, wherein the tolerance ring frictionally connects the inner rotor to the outer rotor.

12. The damping system according to claim 1, wherein the damping device comprises a fluid rotary damper.

13. The damping system according to claim 2, wherein the damping device comprises a friction surface fastened to the outer rotor and a mating friction surface fastened to the second coupling element of the damping system, wherein the friction surface interacts with the mating friction surface in a frictionally engaged manner.

14. A vehicle comprising: a body; a flap movable relative to the body; and a damping system according to claim 1, wherein one of the two coupling elements of the damping system is coupled to the flap and one to the body.

15. A use of a damping system according to claim 1 for damping a movement of a flap of a vehicle relative to a body of the vehicle, wherein one of the two coupling elements of the damping system is coupled to the flap and one to the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages, objectives and properties of the invention are explained with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments according to the invention are shown. Identical or like or similar components are provided with the same reference sign. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form expedient further combinations. Individual or multiple exemplary embodiments can therefore advantageously be combined with one another.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a damping system according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the centrifugal clutch and the damping device of a damping system according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the centrifugal clutch of a damping system according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the centrifugal clutch of a damping system according to the invention at different speeds.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a partial longitudinal section of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a damping system according to the invention.

(7) FIG. 1

(8) FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis LA of a damping system 100 according to the invention for damping a movement of a flap of a vehicle relative to a body of the vehicle.

(9) The shown damping system 100 comprises two coupling elements 110, 120 which are designed, for example, as ball sockets, for coupling the damping system 100 to the flap and to the body, wherein the two coupling elements 110, 120 are connected to one another so as to be linearly displaceable relative to one another along the longitudinal axis LA of the damping system 100. If the damping system 100 is coupled to the flap and to the body, a movement of the flap relative to the body therefore leads to a change in the length of the damping system 100.

(10) The shown damping system 100 comprises a spindle gear 130 with a rotary element which is designed, for example, as a threaded spindle 131 aligned along the longitudinal axis LA, on which a spindle nut 132 is guided. The spindle gear 130 is connected to a first of the two coupling elements 110 in such a way that the spindle gear 130 translates a translation of the first coupling element 110 which is fastened, for example, to the spindle nut 132, along the longitudinal axis LA relative to the second coupling element 120 into a rotation of the rotary element, for example the threaded spindle 131, about the longitudinal axis LA. When the flap of the vehicle moves relative to the body of the vehicle, the rotary element is thereby set in rotation, wherein the speed of the rotary element depends on the movement speed of the flap.

(11) The shown damping system 100 comprises a damping device 150 and a centrifugal clutch 140, wherein the centrifugal clutch 140 is configured to connect the rotary element to the damping device 150 for damping the rotation of the rotary element when a speed of the rotary element, for example the threaded spindle 131, exceeds a switching speed. Consequently, the damping device 150 dampens a movement of the flap of the vehicle relative to the body of the vehicle when the movement speed of the flap exceeds a switching speed. The damping device 150 comprises, for example, a fluid rotary damper.

(12) The damping device 150 and the centrifugal clutch 140 are accommodated, for example, in a housing 170, in particular in a housing tube. For example, a base piece 230 is attached to a free end of the housing 170 with respect to the longitudinal axis LA, to which the second coupling element 120 is fastened.

(13) The spindle gear 130 is, for example, accommodated in a casing tube 233. The end of the threaded spindle 131 facing the second coupling element 120 is connected, for example, to the centrifugal clutch 140. An external thread of the threaded spindle 131 is in threaded engagement with an internal thread of the spindle nut 132 so that a translation of the spindle nut 132 along the longitudinal axis LA can be converted into a rotational movement of the threaded spindle 131 about the longitudinal axis LA.

(14) The spindle nut 132 is connected, for example, to a guide tube 240, to the free end of which the first coupling element 110 is fastened. For example, a guide disk 244 is arranged at the end of the threaded spindle 131 facing away from the second coupling element 120 and engages with the inner surface of the guide tube 240. The guide tube 240 is surrounded, for example, by a helical spring 246 which counteracts a change in a length of the damping system 100 along the longitudinal axis LA compared to a resting length of the damping system 100. To protect the helical spring 246 from external influences, it is surrounded, for example, by a protective tube 248 which is also connected to the free end of the guide tube 240.

(15) FIG. 2

(16) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the centrifugal clutch 140 and the damping device 150 of a damping system 100 according to the invention as a perspective view (FIG. 2A) and as a side view (FIG. 2B). The side view is provided with exemplary dimensions in mm.

(17) FIG. 3

(18) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the centrifugal clutch 140 of a damping system 100 according to the invention as a side view (FIG. 3A) and as a section along the longitudinal axis LA of the damping system 100 (FIG. 3B).

(19) The shown centrifugal clutch 140 comprises an outer rotor 141 rotatable about the longitudinal axis LA relative to the housing 170 of the damping system 100, and an inner rotor 142 rotatably mounted in the outer rotor 141 about the longitudinal axis LA relative to the outer rotor 141 and to the second housing 170.

(20) The rotary element of the spindle gear 130, for example the threaded spindle 131 of the spindle gear 130, can be connected to the inner rotor 142 to transmit its rotation to the inner rotor 142. For the connection, the inner rotor 142 has, for example, an inner connecting element 147, in particular a receiving opening for a hexagonal projection. In the damping system 100 according to the invention, the inner connecting element 147 is connected, for example, to the threaded spindle 131 of the spindle gear 130.

(21) The inner rotor 142 comprises a connecting element 143 which is configured to connect the inner rotor 142 to the outer rotor 141 for transmitting its rotation to the outer rotor 141 when the speed of the rotary element exceeds the switching speed.

(22) The connecting element 143 is configured, for example, to form-fittingly connect the inner rotor 142 to the outer rotor 141 with respect to a rotation about the longitudinal axis LA when the speed of the rotary element exceeds the switching speed.

(23) The connecting element 143 comprises, for example, a displacement element mounted so as to be radially displaceable to the longitudinal axis LA relative to the inner rotor 142. An inner surface 145 of the outer rotor 141 facing the inner rotor 142 comprises, for example, a recess 146 for partially receiving the connecting element 143. As a result, the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the inner rotor 142 can drive the connecting element 143 radially out of the inner rotor 142 toward the longitudinal axis LA so that the connecting element 143 engages in the recess 146 and thereby form-fittingly connects the inner rotor 142 to the outer rotor 141 with respect to the rotation about the longitudinal axis LA when the speed of the rotary element exceeds the switching speed.

(24) The damping device 150 can be connected to the outer rotor 141 to dampen the rotation of the outer rotor 141. For the connection, the outer rotor 141 has, for example, an external connecting element 148, in particular a hexagonal projection. The external connecting element 148 is connected in the damping system 100 according to the invention, for example, to a fluid rotary damper. Accordingly, the fluid rotary damper can dampen rotation of the inner rotor 142 and the associated rotary element, for example the threaded spindle 131, when the speed of the rotary element exceeds the switching speed.

(25) Alternatively or in addition to the fluid rotary damper, the damping device 150 can comprise a friction surface 152 fastened to the outer rotor 141, for example the outer surface of the outer rotor, and a mating friction surface 153 fastened to the housing 170 of the damping system 100, for example the inner surface of the housing 170, wherein the friction surface 152 interacts with the mating friction surface 153 in a frictionally engaged manner. Accordingly, the friction surface 152 and the mating friction surface 153 can dampen rotation of the inner rotor 142 and the associated rotary element, for example the threaded spindle 131, when the speed of the rotary element exceeds the switching speed.

(26) The damping system 100 can comprise a friction element that frictionally connects the rotary element to the damping device 150 for damping the rotation of the rotary element, independently of the speed of the rotary element. This dampens the movement of the flap of the vehicle relative to the body of the vehicle independently of the speed so that an additional brake can be omitted. The friction element can comprise a tolerance ring arranged between the inner rotor 142 and the outer rotor 141, which frictionally connects the inner rotor 142 to the outer rotor 141.

(27) FIG. 4

(28) FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the centrifugal clutch 140 of a damping system 100 according to the invention at a speed of the rotary element below the switching speed (FIG. 4A) and at a speed of the rotary element above the switching speed (FIG. 4B).

(29) At the speed below the switching speed, the connecting element 143 is completely in the inner rotor 142 so that the inner rotor 142 can rotate freely in the outer rotor 141 (FIG. 4A). Consequently, the rotary element connected to the inner rotor 142 is not coupled to the damping device 150 connected to the outer rotor 141 so that the rotation of the rotary element is not dampened by the damping device 150. Accordingly, a slow movement of the flap of the vehicle relative to the body of the vehicle is not dampened by the damping system.

(30) At the speed above the switching speed, the connecting element 143 is partially driven out of the inner rotor 142 by the centrifugal force and interlockingly engages in the recess 146 of the outer rotor 141 (FIG. 4B). Accordingly, the inner rotor 142 is form-fittingly coupled to the outer rotor 141 so that the rotation of the rotary element is dampened by the damping device 150. Consequently, a rapid movement of the flap of the vehicle relative to the body of the vehicle is dampened by the damping system.

(31) FIG. 5

(32) An alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 provides for a spindle gear 130 with the spindle nut 132 as a rotary element. In this case, the threaded spindle 131 is designed axially displaceable and non-rotatable and is connected directly or indirectly to the first coupling element 110. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the coupling element 110 can be connected to one end of the threaded spindle 131, for example by means of a threaded connection. A translation of the coupling element 110 and the threaded spindle 131 connected thereto is translated into a rotation of the spindle nut 132 designed here as a rotary element that can be made of plastics material, for example. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the spindle nut 132 has a threaded part 133 in threaded engagement with the threaded spindle 131 and a sleeve part 134 proceeding from the threaded part 133 and extending in the direction of the damping device.

(33) The spindle nut 132 is mounted, for example, in a sleeve 250 which serves as a housing and can be sealingly connected to the second coupling element 120. In the shown exemplary embodiment, a casing tube 233 surrounds the helical spring 246, the centrifugal clutch 140 and the damping device 150 which is fastened to the threaded spindle 131 in the region of the first coupling element 110 and is guided axially movably on the sleeve 250 in the region of the centrifugal clutch 140 and the damping device 150. Ends of the helical spring 246 can be supported on the casing tube 233 and on the sleeve 250. However, the casing tube 233 can also be omitted, wherein a support element, e.g. in the form of a disk, must be provided in the region of the first coupling element 110.

(34) An embodiment (not shown) provides a two-part casing tube with a spring sleeve and a tube element axially movable relative thereto, guided on the outside of the spring sleeve, and sealingly fastened to the sleeve 250. A sealing element, for example in the form of an O-ring, can be provided on the spring sleeve, which allows for a seal with the tube element.

(35) The spindle nut 132 as a rotary element can be connected to the inner rotor 142 of the centrifugal clutch 140 described above in order to transmit its rotation thereto. The inner rotor 142 has a suitable connecting element for connection to the sleeve part 134 of the spindle nut 132. The resulting advantage is an overall simple and economical construction of the damping system 100.