DE102016206595B4 - Adjustable vibration damper - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustable vibration damper (1) comprising at least one adjustable damping valve (33; 35) for each working direction of the vibration damper (1), wherein each damping valve (33; 35) is connected via a high-pressure port (67; 69) to a working chamber (37; 39) and via a low-pressure port (107; 109) to a reservoir (49), wherein the two adjustable damping valves (33; 35) are arranged in a common housing (31) which has a connection chamber (57), wherein the connection chamber (57) has a connecting opening (53; 55) to each working chamber (37; 39) and separately a connection (57) to the reservoir (49), wherein the separation of the connections of the working chambers (37; 39) and the reservoir (49) is effected via a channel element (83; 85) which connects a first channel group (99; 101) to the high-pressure port (67; 69) and a second channel group (103; 105) to the low-pressure port (107; 109) of the adjustable damping valves (33; 35), wherein the channel element (83; 85) is divided into two parts, so that a separate channel element (83; 85) is provided for each direction of movement of the vibration damper, characterized in that each channel element (83; 85) is equipped with a check valve (127; 129) which opens in the downstream direction from the storage tank (49) to the working chamber (37; 39).

Description

The invention relates to an adjustable vibration damper according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the DE 197 03 872 A1 A concept for an adjustable vibration damper is known in which two adjustable damping valves are connected on their outflow or low-pressure side to a common reservoir for the volume of damping medium displaced by a piston rod. In the DE 197 03 872 A1 Only a substitute diagram for the concept is shown, but no constructive implementation.

The DE 10 2012 202 100 A1 This also concerns an adjustable vibration damper with one damping valve for each operating direction of the vibration damper. A flow distributor is used, which has two receptacles for the adjustable damping valve assemblies. Each of the adjustable damping valves has a separate accumulator on the low-pressure side. This design is significantly more complex than the concept according to the DE 197 03 872 A1 .

From the DE 10 2005 053 394 A1 An embodiment is known in which the concept of arranging the adjustable damping valves into a common reservoir according to the DE 197 03 872 A1 This design was implemented constructively. However, this design presents the problem of complex flow guidance and the dual connection of an external housing to a cylinder.

The US 2010 / 0 326 780 A1 the US 5 735 372 A the DE 195 47 910 C1 and the US 5 649 611 A All disclose an adjustable vibration damper comprising at least one adjustable damping valve for each direction of working motion of the vibration damper, each adjustable damping valve being connected via a high-pressure port to a working chamber and via a low-pressure port to a reservoir. The two adjustable damping valves are arranged in a common housing which has a connection chamber, the connection chamber having a connecting opening to each working chamber and, separately therefrom, a connection to the reservoir.

Furthermore, the US 5 649 611 A e.g. in the 7 , that the separation of the connections of the working spaces and the storage within the housing is effected by a channel element which has a first channel group connected to the high-pressure connection and a second channel group connected to the low-pressure connection of the adjustable damping valves, wherein the channel element is divided into two parts, so that a separate channel element is available for each direction of movement of the vibration damper.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple construction for a vibration damper adjustable by means of two damping valves in conjunction with a common low-pressure storage tank.

The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

Advantageously, combining the adjustable damping valves with the connection space results in a compact unit that can be easily connected to a vibration damper. No external lines are required, eliminating the need for complex routing or protection. A simple series arrangement of the two adjustable damping valves and the intervening channel element allows for very simple basic components. The axial division of the channel elements makes their design very simple and easy to manufacture. This facilitates the integration of a channel element with a check valve, making it easier to implement than with a single-piece channel element.

Preferably, the low-pressure connection is connected to a storage connection chamber via the second channel group. The storage connection chamber has a disc-shaped base and is determined by the distance between the two channel elements. This makes, for example, the rotational orientation of the channel element within the housing irrelevant. Likewise, convoluted flow paths are avoided.

Advantageously, the channel element, together with the housing, forms a sealing point that separates the pressure connection chamber (as part of the connection chamber) from the storage connection chamber. A separate seal, e.g., an O-ring, is therefore unnecessary.

The channel element is designed to be held axially by a valve housing. This allows for a series arrangement that enables individual assemblies to be manufactured and tested separately.

With regard to simple components, the channel element has a ring shape and carries the associated check valve. The channel element and the associated check valve form a single unit in which the check valve is fixed independently of the housing.

In this sense, the check valve covers a through-opening of the channel element.

As a further measure for a compact overall design, the valve disc assembly of the check valve extends into the through-opening.

According to an advantageous dependent claim, the high-pressure port of the adjustable damping valve has a connecting nozzle on which the channel element is radially supported. The connecting nozzle allows for a simple O-ring arrangement between the channel element and the adjustable damping valve.

It is preferred that one of the channel groups be formed by a number of axial channels. The axial channels are very easy to manufacture.

Furthermore, one of the channel groups consists of at least one radial channel. Due to the strictly separated orientation of the channel groups, additional flow control elements, such as check valves, are unnecessary.

In a further constructive embodiment, the at least one radial channel connects an outer lateral surface of the channel element to the through-opening, bypassing the at least one axial channel.

The following description of the figures will be used to explain the invention in more detail.

• 1 Schnittdarstellung des verstellbaren Schwingungsdämpfers
• 2 Detaildarstellung zur 1
• 3 u. 4 Gehäuse mit verstellbaren Dämpfventilen

It shows:

• 1 Cross-sectional view of the adjustable vibration damper
• 2 Detailed presentation of 1
• 3 u 4 housings with adjustable damping valves

The 1 Figure 1 shows an adjustable vibration damper 1 with a cylinder 3 in which a piston rod 5, together with a piston 7 attached to it, performs an axial working movement. The piston 7 can be equipped with a damping valve and/or a pressure relief valve for each direction of movement.

The cylinder 3 is completely enclosed by a container tube 9. At its end, the container tube 9 has a base 11 that supports a centering ring 13 for the cylinder 3. The centering ring 13 is equipped with at least one axial flow connection 15. A piston rod guide 17 seals both the cylinder 3 and the container tube 9 at the other end.

In this embodiment, the container pipe 9 is axially divided into two parts and accommodates a connection block 19 between the two opposing ends. The connection block 19 has two separate channels 21; 23 to a pumping device 25 and two channels 27; 29 to a housing 31 with adjustable damping valves 33; 35 (see figure). 2 ).

The reservoir tube 9 and the cylinder 3 form an annular space. Both a piston-rod-side working chamber 37, a working chamber 39 away from the piston rod, and the annular space are completely filled with a damping medium. The piston-rod-side working chamber 37 is connected via at least one radial opening 41 in the cylinder 3 to a first annular space section 43, which in turn is connected to the first channel 27 in the connection block 19 leading to the housing 31. The same design principle is used for the working chamber 39 away from the piston rod, which is connected via the axial flow connection 15 in the centering ring 13 and a second annular space section 45 to the second channel 29 in the connection block 19. Both annular space sections 43 and 45 are separated by a sealing separating flange 47 of the connection block.

Directly attached to the housing 31 with the adjustable damping valves 33; 35 is a storage reservoir 49 which compensates for the volume of damping medium displaced by the piston rod 5.

The two 3 and 4 The entire housing 31 is shown in two sectional planes. The housing 31 has a connection sleeve 51 with two radial connection openings 53; 55 to the working chambers and a connection 57 to the reservoir 49. A first radial connection opening 53 is aligned with the first channel 27, and a second radial connection opening 55 is coupled to the second channel 29 in the connection block 19. The connection openings 53; 55 and the connection 57 open into a connection chamber 59 of the housing 31. With respect to a support flange 61, the housing 31 is symmetrical and has a receptacle 63; 65 for the adjustable damping valves 33; 35, each for one direction of working movement of the vibration damper. Each adjustable damping valve 33; 35 has a high-pressure port 67; 69 with an optional inlet valve 71; 73 and a main stage valve 75; 77, which is controlled by a pre-stage valve 79; 81. The basic principle of this valve combination is, for example, from the DE 10 2013 209 926 A1 known, so reference is made to this document regarding constructive details.

Within the connection space 59, a two-part channel element 83; 85 is arranged, which is supported on the support flange 61. At this point, both individual channel elements 83; 85 form a sealing point 87; 89 with the housing 31 on the support flange 61, with the individual channel elements 83; 85 each being axially held by a valve housing 91; 93. The valve housings 91; 93 are in turn preloaded against the individual channel elements 83; 85 by fixing caps 95; 97.

Each of the individual channel elements 83; 85 has a first channel group 99; 101 connected to the high-pressure port 67; 69. A second channel group 103; 105 is formed by axial channels and is connected to a low-pressure port 107; 109 of the respective adjustable damping valve 33; 35. The first channel group is designed as at least one radial channel. The at least one radial channel 99; 101 connects an outer surface 111; 113 of the individual channel element 83; 85 to a through-opening 115; 117 of the individual channel element, which has an annular shape and is spatially arranged such that the axial channels 103; 105 are bypassed. The outer surfaces 111; 113 have an outer diameter that is at least slightly smaller than the connection space 59, so that an annular space 119; 121 is present and thus several radial channels can be connected to a single connecting opening 53; 55 without a defined alignment of the individual channel elements to the connecting openings being necessary.

A centering connection exists via the through-opening 115; 117 with a connecting nozzle 123; 125 of the high-pressure connection 67; 69 of the adjustable damping valve 33; 35. The centering connection is also sealed by means of a ring seal inserted in a groove.

Each single-channel element 83; 85 is equipped with a check valve 127; 129, which opens in the downstream direction from the storage tank 49 to the working chamber 37; 39. The term "equipped" is to be understood as a fixed connection. For example, a protruding edge region of the single-channel element is crimped with a check valve body 131; 133. The check valve 131; 133 covers the through-opening 115; 117 of the single-channel element 83; 85 in the direction of a storage tank connection chamber. A valve disc assembly 137; 139 with at least one valve disc and a closing spring extends within the through-opening of the single-channel element.

During the extension movement of the piston rod 5 from the cylinder 3, the damping medium is conveyed from the piston rod-side working chamber 37 via the radial opening 41 below the piston rod guide 17 into the first annular chamber section 43. At the separating flange 47, the damping medium enters the first connecting opening 53 via the first channel 27 and reaches the annular chamber 119 as part of the connection chamber 59. Via the at least one radial channel 99, the damping medium reaches the high-pressure port 67 of the adjustable damping valve 33 and, further along the flow path, the inlet valve 71. The check valve 127 is closed during this process. Depending on the energization of a solenoid coil 141 as part of the adjustable damping valve 33, the pre-stage valve 79 determines a closing force that opposes the opening force acting on the main stage valve. The damping medium flowing from the main stage valve to the low-pressure connection 107 is fed to the storage connection chamber 135 via the axial channels 103 in the channel element 83.

In this direction of working movement of the piston rod 5, the volume of damping medium displaced from the piston rod-side working chamber 37 is smaller than the volume increase of the working chamber 39 furthest from the piston rod. Consequently, the entire damping medium displaced from the piston rod-side working chamber 37 is displaced via the opening check valve 133 into the through-opening 117 of the second single-channel element 85 and further fed via the radial channels 101 and the second connecting opening 55 to the second channel 29. The damping medium flows further through the second annular channel section 45 into the working chamber 39 furthest from the piston rod, passing through the flow connection 15 in the centering ring 13. The volume fraction corresponding to the extending piston rod 5 is supplemented by the accumulator 49 and, starting from the accumulator connection chamber 135, takes the same flow path as the damping medium displaced from the working chamber on the piston rod side, since the second channel groups 103; 105 are connected to the accumulator connection chamber.

During a retraction movement of the piston rod 5 and the associated reduction in volume of the working chamber 39 remote from the piston rod, the damping medium is fed via the flow connection 15 and the second annular channel section 45 to the second channel 29 in the connection block 19. The damping medium flows through the radial channels 101 via the second channel 29 into the through-opening 117 of the second single-channel element 85. The flow path and the operation of the second adjustable damping valve 35 correspond exactly to the description of the first adjustable damping valve 33. Once the damping medium has reached the low-pressure port 109 of the adjustable damping valve 35 after exiting the main stage valve, the further flow path leads via the axial channels 105 into the storage connection chamber 135. A portion of the damping medium is fed via the open check valve 127 in the first single-channel element 83 and further through the at least one radial channel 99 of the first connecting opening 53 to the first channel 27, in order to keep the piston rod-side working chamber 37 filled without negative pressure. The excess damping medium volume, corresponding to the displaced piston rod volume, flows via the connection 57 into the storage chamber 49.

Parallel to the described damping medium flow, the damping medium can be pumped between the two working chambers 37; 39 via the pumping device 25, independently of the direction of movement of the piston rod 5. The two annular chamber sections 43; 45, the radial opening 41, and the flow connection 15 in the centering ring 13 offer largely identical flow paths for the damping medium. Pump connections 143; 145 to the two annular chamber sections 43; 45 are also separated by the separating flange 47, so that the pumping device 25 is hydraulically connected in parallel to the housing 31 with the adjustable damping valves 33; 35.

Reference sign

1

Vibration damper

3

cylinder

5

piston rod

7

Pistons

9

Container pipe

11

Floor

13

centering ring

15

Flow connection

17

Piston rod guide

19

terminal block

21

channel

23

channel

25

Pumping device

27

channel

29

channel

31

Housing

33

adjustable damping valve

35

adjustable damping valve

37

piston rod side working space

39

working area far from piston rod

41

Radial opening

43

first annular space section

45

second annular space section

47

Separating flange

49

memory

51

Connection sleeve

53

Connection opening

55

Connection opening

57

Connection

59

Connection room

61

support flange

63

Recording

65

Recording

67

High-pressure connection

69

High-pressure connection

71

inlet valve

73

inlet valve

75

Main stage valve

77

Main stage valve

79

pre-stage valve

81

pre-stage valve

83

Single channel element

85

Single channel element

87

Sealing point

89

Sealing point

91

Valve housing

93

Valve housing

95

Fixing cap

97

Fixing cap

99

Canal group

101

Canal group

103

second channel group

105

second channel group

107

Low-pressure connection

109

Low-pressure connection

111

Surface area

113

Surface area

115

Passage opening

117

Passage opening

119

annular space

121

annular space

123

Connection piece

125

Connection piece

127

non-return valve

129

non-return valve

131

Check valve body

133

Check valve body

135

Storage connection room

137

Valve configuration

139

Valve configuration

141

magnetic coil

143

Pump connection

145

Pump connection

Claims (11)

Adjustable vibration damper (1) comprising at least one adjustable damping valve (33; 35) for each working direction of the vibration damper (1), wherein each damping valve (33; 35) is connected via a high-pressure port (67; 69) to a working chamber (37; 39) and via a low-pressure port (107; 109) to a reservoir (49), wherein the two adjustable damping valves (33; 35) are arranged in a common housing (31) which has a connection chamber (57), wherein the connection chamber (57) has a connecting opening (53; 55) to each working chamber (37; 39) and separately a connection (57) to the reservoir (49), wherein the separation of the connections of the working chambers (37; 39) and the reservoir (49) is effected via a channel element (83; 85) which connects a first channel group (99; 101) to the high-pressure port (67; 69) and a second channel group (103; 105) to the low-pressure port (107; 109) of the adjustable damping valves (33; 35), wherein the channel element (83; 85) is divided into two parts, so that a separate channel element (83; 85) is provided for each direction of movement of the vibration damper, characterized in that each channel element (83; 85) is equipped with a check valve (127; 129) which opens in the downstream direction from the storage tank (49) to the working chamber (37; 39). Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the low-pressure connection (107; 109) is connected to a storage connection room (135) via the second channel group (103; 105). Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the channel element (83; 85) together with the housing (31) forms a sealing point (87; 89) which separates the high pressure connection chamber (67; 69) as part of the connection chamber (57) from the storage connection chamber (135). Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the channel element (83; 85) is axially held by a valve housing (91; 93). Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the channel element (83; 85) has a ring shape and carries the check valve (127; 129). Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the check valve (127; 129) covers a through-opening (115; 117) of the channel element (83; 85). Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that a valve disc assembly (137; 139) of the check valve (127; 129) extends into the through-opening (115; 117). Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the high pressure port (67; 69) of the adjustable damping valve (33; 35) has a connecting nozzle (123; 125) on which the channel element (83; 85) is radially supported. Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that one of the channel groups (103; 105) is formed by a number of axial channels. Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that one of the channel groups (99; 101) is formed by at least one radial channel. Adjustable vibration damper (1) according to the Claims 9 and 10 , characterized in that the at least one radial channel (99; 101) connects an outer lateral surface (111; 113) of the channel element with the through opening (115; 117) bypassing the at least one axial channel (103; 105).