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DE-102024132758-A1 - Device for connecting a valve assembly to a vibration damper; vibration damper

DE102024132758A1DE 102024132758 A1DE102024132758 A1DE 102024132758A1DE-102024132758-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for connecting a valve assembly (20), in particular a bypass assembly, to a connecting section (31) of a vibration damper (30), the device having at least one elongated retaining element (11) with a first and a second axial end (11a, 11b) and a contact area (11c) extending between the axial ends (11a, 11b), wherein the retaining element (11) is arranged in the installed state such that the contact area (11c) at least partially encloses the outer circumference of the connecting section (31) and the axial ends (11a, 11b) of the retaining element (11) extend through receiving openings (22) in a valve housing (21) of the valve assembly (20), wherein a locking element (12) of the device (10) is arranged at each of the axial ends (11a, 11b) of the retaining element (11), which secures the valve housing (21) attached by clamping to the connecting section (31).

Inventors

  • Jens Robrecht

Assignees

  • THYSSENKRUPP AG
  • THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241111

Claims (11)

  1. Device (10) for connecting a valve assembly (20), in particular a bypass assembly, to a connecting section (31) of a vibration damper (30), the device having at least one elongated retaining element (11) with a first and a second axial end (11a, 11b) and a contact area (11c) extending between the axial ends (11a, 11b), wherein the retaining element (11) is arranged in the installed state such that the contact area (11c) at least partially encloses the outer circumference of the connecting section (31) and the axial ends (11a, 11b) of the retaining element (11) extend through receiving openings (22) in a valve housing (21) of the valve assembly (20), wherein a locking element (12) of the device (10) is arranged at each of the axial ends (11a, 11b) of the retaining element (11), which secures the valve housing (21) through Clamping is attached to the connecting section (31).
  2. Device (10) according Claim 1 , characterized in that at least the contact area (11c) of the retaining element (11) has a curvature that is adapted to the outer circumference of the connecting section (31) of the vibration damper (30).
  3. Device (10) according Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the retaining element (11) is essentially U-shaped.
  4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact area (11c) of the retaining element (11) is shaped correspondingly to a support area (31a) of the connecting section (31), which extends in the circumferential direction of the connecting section (31).
  5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support area (31a) forms a recess in the connecting section (31) of the vibration damper (30).
  6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second axial ends (11a, 11b) of the retaining element (11) each have a locking area (13), in particular an external thread, for receiving the locking elements (12).
  7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (31) of the vibration damper (30) and the valve housing (21) of the valve assembly (20) have a sealing surface (25, 32) for a sealable transition between the valve assembly (20) and the vibration damper (30).
  8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (31), in particular the sealing surface (32) of the connecting section (31), has at least one connection opening (33) for fluid connection of the valve device (20) with the vibration damper (30).
  9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing surface (32) of the connecting section (31) and/or the sealing surface (25) of the valve housing (21) has at least one centering element for aligning the valve housing (21) relative to the connecting section (31).
  10. Vibration damper (30) with at least one device (10) for connecting a valve assembly (20) to a connecting section (31) of the vibration damper (30) according to one of the preceding claims.
  11. Method for connecting a valve assembly (20) with a connecting section (31) of a vibration damper (31) with a device (10), in particular according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the method comprises the following steps: - providing a vibration damper (30) with a connecting section (31) for a valve assembly (20); - arranging the valve assembly (20) on the connecting section (31) of the vibration damper (30); - arranging a retaining element (11) of the device (10) such that a contact area (11c) of the retaining element (11) at least partially encloses the outer circumference of the connecting section (31) and a first and a second axial end (11a, 11b) of the retaining element (11) each extend through a receiving opening (22) of a valve housing (21) of the valve assembly (20); - arranging a locking element (12) of the device (10) at each of the axial ends (11a, 11b) of the retaining element (11) such that the valve housing (21) is clamped against the connecting section (31) for fastening.

Description

The invention relates to a device for connecting a valve assembly, in particular a bypass assembly, to a connecting section of a vibration damper. The invention further relates to a vibration damper with at least one such device and to a method for connecting a valve assembly to a connecting section of a vibration damper by means of such a device. Vibration dampers are commonly used in motor vehicles and in industrial applications to ensure safe and comfortable handling under varying driving conditions caused by irregularities such as uneven surfaces, potholes, or other road surface anomalies. Furthermore, vibration dampers also serve to stabilize vehicles when driving under more extreme conditions, such as off-road. Valve devices for adjusting the damping force of the vibration damper, such as bypass devices, are often located laterally on the vibration damper or connected to its outer tube when installed. To ensure the proper function of the vibration damper with such a valve device, a fluid-tight connection between the valve device and the vibration damper must be established. This is typically achieved by welding the valve housing of such a device to the outer tube of the vibration damper. However, this can lead to damage, such as distortion or structural changes, to the valve housing and/or the outer tube of the vibration damper. The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a device for connecting a valve assembly to a connecting section of a vibration damper, whereby a fluid-tight connection between the valve assembly and the vibration damper can be achieved without causing damage to the valve assembly or the vibration damper. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a vibration damper with such a device and a method for connecting a valve assembly to a connecting section of a vibration damper by means of such a device. According to the invention, this problem is solved with regard to the device by the subject matter of claim 1. With regard to the vibration damper, the aforementioned problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 10. With regard to the method, this problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 11. Specifically, the problem is solved by a device for connecting a valve assembly to a connecting section of a vibration damper, which has at least one elongated retaining element with a first and a second axial end and a contact area extending between the axial ends. In the installed state, the retaining element is arranged such that the contact area of the retaining element at least partially encloses the outer circumference of the connecting section, and the axial ends of the retaining element each extend through a receiving opening in a valve housing of the valve assembly. A locking element of the device is arranged at each axial end of the retaining element, which secures the valve housing to the connecting section by clamping. The invention has several advantages. The device according to the invention enables a fluid-tight connection between a valve assembly and a vibration damper. This prevents the escape of damping fluid at the connection point between the valve assembly and the connecting section of the vibration damper. This is achieved by the device exerting a specific force, in particular a clamping force, on the connection point or sealing point when installed. For this purpose, the device comprises at least one retaining element and at least two locking elements. When installed, the retaining element and the locking elements are arranged such that the valve assembly is pressed against the connecting section of the vibration damper. The valve assembly is thus secured to the connecting section by clamping. A fluid-tight connection is therefore ensured. The retaining element of the device is elongated, in particular essentially cylindrical, and has a first and a second axial end. A contact area of the retaining element, extending between the axial ends, is designed such that, in the installed state, it at least partially encloses the outer circumference of the connecting section. This is preferably understood to mean that the contact area of the retaining element is adapted to the outer circumference of the connecting section or can follow the geometry of the connecting section. In particular, in the installed state, the contact area encloses that circumferential region of the The connecting section that is facing away from the valve assembly. The contact area of the retaining element is preferably bent such that, in the installed state, it (only) encloses that portion of the outer circumference of the connecting section which faces away from the valve assembly, thereby aligning the preferably essentially straight axial ends of the retaining element towards the valve assembly. This allows the axial ends of the retaining element to engage through corresponding receiving openings in the valve housing of the valve assembly. A locking elem