DE102009034295A1 - Damping device i.e. rear wheel damper, for use in suspension fork for bicycle, has damping chambers connected with each other by damping channel, and cooling unit including heatpipe for transporting heat occurring during damping - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a damping unit (3) including two damping chambers (3a, 3b) connected with each other by a damping channel (3c). A cooling unit (4) includes a heatpipe (8) for transporting heat occurring during damping, where the heatpipe is filled with heat medium. A control rod (9) is accommodated at an inner duct, and adjusts the damping channel, which is provided with a damping valve (16). The heatpipe includes a heat dissipation region provided in proximity to an end (6) of the device or outer side of a housing (25). An independent claim is also included for a suspension fork comprising suspension struts.

Description

The The present invention relates to a damper device for a bicycle and in particular a bicycle, such as a rear wheel damper or a fork. Such a bicycle is particularly muscle-driven, but can also be motor-driven or equipped as a bicycle with an auxiliary drive.

in the State of the art are various damper for two-wheelers and bicycles and also forks for Bikes and bicycles known. Typically, a damping unit comprises a rear wheel a bicycle at least one spring to absorb any impact, as well as a damper, to dampen the spring vibration.

Damper for two-wheelers and Cycles are mostly with a damping fluid, such as oil, operated. For damping becomes the damping fluid from a damper chamber over Valve or a damping channel to a second damping chamber directed.

The under strong shocks a high pressure flow generates the desired damping, wherein at least a portion of the energy is converted to thermal energy. The resulting heat changed but also the viscosity of the damping fluid and during transmission the heat up the gas chamber of an air spring changes the elevated temperature also the spring behavior of the damping unit.

Therefore is the release of the heat generated one to be considered Point in the construction of dampers.

It Therefore, the object of the present invention is a damper for a bicycle to disposal to provide, in which an effective delivery of the heat generated is possible.

These Task is solved by a damper device for a Two-wheeled bicycle with the features of claim 1. The suspension fork according to the invention is the subject of claim 21. Preferred developments of Invention are the subject of the respective subclaims. Further Advantages and features emerge from the embodiments.

The Damper device according to the invention for a bicycle includes at least one damper with at least two damper chambers, wherein the damper chambers over at least a damping channel connected to each other. In this case, at least one cooling device provided with a heat pipe device to result in damping Remove heat.

The has damper device according to the invention many advantages. A considerable advantage of the damper device according to the invention is the arrangement of the heat pipe device through which in the damping resulting heat can be removed particularly effectively.

By The heatpipe device can be the place of heat dissipation the place of production of heat spatial be severed significantly without the entire intervening To heat room accordingly. This will be a particularly effective heat and cooling the damper device according to the invention allows.

The Damper device according to the invention preferably for suitable and intended for use on a bicycle. Basically should Two-wheeler and also bicycle components and also two-wheeler and bicycle damper have low weight. Therefore, in such dampers Leichbauwerkstoffe used to achieve a lower dead weight, but usually have a relatively poor thermal conductivity. Thereby will be a bigger temperature difference and thus high operating temperature of the damper required to the resulting heat evacuate. Here offers the damper device according to the invention now the considerable advantage that only very small temperature differences for transmission the heat required are. The thermal conductivity of the housing or the damper housing plays therefore practically no role.

Also when using z. B. fiber reinforced plastics, such. As aramid, glass fibers, Kevlar, etc., heat the damper and the housing not on, because in the damping resulting heat reliable dissipated becomes. The temperature level in the damper at full load can be lowered in the invention, which the occurring temperature fluctuations and temperature differences be significantly lower. That's an important advantage, because of it in the design and manufacture only lower thermal expansion considered Need to become, which is positive for the allowed Tolerances and the manufacturing costs.

Yet gets bigger the advantage of smaller temperature fluctuations when using different materials with different thermal expansion coefficients at the damper device, since only smaller expansion differences must be taken into account.

The advantage is particularly great if, in addition to components with a positive coefficient of thermal expansion efficient (eg metals) also materials with negative thermal expansion coefficients can be used, such as B. fiber composites of carbon fibers and the like. There, the disadvantages of the various thermal expansion coefficients can be significantly reduced or even eliminated with the invention, whereby an even higher quality of the product is made possible with larger manufacturing tolerances.

In In a simple case, the damping channel as a damping opening, Throttle or orifice to be formed to the flow passing through throttle and thereby dampen.

Preferably the heat pipe device comprises at least one heat pipe, which is at least one heat medium contains. It is also possible, that the heat pipe device comprises two or more heat pipes, which with the same or filled with different heat media. For example, two heat pipes led away in different directions, the resulting heat at different Places to be submitted in each case in part.

Preferably is the heat pipe such with a heat medium filled, that the heat medium in the heat pipe at least at a temperature between 20 ° C and 60 ° C in substantial proportions vaporous and is liquid to considerable proportions. In a significant proportion is within the meaning of the present application a proportion of at least 10% by volume or at least 10% by weight to understand. This means that the heat medium at least one provided or resulting working temperature in its two-phase region located in which the heat medium is present as a fluid and at constant temperature and constant Pressure completely evaporated and again completely can be condensed.

Preferably is the heat pipe designed as a tightly closed at both ends tube, in the heat medium is included.

It It is also possible to use a mixture of several fluids as the heat medium. If the heat pipe device or the heat pipe with water as the heat medium operated, can be about one Range of 0 ° C up to 100 ° C be covered, since the evaporation temperature is pressure-dependent. So that the water can "boil" even at low temperatures below 100 ° C, is a negative pressure in the heat pipe necessary That heat pipe works therefore at 5 ° C and also at 80 ° C, however, with another internal pressure setting.

Becomes as a heat medium a medium, such. B. paraffin used, which at low Temperatures is still present as a solid, it can be achieved that cooling only from a certain "operating temperature" works. This means that the damper device is cooled only from a certain temperature. This will be the occurring temperature fluctuations are reduced and it will be homogeneous and reproducible working conditions. This will be the Heat transfer through the heat pipe effective only after a certain operating temperature of the damper device it is not additionally cooled at low temperatures, the damper device.

Preferably become liquids or liquid mixtures as a heat medium used.

The constructive design of the heat pipe depends among other things on the intended temperature range and the amount of heat to be dissipated. The heat medium is above the entire working temperature range of the heat pipe partly liquid and partly in vapor form. It can the working temperature ranges of the heat pipe and the damper coincide have to but not.

When Working or heating medium can in the heat pipe also mixtures of different fluids and various additives such as As stabilizers, anti-corrosion or antifreeze used become. Likewise, the use of solids as a working medium in the heat pipe conceivable.

Preferably For example, in the present invention, water is used as the fluid because It is the working temperature range of a typical damper on a bicycle covers. Depending on the internal pressure, for example, a workspace of the heat pipe from about 0 ° C up to 100 ° C be set.

Preferably includes the damper device at least one spring device or at least one spring device at the damping device intended. At least one spring device preferably comprises at least one gas spring. Gas springs can be used as a positive spring or be designed as a negative spring. The use is also possible one acting as a positive spring gas spring and one as a negative spring acting gas spring to set a defined zero point. The springs can Also be designed as steel springs, elastomer springs or the like. In particular, negative springs are preferably used as an elastomeric spring or steel spring executed.

The damper device can a housing with a spring housing for the Spring means and a damper housing for the damper include.

To the Removal of heat enough in a heat pipe device depending on the amount of heat usually a temperature gradient of a few Kelvin, for example 2 Kelvin. Under certain circumstances can the necessary temperature gradient also be smaller.

Basically works a heat pipe device such that in the heat pipe the heat pipe device existing heat medium at the location of heat absorption vaporized and gaseous to the heat release area where it condenses to release the absorbed heat. The transport of heat between the heat absorption area and the heat release area takes place virtually lossless. A certain temperature gradient is mainly therefore necessary, there for heat absorption in the heat absorption area certain temperature difference is needed and that a certain Temperature difference at the heat release area is required.

In As a rule, at least one control rod is preferably provided, with which at least one damping channel the pressure level and / or at least one damping channel of the rebound adjustable is. Preferably, the damping properties the compression and the damping properties the rebound separately adjustable to possibly comfortable and optimal and also safe driving characteristics for disposal to deliver.

Is possible it too, that for different strong shocks different damping properties are adjustable, so that for particularly strong shocks, for example a corresponding damping is effected while for light bumps only little or no damping is present.

In In all embodiments it is preferred that at least one damping channel at least one controllable damping valve having. Usual and it is also preferred that at least one damping channel is a non-controllable damping valve having. Safety valves can may also be provided which open at impending overload to the damper device before possible damage to preserve.

Preferably is a lockout for adjustable the tension and / or pressure level, including the flow or the damping channel through the damper is closed.

In Particularly preferred embodiments is the heat pipe or at least one Heat pipe preferably double-walled and has an internal passage on. The inner execution can as a centric opening provided in the heat pipe be, by which then preferably the control rod is performed. It is also conceivable and preferred that the control rod itself as a heat pipe accomplished is.

A further execution Provides that the heat pipe is formed by the piston rod and the control rod, so is not a separate component. The annular gap between piston and control rod can partially filled with a suitable fluid and sealed on both sides and thus take over the function of the heat pipe.

Preferably ends the control rod at an outer area the damper device and is especially from the outside operable about the damping properties the damper device adjust. Optionally, with the control device also set at least one spring property of the spring device become. The control rod can rotatably and / or longitudinally displaceable be arranged to make various independent settings.

For example Is it possible, that adjusted by a rotational movement, the damping of the rebound will, while by a longitudinal displacement the Spring property is adjusted. It is also possible that through a first rotational movement the damping property is adjusted in the rebound, while by a subsequent second Rotary motion the damping property the pressure level is set.

In all refinements and developments, the heat pipe at least one heat absorption area at least at or near a damping channel, around those at or near the damping channel arising To absorb heat and to be transported away. Furthermore, the heat pipe has at least one heat dissipation area preferably at the end or near the end or outside of the housing or damper housing, around the resulting heat effectively outward leave.

In all embodiments, it is possible that the heat pipe is surrounded at least in sections between the heat receiving area and the heat release area of an insulating layer in order to reduce or prevent heat emission in this area. For example, the heat pipe may be formed as a straight extending tube having a first end in the vicinity of the damping channel, there to absorb the heat generated and having a second end in the vicinity of the outer surface of the housing to the heat absorbed to the Environment. The heat pipe can also be curved, or to Corners are lost. It is also possible that the heat pipe has different cross sections and / or wall thicknesses over its length.

Especially, when the heat pipe through a damping chamber or passed through a chamber of a gas spring, it is of Advantage, if the heat pipe at least partially or at least partially there from one Insulating layer is surrounded to heat the gas chamber or the damping chamber preferably largely avoided.

Preferably includes the cooling device of damper device at least one convection unit, which in particular on a End of the spring housing or the housing the oil chamber arranged is. The convection unit may comprise, for example, outer cooling fins extending from the housing of the damper out to the outside extend to a correspondingly large cooling surface to disposal to deliver.

Preferably is the heat pipe at least partially wavy or ribbed on its inside executed there is an effective heat absorption or heat emission to reach. For example, it is preferable that the heat pipe in its heat absorption area and / or at its heat dissipation area on the inside has corresponding ribs or waves to Heat there effectively to take or leave. On the between the heat absorption and heat release area lying section can be the heat pipe if necessary, also be made smooth inside to there an unintentional heat to reduce.

A Return means can be provided for the return transport the condensed heat medium serves. In one case, the rib structure can also be used for the return transport of the liquid heat medium serve from the condensation in the evaporator zone. Possible and a filling is also preferred of the interior with a fabric strip or an arrangement of a Tissue strip in the interior to the liquid transport by the capillary action back and a location independent To allow operation. The capillary action may also be provided by an internal rib structure become. By the capillary action of such structures works the liquid transport also against gravity.

Preferably are the damper chambers through a damper piston separated, which is attached to a piston rod of the spring housing is. It is possible and preferred that the damper immersed with increasing compression in the housing of the gas spring. To compensate for the volumes of the two damper chambers, a particular be provided as a gas spring compensating spring. This Compensation is required because of the immersion of the piston rod in the damper housing.

The Piston rod of the spring housing can the heat pipe or even through the heat pipe be formed.

The Inventive fork is with a damper device equipped and comprises at least one strut with a standpipe and a Dip tube. At least one damper with at least two damper chambers is provided, wherein the two damper chambers over at least a damping channel connected to each other. Furthermore, at least one cooling device provided with a heat pipe device to the resulting in the damping Remove heat.

Also the suspension fork according to the invention has many advantages. By the cooling device can be through the damping resulting heat effectively over a greater distance be transported away without the intervening space accordingly to heat up.

Preferably the suspension fork comprises two struts. It is possible that at least one damper on one suspension strut and on the other suspension strut at least one spring device is arranged. About it arises an effective separation between suspension and damping.

Is possible It is also that in a strut both a spring and a damper are provided.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments, with reference to the accompanying 1 - 4 will be described below.

In show the figures:

1 a slightly perspective overall view of a damper device according to the invention;

2 a sectional side view of the damper device according to 1 ;

3 the enlargement of the detail "A" 2 ; and

4 a suspension fork according to the invention in a perspective view.

With reference to the 1 to 3 Below is a first embodiment of a damper device according to the invention 1 beschrie ben. The damper device 1 is designed here as a rear damper and has a first end 5 and a second end 6 on, which are connected to the frame or indirectly to the rear wheel accordingly.

The damper device 1 comprises a total of a housing 2 to which the damper housing 21 of the damper 3 and the spring housing 25 the here as a gas spring 7 executed spring device are arranged.

The damper 3 here is an oil filled damper, while the gas spring 7 is filled with a gas and in particular with air. The damper housing 21 dives here during compression in the spring housing 25 one.

At the bottom of the case 2 Here is the convection unit 18 the cooling device 4 visible, noticeable. The convection unit 18 has a plurality of radially extending cooling fins 22 on, with which the cooling device 4 can effectively release heat to the environment.

Furthermore, at the bottom of adjusting elements 10 . 41 and 42 recognizable with which the lockout and the spring and damping properties of the damper device can be adjusted. The adjustment element 42 is the filling valve for adjusting the filling pressure of the gas spring 7 ,

2 shows a cross section of the damper device 1 , from which it is apparent that in the upper part of the damper housing 21 a compensating spring 36 is provided by a balance piston 12 from the damping chamber 3a is disconnected. The compensating spring 36 This is similar to the plunging piston rod 40 reducing total volume of the damping chambers 3a and 3b accordingly.

The damping chambers 3a and 3b are through a damping channel 3c and a damping channel 3d or separated by a plurality of damping channels, by the at a corresponding piston movement of the damper piston 13 Damping fluid from the damping chamber 3a in the damping chamber 3b or vice versa. The damping channel 3c is active here in the rebound and compression stages and the damping channel 3d is active here only in the pressure stage.

To suspension of shocks is the gas spring 7 provided a spring piston 11 which has a seal 15 radially outward on the spring housing 25 is sealed.

Central through the gas spring 7 the piston rod is running 40 that also through the heat pipe 8th is formed.

In 2 Dashed lines show a line that represents a possible insulating layer 24 indicates that on the heat pipe 8th or on the piston rod 40 can be provided.

3 shows the enlarged detail A from 2 , At the top is the lockout valve 16 visible, which serves to adjust the lockout and thus virtually suppress the damping. damping channels 3c and 3d dampen the spring movement when passing through the damping fluid, which is usually an oil.

The damper piston 13 is through a seal 14 opposite the inner peripheral wall of the damper housing 21 sealed.

Above the spring piston is an elastomer negative spring 23 recognizable, which serves to optimize the breakaway torque. An additional designed as an elastomeric positive spring 43 that is a puncture of the spring piston 11 prevented if particularly strong impacts occur during operation.

The heat pipe 8th has a heat absorption area in the area of the upper end 38 and in the region of its lower end a heat dissipation area 39 on, on the heat generated by the attenuation is absorbed or released again. This is due to the heat dissipation area 39 the convection unit 18 provided in the 1 recognizable cooling fins 22 includes.

The heat pipe 8th is double-walled and has an outer wall 19 and an inner wall 20 on, between which is the heat channel 17 extends. Inside the heat pipe 8th is the inner passage 37 in which the control rod 9 for adjusting the spring and / or damping properties of the damper device 1 is arranged.

By a rotary movement of the dial 10 becomes the control rod 9 rotated accordingly, so that a corresponding adjustment of the spring and / or damping properties of the damper device 1 is achieved.

With the heat pipe 8th as a heat pipe is an effective heat transfer from the damping channel 3c to the cooling device 18 causes heat to be removed to the outside in a particularly effective manner. The heat pipe carries little to the total weight of the damper device 1 at.

In 4 is a second embodiment of a damper device according to the invention 1 is put, which here as a fork 50 is executed or in which a fork 50 a damper device 1 includes.

The suspension fork 50 has stanchions 28 and 29 , as well as cooperating dip tubes 32 and 33 on. Between the dip tubes 32 and 33 Here is an impeller receiving space 34 provided, which at the dropouts 35 is attached.

The two dip tubes 32 and 33 are held together by the dip tube bracket and are longitudinally displaceable relative to the stanchions 28 and 29 , The dip tubes 32 and 33 can consist of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

In the standpipe 28 of the strut 26 is a damper 3 provided while in the standpipe 29 of the strut 27 a here designed as a gas spring spring 7 is arranged. It can also be provided in a standpipe or dip tube two or more springs. The damper 3 and the gas spring 7 form a total damping system to absorb and dampen shocks effectively.

Both legs 26 and 27 are through a fork crown 30 connected, being at one end of the strut 26 at the fork crown 30 a convection unit 18 is provided, which has a heat pipe 8th with the damper 3 is connected to effectively release the heat generated there to the outside.

In a preferred embodiment the convection unit can be located on the outside of the shock absorber End of the heat pipe also by z. B. forcibly cooled or a fan to a cooling circuit be connected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

damper device

2

casing

3

damper

3a

damping chamber

3b

damping chamber

3c

damping channel

3d

damping channel

4

cooling device

5

first The End

6

second The End

7

Feather, gas spring

8th

heat pipe, heat pipe

9

control rod

10

dial

11

spring piston

12

balance piston

13

damper piston

14

poetry

15

poetry

16

Valve

17

heating tunnel

18

convector

19

outer wall

20

inner wall

21

damper housing

22

cooling fin

23

elastomer spring

24

insulating

25

spring housing

26

strut

27

strut

28

standpipe

29

standpipe

30

fork crown

31

Dip tube bracket

32

dip tube

33

dip tube

34

Impeller housing space

35

dropout

36

balancing spring

37

inner execution

38

Heat absorption area

39

Heat-dissipating area

40

piston rod

41

adjustment

42

adjustment

43

feather

50

fork

Claims (22)

Damper device ( 1 ) for a two-wheeler with at least one damper ( 3 ) with at least two damper chambers ( 3a . 3b ), wherein the two damper chambers ( 3a . 3b ) via at least one damping channel ( 3c ), characterized in that at least one cooling device ( 4 ) with a heat pipe device ( 8th ) is provided to carry away the heat generated during the damping. Damper device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the heat pipe device ( 8th ) at least one heat pipe ( 8th ) containing at least one heat medium. Damper device ( 1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the heat pipe ( 8th ) is filled with at least one heat medium so that the heat medium in the heat pipe at least at a temperature between 20 ° C and 60 ° C to substantial proportions vapor and liquid present in significant proportions. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one spring device ( 7 ) is provided, which in particular at least one gas spring ( 7 ). Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a control rod ( 9 ) is provided, with which at least one damping channel ( 3c ) of the rebound and / or at least one damping channel of the rebound is adjustable, wherein in particular at least one damping channel at least one controllable damping valve ( 16 ) having. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pipe ( 8th ) is double-walled and has an internal passage ( 37 ) having. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at the inner feedthrough ( 37 ) the control rod ( 9 ) is received, which is operable from the outside. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pipe ( 8th ) at least one heat absorption area ( 38 ) at least in the vicinity of a damping channel ( 3c ) having. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pipe ( 8th ) at least one heat release area ( 39 ) at least near one end ( 6 ) or outside the case ( 25 ) having. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pipe ( 8th ) at least in sections between the heat absorption area ( 38 ) and the heat release area ( 39 ) of an insulating layer ( 24 ) is surrounded. Damper device ( 1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the insulating layer ( 24 ) the heat pipe ( 8th ) within the gas spring ( 7 ) at least partially surrounds. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device ( 4 ) a convection unit ( 18 ), which in particular at one end of the housing ( 6 ) and in particular at one end of the spring housing ( 25 ) is arranged. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the convection unit ( 18 ) outer cooling fins ( 22 ). Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pipe ( 8th ) is at least partially wavy or ribbed on its inside. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the two damper chambers ( 3a . 3b ) of a damper piston ( 13 ) are separated, which on a piston rod ( 40 ) of the spring housing ( 25 ) is attached. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the minimum operating temperature of the heat pipe device ( 8th ) is higher than the minimum operating temperature of the damper device ( 1 ), Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston rod ( 40 ) or the control rod ( 9 ) is itself designed as a heat pipe or are. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat channel ( 17 ) from an annular gap between piston rod ( 40 ) and control rod ( 9 ). Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein in the heat pipe ( 8th ) a structure is provided which allows the liquid transport by capillary action. Damper device ( 1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims, with at least one part of at least one fiber-reinforced plastic. Fork with a damper device ( 1 ) with at least one strut ( 26 . 27 ) with a standpipe ( 28 . 29 ) and a dip tube ( 32 . 33 ) and with at least one damper ( 3 ) with at least two damper chambers ( 3a . 3b ), wherein the two damper chambers ( 3a . 3b ) via at least one damping channel ( 3c ), characterized in that at least one cooling device ( 4 ) with a heat pipe device ( 8th ) is provided in order to transport heat generated during the damping. Suspension fork according to the preceding claim, comprising two spring struts ( 26 . 27 ), whereby on a strut ( 26 ) at least one damper ( 3 ) and on the other strut ( 27 ) at least one spring device ( 7 ) is arranged.

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