FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lockable shock absorber, in particular a lockable gas shock absorber, with a release pin and a piston rod that allows a change in length by gaining mobility when said release pin is pressed.

PRIOR ART

Lockable gas shock absorbers appeal to people's comfort zone, especially by allowing the backrest of the seats to move back and forth, positioning and fixing them in a comfortable and desired angle, and by restricting the movement of the beds in the health area by locking them at the desired angles. As mentioned, lockable gas shock absorbers are used in many different areas of the industry, primarily automotive.

For instance, lockable gas shock absorbers are used for back adjustment function for bus passenger seats, office and train seats, for various position adjustments in hospitals and massage beds, for height adjustment on tables, for position adjustment on wheelchairs. Furthermore, lockable gas shock absorbers are used for trailer roofs, ship seats, medical dining tables, aircraft seats, construction machines, barber seats.

Lockable gas shock absorbers usually consist of three concentrically provided parts ; an outer body, a piston rod and a release pin. A valve extending axially inside the outer body is connected to the outer surface of said piston rod. A valve extending axially inside the outer body is connected to the outer surface of said piston rod. The release pin extends from the piston rod towards the valve mouth and when the release pin is pressed into the piston rod, a plug that opens the valve mouth is connected to the tip of the release pin. A channel has been formed on the valve and the said channel connects the inner volume of the outer body, which is divided into two parts by the said valve. The volume above the valve is filled with oil. When there is no pressure on the release pin, the plug prevents oil flow to the channel on the valve, the shock absorber stays in a fixed, locked position. When the release pin is pressed, the plug opens and the oil flows into the valve and passes through the channel. During this oil transfer, the piston rod is released and changes its position and thus the shock absorber provides a new position to the mechanism to which it is attached.

In said system, the structure of the valve causes various problems. First of all, since the valve is connected to the outer surface of the piston rod, the area in contact with the relevant part must be processed with high precision. Here, said valves are produced by using CNC machining and similar machining so as to provide the required precision in the machining process. The structure here both increases the total weight of the shock absorber and a large waste of material occurs depending on the processing method

Another problem is that the valve extends axially on the external body. This situation inevitably reduces the stroke distance considerably.

As a result, all abovementioned problems have made it necessary to make an improvement in the relevant technical field.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to eliminate the abovementioned problems and to make a development in the relevant technical field.

The main aim of the invention is to present a lockable shock absorber structure that can be produced with a simpler production method and is advantageous in terms of both weight and stroke distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lockable shock absorber so as to fulfill all aims mentioned above and will be obtained from the following detailed description. Accordingly the present invention comprises the following; an outer body preferably in the form of a cylindrical tube and having an inner volume and the outer body outlet at the base of said outer body; an open-ended piston rod, preferably in the form of a cylindrical tube and having an inner volume, passing through said outer body outlet and extending into the inner volume of said outer body and in the inner volume of the outer body and pin outlet provided at the other end of the piston rod; piston head that is connected to the outer surface of the piston rod and slidably guiding the piston rod in the inner volume of said outer body and dividing the inner volume of the outer body into two parts, a primary chamber and a secondary chamber and arranged in a way that does not allow fluid passage between the two chambers; transfer opening on the piston rod surface connecting the first and second chamber volumes; a release pin preferably in cylindrical form and extending through said pin outlet and extending into the interior volume of said piston rod; a valve mechanism consisting of a valve positioned at the end of said release pin in such a way that it does not come into contact with the outer surface of the release pin and a channel is formed between it and the release surface and at least one O-ring provided on said valve surface to contact the piston rod inner surface and fixing nuts placed at the bottom and top of the valve in connection with the release pin to prevent said valve from moving on the release pin and passage openings provided between said fixing nuts and the valve to allow the incoming fluid to pass into said channel and wherein said valve mechanism is arranged at least partially within the piston rod and preventing fluid from reaching said through openings and said release pin being positioned so that when pressure is exerted thereon, the valve mechanism allows fluid to pass through at least the passage opening in the portion facing the primary chamber, and the other passage opening transmits the fluid from the channel to the transfer opening.

Thus, the stroke distance is gained by providing the valve within the piston rod, and since the need for precision in the geometry of the valve's structure is eliminated, it is possible to use the valves produced by methods other than machining.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing nut on the part facing the primary chamber includes a flange extending to the piston rod or piston head.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided in a slidable manner by contacting the outer body inner surface in said primary chamber and has a balancing element dividing the primary chamber to form a tertiary chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said balancing element is a floating piston.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said outer body, piston rod and release pin are provided concentrically.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said outer body, piston rod and release pin are provided concentrically. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said guide washers contain a body and teeth extending in the axial direction with respect to the body and providing transfer gaps between them.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said piston rod is an integral piece.

Thus, production processes are simplified by using a monolithic structure as opposed to general production.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has a diameter transition section formed so that the part of said piston rod between the valve and the outer body outlet in the axial direction is smaller than the end of the outer body in the inner volume and larger than the outer body outlet.

Thus, after providing the required cross-sectional area for the valve in the piston rod, the diameter is reduced, the weight of the piston rod has been reduced, as well as the opening provided in the outer body is allowed to be created smaller, sealing problems that may occur here are reduced.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said piston rod includes the primary piston rod part on which the transmission opening is provided and the secondary piston rod part in connection with the primary piston rod part.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said valve is made of aluminum, preferably 2XXX-6XXX alloy series aluminum.

Thus, the valve weight has been significantly reduced.

The present invention is related to the production method of a lockable shock absorber so as to fulfill all aims mentioned above and will be obtained from the following detailed description. Accordingly, the present invention comprises the following process steps; providing the piston rod and the release pin; providing tubular material and rotating said material on its axis between at least one pair of opposing bearings, one of which extends in the radial direction and includes an extension to contact the tube outer surface and shaping the valve with said extension forming the O-ring channels by the crush forming method without removing material; placing the interconnected valve and the release pin into the piston rod in such a way that they pass from the pin outlet and placing the interconnected valve and release pin and piston shaft into the outer body. Thus, in addition to the fact that said valve structure is much simpler, it can be produced in a much simpler process without loss of material.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a diameter transition section is formed on the piston shaft by a spinning process, which reduces the diameter without changing the wall thickness.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said diameter transition section part is formed in such a way that the part of the piston rod between the valve and the outer body outlet in the axial direction is smaller than the end of the outer body in the inner volume and larger than the outer body outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In Figure 1 , a side view of an embodiment of the inventive lockable shock absorber is given.

In Figure 1A, a cross-sectional view along the A-A axis in Figure 1 is given. Flere the lockable damper is in the locked state.

In Figure 1.B, the detailed view of the valve mechanism in Figure 1.A is given.

In Figure 1C, a cross-sectional view along the A-A axis in Figure 1 is given. Flere the lockable damper is in the open state.

In Figure 1.D, the detailed view of the valve mechanism in Figure 1 C is given.

In Figure 2, an isometric view of the fixing head is given.

In Figure 2.B, an isometric view of the washer is given.

In Figure 3, the cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive lockable shock absorber is given.

In Figure 4, the cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the inventive lockable shock absorber is given.

The figures are not required to be scaled and the details which are not necessary for understanding the present invention may be neglected. Moreover, the elements that are at least substantially identical or have at least substantially identical functions are shown by the same number.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCES IN FIGURES 1. Shock Absorber

10. Outer Body

10a. Primary chamber

10b. Secondary chamber

10c. Tertiary chamber

11. Outer body outlet

12. Outer body connection 20. Piston rod

20a. Primary piston rod part

20b. Secondary piston rod part 20c. Shaft room

21. Pin outlet

22. Transfer opening

23. Diameter transition section

24. Extension

25. Recess 30. Release pin

31. Pin head 40. Valve mechanism

41. Valve

42. Fixing nut

421. Flange

422. Head body 43. Guide washer

431. Washer body

432. Washer tooth

433. Tooth end 50. Piston head 60. Balancing element

70. Sealing element 80. Support part 90. Coupling nut D. Screw thread R. O-ring K. Channel P. Washer G. Passage opening AY. Fluid flow direction

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the inventive lockable shock absorber (1 ) is described by means of examples only for clarifying the subject matter such that no limiting effect is created.

The present invention relates to a lockable shock absorber (1), in particular a lockable gas shock absorber (1 ), with a release pin (30) and a piston rod (20) that allows a change in length by gaining mobility when said release pin (30) is pressed.

Referring to Figure 1 ; the inventive lockable shock absorber (1 ) preferably includes an outer body (10) in the form of a cylindrical tube. Here, although cylindrical geometry is frequently used in the market, it should not be perceived as limiting. There is an outer body connection (12) on the upper part of the outer body (10). Here, the outer body connection (12) is arranged to enable the shock absorber (1 ) to be attached to the structure in which it will be used, for example a seat. Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which the outer body connection (12) is arranged as a shaft with screw threads (D). Apart from this, a slot or hole can also be used as an outer body connection (12) in order to provide connection to a fixed surface by means of different connecting structures, for example a connecting element.

An outer body outlet (11 ) is arranged at the base of the outer body (10), at the opposite end of the outer body connection (12). The outer body outlet (11 ) is preferably a circular opening provided concentrically with the outer body (10). A piston rod (20) extends out of the outer body (10) from the said outer body outlet (11 ).

The piston rod (20) is preferably provided in the form of a cylindrical tubular tube. Here, although cylindrical geometry is frequently used in the market, it should not be perceived as limiting.

Screw threads (D) are arranged at the tip of the piston rod (20) just below the diameter transfer part (23) that reduces the diameter of the shaft. A coupling nut (90) on threads (D) is connected with threads (D). A pin outlet (21 ) is arranged in the bottom part of the piston rod (20). The pin outlet (21 ) is preferably a circular opening provided concentrically with the piston rod (20). A release pin (30) extends outward from the piston shaft (20) from said pin outlet (21 ).

The release pin (30) is preferably provided in the form of a rod, with the pin head (31 ) at its end. The pin head (31 ) is wider than the pin outlet (21 ) and thus prevents the release pin (30) from escaping into the piston rod (20).

Referring to Figure 1.A, which shows the positioning where the shock absorber (1 ) is locked; as mentioned before, a piston rod (20) is arranged in the inner volume of the outer body (10). The piston rod (20) extends from the inner part of the outer body outwardly by passing through the outer body outlet (11 ). The roof portion of the piston rod (20) is provided open to form an opening, opposite the end where the pin outlet (21 ) is located.

A piston head (50) is connected to the outer surface of the piston rod (20). The piston head (50) guides the piston rod (20) on the inner surface of the outer body (10). Here, the piston head (50) is preferably connected to the end of the piston rod (20) and extends towards the inner surface of the outer body (10). Piston rod (20) and piston head (50) can move in both axial directions within the outer body (10).

Besides, the piston head (50) preferably contacts the inner surface of the outer body

(10). The geometry of the piston head (50) is cylindrical. There is an opening in its center through which the piston rod (20) can pass. There is an O-ring (R) channel on the outer surface of the piston head (50), that is, on the part facing the inner surface of the outer body (10), and an O-ring (R) placed in the said channel.

The O-ring (R) provides sealing between the outer body (10) and the piston head (50). The piston head (50) divides the inner volume of the outer body (10) into two parts, the primary and the secondary chamber (10a, 10b) and it prevents the flow of fluid, preferably liquid, especially oil, between the outer surface of the piston rod (20) and the outer body (10).

A balancing element (60) is also used in the invention, preferably separating the primary chamber (10a) into two parts, the primary chamber (10a) and the tertiary chamber (10c). Here, the balancing element (60) is preferably a floating piston and said outer body (10) can move axially in both directions in its inner volume. Here, the primary chamber (10a) is preferably filled with liquid fluid, in particular oil. The tertiary chamber (10c) is preferably filled with gaseous fluid, especially nitrogen.

It has already been described that the piston rod (20) passes through the shaft outlet

(11 ). There is at least one sealing element (70) at the shaft outlet (11 ) to provide sealing. In the embodiment in Figure 1.A, a support piece (80) is positioned on the bottom part of the inner surface of the outer body (10) to provide sealing. The support part (80) includes an opening in its center through which the piston rod (20) can pass. The sealing element (70) above the support part (80), specifically a felt, is positioned containing an opening in the center through which the piston rod (20) can pass. The felt is provided integrally with a washer (P). The outer diameter of the felt contacts the inner surface of the outer body (10), and its inner diameter contacts the outer surface of the piston rod (20).

The interior of the piston rod (20) has a volume called a shaft chamber (20)c. As mentioned before, there is a release pin (30) protruding from the pin outlet (21 ) inside the piston rod (20). An o-ring (R) is arranged between the release pin (30) and the inner surface of the piston rod (20). Here, the o-ring (R) is positioned on the diameter transition portion (23) provided on the piston rod (20). A valve mechanism (40) is fixedly connected to the said release pin (30) at the end of the release pin (30) facing the inner volume of the outer body (10).

The detail view of the valve mechanism (40) mentioned in Figure 1.B is given. Screw threads (D) are formed at the end of the release pin (30). Here, a fixing nut (42) is placed on the screw threads (D), a guide washer (43) is placed on the fixing nut (43), a valve (41) is placed on the guide washer (43) and another guide washer (43) and the fixing nut (43) are respectively placed on the valve (41 ).

Here, especially the valve (41 ) and the release pin (30) must be positioned so that a channel (K) is formed between them. Accordingly, the gap provided in the center of the valve (41 ) is larger than the diameter of the release pin (30). Preferably, the fixing pin (30) and the valve (41 ) do not come into contact with each other. Here, the movement of the valve (41 ) is provided by the fixing nuts (42) fixed to its lower and upper parts. The fixing nuts (42) prevent the valve (41 ) from moving by compressing it in the axial direction. The main aim of the channel (K) mentioned here is to allow the fluid in the primary chamber (10a) to flow into the secondary chamber (10b) and/or the shaft chamber (20c). For this reason, guide washers (43) are placed between the valve (41 ) and the fixing nuts (42).

Referring to Figure 2. A; said guide washers (43) have a circular washer body (431) that inserts into the release pin (30) and washer teeth (432) in the axial direction from the washer body (431 ) Here, a distance in the radial direction is formed between the tooth ends (433) of the washer teeth (432). The extension of the washer teeth (432) in the axial direction ensures that when the fixing nuts (42) are tightened on the release pin (43), there is a gap extending in the axial and radial directions, and the passage opening (G) is formed, which will allow the fluid to pass into the channel (K).

The passage opening (G) can be provided with a washer (43) as in Figure 2. A, also can be provided with axially extending washer teeth (43) structures to be provided on the lower and upper surfaces of the valve (41 ) or on the surfaces of the fixing nuts (42) to the valve (41 ).

Referring to Figure 2; the fixing nut (42) facing the primary chamber (10a) has a head body (422) with screw threads (D) that allows it to be connected to the release pin (30) and a flange (422) on the part of the head body (42). The flange (421 ) prevents fluid from reaching the passage openings when the valve mechanism (40) is closed as in 1 .A in the figure.

Referring to Figure 1 .B; the valve (41) preferably has a diameter such that it can enter the piston body (20). Flere said valve (41 ) is made of a material consisting of aluminum, preferably aluminum, preferably 2XXX-6XXX alloy series aluminum. There are at least one preferably two O-rings provided on the side surface of the valve (41) facing the piston rod (20). Correct positioning of the valve (41 ) on the release pin (30) is very important for the operation of the shock absorber (1). When the shock absorber (1 ) is in the locked position as in Figures 1.A and 1.B, the valve (41 ) must be positioned to close the transfer opening (22) provided on the piston rod (20) surface, that is, even if there is fluid entering the passage openings (G) and the channel (K), the positioning of the valve (41 ) should prevent the flow of fluid from the primary chamber (10a) to the secondary chamber (10b).

When pressure is applied to the release pin (30) of the inventive lockable shock absorber (1 ) in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1.A, the locking function ends. When the release pin (30) is pressed against the piston rod (20) in Figure 1 . C, the valve (41) moves within the piston rod (20) and comes to the open position, which can be seen in Figure 1 .D.

Referring to Figure 1.D; when the valve (41) moves from the mouth section of the piston rod (20) towards the primary chamber (10a), fluid begins to flow into the passage openings (G). Fluid flow direction (AY) can be seen in Figure 1.D. The passage opening (G) in this position of the valve (41 ), preferably the passage opening (G) provided on the guide washer (43), coincides with the transmission opening (22). Flere, the fluid coming into the passage opening at the top of the valve (41 ) flows into the channel (K), and after passing through the channel (K), it starts to fill the transfer opening (22) and from there the secondary chamber (10b) by passing through the passage opening (G) at the bottom of the valve (41 ). During this fluid transfer, the piston head (50) and piston rod (20) begin to move within the outer body (10) in order to balance the fluid pressure. This movement continues throughout the duration of the flow of fluid into the secondary chamber (10b).

When the pressure on the release pin (30) is finished, the fluid in the primary chamber (10a) pushes the valve (41 ) into the piston rod (20), causing the transmission opening

(22) to be closed again and it brings the shock absorber (1) back to the closed, that is, locked position, by ending the movement of the piston head (50) and piston rod (20) in order to balance the pressure when the flow ends.

Referring to Figure 3; said piston rod (20) may comprise the primary piston rod part (20a) on which the transmission opening (22) is provided, and the secondary piston rod part (20b) in connection with the primary piston rod part (20a). Here, the valve (41) is positioned inside the primary piston rod part (20a). Said primary and secondary piston rod part (20a, 20b) are connected to each other by means of a projection (24) provided in the axial direction at their ends and a recess (25) suitable for said extension (24).

With reference to Figure 1-1. D, since the piston rod (20) can consist of two parts, a monolithic piston rod (20) structure is also possible, and the integral structure provides great convenience especially in terms of production.

We have previously mentioned referring to Figure 4 that the diameter transition section

(23) , where the diameter changes, can be provided on the piston rod (20). In the prior art, the diameter transition section (23) is provided outside the piston rod (20) outside the body (10). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the diameter transition section (23) is provided inside the outer body (10) of the piston rod (20), especially at the lower part of the valve (41 ). There is a section in the piston rod (20) with a sufficient diameter that the valve can enter, and the diameter of the piston rod (20) is reduced with a diameter transition section (23) immediately after the need for this diameter size is over, thus reducing the total weight of this element.

In addition to the inventive lockable shock absorber (1 ), an innovative approach is also provided in the production method. As mentioned before, since a mechanism is provided in which the valve (41 ) can move in the inner part of the piston rod (20), especially the need for valve (41 ) sensitivity is reduced Accordingly, the necessity of producing by machining has been eliminated and valve (41 ) can be produced with methods much easier than machining with light materials that are not normally suitable for machining.

In the method subject to the invention, the production method used for the valve (41 ) is the crush forming method. Here, a material made of aluminum, preferably 2XXX- 6XXX alloy series aluminum, is placed in the crush forming machine to the above- described valve (41 ) specifications. The valve (41 ) material in said machine is in the form of a tube and rotates according to the axis passing through its center. In addition, the part of the pipe to be formed is passed between at least two opposite bearings that are in contact with its surface. One of the bearings has an extension extending in the radial direction and will contact the outer surface of the pipe. When said pipe is rotated, the extension of the bearing extending in the radial direction opens the necessary channels for the O-rings (R) on the pipe by crushing the material, this process does not remove material from the material in anyway. When the desired size and geometry is achieved, the shaped part of the pipe is cut and the valve (41 ) is obtained. Here, multiple O-ring (R) channels can be opened with a plurality of row bearings. The sensitivity provided here is sufficient for the valve (41 ) to function. After the valve (41 ) is formed, at least one preferably two O-rings (R) are placed thereon.

The entire production method of the shock absorber (1 ) is as follows. Screw threads (D) are drilled on one end of the rod to be formed by the release pin (30), and the pin head (31) is formed at the other end. The part of said release pin (30) with screw threads (D) is passed through the pin opening (21 ) of the piston rod (20). The valve (41 ) is placed on the said release pin (30), the fixing nut (42) and the fixing nut (42) and the other fixing nut (42) is placed on the valve (41) and during operation, the valve (41 ) and the fixing nuts (42) preferably the guide washers (43) to provide the passage openings (G) are placed.

The piston head (50) is fixed on the outer surface of the piston rod (20), said piston head (50) and piston rod (20) are placed inside the outer body (10). Here, a balancing element (60) preferably provided as a floating piston can also be placed inside the outer body (10). The piston head (50) and the balancing member (60) divide the outer body (10) into three chambers, the primary, secondary and tertiary chambers (10a, 10b, 10c). Here, the first chamber (10a) is filled with a liquid fluid, in particular oil, and the tertiary chamber (10c) with a gaseous fluid, in particular nitrogen

A diameter transition section (23) can be formed on the pipe used for the production of the mentioned piston rod (20) by machining. In addition, more advantageously, the diameter transition section (23) can be provided by the plastering method to be applied to the pipe. In the aforementioned plastering method, while the pipe is in motion in the axial direction, the diameter of the pipe is reduced without changing the wall thickness with the force applied to the surface and the pipe lengthens compared to its original state. Here, the diameter transition section (23) is formed at the point where the plastering ends. Said diameter transition section (23) can be provided in the part remaining inside the outer body (10) or in the part extending out from the outer body. Material and weight gain is provided with the provision of the diameter transition section,

Screw threads (D) can be formed on the part of the piston rod (20) outside the outer body (10). A coupling nut (90) can be inserted here. Said nut also prevents the piston rod (20) from entering the outer body (10).

The protection scope of the invention is specified in the appended claims and cannot be limited to the description made for illustrative purposes in this detailed description. Likewise, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can present similar embodiments in the light of the above descriptions without departing from the main theme of the invention.