Piston-cylinder assembly having an adjusting device

Abstract

Piston-cylinder assembly, in particular gas spring, comprising a cylinder as a first structural unit, in which a piston rod is arranged in an axially movable manner as a second structural unit. An adjusting device exerting an adjusting force includes an acturator and a force-transmitting means operatively connected to the piston-cylinder assembly, the force-transmitting means engaging concentrically on one of the two structural units of the piston-cylinder assembly.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A piston-cylinder assembly comprising 
 a cylinder having an axis,    a piston rod arranged for axial movement in said cylinder,    an adjusting device comprising an actuator and a force transmitting element for transmitting an adjusting force from said actuator to said piston-cylinder assembly, said element engaging concentrically on one of said cylinder and said piston.    
     
     
         2 . A piston-cylinder assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said force transmitting element is connected axially in said piston cylinder assembly.  
     
     
         3 . A piston-cylinder-assembly as in  claim 2  wherein said piston rod comprises an extension projecting out of said cylinder, said force transmitting element being connected axially to said extension.  
     
     
         4 . A piston cylinder assembly as in  claim 3  wherein said cylinder comprises a guide for said piston rod and a guide for said extension.  
     
     
         5 . A piston-cylinder assembly as in  claim 3  wherein said extension comprises a stop for limiting the movement of the piston rod relative to the cylinder.  
     
     
         6 . A piston-cylinder assembly as in  claim 5  wherein said stop comprises a sleeve.  
     
     
         7 . A piston-cylinder assembly as in  claim 6  wherein said sleeve is connected to said extension by a threaded connection.  
     
     
         8 . A piston cylinder assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said piston rod is hollow, said assembly further comprising a connection accommodated in said hollow piston rod, said connection having one end fixed to said cylinder and an other end fixed to said force transmitting element.  
     
     
         9 . A piston cylinder assembly as in  claim 8  wherein said one end comprises a flange which is fixed to said cylinder.  
     
     
         10 . A piston cylinder assembly as in  claim 9  wherein said cylinder has a bottom, said flange being fixed to said bottom.  
     
     
         11 . A piston-cylinder assembly as in  claim 1  further comprising a radial connecting element fixed to at least one of said piston rod and said cylinder.  
     
     
         12 . A piston cylinder assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said piston rod is hollow, said cylinder further comprising a capsule element arranged concentrically with respect to said piston rod and accommodating said force transmitting element, said force-transmitting element passing through said piston rod and being fastened to a fastening point of an element to be moved.  
     
     
         13 . A piston cylinder assembly as in  claim 12  wherein said capsule element is inside said piston rod.  
     
     
         14 . A piston cylinder assembly as in  claim 12  wherein said capsule element is tubular.  
     
     
         15 . A piston-cylinder assembly as in  claim 12  wherein said cylinder has a bottom, said capsule element being fixed to said bottom.  
     
     
         16 . A piston-cylinder assembly as in  claim 12  wherein said capsule element is mounted in said cylinder for angular movement relative thereto.