. . . t e c h n o l o g y g i v e s c o m f o r t

Gas Springs and Dampers

for Automot ive Appl icat ions

STABILUS – A Company with Innovative Tradition

Pioneer Performance Ever since the company was founded inKoblenz in 1934, STABILUS has been in-volved in hydraulic damping elements forautomotive applications. For example, thefirst horizontally acting damper was usedas a steering damper in millions of appli-cations. In 1962, STABILUS presented thefirst gas spring manufactured in series pro-duction in the world. To date, more than1.2 billions of those have been produced.With its gas spring and hydraulic vibrationdamper product lines, STABILUS is theworld market leader with an annual pro-duction of more than 100 million units.

Worldwide Activities With a global sales and service networkand 10 production sites in Europe, USA,Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia andKorea, STABILUS supplies and serves morethan 2,000 customers worldwide.

Development SupplierFor decades, STABILUS has been supplyingthe international automotive industry as arecognized development supplier. Theservice ranges from support in the area ofdesign and development, including allcustomary CAD activities and standard-compliant specification processes, to ex-cellent development and coordinationsupport through efficient and fast sampledesign.

Highest Quality As the leading gas spring supplier world-wide, our quality management systemcertainly fulfills the high quality require-ments of international standards, such asDIN EN ISO 9001 and the new worldstandard ISO/TS 16949 including the re-quirements as per QS 9000, VDA 6.1, EAQFand AVSQ.

Protected Environment Our production processes make environ-mentally friendly manufacturing a highpriority. Its success is documented by thesuccessful certification of the environmentmanagement system in compliance withDIN EN ISO 14001.

Logistics Partner The highest level of flexibility is needed if asupplier is to fulfill the requirements resul-ting from the just-in-time philosophy of theautomotive industry. For years, STABILUShas been practicing this very successfullyand uses state-of-the-art production andcommunication systems for efficient co-ordination with our partners at all levels.

Customer Satisfaction Customer requirements and satisfaction,development know-how, speed, and serviceare major company goals. STABILUS isknown for technical innovation, quality, andcompetitive pricing at all levels.

Gas Springs and Dampers forAutomotive Applications Highest quality, sound know-how, user-specific coordination and a high level offunctional comfort provide new opportuni-ties for installing STABILUS products inautomobiles.e.g., trunk lid...Gas springs make opening and closing thetrunk lid or tailgate safe and easy, with adefined speed curve.e.g., hood...Hoods open easily with the help of gassprings; they replace awkward hood propsand prevent dirty hands.e.g., seat adjustment...Whether seat height, seat position, or backrest adjustment, gas springs and dampersprovide comfort and safety.e.g., vibration damping...Dampers used as steering dampers or asbelt tensioning dampers provide the desi-red smooth running, safety and comfort.

State of the art Productdevelopment

Stabilus designs and builds all ofits own production machinery

Continuous quality control in ourown test labs

Optimum training in our owntraining centers

Function of Your Choice

In automotive applications, most gassprings are specially matched and selectedfor each vehicle model. The function of thegas spring and the comfort of the applica-tion are determined by many characteri-stics, which can be accurately defined priorto series introduction.Naturally, STABILUS application engineersare ready to support and consult, drawingon their many years of experience, theircombined know-how, and customized sam-ples. The most important of these variablesare presented here:

Extension Force For gas springs to open an applicationeasily and to close it safely, their extensionforce must be matched accurately. Forexample, if the force of the gas spring istoo low, the hand force required by theuser becomes uncomfortably high and maynot hold the application in the open posi-tion. The extension force depends directlyon the weight of the hood, the center ofgravity points, as well as the link points ofthe gas spring.

Speed Curve and Damping A special characteristic of the gas spring isdamping. Damping can be used to de-termine a specific speed curve, for examplefor the trunk lid. When and how stronglythe damping action should work can beestablished individually.

Choosing and Selecting Gas Springs

DimensionsThe diameter and the length of the gasspring are determined by its extension forceand the required stroke. By varying themounting orientation, it can be matchedoptimally to the installation space available.

Colour and MaterialMost gas springs used in automotive appli-cations are unobtrusive black. However, forweight reduction purposes the gas springscan be manufactured in polished aluminumfor a high-tech look.

End FittingsTo ensure optimized and cost-effectivemounting, and to take full advantage of theinstallation space while ensuring the requi-red angle movement, different end fittingscan be selected.

STABILUS

gas springs dampers

non-blocking blocking

LIFT-O-MAT® BLOC-O-LIFT® STAB-O-SHOC®

Small Selection of Available End Fittings

Spee

d

Stroke

DynamicDamping

HydraulicDamping

Additional PossibilitiesIn addition to their force-supplying anddamping functions, gas springs can beequipped with additional features. Forexample, an end position stop protectsagainst accidental closing, and a tele-scoping tube makes it possible to open thehood to a service position that is beyondthe normal opening angle, just to name afew examples.

Lifting, Lowering, Moving,and Adjusting

With accurately defined extension force anduser-specific damping, the LIFT-O-MAT® gasspring provides optimum weight equaliza-tion, supports forces, lifts heavy loads, andswings lids and hoods. With its dampingcharacteristics it ensures user-friendlymovements.

Properties and Advantages

❙◗ Numerous sizes and force variants areavailable as standard products

❙◗ Linear spring characteristics for evenforce increase across the entire range ofmovement

❙◗ Upon request, progressive or decreasingspring characteristics for force supply atthe beginning or end of the stroke

❙◗ Available with dynamic or hydraulicdamping, depending on the applicationand installation orientation

❙◗ Different end fitting systems for fast andeasy mounting

❙◗ For operating temperatures between -30°C and +80°C

Product Variants

❙◗ End position stop: This mechanicalend position stop, which can be locatedon the outside or inside, provides ad-ditional protection against accidentalclosing of trunk lids

❙◗ Hydro-Lift®: In addition to the normalLIFT-O-MAT® function, the movementcan be stopped in several positions

❙◗ LIFT-O-MAT® high friction: Due toincreased friction, these gas springs canbe stopped in any position

❙◗ Electro-Lift: In addition to the gasspring function, electricity is transmittedor even switched on, for example to illu-minate the engine compartment or thetrunk.

❙◗ Inter-STOP®: By dividing the stroke intodifferent functional ranges, it is possibleto manually hold/ stop the application,such as the trunk lid, in several positions.

Non-lockable LIFT-O-MAT® Gas Springs

Piston rod diameter

(mm)

6

8

10

14

20

Pressure tube outside

diameter D2 (mm)

15

19

22

28

42

Extension force

(N)

50-400

100-800

150-1150

500-2100

2400-5200

Max. stroke

(mm)

150

250

400

500

500

Pressure tubeconnection

D2

Piston rod

Piston system

Pressure tubewith filling medium

Oil

Special seal andguide system

D1

Piston rodconnection

Standard Series Program

Hydraulic VibrationDamping

Dampers are used to influence the pro-perties of movements and vibrations in apositive manner. They are matched to theindividual application. Oil hydraulic dam-pers consist of a pressure cylinder, a pistonrod with piston system and end fittings.During a movement, the filling medium –the oil – is forced through specificallydimensioned bores in the piston, thuscreating the desired damping force.

Locking Gas Springs – BLOC-O-LIFT®

Dampers and STAB-O-SHOC®

Properties and Advantages❙◗ Compact dimensions with high reliability

and a long service life ❙◗ For operating temperatures between

-30°C and +80°C❙◗ Pre-defined linear, progressive, or

decreasing damping characteristics foroptimized results

❙◗ Position-controlled damping rate; e.g.,for steering dampers and driver seatdampers

❙◗ Frequency-controlled dampingcharacteristics

❙◗ Electrically adjustable dampers❙◗ Different end fittings for easy mounting

Pressure tubeconnection accordingto product range

Pressure tubewith filling medium

Separatingpiston

Speed and dampingregulating valve system

Special seal andguide system

Piston rodconnection withthread

Left: BLOC-O-LIFT® gas spring with spring locking

Right: BLOC-O-LIFT® gas spring with rigid locking and separating piston for

orientation-independent installation

Product Line ❙◗ Dampers are matched to the specific

requirements of the application and theirdesign is optimized

❙◗ For orientation-independent ororientation-specific mounting

❙◗ As dampers with and without extensionforce

❙◗ With damping forces in one direction, orin extension and compression direction

❙◗ Upon request, vibration damping only atcertain frequencies (frequency-controlleddamping)

Variable Positioning, Rigidor Spring Locking

BLOC-O-LIFT® gas springs work accordingto the same principle as the LIFT-O-MAT®

gas springs. In addition, the BLOC-O-LIFT®

gas springs can be locked in any position,and depending on their design – spring-locked or rigidly – in tension or compres-sion direction. The locking function is madepossible by a valve that is integrated intothe piston; the valve separates the twopressure chambers in a gas leak-proofmanner. If it is closed and the gas exchangebetween the two pressure chambers isinterrupted, the BLOC-O-LIFT® gas spring islocked. The valve closes automatically assoon as the valve tappet is released fromthe outside.

Properties and Advantages❙◗ Available with rigid locking in tension

and compression direction. Optionally,this function can be achieved regardlessof the orientation.

❙◗ Also available with a small actuationrange of 1 mm (standard 2.5 mm) forvery easy operation.

❙◗ Upon request, these safety applicationsare available with an override function.

Pop-up Headlights Rod System Damping Hood

Belt Tensioning Damping

Engine Damping Steering Column Adjustment

Steering Damping

Gas Springs and Dampers in the Automobile

Window Adjustment

Seat Height Adjustment,Backrest Adjustment

Glove Compartment

Gullwing Doors Seat Adjustment Fold-out Table Backseat Adjustment

Tailgate Trunk Lid

Convertible Top,Convertible Top Adjustment

Roll Bar

Center Console,Phone Console

Gas Springs and Dampers for Utility Vehicles

Compact design, high functional comfortand integrated operating safety expand therange of applications for STABILUS pro-ducts in utility vehicle design.e.g., vehicle bodies...Gas springs and dampers make it easy toopen and adjust tailgates, hoods, andcovers.e.g., trucks...Gas springs are used for comfortable open-ing and securing of engine compartmentcovers, truck cab doors and windows. In thedriver seat, they dampen unpleasant joltsdue to bumpy roads and thus ensure apleasant, relaxed, and ergonomic seatingexperience.e.g., buses...In luggage compartments, gas springsensure comfortable opening, as well asdampened, safe, and noiseless closing.Because the seats can be adjusted ergo-nomically, even long journeys are apleasant experience.

Other Applications:

❙◗ Shelf for the driver❙◗ Shelf for carry-on bags❙◗ Glove compartment❙◗ Battery compartment❙◗ Folding roof❙◗ Tailgate

❙◗ Front end lid❙◗ Steering❙◗ Cover tarp❙◗ Hood❙◗ Air deflector❙◗ Bunk

❙◗ Motor❙◗ Carburetor control❙◗ Manual transmission❙◗ Driver seat❙◗ Driver’s cab❙◗ Luggage compartment

❙◗ Maintenance compartment❙◗ Seats❙◗ Roof light❙◗ Steering column❙◗ Radio cover

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