Damper assembly

a technology of suspension system and sprung mass, which is applied in the direction of shock absorbers, machine supports, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of disproportionate acceleration of sprung mass, easy transmission of unsprung suspension displacement by the sprung mass, and virtually lossless, and achieves low impedance and damping. , the effect of small displacemen

US20080078635A1Inactive Publication Date: 2008-04-03GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2008-04-03
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle includes a housing adapted to be mounted to one end of a strut in the suspension system. The housing has a chamber with fluid therein. The damper assembly also includes at least one diaphragm extending across the chamber to react with the fluid, to be compliant at relatively small displacements, and to be rigid at relatively large displacements.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to suspension systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known to provide a suspension system for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle. One form of the suspension system includes a coil spring, one end of which rests in a lower seat moving with the wheel assembly; the opposite end contacts an upper seat of a vehicle body or frame of the vehicle. The spring supports the weight of the vehicle body and allows for reciprocating relative movement between the wheel assembly and the vehicle body during road travel to isolate wheel disturbances from the vehicle body.

[0003] In another form of the suspension system, a strut is mounted between the movable suspension elements and the body of the vehicle. The strut typically includes a hydraulic cylinder with an attached piston and piston rod. The piston rod slidably extends from an upper end...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]Referring to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a damper assembly 10, according to the present invention, is shown for a suspension system, generally indicated at 11, of a vehicle 12 (partially shown). The vehicle 12 has a vehicle body 14 mounted on or integral with a vehicle chassis (not shown). It should be appreciated that the suspension system 11 is operatively connected between an unsprung portion, hereinafter referred to as unsprung mass and a sprung portion or vehicle chassis (not shown) of the vehicle 12.

[0019]The suspension system 11 includes a strut, generally indicated at 16, mounted between the unsprung mass (not shown) and the vehicle body 14 of the vehicle 12. The strut 16 includes a hydraulic cylinder 18 with an attached piston (not shown) and piston rod 20. The hydraulic cylinder 18 is attached to the vehicle chassis at its lower end by a suitable mechanism such as fasteners (not shown). The piston rod 20 slidably extends from the p...