Hydraulic components

Abstract

The present application provides a hydraulic assembly, which includes a spring seat, a spring seat insert, and a seal. The spring seat can slide along the spring seat insert to define an expandable fluid chamber between the spring seat and the spring seat insert. The spring seat includes a groove defining a mating surface. The seal is located between the spring seat and the spring seat insert. The seal includes a mating portion at a first end that can engage with the mating surface of the groove to prevent fluid from leaving the fluid chamber.

Description

Background Art

[0001] A hydraulic assembly allows components in a vehicle to be moved by pumping fluid into an expandable chamber to separate a spring seat from a spring seat insert. Vehicles use hydraulic assemblies in their suspensions. The operator of the vehicle can actuate the hydraulic assembly to raise and lower the vehicle body relative to the wheels to compensate for changes in the road surface. For example, off-road driving may require an increased ride height to avoid debris on the ground. In another example, a lower ride height may allow the vehicle to operate in a more aerodynamic manner. In yet another example, the hydraulic assembly may raise the front of the vehicle to avoid speed bumps or increased road grade.

[0002] If the seal is not installed correctly, hydraulic fluid in the assembly may leak. Typical seals may be able to be installed in an orientation other than the intended orientation. If installed incorrectly, the seal may allow fluid to flow out of the expandable cavity, causing fluid to leak from the hydraulic assembly. In particular, the seal may be substantially symmetrical, so that installing the seal backwards may appear to be the correct installation. However, such backwards installation may allow fluid to leak from the assembly. There is still the opportunity to design a seal for a hydraulic assembly that can only be installed in a specified orientation to properly seal the expandable cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 is a view of the hydraulic components.

[0004] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic component.

[0005] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a spring seat including a groove.

[0006] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seal.

[0007] Figure 5A-5B is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic assembly when the seal is installed in the groove in a first orientation.

[0008] Figure 6A-6B is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic assembly when the seal is installed in the groove in a direction transverse to the first direction.

[0009] Figure 7A-7B is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a hydraulic assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The seal of a hydraulic assembly can only be installed in one orientation, preventing hydraulic fluid leakage by ensuring that the seal can only be installed correctly. Therefore, when the spring seat of the hydraulic assembly is installed onto the spring seat insert of the hydraulic assembly, the fluid cavity defined therebetween is sealed. If the seal is incorrectly placed on the spring seat of the hydraulic assembly, the seal will prevent the spring seat from being installed onto the spring seat insert, thereby indicating to the installer that the seal is not placed correctly. By designing the seal to be installed in only a specified orientation, the orientation of the seal prevents leakage of the fluid cavity when the spring seat is slid onto the spring seat insert unimpeded by the seal. That is, the seal provides for an angled installation of the hydraulic assembly to prevent fluid from flowing out of the fluid cavity.

[0011] The hydraulic assembly 10, 12 includes a spring seat 14, 54, a spring seat insert 16, and a seal 18, 56. The spring seat 14, 54 includes an inner surface 20, 58 and a wall 22. The spring seat insert 16 includes an outer surface 24, an inner surface 26, and a second wall 28 extending from the outer surface 24 to the inner surface 26. The spring seat 14, 54 is slidable along the outer surface 24 of the spring seat insert 16 to define an expandable fluid chamber 30 between the second wall 28 of the spring seat insert 16, the inner surface 26 of the spring seat insert 16, the inner surface 20, 58 of the spring seat 14, 54, and the wall 22 of the spring seat 14, 54.

[0012] like Figure 2-6B As shown, the spring seat 14 defines a groove 32 in the inner surface 20. The groove 32 has a first vertical surface 34, a horizontal surface 36, a mating surface 38 extending from the first vertical surface 34 to the horizontal surface 36, and a second vertical surface 40 extending from the horizontal surface 36. The mating surface 38 is a chamfered surface, that is, an inclined surface extending from the horizontal surface 36 to the first vertical surface 34. The seal 18 is between the spring seat 14 and the spring seat insert 16. The seal 18 has a first end 42, a second end 44 opposite to the first end 42, a mating portion 46 at the first end 42, a first flange 48 disposed at the second end 44, and a second flange 50 disposed at the second end 44. The mating portion 46 can engage with the mating surface 38 of the groove 32. The first flange 48 can engage with the horizontal surface 36 and the second vertical surface 40. The second flange 50 can engage the second vertical surface 40 and the outer surface 24 of the spring seat insert 16. The first and second flanges 48 , 50 are arranged to prevent fluid from flowing out of the fluid chamber 30 .

[0013] The hydraulic lift assembly 10 includes a spring seat 14. The spring seat 14 is a generally cylindrical object disposed about a spring seat insert 16. The spring seat 14 slides along the spring seat insert 16 to lift a vehicle component (e.g., a component of a vehicle suspension). The spring seat 14 includes an inner surface 20 and a wall 22. The wall 22 extends from the inner surface 20 toward a central axis A of the hydraulic assembly 10. That is, the wall 22 is a cylindrical extension extending from the spring seat 14 that engages the spring seat insert 16.

[0014] The inner surface 20 defines a groove 32. The "groove" 32 is a recessed portion in the spring seat 14 that receives the seal 18. The groove 32 may be machined from the spring seat 14. The groove 32 has a first vertical surface 34, a horizontal surface 36, a mating surface 38 extending from the first vertical surface 34 to the horizontal surface 36, and a second vertical surface 40 extending from the horizontal surface 36. That is, in Figure 3 In the cross-sectional view shown, the groove 32 is asymmetrical. The groove 32 accommodates the seal 18 in a particular orientation, as described below and as shown in FIG. Figure 2 , 5A -5B to prevent the seal 18 from being inserted backward. The mating surface 38 is a diagonal surface that is transverse to both the first vertical surface 34 and the horizontal surface 36. As described below, the mating surface 38 can be designed to accommodate the seal 18 in a specific orientation. The spring seat 14 may include a plurality of grooves 32. Each groove 32 includes a respective seal 18 to prevent the fluid cavity 30 from leaking from either side of the fluid cavity 30.

[0015] The hydraulic assembly 10 includes a spring seat insert 16. The spring seat insert 16 may be disposed on a portion of a vehicle component to allow movement of the spring seat 14. The spring seat insert 16 includes an outer surface 24, an inner surface 26, and a second wall 28 extending from the outer surface 24 to the inner surface 26. The inner surface 26 is disposed closer to the central axis A of the hydraulic assembly 10 than the outer surface 24, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The second wall 28 extends vertically from the outer surface 24 to the inner surface 26. That is, the outer surface 24 and the inner surface 26 extend substantially horizontally, and the second wall 28 extends vertically therebetween.

[0016] The hydraulic assembly 10 defines an expandable fluid chamber 30. The expandable fluid chamber 30 is defined between the second wall 28 of the spring seat insert 16, the inner surface 26 of the spring seat insert 16, the inner surface 20 of the spring seat 14, and the wall 22 of the spring seat 14. That is, the expandable fluid chamber 30 is a cylindrical void or chamber between the spring seat 14 and the spring seat insert 16. When a fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) is provided to the expandable fluid chamber 30, the fluid chamber expands from a first position to a second position, thereby moving a component attached to the spring seat 14. In the first position, there is little fluid in the fluid chamber 30, and the wall 22 of the spring seat 14 is disposed adjacent to the second wall 28 of the spring seat insert 16. When fluid is inserted into the fluid chamber 30, the fluid pushes against the wall 22 of the spring seat 14, and the fluid chamber 30 can expand to the second position. In the second position, the wall 22 of the spring seat 14 is disposed farther from the second wall 28 of the spring seat insert 16 than in the first position. That is, inserting fluid into the fluid cavity 30 moves the spring seat 14 and the vehicle components attached thereto. The spring seat insert 16 may include a fluid line 52 that provides fluid to the fluid cavity 30. That is, the fluid line 52 may be connected to a fluid pump (not shown) that injects fluid into the fluid cavity 30, thereby urging the spring seat 14 relative to the spring seat insert 16.

[0017] The hydraulic lift assembly 10 includes a seal 18, such as Figure 2 , Figure 4-6B As shown. The seal 18 prevents fluid from flowing out of the fluid chamber 30. The seal 18 is inserted into the groove 32 to seal the spring seat 14 from the spring seat insert 16. The seal 18 slides along the spring seat insert 16 together with the spring seat 14. The seal 18 is designed to prevent the spring seat 14 from being installed on the spring seat insert 16 when the seal 18 is installed backward in the groove 32. In other words, the seal 18 is designed to only allow the spring seat 14 to be placed on the spring seat insert 16 when the seal 18 is properly installed in the spring seat 14. The seal 18 can be a flexible, fluid-tight material (such as silicone, rubber, etc.). The hydraulic lift assembly 10 may include a plurality of seals 18, such as Figure 2 As shown, the fluid chamber 30 is sealed.

[0018] The seal 18 has a first end 42 and a second end 44. Figure 4-6B As shown. The first end 42 engages the first vertical surface 34 of the groove 32. The seal 18 includes a mating portion 46 between the first end 42 and the second end 44. The mating portion 46 of the seal 18 is a portion that is transverse to the first end 42, i.e., is chamfered. That is, the mating portion 46 of the seal 18 is chamfered, the mating surface 38 of the groove 32 is chamfered, and the mating portion 46 of the seal 18 is shaped to mate with the mating surface 38 of the groove 32 when the seal 18 is installed in the groove in the correct direction.

[0019] The first end 42 defines a vertical surface, and the mating portion 46 defines an acute angle θ with the vertical surface. Figure 4 As shown, the acute angle θ can be substantially 56 degrees. Alternatively, the acute angle θ can be a different angle based on the size of the seal 18, which is a suitable angle. When the mating portion 46 of the seal 18 engages the mating surface 38 of the groove 32, the seal 18 prevents the fluid from flowing out of the fluid cavity 30. That is, the mating portion 46 of the seal 18 and the mating surface 38 of the groove 32 are designed to substantially match, thereby sealing the groove 32 and the fluid cavity 30. The mating portion 46 can be shaped according to the size of the mating surface 38 of the groove 32, that is, the mating portion 46 can completely cover the mating surface 38, thereby preventing the fluid cavity 30 from leaking.

[0020] The mating portion 46 of the seal 18 has a width w 1 The second end 44 of the seal 18 has a second width w 2 Width w 1 With the second width w 2 The ratio of can be determined based on the size of the mating portion 46. For example, the width w 1 It can be approximately 2 millimeters (mm), and the second width w 2 It can be approximately 5.4 mm, that is, the width w 1 With the second width w 2 The ratio of may be substantially 37%. Alternatively, the width w may be determined 1 and the second width w 2 , so that the width w 1 With the second width w 2 The ratio of may be a suitable value to secure the seal 18 in the groove 32. That is, the seal 18 may be sized so that when the mating portion 46 of the seal 18 engages the mating surface 38 of the groove 32, the groove 32 is filled.

[0021] The seal 18 includes a first flange 48 disposed at the second end 44 and a second flange 50 disposed at the second end 44, such as Figure 2 , Figure 4-6BAs shown. The first flange 48 can be vertically disposed relative to the spring seat insert 16 away from the second flange 50. The first flange 48 can engage the horizontal surface 36 and the second vertical surface 40 of the groove 32. The second flange 50 can engage the horizontal surface 36 of the groove 32 and the outer surface 24 of the spring seat insert 16. The first and second flanges 48, 50 can be arranged to prevent fluid from flowing out of the fluid cavity 30. That is, the first flange 48 and the second flange 50 can be designed to prevent the spring seat 14 from sliding along the spring seat insert 16 when at least one of the first flange 48 or the second flange 50 engages the mating surface 38. As shown in FIG. Figure 6A-6B As shown, when one of the flanges 48, 50 engages the mating surface 38, the other of the flanges 48, 50 pushes against the second wall 28 of the spring seat insert 16, thereby preventing the spring seat 14 from moving onto the spring seat insert 16. Alternatively, the first end 42 of the seal may engage the second wall 28, thereby preventing the spring seat 14 from moving onto the spring seat insert 16. Therefore, when one of the flanges 48, 50 engages the mating surface 38, the spring seat 14 may not be installed onto the spring seat insert 16, and the seal 18 must be realigned to properly fit into the groove 32.

[0022] like Figure 5A-5B As shown, the seal 18 is designed to fit into the groove 32 in a first orientation. In the first orientation, the mating portion 46 of the seal 18 engages the mating surface 38 of the groove 32, thereby sealing the fluid cavity 30. That is, the first orientation is a designated orientation that seals the fluid cavity 30 and allows the spring seat 14 to be properly installed onto the spring seat insert 16. The seal 18 can be designed to seal the fluid cavity 30 when the seal 18 is in the first orientation, and can be designed not to seal the fluid cavity 30 in a direction transverse to the first orientation. For example, if the seal 18 is placed in the groove 32 backward, as shown in FIG. Figure 6A-6B As shown, the seal 18 may not seal the fluid cavity 30. The seal 18 can be designed to allow the spring seat 14 to slide along the outer surface 24 of the spring seat insert 16 when the seal 18 is disposed in the groove 32 in a first direction, and to prevent the spring seat 14 from sliding along the outer surface 24 of the spring seat insert 16 when the seal 18 is disposed in the groove 32 in a direction transverse to the first direction. In other words, the seal 18 is designed to fit into the groove 32 only in the first direction. Therefore, when the installer places the seal 18 in the groove 32, the installer can determine whether the seal 18 is properly installed by determining whether the spring seat 14 can be installed on the spring seat insert 16. If the spring seat 14 cannot be installed on the spring seat insert 16, the installer can adjust the direction of the seal 18 until the seal 18 is in the first direction.

[0023] Figure 7A-7BA second embodiment of the hydraulic assembly 12 is shown. The hydraulic assembly 12 includes a spring seat 54, a spring seat insert 16, and a seal 56. The spring seat 54 defines a recess 60. The recess 60 has a first vertical surface 62, a horizontal surface 64, and a second vertical surface 66. The horizontal surface 64 extends between the first vertical surface 62 and the second vertical surface 66. The intersection of the first vertical surface 62 and the horizontal surface 64 defines a mating surface 74 of the recess 60.

[0024] The hydraulic assembly 12 includes a mating insert 68. The mating insert 68 is disposed between the seal 56 and the first vertical surface 62. The mating insert 68 prevents the seal 56 from being inserted backward into the groove 60. The mating insert 68 may be a ring of a suitable material (e.g., metal, plastic, composite material, etc.). The installer may place the mating insert 68 into the groove 60 before placing the seal 56 into the groove 60. Alternatively, the mating insert 68 may be integral with the spring seat 54.

[0025] The seal 56 includes a mating portion 70 and a wall 72. The mating insert 68 engages the mating portion 70 and the wall 72. The mating portion 70 is a substantially flat portion that engages the mating insert 68. When the seal 56 is installed in the correct orientation, the mating insert 68 is between the mating surface of the groove 60 and the mating portion 70 of the seal 56. That is, the mating portion 70 and the wall 72 can be shaped to fit around the mating insert 68 and press the mating insert 68 against the mating surface 74 of the groove 60. When the seal 56 is installed in a direction transverse to the first direction, one of the flanges (at Figure 7A-7B ) can engage the mating insert 68, thereby placing a portion of the seal 56 into the fluid cavity 30 and preventing the spring seat 54 from sliding onto the spring seat insert 16.

[0026] The method of assembling the hydraulic assembly 10, 12 includes inserting the seal 18, 56 into the groove 32, 60 of the spring seat 14, 54; engaging the mating portion 46, 70 of the seal 18, 56 with the mating surface 38, 74 of the groove 32, 60; sliding the spring seat 14, 54 onto the spring seat insert 16 to define the fluid cavity 30 therebetween; and sealing the fluid cavity 30 from the groove 32 using the seal 18, 56.

[0027] An installer in a manufacturing facility can assemble the hydraulic assembly 10 depicted in the drawings. The installer can insert the seal 18 into the groove 32 of the spring seat 14 so that the mating portion 46 of the seal 18 engages the mating surface 38 of the groove 32. Since the mating portion 46 is designed to engage the mating surface 38, installing the seal 18 so that the mating portion 46 engages the mating surface 38 of the groove 32 places the seal 18 in the correct orientation to seal the fluid cavity 30.

[0028] The installer can assemble the hydraulic assembly 12 depicted in the drawings. The installer can insert the mating insert 68 into the groove 60 of the spring seat 54. The installer can then insert the seal 56 into the groove 60. The mating insert 68 can be disposed between the seal 56 and the mating surface 74 to prevent the seal 56 from being installed backwards into the groove 60.

[0029] The method may also include sliding the spring seat 14, 54 onto the spring seat insert 16 to close the groove 32, 60 with the seal 18, 56 and the outer surface 24 of the spring seat insert 16. The installer may slide the spring seat 14, 54 onto the spring seat insert 16 to define the fluid cavity 30. The seal 18, 56 is in the proper orientation to seal the fluid cavity 30 allowing the spring seat 14, 54 to slide onto the spring seat insert 16. Thus, the groove 32, 60 is closed by the seal 18, 56 and the outer surface 24 of the spring seat insert 16. By closing the groove 32, 60, fluid from the fluid cavity 30 does not leak through the groove 32, 60.

[0030] The method may further include engaging a flange 48, 50 of the seal 18 to the mating surface 38 of the groove 32; and sliding the spring seat 14 onto the spring seat insert 16 so that the groove 32 is exposed to the inner surface 20. The flanges 48, 50 of the seal 18 may engage the mating surface 38 when the seal 18 is in an orientation transverse to the first direction, i.e., in an orientation that is not an appropriate orientation for sealing the fluid cavity 30. The flanges 48, 50 retain the seal 18 so that the first end 42 of the seal 18 and / or another flange 48, 50 of the seal 18 cannot be placed in the groove 32, thereby causing the groove 32 to be exposed to the inner surface 26 of the spring seat insert 16. When the groove 32 is exposed to the inner surface 26 of the spring seat insert 16, the spring seat 14 cannot be fully slid onto the spring seat insert 16, thereby preventing the spring seat 14 from being installed. Therefore, when the seal 18 is not in the first orientation, the flanges 48, 50 and the mating surface 38 prevent the spring seat 14 from being installed.

[0031] The method may also include engaging the flange 48, 50 of the seal 18 to the mating surface 38 of the groove 32 or the flange of the mating insert 68 to prevent the spring seat 14, 54 from sliding onto the spring seat insert 16. As described above, engaging one of the flanges 48, 50 of the seal 18, 56 to the mating surface 38 or the mating insert 68 forces the first end 42 and / or the other flange 48, 50 of the seal 18, 56 to pass through the groove 32, 60 and, when the installer attempts to slide the spring seat 14, 54 onto the spring seat insert 16, the first end 42 and / or the other flange 48, 50 of the seal 18, 56 is sandwiched between the spring seat 14, 54 and the second wall 28 of the spring seat insert 16. The seal 18, 56 thus prevents the spring seat 14, 54 from sliding onto the spring seat insert 16.

[0032] The method may further include inserting the seal 18, 56 in a first orientation to allow the spring seat 14, 54 to be slid onto the spring seat insert 16. As described above, inserting the seal 18, 56 in the first orientation causes the mating portion 46, 70 of the seal 18, 56 to engage the mating surface 38, 74 of the groove 32, 60. Thus, the seal 18, 56 is fully received in the groove 32, 60 and does not prevent the spring seat 14, 56 from sliding onto the spring seat insert 16. When the seal 18, 56 is in the first orientation, the seal 18, 56 prevents fluid from leaving the fluid cavity 30.

[0033] The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the present disclosure may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described.

Claims

1. A hydraulic assembly, comprising: a spring seat, the spring seat comprising an inner surface and a wall; a spring seat insert including an outer surface, an inner surface, and a second wall extending from the outer surface to the inner surface, the spring seat being slidable along the outer surface of the spring seat insert to define an expandable fluid chamber between the second wall of the spring seat insert, the inner surface of the spring seat insert, the inner surface of the spring seat, and the wall of the spring seat; a groove defined in an inner surface of the spring seat, the groove having a first vertical surface, a horizontal surface, and a second vertical surface extending from the horizontal surface; a seal between the spring seat and the spring seat insert, the seal having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a mating portion at the first end, a first flange disposed at the second end engageable with the horizontal surface and the second vertical surface, and a second flange disposed at the second end engageable with the second vertical surface and the outer surface of the spring seat insert, the first flange and the second flange being arranged to prevent fluid from flowing out of the fluid cavity; a mating insert separate from the spring seat, the mating insert being disposed between the mating portion of the seal and the first vertical surface and the horizontal surface of the groove; as well as Wherein, the seal is designed to allow the spring seat to slide along the outer surface of the spring seat insert when the seal is arranged in the groove in a first direction, and to prevent the spring seat from sliding along the outer surface of the spring seat insert when the seal is arranged in the groove in a direction transverse to the first direction.

2. The hydraulic assembly according to claim 1, wherein: When the seal is in the first direction, the seal is configured to seal the fluid cavity, and when the seal is in a direction transverse to the first direction, the seal is configured not to seal the fluid cavity.

3. The hydraulic assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The mating portion of the seal has a width, the second end of the seal has a second width, and a ratio of the width to the second width is 37%.

4. The hydraulic assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The seal is sized to fill the groove when the mating insert is disposed between the mating portion of the seal and the first vertical and horizontal surfaces of the groove.

5. The hydraulic assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first flange and the second flange are designed to prevent the spring seat from sliding along the spring seat insert.

6. The hydraulic assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The spring seat insert includes a fluid line that provides fluid to expand the expandable fluid chamber.

7. The hydraulic assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The groove is asymmetrical.

8. A method of assembling a hydraulic assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: Place the mating insert into the groove of the spring seat; inserting a seal into the groove of the spring seat in a first direction, sliding the spring seat onto a spring seat insert to define a fluid chamber between the spring seat and the spring seat insert; as well as The fluid chamber is sealed from the groove with the seal.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising sliding the spring seat onto the spring seat insert to close the groove with the seal and an outer surface of the spring seat insert.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising engaging a flange of the seal to the groove and sliding the spring seat onto the spring seat insert to expose the groove to the inner surface.

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