Air spring and air sleeve suitable therefor
By adopting an air sleeve with a hybrid cord structure, combining axial cord and cross-laying cord, the shortcomings in torsion and dimensional stability of the traditional air sleeve are solved, and the large torsion capability in the air spring is achieved and Dimensional stability avoids the need for additional bearing components and improves durability and performance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411467545.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-17
AI Technical Summary
Traditional air sleeves have shortcomings when torsional capacity and dimensional stability are required to withstand large torsion effectively, resulting in the need to add additional bearing elements.
The air sleeve using a hybrid cord structure includes a first part having an axial cord, a second part having a combination of axial cord and a cross-laying cord, and a third part having a cord arranged in the cross-laying manner, in combination with Torsional capability and dimensional stability, which ensures airtightness and wear resistance by restraining cylinder support cord tension.
The dimensional stability is achieved while enduring large torsion and universal angles, avoiding the need for additional bearing elements, and improving the durability and performance of the air spring.
Smart Images
Figure CN119146170A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to air springs for vehicle suspensions and, more particularly, to air sleeves. Background Art
[0002] Traditional air sleeves are made of two cord layers with opposite helix angles (usually + / -45°), called cross-ply technology. They are very durable for axial and cardanic displacement, but they cannot withstand twisting because one of the cord layers will restrain it under tension.
[0003] In recent front and rear suspension axle applications, a certain degree of torsion (more than 5°) is required, which usually requires the addition of additional bearings.
[0004] What is needed is an air spring that can accommodate large strokes (including cardanic angles) while maintaining its dimensional stability (low diameter expansion with pressure) and having torsional capability that avoids the need for additional bearing elements. Summary of the invention
[0005] In general, the present invention provides an air sleeve having a hybrid cord to allow torsion in one portion and dimensional stability and durability in another portion. The present invention is used, for example, in an air spring having a top mounted housing or cap defining a compartment; a piston disposed in the compartment; and an air sleeve disposed in the compartment. The air sleeve extends between a first end secured to the cap and a second end secured to the piston, defining an air chamber extending between the cap and the piston.
[0006] A rigid sleeve, called a restraining cylinder, is mounted adjacent to the air sleeve. The air sleeve has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion being located between the first portion and the third portion. The first portion has axial cords, the third portion has cords in a cross-ply arrangement, and the second portion has a combination of axial cords and cross-ply cords.
[0007] The air spring combines the advantages of large torsion decoupling and dimensional stability with torsion capability. The first part allows torsion and provides low torsional stiffness, the second part (with overlap of axial cords and cross-ply cords) is supported by a restraining cylinder to ensure cord tension under internal air pressure, and the third part rolls against the piston to allow axial stroke.
[0008] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings accompanying the detailed description are described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air spring having a sleeve with a hybrid cord angle of the present invention on a shock absorber module.
[0010] Figure 2 is a plan view of a sleeve having a mixed cord angle according to the present invention.
[0011] Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the layers of a sleeve having a mixed cord angle of the present invention.
[0012] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a rear independent air spring having a sleeve with mixed cord angles according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference Figure 1 , the air spring assembly of the present invention is generally shown at 10. The air spring assembly 10 includes a restraining cylinder 12 having a generally cylindrical shape, which is disposed on a central axis A and extends along the central axis A between a first end 14 and a second end 16. The restraining cylinder 12 defines a chamber 18 extending along the central axis A between the first end 14 and the second end 16. An air sleeve 24 is placed within the restraining cylinder 12. The top end 20 of the air sleeve 24 is crimped and sealed to the top cap 34 by using a crimp ring 40. The bottom end 28 of the air sleeve 24 is crimped and sealed to the piston 22 by using a crimp ring 48.
[0014] A piston 22 having a tubular shape is disposed in the chamber 18, located on the central axis A and adjacent to the closed end 16 of the restraining cylinder 12. An air sleeve 24 made of an elastomeric material reinforced with cords and having a generally tubular shape is disposed in the compartment, located on the central axis A. The air sleeve 24 extends annularly between a primary end 26 and an auxiliary end 28 around the central axis A. The primary end 26 is fixed to a top cover 34. The auxiliary end 28 is fixed to the piston 22, thereby defining a pocket (air chamber of the air spring) 30 extending between the top cover 34 and the piston 22. A crimping ring 32 having a generally annular shape is disposed in the chamber 30. The crimping ring 32 abuts against the air sleeve 24 to sandwich the air sleeve 24 between the crimping ring 32 and the restraining cylinder 12 to fix the air sleeve 24 to the restraining cylinder 12 in the chamber 18.
[0015] Installed on Figure 1 The cord reinforcement of the air sleeve 24 in the air spring 10 is described in detail as follows: Figure 2Item 50 in FIG. The sleeve has a first portion 52, a second portion 54, and a third portion 56. As illustrated, the first portion 52 has axial cords or fibers and the third portion 56 has cords in a cross-ply arrangement. Figure 3 As shown, the cross-ply of the preferred embodiment includes two separate plies angled in opposite directions to create a cross-ply. In the disclosed embodiment, the cross-ply cords are not connected like a fabric, but are angled to each other. In the second portion 54, the cords overlap and have both axially arranged cords and cross-ply cords. The cords are embedded in an elastomer or rubber matrix to ensure air tightness as well as wear resistance.
[0016] The cord can be made, for example, using straight extruded cord and rubber layers that are cut and laid on a straight building mandrel at the desired cord helix angle and vulcanized.
[0017] The current air sleeve combines the advantages of large torsional decoupling and dimensional stability with the ability to twist at the upper end of the air spring. The first portion 52 allows twisting and provides low torsional stiffness. The second portion 54 (overlap) is crimped or secured by other attachment methods to ensure cord tension under internal air pressure. The overlap (splice) can be secured by being supported by a restraining cylinder (to prevent blowing up under pressure). The third portion, the bottom rolling lob of the bladder, remains durable under durability and universal joint action.
[0018] The hybrid structure of the present invention can be manufactured using a conventional air sleeve manufacturing process using straight extruded cord and rubber layers cut at the desired cord helix angle and laid up on a straight building mandrel before being vulcanized into a blade tool into an oven.
[0019] exist Figure 4 In FIG. 5 , the sleeve 50 of the present invention is shown in use on an independent air spring 60 to illustrate the versatility of the present invention for use in a variety of different types of applications.
[0020] The above invention has been described in accordance with relevant legal standards, and thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do fall within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.
[0021] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 567,550, filed on March 20, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
1. An air spring, comprising: build; Restraint cylinder; piston; an air sleeve extending between a first end secured to the cover and a second end secured to the piston, defining an air chamber extending between the cover and the piston; The air sleeve has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the second portion is located between the first portion and the third portion, the first portion has axial cords, the third portion has cords in a cross-ply arrangement, and the second portion has a combination of axial cords and cross-ply cords; The air spring thus combines the advantages of large torsional decoupling and dimensional stability with torsional capability, the first portion allowing torsion and providing low torsional stiffness, the second portion being supported by the restraining cylinder to ensure cord tension under internal air pressure, and the third portion providing durability.
2. The air spring according to claim 1, wherein: The air sleeve has a major end and a minor end, the major end being fixed to the cap and the minor end being fixed to the piston, defining a pocket as an airtight chamber.
3. The air spring according to claim 1, wherein: The air sleeve is a composite structure of polymer cord reinforcement and a rubber-like material for the base. 4 . The air spring of claim 2 , further comprising a crimping ring abutting the air sleeve to sandwich the air sleeve between the crimping ring and the restraining cylinder to secure the air sleeve to the restraining cylinder.
5. The air spring according to claim 1, wherein: The third portion includes a first ply at a first angle and a second ply at a second angle, the first ply and the second ply being stacked one on top of another.
6. The air spring according to claim 1, wherein: The cord is defined by straight extruded cords and rubber layers cut at the desired cord helix angle and laid on a straight building mandrel and vulcanized.
7. An air sleeve suitable for an air spring, the air sleeve comprising: a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the second portion being located between the first portion and the third portion, the first portion having axial cords and the third portion having cords in a cross-ply arrangement, the second portion having a combination of axial cords and cross-ply cords; The air sleeve thus combines the advantages of large torsional decoupling and dimensional stability with torsional capability, the first portion allowing torsion and providing low torsional stiffness, the second portion being adapted to be supported by a restraining cylinder to ensure cord tension under internal air pressure, and the third portion rolling against the piston to allow axial stroke.
8. The air sleeve according to claim 7, wherein: The cord is defined by straight extruded cords and rubber layers cut at the desired cord helix angle and laid on a straight building mandrel and vulcanized.
9. The air sleeve according to claim 7, wherein: The third portion includes a first ply at a first angle and a second ply at a second angle, the first ply and the second ply being stacked one on top of another.
10. The air sleeve of claim 7, further comprising a restraining cylinder defining a compartment; build; a piston disposed in the compartment; an air sleeve disposed in the compartment and extending between a first end secured to the cover and a second end secured to the piston, defining a chamber extending between the cover and the piston; The air sleeve is mounted adjacent to the restraining cylinder.
11. The air sleeve according to claim 7, wherein: The air sleeve has a major end and a minor end, the major end being secured to the cap and the minor end being secured to the piston, defining a pocket.
12. The air sleeve according to claim 11, wherein: The air sleeve is tightened at both ends by crimping rings connecting the air sleeve to the cap and the piston.