Air spring assembly
By installing a protective ring and an aluminum casing in the air spring assembly to prevent foreign objects from invading, and adjusting the spring stiffness through the multi-chamber structure and regulating the control valve assembly, the problem of wear and stiffness of the existing air spring assembly is solved, achieving a longer service life and better adaptability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411650374.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing air spring components are susceptible to invasion of foreign objects such as sand and gravel during long-term use, resulting in wear between the airbag and the aluminum casing, and the spring stiffness cannot be adjusted according to the use situation.
An air spring assembly is designed to prevent foreign objects from entering and protect the airbag by providing a protective ring on the outer periphery of the airbag and installing an aluminum casing above the airbag. At the same time, adjustment of spring stiffness is achieved by forming two chambers between the positioning cover and the piston, and providing a regulating valve assembly on the upper end cover.
It effectively prevents foreign objects from entering between the airbag and the aluminum casing, reduces wear and extends service life, and adapts to different usage conditions by adjusting the spring stiffness, improving comfort and performance.
Smart Images
Figure CN119617050A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of air springs, and in particular relates to an air spring assembly. Background Art
[0002] An air spring is a spring filled with compressed air in a retractable closed container, which uses the elasticity of air. It is commonly known as an airbag, airbag cylinder, or leather cylinder. An air spring is a spring filled with compressed air in a sealed container, which uses the compressibility of gas to achieve its elastic effect. Air springs have ideal nonlinear elastic characteristics and are often used in automobile suspension systems. After adding a height adjustment device, the height of the vehicle body does not change with the increase or decrease of the load, and the spring stiffness can be designed to be lower, which provides good ride comfort.
[0003] When installing and using existing air spring assemblies, it is necessary to keep the space between the airbag and the aluminum casing to form a ventilation structure with the outside world. However, the risk point is that during long-term use, foreign matter such as sand and gravel can easily enter the air spring, causing wear between the airbag and the aluminum casing during contact, thereby reducing its lifespan. In addition, existing air spring assemblies usually have only one airbag chamber, and the spring stiffness of the air spring assembly cannot be adjusted according to the different usage conditions of the system in which the air spring assembly is located. Summary of the invention
[0004] In order to solve the technical problems existing in the background technology, the present invention provides an air spring assembly.
[0005] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:
[0006] An air spring assembly comprises: a positioning cover, a rubber airbag, a piston, a protective ring, an aluminum sleeve, a dust cover, and a lower end cover, wherein one end of the airbag is connected to the positioning cover, and the other end of the airbag is connected to the piston, so as to form a first chamber for accommodating gas between the positioning cover and the piston, the protective ring is connected to the outer peripheral side of the airbag, the aluminum sleeve is sleeved on the top of the airbag, one end of the aluminum sleeve is connected to the positioning cover, and the other end of the aluminum sleeve is connected to the protective ring, the dust cover is sleeved on the outside of the protective ring and the piston, one end of the dust cover is connected to the protective ring, and the other end of the dust cover is connected to the lower end cover.
[0007] Furthermore, the positioning cover includes an end plate and an end cover. The end cover is fixedly connected to one side of the end plate. The middle part of the other side of the end plate is raised to form a circle of annular side wall, which divides the end plate into an annular outer plate and a circular inner plate. A plurality of clips are distributed circumferentially on the annular side wall to fix the airbag on the inner side of the annular side wall. A plurality of mounting holes are distributed circumferentially on the annular outer plate to fix the aluminum casing on the circumferential side of the annular outer plate.
[0008] Furthermore, a plurality of exhaust holes are distributed circumferentially on the annular outer plate, and dustproof nets are arranged in the exhaust holes. The dustproof nets are made of a stainless steel stamping net and are pre-buried in the annular outer plate.
[0009] Furthermore, the end cover is arranged in the central area of the circular inner plate, the middle of the end cover has a connection hole connected to the automobile body, and one side of the end cover is provided with a positioning protrusion matching the corresponding position of the automobile body.
[0010] Furthermore, a circle of annular grooves is provided in the middle of the annular side wall, and the annular groove is located between the annular outer plate and the circular inner plate. The outer periphery of the circular inner plate is connected to the inner periphery of the annular outer plate through a plurality of radially extending connecting ribs, and radially extending stress grooves are formed between the connecting ribs.
[0011] Furthermore, an upper end cover is provided at one end of the piston connected to the airbag, and the other end of the piston is connected to the lower end cover. The middle part of the piston is a hollow structure to form a second chamber for accommodating gas between the upper end cover and the lower end cover, and the first chamber and the second chamber are separated by the upper end cover.
[0012] Furthermore, the upper end cover is provided with a first channel which penetrates the upper end cover axially, and the upper end cover is provided with a regulating valve assembly, one end of the regulating valve assembly is connected with the first channel, and the other end of the regulating valve assembly is connected with the second chamber, so that when the regulating valve assembly is turned on, the first chamber and the second chamber are connected with each other.
[0013] Furthermore, the regulating valve assembly includes: a valve body, a cylinder, and an elastic plug. The valve body is fixedly connected to the upper end cover. The middle part of the valve body has a second channel connected to the first channel. The cylinder is installed in the second chamber. The cylinder is drivingly connected to the elastic plug. The cylinder can drive the elastic plug to block / open the second channel.
[0014] Furthermore, the second channel has a first position with an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the elastic plug and a second position with an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the elastic plug. The elastic plug is arranged in the second channel and can move between the first position and the second position along the axial direction of the second channel. When the cylinder drives the elastic plug to move to the first position, the second channel is connected, and when the cylinder drives the elastic plug to move to the second position, the second channel is blocked.
[0015] Furthermore, a support platform is provided on the bottom wall of the piston, the cylinder is mounted on the support platform, and the bottom wall, side wall, upper end cover, valve body and support platform of the piston are integrally formed.
[0016] Beneficial effects of the present invention:
[0017] 1. The air spring assembly provided by the present invention forms a first chamber for accommodating gas by positioning the airbag between the cover and the piston, and protects the airbag and limits the shape of part of the airbag by arranging a protective ring on the outer peripheral side of the airbag. The airbag is protected by arranging an aluminum sleeve on the top of the airbag to prevent the airbag from deforming and popping out during the expansion and contraction process. A dust cover is arranged on the outside of the protective ring and the piston to achieve dust prevention and other protective effects.
[0018] 2. In the air spring assembly provided by the present invention, the positioning cover is divided into an annular outer plate and a circular inner plate by an annular side wall, the airbag is fixedly installed on the inner side of the annular side wall by the buckle on the annular side wall, and the aluminum casing is fixedly installed on the peripheral side of the annular outer plate through the mounting hole on the annular outer plate. By arranging the exhaust hole on the annular outer plate, a gas inlet and outlet are formed in the enclosed space between the airbag and the aluminum casing, and the air intake and exhaust are coordinated with the telescopic deformation of the airbag. By arranging the dust net in the exhaust hole, sand and foreign matter are prevented from entering the enclosed space between the airbag and the aluminum casing without affecting the use performance, thereby reducing the wear between the airbag and the aluminum casing during contact and improving the service life of the air spring.
[0019] 3. The air spring assembly provided by the present invention has two chambers, a first chamber is formed in the airbag, and a second chamber is formed in the piston. The first chamber and the second chamber are isolated by an upper end cover, and the regulating valve assembly is connected to the first through hole on the upper end cover. By controlling the on and off of the regulating valve assembly, the connection or disconnection between the first chamber and the second chamber can be controlled, thereby realizing the adjustment of the spring stiffness of the air spring assembly to suit different usage conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the positioning cover of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the positioning cover of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the positioning cover of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0025] like Figure 1-4As shown, the present invention provides an air spring assembly, including: a positioning cover 1, a rubber airbag 2, a piston 3, a protection ring 4, an aluminum sleeve 5, a dust cover 6, and a lower end cover 7. The airbag 2 is cylindrical, one end of the airbag 2 is connected to the positioning cover 1, and the other end of the airbag 2 is connected to the piston 3 to form a first chamber 21 for accommodating gas between the positioning cover 1 and the piston 3. The protection ring 4 is connected to the outer peripheral side of the airbag 2, and the airbag 2 is protected by the protection ring 4 and the shape of part of the airbag 2 is limited. The aluminum sleeve 5 is sleeved on the airbag 2. Above the airbag 2, one end of the aluminum casing 5 is connected to the positioning cover 1, and the other end of the aluminum casing 5 is connected to the protective ring 4. The aluminum casing 5 protects the airbag 2 to prevent the airbag 2 from deforming and popping out during the extension and retraction process. The dust cover 6 is sleeved on the outside of the protective ring 4 and the piston 3. One end of the dust cover 6 is connected to the protective ring 4, and the other end of the dust cover 6 is connected to the lower end cover 7. The dust cover 6 can be provided to prevent dust and other protective effects. The dust cover 6 is provided in a bellows shape and can be extended and retracted following the axial movement of the piston 3.
[0026] The positioning cover 1 includes an end plate 11 and an end cover 12, wherein the end cover 12 is fixedly connected to one side of the end plate 11, wherein the end plate 11 and the end cover 12 are integrally formed. The middle part of the other side of the end plate 11 is raised to form a circle of annular side wall 111, which divides the end plate 11 into an annular outer plate 112 and a circular inner plate 113, wherein the circular inner plate 113, the annular outer plate 112 and the annular side wall 111 are integrally formed, and a plurality of buckles 114 are distributed circumferentially on the annular side wall 111 to fix the airbag 2 on the inner side of the annular side wall 111, and the airbag skin at the top of the airbag 2 has an outward flange, which is clamped to the inner side of the annular side wall 111 by the buckle 114, and a plurality of mounting holes 115 are distributed circumferentially on the annular outer plate 112 to fix the aluminum casing 5 on the circumferential side of the annular outer plate 112, and the aluminum casing 5 is fixedly connected to the mounting holes 115 on the annular outer plate 112 by bolts.
[0027] There are multiple exhaust holes 116 distributed on the circumference of the annular outer plate 112 to form a gas inlet and outlet in the enclosed space between the airbag 2 and the aluminum casing 5 to cooperate with the telescopic deformation of the airbag 2 for air intake and exhaust. A dustproof net 13 is provided in the exhaust hole 116. The dustproof net 13 is made of a stainless steel stamping net and is pre-buried in the annular outer plate 112. Without affecting the performance, it prevents sand and foreign matter from entering the enclosed space between the airbag 2 and the aluminum casing 5, reduces the wear between the airbag 2 and the aluminum casing 5 during contact, and improves the service life of the air spring.
[0028] The end cover 12 is arranged in the central area of the circular inner plate 113. The middle of the end cover 12 has a connecting hole 121 connected to the automobile body to achieve the connection between the air spring assembly and the automobile body. One side of the end cover 12 is provided with a positioning protrusion 122 that matches the corresponding position of the automobile body to limit the installation angle of the air spring assembly on the automobile body.
[0029] A plurality of first grooves 117 are distributed on the circumference of the circular inner plate 13, and a circle of annular grooves 118 are provided in the middle of the annular side wall 111. The annular groove 118 is located between the annular outer plate 112 and the circular inner plate 113. The provision of the first grooves 117 and the annular grooves 118 saves production materials and reduces the overall weight of the air spring assembly. Specifically, the outer periphery of the circular inner plate 113 is connected to the inner periphery of the annular outer plate 112 through a plurality of radially extending connecting ribs 119, and radially extending stress grooves are formed between the connecting ribs 119. The provision of the stress grooves can provide elastic restoring force after the airbag 2 is compressed, thereby increasing the service life of the air spring assembly.
[0030] An upper end cover 8 is provided at one end of the piston 3 connected to the airbag 2, and the other end of the piston 3 is connected to the lower end cover 7. The middle part of the piston 3 is a hollow structure to form a second chamber 31 for accommodating gas between the upper end cover 8 and the lower end cover 7. The first chamber 21 and the second chamber 31 are separated by the upper end cover 8. The upper end cover 8 has a first passage 81 axially extending through the upper end cover 8, and a regulating valve assembly is provided on the upper end cover 8. One end of the regulating valve assembly is connected to the first passage 81, and the other end of the regulating valve assembly is connected to the second chamber 31, so that when the regulating valve assembly is turned on, the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 31 are connected to each other. By controlling the on and off of the regulating valve assembly, the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 31 can be connected or disconnected. When the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 31 are connected, the volume of the air spring assembly is the sum of the volumes of the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 31. When the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 31 are disconnected, the volume of the air spring assembly is the volume of the first chamber 21. Therefore, the air spring assembly can have different volumes and thus can have different spring stiffnesses. For example, when the air spring assembly is used in a shock absorbing system of a car, the spring stiffness of the air spring assembly can be adjusted by controlling the opening and closing of the regulating valve assembly, thereby adapting to different road conditions or different driving modes and providing the driver with a better comfort experience.
[0031] The regulating valve assembly includes: a valve body 91, a cylinder 92, and an elastic plug 93. The valve body 91 is fixedly connected to the upper end cover 8. The middle part of the valve body 91 has a second channel 94 connected to the first channel 81. The cylinder 92 is installed in the second chamber 31. The cylinder 92 is drivingly connected to the elastic plug 93. The cylinder 92 can drive the elastic plug 93 to block / open the second channel 94. The second channel 94 has a first position with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the elastic plug 93 and a second position with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic plug 93. The elastic plug 93 is arranged in the second channel 94 and can move between the first position and the second position along the axial direction of the second channel 94. When the cylinder 92 drives the elastic plug 93 to move to the first position, the second channel 94 is opened. When the cylinder 92 drives the elastic plug 93 to move to the second position, the second channel 94 is blocked.
[0032] A support platform 95 is provided on the bottom wall of the piston 3, and the cylinder 92 is installed on the support platform 95. The bottom wall, side wall, upper end cover 8, valve body 91 and support platform 95 of the piston 3 are integrally formed to form an integral structure, which not only simplifies the processing and assembly processes and helps to reduce costs, but also allows the second chamber 31 to have better sealing performance, thereby allowing the air spring assembly to have better structural durability and more stable spring stiffness.
[0033] The above contents are merely examples and explanations of the structure of the present invention. The technicians in this technical field may make various modifications or additions to the specific embodiments described or replace them in a similar manner. As long as they do not deviate from the structure of the invention or exceed the scope defined by the claims, they should all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An air spring assembly, characterized in that: include: A positioning cover (1), a rubber airbag (2), a piston (3), a protective ring (4), an aluminum sleeve (5), a dust cover (6), and a lower end cover (7); one end of the airbag (2) is connected to the positioning cover (1), and the other end of the airbag (2) is connected to the piston (3), so as to form a first chamber (21) for accommodating gas between the positioning cover (1) and the piston (3); the protective ring (4) is connected to the outer peripheral side of the airbag (2); the aluminum sleeve (5) is sleeved on the upper part of the airbag (2); one end of the aluminum sleeve (5) is connected to the positioning cover (1), and the other end of the aluminum sleeve (5) is connected to the protective ring (4); the dust cover (6) is sleeved on the outer sides of the protective ring (4) and the piston (3); one end of the dust cover (6) is connected to the protective ring (4), and the other end of the dust cover (6) is connected to the lower end cover (7).
2. The air spring assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning cover (1) comprises an end plate (11) and an end cover (12). The end cover (12) is fixedly connected to one side of the end plate (11). The middle part of the other side of the end plate (11) is raised to form a circle of annular side wall (111), which divides the end plate (11) into an annular outer plate (112) and a circular inner plate (113). A plurality of buckles (114) are distributed circumferentially on the annular side wall (111) to fix the airbag (2) on the inner side of the annular side wall (111). A plurality of mounting holes (115) are distributed circumferentially on the annular outer plate (112) to fix the aluminum casing (5) on the circumferential side of the annular outer plate (112).
3. The air spring assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of exhaust holes (116) are distributed on the circumference of the annular outer plate (112), and a dustproof net (13) is arranged in the exhaust hole (116). The dustproof net (13) is made of a stainless steel stamping net and is pre-buried in the annular outer plate (112).
4. The air spring assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The end cover (12) is arranged in the central area of the circular inner plate (113), the middle of the end cover (12) has a connection hole (121) connected to the automobile body, and one side of the end cover (12) is provided with a positioning protrusion (122) matching the corresponding position of the automobile body.
5. The air spring assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A circle of annular grooves (118) are provided in the middle of the annular side wall (111), and the annular grooves (118) are located between the annular outer plate (112) and the circular inner plate (113). The outer periphery of the circular inner plate (113) is connected to the inner periphery of the annular outer plate (112) via a plurality of radially extending connecting ribs (119), and radially extending stress grooves are formed between the connecting ribs (119).
6. The air spring assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that An upper end cover (8) is provided at one end of the piston (3) connected to the air bag (2), and the other end of the piston (3) is connected to the lower end cover (7). The middle part of the piston (3) is a hollow structure, so that a second chamber (31) for accommodating gas is formed between the upper end cover (8) and the lower end cover (7). The first chamber (21) and the second chamber (31) are isolated by the upper end cover (8).
7. The air spring assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The upper end cover (8) is provided with a first passage (81) which penetrates the upper end cover (8) in the axial direction. The upper end cover (8) is provided with a regulating valve assembly, one end of the regulating valve assembly is connected to the first passage (81), and the other end of the regulating valve assembly is connected to the second chamber (31), so that when the regulating valve assembly is turned on, the first chamber (21) and the second chamber (31) are connected to each other.
8. The air spring assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that The regulating valve assembly comprises: a valve body (91), a cylinder (92), and an elastic plug (93). The valve body (91) is fixedly connected to an upper end cover (8). A second channel (94) communicating with a first channel (81) is provided in the middle of the valve body (91). The cylinder (92) is installed in a second chamber (31). The cylinder (92) is drivingly connected to the elastic plug (93). The cylinder (92) can drive the elastic plug (93) to block / open the second channel (94).
9. The air spring assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that The second channel (94) has a first position with an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the elastic plug (93) and a second position with an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the elastic plug (93). The elastic plug (93) is arranged in the second channel (94) and can move between the first position and the second position along the axial direction of the second channel (94). When the cylinder (92) drives the elastic plug (93) to move to the first position, the second channel (94) is connected. When the cylinder (92) drives the elastic plug (93) to move to the second position, the second channel (94) is blocked.
10. The air spring assembly according to claim 8, wherein: A support platform (95) is provided on the bottom wall of the piston (3), and the cylinder (92) is mounted on the support platform (95). The bottom wall, side wall, upper end cover (8), valve body (91) and support platform (95) of the piston (3) are integrally formed.