Gas spring assembly and suspension system

Abstract

A gas spring assembly is provided that includes a flexible annular member having first and second end members fixed across first and second ends of the flexible annular member. A jounce bumper assembly is supported along one of the end members. The jounce bumper assembly includes an end cap and a bumper body. The end cap includes an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion integrally formed on an end cap wall. The inner sidewall portion forms a bumper cover that accommodates a portion of the bumper body. The outer peripheral wall portion adjoins one of the ends of the flexible annular member. The inner sidewall portion is spaced radially inward from the outer peripheral wall portion and is dimensioned to limit radially outward expansion of the bumper body under axial compression applied during a jolting condition. A suspension system is further included.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates broadly to the field of gas spring assemblies and, more particularly, to a jounce bumper assembly supported on or along two opposing end members of a gas spring assembly. Background Art

[0002] An innovative jounce bumper assembly according to the present disclosure includes an end cap with an integral bumper restraint cap that houses a portion of a jounce bumper body. The integral bumper restraint cap is operable to restrain or at least partially restrain radially outward expansion of the jounce bumper body during axial compressive loads associated with a jounce condition. Also included are gas spring assemblies that include such jounce bumper assemblies, and suspension systems that include one or more of such gas spring assemblies.

[0003] The subject matter of the present disclosure may be specifically applied and used in conjunction with wheeled vehicles, and will be shown and described herein with reference thereto. However, it should be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure may also be used in other applications and environments, and the specific uses shown and described herein are merely exemplary. For example, the subject matter of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with gas spring assemblies, support structures, height adjustment systems, and actuators of such wheelless vehicles associated with industrial machinery, components thereof, and / or other devices. Therefore, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to uses associated with gas spring suspension systems for wheeled vehicles.

[0004] Most types and kinds of wheeled motor vehicles include a sprung mass (such as, for example, a body or chassis) and an unsprung mass (such as, for example, two or more axles or other wheel engaging members between which a suspension system is disposed). Typically, the suspension system will include a plurality of spring devices and a plurality of damping devices that together enable the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle to move relative to each other in a somewhat controlled manner. Movement of the sprung and unsprung masses toward each other is generally referred to in the art as pitch motion, while movement of the sprung and unsprung masses away from each other is generally referred to in the art as rebound motion.

[0005] It will be appreciated that various types and kinds of vehicle suspension systems have been developed and are in common use. Components of these vehicle suspension systems are typically secured between opposing structural members that move relative to one another during travel between bump and rebound conditions. In some cases, the spring device may take the form of a gas spring assembly that utilizes compressed gas as a working medium. Gas spring assemblies of various types, kinds, and configurations are well known and commonly used. A typical gas spring assembly may include a flexible wall secured between relatively rigid end members and / or end member assemblies.

[0006] In order to eliminate contact between opposing portions of sprung and unsprung masses, contact between opposing portions of suspension system components, or any combination thereof, jounce bumpers are typically mounted on one or more portions of the vehicle to prevent such opposing portions from directly striking or otherwise making direct contact with each other. Thus, during a full jounce condition of the suspension system, the opposing components will contact the jounce bumper rather than striking the component on or near which the jounce bumper is mounted.

[0007] Various types, kinds and configurations of jounce bumpers have been developed and are in common use. Although jounce bumpers vary greatly in size and shape, known jounce bumpers can generally be divided into two categories, namely compliant jounce bumpers and rigid jounce bumpers. The former are generally made of materials that have a relatively high deflection under load, and are usually made of rubber or elastic foam compounds. Generally, the function of a compliant jounce bumper is to cushion or mitigate the impact forces associated with a sudden movement toward a full-thump condition. Therefore, compliant jounce bumpers are generally considered to be very suitable for relatively light applications, such as suspension systems for passenger vehicles and light trucks, for example, in these applications, ride comfort is a more important factor. In addition, the high axial deflection associated with heavily loaded compliant jounce bumpers, such as during use in commercial trucks or other heavy vehicles, can produce high corresponding lateral (e.g., radial) strains in the jounce bumper. Generally, it has been found that materials suitable for comfortably cushioning impact forces under full-thump conditions are not suitable for such corresponding high levels of lateral strain, which can adversely change the performance characteristics of the compliant jounce bumper, or even cause it to permanently deform.

[0008] In addition, typical materials of construction for known compliant jounce bumpers range from stronger and harder elastomeric compositions to softer and more compliant elastomeric compositions. In some applications, the use of stronger and harder elastomeric compositions can provide certain beneficial performance characteristics, such as a beneficial balance between axial deflection and jounce bumper size (e.g., external dimensions and / or volume). However, in some applications and / or use conditions, stronger and harder elastomeric compositions may experience durability degradation, especially under extended use. While under these applications and / or use conditions, jounce bumpers made from softer, more compliant compositions can exhibit improved durability, these structures can exhibit less than ideal performance and / or physical characteristics associated with the combination of jounce bumper size and axial deflection.

[0009] In contrast, rigid jounce bumpers are typically made of materials that flex relatively little under load, such as high-strength and / or fiber-reinforced plastic materials. Rigid jounce bumpers are generally not considered very suitable for light applications (e.g., passenger vehicle applications) due to the minimal deflection and high impact forces associated with the use of these jounce bumpers. However, rigid jounce bumpers are generally considered very suitable for heavy applications, such as commercial trucks, tractors, and other road vehicle applications, in which it is desirable to provide sacrificial components that prevent collisions between more permanent and / or more expensive components. In some cases, it is desirable to lower a commercial truck, trailer, or other vehicle body onto a jounce bumper to provide a solid foundation for loading and / or unloading the vehicle body. Although high-speed impact forces acting on the jounce bumper are generally not a problem in such dock-height applications, huge loads are still typically involved. As described above, compliant jounce bumpers are typically made of materials that are not well suited to withstand the loads associated with such heavy applications. Therefore, rigid jounce bumpers are typically used.

[0010] Despite the overall success of known jounce bumpers, it is believed that there is a need to develop structures for use in conjunction with gas spring assemblies and / or components thereof that can provide improved performance or other features and / or overcome shortcomings of known structures while promoting relatively low manufacturing costs, ease of assembly and / or otherwise advancing the art of gas spring devices. Summary of the invention

[0011] An example of a gas spring assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure may include a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end. The flexible annular member may at least partially define an annular member chamber. The first end member may be fixed across the first end of the flexible annular member, and the second end member may be fixed across the second end of the flexible annular member. The jounce bumper assembly may be supported along one of the first end member and the second end member. The jounce bumper assembly may include an end cap supported on one of the first end member and the second end member. The jounce bumper assembly may also include a bumper body supported on the end cap in a relationship facing the other of the first end member and the second end member. The bumper body is sized to abut against the other of the first end member and the second end member in a jounce condition of the gas spring assembly. The end cap may include an end cap wall having an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion, the inner side wall portion being integrally formed on the end cap wall with the outer peripheral wall portion. The outer peripheral wall portion may abuttingly engage a corresponding one of the first and second ends of the flexible annular member and thereby axially retain the corresponding one of the first and second ends of the flexible annular member on or along one of the first and second end members. The inner sidewall portion is radially inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral wall portion and may at least partially define a bumper limiter cover sized to accommodate a portion of a bumper body and limit radial outward expansion of the bumper body under axial compression applied under bump conditions.

[0012] Another example of a gas spring assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure may include a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end. The flexible annular member may at least partially define an annular member chamber. The first end member may be fixed across the first end of the flexible annular member, and the second end member may be fixed across the second end of the flexible annular member. The second end member may include an end member chamber. A jounce bumper assembly may be supported along the second end member. The jounce bumper assembly may include an end cap supported on the second end member and a bumper body supported on the end cap in a relationship facing the first end member. The bumper body is sized to abut against the first end member under a jounce condition of the gas spring assembly. The end cap may include an end cap wall having an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion, the inner side wall portion being integrally formed on the end cap wall with the outer peripheral wall portion. The outer peripheral wall portion may abut against the second end of the flexible annular member and thereby axially retain the second end of the flexible annular member on the second end member or axially retain the second end of the flexible annular member along the second end member. The end cap wall may include an end cap passage extending therethrough and in fluid communication between the first chamber portion of the annular member chamber and at least one of the second chamber portion of the annular member chamber and the end member chamber.

[0013] An example of a suspension system according to the disclosed subject matter may include a compressed gas system including a compressed gas source and a control device in fluid communication with the compressed gas source. At least one gas spring assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs may be arranged in fluid communication with the compressed gas source via the control device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one example of a suspension system including a plurality of gas spring assemblies according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0015] Figure 2 is a side elevation view of one example of a gas spring assembly including one example of a jounce bumper assembly according to the disclosed subject matter.

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A top plan view of the gas spring assembly shown in FIG.

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the gas spring assembly taken along line 4-4 in FIG.

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figures 2 to 4 0 is a side elevation view of an exemplary gas spring assembly shown in an extended (or rebounded) condition.

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figures 2 to 5 0026] A side elevation view of an exemplary gas spring assembly shown in a compressed (or bumped) condition.

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figures 2 to 6 An exemplary gas spring assembly in Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of an enlarged portion designated as detail 7.

[0021] Figure 8 yes Figures 2 to 7 An exemplary gas spring assembly in Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of an enlarged portion designated as detail 8.

[0022] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 0014] A cross-sectional side view of an enlarged portion of an exemplary gas spring assembly in FIG. 10, illustrating an alternative construction of a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

[0023] Fig.10 yes Figures 2 to 8 An exemplary gas spring assembly in Figure 8 A cross-sectional side view of a greatly enlarged portion of the portion designated as detail 10.

[0024] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional side view of a further alternative construction of a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0025] Fig.12 yes Figures 4 to 6 as well as Figures 8 to 10 A top perspective view of an exemplary splint in FIG.

[0026] Fig.13 yes Figures 4 to 6 , Figures 8 to 10 as well as Fig.12 A bottom perspective view of an exemplary splint in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Turning now to the drawings, it should be understood that the illustrations are examples for illustrating the subject matter of the present disclosure and that the examples shown are not intended to be limiting. In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and that parts of specific features and / or elements may be exaggerated for clarity and / or ease of understanding.

[0028] Figure 1An example of a suspension system 100 operatively disposed between a sprung mass, such as, for example, an associated vehicle body BDY, and an unsprung mass, such as, for example, an associated wheel WHL, an associated axle AXL, and / or an associated suspension component SCP of an associated vehicle VHC is shown. It should be understood that one or more of the components of the suspension system may be operatively connected between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the associated vehicle in any suitable manner. The suspension system includes one or more gas spring assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure and one or more damper assemblies operatively connected between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass, and together allow the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the associated vehicle to move relative to each other in a controlled manner, as discussed above.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the suspension system 100 may include a plurality of gas spring assemblies 102 operatively connected between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of a vehicle. Additionally, the suspension system 100 may include a plurality of damper assemblies 104 operatively connected between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle. The suspension system may include any suitable number and / or arrangement of one or more gas spring assemblies and one or more damper assemblies, depending on desired performance characteristics and / or other factors. For example, Figure 1 The suspension system 100 in the embodiment includes four gas spring assemblies 102 and four buffer assemblies 104, wherein one of the gas spring assemblies and one of the buffer assemblies are disposed adjacent to a corresponding one of the associated wheels WHL toward each corner of the associated vehicle. However, it should be understood that other configurations and / or arrangements may alternatively be used without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0030] Furthermore, one or more gas spring assemblies and one or more damper assemblies may be operatively connected on, along, or otherwise between the sprung and unsprung masses in any suitable manner. For example, depending on desired performance characteristics and / or other factors, in some cases, one or more gas spring assemblies may be provided and installed separately from one or more damper assemblies. Additionally or alternatively, a gas spring assembly may optionally be assembled with a damper assembly such that at least a portion of the gas spring assembly is axially coextensive with the damper assembly to form a so-called gas spring and damper assembly, which may then be operatively connected as a unit on, along, or otherwise between the sprung and unsprung masses. However, it should be recognized and understood that such axially coextensive configurations are optional, and that the gas spring assemblies (and components and assemblies thereof) according to the subject matter of the present disclosure are not intended to be limited to use in gas spring and damper assemblies.

[0031] The suspension system 100 also includes a compressed gas system 106 operatively associated with at least the gas spring assembly 102 for selectively providing compressed gas (e.g., air) thereto and selectively transferring compressed gas therefrom. Figure 1 In the exemplary arrangement shown in , the compressed gas system 106 includes a compressed gas source, such as a compressor 108, for example, for producing compressed air or other gases. A control device such as a valve assembly 110 is shown as being connected to the compressor 108 and can be of any suitable construction or arrangement. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the valve assembly 110 includes a valve block 112 having a plurality of valves 114 supported thereon. The valve assembly 110 may also optionally include a suitable exhaust device, such as a muffler 116, for example, for exhausting compressed gas from the system. Optionally, the compressed gas system 106 may also include a reservoir 118, which is fluidly connected to the compressor 108 and / or the valve assembly 110 and is suitable for storing compressed gas for a long time (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, weeks, days, months).

[0032] The valve assembly 110 communicates with the gas spring assembly 102 via a suitable gas delivery line 120. Thus, compressed gas can be selectively delivered into and / or out of the gas spring assembly via the valve assembly 110 by selectively operating the valve 114, thereby changing or maintaining the height of the vehicle, for example, at one or more corners of the vehicle.

[0033] The suspension system 100 may also include a control system 122 that can communicate with any one or more systems and / or components of the vehicle VHC and / or the suspension system 100, such as for selectively operating and / or controlling these systems and / or components. The control system 122 may include a controller or electronic control unit (ECU) 124 that is communicatively coupled to the compressor 108 and / or the valve assembly 110, such as, for example, via conductors or leads 126, for selectively operating and controlling the compressor and / or the valve assembly, which selective operation and / or control may include providing compressed gas to the gas spring assembly 102 and exhausting compressed gas from the gas spring assembly. The controller 124 may be of any suitable type, kind, and / or configuration.

[0034] The control system 122 may also optionally include one or more sensing devices 128, such as, for example, operably associated with the gas spring assembly 102 and capable of outputting or otherwise generating data, signals, and / or other communications related to one or more of: the height of the gas spring assembly; the distance between other components of the vehicle; the pressure or temperature associated with the gas spring assembly and / or a wheel or tire or other component associated with the gas spring assembly; and / or acceleration, load, or other input acting on the gas spring assembly. The sensing device 128 may be in communication with the ECU 124, and the ECU may receive data, signals, and / or other communications from the sensing device. The sensing device may be in communication with the ECU 124 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, via conductors or leads 130. In addition, it should be understood that the sensing device may be of any suitable type, kind, and / or structure, and may operate using any suitable combination of one or more operating principles and / or techniques.

[0035] Having described examples of suspension systems (e.g., suspension system 100) that may include a gas spring assembly (e.g., gas spring assembly 102) in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will now be described in conjunction with Figures 2 to 11 An example of such a gas spring assembly is described. As shown therein, such as for example, it can be suitable for use as Figure 1 The gas spring assembly AS1 of one or more assemblies 102 is shown having a longitudinal axis AX ( Figure 4 ) and includes a flexible spring member (which may alternatively be referred to herein as a flexible annular member) 200. Flexible annular member 200 is an example of a second flexible annular member. The gas spring assembly AS1 may include an end member (which may alternatively be referred to herein as an end member assembly) 300, which is fixed on or along the flexible spring member so that a fluid-tight connection is formed therebetween. The gas spring assembly may further include an end member (which may alternatively be referred to herein as an end member assembly) 400, which is operably connected to the flexible spring member 200 opposite the end member assembly 300. In some cases, the end member 400 may be optionally operably connected to the flexible spring member 200 by means of, for example, a clamp (which may alternatively be referred to herein as a clamp assembly) 500. The flexible spring member 200 may be fixed on or along the end member assembly in a fluid-tight manner so that the spring chamber 202 ( Figures 4 to 11 ) is at least partially defined by a flexible spring member between end member assembly 300, end member assembly 400 and / or clamp 500 (if included).

[0036] It should be understood that the flexible spring member 200 can have any suitable size, shape, structure and / or configuration. In addition, the flexible spring member can be of any type and / or variety, such as a rolling cam type or a spiral bellows type structure. Figures 2 to 11 204, which may be formed in any suitable manner from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the flexible wall may include one or more fabric-reinforced elastomeric plies or layers and / or one or more unreinforced elastomeric plies or layers. Typically, one or more fabric-reinforced elastomeric plies and one or more unreinforced elastomeric plies are used together and are formed from a common elastomeric material such as synthetic rubber, natural rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer. However, in other cases, a combination of two or more different materials, two or more compounds of similar materials, or two or more grades of the same material may be used.

[0037] The flexible wall A 204 may extend circumferentially around the longitudinal axis AX and may extend in a generally longitudinal direction between the opposite ends 206 and 208. In addition, the flexible wall A 204 may include an outer surface 210 and an inner surface 212. The inner surface may at least partially define the spring chamber 202 of the gas spring assembly AS1. The flexible wall A 204 may include an outer ply or a cover ply (not identified) that at least partially forms the outer surface 210, and may also include an inner ply or an inner lining ply (not identified) that at least partially forms the inner surface 212. In some cases, the flexible wall A 204 may also include one or more reinforcing plies (not shown) disposed between the outer surface 210 and the inner surface 212. The one or more reinforcing plies may have any suitable structure and / or construction. For example, one or more reinforcing plies may include one or more lengths of filament material at least partially embedded therein. In addition, it should be understood that, if any, one or more lengths of filament material may be oriented in any suitable manner. As one example, the flexible wall may include at least one layer or ply of filamentary material having multiple lengths oriented at a bias angle and at least one layer or ply of filamentary material having multiple lengths oriented at the same but opposite bias angle.

[0038] The flexible spring member 200 may include any features or combination of features suitable for forming a fluid-tight connection with the end member assembly 300 and / or the end member assembly 400. As one example, the flexible spring member 200 may include a mounting bead 214 disposed along the end 206 of the flexible wall A 204 and a mounting bead 216 disposed along the end 208 of the flexible wall. In some cases, the mounting bead (if any) may optionally include a reinforcing element, such as, for example, an endless annular bead wire 218.

[0039] It should be understood that the end member assembly may be of any suitable type, kind, structure and / or configuration and may be operatively connected to or otherwise secured to the flexible spring member in any suitable manner. Figure 2In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 9 , for example, the end member assembly 300 is of the type commonly referred to as a bead plate and includes an end member wall 302 having a mounting wall portion 304 and a peripheral wall portion 306. The end member assembly 300 is disposed along the end 206 of the flexible wall A 204, wherein the peripheral wall portion 306 is curled or otherwise deformed around at least a portion of the mounting bead 214 so that a fluid-tight seal can be formed between the flexible spring member 200 and the end member 300. The mounting wall portion 304 can have an approximately planar outer surface portion 308 that is sized to abuttingly engage an associated structural component (e.g., an upper structural component USC). The mounting wall portion 304 can at least partially define one or more passages or openings 310 extending through the end member assembly 300, such as, for example, can be adapted to operably connect a compressed gas line that is in fluid communication with the assembly AS1, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0040] The gas spring assembly AS1 may be disposed between an associated sprung mass and an unsprung mass of an associated vehicle in any suitable manner. For example, one end member may be operatively connected to the associated sprung mass, while the other end member may be disposed toward and operatively connected to the associated unsprung mass. Figure 2 As shown, for example, the end member assembly 300 may be fixed on or along the first or upper structural component USC and may be fixed thereto in any suitable manner. For example, one or more fixing devices, such as mounting studs 312, may be included along the end member assembly 300. In some cases, one or more fixing devices (e.g., mounting studs 312) may protrude outwardly from the mounting wall portion 304 of the end member assembly 300 and may be fixed thereto in a suitable manner, such as, for example, via a flowing material joint (not shown) or a press-fit connection (not shown). In addition, such one or more fixing devices may extend through the mounting hole HLS in the upper structural component USC and may receive, for example, one or more threaded nuts 314 or other fixing devices. As an alternative to one or more mounting studs 312, one or more threaded channels (e.g., blind channels and / or through channels) may be used in combination with a corresponding number of one or more threaded fasteners.

[0041] The end member assembly 400 may be secured to or along a second or lower structural component LSC in any suitable manner. As one example, the lower structural component LSC may include one or more extending mounting holes HLS therethrough. In such cases, one of the threaded fasteners 402 may extend through one of the mounting holes HLS and threadedly engage the end member assembly 400 to secure the end member assembly to or along the lower structural component. However, it should be understood that other configurations and / or arrangements may alternatively be used.

[0042] End member assembly 400 is shown as including features associated with a type of end member commonly referred to as a piston (or roll-off piston). It should be understood that a variety of sizes, shapes, profiles, and / or configurations can and have been used to form the types and kinds of end members referred to as pistons or roll-off pistons, such as, for example, end member assembly 400. Thus, it should be understood that the outer wall and / or wall portion of the end member assembly can be any suitable shape, profile, and / or configuration, such as can be used to provide one or more desired performance characteristics, such as, for example, Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 6 The outlines shown in are exemplary only.

[0043] The end member assembly 400 extends longitudinally between an end 404 and an end 406. The end 404 is adapted to receive and engage the end 208 of the flexible spring member 200 with the end 406 of the end member assembly 400, which is adapted to abuttingly engage an associated structural component, such as, for example, described above in conjunction with the lower structural component LSC. It should be understood that any of a variety of types, kinds and / or structures of end members (or end member assemblies) can be used, including end members with or without one or more internal reservoirs or other pressurized gas chambers. As a non-limiting example, the end member assembly 400 includes an end member housing (or end member body) 408, an end member core (or end member core assembly) 410, and may also optionally include one or more additional components, devices and / or elements. The end member housing 408 includes a housing wall 408W having a first or outer side wall (or side wall portion) 412 extending generally longitudinally between the first end 404 and the second end 406.

[0044] In an assembled condition and during use, a portion of the flexible spring member 200 forms a rolling cam 220 that shifts along the outer surface portion 414 of the outer sidewall portion 412 when the gas spring assembly experiences a change in overall height, such as may be due to changes in load conditions applied thereto, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Figure 2 and Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows a gas spring assembly AS1 at a design height or nominal height, which is Figure 2 Indicated by the reference dimension DHT. Figure 5 1 and 2. The gas spring assembly AS1 is shown in FIG. 2 at an extended or rebound height, which is represented by a reference dimension RHT and represents the maximum desired extended length of the gas spring assembly. Figure 6 1 and 2. Gas spring assembly AS1 is shown in a compressed height or bump height, which is represented by reference dimension JHT and represents the fully collapsed height of the gas spring assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter, during which end member assembly 300 abuts and axially compresses the jounce bumper assembly.

[0045] In addition to outer sidewall portion 412, end member housing 408 also includes inner sidewall portion 416, which is disposed radially inward of outer sidewall portion 412. End member housing 408 also includes end wall portion 418, which is oriented transverse to longitudinal axis AX and disposed inward of inner sidewall portion 416. In some cases, end wall portion 418 can at least partially define a closed end of the end member housing along end 404, wherein outer sidewall portion 412 at least partially defines an open end of the end member housing along end 406.

[0046] The end member housing 408 also includes an intermediate wall portion 420 between and connecting the outer side wall portion 412 and the inner side wall portion 416. The intermediate wall portion can have an inverted and slightly U-shaped cross-sectional profile that forms a distal extent 422 of the end member housing 408 along the end 404 of the end member assembly. In some cases, the inner side wall portion 416 can be disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis AX, so that the inner side wall portion of the end member housing 408 has an inner surface portion 424 with a frustoconical shape or configuration. The end wall portion 418 includes an end surface (or end surface portion) 426 facing in a direction opposite to the end 406 and an end surface (or end surface portion) 428 facing the end 406. End wall portion 418 is axially offset from distal extent 422 in a direction toward end 406 such that end surface portion 426 together with inner surface portion 424 at least partially defines a recess 430 extending from end 404 into end member housing 408 .

[0047] The end member core assembly 410 is at least partially housed within, or otherwise disposed on or along, an open end of the end member housing 408 such that the end member core assembly and the end member housing together at least partially define an end member chamber 432 within the end member assembly 400. In such an arrangement, the recess 426 is disposed along the end wall portion 418 and is exposed outwardly along the end member housing 408, with the recess opening 434 axially facing away from the end member chamber 432.

[0048] It should be understood that the end member core assembly 410 can be constructed in any suitable manner and can include any suitable number of one or more walls and / or wall portions. In addition, it should be understood that the end member housing 408 and the end member core assembly 410 can be fixed to each other in any manner or arrangement suitable for forming a fluid-tight connection between them. In such an arrangement, the end member chamber 432 is isolated from the external atmosphere ATM fluid of the gas spring assembly AS1.

[0049] As a non-limiting example, the end member core assembly 410 can include a core base wall (or core base wall portion) 436 that is oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis AX and is fixed to or along the end member housing 408 toward the end 406 of the end member assembly 400. It is understood that the core base wall 436 of the end member core assembly 410 can be fixed to or along the end member housing 408 in any suitable manner. As a non-limiting example, the peripheral edge 438 of the core base wall 436 can be attached to the outer side wall portion 412 in a suitable manner, such as, for example, by a flowing material joint 440. The core base wall 436 can include a first or inner surface (or surface portion) 442 facing the end member chamber 432. The core base wall 436 can also include a second or outer surface (or surface portion) 444 facing in a direction opposite to the inner surface 442 and sized to abut against the second or lower structural component LSC. The core base wall 436 may also include a mounting hole 446 extending therethrough, with a threaded insert 448 secured to or in communication with the mounting hole 446 along the core base wall 436 in an appropriate manner, such as, for example, by a fluid material joint 450 .

[0050] The end member core assembly 410 also includes a support column wall 452 extending from along the core base wall 436 toward the end 404 of the end member assembly, such as, for example, to help transfer forces and / or loads from the end wall portion 418 to the core base wall 436. In some cases, the support column wall 452 can be configured to at least partially define a column cavity 454 within the support column. In this case, the support column wall 452 can optionally include one or more openings A or channels A 456 extending through the support column wall, so that the column cavity 454 is in fluid communication with the end member chamber 432 through the openings A 456, thereby allowing the portions of the end member chamber 432 inside and outside the support column wall 452 to operate as a continuous volume fluid.

[0051] The end member core assembly 410 may include an inner end wall (or inner end wall portion) 458 disposed within the end member chamber 432 and supported on or along the support column wall 452. If included, the inner end wall portion 458 may be oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis AX and may include an end surface portion 460 that is configured to abut against the end surface portion 428 of the end wall portion 418. It should be understood that, if included, the inner end wall 458 may be fixed or otherwise disposed on or along the support column wall 452 in any suitable manner. As a non-limiting example, the inner end wall portion 458 may be integrally formed with the support column wall, or the inner end wall portion 458 may be separately disposed and fixed to the support column wall 452, such as by a flowing material joint 462.

[0052] like Figure 4As shown, if included, the clamp 500 may include a clamp body 502 and may be operably fixed on or along the end 404 of the end member assembly 400. The clamp body 502 includes a clamp wall 504 that surrounds the axis AX and extends radially outward from the axis in a transverse relationship. The clamp wall 504 includes a surface (or surface portion) 506 disposed along one side of the clamp body 502 and a surface (or surface portion) 508 disposed along the other side of the clamp body 502. In some cases, the surface portion 506 may be approximately planar. The surface portion 508 may be disposed toward the end wall portion 418 of the end member housing 408 and is sized to abut against the end wall portion. The clamp wall 504 also includes an outer peripheral surface portion 510 that faces radially outward and extends axially between the surface portions 506 and 508. In some cases, the clamp wall 504 may include or otherwise at least partially define a bead seat 512 that may extend annularly about the clamp body 502 and may be sized to at least partially receive or otherwise abuttingly engage the mounting bead 216 and / or bead wire 218 of the flexible spring member 200.

[0053] It should be understood that the peripheral surface portion 512 can have any suitable size, shape and / or configuration. For example, the peripheral surface portion can have a cross-sectional profile with any suitable number of linear and / or curved profile segments. In an assembled condition, the clamping plate 500 is operably engaged with a portion of the flexible spring member 200 (e.g., the mounting bead 216), such as, for example, on or along the peripheral surface portion 512.

[0054] The cleat 500 may be secured to or along the end member assembly 400 in any manner suitable for compressively capturing a portion of the flexible spring member 200 (e.g., the mounting bead 216) in abutting engagement between the outer peripheral surface portion 512 and the inner surface portion 424 of the inner sidewall portion 416 of the end member housing 408. As a non-limiting example, a securing device 464 (e.g., a threaded fastener) may extend through the cleat 500 and thereby secure the cleat to or along the end member assembly 400. In such an example, the cleat wall 504 may include a hole B or channel B 514 extending through the cleat body 502. Additionally, the end wall portion 418 may also include a hole C or channel C 466 extending therethrough that cooperates with the hole B 514. The securing device 464 may extend through hole B 514 in the clamp wall, through hole C 466 in the end wall portion 418, and engage with a corresponding securing device 468 (e.g., a threaded channel) of the inner end wall portion 458. However, it should be understood that other configurations and / or securing arrangements may alternatively be used without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0055] In some cases, the spring chamber 202 can be arranged to be in fluid communication with the end member chamber 432. In such an arrangement, the spring chamber 202 and the end member chamber 432 can be fluidly used as a continuous volume. In addition, or in the alternative, the spring chamber 202 and the end member chamber 432 can be fluidly interconnected so that when the gas spring assembly is subjected to dynamic use in operation, the gas transmission between the spring chamber and the end member chamber can produce pressurized gas damping during extension and / or compression of the gas spring assembly. As a non-limiting example of the latter function, the spring chamber 202 and the end member chamber 432 can be in fluid communication with each other through the clamp 500, as discussed in more detail below.

[0056] In some cases, the gas spring assembly AS1 may optionally include one or more elongated gas damping channels that are fluidly connected between the spring chamber and one or more end member chambers (e.g., end member chamber 432) of the gas spring assembly. Typically, if included, the size of the one or more elongated gas damping channels can be designed so that compressed gas flows into and out of the one or more elongated gas damping channels and / or is otherwise displaced in the one or more elongated gas damping channels. Therefore, such compressed gas flow can produce compressed gas damping and / or other dynamic inputs that act on the vibration of the entire assembly and / or system. The differential pressure between the spring chamber and the one or more end member chambers includes gas flow along at least a portion of the length of the elongated gas damping channel. It should be understood that such movement of compressed gas in and / or through the elongated gas damping channels can be used to dissipate kinetic energy acting on the assembly and / or system. In some cases, such compressed gas damping can be configured or otherwise targeted to dissipate vibrations and / or other dynamic inputs having a specific predetermined natural frequency or within a specific predetermined frequency range.

[0057] For example, the clamp body 502 may include an opening or port 516 that extends into the clamp wall 504 and is accessible along the surface portion 506. The end wall portion 418 includes an opening or port 470 that extends through the end wall portion and is positioned to be in fluid communication with one or more features of the clamp body 502 in an assembled condition. The clamp body 502 includes an elongated damping channel D 518 formed at least partially within the clamp wall 504. In some cases, the elongated damping channel D 518 extends from a first end 520 that is configured to be in fluid communication with the opening 516 of the clamp body to a second end 522 that is configured to be in fluid communication with the opening 470 in the end wall portion 418.

[0058] The end cap wall 504 may include a channel surface 524 that at least partially defines an elongated damping channel D 518. It should be understood that the channel surface 524 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape and / or profile. The elongated damping channel D 518 is shown as having a spiral configuration, such as may be produced by continuously rotating the cross-sectional profile of the channel surface 524 around the axis AX, wherein the cross-sectional profile is continuously shifted radially outward from the adjacent axis AX to form the spiral configuration. In some cases, such rotation of the cross-sectional profile of the channel surface 524 may occur in approximately a single plane, so that the spiral configuration of the elongated damping channel D 518 is disposed in a common plane oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis AX.

[0059] In some cases, the cross-sectional profile of the channel surface 524 may be open (i.e., not completely closed). In such cases, the corresponding elongated damping channel is open along one or more surface portions (e.g., surface portion 508) of the clamping plate body 502. For example, the cross-sectional profile of the channel surface 524 is shown as having an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. Thus, the elongated damping channel D 518 is formed within the clamping plate body 502 as an open channel accessible along the surface portion 508. In the case where the cross-sectional profile of the channel surface 524 is open or otherwise not completely closed, the end cap 500 can be positioned on or along the end member assembly 400 so that the end wall portion 418 extends across the surface portion 508 to substantially inhibit or at least reduce the transport of compressed gas along the surface portion 508 between adjacent rings or other portions of the elongated damping channel D 518. In some cases, the size of the elongated damping channel D 518 can be designed to provide gas damping at approximately a desired or target frequency, or otherwise within a desired or target frequency range. As a non-limiting example, such a target frequency range may include inputs within a range from about 8 Hz to about 15 Hz.

[0060] The end cap wall 504 of the clamp body 502 also includes a mounting wall (or mounting wall portion) 526 that extends in a generally axial direction from the surface portion 506 along the clamp wall toward a distal edge 528. The mounting wall portion 526 may include one or more inner surfaces (or inner surface portions) 530, which may at least partially form a clamp recess 532 extending into the clamp body. The mounting wall portion 526 may also include an outer surface 534, which is sized to accommodate and retain an end of a flexible annular member (which may alternatively be referred to herein as a flexible spring member), such as in some cases may be used as a travel limiting device, as described below. In some cases, one or more protrusions may extend radially outward from along the outer surface portion 534, such as may be used to retain the end of the flexible annular member on or along the mounting wall. In the illustrated arrangement, the bead retaining wall (or wall portion) 536 extends radially outward beyond the outer surface 534 and extends circumferentially around the axis AX.

[0061] In some cases, the cleat wall 504 may include one or more notches or slots 538 extending axially along and radially into at least the mounting wall portion 526 of the cleat wall. Figure 4 and Figures 8 to 10 In the illustrated arrangement, the notches 538 are disposed opposite one another and divide the outer surface 534 into outer surface portions 534A and 534B. Additionally, the notches 538 divide the bead retaining wall 536 into bead retaining wall portions 536A and 536B. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of one or more notches may be included, such as, for example, from two (2) to sixteen (16) notches, wherein the notches divide the outer surface and the bead retaining wall into a corresponding number of two or more surface portions and / or wall portions.

[0062] In some cases, the clamp body 502 may also include a channel E 540 extending through the clamp wall 504 separately from the elongated damping channel D 518. In some cases, the channel E 540 may extend through the clamp wall from along the surface portion 506 to the surface portion 508. In some cases, the channel wall (or channel wall portion) 542 may protrude toward the distal wall portion 544 or otherwise extend axially beyond the surface portion 508. In some cases, the distal end wall portion 544 may at least partially define a damping orifice 546 sized to control or otherwise establish damping of compressed gas on, along, or otherwise through the channel E 540. In this case, the damping orifice 546 will have a cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter) that is reduced relative to the cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter) of the channel E 540. In some cases, the damping orifice 546 may be sized to provide gas damping at approximately a desired or target frequency, or otherwise within a desired or target frequency range. As a non-limiting example, such a target frequency range may include inputs within a range from about 0.5 Hz to about 4 Hz.

[0063] According to an exemplary arrangement of the present disclosure, the gas spring assembly AS1 may optionally include a stroke limiting assembly 600 that is operably connected on, along, and / or otherwise connected between the end member assembly 300 and the end member assembly 400. It should be understood that, if included, such a stroke limiting assembly may be operably connected between the end member assembly 300 and the end member assembly 400 in any suitable manner (directly or indirectly) using any combination of features, components, and / or devices. If included, the stroke limiting assembly 600 is operable to provide resistance to extension of the gas spring assembly AS1 when the gas spring assembly AS1 extends beyond a predetermined axial length or height (such as, for example, beyond a predetermined rebound height RHT). In some structures, if included, the stroke limiting assembly may take the form of a structure that provides minimal extension resistance during normal use in operation, but inhibits the gas spring assembly from extending beyond a predetermined extension height (i.e., overextension of the gas spring assembly).

[0064] As a non-limiting example of a suitable structure, the travel limiting assembly 600 may include a flexible annular member 602 used as a working device that compresses or otherwise collapses within the spring chamber 202 during a jerking motion while limiting the rebound motion to a predetermined maximum travel distance (i.e., a predetermined maximum axial length or height of the gas spring assembly). The flexible annular member 602 is an example of a first flexible annular member. It should be understood that the flexible annular member 602 may have any suitable size, shape, structure and / or construction. In some cases, the flexible annular member 602 may have an overall structure similar to the type and kind of flexible spring member commonly referred to as a convoluted or bellows-type structure, and it should be understood that any suitable type or kind of convoluted spring structure may be used. Therefore, in some cases, the flexible annular member may have any appropriate number of one or more hoop wall portions that are spaced apart from the end of the flexible annular member to form a corresponding number of two or more convoluted wall portions.

[0065] As a non-limiting example, the flexible annular member 602 may include a flexible wall B 604 formed at least in part from one or more layers or plies (not shown) of an elastomeric material (e.g., natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and / or a thermoplastic elastomer), and may optionally include one or more plies or layers of a filament reinforcement material. The flexible wall B 604 is shown extending in a longitudinal direction between opposite ends 606 and 608. In some cases, the flexible wall B 604 may optionally include a mounting bead disposed along one or both of the ends 606 and 608. Figures 4 to 9 In the arrangement shown, flexible wall B 604 includes mounting beads 610 and 612 disposed along ends 606 and 608, respectively. In some cases, the mounting beads may optionally include a reinforcement means, such as an endless annular bead core 614, for example.

[0066] exist Figures 2 to 10 In the exemplary arrangement shown, the flexible wall B 604 of the flexible annular member 602 includes a hoop wall portion 616 disposed approximately midway between the ends 606 and 608 along the flexible wall B 604. In this configuration, a convoluted wall portion 618 extends between the hoop wall portion 616 and the mounting bead 610, and a convoluted wall portion 620 extends between the hoop wall portion and the mounting bead 612. In some cases, the hoop wall portion 616 may optionally include a reinforcement device, such as, for example, an endless annular band 622. If included, the band 622 may be at least partially embedded within the hoop wall portion 616 of the flexible wall B 604, and may be used to delay or otherwise inhibit radially outward expansion of the flexible wall during use.

[0067] As described above, the flexible wall B 604 of the flexible annular member 602 can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as, for example, by using one or more fabric-reinforced elastomeric plies or layers and / or one or more non-reinforced elastomeric plies or layers. Typically, one or more fabric-reinforced elastomeric plies and one or more non-reinforced elastomeric plies are used together and are formed from a common elastomeric material such as synthetic rubber, natural rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer. However, in other cases, a combination of two or more different materials, two or more compounds of similar materials, or two or more grades of the same material may be used.

[0068] Flexible wall B 604 may include an inner surface 624 and an outer surface 626 each extending longitudinally along the flexible wall. The inner surface 624 may at least partially define an inner chamber 628 of the flexible annular member 602, which is disposed on the inner side of the flexible wall. In some structures, the flexible wall B 604 may include one or more layers or reinforcing plies disposed between the inner surface 624 and the outer surface 626. One or more reinforcing plies may have any suitable structure and / or configuration. For example, one or more reinforcing plies may include one or more lengths of filament material at least partially embedded therein. It should be understood that one or more lengths of filament material may be of any suitable type, kind and / or structure, such as, for example, a monofilament polymer strand, a woven cotton yarn or a bundled carbon fiber. In addition, such one or more lengths of filament material may be optionally coated or otherwise treated, for example, to improve adhesion to adjacent plies or other surrounding materials. For example, the filamentary material may be rubber coated so that when a rubber layer is applied to the filamentary material, adhesion between the layers may be improved, for example during and / or after vulcanization.

[0069] In addition, it should be understood that, if any, one or more lengths of filamentary material may be oriented in any suitable manner. As an example, the flexible wall B 604 may be oriented in any suitable manner. Figure 4 604 as including a plurality of filament segments 630A disposed at an offset angle BA1, and these filament segments at least partially form a reinforcement layer or cord layer 632A. Flexible wall B 604 also includes a plurality of filament segments 630B disposed at another offset angle BA2, and these filament segments at least partially form another reinforcement layer or cord layer 632B. It should be understood that any suitable offset angle may be used, such as, for example, an offset angle in the range of from about 3 degrees to about 87 degrees. In some cases, the filament segments may be disposed at approximately the same offset angle, but oriented in opposite directions, such as in Figure 4 In the figure, the reference dimensions BA1 and BA2 are used to represent the dimensions of the housing.

[0070] In the illustrated and described construction, the travel limiting assembly 600 can expand and collapse without any substantial or otherwise significant resistance to movement as the gas spring assembly AS1 is axially displaced toward, away from, and / or otherwise between a full pitch condition (i.e., fully compressed) and a full rebound condition (i.e., fully extended) during use. The flexible ring member 602 is coextensive with the flexible ring member 200. Upon reaching the full rebound height RHT, the flexible wall B 604 of the flexible ring member 602 becomes taut between the end member assembly 300 and the end member assembly 400 (and / or between the end member assembly 300 and the cleat 500, which is secured to the end member assembly 400), as shown. Figure 5 Although the flexible wall B 604 is at least partially formed of an elastomeric material, the flexible wall and any filament segments embedded therein (e.g., the filament segments 630A and 630B of the reinforcing plies 632A and 632B) eventually reach a point of maximum extension. In this condition, the flexible wall B 604 becomes inextensible in the axial direction, thereby limiting the extension of the gas spring assembly AS1 beyond the rebound height RHT, such as, for example Figure 5 shown.

[0071] That is, it should be understood that the flexible annular member 200 will have a maximum extendable length in the axial direction associated with its size and structure. Therefore, the flexible annular member 200 can experience maximum axial extension under a fully resilient condition. Similarly, the flexible annular member 602 will have a maximum extendable length in the axial direction associated with its size and structure. According to the subject matter of the present disclosure, the maximum extendable length of the flexible annular member 602 in the axial direction is less than the maximum extendable length of the flexible annular member 200 in the axial direction. When the flexible annular member 602 is not extendable in the axial direction, the flexible annular member 200 has a larger maximum extendable length in the axial direction, and therefore, the axial overextension is prevented by the flexible annular member 602 reaching its corresponding maximum extendable length.

[0072] As the gas spring assembly AS1 is compressed toward the full bump height JHT, the convoluted wall portions 620 and 622 of the flexible wall B 604 collapse toward each other within the spring chamber 202. In such an arrangement, the flexible annular member 602 remains contained within the spring chamber 202, such as, for example, without any significant portion of the flexible wall B 604 contacting the flexible spring member 200. If included, the mounting bead 610, the mounting bead 612, and the hoop wall portion 616 may have cross-sectional dimensions extending transversely through the flexible wall B 604, such as, respectively, Figure 66. In the preferred arrangement, the cross-sectional dimension CD1 of the mounting bead 610 is greater than the cross-sectional dimension CD2 of the mounting bead 612. In some cases, the mounting bead 610, the mounting bead 612, and the hoop wall portion 616 may have cross-sectional dimensions CD1 to CD3, respectively, corresponding to the following relationship:

[0073] CD1>CD3≥CD2

[0074] Wherein the cross-sectional dimension CD1 is greater than the cross-sectional dimension CD2, and the cross-sectional dimension CD3 is less than the cross-sectional dimension CD1 but greater than or approximately equal to the cross-sectional dimension CD2. In a more preferred arrangement, the cross-sectional dimensions CD1 to CD3 of the mounting bead 610, the mounting bead 612, and the hoop wall portion 616 may correspond to the following relationships, respectively:

[0075] CD1>CD3>CD2

[0076] The cross-sectional dimension CD1 is greater than the cross-sectional dimension CD2, and the cross-sectional dimension CD3 is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension CD1 but greater than the cross-sectional dimension CD2.

[0077] It should be understood that the mounting beads 610 and 612 can be fixed on, along and / or otherwise fixed between the end member assembly 300 and the end member assembly 400 in any suitable manner, and / or fixed on, along and / or otherwise fixed between the end member assembly 300 and the clamping plate 500, which is fixed on or along the end member assembly. As a non-limiting example, the mounting bead 610 can be operably connected to a mounting ring 634, which is fixed on or along the end member assembly in a suitable manner. The mounting ring 634 can take the form of an endless annular wall that extends circumferentially around the axis AX and includes any suitable number of one or more wall portions. The mounting ring 634 can include a bead wall portion 636 and a flange wall portion 638 extending radially outward from the bead wall portion. Bead wall portion 636 extends radially inward to inner edge 640, and flange wall portion 638 extends radially outward to outer edge 642. Mounting ring 634 has a surface (or surface portion) 644 of mounting wall portion 304 facing end member wall 302 and a surface (or surface portion) 646 of mounting wall portion facing away from end member wall.

[0078] In some cases, the bead wall portion 636 can have a curved cross-sectional shape or configuration, such as, for example. Figure 4 and Figure 7As shown, the bead wall portion can be sized to abuttingly engage the mounting bead 610. In some cases, the mounting bead 610 can be permanently attached (i.e., not separable without damage, destruction, or material change of at least one of the component parts) to the bead wall portion 636, such as by an adhesive and / or a cured material joint (e.g., vulcanization), as shown. Figure 7 In this case, joint JT1 can form a fluid-tight connection between mounting bead 610 and bead wall portion 636. In addition, in some cases, a fluid-tight seal or joint can be formed between end surface (or end surface portion) 648 of mounting bead 610 and inner surface portion 316 of mounting wall portion 304 of end member wall 302, such as, for example, Figure 7 In addition, in these arrangements, a fluid-tight seal or joint can be formed between the end surface (or end surface portion) 222 of the mounting bead 214 and the surface portion 646 of the flange wall portion 638, such as, for example, Figure 7 In such an arrangement, the flange wall portion 638 is captured between the mounting wall portion 304 of the end member wall 302 and the mounting bead 610 that annularly surrounds the flexible annular member 602. In addition, in such an arrangement, the spring chamber 202 and the internal chamber 628 of the flexible annular member 602 are isolated from the external atmospheric ATM fluid.

[0079] The flexible annular member 602 may be secured to or along the end member assembly 400 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by attachment to a clamping plate 500. Figures 4 to 6 and Figures 8 to 10 In the arrangement shown, for example, the mounting bead 612 is received on or along the mounting wall portion 526 of the clamp wall 504. The end surface (or end surface portion) 650 of the mounting bead 612 is disposed on or along the outer surface 534, wherein the mounting bead is received between the bead retaining wall 536 and the surface portion 506, so that the mounting bead 612 is fixed on or along the mounting wall portion 526 in a somewhat conventional manner. That is, the mounting bead 612 is disposed below the bead retaining wall portions 536A and 536B along the outer surface portions 534A and 534B. However, conventional assemblies include a fluid-tight seal formed between the mounting bead and the mounting wall portion completely around the periphery of the outer surface 534. The structure of the present invention differs from conventional assemblies in that the mounting bead 612 spans the recess 538. Thus, the mounting bead 612 extends circumferentially between the outer surface portions 534A and 534B such that a passage is defined between the mounting bead and the mounting wall portion at least by the recess 538, the recess allowing fluid communication between the clamping plate recess 532 and the spring chamber 202, the passage and fluid communication being in contact with each other. Fig.10 Indicated by arrow 652.

[0080] In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, a gas spring assembly may include a jounce bumper assembly disposed within a spring chamber of the gas spring assembly to eliminate inadvertent or otherwise undesirable contact between opposing portions or components thereof. The jounce bumper assembly may be supported on or along any of the end member assemblies of the gas spring assembly. As is well known in the art, a jounce bumper prevents or otherwise at least substantially inhibits opposing portions of a gas spring assembly (or a suspension system associated therewith) from directly impacting one another. Thus, during jerky motions, opposing components may contact the jounce bumper rather than impacting a component on, along, or otherwise proximate to which the jounce bumper is mounted.

[0081] In one exemplary arrangement, gas spring assembly AS1 includes a jounce bumper assembly 700 disposed within spring chamber 202. Jounce bumper assembly 700 includes a bumper body 702 and an end cap 704. Jounce bumper assembly 700 may be supported on or along any combination of one or more of end member assembly 300, end member assembly 400, and / or cleat 500. In some cases, jounce bumper assembly 700 may be supported on cleat 500, such as, for example, Figures 4 to 6 and Figures 8 to 10 In one exemplary arrangement, the securing device 464 may extend through the jounce bumper assembly 700 to, for example, retain the jounce bumper assembly in abutting engagement on or along the inner support wall portion 548 of the cleat wall 504 .

[0082] The buffer body 702 can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials and can have any suitable or other appropriate size, shape, configuration and / or structure, such as may be preferred for a particular application. For example, the buffer body 702 can be formed from a rigid thermoplastic, a thermoplastic elastomer, a natural rubber compound, a synthetic rubber compound, or any combination of these and / or other polymer materials. The buffer body 702 is shown as including end surfaces (or end surface portions) 706 and 708 spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. The outer side surface (or surface portion) 710 can extend around the periphery of the jounce bumper body. In some cases, the buffer body 702 may include an inner side surface (or surface portion) 712 that at least partially defines a channel F 714 extending through the buffer body. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the end surface portion 706 is slightly curved or otherwise raised and forms an outermost axial extent or contact surface for the jounce bumper assembly in a direction away from the base plate 704. The end surface portion 708 substantially conforms to the configuration of the end cap 704, wherein the outer side surface portion 710 is generally at least partially conical or frusto-conical in shape. However, it should be understood that the outer shape and configuration of the bumper body 702 are merely exemplary, and any suitable number, size, and / or shape of surfaces may alternatively be used.

[0083] End cap 704 includes a plate surface (or surface portion) 716 on or along which bumper body 702 is supported and a plate surface (or surface portion) 718 facing in a direction opposite to plate surface 716. Bumper body 702 may be secured to or along plate surface 716 of end cap 704 in any suitable manner (such as, for example, by any combination of any one or more of mechanical fasteners, interengaging or connecting features, adhesive substances or joints, molding or overmolding processes, vulcanization, and / or other curing material joints) to permanently attach bumper body 702 (i.e., not separable without damage, destruction, or material change of at least one of the component parts) to or along end cap 704, all of which types of attachment being intended for use in connection with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 In the figure, they are collectively represented by the dotted line JN4.

[0084] The end cap 704 includes a base wall portion 720 that is approximately planar and includes a hole or opening 722 extending therethrough. In such an arrangement, the securing device 464 can extend through the passage F 714 in the bumper body 702 and the hole 722 in the end cap 704 to secure the jounce bumper assembly 700 on or along the inner support wall portion 548 of the cleat body 502, as described above. The end cap 704 also includes an outer wall portion 724 that is disposed radially outward of the base wall portion 720, the base wall portion extending toward an outer peripheral edge 726. The outer wall portion 724 can include a curved cross-sectional shape or profile that extends around the periphery of the end cap 704. In an installed condition, the outer wall portion 724 can optionally help retain the end 208 of the flexible wall A 204 on or along the cleat body 502. For example, the outer wall portion 724 can engage the inner surface 212 of the flexible wall adjacent to the mounting bead 216 to compress the mounting bead toward the surface portion 506 and / or otherwise push the mounting bead into engagement with the surface portion so that the mounting bead 216 is maintained on or along the mounting wall portion 526.

[0085] As described above, even though the mounting bead 216 may sealingly engage the outer surface portions 534A and 534B of the mounting wall portion 526, fluid communication between the cleat recess 532 and the spring chamber 202 is still provided by the passage G 652 through the notch 538. However, it should be understood that the abutting engagement of the outer wall portion 724 with the inner surface 212 around the perimeter of the jounce bumper assembly 700 may form a seal or other interface therebetween that may limit fluid communication between the cleat recess 532 and the interior chamber 628 of the flexible annular member 602. In some constructions, the interior chamber 628 is provided in fluid communication with the spring chamber 202 such that the interior chamber and the spring chamber fluidly function or otherwise act as a continuous volume.

[0086] It should be understood that such fluid communication may be achieved in any suitable manner. As a non-limiting example, the end cap 704 may include an intermediate wall portion 728 disposed between the base wall portion 720 and the outer wall portion 724. The intermediate wall portion 728 may have a curved cross-sectional shape or a profile that is oriented opposite to the curved cross-sectional profile of the outer wall portion 724. In such a configuration, the intermediate wall portion 728 extends circumferentially around the end cap 704 and may contribute increased volume to the clamping plate recess 532 between the clamping plate body 502 and the end cap 704. The buffer body 702 may include a channel H730 extending therethrough, and the end cap 704 may include a hole I or channel I 732 extending therethrough that is in fluid communication with the channel H 730. Channel H 730 is an example of a body channel. In such an arrangement, channel H 730 and channel I 732 may be approximately coaxial with each other, and in some cases may be offset radially outward from the axis AX such that at least channel I 732 extends through the intermediate wall portion 728, for example, as Figure 4 and Figures 8 to 10 In such an arrangement, fluid communication between the clamping plate recess 532 and the internal chamber 628 occurs through the channel H 730 and the channel I 732, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As indicated by arrow 654 in FIG. Thus, spring chamber 202 and internal chamber 628 are in fluid communication with each other through clamping plate recess 532 and passages G 652 and 654 and through these two passages.

[0087] In some cases, the end cap 704 may include an inner sidewall portion 734 disposed between the base wall portion 720 and the outer wall portion 724. The inner sidewall portion 734 may extend between the base wall portion 720 and the intermediate wall portion 728 and operably connect the base wall portion and the intermediate wall portion. The inner sidewall portion 734 may have any suitable linear or curvilinear cross-sectional shape or profile and may be oriented to extend in a generally axial direction. In a preferred arrangement, the inner sidewall portion 734 may at least partially form a buffer limiter or recess 736 disposed radially inward of the outer wall portion 724. In a preferred arrangement, a portion of the buffer body 702 is disposed within the buffer limiter 736 and abuts against the inner sidewall portion at least under compression of the buffer body associated with a full bump condition. In these cases, the buffer body 702 may be disposed along the end cap 704 so that the end surface 708 of the buffer body extends along at least some of the base wall portion 720. In some cases, a portion of the bumper body 702 can be disposed radially outward of the inner sidewall portion 734, such as can extend along and across the intermediate wall portion 728 and along and across at least some of the outer wall portion 724, such as, for example, extending radially outward to or at least toward the peripheral edge 726. In any of such configurations, some of the bumper body 702 protrudes axially outward from the end cap 704 to the bumper limiter 736 beyond the axial outermost extent 728E of the end cap 704, such that the end surface portion 706 can abuttingly engage an opposing end member assembly or component thereof (e.g., the end member assembly 300), thereby axially compressing the bumper body 702 under a bump condition.

[0088] Fig. 9 Shows the combination Figures 2 to 8 and Fig.10 An alternative structure of the jounce bumper assembly 700 is shown and described. It should be understood that Fig. 9 Certain components, devices and / or features shown in Figures 2 to 8 and Fig.10 The components, devices or features shown in Fig. 9 Like reference characters are used to identify these parts, devices and / or features, wherein new or different parts, devices and / or features are identified by a reference character with a prime ('). Fig. 9A jounce bumper assembly 700' is shown that includes a bumper body 702' and an end cap 704 that are secured together to or along the end member assembly 400 via a fixture 464'. The fixture 464' differs from the fixture 464 in that the fixture 464' is shown as including a bumper mounting portion 472' disposed along one end thereof that is operably connected to the end cap 704, rather than having a conventional fastener head that secures the end cap to or along the end member 400, such as, for example. Figure 4 and Figure 8 The retaining device 464' may be secured to or along the end cap 704 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, via a fluid material joint 474'. The bumper mount 472' may be sized to receive and retain the bumper body 702' to or along the end cap 704 in other conventional manners.

[0089] The buffer body 702′ is shown as including end surfaces (or end surface portions) 706′ and 708′ spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. The outer side surface (or surface portion) 710′ extends circumferentially around the jounce bumper body. The buffer body 702′ differs from the buffer body 702 at least in that the buffer body 702′ includes a recess (unnumbered) sized to accommodate the buffer mount 472′, by which the buffer bodies are maintained in mutual engagement on or along the end cap 704. It should be understood that other suitable connections or combinations of connections may be used interchangeably, such as, for example, by using any combination of any one or more of mechanical fasteners or mutual engagement features, adhesive substances or joints, molding or overmolding processes, vulcanization and / or other cured material joints to permanently attach the buffer body 702′ (i.e., cannot be separated without damage, destruction or material change of at least one of the component parts) to or along the end cap 704, all of which types of attachment are suitable in the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 In the figure, they are collectively represented by the dotted line JN4′.

[0090] In addition, the damper body 702' differs from the damper body 702 in at least that the outer side surface 710' of the damper body 702' is disposed radially inward of the inner side wall portion 734, such that all or substantially all of the damper body 702' is disposed radially inward of the damper limit cover 736 of the end cap 704. As a result, the passage H 730 of the damper body 702 is eliminated, and fluid communication between the internal chamber 628 and the spring chamber 202 occurs through the aperture I 732 in conjunction with the clamping plate recess 532 and the notch 538, as described above in conjunction with the fluid flow arrows 652 and 654. In such a configuration, some of the damper body 702' will protrude axially outward from the end cap 704 to the damper limit cover 736, beyond the axial outermost extent 728E of the end cap 704, such that the end surface portion 706' may abuttingly engage an opposing end member assembly or component thereof (e.g., the end member assembly 300), thereby axially compressing the damper body 702' during a pitch condition of the gas spring assembly.

[0091] Additionally, due to the configuration of the inner sidewall portion 734 and the outer side surface 710′ and their orientation relative to one another, in the unloaded and undeflected condition of the bumper body 702′, empty space or free volume exists within the bumper restraint 736, such as at Fig. 9 denoted by reference dimension GAP. It will be appreciated that the surfaces and / or walls of the bumper body and end caps may have any suitable shape, contour and / or configuration, and that the combination of cylindrical and frustoconical sidewalls and / or surfaces shown and described herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Thus, it will be further appreciated that any such corresponding free volume may have any size, shape and / or configuration that may be suitable for providing a jounce bumper assembly having desired performance characteristics for a given application, operation and / or use.

[0092] Fig.11 800 is shown in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter. It should be understood that Fig.11 Certain components, devices and / or features shown in Figures 2 to 10 The components, devices or features shown in Fig.11 Like reference characters are used to identify these components, devices and / or features, wherein new or different components, devices and / or features are identified by a reference character with a prime (').

[0093] Jounce bumper assembly 800 includes a bumper body 802 and an end cap 804. Bumper body 802 may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials and may have any suitable or appropriate size, shape, configuration, and / or structure, such as may be preferred for a particular application. For example, bumper body 802 may be formed from a thermoplastic, an elastomer, a natural rubber compound, a synthetic rubber compound, or any combination of these and / or other polymeric materials. Bumper body 802 is shown as including end surfaces (or end surface portions) 806 and 808 spaced apart from each other in an axial direction. Outer side surface (or surface portion) 810 may extend circumferentially around the bumper body.

[0094] The end cap 804 includes a base wall portion 812 that is approximately planar and includes a hole or opening 814 extending (generally) centrally therethrough. In such an arrangement, the securing device 464' may extend through the hole 814 in the end cap 804 and operably engage the bumper mounting nut 476' to secure the jounce bumper assembly 800 to or along the end wall portion 418 of the end member 400. It should be appreciated that the bumper mounting nut 476' may be secured to or along the end cap 804 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, via a fluid material joint 478'. The bumper mounting nut 476' may be sized to receive and retain the bumper body 802 to or along the end cap 804 in other conventional manners.

[0095] The bumper body 802 includes a recess (not numbered) sized to accommodate the bumper mount 476′ by which the bumper body is held in mutual engagement on or along the end cap 804. It should be understood that other suitable connections or combinations of connections may be used interchangeably, such as, for example, by using any combination of any one or more of mechanical fasteners or mutual engagement features, adhesive substances or joints, molding or overmolding processes, vulcanization and / or other curing material joints to permanently attach (i.e., not separable without damage, destruction, or material change of at least one of the component parts) the bumper body 802 to or along the end cap 804.

[0096] It should be appreciated that jounce bumper assembly 800 is similar to jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700'. However, jounce bumper assembly 800 differs from jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700' in at least that jounce bumper assembly 800 is supported directly on or along end member 400', whereas jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700' are shown and described as being supported on or along end member 400 with clamping plate 500 disposed as an optional component between the jounce bumper assembly and the end member. In some cases, end cap 804 may capture or otherwise secure mounting bead 216 on or along inner sidewall portion 416 of end member assembly 400 such that a fluid-tight connection is formed between the mounting bead, the end cap, and the inner sidewall portion of the end member assembly.

[0097] The end cap 804 also includes an outer wall portion 816 disposed radially outward of the base wall portion 812, which extends toward the peripheral edge 818. The outer wall portion 816 may include a curved cross-sectional shape or profile extending around the periphery of the end cap 804. In the installed state, the outer wall portion 816 retains the mounting bead 216 of the flexible wall A 204 on or along the inner sidewall portion of the end member assembly 400. For example, the outer wall portion 816 may abut against the mounting bead 216 to compress or otherwise push the mounting bead toward the inner sidewall portion 416 so that the mounting bead 216 is retained on or along the inner sidewall portion. In some cases, the end cap 804 may be permanently fixed or otherwise attached to one or more components of the gas spring assembly. For example, a portion of the flexible spring member 200 (e.g., the mounting bead 216) may be adhered, vulcanized, cured, or otherwise permanently attached (i.e., not separable without damage, destruction, or material change of at least one of the component parts) to the end cap assembly 804 or a surface portion thereof (e.g., the outer wall portion 816 and / or the peripheral edge 818), such as, for example, at Fig.11 Indicated by the dotted line JT5.

[0098] The end cap 804 may include an intermediate wall portion 820 disposed between the base wall portion 812 and the outer wall portion 816. The intermediate wall portion 820 may have a curved cross-sectional shape or a profile that is oriented opposite to the curved cross-sectional profile of the outer wall portion 816. In such a configuration, the intermediate wall portion 820 extends around the periphery of the end cap 804. In addition, the end cap 804 includes an inner sidewall portion 822 disposed between the base wall portion 812 and the outer wall portion 816. The inner sidewall portion 822 may extend between the base wall portion 812 and the intermediate wall portion 820 and operably connect the base wall portion and the intermediate wall portion. The inner sidewall portion 822 may have any suitable linear or curvilinear cross-sectional shape or profile and may be oriented to extend in a generally axial direction. In some configurations, the inner sidewall portion 822 may at least partially form a buffer limit cover or recess 824 disposed radially inward of the outer wall portion 816. In these cases, all or substantially all of the damper body 802 may be disposed radially within the damper limiter 824 of the end cap 804. In such a configuration, some of the damper body 802 will protrude axially outward from the end cap 804 to the damper limiter 824 beyond the axial outermost extent 820E of the end cap 804 so that the end surface portion 806 may abuttingly engage an opposing end member assembly or component thereof (e.g., the end member assembly 300) to axially compress the damper body 802 during a jounce condition of the gas spring assembly.

[0099] like Fig.11 As shown, the outer side surface portion 810 forms a cylindrical or frustoconical outer shape or profile of the bumper body 802. The inner side wall portion 822 may have a cylindrical or frustoconical shape or profile. Due to the shape and relative alignment of such surface and / or wall portions, a free volume is formed therebetween, as indicated by reference dimension GAP, as described above.

[0100] In addition, if Fig.11 As shown, the end member assembly 400' includes an end member housing (or end member body) 408' that at least partially defines an end member chamber 432' within the end member assembly 400'. The end member wall 408' end wall portion 418' is axially offset from the distal range 422 in a direction toward the end 406, so that the end surface portion 426 and the inner surface portion 424 together at least partially define a recessed portion 430' extending from along the end 404 into the end member housing 408'. The end wall portion 418' includes openings or ports 470' that extend through the end wall portion and allow fluid communication between the recessed portion 430' and the end member chamber 432'.

[0101] As described above, jounce bumper assembly 800 differs from jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700′ in at least that jounce bumper assembly 800 is supported directly on or along end member 400′, whereas jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700′ were shown and described as being supported on or along end member 400, with cleat 500 being provided as an optional component between the jounce bumper assembly and the end member. However, similar to the combination Figure 4 and Figures 8 to 10 In the non-limiting exemplary arrangement shown and described, the recess 430' is in fluid communication with the spring chamber 202 via one or more openings J or channels J 826 extending through the outer wall portion 816 and / or through the intermediate wall portion 820, such as, for example, along the outer peripheral edge 818 and the inner side wall portion 822 or anywhere between the outer peripheral edge and the inner side wall portion. In some cases, multiple channels J 826 are in fluid communication with multiple ports 470' via the recess 430' between the end wall portion 418' and the end cap 804.

[0102] To illustrate the use of a jounce bumper assembly according to one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the bumper bodies 702, 702', and 802 of the jounce bumper assemblies 700, 700', and 800, respectively, are Figures 8 to 11 706, 706′ and 806 are shown in a first condition, an unloaded condition and an undeflected condition, as indicated by reference character “A”. The jounce bumper may be axially deflected or displaced due to contact with any known component in any known construction and / or arrangement, such as, for example, by contacting the opposing end members of a gas spring assembly in which the jounce bumper assembly is disposed with the free end of the jounce bumper. The jounce bumper is then compressed in response to relative axial movement of an associated structural member on or between which the end members of the gas spring assembly are disposed. When the free end of the bumper body (e.g., end surface portions 706, 706′ and 806) is displaced through an axial distance, a corresponding lateral or radial outward displacement of the bumper body occurs, the radial outward displacement being at least partially related to the stress-strain properties of the material forming the bumper.

[0103] exist Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11 In the exemplary representation of Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11A second condition of bumper bodies 702, 702' and 802 is shown in FIG, as indicated by reference character "B" and is associated with the jounce bumper being displaced through an axial distance and producing a corresponding radial outward expansion. It can be appreciated from the deformation of the jounce bumper represented by reference character "B" that the radial outward displacement of the jounce bumper is at least partially constrained by inner sidewall portions 734 and / or 822, which resist radial outward expansion of at least a portion of the bumper body. Fig. 9 and Fig.11 In the illustrated construction, deformation of the bumper bodies 702' and 802 at least partially fills or otherwise reduces the size of the free volume between the bumper body and the inner sidewall portion (eg, gap GAP within the bumper limiter 736 and / or 824).

[0104] like Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11 As shown, in a preferred arrangement, the end caps 704 and 804 can be configured to include edge distal extents 726E and 818E of the peripheral edges 726 and 818 of the outer wall portions 724 and 816, respectively. The distal extents 726E and 818E are axially offset from the end wall portions 720 and 812 of the end caps 704 and 804. The inner side wall portions 734 and 822 extend axially away from the end wall portions 720 and 812, such that the combination of the inner side wall portions and the corresponding intermediate wall portions of the intermediate wall portions 728 and 820 creates an axial depth of the bumper limiting shrouds 736 and 824 from the end wall portions 720 and 812 to the shroud distal extents 736E and 824E, such as can be defined on or along the intermediate wall portions 728 and 820, for example. In these cases, the shield distal extents 736E and 824E are axially offset from the end wall portions 720 and 812 by a distance that is greater than the axial offset distance of the edge distal extents 726E and 818E from the end wall portions, such that the axial offset dimension AOF is disposed between the edge distal extents and the shield distal extents. In a preferred configuration, the axial offset dimension AOF represents a condition where the shield distal extents 736E and 824E are axially offset from the end wall portions by a distance that is at least thirty percent (30%) greater than the distance that the edge distal extents 726E and 818E are axially offset from the end wall portions. In a more preferred configuration, the axial offset dimension AOF may represent a condition where the shield distal extents 736E and 824E are axially offset from the end wall portions by a distance that is at least fifty percent (50%) greater than the distance that the edge distal extents 726E and 818E are axially offset from the end wall portions.

[0105] In use, a jounce bumper assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure may provide one or more desired performance characteristics. For example, such a jounce bumper assembly may provide impact fatigue resistance (i.e., provide the ability to withstand repeated impact loads) under relatively high load conditions associated with heavy-duty applications. A jounce bumper assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure may also provide the ability to adjust the performance characteristics (e.g., spring rate and deflection) of the jounce bumper assembly by using different shapes of bumpers and inner sidewall combinations to form different free volume configurations between them. The jounce bumper assembly of the present invention may also achieve deflection, load bearing and other performance capabilities that are between the capabilities provided by jounce bumpers typically formed of compliant materials (e.g., rubber and elastic foam) and those capabilities typically associated with jounce bumpers formed of more rigid materials (e.g., fiber reinforced plastics and other high-strength plastics). In addition, a jounce bumper assembly according to the subject matter of the present disclosure may provide enhanced ride quality by allowing compliance during the initial jounce travel of the suspension system while being sufficiently hardened during further jounce travel to minimize the bumping of the road or other inputs. Furthermore, the jounce bumper assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter is capable of withstanding the loads associated therewith and, thus, functioning as a dock stabilizer for the loading and unloading of vehicles.

[0106] It should be appreciated that a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure will be expected to provide initial compliant performance characteristics similar to those of known compliant jounce bumpers. However, upon further flexing, as the outside surface of the jounce bumper body increasingly engages the sidewall portion of the end cap, it is expected that the jounce bumper will begin to become increasingly stiffer (i.e., have less additional axial deflection at a given load) as the bumper body increasingly engages the inside wall of the end cap and begins to fill the free volume of the bumper restraining cover as compared to known jounce bumpers formed from materials having similar compliance but which are radially unrestricted. That is, upon such axial flexure, the jounce bumper assembly of the present invention is expected to provide much greater stiffness than such known compliant jounce bumpers, yet remain more compliant than known rigid jounce bumpers. Furthermore, it is expected that the jounce bumper assembly of the present invention will be able to withstand loads comparable to known rigid jounce bumpers.

[0107] It should be understood that Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11 The deformations of the jounce bumpers shown in the drawings are provided merely as illustrations for presenting the foregoing discussion, and further, it should be appreciated that such deformations are not to scale and are not intended to represent actual deformation conditions, which will vary from embodiment to embodiment, depending, for example, on the structure, construction, and properties of the materials used, as well as other possible factors.

[0108] As used herein with reference to certain features, elements, components and / or structures, numerical ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, etc.) may be used to represent different single or otherwise identify certain features, elements, components and / or structures, and do not imply any order or sequence unless expressly specified by the claim language. In addition, the term "transverse" etc. is interpreted broadly. Because of this, the term "transverse" etc. may include a wide range of angular orientations, which include, but are not limited to, approximately vertical angular orientations. In addition, the terms "circumferential", "circumferentially", etc. may be interpreted broadly, and they may include, but are not limited to, circular shapes and / or configurations. In this regard, the terms "circumferential", "circumferentially", etc. may be synonymous with terms such as "peripheral", "peripherally", etc.

[0109] It should be recognized and understood that terms such as "may", "could", "might", etc. should be interpreted as enabling but not required. Therefore, any reference to items using terms such as "may", "could", "might", etc. should be interpreted as optional and not required by the subject matter of the present disclosure unless otherwise specifically set forth herein.

[0110] In addition, the phrase "flowing material joint" and the like, if used herein, may be interpreted to include any joint or connection in which a liquid or other flowable material (e.g., molten metal or a combination of molten metals) is arranged or otherwise presented between adjacent components and used to form a fixed and fluid-tight connection therebetween. Examples of processes that can be used to form such flowing material joints include, but are not limited to, welding processes, brazing processes, and soldering processes. In such cases, in addition to any materials derived from the components themselves, one or more metallic materials and / or alloys may be used to form such flowing material joints. Another example of a process that can be used to form a flowing material joint includes applying, depositing, or otherwise presenting an adhesive between adjacent components for forming a fixed and fluid-tight connection therebetween. In such cases, it should be understood that any suitable adhesive material or combination of materials may be used, such as, for example, one-component and / or two-component epoxy resins.

[0111] Furthermore, the term "gas" as used herein refers to any gaseous or aerosol fluid in a broad sense. Most commonly, air is used as the working medium for gas spring devices such as those described herein and suspension systems and other components thereof. However, it should be understood that any suitable gaseous fluid may be used.

[0112] It should be recognized that many different features and / or components are shown in the embodiments shown and described herein, and no one embodiment is explicitly shown and described as including all such features and components. Therefore, it should be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations of the different features and components shown and described herein, and any suitable arrangement of features and components may be used in any combination without restriction. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that claims involving any such combination of features and / or components, whether or not specifically embodied herein, are intended to find support in the present disclosure. To assist the Patent Office and any reader of this application and any resulting patent used to interpret the claims attached to this application, the applicant does not intend that any of the attached claims or any claim element invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words "means for..." or "step for..." are expressly used in a particular claim.

[0113] Therefore, although the subject matter of the present disclosure is described with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments and considerable emphasis is given herein to the structure and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the disclosed embodiments, it should be understood that other embodiments can be constructed and that many changes can be made to the embodiments shown and described without departing from the principles of the present invention. Obviously, other aspects will be modified and changed after reading and understanding the above-mentioned specific embodiments. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the above-mentioned descriptive issues are only interpreted as illustrative and not restrictive of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Because of this, it is intended that the subject matter of the present disclosure be understood to include all such variations and changes.

Claims

1. A gas spring assembly, characterized in that: The gas spring assembly comprises: a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end, the flexible annular member at least partially defining an annular member chamber; a first end member secured across the first end of the flexible annular member; a second end member secured across the second end of the flexible annular member; and, A jounce bumper assembly supported along one of the first end member and the second end member, the jounce bumper assembly including an end cap supported on the one of the first end member and the second end member and a bumper body supported on the end cap in a facing relationship with the other of the first end member and the second end member, and the bumper body is sized to abut against the other of the first end member and the second end member under a jounce condition of the gas spring assembly, the end cap including an end cap wall having an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion, the inner side wall portion being integrally formed on the end cap wall with the outer peripheral wall portion, the outer peripheral wall portion abutting against the other of the first end member and the second end member A corresponding one of the first end and the second end of the flexible annular member and thereby axially retaining the corresponding one of the first end and the second end of the flexible annular member on the corresponding one of the first end member and the second end member or axially retaining the corresponding one of the first end and the second end of the flexible annular member along the corresponding one of the first end member and the second end member, the inner wall portion is radially inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral wall portion and at least partially defines a buffer limiting cover, the size of the buffer limiting cover is designed to accommodate a portion of the buffer body and limit the radial outward expansion of the buffer body under the axial compression applied under the bump condition.

2. The gas spring assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one of the first end member and the second end member includes an end member chamber, and the end cap includes an end cap channel extending therethrough, the end cap channel being in fluid communication between the annular member chamber and the end member chamber.

3. The gas spring assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The buffer body includes a body channel extending therethrough, and the buffer body is supported on the end cap so that the body channel is fluidly connected to the end cap channel, and the annular member chamber and the end member chamber are fluidly connected to each other at least partially through the body channel and the end cap channel.

4. The gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The end cover wall includes an end wall portion integrally formed with the inner wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion, the end wall portion is arranged radially inwardly of the inner wall portion and at least partially defines the buffer limiting cover, and a portion of the buffer body is accommodated radially inwardly of the inner wall portion.

5. The gas spring assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The end wall portion is substantially planar, and the inner side wall portion extends axially outwardly from the end wall portion.

6. The gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The bumper body includes an outer peripheral surface portion that is radially inwardly spaced from the inner sidewall portion in an uncompressed condition of the bumper body and is displaced into abutting engagement with the inner sidewall portion in the bump condition of the gas spring assembly.

7. The gas spring assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner sidewall portion has a cross-sectional profile extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis such that the inner sidewall portion has one of a curvilinear shape, a frustoconical shape, and a cylindrical shape.

8. The gas spring assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The end cap wall includes an intermediate wall portion extending radially between and operatively interconnecting the inner side wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion.

9. The gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The flexible annular member is a first flexible annular member, and the gas spring assembly further includes a second flexible annular member disposed radially outward of the first flexible annular member and operatively connected between the first end member and the second end member.

10. The gas spring assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that The first flexible annular member at least partially defines a first chamber portion of the annular member chamber, and the second flexible annular member at least partially defines a second chamber portion of the annular member chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber portion.

11. The gas spring assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that The gas spring assembly also includes a clamping plate supported on the one of the first end member and the second end member, and the flexible ring member is fixed along the clamping plate.

12. The gas spring assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that The jounce bumper assembly is supported on the one of the first end member and the second end member, and the cleat is disposed between the jounce bumper assembly and the end member.

13. The gas spring assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that The clamping plate at least partially defines a clamping plate recess disposed between the end cap and the clamping plate.

14. The gas spring assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that The end cap includes an end cap channel extending through the end cap wall and in fluid communication with the clamp plate recess.

15. The gas spring assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that The bumper body extends radially outwardly along the end cap beyond the inner sidewall portion.

16. The gas spring assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that The bumper body includes a body passage extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the cleat recess through the end cap passage.

17. The gas spring assembly according to claim 13, wherein: The first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are arranged to be in fluid communication with each other at least through the clamping plate recess.

18. The gas spring assembly according to claim 17, wherein: The first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are placed in fluid communication with each other via an end cap passage extending through the end cap wall.

19. The gas spring assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that The first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are disposed in fluid communication with each other through the end cap passage and a body passage extending through the bumper body and in fluid communication with the end cap passage.

20. A suspension system, comprising: a compressed gas system comprising a compressed gas source and a control device in fluid communication with the compressed gas source, Characterized in that the suspension system also includes: At least one gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the at least one gas spring assembly being arranged in fluid communication with the compressed gas source, and the control device being arranged in fluid communication between the gas spring assembly and the compressed gas source.

21. A gas spring assembly, characterized in that: The gas spring assembly comprises: a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end, the flexible annular member at least partially defining an annular member chamber; a first end member secured across the first end of the flexible annular member; a second end member secured across the second end of the flexible annular member, the second end member comprising an end member chamber; and, A jounce bumper assembly supported along the second end member, the jounce bumper assembly including an end cap supported on the second end member and a bumper body supported on the end cap in a facing relationship with the first end member, and the bumper body is sized to abut against the first end member under a jounce condition of the gas spring assembly, the end cap including an end cap wall having an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion, the inner side wall portion being integrally formed on the end cap wall with the outer peripheral wall portion, the outer peripheral wall portion abutting against the second end of the flexible annular member and thereby axially retaining the second end of the flexible annular member on or along the second end member, the end cap wall including an end cap passage extending therethrough and fluidly communicating between a first chamber portion of the annular member chamber and a second chamber portion of the annular member chamber and at least one of the end member chamber.

22. The gas spring assembly according to claim 21, characterized in that The buffer body includes a body channel extending therethrough, and the buffer body is supported on the end cap so that the body channel is fluidly connected to the end cap channel and so that the annular member chamber and the end member chamber are fluidly connected to each other at least partially through the body channel and the end cap channel.

23. The gas spring assembly of claim 21, wherein: The inner wall portion is radially inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral wall portion and at least partially defines a buffer limit cover, the size of which is designed to accommodate a portion of the buffer body, and the inner wall portion of the buffer limit cover is capable of operating to limit radial outward expansion of the buffer body under axial compression applied under the bump condition.

24. The gas spring assembly of claim 23, wherein: The end cover wall includes an end wall portion integrally formed with the inner wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion, the end wall portion is arranged radially inwardly of the inner wall portion and at least partially defines the buffer limiting cover, and a portion of the buffer body is accommodated radially inwardly of the inner wall portion.

25. The gas spring assembly of claim 24, wherein: The end wall portion is substantially planar, and the inner side wall portion extends axially outwardly from the end wall portion.

26. The gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that The bumper body includes an outer peripheral surface portion that is radially inwardly spaced from the inner sidewall portion in an uncompressed condition of the bumper body and is displaced into abutting engagement with the inner sidewall portion in the bump condition of the gas spring assembly.

27. The gas spring assembly of claim 26, wherein: The inner sidewall portion has a cross-sectional profile extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis such that the inner sidewall portion has one of a curvilinear shape, a frustoconical shape, and a cylindrical shape.

28. The gas spring assembly of claim 27, wherein: The end cap wall includes an intermediate wall portion extending radially between and operatively interconnecting the inner side wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion.

29. The gas spring assembly of claim 21, wherein: The flexible annular member is a first flexible annular member, and the gas spring assembly further includes a second flexible annular member disposed radially outward of the first flexible annular member and operatively connected between the first end member and the second end member.

30. The gas spring assembly of claim 29, wherein: The first flexible annular member at least partially defines a first chamber portion of the annular member chamber, and the second flexible annular member at least partially defines a second chamber portion of the annular member chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber portion.

31. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 25, 29 and 30, characterised in that The gas spring assembly also includes a clamping plate supported on one of the first end member and the second end member, and the flexible ring member is fixed along the clamping plate.

32. The gas spring assembly of claim 31, wherein: The jounce bumper assembly is supported on the one of the first end member and the second end member, and the cleat is disposed between the jounce bumper assembly and the end member.

33. The gas spring assembly of claim 31, wherein: The clamping plate at least partially defines a clamping plate recess disposed between the end cap and the clamping plate.

34. The gas spring assembly of claim 31, wherein: The bumper body extends radially outwardly along the end cap beyond the inner sidewall portion.

35. The gas spring assembly of claim 34, wherein: The cleat at least partially defines a cleat recess disposed between the end cap and the cleat, and the bumper body includes a body passage extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the cleat recess through the end cap passage.

36. The gas spring assembly of claim 35, wherein: The first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are arranged to be in fluid communication with each other at least through the clamping plate recess.

37. The gas spring assembly of claim 36, wherein: The first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are placed in fluid communication with each other via an end cap passage extending through the end cap wall.

38. The gas spring assembly of claim 37, wherein: The first chamber portion and the second chamber portion are disposed in fluid communication with each other through the end cap passage and a body passage extending through the bumper body and in fluid communication with the end cap passage.

39. A suspension system, comprising: a compressed gas system comprising a compressed gas source and a control device in fluid communication with the compressed gas source, Characterized in that the suspension system also includes: At least one gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 38, the at least one gas spring assembly being arranged in fluid communication with the compressed gas source, and the control device being arranged in fluid communication between the gas spring assembly and the compressed gas source.

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