Air spring casing and air spring
By combining a plastic matrix and fiber components, the problems of heavy weight and high cost of metal casings are solved, achieving lightweighting and performance improvement of air spring casings, thereby improving vehicle handling and range.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KH ADVANCED SUSPENSION CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing metal air spring retainers are expensive and dense, resulting in a heavy overall weight of the air spring. This affects the suspension system's response speed and shock absorption performance, increases vehicle fuel consumption, and reduces driving range.
It adopts a combined structure of plastic matrix and fiber components. The plastic cylinder serves as the matrix, and the fiber components are arranged around the matrix to improve strength and durability. The fiber material can be glass fiber or basalt fiber, forming an interlaced mesh structure to enhance performance.
It achieves lightweighting of air spring sleeves, reduces material costs, while maintaining or improving mechanical performance and durability, improves suspension system response and shock absorption performance, reduces fuel consumption, and increases driving range.
Smart Images
Figure CN224135074U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of air spring technology, and in particular to an air spring sleeve and an air spring. Background Technology
[0002] Air spring sleeves are an important component of air spring systems. They are usually cylindrical in shape and are coaxially mounted with the air spring's airbag assembly. They can be fitted over the outside of the airbag assembly to provide protection and support for the airbag.
[0003] Modern air spring retainers are typically made of metal (such as aluminum and steel). While they offer advantages like high strength and good support, the high cost and density of metal retainers result in a heavier overall weight for the air spring. This is especially true in vehicle applications, where it not only increases unsprung mass, affecting the suspension system's response speed and damping performance, potentially leading to decreased vehicle handling and accelerated tire wear, but also significantly impacts fuel consumption. Excessively heavy retainers increase overall fuel or electricity consumption, reducing driving range. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an air spring retainer and an air spring, in order to solve to some extent the technical problems of the prior art, which are that the raw materials of metal retainers are expensive and dense, resulting in a heavy overall weight of the air spring. Especially in vehicle applications, this not only increases the unsprung mass, affecting the response speed and shock absorption performance of the suspension system, which may lead to a decrease in vehicle handling and accelerated tire wear, but also greatly affects the vehicle's energy consumption. The excessively heavy retainer will increase the vehicle's fuel consumption or electricity consumption and reduce the driving range.
[0005] According to a first aspect of this application, an air spring sleeve is provided, comprising a base portion and a fiber portion, the base portion having an axial direction, the base portion being a plastic cylinder, the plastic cylinder extending along the axial direction;
[0006] The fiber portion is attached to the base portion, and the fiber portion is disposed around the base portion.
[0007] Preferably, the fiber portion is cylindrical and covers the outer side of the base portion.
[0008] Preferably, the fiber portion includes a plurality of fiber rings, which are disposed around the outside of the sidewall of the matrix portion, and the plurality of fiber rings are spaced apart along the axial direction.
[0009] Preferably, at least a portion of the fiber rings define a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction;
[0010] And / or, at least a portion of the plurality of fiber rings define a plane that forms an obtuse or acute angle with respect to the axial direction.
[0011] Preferably, the fiber portion is in the form of a strip, with the axis of the base portion as the axis, and the fiber portion is spirally wound around the outside of the sidewall of the base portion.
[0012] Preferably, the base portion has a hollow hole extending through the base portion along the axial direction;
[0013] The fiber portion is strip-shaped, penetrates the hollow hole, and alternately wraps around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the base portion.
[0014] Preferably, the fiber portion is alternately wound around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the matrix portion along the axial direction;
[0015] And / or, the fiber portion is alternately wound around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the matrix portion in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction intersecting the axial direction.
[0016] Preferably, the fiber portion is glass fiber or basalt fiber.
[0017] Preferably, the fiber portion comprises multiple sets of the fiber portion, and the winding directions of the multiple sets of fiber portion are arranged in a cross manner.
[0018] According to a second aspect of this application, an air spring is provided, comprising the air spring sleeve described in any of the above technical solutions, and thus possesses all the beneficial technical effects of the air spring sleeve, which will not be repeated here.
[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows:
[0020] The air spring casing provided in this application, on the one hand, by setting the base part as a plastic cylinder, can not only effectively promote the lightweighting of the air spring casing and reduce the material cost of the air spring casing, but also effectively improve the corrosion resistance of the air spring casing; on the other hand, by setting the fiber part around the base part, the strength and durability of the plastic cylinder can be effectively improved, and the inherent defects of the plastic base part such as low strength and easy aging and cracking can be effectively improved. This allows the air spring casing to maintain the mechanical properties and long service life of existing traditional metal casings even when using plastic as the base, and achieves the advantages of lightweight and low cost of air spring casing.
[0021] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0023] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 1 of this application;
[0024] Figure 2 This is a side view of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 2 of this application;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 2 of this application.
[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another side view of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 2 of this application;
[0027] Figure 5 This is a side view of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 3 of this application;
[0028] Figure 6 This is a side view of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 4 of this application;
[0029] Figure 7 This is a side view of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 4 of this application.
[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another side view of the air spring casing provided in Embodiment 4 of this application;
[0031] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the air spring provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0032] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an air spring provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0033] Figure label:
[0034] 1-Sheath; 11-Base; 12-Fiber section; 2-Airbag. Detailed Implementation
[0035] The technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of this application, but not all embodiments.
[0036] The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application.
[0037] Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0038] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0039] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0040] The following reference Figures 1 to 10 This application describes an air spring sleeve and an air spring according to some embodiments thereof.
[0041] See Figures 1 to 10As shown, an embodiment of the first aspect of this application provides an air spring casing (hereinafter referred to as casing 1), which includes a base portion 11 and a fiber portion 12. The base portion 11 has an axial direction and is a plastic cylinder extending along the axial direction. The fiber portion 12 is attached to the base portion 11 and is disposed around the base portion 11. Thus, on the one hand, by making the base portion 11 a plastic cylinder, not only can the lightweighting of the air spring casing be effectively promoted and the material cost of the air spring casing reduced, but the corrosion resistance of the air spring casing can also be effectively improved. On the other hand, by disposing of the fiber portion 12 around the base portion 11, the strength and durability of the plastic cylinder can be effectively improved, effectively improving the inherent defects of the plastic base portion 11, such as low strength and easy aging and cracking. Even when using plastic as the base, it can still maintain the mechanical properties and long service life of conventional metal casings, and achieve the advantages of lightweight and low cost of air spring casings.
[0042] It should be noted that the aforementioned base portion 11 is a plastic cylinder, which can be understood as a cylindrical structure injection molded from rigid plastic (e.g., PP, PVC, FRP, PC, PA, ABS, PET, PMMA, PU, PPO, PEEK, PTFE, etc.). Figure 9 and Figure 10 The figure shows two examples of the protective sleeve 1, but it is not limited to the shape of the protective sleeve 1 shown in the figure. The shape of the protective sleeve 1 can be adapted to meet the actual needs of the air spring.
[0043] Preferably, the fiber portion 12 can be glass fiber.
[0044] Preferably, the fiber portion 12 can be basalt fiber.
[0045] However, it is not limited to this. As long as it can improve the mechanical properties of the plastic cylinder (i.e., the base part 11) and extend its service life, the fiber part 12 can also be other fiber materials, such as carbon fiber.
[0046] like Figures 1 to 10 The dotted line shown in the figure can be an example of the axis of the base portion 11 described above. For example... Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the figure, four different arrangements of the fiber section 12 are illustrated. The specific structure of the air spring sleeve will be described in detail below based on these four different embodiments.
[0047] Example 1, as Figure 1As shown, the fiber portion 12 can be cylindrical and can cover the outer side of the base portion 11. In this way, the cylindrical structure formed by the fiber portion 12 can wrap the plastic base portion 11 in all directions, which not only allows the fiber to uniformly bear the tensile / compressive load transmitted by the airbag 2 along the axial direction of the protective sleeve 1, effectively improving the uniformity of the axial stress distribution of the protective sleeve 1 and reducing the risk of end cracking; but also effectively improves the impact resistance and wear resistance of the protective sleeve 1.
[0048] It should be noted that the aforementioned cylindrical shape of the fiber portion 12 can be understood as the fiber material being prefabricated into a fiber tube, and then the base portion 11 being injection molded using this fiber body as a binding body to achieve the connection between the fiber portion 12 and the base portion 11. This manufacturing technology is prior art in the field and will not be elaborated further here.
[0049] Example 2, as Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the fiber section 12 may include multiple fiber rings. The fiber rings are arranged around the outside of the sidewall of the base section 11. The multiple fiber rings are spaced apart along the axial direction. In this way, by arranging the fiber rings at intervals in the axial direction, not only can the reinforcing layer be precisely arranged in the high stress area (such as the middle and end) of the airbag 2 during expansion and contraction, avoiding "over-reinforcement" of the continuous fiber layer, but also the protective sleeve 1 is allowed to produce controllable deformation during axial expansion and contraction, avoiding the movement hindrance of the airbag 2 caused by the continuous rigid layer, which is especially suitable for air springs with a large stroke.
[0050] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the plane defined by the fiber ring can be perpendicular to the axial direction, so as to provide radial constraint stiffness through the fiber ring, effectively suppressing the circumferential bulge when the airbag 2 expands, and improving the geometric stability of the air spring.
[0051] Preferably, such as Figure 3 As shown, the plane defined by the fiber ring can have an obtuse or acute angle with the axial direction to form an axial-radial composite support network. The tilt angle can convert tensile / compressive loads into shear stress of the fibers, effectively improving the axial tensile strength of the sleeve 1 and enhancing its torsional resistance.
[0052] Preferably, the plurality of fiber rings included in the fiber section 12 can be divided into multiple groups. In the same group, the planes defined by the fiber rings are arranged in parallel. In different groups, the planes defined by the fiber rings intersect each other. In this way, the uniformity of the improvement in the axial tensile strength and torsional performance of the sleeve 1 by the fiber section 12 is improved. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, an example force is illustrated in which the plurality of fiber rings included in the fiber section 12 can be divided into two groups, wherein the angle between the defined plane and the axial direction of the two groups of fiber rings is complementary to each other, so as to further ensure the uniformity of the improvement of the axial tensile strength and torsional performance of the fiber section 12 on the sleeve 1.
[0053] Example 3, as Figure 5 As shown, the fiber portion 12 can also be in the form of a strip. The fiber portion 12 can be spirally wound around the axis of the matrix portion 11 and around the outer side of the sidewall of the matrix portion 11. In this way, on the one hand, the spiral winding forms a continuous spiral reinforcement layer, which can uniformly transmit the load during the reciprocating motion of the airbag 2 and avoid the "stress fault" problem of the spaced fiber rings; on the other hand, the strip-shaped fiber facilitates the operation of winding the fiber portion 12 onto the matrix portion 11, and can be continuously produced by automated winding equipment, effectively improving production efficiency.
[0054] Optionally, the aforementioned casing 1 may include multiple sets of fiber sections 12, with the winding directions of the multiple sets of fiber sections 12 arranged in a cross pattern. This allows the fiber sections 12 to form an interlaced grid structure, thereby reducing the strength difference between different directions and enabling them to withstand tensile, compressive, and shear loads simultaneously, thus solving the "short-plank effect" of traditional unidirectional fiber layers.
[0055] Example 4, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the base portion 11 has a hollow hole extending through the base portion 11 along the axial direction to accommodate the air bladder 2 of the air spring. Preferably, as shown... Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the fiber portion 12 can also be in the form of a strip. The fiber portion 12 penetrates the hollow hole and is alternately wound around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the base portion 11. On the one hand, the strip-shaped structure of the fiber portion 12 can effectively facilitate the winding operation of the fiber portion 12. On the other hand, by penetrating the hollow hole, the fiber portion 12 is alternately wound relative to the inner and outer sides of the base portion 11, so that fiber layers are formed on both the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the base portion 11. The outer fiber layer can resist the impact of gravel, and the inner fiber layer can effectively prevent friction damage to the airbag 2.
[0056] Optionally, such as Figure 6 As shown, the fiber portion 12 is alternately wound around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the base portion 11 along the axial direction.
[0057] Optionally, such as Figure 7 As shown, the fiber portion 12 is alternately wound around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the base portion 11 in a predetermined direction, and the predetermined direction intersects the axial direction.
[0058] Preferably, such as Figure 8 As shown, the aforementioned protective sleeve 1 may include multiple sets of fiber sections 12, and the winding directions of the multiple sets of fiber sections 12 are arranged in a cross manner. In this way, the fiber sections 12 can form an interlaced grid structure to reduce the strength difference between each direction, and can simultaneously withstand tensile, compressive and shear loads, thus solving the "short plank effect" of traditional unidirectional fiber layers.
[0059] See Figure 9 and Figure 10 The second aspect of this application also provides an air spring, including the air spring sleeve described in any of the above embodiments, and thus has all the beneficial technical effects of the air spring sleeve, which will not be repeated here.
[0060] Specifically, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the air spring may include the aforementioned protective sleeve 1 and airbag 2.
[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. An air spring bushing characterized by, It includes a base portion and a fiber portion, the base portion having an axial direction, the base portion being a plastic cylinder, the plastic cylinder extending along the axial direction; The fiber portion is attached to the base portion, and the fiber portion is disposed around the base portion.
2. The air spring barrel of claim 1, wherein, The fiber portion is cylindrical and covers the outside of the base portion.
3. The air spring barrel of claim 1, wherein, The fiber portion includes a plurality of fiber rings, which are disposed around the outside of the sidewall of the matrix portion, and the plurality of fiber rings are spaced apart along the axial direction.
4. The air spring sleeve according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least a portion of the plurality of fiber rings define a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction; And / or, at least a portion of the plurality of fiber rings define a plane that forms an obtuse or acute angle with respect to the axial direction.
5. The air spring barrel of claim 1, wherein, The fiber portion is strip-shaped, with the axis of the base portion as the axis, and the fiber portion is spirally wound around the outside of the sidewall of the base portion.
6. The air spring barrel of claim 1, wherein, The base portion has a hollow hole that penetrates the base portion along the axial direction; The fiber portion is strip-shaped, penetrates the hollow hole, and alternately wraps around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the base portion.
7. The air spring sleeve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fiber portion is alternately wound around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the matrix portion along the axial direction; And / or, the fiber portion is alternately wound around the inner and outer sides of the sidewall of the matrix portion in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction intersecting the axial direction.
8. The air spring barrel of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The fiber portion is made of glass fiber or basalt fiber.
9. The air spring bushing of claims 5 or 6, wherein, It includes multiple sets of the aforementioned fiber portions, and the winding directions of the multiple sets of the fiber portions are arranged in a cross manner.
10. An air spring characterized by, Includes the air spring casing as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.