Quick change tooling for air springs
By using a quick-change tooling design and a threaded connection pusher to push the airbag cover plate, the high cost of air spring assembly equipment in the existing technology is solved, enabling low-cost installation and disassembly by a single person, and adapting to different models of air springs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NINGBO SIMING AUTOMOTIVE CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing air springs require specialized press-fitting equipment for assembly and disassembly, which is costly and difficult for a single person to operate, making them particularly unsuitable for small manufacturing plants or auto repair shops.
A quick-change tooling was designed, including a first connector and a second connector. The pusher with a threaded connection pushes the airbag cover plate to move axially, thereby realizing the installation and removal of the snap ring. The friction of the thread reduces the spring rebound effect and reduces equipment cost.
It enables quick and low-cost installation and disassembly of air spring retainers by a single person. It has a reliable structure, is easy to operate, and is adaptable to different models of air springs.
Smart Images

Figure CN224527130U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of air spring technology, and more specifically, to a quick-change tooling for air springs. Background Technology
[0002] An air spring is a type of spring that uses compressed air within a retractable, sealed container, utilizing the elasticity of air. It is commonly used in vehicle suspensions to cushion road vibrations or impacts. For example, Chinese patent application number 202123449875.4 discloses an air spring structure including an upper air chamber, an upper air chamber cover, and a retaining spring. The upper air chamber has a recessed mounting groove for installing the retaining spring, and the upper air chamber cover can move axially to clamp or release the retaining spring. In existing air springs, the final step in assembly is installing the retaining spring, and the first step in disassembly is removing it.
[0003] Whether in automated or manual production lines, specialized press-fitting equipment is required to install or remove air springs. It is impossible to operate manually without this equipment. Such equipment is expensive, which is too much for small factories or auto repair shops. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address at least one of the aforementioned problems, this utility model first provides a quick-change fixture for an air spring. The air spring includes an upper air chamber, an upper air cover, and a retaining spring. The quick-change fixture includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member that are detachably connected to each other. The first connecting member is detachably connected to the upper air chamber, and a pushing member is threaded onto the second connecting member. The pushing member is used to push the upper air cover to move axially. During disassembly, an external force rotates the pushing member, causing it to push the upper air cover to move axially away from the retaining spring, thereby releasing the retaining spring and facilitating disassembly.
[0005] Optionally, the first connector is provided with a plurality of first connecting holes, and the air chamber of the airbag is provided with a plurality of second connecting holes. The number of the first connecting holes and the number of the second connecting holes are matched, and the first connecting holes and the second connecting holes are connected by bolts.
[0006] Optionally, the second connector includes a connecting portion and a gripping portion for easy holding. The connecting portion is fixedly connected to both ends of the gripping portion, the pushing member is disposed on the gripping portion, and the connecting portion is detachably connected to the first connector.
[0007] Optionally, the first connector is provided with a plurality of third connecting holes, and the connecting part is provided with a fourth connecting hole, the third connecting holes and the fourth connecting hole are connected by bolts.
[0008] Optionally, there is a height difference between the gripping part and the connecting part in the axial direction, and the height difference forms a clearance cavity between the airbag upper air chamber and the clearance cavity is used to avoid the airbag upper cover plate.
[0009] Optionally, the pusher has a push portion at one end near the airbag cover, and the push portion is adapted to abut against the airbag cover.
[0010] Optionally, the pushing part is made of a flexible material.
[0011] Optionally, the first connector is perpendicular to the second connector.
[0012] Optionally, the end of the pusher away from the airbag cover is provided with a rotating part, which is convenient for rotation by hand or tool.
[0013] Optionally, the first connector is annular in shape, and the axis of the first connector coincides with or nearly coincides with the axis of the pusher.
[0014] Compared to existing technologies, the quick-change fixture for air springs in this invention uses a first connecting member to position the quick-change fixture and the air spring, preventing the quick-change fixture from shifting during operation. Then, a second connecting member determines the working position of the pushing member, positioning it above the airbag cover. Under the action of the threaded connection, the rotational motion applied to the pushing member by external force is converted into axial movement, thereby pushing the airbag cover. At this time, the threads also provide positioning support for the pushing member. The friction between the threads reduces the rebound effect of the pushing member under the elastic force of the air spring. Users can easily and quickly install and remove the retaining ring using the quick-change fixture, which is also more cost-effective. The operation can be completed by a single person, and the structure is reliable and efficient. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a connection structure diagram of the air spring and quick-change tooling in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A sectional view;
[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A;
[0018] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the quick-change tooling according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0020] 1. First connector; 11. First connecting hole; 12. Third connecting hole; 2. Second connector; 21. Connecting part; 211. Fourth connecting hole; 22. Grip part; 3. Pushing part; 31. Pushing part; 32. Rotating part; 4. Clearance cavity; 5. Airbag upper air chamber; 51. Second connecting hole; 52. Mounting groove; 6. Airbag upper cover plate; 7. Snap ring. Detailed Implementation
[0021] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0022] This utility model embodiment provides a quick-change tooling for air springs, combined with... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the air spring includes an upper air chamber 5, an upper air cover 6, and a retaining spring 7. The quick-change fixture includes a first connecting member 1 and a second connecting member 2 that are detachably connected to each other. The first connecting member 1 is detachably connected to the upper air chamber 5. A pushing member 3 is threaded onto the second connecting member 2. The pushing member 3 is used to push the upper air cover 6 to move axially. During disassembly, an external force rotates the pushing member 3, causing the pushing member 3 to push the upper air cover 6 to move axially away from the retaining spring 7, thereby releasing the retaining spring 7 and facilitating disassembly.
[0023] The retaining spring 7 is engaged between the airbag upper cover plate 6 and the airbag upper air chamber 5, and applies an axial clamping force to the airbag upper cover plate 6 so that the airbag upper cover plate 6 can be fixed on the airbag upper air chamber 5, effectively improving the firmness and reliability of the connection between the airbag upper cover plate 6 and the airbag upper air chamber 5.
[0024] The upper air chamber 5 of the airbag is recessed with a mounting groove 52 for installing the retaining spring 7. The upper air chamber 5 of the airbag is provided with a clearance opening that connects to the mounting groove 52. When the upper cover plate 6 of the airbag moves down, the clearance opening expands, and a tool can be inserted into the clearance opening to pry the retaining spring 7 and make the retaining spring 7 disengage from the mounting groove 52.
[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, when installing the retaining spring 7, the first connecting piece 1 is first connected to the air chamber 5 of the airbag so that the quick-change tooling is positioned on the air spring. At this time, the pushing piece 3 is located above the airbag cover plate 6. Rotating the pushing piece 3 in the forward direction causes it to move axially towards the airbag cover plate 6 under the action of the threaded connection until it abuts against the airbag cover plate 6, pushing the airbag cover plate 6 to move together, thus widening the opening above the mounting groove 52, making it easier for the retaining spring 7 to enter the mounting groove 52 from the opening. After installation, rotating the pushing piece 3 in the reverse direction causes the airbag cover plate 6 to spring back under the action of the air pressure inside the air spring, pressing the retaining spring 7 tightly into the mounting groove 52. "Forward" refers to either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and "reverse" refers to the direction opposite to "forward".
[0026] This invention uses a first connecting piece 1 to position the quick-change fixture and the air spring, preventing the quick-change fixture from shifting during operation. Then, a second connecting piece 2 determines the working position of the pushing piece 3, positioning it above the airbag cover plate 6. Under the action of the threaded connection, the rotational motion applied to the pushing piece 3 by external force is converted into axial movement, thereby pushing the airbag cover plate 6 to move. At this time, the threads also provide positioning support for the pushing piece 3. The friction between the threads reduces the rebound effect of the pushing piece 3 under the elastic force of the air spring. Users can install and remove the retaining spring 7 using the quick-change fixture, which is not only convenient and quick but also lower in cost. The operation can be completed by a single person, and the structure is reliable and efficient.
[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the first connector 1 is provided with a plurality of first connecting holes 11, and the upper air chamber 5 of the airbag is provided with a plurality of second connecting holes 51. The number of the first connecting holes 11 and the number of the second connecting holes 51 are matched, and the first connecting holes 11 and the second connecting holes 51 are connected by bolts.
[0028] In this embodiment, there are three first connecting holes 11 and three second connecting holes 51. For air springs of different models or from different manufacturers, the number of second connecting holes 51 may vary, possibly being two, three, or four evenly distributed. Different first connecting parts 1 can be used to accommodate different air springs, ensuring the number of first connecting holes 11 and second connecting holes 51 is matched. The first connecting holes 11 and second connecting holes 51 are connected by bolts, which is not only simple and convenient to operate and low in cost, but also provides a stable connection structure, preventing the first connecting part 1 from shifting and allowing assembly to be completed without altering the air spring structure.
[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the second connector 2 includes a connecting portion 21 and a gripping portion 22 for easy holding. The connecting portion 21 is fixedly connected to both ends of the gripping portion 22, and the pushing member 3 is disposed on the gripping portion 22. The connecting portion 21 is detachably connected to the first connector 1.
[0030] In this embodiment, the second connector 2 is integrally formed, and the gripping part 22 protrudes upward relative to the connecting part 21. The user can pick up the entire quick-change tooling by gripping the gripping part 22.
[0031] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, optionally, the first connector 1 is provided with a plurality of third connecting holes 12, and the connecting part 21 is provided with a fourth connecting hole 211, and the third connecting holes 12 and the fourth connecting hole 211 are connected by bolts.
[0032] In this embodiment, the third connecting hole 12 and the first connecting hole 11 are staggered. The first connecting piece 1 and the second connecting piece 2 are connected by bolts, which is simple, convenient, low cost, and easy to disassemble the first connecting piece 1 and replace it with different first connecting pieces 1 to adapt to different air springs.
[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, optionally, there is a height difference between the gripping part 22 and the connecting part 21 in the axial direction, and the height difference forms a clearance cavity 4 between the airbag upper air chamber 5 and the airbag upper cover plate 6.
[0034] In this embodiment, the upper end of the airbag cover plate 6 protrudes axially from the upper air chamber 5 of the airbag and also from the height of the first connecting member 1. The upper end of the airbag cover plate 6 is accommodated in the clearance cavity 4, which also provides space for the axial movement of the pusher 3.
[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the pusher 3 is provided with a pusher part 31 at one end near the airbag cover plate 6, and the pusher part 31 is adapted to abut against the airbag cover plate 6.
[0036] In this embodiment, the pusher 3 is a hexagonal head bolt, and the pusher part 31 is the bottom of the bolt, and it has a flat bottom. In this way, when the pusher part 31 rotates to push the airbag cover plate 6, the flat bottom structure can reduce the wear on the airbag cover plate 6.
[0037] Optionally, the pushing part 31 is made of a flexible material. In other embodiments, the pushing part 31 may be a rubber part or other flexible part connected to the bottom of the pushing member 3. Compared with metal bolts, by providing a pushing part 31 made of a flexible material, the wear on the airbag cover plate 6 during rotation and pushing can be further reduced.
[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the first connector 1 is perpendicular to the second connector 2. In this embodiment, the first connector 1 is fitted and fixed to the air chamber 5 of the airbag, and the second connector 2 is perpendicular to the first connector 1, so that the pusher 3 is perpendicular to the airbag cover plate 6.
[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the end of the pusher 3 away from the airbag cover plate 6 is provided with a rotating part 32, which is convenient for rotation by hand or tool.
[0040] In this embodiment, the pusher 3 is a hexagonal head bolt, and the rotating part 32 is the hexagonal head of the bolt. The pusher 3 can be rotated by turning the rotating part 32 with a wrench. In other embodiments, the rotating part 32 can be shaped like a handle, allowing a person to directly rotate the pusher 3 by hand; or a handle can be connected above the hexagonal head, so that it can be rotated by a tool or directly by hand.
[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the first connector 1 is in the shape of a ring, and the axis of the first connector 1 coincides with or nearly coincides with the axis of the pusher 3.
[0042] In this embodiment, the shape of the first connector 1 is adapted to the shape of the air chamber 5 on the airbag. The annular shape of the first connector 1 makes the positioning and force distribution of the quick-change tooling more uniform. The elastic force transmitted from the airbag cover plate 6 to the pusher 3 can be transmitted to the first connector 1 through the second connector 2, and then to the air spring through the first connector 1, thereby achieving a force-relieving effect and preventing the second connector 2 from breaking due to excessive force. At the same time, the inner ring of the first connector 1 also leaves space to avoid the airbag cover plate 6.
[0043] Similarly, the components included in the "components," "mechanisms," and "devices" of this disclosure can also be flexibly combined. They can be modularly produced according to actual needs and assembled as an independent module; or they can be assembled separately to form a module in this device. The division of the above-mentioned components in this disclosure is only one embodiment for ease of reading and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Any technical solution that includes the above-mentioned components and has the same function should be understood as an equivalent technical solution of this disclosure.
[0044] In the description of this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" 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 disclosure 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 disclosure.
[0045] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0046] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.
[0047] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0048] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to," "set on," "fixed to," or "mounted on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is considered to be "connected to another component," it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component. Furthermore, when a component is considered to be "fixedly connected" to another component, the connection can be detachable or non-detachable, such as through socketing, snap-fitting, integral molding, welding, etc., which are achievable in conventional technologies and will not be elaborated upon here.
[0049] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0050] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this disclosure, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of this disclosure, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A quick-change tooling for an air spring, the air spring comprising an upper air chamber (5), an upper air cover (6), and a retaining spring (7), characterized in that, The quick-change tooling includes a first connector (1) and a second connector (2) that are detachably connected to each other. The first connector (1) is detachably connected to the upper air chamber (5) of the airbag. The second connector (2) is threaded with a pusher (3). The pusher (3) is used to push the upper cover plate (6) of the airbag to move axially. When disassembling, the pusher (3) is rotated by external force, so that the pusher (3) pushes the upper cover plate (6) of the airbag to move axially away from the retaining spring (7) to release the retaining spring (7) and facilitate disassembly.
2. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connector (1) is provided with a plurality of first connecting holes (11), and the upper air chamber (5) of the airbag is provided with a plurality of second connecting holes (51). The number of the first connecting holes (11) and the number of the second connecting holes (51) are matched, and the first connecting holes (11) and the second connecting holes (51) are connected by bolts.
3. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second connector (2) includes a connecting part (21) and a gripping part (22) for easy holding. The connecting part (21) is fixedly connected to both ends of the gripping part (22). The pusher (3) is provided on the gripping part (22). The connecting part (21) is detachably connected to the first connector (1).
4. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first connector (1) is provided with a plurality of third connecting holes (12), and the connecting part (21) is provided with a fourth connecting hole (211). The third connecting holes (12) and the fourth connecting hole (211) are connected by bolts.
5. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 3, characterized in that, The gripping part (22) has a height difference with the connecting part (21) in the axial direction. The height difference forms a clearance cavity (4) between the airbag upper air chamber (5) and the clearance cavity (4) is used to avoid the airbag upper cover plate (6).
6. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pusher (3) has a pusher (31) at one end near the airbag cover plate (6), and the pusher (31) is adapted to abut against the airbag cover plate (6).
7. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pushing part (31) is made of flexible material.
8. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connector (1) is perpendicular to the second connector (2).
9. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pusher (3) has a rotating part (32) at one end away from the airbag cover plate (6), which is convenient for a person or tool to rotate.
10. The quick-change tooling for air springs according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first connector (1) is in the shape of a ring, and the axis of the first connector (1) coincides with or nearly coincides with the axis of the pusher (3).