Air spring assembly and automotive suspension system

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air spring assembly and automobile suspension system, it includes: piston, along the first direction, piston has first end and second end, first end is equipped with first mounting hole, and first mounting hole penetrates first end along the first direction, second end is equipped with second mounting hole, and second mounting hole penetrates second end along the first direction, damper, damper extends along the first direction, and one end of damper passes through first mounting hole, and stretches out first end, and damper is with first mounting hole interference fit, and the other end of damper passes through second mounting hole, and stretches out second end. The utility model can prevent the relative rotation and radial movement between damper and piston.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive air springs, and in particular to an air spring assembly and an automotive suspension system. Background Technology

[0002] An air spring is a new type of spring that uses a retractable, sealed container filled with compressed air and utilizes the elastic properties of air. It has relatively ideal non-linear elastic characteristics and is mainly used in vehicle suspension systems.

[0003] During vehicle operation, the wheels continuously transmit forces and torques to the vehicle's suspension system. In existing air spring structures, the inner bores of the damper and piston often employ a clearance fit. With this clearance fit, when the vehicle's suspension system is subjected to large loads or severe torsional impacts, relative rotation and radial movement can easily occur between the damper and piston, leading to collisions, noise generation, and accelerated structural wear, thus affecting the durability and ride comfort of the vehicle's suspension system.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an air spring and automotive suspension system that limits the relative movement between the damper and the piston. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem of relative rotation and radial movement between the damper and the piston.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, an embodiment of this utility model discloses an air spring assembly, comprising:

[0007] The piston has a first end and a second end along a first direction. The first end is provided with a first mounting hole that extends through the first end along the first direction. The second end is provided with a second mounting hole that extends through the second end along the first direction.

[0008] A damper extends along a first direction, one end of which passes through the first mounting hole and extends out of the first end, the damper being interference-fitted with the first mounting hole; the other end of the damper passes through the second mounting hole and extends out of the second end.

[0009] It should be noted that the damper is fixedly connected to other structures in the vehicle's suspension system (such as brackets). When the vehicle is in motion, the forces and torques transmitted from the wheels to the vehicle's suspension system are transmitted through the damper, thereby driving the damper to move along or rotate around the first direction.

[0010] With the above technical solution, the damper is housed inside the piston, and both ends of the damper extend outward from the piston through the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, respectively. By interfering with the first mounting hole (i.e., the inner hole in the prior art) of the piston, the damper and the piston do not move relative to each other, thereby avoiding abnormal noise and wear caused by collision between the damper and the piston.

[0011] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, wherein the outer periphery of the damper is provided with a plurality of positioning keys that protrude outward along a second direction.

[0012] The inner wall of the first mounting hole is provided with multiple keyways, and each keyway corresponds to a positioning key.

[0013] The positioning key is interference-fitted with the keyway.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, by setting positioning keys and corresponding keyways, and by using the interference fit between the positioning keys and keyways, the damper is positioned and constrained in the rotation direction, thus avoiding relative rotation between the piston and the damper due to torsional impact, thereby eliminating abnormal noise and wear caused by collision under torsional conditions.

[0015] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the positioning key gradually decreases along the second direction outward.

[0016] Using the above technical solution, along the second direction, the cross-sectional dimensions of the locating key are set to gradually decrease from the outer periphery of the damper outwards. Given that the cross-sectional dimensions of the locating key near the damper end are the same and the height of the locating key is the same, compared to a rectangular locating key with the same cross-sectional dimensions, the locating key in this embodiment reduces the amount of external material used.

[0017] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, wherein the positioning key has a dimension greater than or equal to 1 mm in the second direction.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the minimum size of the locating key in the second direction is limited to 1 mm, ensuring that the locating key has sufficient resistance to torsional torque and shear strength. This prevents the locating key from failing due to shear failure, plastic deformation, or crushing of the contact surface under load impact, thus avoiding relative movement between the damper and the piston.

[0019] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, wherein a plurality of positioning keys are evenly arranged on the outer periphery of the damper.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, multiple positioning keys are evenly arranged on the outer periphery of the damper, and the keyways correspond one-to-one with the positioning keys. That is, the keyways are also evenly arranged on the inner wall of the first mounting hole, which ensures the stability of the connection between the damper and the piston and avoids local stress concentration and off-center load caused by uneven force.

[0021] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, wherein the damper is provided with a damping ring, the damping ring is arranged around the damper, and the damping ring is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, a damping ring is set on the outer periphery of the damper. The damping ring is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole, that is, the damper is confined within the second mounting hole and the damper cannot move relative to the second mounting hole, thereby avoiding wear and abnormal noise caused by the relative movement of the damper and the second mounting hole.

[0023] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, which further includes:

[0024] A sealing ring is fitted onto the damper and positioned between the locating key and the damping ring along the first direction. The sealing ring is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, a sealing ring is set between the damper and the second mounting hole, and the sealing ring is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole to fully fill the gap between the damper and the second mounting hole. The sealing ring can prevent the gas inside the piston from leaking from the second mounting hole, and at the same time block the intrusion of external contaminants.

[0026] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, wherein the first mounting hole includes a first hole and a second hole, and the cross-sectional dimension of the first hole in the second direction is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the second hole in the second direction.

[0027] The keyway is provided on the inner wall of the second hole.

[0028] By adopting the above technical solution, the first mounting hole is set as a stepped hole structure, the positioning key of the damper is interference-fitted with the larger second hole, and the size difference between the smaller first hole and the larger second hole is used to form a unidirectional limit in the first direction, preventing the damper from continuing to move in the positive direction of the first direction.

[0029] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, an air spring assembly is disclosed, wherein the positioning key has a chamfer at one end near the first end along the first direction.

[0030] By adopting the above technical solution, a chamfer is set at one end of the positioning key, which can generate a guiding effect during the assembly process, allowing the positioning key to slide into the keyway, reducing assembly resistance and avoiding chipping and scratches.

[0031] The present invention also discloses an automobile suspension system, which includes at least the air spring assembly in any of the above embodiments;

[0032] The other end of the damper in the air spring assembly is fixedly mounted on the bracket. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an air spring according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 A perspective view of an air spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0036] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the piston according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 5 This shows a front view of the damper according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 A cross-sectional view along the BB direction;

[0039] Figure 7 Show Figure 6 Enlarged view of section D in the middle;

[0040] Figure 8 A perspective view of an automotive suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0041] Air spring 100;

[0042] Piston structure 110; Inner bore 111; Outer bore 112; Damper structure 120; Rubber gasket 130;

[0043] Air spring assembly 200;

[0044] Piston 210; First end 211; First mounting hole 2111; Keyway 21111; First hole 21112; Second hole 21113; Second end 212; Second mounting hole 2121;

[0045] Damper 220; Locating key 221; Chamfer 2211; Damping ring 222;

[0046] Sealing ring 230;

[0047] Automotive suspension system 300;

[0048] Bracket 310. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of this utility model will be presented in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this utility model are limited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the purpose of describing the utility model in conjunction with the embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that may be derived based on the claims of this utility model. To provide a deep understanding of this utility model, many specific details will be included in the following description. This utility model may also be implemented without using these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion or obscuring the focus of this utility model, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0050] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0051] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship that the utility model product is usually placed in during use. They are only for the convenience of describing the utility model 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 the utility model.

[0052] The terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0053] In the description of this embodiment, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "connected," and "linked" 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 of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment based on the specific circumstances.

[0054] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an air spring 100 according to some embodiments of this application is shown as an example.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, an air spring 100 includes at least a piston structure 110, a damper structure 120, and a rubber gasket 130. The piston structure 110 has an inner hole 111 and an outer hole 112. One end of the damper structure 120 is clearance-fitted with the inner hole 111 to facilitate installation of the damper structure 120 into the piston structure 110. The other end of the damper structure 120 passes through the outer hole 112. The rubber gasket 130 is sleeved on the damper structure 120 and is interference-fitted with the outer hole 112 of the piston structure 110 to compensate for radial movement of the damper structure 120. When the damper structure 120 is subjected to torque and rotates, the rubber gasket 130 absorbs stress through its own elastic deformation, suppressing rotation to a certain extent and preventing direct collision between the damper structure 120 and the inner hole 111.

[0057] However, under heavy loads or severe torsional impacts, the compensation capacity of the rubber gasket 130 tends to saturate, failing to provide sufficient restraint. The damper structure 120 will experience radial runout or rotation, causing it to collide with the inner bore 111, generating abnormal noise and accelerating the wear of the contact surfaces between the damper structure 120 and the piston structure 110. Furthermore, the additional rubber gasket 130 not only increases the installation process but also wastes materials and costs.

[0058] To address the aforementioned existing problems, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 This application provides an air spring assembly 200, including a piston 210 and a damper 220. In this embodiment, the damper 220 is a cylindrical shaft, with a first direction ( Figure 2The X direction shown is the axial direction of the damper 220. The piston 210 has a cavity structure. Along the first direction, the piston 210 has a first end 211 and a second end 212. The first end 211 is provided with a first mounting hole 2111, which penetrates the first end 211 along the first direction. The inner wall of the first mounting hole 2111 is provided with a plurality of keyways 21111. The second end 212 is provided with a second mounting hole 2121, which penetrates the second end 212 along the first direction.

[0059] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the damper 220 extends along a first direction, one end of the damper 220 passes through the first mounting hole 2111 and extends out of the first end 211, and the outer periphery of the damper 220 is provided with a plurality of protrusions along a second direction. Figure 2 The positioning key 221 protrudes outward in the Y direction (as shown in the diagram). A keyway 21111 corresponds one-to-one with the positioning key 221, and the positioning key 221 and keyway 21111 are interference-fitted. In this embodiment, the second direction is the radial direction of the damper 220. The other end of the damper 220 passes through the second mounting hole 2121 and extends outward to the second end 212.

[0060] The interference fit between the locating key 221 and the keyway 21111 achieves both axial and radial constraints, as well as circumferential positioning and constraint of the damper 220. This prevents the piston 210 and the damper 220 from moving or rotating relative to each other due to torsional impact, thereby eliminating abnormal noise and wear caused by collisions under torsional conditions.

[0061] In some possible implementations, the positioning key 221 may not be provided, and the damper 220 may be directly interference-fitted with the first mounting hole 2111. This ensures that there is no relative movement between the damper 220 and the piston 210, thereby avoiding abnormal noise and wear caused by collision between the damper 220 and the piston 210.

[0062] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, along the first direction, the height h of the keyway 21111 is ( Figure 3 The height h (as shown in the middle) is 5mm, and the height h of the keyway 21111 is less than the height H of the locating key 221. Figure 3 As shown in H), even if the locating key 221 has axial dimensional deviation or wear during assembly, the locating key 221 can still maintain sufficient contact area with the keyway 21111.

[0063] In some possible implementations, the height h of the keyway 21111 is not limited to 5mm, as long as it is greater than or equal to 1mm, such as 1mm, 3mm, 8mm, etc., and is not limited in this application. The height h of the keyway 21111 must not be less than 1mm. If the height h of the keyway 21111 is less than 1mm, the key mating parts may experience shear failure, plastic deformation, or even detachment due to excessive stress per unit area when subjected to large loads or severe torsional impacts, affecting the reliability and service life of the structure.

[0064] In some possible implementations, the height h of the keyway 21111 can be greater than or equal to the height H of the positioning key 221. As long as the keyway 21111 and the positioning key 221 can match and have an interference fit, this application does not limit this as long as sufficient contact surface is ensured.

[0065] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the damper 220 is provided with a damping ring 222, which is arranged around the damper 220 and is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole 2121.

[0066] The damper 220 cannot move relative to the second mounting hole 2121, thus avoiding wear and abnormal noise caused by relative movement between the damper 220 and the second mounting hole 2121. The positioning key 221 is interference-fitted with the first mounting hole 2111, fixing the damper 220 from the first end 211 and the second end 212 of the piston 210 respectively. This achieves axial and radial fixation of the damper 220, as well as circumferential constraint, making the connection between the piston 210 and the damper 220 more stable. Simultaneously, a closed space is formed inside the piston 210, ensuring the airtightness of the gas inside the piston 210.

[0067] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the damping ring 222 is made of plastic. In some possible embodiments, the material of the damping ring 222 may include, but is not limited to, plastic, and may be a metal (such as copper alloy, aluminum alloy, etc.), or a wear-resistant material such as composite material.

[0068] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the air spring assembly 200 further includes a sealing ring 230. The sealing ring 230 is sleeved on the damper 220, positioned along a first direction between the locating key 221 and the damping ring 222. The outer periphery of the sealing ring 230 is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole 2121, and the inner periphery of the sealing ring 230 is interference-fitted with the damper 220. The sealing ring 230 is made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber, silicone, fluororubber, or polyurethane.

[0069] Based on the elastic deformation characteristics of the sealing ring 230, the sealing ring 230 fully fills the gap between the damper 220 and the second mounting hole 2121, which can further prevent the gas inside the piston 210 from leaking from the second mounting hole 2121, while blocking the intrusion of external contaminants.

[0070] In this embodiment, the sealing ring 230 is an O-ring. In some possible embodiments, the sealing ring 230 includes, but is not limited to, O-rings, and other sealing rings may be selected according to sealing requirements, such as X-rings, rectangular rings, star-shaped rings, or pill-shaped sealing rings. Other sealing methods may also be selected, such as oil seals, PTFE sealing rings, and field-molded seals (such as applying sealant or molding paste).

[0071] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the first mounting hole 2111 is a stepped hole, and the first mounting hole 2111 includes a first hole 21112 and a second hole 21113. The first hole 21112 has a dimension b in the second direction. Figure 3 (as shown in b) is smaller than the dimension c of the second hole 21113 in the second direction. Figure 3 (as shown in c). A keyway 21111 is provided on the inner wall of the second hole 21113. The damper 220 is a stepped circular shaft with a variable diameter, part of which is clearance-fitted with the first hole 21112 and part of which is interference-fitted with the keyway 21111 of the second hole 21113.

[0072] Along the first direction, the first hole 21112 and the second hole 21113 are coaxial and interconnected. The dimensional difference between the first hole 21112 and the second hole 21113 forms a limiting design, creating a unidirectional limit in the first direction, preventing the damper 220 from continuing along the positive direction of the first direction. Figure 2 (As shown in the middle Z) move.

[0073] In some possible implementations, the dimension b of the first hole 21112 in the second direction may also be greater than or equal to the dimension c of the second hole 21113 in the second direction, as long as the damper 220 and the first mounting hole 2111 are interference-fitted. The specific dimensions are not limited in this application.

[0074] refer to Figure 5 In this embodiment, along the first direction, the end of the positioning key 221 near the first end 211 is provided with a chamfer 2211. During the assembly process, it can generate a guiding effect, allowing the positioning key 221 to slide into the keyway 21111, reducing assembly resistance and avoiding chipping and scratches.

[0075] refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6In this embodiment, multiple positioning keys 221 are evenly and continuously arranged on the outer periphery of the damper 220. This improves the stability of the connection between the damper 220 and the piston 210 and avoids local stress concentration and off-center loading caused by uneven force distribution.

[0076] In some possible implementations, the multiple positioning keys 221 can also be arranged non-uniformly and non-continuously, which can ensure that the keyway 21111 and the positioning key 221 correspond one-to-one at the same time, and the keyway 21111 and the positioning key 221 can be interference-fitted.

[0077] refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 In this embodiment, the cross-sectional dimension of the positioning key 221 gradually decreases along the second direction outward, and the cross-section of the positioning key 221 is trapezoidal. In some possible embodiments, the cross-section of the positioning key 221 may include, but is not limited to, a trapezoid, and may be triangular, wedge-shaped, involute, etc.

[0078] In some possible implementations, the positioning key 221 may include, but is not limited to, the cross-sectional size of the positioning key 221 gradually decreasing in the second direction outward, or the cross-sectional size of the positioning key 221 in the second direction may remain unchanged or increase, so as to play a positioning role and be able to have an interference fit with the keyway 21111.

[0079] refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 In this embodiment, the positioning key 221 has a dimension a in the second direction ( Figure 7 (as shown in a) is equal to 1 mm. In some possible implementations, the dimension a of the positioning key 221 in the second direction is not limited to 1 mm, but can be greater than 1 mm, such as 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, etc.

[0080] By limiting the minimum dimension of the locating key 221 in the second direction to 1 mm, sufficient torsional torque and shear strength are ensured. This prevents the locating key 221 from failing due to shear failure, plastic deformation, or crushing of the contact surface under load impact, thus avoiding relative movement between the damper 220 and the piston 210.

[0081] refer to Figure 8 This application also provides an automotive suspension system 300, including: an air spring assembly 200 and a bracket 310 as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the other end of the damper 220 in the air spring assembly 200 is fixedly mounted on the bracket 310.

[0082] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the above description is a further detailed explanation of the present invention in conjunction with specific embodiments, and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the present invention to these descriptions. Those skilled in the art can make various changes in form and detail, including some simple deductions or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air spring assembly, characterized in that, include: The piston has a first end and a second end along a first direction. The first end is provided with a first mounting hole that extends through the first end along the first direction. The second end is provided with a second mounting hole that extends through the second end along the first direction. A damper extends along a first direction, one end of which passes through the first mounting hole and extends out of the first end, the damper being interference-fitted with the first mounting hole; the other end of the damper passes through the second mounting hole and extends out of the second end.

2. The air spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The damper is provided with a plurality of positioning keys that protrude outward along the second direction on its outer periphery; The inner wall of the first mounting hole is provided with multiple keyways, and each keyway corresponds to a positioning key. The positioning key is interference-fitted with the keyway.

3. The air spring assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Moving outward along the second direction, the cross-sectional dimension of the positioning key gradually decreases in the second direction.

4. The air spring assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The locating key has a dimension greater than or equal to 1 mm in the second direction.

5. The air spring assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The plurality of positioning keys are evenly arranged on the outer periphery of the damper.

6. The air spring assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The damper is provided with a damping ring, which is arranged around the damper and is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole.

7. The air spring assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A sealing ring is fitted onto the damper and positioned between the locating key and the damping ring along the first direction. The sealing ring is interference-fitted with the second mounting hole.

8. The air spring assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The first mounting hole includes a first hole and a second hole, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the first hole in the second direction is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the second hole in the second direction; The keyway is provided on the inner wall of the second hole.

9. The air spring assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, Along the first direction, the end of the positioning key near the first end has a chamfer.

10. A car suspension system, characterized in that, include: The air spring assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; The other end of the damper in the air spring assembly is fixedly mounted on the bracket.

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