Air spring chamber structure for improving the compression rate of the bladder

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of air spring air chamber structure of improving capsule skin compression rate, including air chamber body, the bottom of air chamber body is provided with the assembly part for being assembled with capsule skin, and the outer diameter between air chamber body and assembly part is greater than the annular step of inward recess formed between the outer diameter;The step surface of the annular step is intervalled and is provided with several boss that is projected downward along the circumference, and the clearance for releasing when capsule skin is compressed is reserved between step surface and the top of capsule skin to be assembled by each the boss.The utility model's advantage the core structure layout of the structure is clear air chamber body, assembly part, annular step and boss, the clearance reserved between boss and capsule skin, directly provides release space for capsule skin compression, solves the core problem of insufficient capsule skin compression rate of existing aluminum alloy air chamber from the structural design level;While this structural layout lays the foundation for subsequent sealing optimization, indirectly reduces the air leakage risk caused by capsule skin sticking problem under extreme working condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of automotive air spring components, specifically to an air spring chamber structure that improves the compression ratio of the bladder. Background Technology

[0002] As a core component of the automotive suspension system, the performance of the air spring directly affects the ride comfort, handling stability, and attitude adjustment capability of the vehicle. The air chamber, as a key component of the air spring, mainly serves to store compressed air and support the front suspension. At the same time, it can adjust the stiffness of the air spring and the vehicle's ground clearance by changing its own volume, thereby ensuring the damping effect of the air spring and the vehicle's attitude balance performance.

[0003] Currently, the air spring chamber structure on the market is mainly made of aluminum alloy. Due to the characteristics of aluminum alloy, it has high structural rigidity and strong impact resistance, and can adapt to complex working conditions. However, due to the limitations of traditional structural design, there are two major problems: First, the compression ratio of the bladder is limited, which cannot provide a sufficient stiffness adjustment range for the air spring and makes it difficult to meet the performance requirements of different driving scenarios; Second, the sealing performance is poor, and the fit between the air chamber and the bladder is insufficient. Under extreme working conditions, gas leakage is prone to occur, which not only affects the support performance of the air spring, but may also cause safety hazards.

[0004] Therefore, how to effectively solve the problems of insufficient bladder compression ratio and poor sealing reliability while ensuring the rigidity and lightweight advantages of aluminum alloy gas chamber structure has become an urgent technical problem to be solved in this field. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention aims to address the technical problems of insufficient compression ratio of existing aluminum alloy gas chamber bladders and high risk of leakage under extreme operating conditions. To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this invention provides a method that optimizes the structural design to form an effective compression gap between the bladder and the gas chamber, thereby achieving multiple benefits such as improved bladder compression ratio, enhanced sealing performance, and optimized structural stability.

[0006] To achieve the purpose of this utility model, the following technical solution is adopted: An air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder includes a chamber body. The bottom of the chamber body has an assembly part for assembling with the bladder. The outer diameter of the chamber body is larger than the outer diameter of the assembly part, forming an inwardly recessed annular step. Several downwardly protruding bosses are spaced circumferentially on the step surface of the annular step, creating a gap between the step surface and the top of the bladder to be assembled, allowing for release during bladder compression. This design clearly defines the core structural layout of the chamber body, assembly part, annular step, and bosses. The gap between the bosses and the bladder directly provides release space for bladder compression, addressing the core problem of insufficient bladder compressibility in existing aluminum alloy air springs from a structural design perspective. Simultaneously, it indirectly reduces the risk of air leakage due to bladder adhesion problems under extreme operating conditions.

[0007] Preferably, there are six bosses, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the step surface of the annular step, with an included angle of 60° between adjacent bosses. This design of six evenly distributed circumferential bosses with an included angle of 60° ensures balanced force distribution on the bladder at all circumferential positions, avoiding wear or uneven compression caused by localized force concentration. The evenly distributed bosses also allow for a closer fit between the bladder and the air chamber, further improving the stability of the air spring during operation, while ensuring consistent compression rates in all areas.

[0008] Preferably, the boss protrudes downwards from the step surface by a height greater than 1.5 mm. This structure provides sufficient compression stroke space for the air chamber, ensuring that the air chamber obtains a sufficient compression ratio to meet the functional requirements of adjusting the stiffness and ground clearance of the air spring; the sufficient protrusion height also enhances the contact stability between the boss and the air chamber, indirectly improving the overall load-bearing capacity of the air chamber.

[0009] Preferably, the boss has rounded corners on both sides of the radial direction of the air chamber body, and the radial cross-section of the boss is approximately "V"-shaped, with the smaller end of the "V"-shape facing the radially outer side of the air chamber body and the larger end facing the radially inner side of the air chamber body. By setting rounded corners on both sides of the radial cross-section of the boss to form an "V"-shaped structure, with the smaller end facing the radially outer side and the larger end facing the radially inner side, frictional wear between the bladder skin and the boss is reduced during assembly, lowering the risk of bladder skin breakage and extending the service life of the bladder skin. On the other hand, the "V"-shaped structure can guide the bladder skin to deform smoothly during compression, avoiding jamming, while optimizing the stress distribution of the bladder skin and improving the stability of the compression process.

[0010] Preferably, the end face of the boss facing the radially outer side of the gas chamber body is coplanar with the outer peripheral wall of the gas chamber body, and the end face of the boss facing the radially inner side of the gas chamber body is fitted with the outer peripheral wall of the top of the assembly part. By having the outer radial end of the boss coplanar with the outer peripheral wall of the gas chamber body and the inner radial end fitted with the outer peripheral wall of the assembly part, the integrity and sealing of the gas chamber structure are ensured, reducing gas leakage channels. This structural design makes the gas chamber look neat, avoids gaps during assembly, further reduces the risk of gas leakage under extreme operating conditions, and improves the structural strength of the gas chamber.

[0011] Preferably, the air chamber body and all the protrusions are manufactured using an integral molding process. This integral molding process reduces assembly steps and improves production efficiency; the integral structure avoids assembly gaps, significantly enhancing the sealing performance and structural rigidity of the air chamber, effectively solving the problems of air leakage and insufficient impact resistance caused by assembly gaps in existing air chambers, while also reducing the risk of errors during the production process.

[0012] Preferably, the integral molding process is die casting, and the rounded corners on the boss are formed by subsequent milling. By using die casting, both production efficiency and structural accuracy are considered, enabling one-time molding of complex structures and avoiding the accumulation of residual material. The rounded corners of the boss are processed by subsequent milling, allowing for flexible adjustment of the rounded corner size to adapt to the compression requirements of different bladders. Moreover, the high precision of milling ensures the consistency of the rounded corner size, further optimizing the bladder compression effect and sealing performance, while reducing adjustment costs.

[0013] Preferably, the air chamber body and all the bosses are made of aluminum alloy. By fully utilizing the high rigidity of aluminum alloy, the impact resistance and structural stability of the air chamber are improved, avoiding structural deformation under extreme working conditions. Aluminum alloy also has certain lightweight characteristics, which can prevent the air chamber from being too heavy. At the same time, aluminum alloy has good corrosion resistance, reducing the need for additional rust prevention treatment and lowering the cost of use and maintenance.

[0014] Preferably, the assembly also includes a bladder skin, and the assembly part is detachably and fixedly connected to the bladder skin via a snap-fit ​​connection. The snap-fit ​​structure facilitates easy operation, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly; at the same time, the detachable design facilitates subsequent maintenance and replacement of the bladder skin, improving the product's practicality.

[0015] The advantages of this invention are that by optimizing the air chamber structure layout, process design and material selection, it solves the problems of insufficient compression ratio and poor sealing of existing aluminum alloy air chamber skins, and takes into account structural strength, lightweight and practicality, and can be widely used in the field of automotive air springs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder skin according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder skin according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder skin according to the present invention.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Air chamber body; 2. Assembly part; 3. Annular step; 31. Step surface; 4. Boss; 5. Rounded corner. Detailed Implementation

[0018] First, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0019] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0020] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature 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.

[0021] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, an air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder includes a chamber body 1. The bottom surface of the chamber body 1 has an assembly part 2 for assembling with the bladder. An inwardly recessed annular step 3 is formed between the outer diameter of the chamber body 1 and the outer diameter of the assembly part 2. Several downwardly protruding bosses 4 are spaced circumferentially on the step surface 31 of the annular step 3. Each boss 4 creates a gap between the step surface 31 and the top of the bladder to be assembled, allowing for release during bladder compression. The bosses 4 form a predetermined gap between the bladder and the annular step 3 of the chamber body 1. This gap provides additional space during bladder compression, allowing the bladder material to expand and deform, thereby effectively improving the bladder's compressibility. Simultaneously, the reasonable gap design helps achieve a more uniform fit under assembly and pressure conditions, significantly reducing the risk of air leakage due to localized stress concentration or misfitting under extreme operating conditions.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, there are six bosses 4, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the step surface 31 of the annular step 3, with an included angle of 60° between adjacent bosses 4. The six bosses 4 ensure uniform and symmetrical support and restraint of the bladder in the circumferential direction, thereby optimizing the circumferential compression uniformity of the bladder and further improving the overall sealing performance, while also ensuring structural symmetry and ease of processing. The bosses 4 protrude downwards from the step surface 31 at a height greater than 1.5 mm. This limitation ensures the formation of a sufficient and effective compression gap, providing ample space for volume changes and stress release during the compression process of the bladder, thus reliably achieving the technical effect of improving the bladder compression ratio.

[0024] like Figure 3As shown, rounded corners 5 are provided on both the left and right sides of the boss 4 along the radial direction of the air chamber body 1, making the radial cross-section of the boss 4 approximately "V"-shaped. The small end of the "V"-shape faces the radially outer side of the air chamber body 1, and the large end faces the radially inner side of the air chamber body 1. The rounded corners 5 on both sides of the boss 4 form an approximately "V"-shaped cross-section. This structure effectively disperses the stress at the root of the boss 4, improving the structural strength and service life of the boss 4 and the air chamber body 1. At the same time, the design of the large end of the "V"-shape facing inward can better guide and accommodate the inward deformation of the bladder skin during compression, making the fit between the bladder skin and the gap smoother, further optimizing the compression ratio and sealing performance. The end face of the boss 4 facing the radially outer side of the air chamber body 1 is coplanar with the outer peripheral wall of the air chamber body 1, and the end face of the boss 4 facing the radially inner side of the air chamber body 1 is fitted with the outer peripheral wall of the top of the assembly part 2. The outer radial end face of the boss 4 is coplanar with the outer peripheral wall of the air chamber body 1, and the inner radial end face is fitted with the outer peripheral wall of the assembly part 2, ensuring the precise positioning of the boss 4 in the air chamber structure. This optimizes the supporting and limiting role of the boss 4 on the bladder skin, and makes the entire air chamber structure more compact and reasonable, which is conducive to ensuring the reliability of the seal and maximizing the structural strength.

[0025] The air chamber body 1 and all the bosses 4 are manufactured using an integral molding process, thereby completely eliminating the connection gaps between the bosses 4 and the air chamber body 1, forming a leak-free integral sealing structure. Simultaneously, this significantly improves the overall structural rigidity and strength of the air chamber, especially at the root of the bosses 4, and simplifies the manufacturing process, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps. In this embodiment, the integral molding process is die casting, and the rounded corners 5 on the bosses 4 are machined using a subsequent milling process. This combines the overall structure with local precision machining. First, a high-strength main structure is obtained through die casting, and then the rounded corners 5 on the bosses 4 are precisely machined using a milling process. This combined process allows for high adjustability and consistency in the size and shape of the rounded corners 5, enabling optimization according to the characteristics of different types of bladders, and flexibly achieving the best bladder compression ratio and sealing effect at a lower cost.

[0026] In this embodiment, the air chamber body 1 and all the bosses 4 are made of aluminum alloy. Using aluminum alloy ensures that the air chamber as a whole has excellent lightweight characteristics, which is beneficial for reducing the weight of the vehicle. Furthermore, it fully utilizes the good processability of aluminum alloy in die casting and milling, making one-piece molding and rounded corner machining easy to achieve, while also ensuring sufficient structural strength and a certain degree of corrosion resistance.

[0027] It also includes the bladder skin (not shown in the figure). The assembly part 2 is detachably fixed to the bladder skin via a snap-fit ​​connection, clarifying that the bladder skin and the assembly part 2, such as the air chamber neck, can be connected by a snap-fit, such as a buckle. The snap-fit ​​connection facilitates quick assembly and disassembly, improving production efficiency and maintenance convenience. In this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​connection adopts a tooth-shaped structure (such as a toothed structure) located on the outer periphery of the assembly part 2. Figure 1 (As shown), and the tooth-shaped structure can deform the bladder skin during fastening, thereby increasing the fastening preload. The detachable connection method is reliable and flexible, and the fastening connection method can meet the requirements of assembly efficiency, connection strength, and maintainability.

[0028] Working Principle: When the air spring is inflated or compressed, the bladder expands or contracts. During compression, the bladder material tends to deform inward. Traditional platform steps restrict this deformation, leading to stress concentration. In this invention, the area between the bosses 4 (i.e., the gap) provides "give way" for the inward deformation of the bladder, allowing it to compress more freely and fully, thus improving the compression ratio. Simultaneously, the bosses 4 themselves provide uniform support and restraint for the bladder, the smooth "eight"-shaped transition avoids sharp angles cutting damage to the bladder, and the rounded corners 5 effectively disperse the stress at the root of the bosses 4, improving structural lifespan. The uniform distribution of the bosses 4 ensures the uniformity of circumferential stress on the bladder, and combined with the initial pre-tightening sealing effect provided by the gap, this collectively improves sealing reliability.

[0029] Manufacturing Method: The air chamber structure is preferably made of aluminum alloy. First, a single-piece casting, comprising the air chamber body 1, assembly part 2, annular step 3, and boss 4, is integrally formed using a precision die-casting process. The die-casting process ensures high strength and good dimensional consistency of the parts. Then, using CNC milling machines and other machining equipment, and with a specific-shaped (e.g., arc-shaped) milling cutter, both sides of the boss 4 are milled to precisely form the required fillet 5. By changing milling cutters of different radii, the size of the fillet 5 (R-angle size) can be easily adjusted, thereby fine-tuning the actual effect of the clearance to adapt to optimized matching of different thicknesses or hardnesses of the bladder. This process increases cost only slightly but yields significant results.

[0030] In summary, the advantages of this utility model are: Effectively improving the compressibility of the air spring skin: By setting a downwardly protruding boss 4 structure on the annular step 3, a predetermined gap is created between the air spring skin and the step surface 31, surrounding the air chamber circumferentially. When the air spring skin is compressed, this gap provides the necessary space for the air spring skin material to expand and deform inward, thereby significantly improving the effective compressibility of the air spring skin, making the dynamic response of the air spring more sensitive and the stiffness adjustment range wider.

[0031] Significantly enhanced sealing reliability and reduced leakage risk: The evenly distributed boss 4 structure provides stable and symmetrical support and restraint for the bladder skin. The reserved gaps allow the bladder skin to fit more evenly and tightly against the air chamber surface during initial assembly and compression, effectively avoiding seal failure caused by local stress concentration or poor fit. In particular, the "eight"-shaped boss 4 design with rounded corners 5 can better guide the deformation of the bladder skin, disperse contact stress, and further improve the sealing durability under extreme conditions (such as high-frequency vibration and high-load impact).

[0032] Optimized structural strength and lightweight design: The gas chamber body 1 and the boss 4 are integrally die-cast from aluminum alloy, completely eliminating the weaknesses and leakage risks that may arise from separate connections, resulting in a high overall structural rigidity and strength. At the same time, the low density of aluminum alloy itself contributes to the lightweight design of the gas chamber.

[0033] The manufacturing process is flexible and cost-controllable: it employs a combination of "die-casting the main body + milling to create the fillet 5". Die-casting is efficient and suitable for mass production of complex structures, ensuring the strength and consistency of the main structure. Subsequent milling allows for flexible and precise shaping of the fillet 5 on the boss 4. The size of the fillet 5 can be adjusted by changing different shaped cutting tools to meet the optimization requirements of different bladder models. This process combination ensures performance while offering good economy and adaptability.

[0034] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "inner" and "outer" and other terms indicating direction or positional relationship are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings. This is only for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0035] In the description of this application, the references to terms such as "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "in this embodiment," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0036] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder skin, characterized in that, The device includes an air chamber body (1), the bottom of which is provided with an assembly part (2) for assembly with the bladder skin, and the outer diameter of the air chamber body (1) is larger than the outer diameter of the assembly part (2) to form an inwardly recessed annular step (3); the step surface (31) of the annular step (3) is provided with a plurality of downwardly protruding bosses (4) at intervals along the circumference, and each boss (4) provides a gap between the step surface (31) and the top of the bladder skin to be assembled for release when the bladder skin is compressed.

2. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are six protrusions (4), which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the step surface (31) of the annular step (3), and the included angle between two adjacent protrusions (4) is 60°.

3. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The boss (4) protrudes downward from the step surface (31) by a height greater than 1.5 mm.

4. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The boss (4) has rounded corners (5) on both sides of the air chamber body (1) along the radial direction, and the radial cross section of the boss (4) is shaped like an "eight". The small end of the "eight" shape faces the radial outer side of the air chamber body (1), and the large end of the "eight" shape faces the radial inner side of the air chamber body (1).

5. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 4, characterized in that, The end face of the boss (4) facing the outer side of the air chamber body (1) is coplanar with the outer peripheral wall of the air chamber body (1), and the end face of the boss (4) facing the inner side of the air chamber body (1) is fitted with the outer peripheral wall of the top of the assembly part (2).

6. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 5, characterized in that, The air chamber body (1) and all the bosses (4) are made by an integral molding process.

7. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 6, characterized in that, The integral molding process is a die casting process, and the rounded corners (5) on the boss (4) are made by subsequent milling process.

8. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 7, characterized in that, The air chamber body (1) and all the bosses (4) are made of aluminum alloy.

9. The air spring chamber structure for improving the compressibility of the bladder according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a bladder skin, and the assembly part (2) is detachably fixed to the bladder skin by a snap-fit ​​connection.

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