Jounce bumper assemblies and gas spring assemblies including same

Abstract

Gas spring assemblies (102; AS1) include a flexible annular member (200; 602) with first and second end members (300, 400) secured across first and second ends (206; 606,208; 608) of the flexible annular member. A jounce bumper assembly (700; 700'; 800) is supported along one of the end members. The jounce bumper assembly includes an end closure (704; 804) and a bumper body (702; 702'; 802). The end closure includes an outer wall portion (724; 816) and an inner side wall portion (734; 822) that are unitarily formed on an end closure wall. The inner side wall portion (734; 822) forms a bumper cup (736; 824) receiving a part of the bumper body (702; 702'; 802). The outer wall portion (724; 816) abuttingly engages one of the ends of the flexible annular member (200; 602). The inner side wall portion (734; 822) is spaced radially inward from the outer wall portion (724; 816) and is dimensioned to restrict radially outward expansion of the bumper body (702; 702'; 802) under axial compression applied during jounce conditions. Suspension systems (100) are also included.

Description

JOUNCE BUMPER ASSEMBLIES AND GAS SPRING ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING SAMEBACKGROUND

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to the art of gas spring devices and, more particularly, to jounce bumper assemblies supported on or along one of two opposing end members of a gas spring assembly. Innovative jounce bumper assemblies according to the present disclosure include an end closure with an integral bumper restraining cup that receives a portion of a jounce bumper body. The integral bumper restraining cup is operable to restrict or at least partially restrain radially- outward expansion of the jounce bumper body during axial compressive loads associated with jounce conditions. Gas spring assemblies including such jounce bumper assemblies as well as suspension systems that include one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

[0002] The subject matter of the present disclosure may find particular application and use in conjunction with components for wheeled vehicles, and will be shown and described herein with reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the subject matter of the present disclosure is also amenable to use in other applications and environments, and that the specific uses shown and described herein are merely exemplary. For example, the subject matter of the present disclosure could be used in connection with gas spring assemblies of non-wheeled vehicles, support structures, height adjusting systems and actuators associated with industrial machinery, components thereof and / or other such equipment. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to use associated with gas spring suspension systems of wheeled vehicles.

[0003] Wheeled motor vehicles of most types and kinds include a sprung mass, such as a body or chassis, for example, and an unsprung mass, such as two or more axles or other wheel-engaging members, for example, with a suspension system disposed therebetween. Typically, a suspension system will include a plurality of spring devices as well as a plurality of damping devices that together permit the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle to move in a somewhat controlled manner relative to one another. Movement of the sprung and unsprung masses toward one another is normally referredto in the art as jounce motion while movement of the sprung and unsprung masses away from one another is commonly referred to in the art as rebound motion.

[0004] It will be appreciated that vehicle suspension systems of a wide variety of types and kinds have been developed and are commonly used. Components of such vehicle suspension systems are often secured between opposing structural members that move relative to one another during travel between jounce and rebound conditions. In some cases, the spring devices can take the form of gas spring assemblies that utilize pressurized gas as the working medium. Gas spring assemblies of various types, kinds and constructions are well known and commonly used. Typical gas spring assemblies can include a flexible wall that is secured between comparatively rigid end members and / or end member assemblies.

[0005] To eliminate contact between opposing portions of the sprung and unsprung masses, contact between opposing portions of components of the suspension system or contact between any combination thereof, jounce bumpers are commonly installed on one or more portions of the vehicle to prevent such opposing portions from directly impacting or otherwise directly contacting one another. Thus, during full jounce conditions of a suspension system, an opposing component will contact the jounce bumper rather than impacting the component on or near which the jounce bumper is mounted.

[0006] Jounce bumpers of a variety of types, kinds and configurations have been developed and are commonly used. Though the size and shape of jounce bumpers vary widely, known jounce bumpers can generally be grouped into two categories, namely, compliant jounce bumpers and rigid jounce bumpers. The former are commonly formed from materials capable of relatively high deflections under load, and are often formed from rubber or elastomeric foam compounds. Generally, compliant jounce bumpers act to cushion or soften the impact that would otherwise be associated with a sudden movement toward a full jounce condition. As such, compliant jounce bumpers are commonly deemed to be well suited for use in relatively light duty applications, such as use in the suspension systems of passenger vehicles and light trucks, for example, where ride comfort is a more significant factor. Also, the high axial deflections that would be associated with heavily loading a compliant jounce bumper, such as during use in a commercial truck or other heavy-duty vehicle, would generate high corresponding lateral (e.g., radial) strains in thejounce bumper. Generally, materials that are well suited for comfortably cushioning impacts under full jounce conditions have been found to be poorly suited to such corresponding high levels of lateral strain, which can undesirably modify the performance characteristics of the compliant jounce bumper or even result in permanent deformation of the same.

[0007] Additionally, the materials from which known compliant jounce bumpers are typically constructed can range from elastomeric compositions that are harder and more stiff to elastomeric compositions that are softer and more compliant. In some applications, the use of elastomeric compositions that are harder and more stiff can provide certain beneficial performance characteristics, such as a beneficial balance between axial deflection and jounce bumper size (e.g., external dimensions and / or volume). However, in some applications and / or conditions of use, harder and more stiff elastomeric compositions can undergo degradation in durability, particularly over an extended period of use. While jounce bumpers made from softer, more-compliant compositions can exhibit improved durability under such applications and / or conditions of use, such constructions can exhibit less desirable performance and / or physical characteristics associated with the combination of jounce bumper size and axial deflection.

[0008] Oppositely, rigid jounce bumpers are commonly formed from materials that deflect a relatively small amount under load, such as high strength and / or fiber reinforced plastic materials, for example. Rigid jounce bumpers are not normally considered to be well suited for use in light duty applications (e.g., passenger vehicle applications) because of the minimal deflection and high impact associated with the use of such jounce bumpers. However, rigid jounce bumpers are commonly deemed to be well suited for heavy duty applications, such as in commercial truck, tractor-trailer and other over-the-road vehicle applications, for example, where it is desirable to provide a sacrificial component that can prevent impacts between more permanent and / or expensive components. In some cases, it may be desirable to lower commercial trucks, trailers or other vehicle bodies onto the jounce bumpers to provide a solid foundation for loading and / or unloading of the vehicle body. While high-speed impacts acting on the jounce bumper are typically not an issue in such dock-height applications, substantial loads are still commonly involved. As discussed above, compliant jounce bumpers are normally formed from materials that areless-well suited for withstanding the loads associated with such heavy duty applications. As such, rigid jounce bumpers are commonly used.

[0009] Notwithstanding the common use and overall success of known jounce bumpers, it is believed desirable to develop constructions for use in connection with gas spring assemblies and / or components thereof that are capable of providing improved performance or other characteristics and / or overcoming disadvantages of known constructions while promoting relatively low costs of manufacture, ease of assembly and / or otherwise advancing the art of gas spring devices.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0010] One example of a gas spring assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending peripherally about the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally from the first end. The flexible annular member can at least partially define an annular member chamber. A first end member can be secured across the first end of the flexible annular member, and a second end member can be secured across the second end of the flexible annular member. A jounce bumper assembly can be supported along one of the first and second end members. The jounce bumper assembly can include an end closure supported on the one of the first and second end members. The jounce bumper assembly can also include a bumper body supported on the end closure in facing relation to the other of the first and second end members. The bumper body can be dimensioned to abuttingly engage the other of the first and second end members under a jounce condition of the gas spring assembly. The end closure can include an end closure wall with an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion unitarily formed on the end closure wall with the outer peripheral wall portion. The outer peripheral wall portion can abuttingly engaging and thereby axially retaining a corresponding one of the first and second ends of the flexible annular member on or along the one of the one of the first and second end members. The inner side wall portion can be spaced radially inward from the outer peripheral wall portion and can at least partially define a bumper-restraining cup dimensioned to receive a portion of the bumper bodyand restrict radially-outward expansion of the bumper body under axial compression applied under the jounce condition.

[0011] Another example of a gas spring assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending peripherally about the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally from the first end. The flexible annular member can at least partially define an annular member chamber. A first end member can be secured across the first end of the flexible annular member, and a second end member can be secured across the second end of the flexible annular member. The second end member can include an end member chamber. A jounce bumper assembly can be supported along the second end member. The jounce bumper assembly can include an end closure supported on the second end member and a bumper body supported on the end closure in facing relation to the first end member. The bumper body can be dimensioned to abuttingly engage the first end member under a jounce condition of the gas spring assembly. The end closure can include an end closure wall with an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion unitarily formed on the end closure wall with the outer peripheral wall portion. The outer peripheral wall portion can abuttingly engage and thereby axially retaining the second end of the flexible annular member on or along the second end member. The end closure wall can include an end closure passage extending therethrough in fluid communication between a first chamber portion of the annular member chamber and at least one of a second chamber portion of the annular member chamber and the end member chamber.

[0012] One example of a suspension system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a pressurized gas system including a pressurized gas source and a control device in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source. At least one gas spring assembly in accordance with either one of the foregoing paragraphs can be disposed in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source through the control device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one example of a suspension system that includes a plurality of gas spring assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of one example of a gas spring assembly including one example of a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the gas spring assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the gas spring assembly shown in FIGS.2 and 3 taken from along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the exemplary gas spring assembly in FIGS. 2-4 shown in an extended (or rebound) condition.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the exemplary gas spring assembly in FIGS. 2-5 shown in a compressed (or jounce) condition.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an enlarged portion of the exemplary gas spring assembly in FIGS. 2-6 identified as Detail 7 in FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an enlarged portion of the exemplary gas spring assembly in FIGS. 2-7 identified as Detail 8 in FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the enlarged portion of the exemplary gas spring assembly in FIG. 8 illustrating an alternate construction of a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a greatly enlarged portion of the exemplary gas spring assembly in FIGS. 2-8 identified as Detail 10 in FIG. 8.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of another alternate construction of a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the exemplary clamping plate in FIGS. 4-6 and 8-10.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary clamping plate in FIGS. 4-6, 8-10 and 12.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Turning now to the drawings, it is to be understood that the showings are for purposes of illustrating examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure and that the examples shown are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the drawings are not to scale and that portions of certain features and / or elements may be exaggerated for purpose of clarity and / or ease of understanding.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a suspension system 100 operatively disposed between a sprung mass, such as an associated vehicle body BDY, for example, and an unsprung mass, such as associated wheels WHL, associated axles AXL and / or other associated suspension components SCP, for example, of an associated vehicle VHC. It will be appreciated that any one or more of the components of the suspension system can be operatively connected between the sprung and unsprung masses of the associated vehicle in any suitable manner. The suspension system includes one or more gas spring assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure as well as one or more damper assemblies that are operatively connected between the sprung and unsprung masses and together permit the sprung and unsprung masses of the associated vehicle to move in a somewhat controlled manner relative to one another, as discussed above.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , suspension system 100 can include a plurality of gas spring assemblies 102 that are operatively connected between the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle. Additionally, suspension system 100 can include a plurality of damper assemblies 104 that are operatively connected between the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle. Depending on desired performance characteristics and / or other factors, the suspension system can include any suitable number and / or arrangement of one or more gas spring assemblies and one or more damper assemblies. For example, suspension system 100 in FIG. 1 includes four gas spring assemblies 102 and four damper assemblies 104 with one of the gas spring assemblies and one of the damper assemblies disposed toward each corner of the associated vehicle adjacent a corresponding one of associated wheels WHL. It will be appreciated, however, that other configurations and / or arrangements can alternately be used without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0029] Furthermore, the one or more gas spring assemblies and the one or more damper assemblies can be operatively connected on, along or otherwise between the sprung and unsprung masses in any suitable manner. For example, depending on desired performance characteristics and / or other factors, the one or more gas spring assemblies can, in some cases, be provided and installed separately from the one or more damper assemblies. Additionally, or in the alternative, a gas spring assembly can, optionally, be assembled together with a damper assembly such that at least a portion of the gas spring assembly is axially coextensive with the damper assembly to form so-called gas spring and damper assemblies that can then be operatively connected on, along or otherwise between the sprung and unsprung masses as a unit. It is to be recognized and understood, however, that such an axially-coextensive construction is optional and that gas spring assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure (as well as the components and assemblies thereof) are not intended to be limited to use in gas spring and damper assemblies.

[0030] Suspension system 100 also includes a pressurized gas system 106 operatively associated with at least gas spring assemblies 102 for selectively supplying pressurized gas (e.g., air) thereto and selectively transferring pressurized gas therefrom. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 1 , pressurized gas system 106 includes a pressurized gas source, such as a compressor 108, for example, for generating pressurized air or other gases. A control device, such as a valve assembly 110, for example, is shown as being in communication with compressor 108 and can be of any suitable configuration or arrangement. In the exemplary embodiment shown, valve assembly 110 includes a valve block 112 with a plurality of valves 114 supported thereon. Valve assembly 110 can also, optionally, include a suitable exhaust, such as a muffler 116, for example, for venting pressurized gas from the system. Optionally, pressurized gas system 106 can also include a reservoir 118 in fluid communication with compressor 108 and / or valve assembly 110 and suitable for storing pressurized gas for an extended period of time (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, weeks, days, months).

[0031] Valve assembly 110 is in communication with gas spring assemblies 102 through suitable gas transfer lines 120. As such, pressurized gas can be selectively transferred into and / or out of the gas spring assemblies through valve assembly 110 byselecti vely operating valves 114, such as to alter or maintain vehicle height at one or more corners of the vehicle, for example.

[0032] Suspension system 100 can also include a control system 122 that is capable of communication with any one or more systems and / or components of vehicle VHC and / or suspension system 100, such as for selective operation and / or control thereof. Control system 122 can include a controller or electronic control unit (ECU) 124 communicatively coupled with compressor 108 and / or valve assembly 110, such as through a conductor or lead 126, for example, for selective operation and control thereof, which can include supplying and exhausting pressurized gas to and / or from gas spring assemblies 102. Controller 124 can be of any suitable type, kind and / or configuration.

[0033] Control system 122 can also, optionally, include one or more sensing devices 128, such as, for example, may be operatively associated with gas spring assemblies 102 and capable of outputting or otherwise generating data, signals and / or other communications having a relation to one or more of: a height of the gas spring assemblies; a distance between other components of the vehicle; a pressure or temperature having a relation to the gas spring assemblies and / or a wheel or tire or other component associated with the gas spring assemblies; and / or an acceleration, load or other input acting on the gas spring assemblies. Sensing devices 128 can be in communication with ECU 124, which can receive the data, signals and / or other communications therefrom. The sensing devices can be in communication with ECU 124 in any suitable manner, such as through conductors or leads 130, for example. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the sensing devices can be of any suitable type, kind and / or construction and can operate using any suitable combination of one or more operating principles and / or techniques.

[0034] Having described an example of a suspension system (e.g., suspension system 100) that can include gas spring assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure (e.g., gas spring assemblies 102), one example of such a gas spring assembly will now be described in connection with FIGS. 2-11. As shown therein, a gas spring assembly AS1 , such as may be suitable for use as one or more of assemblies 102 in FIG. 1 , for example, is shown as having a longitudinal axis AX (FIG. 4) and including a flexible spring member (which can alternately be referred to herein asa flexible annular member) 200. Gas spring assembly AS1 can include an end member (which can alternately be referred to herein as an end member assembly) 300 that is secured on or along the flexible spring member such that a fluid-tight connection is formed therebetween. The gas spring assembly can further include an end member (which can alternately be referred to herein as an end member assembly) 400 that is operatively connected to flexible spring member 200 opposite end member assembly 300. In some cases, end member 400 can, optionally, be operatively connected to flexible spring member 200 by way of a clamping plate ( which can alternately be referred to herein as a clamping plate assembly) 500, for example. Flexible spring member 200 can be secured on or along the end member assemblies in a fluid-tight manner such that a spring chamber 202 (FIGS. 4-11 ) is at least partially defined by the flexible spring member between end member assembly 300, end member assembly 400, and / or clamping plate 500, if included.

[0035] It will be appreciated that flexible spring member 200 can be of any suitable size, shape, construction and / or configuration. Additionally, the flexible spring member can be of any type and / or kind, such as a rolling lobe-type or convoluted bellows-type construction, for example. Flexible spring member 200 is shown in FIGS. 2-11 as including a flexible wall 204 that can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the flexible wall can include one or more fabric-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers and / or one or more unreinforced, elastomeric plies or layers. Typically, one or more fabric-reinforced, elastomeric plies and one or more un-reinforced, elastomeric plies will be used together and formed from a common elastomeric material, such as a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. In other cases, however, a combination of two or more different materials, two or more compounds of similar materials, or two or more grades of the same material could be used.

[0036] Flexible wall 204 can extend peripherally around longitudinal axis AX and can extend in a generally longitudinal direction between opposing ends 206 and 208. Additionally, flexible wall 204 can include an outer surface 210 and an inner surface 212. The inner surface can at least partially define spring chamber 202 of gas spring assembly AS1. Flexible wall 204 can include an outer or cover ply (not identified) that at leastpartially forms outer surface 210, and can also include an inner or liner ply (not identified) that at least partially forms inner surface 212. In some cases, flexible wall 204 can further include one or more reinforcing plies (not shown) disposed between outer and inner surfaces 210 and 212. The one or more reinforcing plies can be of any suitable construction and / or configuration. For example, the one or more reinforcing plies can include one or more lengths of filament material that are at least partially embedded therein. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the one or more lengths of filament material, if provided, can be oriented in any suitable manner. As one example, the flexible wall can include at least one layer or ply with lengths of filament material oriented at one bias angle and at least one layer or ply with lengths of filament material oriented at an equal but opposite bias angle.

[0037] Flexible spring member 200 can include any feature or combination of features suitable for forming a fluid-tight connection with end member assembly 300 and / or end member assembly 400. As one example, flexible spring member 200 can include a mounting bead 214 disposed along end 206 of flexible wall 204 and a mounting bead 216 disposed along end 208 of the flexible wall. In some cases, the mounting beads, if provided, can, optionally, include a reinforcing element, such as an endless, annular bead wire 218, for example.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the end member assemblies can be of any suitable type, kind, construction and / or configuration, and can be operatively connected or otherwise secured to the flexible spring member in any suitable manner. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 2-9, for example, end member assembly 300 is of a type commonly referred to as a bead plate and includes an end member wall 302 with a mounting wall portion 304 and an outer peripheral wall portion 306. End member assembly 300 is disposed along end 206 of flexible wall 204 with outer peripheral wall portion 306 crimped or otherwise deformed around at least a portion of mounting bead 214 such that a fluid-tight seal can be formed between flexible spring member 200 and end member assembly 300. Mounting wall portion 304 can have an approximately planar outer surface portion 308 dimensioned to abuttingly engage an associated structural component (e.g., upper structural component USC). Mounting wall portion 304 can at least partially define one or more passages or openings 310 extending through endmember assembly 300, such as may be suitable for operatively connecting a pressurized gas line in fluid communication with assembly AS1, such as is shown in FIG. 1 , for example.

[0039] Gas spring assembly AS1 can be disposed between associated sprung and unsprung masses of an associated vehicle in any suitable manner. For example, one end member can be operatively connected to the associated sprung mass with the other end member disposed toward and operatively connected to the associated unsprung mass. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, end member assembly 300 can be secured on or along a first or upper structural component USC and can be secured thereto in any suitable manner. For example, one or more securement devices, such as mounting studs 312, for example, can be included along end member assembly 300. In some cases, the one or more securement devices (e.g., mounting studs 312) can project outwardly from mounting wall portion 304 of end member assembly 300 and can be secured thereon in a suitable manner, such as, for example, by way of a flowed-material joint (not shown) or a press- fit connection (not identified). Additionally, such one or more securement devices can extend through mounting holes HLS in upper structural component USC and can receive one or more threaded nuts 314 or other securement devices, for example. As an alternative to one or more of mounting studs 312, one or more threaded passages (e.g., blind passages and / or through passages) could be used in conjunction with a corresponding number of one or more threaded fasteners.

[0040] End member assembly 400 can be secured on or along a second or lower structural component LSC in any suitable manner. As one example, lower structural component LSC could include one or more mounting holes HLS extending therethrough. In such case, one of threaded fasteners 402 could extend through one of mounting holes HLS and threadably engage end member assembly 400 to secure the end member assembly on or along the lower structural component. It will be appreciated, however, that other configurations and / or arrangements could alternately be used.

[0041] End member assembly 400 is shown as including features associated with a type of end member commonly referred to as a piston (or a roll-off piston). It will be recognized that a wide variety of sizes, shapes, profiles and / or configurations can and have been used in forming end members of the types and kinds referred to as pistons orroll-off pistons, such as end member assembly 400, for example. As such, it will be appreciated that the exterior walls and / or wall portions of the end member assembly can be of any suitable shape, profile and / or configuration, such as may be useful to provide one or more desired performance characteristics, for example, and that the profile shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-6 is merely exemplary.

[0042] End member assembly 400 extends longitudinally between an end 404 and an end 406. End 404 is adapted to receivingly engage end 208 of flexible spring member 200 with end 406 of end member assembly 400 adapted to abuttingly engage an associated structural component, such as has been described above in connection with lower structural component LSC, for example. It will be appreciated that an end member (or end member assembly) of any one of a variety of types, kinds and / or constructions can be used, including end members with or without one or more internal reservoirs or other pressurized gas chambers. As one non-limiting example, end member assembly 400 includes an end member shell (or end member body) 408, an end member core (or end member core assembly) 410, and can also, optionally, include one or more additional components, devices and / or elements. End member shell 408 includes a shell wall 408W with a first or outer side wall (or side wall portion) 412 that extends generally longitudinally between first and second ends 404 and 406.

[0043] In an assembled condition and during use, a portion of flexible spring member 200 forms a rolling lobe 220 that is displaced along an outer surface portion 414 of outer side wall portion 412 as the gas spring assembly undergoes changes in overall height, such as, for example, may be due to variations in load conditions applied thereto, as is well understood by those of skill in the art. Gas spring assembly AS1 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 at a design or nominal height, which is represented in FIG. 2 by reference dimension DHT. Gas spring assembly AS1 is shown in FIG. 5 at an extended or rebound height, which is represented by reference dimension RHT and represents a maximum desired extended length of the gas spring assembly. Gas spring assembly AS1 is shown in FIG. 6 at a compressed or jounce height, which is represented by reference dimension JHT and represents a fully collapsed height of the gas spring assembly during which end member assembly 300 abuttingly engages and axially compresses a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0044] In addition to outer side wall portion 412, end member shell 408 includes an inner side wall portion 416 that is disposed radially inward of outer side wall portion 412. End member shell 408 also includes an end wall portion 418 that is oriented transverse to longitudinal axis AX and is disposed inwardly of inner side wall portion 416. In some cases, end wall portion 418 can at least partially define a closed end of the end member shell along end 404 with outer side wall portion 412 at least partially defining an open end of the end member shell along end 406.

[0045] End member shell 408 also includes an intermediate wall portion 420 that extends between and interconnects outer side wall portion 412 with inner side wall portion 416. The intermediate wall portion can have an inverted and somewhat U-shaped cross- sectional profile that forms a distal extent 422 of end member shell 408 along end 404 of the end member assembly. Inner side wall portion 416 can, in some cases, be disposed at an acute angle relative to longitudinal axis AX such that the inner side wall portion of end member shell 408 has an inner surface portion 424 with a frustoconical shape or configuration. End wall portion 418 includes an end surface (or end surface portion) 426 that faces opposite end 406 and an end surface (or end surface portion) 428 that faces toward end 406. End wall portion 418 is axially offset from distal extent 422 in a direction toward end 406 such that end surface portion 426 together with inner surface portion 424 at least partially defines a recess 430 extending into end member shell 408 from along end 404.

[0046] End member core assembly 410 is at least partially received within or is otherwise disposed on or along the open end of end member shell 408 such that the end member core assembly and the end member shell together at least partially define an end member chamber 432 within end member assembly 400. In such an arrangement, recess 426 is disposed along end wall portion 418 and exposed outwardly along end member shell 408 with a recess opening 434 facing axially away from end member chamber 432.

[0047] It will be appreciated that end member core assembly 410 can be constructed in any suitable manner and can include any suitable number of one or more walls and / or wall portions. Additionally, it will be appreciated that end member shell 408 and end member core assembly 410 can be secured to one another in any manner or arrangementsuitable for forming a fluid-tight connection therebetween. In such an arrangement, end member chamber 432 is fluidically isolated from an external atmosphere ATM of gas spring assembly AS1.

[0048] As one non-limiting example, end member core assembly 410 can include a core base wall (or core base wall portion) 436 that is oriented transverse to longitudinal axis AX and is secured on or along end member shell 408 toward end 406 of end member assembly 400. It will be appreciated that core base wall 436 of end member core assembly 410 can be secured on or along end member shell 408 in any suitable manner. As one non-limiting example, an outer peripheral edge 438 of core base wall 436 can be attached to outer side wall portion 412 in a suitable manner, such as by way of a flowed- material joint 440, for example. Core base wall 436 can include a first or inner surface (or surface portion) 442 facing toward end member chamber 432. Core base wall 436 can also include a second or outer surface (or surface portion) 444 facing opposite inner surface 442 and dimensioned to abuttingly engage second or lower structural component LSC. Core base wall 436 can also include mounting holes 446 extending therethrough with a threaded insert 448 secured on or along core base wall 436 in communication with mounting holes 446 in a suitable manner, such as by flowed-material joints 450, for example.

[0049] End member core assembly 410 also includes a support column wall 452 extending from along core base wall 436 toward end 404 of the end member assembly, such as to assist in carrying forces and / or loads from end wall portion 418 to core base wall 436, for example. In some cases, support column wall 452 can be configured to at least partially define a column cavity 454 within the support column. In such cases, support column wall 452 can, optionally, include one or more openings or passages 456 extending through the support column wall such that column cavity 454 is in fluid communication with end member chamber 432 through openings 456, such as to permit the portions of end member chamber 432 inside and outside of support column wall 452 to fluidically operate as a contiguous volume.

[0050] End member core assembly 410 can include an inner end wall (or inner end wall portion) 458 disposed within end member chamber 432 and supported on or along support column wall 452. If included, inner end wall portion 458 can be orientedtransverse to longitudinal axis AX and can include an end surface portion 460 disposed in abutting engagement with end surface portion 428 of end wall portion 418. It will be appreciated that inner end wall 458, if included, can be secured or otherwise provided on or along support column wall 452 in any suitable manner. As non-limiting examples, inner end wall portion 458 could be integrally formed with the support column wall or inner end wall portion 458 could be provided separately and secured to support column wall 452, such as by way of a flowed-material joint 462.

[0051] If included, clamping plate 500 can, as shown in FIG. 4, include a clamping plate body 502 and is operatively secured on or along end 404 of end member assembly 400. Clamping plate body 502 includes a clamping plate wall 504 that extends around and radially outward from axis AX in transverse relation thereto. Clamping plate wall 504 includes a surface (or surface portion) 506 disposed along one side of clamping plate body 502 and a surface (or surface portion) 508 disposed along another side of clamping plate body 502. In some cases, surface portion 506 can be approximately planar. Surface portion 508 can be disposed toward and dimensioned to abuttingly engage end wall portion 418 of end member shell 408. Clamping plate wall 504 also includes an outer peripheral surface portion 510 that faces radially outward and extends axially between surface portions 506 and 508. In some cases, clamping plate wall 504 can include or otherwise at least partially define a bead seat 512 that can extend annularly around clamping plate body 502 and can be dimensioned to at least partially receive or otherwise abuttingly engage mounting bead 216 and / or bead wire 218 of flexible spring member 200

[0052] It will be appreciated that outer peripheral surface portion 512 can be of any suitable size, shape and / or configuration. For example, the outer peripheral surface portion can have a cross-sectional profile with any suitable number of linear and / or curved profile segments. In an assembled condition, clamping plate 500 is operatively engaged with a portion of flexible spring member 200 (e.g., mounting bead 216), such as on or along outer peripheral surface portion 512, for example.

[0053] Clamping plate 500 can be secured on or along end member assembly 400 in any manner suitable for compressively capturing a portion of flexible spring member 200 (e.g., mounting bead 216) in abutting engagement between outer peripheral surfaceportion 512 and inner surface portion 424 of inner side wall portion 416 of end member shell 408. As a non-limiting example, a securement device 464 (e.g., a threaded fastener) can extend through and thereby secure clamping plate 500 on or along end member assembly 400. In such an example, clamping plate wall 504 can include a hole or passage 514 extending through clamping plate body 502. Additionally, end wall portion 418 can also include a hole or passage 466 extending therethrough that is cooperative with hole 514. Securement device 464 can extend through hole 514 in the clamping plate wall, through hole 466 in end wall portion 418 and into engagement with a corresponding securement device 468 (e.g., a threaded passage) of inner end wall portion 458. It will be appreciated, however, that other configurations and / or securement arrangements can alternately be used without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0054] In some cases, spring chamber 202 can be disposed in fluid communication with end member chamber 432. In such an arrangement, spring chamber 202 and end member chamber 432 can fluidically function as a contiguous volume. Additionally, or in the alternative, spring chamber 202 and end member chamber 432 can be fluidically interconnected such that gas transfer between the spring chamber and the end member chamber can generate pressurized gas damping during extension and / or compression of the gas spring assembly as the same undergoes dynamic use in operation. As a nonlimiting example of the latter functionality, spring chamber 202 and end member chamber 432 can fluidically communicate with one another through clamping plate 500, as discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

[0055] In some cases, gas spring assembly AS1 can, optionally, include one or more elongated gas damping passages fluidically connected between the spring chamber and one or more end member chambers of the gas spring assembly (e.g., end member chamber 432). Generally, the one or more elongated gas damping passages, if included, can be dimensioned such that pressurized gas flows into, out of and / or otherwise is displaced within and along the elongated gas damping passage or passages. As a result, such pressurized gas flow can generate pressurized gas damping of vibrations and / or other dynamic inputs acting on the overall assembly and / or system. Differential pressure between the spring chamber and the one or more end member chambers induces gas flow along at least a portion of the length of the elongated gas damping passage. It willbe appreciated that such movement of the pressurized gas within and / or through an elongated gas damping passage can act to dissipate kinetic energy acting on the assembly and / or system. In some cases, such pressurized gas damping can be configured for or otherwise targeted to dissipate vibrations and / or other dynamic inputs having a particular, predetermined natural frequency or within a particular, predetermine range of frequencies.

[0056] For example, clamping plate body 502 can include an opening or port 516 that extends into clamping plate wall 504 and is accessible from along surface portion 506. End wall portion 418 includes an opening or port 470 that extends through the end wall portion and is positioned to fluidical ly communicate with one or more features of clamping plate body 502 in an assembled condition. Clamping plate body 502 includes an elongated damping passage 518 at least partially formed within clamping plate wall 504. In some cases, elongated damping passage 518 extends from a first end 520 disposed in fluid communication with opening 516 of the clamping plate body to a second end 522 disposed in fluid communication with opening 470 in end wall portion 418.

[0057] End closure wall 504 can include a passage surface 524 that at least partially defines elongated damping passage 518. It will be appreciated that passage surface 524 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape and / or profile. Elongated damping passage 518 is shown as having a spiral-like configuration, such as may be generated by continuously rotating the cross-sectional profile of passage surface 524 about axis AX with the cross-sectional profile continuously displaced radially outward from adjacent axis AX to form the spiral-like configuration. In some cases, such rotation of the cross- sectional profile of passage surface 524 can occur in an approximately single plane such that the spiral-like configuration of elongated damping passage 518 is disposed in a common plane that is oriented transverse to longitudinal axis AX.

[0058] In some cases, the cross-sectional profile of passage surface 524 can be open (i.e., not fully enclosed). In such cases, the corresponding elongated damping passage is open along one or more surface portions (e.g., surface portion 508) of clamping plate body 502. For example, the cross-sectional profile of passage surface 524 is shown as having an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. As such, elongated damping passage 518 is formed within clamping plate body 502 as an open channel thatis accessible from along surface portion 508. In cases in which the cross-sectional profile of passage surface 524 is open or otherwise not fully enclosed, end closure 500 can be positioned on or along end member assembly 400 such that end wall portion 418 extends across surface portion 508 to inhibit or at least reduce pressurized gas transfer between adjacent rings or other sections of elongated damping passage 518 along surface portion 508. In some cases, elongated damping passage 518 can be dimensioned to provide gas damping of approximately a desired or target frequency or otherwise within a desired or targeted frequency range. As a non-limiting example, such a targeted frequency range can include inputs within a range of from approximately 8 Hz to approximately 15 Hz.

[0059] End closure wall 504 of clamping plate body 502 also includes a mounting wall (or mounting wall portion) 526 that extends in a generally axial direction from along surface portion 506 of the clamping plate wall toward a distal edge 528. Mounting wall portion 526 can include one or more inner surfaces (or inner surface portions) 530 that can at least partially form a clamping plate recess 532 extending into the clamping plate body. Mounting wall portion 526 can also include an outer surface 534 that is dimensioned to receive and retain an end of a flexible annular member (which can alternately be referred to herein as a flexible spring member), such as may - in some cases - operate as a travel-limiting device, such as is described hereinafter. In some cases, one or more projections can extend radially outward from along outer surface portions 534, such as may be useful to retain or assist in retaining the end of a flexible annular member on or along mounting wall 526. In the arrangement shown, a bead retaining wall (or wall portion) 536 extends radially outward beyond outer surfaces 534 and peripherally around axis AX.

[0060] In some cases, clamping plate wall 504 can include one or more notches or slots 538 that extend axially along and radially into at least mounting wall portion 526 of the clamping plate wall. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4 and 8-10, notches 538 are disposed opposite one another and separate outer surface 534 into outer surface portions 534A and 534B. Additionally, notches 538 separate bead retaining wall 536 into bead retaining wall portions 536A and 536B. It will be appreciated that any suitable number of one or more notches can be included, such as from two (2) to sixteen (16) notches, for example, with the notches separating the outer surface and bead retaining wall into a corresponding number of two or more surface portions and / or wall portions.

[0061] In some cases, clamping plate body 502 can also include a passage 540 extending through clamping plate wall 504 separate from elongated damping passage 518. In some cases, passage 540 can extend from along surface portion 506 through the clamping plate wall to surface portion 508. In some cases, a passage wall (or passage wall portion) 542 can project or otherwise extend axially beyond surface portion 508 toward a distal end wall portion 544. In some cases, distal end wall portion 544 can at least partially define a damping orifice 546 dimensioned to control or otherwise establish pressurized gas damping on, along or otherwise through passage 540. In such cases, damping orifice 546 will have a reduced cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter) relative to the cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter) of passage 540. In some cases, damping orifice 546 can be dimensioned to provide gas damping of approximately a desired or target frequency or otherwise within a desired or targeted frequency range. As a non-limiting example, such a targeted frequency range can include inputs within a range of from approximately 0.5 Hz to approximately 4 Hz.

[0062] In accordance with one exemplary arrangement of the present disclosure, gas spring assembly AS1 can, optionally, include a travel-limiting assembly 600 that is operatively connected on, along and / or otherwise between end member assembly 300 and end member assembly 400. It will be appreciated that such a travel-limiting assembly, if included, can be operatively connected between end member assembly 300 and end member assembly 400 in any suitable manner (either directly or indirectly) using any combination of features, components and / or devices. If included, travel-limiting assembly 600 can be operative to provide resistance to the extension of gas spring assembly AS1 as the gas spring assembly is extended beyond a predetermined axial length or height, such as beyond predetermined rebound height RHT, for example. In some constructions, the travel-limiting assembly, if included, can take the form of a construction that provides minimal resistance to extension during normal use in operation but inhibits extension of the gas spring assembly beyond the predetermined extended height (i.e. , over-extension of the gas spring assembly).

[0063] As one non-limiting example of a suitable construction, travel-limiting assembly 600 can include a flexible annular member 602 that is used as the working device that compresses or otherwise collapses within spring chamber 202 during jounce motion whilerestricting rebound motion to a predetermined maximum travel distance (i.e., a predetermined maximum axial length or height of the gas spring assembly). It will be appreciated that flexible annular member 602 can be of any suitable size, shape, construction and / or configuration. In some cases, flexible annular member 602 can have an overall construction similar to a type and kind of flexible spring member commonly referred to as a convoluted or bellows-type construction, and it will be appreciated that any suitable type or kind of convoluted spring construction can be used. As such, in some cases, the flexible annular member can have any suitable number of one or more girdle wall portions that are spaced apart from the ends of the flexible annular member to form a corresponding number of two or more convoluted wall portions.

[0064] As a non-limiting example, flexible annular member 602 can include a flexible wall 604 that is at least partially formed from one or more layers or plies (not identified) of elastomeric material (e.g., natural rubber, synthetic rubber and / or thermoplastic elastomer) and can optionally include one or more plies or layers of filament reinforcing material. Flexible wall 604 is shown extending in a longitudinal direction between opposing ends 606 and 608. In some cases, flexible wall 604 can, optionally, include a mounting bead disposed along either one or both of ends 606 and 608. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4-9, flexible wall 604 includes mounting beads 610 and 612 respectively disposed along ends 606 and 608. In some cases, the mounting beads can, optionally, include a reinforcing device, such as an endless, annular bead core 614, for example.

[0065] In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 2-10, flexible wall 604 of flexible annular member 602 includes a girdle wall portion 616 disposed approximately midway along flexible wall 604 between ends 606 and 608. In such a construction, a convoluted wall portion 618 extends between girdle wall portion 616 and mounting bead 610, and a convoluted wall portion 620 extends between the girdle wall portion and mounting bead 612. In some cases, girdle wall portion 616 can, optionally, include a reinforcing device, such as an endless, annular girdle hoop 622, for example. If included, girdle hoop 622 can be at least partially embedded within girdle wall portion 616 of flexible wall 604, and can function to retard or otherwise inhibit radially-outward expansion of the flexible wall during use.

[0066] As indicated above, flexible wall 604 of flexible annular member 602 can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as by using one or more fabric-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers and / or one or more un-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers, for example. Typically, one or more fabric- reinforced, elastomeric plies and one or more un-reinforced, elastomeric plies will be used together and formed from a common elastomeric material, such as a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. In other cases, however, a combination of two or more different materials, two or more compounds of similar materials, or two or more grades of the same material could be used.

[0067] Flexible wall 604 can include an inner surface 624 and an outer surface 626 that each extend longitudinally along the flexible wall. Inner surface 624 can at least partially define an interior chamber 628 of the flexible annular member 602 that is disposed inwardly of the flexible wall. In some constructions, flexible wall 604 can include one or more layers or reinforcing plies disposed between inner and outer surfaces 624 and 626. The one or more reinforcing plies can be of any suitable construction and / or configuration. For example, the one or more reinforcing plies can include one or more lengths of filament material that are at least partially embedded therein. It will be appreciated that the one or more lengths of filament material can be of any suitable type, kind and / or construction, such as monofilament polymeric strands, braided cotton yam or bundled carbon fibers, for example. Furthermore, such one or more lengths of filament material could optionally be coated or otherwise treated, such as, for example, to improve adhesion with the adjacent plies or other surrounding material. For example, the filament material could be rubber coated, such that upon applying a layer of rubber over the filament material improved adhesion between the various layers could result during and / or after vulcanization, for example.

[0068] Additionally, it will be appreciated that the one or more lengths of filament material, if provided, can be oriented in any suitable manner. As one example, flexible wall 604 is shown in FIG. 4 as including a plurality of filament segments 630A disposed at one bias angle BA1 and at least partially forming one reinforcing layer or ply 632A. Flexible wall 604 also includes a plurality of filament segments 630B disposed at another bias angle BA2 and at least partially forming another reinforcing layer or ply 632B. It willbe appreciated that any suitable bias angles can be used, such as bias angles within a range of from approximately 3 degrees to approximately 87 degrees, for example. In some cases, the filament segments can be disposed at approximately the same bias angle but oriented in the opposing direction, such as is represented in FIG. 4 by reference dimensions BA1 and BA2, for example.

[0069] In construction shown and described, travel-limiting assembly 600 can extend and collapse without generating any substantial or otherwise significant resistance to motion as gas spring assembly AS1 is axially displaced during use toward, from and / or otherwise between a full jounce condition (i.e., fully compressed) and a full rebound condition (i.e., fully extended). Flexible annular member 602 is coextensive with flexible annular member 200. Upon reaching full rebound height RHT, flexible wall 604 of flexible annular member 602 becomes tensioned between end member assembly 300 and end member assembly 400 (and / or between end member assembly 300 and clamping plate 500, which is secured to end member assembly 400), such as is shown in FIG. 5. Though flexible wall 604 is at least partially formed from elastomeric material, the flexible wall and any filament segments embedded therein (e.g., filament segments 630A and 630B of reinforcing plies 632A and 632B) eventually reach a point of maximum elongation. In such a condition, flexible wall 604 becomes inextensible in the axial direction and thereby limits extension of gas spring assembly AS1 beyond rebound height RHT, such as is shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0070] That is, it will be appreciated that flexible annular member 200 will have a maximum extensible length in the axial direction associated with the dimensions and construction thereof. As such, flexible annular member 200 be capable of undergoing a maximum axial extension under full rebound conditions. Similarly, flexible annular member 602 will have a maximum extensible length in the axial direction associated with the dimensions and construction thereof. In accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, the maximum extensible length in the axial direction of flexible annular member 602 is less than the maximum extensible length in the axial direction of flexible annular member 200. Upon reaching a condition in which flexible annular member 602 is inextensible in the axial direction, flexible annular member 200 has a greater maximum extensible length in the axial direction and, thus, is protected from axial overextension byflexible annular member 602 reaching the corresponding maximum extensible length thereof.

[0071] As gas spring assembly AS1 is compressed toward full jounce height JHT, convoluted wall portions 620 and 622 of flexible wall 604 collapse onto one another within spring chamber 202. In such an arrangement, flexible annular member 602 remains contained within spring chamber 202, such as without any significant portion of flexible wall 604 contacting flexible spring member 200, for example. Mounting bead 610, mounting bead 612 and girdle wall portion 616, if included, can have cross-sectional dimensions extending transverse across flexible wall 604, such as are respectively represented by reference dimensions CD1, CD2 and CD3 in FIG. 6, for example. In a preferred arrangement, cross-sectional dimension CD1 of mounting bead 610 is greater than cross-sectional dimension CD2 of mounting bead 612. In some cases, mounting bead 610, mounting bead 612 and girdle wall portion 616 can respectively have cross- sectional dimensions CD1-CD3 corresponding to the relationship:CD1 > CD3 > CD2 with cross-sectional dimension CD1 being greater than cross-sectional dimension CD2 and cross-sectional dimension CD3 being less than cross-sectional dimension CD1 but greater than or approximately equal to cross-sectional dimension CD2. In a more preferred arrangement, cross-sectional dimensions CD1-CD3 respectively of mounting bead 610, mounting bead 612 and girdle wall portion 616 can correspond to the relationship:CD1 > CD3 > CD2 with cross-sectional dimension CD1 being greater than cross-sectional dimension CD2 and cross-sectional dimension CD3 being less than cross-sectional dimension CD1 but greater than cross-sectional dimension CD2.

[0072] It will be appreciated that mounting beads 610 and 612 can be secured in any suitable manner on, along and / or otherwise between end member assembly 300 and end member assembly 400 and / or between end member assembly 300 and clamping plate 500, which is secured on or along end member assembly 400. As one non-limiting example, mounting bead 610 can be operatively connected with a mounting ring 634 that is secured on or along end member assembly 300 in a suitable manner. Mounting ring634 can take the form of an endless annular wall that extends peripherally about axis AX and includes any suitable number of one or more wall portions. Mounting ring 634 can include a bead wall portion 636 and a flange wall portion 638 that extends radially outward from along the bead wall portion. Bead wall portion 636 extends radially inward to an inner edge 640 and flange wall portion 638 extends radially outward to an outer edge 642. Mounting ring 634 has a surface (or surface portion) 644 facing toward mounting wall portion 304 of end member wall 302 and a surface (or surface portion) 646 facing away from the mounting wall portion of the end member wall.

[0073] In some cases, bead wall portion 636 can have a curved cross-sectional shape or configuration, such as may be dimensioned to abuttingly engage mounting bead 610 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, for example. In some cases, mounting bead 610 can be permanently attached (i. e. , inseparable without damage, destruction or material alteration of at least one of the component parts) to bead wall portion 636, such as by way of an adhesive and / or cured-material joint (e.g., vulcanization), which is represented in FIG. 7 by dashed line JT1. In such case, joint JT1 can form a fluid-tight connection between mounting bead 610 and bead wall portion 636. Additionally, in some cases, a fluid-tight seal or joint can be formed between an end surface (or end surface portion) 648 of mounting bead 610 and an inner surface portion 316 of mounting wall portion 304 of end member wall 302, such as is represented in FIG. 7 by dashed line JT2, for example. Furthermore, in such arrangements, a fluid-tight seal or joint can be formed between an end surface (or end surface portion) 222 of mounting bead 214 and surface portion 646 of flange wall portion 638, such as is represented in FIG. 7 by dashed line JT3, for example. In such an arrangement, flange wall portion 638 is captured between mounting wall portion 304 of end member wall 302 and mounting bead 610 annularly around flexible annular member 602. Additionally, in such an arrangement, spring chamber 202 and interior chamber 628 of flexible annular member 602 are fluidically isolated from exterior atmosphere ATM.

[0074] Flexible annular member 602 can be secured on or along end member assembly 400 in any suitable manner, such as through attachment to clamping plate 500, for example. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4-6, and 8-10, for example, mounting bead 612 is received on or along mounting wall portion 526 of clamping plate wall 504.An end surface (or end surface portion) 650 of mounting bead 612 is disposed on or along outer surface 534 with the mounting bead received between bead retaining wall 536 and surface portion 506 such that mounting bead 612 is secured on or along mounting wall portion 526 in a somewhat conventional manner. That is, mounting bead 612 is disposed along outer surface portions 534A and 534B beneath bead retaining wall portions 536A and 536B. However, conventional assemblies include a fluid-tight seal being formed between the mounting bead and the mounting wall portion entirely around the periphery of outer surface 534. The subject construction differs from conventional assemblies in that mounting bead 612 bridges across notches 538. As such, mounting bead 612 extends peripherally between outer surface portions 534A and 534B such that passages are defined between the mounting bead and the mounting wall portion at least through notches 538 that permit fluid communication between clamping plate recess 532 and spring chamber 202, which passages and fluid communication is represented in FIG. 10 by arrow 652.

[0075] In accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, a gas spring assembly can include a jounce bumper assembly disposed within the spring chamber of the gas spring assembly to eliminate inadvertent or otherwise undesirable contact between opposing portions or components thereof. The jounce bumper assembly can be supported on or along either of the end member assemblies of the gas spring assembly. As is well understood in the art, the jounce bumper prevents or otherwise at least substantially inhibits opposing portions of the gas spring assembly (or the suspension system associated therewith) from directly impacting one another. Thus, during jounce motion, an opposing component will contact the jounce bumper rather than impacting other components on, along or otherwise near which the jounce bumper is mounted.

[0076] In one exemplary arrangement, gas spring assembly AS1 includes a jounce bumper assembly 700 that is disposed within spring chamber 202. Jounce bumper assembly 700 includes a bumper body 702 and an end closure 704. Jounce bumper assembly 700 can be supported on or along any combination of one or more of end member assembly 300, end member assembly 400 and / or clamping plate 500. In some cases, jounce bumper assembly 700 can be supported on clamping plate 500, such as is shown in FIGS. 4-6, and8-10, for example. In one exemplary arrangement, securementdevice 464 can extend through jounce bumper assembly 700 to thereby retain the jounce bumper assembly in abutting engagement on or along an inner support wall portion 548 of clamping plate wall 504, for example.

[0077] Bumper body 702 can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials and can be of any suitable or otherwise appropriate size, shape, configuration and / or construction, such as may be preferred for use in a particular application. For example, bumper body 702 can be formed from a rigid thermoplastic, a thermoplastic elastomer, a natural rubber compound, a synthetic rubber compound, or any combination of these and / or other polymeric materials. Bumper body 702 is shown as including end surfaces (or end surface portions) 706 and 708 that are spaced apart from one another in an axial direction. An outer side surface (or surface portion) 710 can extend peripherally around the jounce bumper body. In some cases, bumper body 702 can include an inner side surface (or surface portion) 712 that at least partially defines a passage 714 extending through the bumper body. In the exemplary embodiment shown, end surface portion 706 is somewhat curved or otherwise crowned and forms an outermost axial extent or contact surface for the jounce bumper assembly in the direction facing away from base plate 704. End surface portion 708 substantially conforms to the configuration of end closure 704 with outer side surface portion 710 commonly being at least partially tapered or frustoconical in shape. It will be appreciated, however, that the exterior shape and configuration of bumper body 702 is merely exemplary and that surfaces of any suitable number, size and / or shape can alternately be used.

[0078] End closure 704 includes a plate surface (or surface portion) 716 on or along which bumper body 702 is supported and a plate surface (or surface portion) 718 facing opposite plate surface 716. Bumper body 702 can be secured on or along plate surface 716 of end closure 704 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by using any combination of any one or more of mechanical fasteners, interengaging or connection features, adhesive substances or joints, molding or overmolding processes, vulcanizing, and / or other cured-material joints to permanently attach (i.e., inseparable without damage, destruction or material alteration of at least one of the component parts) bumper body 702 on or along end closure 704, all of which attachment types are collectively represented in FIG. 8 by dashed line JN4.

[0079] End closure 704 includes a base wall portion 720 that is approximately planar and includes a hole or opening 722 extending therethrough. In such an arrangement, securement device 464 can extend through passage 714 in bumper body 702 and hole 722 in end closure 704 to secure jounce bumper assembly 700 on or along inner support wall portion 548 of clamping plate body 502, such as has been discussed above. End closure 704 also includes an outer wall portion 724 disposed radially outward of base wall portion 720 that extends toward an outer peripheral edge 726. Outer wall portion 724 can include a curved cross-sectional shape or profile that extends peripherally around end closure 704. In an installed condition, outer wall portion 724 can, optionally, assist in retaining end 208 of flexible wall 204 on or along clamping plate body 502. For example, outer wall portion 724 can abuttingly engage inner surface 212 of the flexible wall along mounting bead 216 to compress or otherwise urge the mounting bead toward and / or into engagement with surface portion 506 such that mounting bead 216 is retained on or along mounting wall portion 526.

[0080] As discussed above, fluid communication between clamping plate recess 532 and spring chamber 202 is provided by passages 652 through notches 538 even though mounting bead 216 may sealingly engage outer surface portions 534A and 534B of mounting wall portion 526. However, it will be appreciated that abutting engagement of outer wall portion 724 with inner surface 212 peripherally around jounce bumper assembly 700 can form a seal or other interface therebetween that may limit fluid communication between clamping plate recess 532 and interior chamber 628 of flexible annular member 602. In some constructions, interior chamber 628 is disposed in fluid communication with spring chamber 202 such that the interior chamber and the spring chamber fluidically function or otherwise act as a contiguous volume.

[0081] It will be appreciated that such fluid communication can be achieved in any suitable manner. As one non-limiting example, end closure 704 can include an intermediate wall portion 728 disposed between base wall portion 720 and outer wall portion 724. Intermediate wall portion 728 can have a curved cross-sectional shape or profile oriented opposite the curved cross-sectional profile of outer wall portion 724. In such a configuration, intermediate wall portion 728 extends peripherally around end closure 704 and can contribute added volume to clamping plate recess 532 betweenclamping plate body 502 and end closure 704. Bumper body 702 can include a passage 730 extending therethrough and end closure 704 can include a hole or passage 732 extending therethrough in fluid communication with passage 730. In such an arrangement, passages 730 and 732 can be approximately coaxial with one another and can, in some cases, be offset radially outward of axis AX such that at least passage 732 extends through intermediate wall portion 728, as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 8-10, for example. In such an arrangement, fluid communication between clamping plate recess 532 and interior chamber 628 occurs through passages 730 and 732, as is represented in FIG. 10 by arrow 654. As such, spring chamber 202 and interior chamber 628 are disposed in fluid communication with one another through clamping plate recess 532 together with and by way of passages 652 and 654.

[0082] In some cases, end closure 704 can include an inner side wall portion 734 disposed between base wall portion 720 and outer wall portion 724. Inner side wall portion 734 can extend between and operatively connect base wall portion 720 with intermediate wall portion 728. Inner side wall portion 734 can have any suitable linear or curvilinear cross-sectional shape or profile and can be oriented to extend in a generally axial direction. In a preferred arrangement, inner side wall portion 734 can at least partially form a bumper-restraining cup or recess 736 disposed radially inward of outer wall portion 724. In a preferred arrangement, a portion of bumper body 702 is disposed within bumperrestraining cup 736 and abuttingly engage the inner side wall portion at least under compression of the bumper body associated with full jounce conditions. In such cases, bumper body 702 can be disposed along end closure 704 such that end surface 708 of the bumper body extends along at least some of base wall portion 720. In some cases, a portion of bumper body 702 can be disposed radially outward of inner side wall portion 734, such as may extend along and across intermediate wall portion 728 as well as along and across at least some of outer wall portion 724, such as radially outward to or at least toward outer peripheral edge 726, for example. In any of such constructions, some of bumper body 702 projects from end closure 704 axially outward of bumper-restraining cup 736 beyond an axially-outermost extent 728E of end closure 704 such that end surface portion 706 can abuttingly engage the opposing end member assembly or acomponent thereof (e.g., end member assembly 300) for axial compression of bumper body 702 thereby under jounce conditions.

[0083] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate construction of jounce bumper assembly 700 shown and described in connection with FIGS. 2-8 and 10. It will be appreciated that certain components, devices and / or features shown in FIG. 9 are identical to components, devices and / or features shown in FIGS. 2-8 and 10 and that such components, devices and / or features are identified in FIG. 9 using like reference characters with new or different components, devices and / or features identified by primed (') reference characters. As such, FIG. 9 illustrates a jounce bumper assembly 700' that includes a bumper body 702' and end closure 704 that are together secured on or along end member assembly 400 by way of a securement device 464'. Securement device 464' differs from securement device 464 in that securement device 464' is shown as including a bumper mount portion 472' disposed along one end thereof that is operatively connected to end closure 704 instead of having a conventional fastener head securing the end closure on or along end member 400, such as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, for example. Securement device 464' can be secured on or along end closure 704 in any suitable manner, such as by way of a flowed-material joint 474', for example. Bumper mount 472' can be dimensioned to receive and retain bumper body 702' on or along end closure 704 in an otherwise conventional manner.

[0084] Bumper body 702' is shown as including end surfaces (or end surface portions) 706' and 708' that are spaced apart from one another in an axial direction. An outer side surface (or surface portion) 710' extends peripherally around the jounce bumper body. Bumper body 702' differs from bumper body 702 at least in that bumper body 702' includes a recess (not numbered) dimensioned to receive bumper mount 472’ through which interengagement the bumper body is retained on or along end closure 704. It will be appreciated that other suitable connection or combination of connections could alternately be used, such as, for example, by using any combination of any one or more of mechanical fasteners or interengaging features, an adhesive substance or joint, molding or overmolding processes, vulcanizing or other cured-material joint to permanently attach (i.e., inseparable without damage, destruction or material alterationof at least one of the component parts) bumper body 702' on or along end closure 704, all of which attachment types are collectively represented in FIG. 9 by dashed line JN4'.

[0085] Additionally, bumper body 702' differs from bumper body 702 at least in that outer side surface 710' of bumper body 702' is disposed radially inward of inner side wall portion 734 such that all or nearly all of bumper body 702' is disposed radially inside bumper-restraining cup 736 of end closure 704. As such, passage 730 of bumper body 702 is eliminated and fluid communication between interior chamber 628 and spring chamber 202 occurs through hole 732 in combination with clamping plate recess 532 and notches 538, as described above in connection with fluid flow arrows 652 and 654. In such constructions, some of bumper body 702' will project from end closure 704 axially outward of bumper-restraining cup 736 beyond an axially-outermost extent 728E of end closure 704 such that end surface portion 706' can abuttingly engage the opposing end member assembly or a component thereof (e.g., end member assembly 300) for axial compression of bumper body 702' thereby under jounce conditions of the gas spring assembly.

[0086] Furthermore, due to the configuration of inner side wall portion 734 and outer side surface 710' and the orientation thereof relative to one another, an empty space or free volume exists within bumper-restraining cup 736 in an unloaded and undeflected condition of bumper body 702', such as is represented in FIG. 9 by reference dimension GAP. It will be appreciated that the surfaces and / or walls of the bumper body and the end closure can have any suitable shape, profile and / or configuration, and that the combination of cylindrical and frustoconical side walls and / or surfaces shown and described herein are merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Thus, it will be further appreciated that any such corresponding free volume can be of any size, shape and / or configuration as may be suitable for providing a jounce bumper assembly having desired performance characteristics for a given application, operation and / or use.

[0087] FIG. 11 illustrates a further alternate construction of a jounce bumper assembly 800 in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that certain components, devices and / or features shown in FIG. 11 are identical to components, devices and / or features shown in FIGS. 2-10 and that such components, devices and / or features are identified in FIG. 11 using like reference characters with newor different components, devices and / or features identified by primed (') reference characters.

[0088] Jounce bumper assembly 800 includes a bumper body 802 and an end closure 804. Bumper body 802 can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials and can be of any suitable or appropriate size, shape, configuration and / or construction, such as may be preferred for use in a particular application. For example, bumper body 802 can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, a natural rubber compound, a synthetic rubber compound, or any combination of these and / or other polymeric materials. Bumper body 802 is shown as including end surfaces (or end surface portions) 806 and 808 that are spaced apart from one another in an axial direction. An outer side surface (or surface portion) 810 can extend peripherally around the jounce bumper body.

[0089] End closure 804 includes a base wall portion 812 that is approximately planar and includes a hole or opening 814 extending (typically) centrally therethrough. In such an arrangement, a securement device 464' can extend through hole 814 in end closure 804 and operatively engage a bumper mounting nut 476' to secure jounce bumper assembly 800 on or along end wall portion 418 of end member 400. It will be appreciated that bumper mounting nut 476' can be secured on or along end closure 804 in any suitable manner, such as by way of a flowed-material joint 478', for example. Bumper mounting nut 476' can be dimensioned to receive and retain bumper body 802 on or along end closure 804 in an otherwise conventional manner.

[0090] Bumper body 802 includes a recess (not numbered) dimensioned to receive bumper mount 476' through which interengagement the bumper body is retained on or along end closure 804. It will be appreciated that other suitable connection or combination of connections could alternately be used, such as, for example, by using any combination of any one or more of mechanical fasteners or interengaging features, an adhesive substance or joint, molding or overmolding processes, vulcanizing or other cured-material joint to permanently attach (i.e., inseparable without damage, destruction or material alteration of at least one of the component parts) bumper body 802 on or along end closure 804.

[0091] It will be appreciated that jounce bumper assembly 800 is similar to jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700'. However, jounce bumper assembly 800 differs from jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700' at least in that jounce bumper assembly 800 is directly supported on or along end member 400' whereas jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700' are shown and described as being supported on or along end member 400 with clamping plate 500 disposed therebetween, as an optional component. In some cases, end closure 804 can capture or otherwise secure mounting bead 216 on or along inner side wall portion 416 of end member assembly 400 such that a fluid-tight connection is formed between the mounting bead, the end closure and the inner side wall portion of the end member assembly.

[0092] End closure 804 also includes an outer wall portion 816 disposed radially outward of base wall portion 812 that extends toward an outer peripheral edge 818. Outer wall portion 816 can include a curved cross-sectional shape or profile that extends peripherally around end closure 804. In an installed condition, outer wall portion 816 retains mounting bead 216 of flexible wall 204 on or along inner side wall portion 416 of end member assembly 400. For example, outer wall portion 816 can abuttingly engage mounting bead 216 to compress or otherwise urge the mounting bead toward inner side wall portion 416 such that mounting bead 216 is retained on or along the inner side wall portion. In some cases, end closure 804 can be permanently secured or otherwise attached to one or more components of the gas spring assembly. For example, a portion (e.g., mounting bead 216) of flexible spring member 200 can be adhered, vulcanized, cured or otherwise permanently attached (i.e. , inseparable without damage, destruction or material alteration of at least one of the component parts) to end closure 804 or a surface portion thereof (e.g., outer wall portion 816 and / or outer peripheral edge 818), such as is represented in FIG. 11 by dashed lines JT5, for example.

[0093] End closure 804 can further include an intermediate wall portion 820 disposed between base wall portion 812 and outer wall portion 816. Intermediate wall portion 820 can have a curved cross-sectional shape or profile oriented opposite the curved cross- sectional profile of outer wall portion 816. In such a configuration, intermediate wall portion 820 extends peripherally around end closure 804. Additionally, end closure 804 includes an inner side wall portion 822 disposed between base wall portion 812 and outerwall portion 816. Inner side wall portion 822 can extend between and operatively connect base wall portion 812 with intermediate wall portion 820. Inner side wall portion 822 can have any suitable linear or curvilinear cross-sectional shape or profile and can be oriented to extend in a generally axial direction. In some configurations, inner side wall portion 822 can at least partially form a bumper-restraining cup or recess 824 disposed radially inward of outer wall portion 816. In such cases, all or nearly all of bumper body 802 can be disposed radially inside bumper-restraining cup 824 of end closure 804. In such constructions, some of bumper body 802 will project from end closure 804 axially outward of bumper-restraining cup 824 beyond an axially-outermost extent 820E of end closure 804 such that end surface portion 806 can abuttingly engage the opposing end member assembly or a component thereof (e.g., end member assembly 300) for axial compression of bumper body 802 thereby under jounce conditions of the gas spring assembly.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 11 , outer side surface portion 810 forms a cylindrical or frustoconical outer shape or profile of bumper body 802. Inner side wall portion 822 can have a cylindrical or frustoconical shape or profile. Due to the shape and relative alignment of such surface and / or wall portions, a free volume is formed therebetween as is represented by reference dimension GAP, such as has been described above.

[0095] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11 , end member assembly 400' includes an end member shell (or end member body) 408' that at least partially defines an end member chamber 432' within end member assembly 400'. An end wall portion 418' of an end member wall 408W' is axially offset from distal extent 422 in a direction toward end 406 such that end surface portion 426 together with inner surface portion 424 at least partially defines a recess 430' extending into end member shell 408' from along end 404. End wall portion 418' includes openings or ports 470’ that extend through the end wall portion and permit fluid communication between recess 430' and end member chamber 432'.

[0096] As discussed above, jounce bumper assembly 800 differs from jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700' at least in that jounce bumper assembly 800 is directly supported on or along end member 400' whereas jounce bumper assemblies 700 and 700' are shown and described as being supported on or along end member 400 with clamping plate 500 disposed therebetween, as an optional component. However, similar to the non-limiting, exemplary arrangements shown and described in connection withFIGS. 4 and 8-10, recess 430' is in fluid communication with spring chamber 202 through one or more openings or passages 826 extending through outer wall portion 816 and / or through intermediate wall portion 820, such any position along or between outer peripheral edge 818 and inner side wall portion 822, for example. In some cases, a plurality of passages 826 are disposed in fluid communication with a plurality of ports 470' by way of recess 430' between end wall portion 418' and end closure 804.

[0097] To illustrate the use of a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with one aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure, bumper bodies 702, 702' and 802 respectively of jounce bumper assemblies 700, 700' and 800 are shown in FIGS. 8 -11 as being in a first, unloaded and undeflected condition, as indicated by reference character “A”. The jounce bumper can be axially deflected or displaced due to contact with any known components in any known configurations and / or arrangements, such as, for example, by having an opposing end member of a gas spring assembly, within which the jounce bumper assembly is disposed, contact the free end of the jounce bumper. The jounce bumper is then compressed in response to relative axial movement of associated structural members on or between which the end members of the gas spring assembly are disposed. As the free end (e.g., end surface portions 706, 706' and 806) of the bumper body is displaced through an axial distance, a corresponding lateral or radially outward displacement of the bumper body results, which radially outward displacement has a relation, at least in part, to the stress-strain properties of the material forming the jounce bumper.

[0098] In the exemplary representations in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11 , a second condition of bumper bodies 702, 702' and 802 is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11 , as indicated by reference character “B”, which second condition is associated with the jounce bumper being displaced through the axial distance and resulting in the corresponding radially outward expansion. It will be recognized from the deformation of the jounce bumper represented by reference character “B” that the radially outward displacement of the jounce bumper is at least partially constrained by inner side wall portion 734 and / or 822, which resists radially outward expansion of at least a portion of the bumper body. In the constructions shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 , the deformation of bumper bodies 702' and 802 at least partiallyfills or otherwise reduces the size of the free volume between the bumper body and the inner side wall portion (e.g., gap GAP within bumper-restraining cup 736 and / or 824).

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11 , in a preferred arrangement, end closures 704 and 804 can be configured to include edge distal extents 726E and 818E, respectively, of outer peripheral edges 726 and 818 of outer wall portions 724 and 816. Distal extents 726E and 818E are axially offset from end wall portions 720 and 812 of end closures 704 and 804. Inner side wall portions 734 and 822 extend axially away from end wall portions 720 and 812 such that the combination of the inner side wall portions together with corresponding ones of intermediate wall portions 728 and 820 generate an axial depth of bumper-restraining cups 736 and 824 from end wall portions 720 and 812 to cup distal extents 736E and 824E, such as may be defined on or along intermediate wall portions 728 and 820, for example. In such cases, cup distal extents 736E and 824E are spaced axially offset from end wall portions 720 and 812 a greater distance than edge distal extents 726E and 818E are from the end wall portions, such that an axial offset dimension AOF is disposed between the edge distal extents and the cup distal extents. In a preferred construction, axial offset dimension AOF represent a condition in which cup distal extents 736E and 824E are axially offset from the end wall portions a distance that is at least thirty (30) percent greater that the distance that edge distal extents 726E and 818E are axially offset from the end wall portions. In a more-preferred construction, axial offset dimension AOF can represent a condition in which cup distal extents 736E and 824E are axially offset from the end wall portions a distance that is at least fifty (50) percent greater that the distance that edge distal extents 726E and 818E are axially offset from the end wall portions.

[0100] In use, a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can provide one or more desired performance characteristics. For example, such a jounce bumper assembly can provide resistance to impact fatigue (i.e., provide the capability to withstand repeated impact loads) under the relatively high load conditions associated with heavy duty applications. A jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can also provide the capability to tune the performance characteristics (e.g., spring rate and deflection) of the jounce bumper assembly by using differently shaped bumper and inner side wallcombinations to form different free volume configurations therebetween. The subject jounce bumper assembly can also achieve deflection, load carrying and other performance capabilities between those capabilities commonly provided by jounce bumpers formed from compliant materials (e.g., rubber and elastomeric foams) and those capabilities commonly associated with jounce bumpers formed from more rigid materials (e.g., fiber-reinforced and other high-strength plastics). Additionally, jounce bumper assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure may provide enhanced ride quality by permitting compliance during initial jounce travel of the suspension system while stiffening sufficiently during further jounce travel to minimize bump-through of road or other inputs. Furthermore, a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can be capable of withstanding the loads associated with, and thereby functioning as a dock stabilizer for the loading and unloading of a vehicle.

[0101] It will be recognized that a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure would be expected to provide an initially compliant performance characteristic that is similar to that of a known compliant jounce bumper. Upon further deflection, however, as the outer side surface of the jounce bumper body increasingly engages the side wall portion of the end closure, it is expected that the subject jounce bumper would begin to become increasingly stiff (i.e., to have less additional axial deflection at a given load) as the bumper body increasingly engages the inner side wall of the end closure and begins filling the free volume of the bumperrestraining cup in comparison to a known jounce bumper that is formed from a similarly compliant material but which is radially unrestrained. That is, upon such axial deflection, the subject jounce bumper assembly would be expected to provide substantially greater stiffness than such a known compliant jounce bumper yet remain more compliant than a known rigid jounce bumper. Additionally, it is expected that the subject jounce bumper assembly would be capable of withstanding loads comparable to those subjected to known rigid jounce bumpers.

[0102] It should be understood that the deformations of the jounce bumper shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11 are provided merely as illustrations for presenting the foregoing discussion and, further, it should be recognized that such deformations are not to scaleand are not intended to represent actual deformation conditions, which will vary from embodiment-to-embodiment depending, for example, upon the construction, configuration and properties of the materials used as well as upon other possible factors.

[0103] As used herein with reference to certain features, elements, components and / or structures, numerical ordinals (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, etc.) may be used to denote different singles of a plurality or otherwise identify certain features, elements, components and / or structures, and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. Additionally, the terms “transverse,” and the like, are to be broadly interpreted. As such, the terms “transverse,” and the like, can include a wide range of relative angular orientations that include, but are not limited to, an approximately perpendicular angular orientation. Also, the terms “circumferential,” “circumferentially,” and the like, are to be broadly interpreted and can include, but are not limited to circular shapes and / or configurations. In this regard, the terms “circumferential,” “circumferentially,” and the like, can be synonymous with terms such as “peripheral,” “peripherally,” and the like.

[0104] It is to be recognized and appreciated that terms such as “can”, “may”, “might” and the like are to be interpreted as being permissive rather than required. As such, any reference to items with which terms such as “can”, “may”, “might” and the like are used shall be interpreted as being optional rather than required by the subject matter of the present disclosure unless otherwise specifically set forth herein.

[0105] Furthermore, the phrase “flowed-material joint” and the like, if used herein, are to be interpreted to include any joint or connection in which a liquid or otherwise flowable material (e.g., a melted metal or combination of melted metals) is deposited or otherwise presented between adjacent component parts and operative to form a fixed and fluid-tight connection therebetween. Examples of processes that can be used to form such a flowed- material joint include, without limitation, welding processes, brazing processes and soldering processes. In such cases, one or more metal materials and / or alloys can be used to form such a flowed-material joint, in addition to any material from the component parts themselves. Another example of a process that can be used to form a flowed- material joint includes applying, depositing or otherwise presenting an adhesive between adjacent component parts that is operative to form a fixed and fluid-tight connectiontherebetween. In such case, it will be appreciated that any suitable adhesive material or combination of materials can be used, such as one-part and / or two-part epoxies, for example.

[0106] Further still, the term “gas” is used herein to broadly refer to any gaseous or vaporous fluid. Most commonly, air is used as the working medium of gas spring devices, such as those described herein, as well as suspension systems and other components thereof. However, it will be understood that any suitable gaseous fluid could alternately be used.

[0107] It will be recognized that numerous different features and / or components are presented in the embodiments shown and described herein, and that no one embodiment may be specifically shown and described as including all such features and components. As such, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure is intended to encompass any and all combinations of the different features and components that are shown and described herein, and, without limitation, that any suitable arrangement of features and components, in any combination, can be used. Thus it is to be distinctly understood claims directed to any such combination of features and / or components, whether or not specifically embodied herein, are intended to find support in the present disclosure. To aid the Patent Office and any readers of this application and any resulting patent in interpreting the claims appended hereto, Applicant does not intend any of the appended claims or any claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

[0108] Thus, while the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments and considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles hereof. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the subject matter of the present disclosure and notas a limitation. As such, it is intended that the subject matter of the present disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A gas spring assembly comprising: a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending peripherally about said longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally from said first end, said flexible annular member at least partially defining an annular member chamber; a first end member secured across said first end of said flexible annular member; a second end member secured across said second end of said flexible annular member; and, a jounce bumper assembly supported along one of said first and second end members, said jounce bumper assembly including an end closure supported on said one of said first and second end members and a bumper body supported on said end closure in facing relation to the other of said first and second end members with said bumper body dimensioned to abuttingly engage the other of said first and second end members under a jounce condition of said gas spring assembly, said end closure including an end closure wall with an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion unitarily formed on said end closure wall with said outer peripheral wall portion, said outer peripheral wall portion abuttingly engaging and thereby axially retaining a corresponding one of said first and second ends of said flexible annular member on or along said one of said one of said first and second end members, said inner side wall portion spaced radially inward from said outer peripheral wall portion and at least partially defining a bumperrestraining cup dimensioned to receive a portion of said bumper body and restrict radially- outward expansion of said bumper body under axial compression applied under said jounce condition.

2. A gas spring assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said one of said first and second end members includes an end member chamber, and said end closure includes an end closure passage extending therethrough in fluid communication between said annular member chamber and said end member chamber.

3. A gas spring assembly according to claim 2, wherein said bumper body includes a body passage extending therethrough, and said bumper body is supported on said end closure such that said body passage is in fluid communication with said end closure passage and with said annular member chamber and said end member chamber in fluid communication with one another at least partially through said body passage and said end closure passage.

4. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said end closure wall includes an end wall portion unitarily formed with said inner side wall portion and said outer peripheral wall portion, said end wall portion disposed radially inward of said inner side wall portion and at least partially defining said bumper-restraining cup with a portion of said bumper body received radially inside of said inner side wall portion.

5. A gas spring assembly according to claim 4, wherein said end wall portion is approximately planar and said inner side wall portion extends axially outward from along said end wall portion.

6. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 -5, wherein said bumper body includes an outer peripheral surface portion spaced radially inward of said inner side wall portion in an uncompressed condition of said bumper body and displaced into abutting engagement with said inner side wall portion in said jounce condition of said gas spring assembly.

7. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 -6, wherein said inner side wall portion has a cross-sectional profile extending peripherally around said longitudinal axis such that said inner side wall portion has one of a curvilinear shape, a frustoconical shape and a cylindrical shape.

8. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein said end closure wall includes an intermediate wall portion extending radially between and operatively interconnecting said inner side wall portion and said outer peripheral wall portion.

9. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 -8, wherein said flexible annular member is a first flexible annular member and said gas spring assembly further comprises a second flexible annular member disposed radially outward of said first flexible annular member and operatively connected between said first and second end members.

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

11. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1-10 further comprising a clamping plate supported on said one of said first and second end members with said flexible annular member secured along said clamping plate.

12. A gas spring assembly according to claim 11 , wherein said jounce bumper assembly is supported on said one of said first and second end members with said clamping plate disposed therebetween.

13. A gas spring assembly according to either one of claims 11 and 12, wherein said clamping plate at least partially defines a clamping plate cavity disposed between said end closure and said clamping plate.

14. A gas spring assembly according to claim 13, wherein said end closure includes an end closure passage extending through said end closure wall in fluid communication with said clamping plate cavity.

15. A gas spring assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said bumper body extends radially outward along said end closure beyond said inner side wall portion.

16. A gas spring assembly according to claim 15, wherein said bumper body includes a body passage extending therethrough in fluid communication with said clamping plate cavity through said end closure passage.

17. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 10-16, wherein said first chamber portion and said second chamber portion are disposed in fluid communication with one another through at least said clamping plate cavity.

18. A gas spring assembly according to claim 17, wherein said first and second chamber portions are disposed in fluid communication with one another through an end closure passage extending through said end closure wall.

19. A gas spring assembly according to claim 18, wherein said first and second chamber portions are disposed in fluid communication with one another through said end closure passage and a body passage extending through said bumper body in fluid communication with said end closure passage.

20. A suspension system comprising: a pressurized gas system including a pressurized gas source and a control device in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source; and, at least one gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 1 -19 disposed in fluid communication with said pressurized gas source with said control device disposed in fluid communication therebetween.21 . A gas spring assembly comprising: a flexible annular member having a longitudinal axis and extending peripherally about said longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally from said first end, said flexible annular member at least partially defining an annular member chamber; a first end member secured across said first end of said flexible annular member; a second end member secured across said second end of said flexible annular member, said second end member including an end member chamber; and, a jounce bumper assembly supported along said second end member, said jounce bumper assembly including an end closure supported on said second end member and a bumper body supported on said end closure in facing relation to said first end member with said bumper body dimensioned to abuttingly engage said first end member under a jounce condition of said gas spring assembly, said end closure including an end closure wall with an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner side wall portion unitarily formed on said end closure wall with said outer peripheral wall portion, said outer peripheral wall portion abuttingly engaging and thereby axially retaining said second end of said flexible annular member on or along said second end member, said end closure wall including an end closure passage extending therethrough in fluid communication between a first chamber portion of said annular member chamber and at least one of a second chamber portion of said annular member chamber and said end member chamber.

22. A gas spring assembly according to claim 21 , wherein said bumper body includes a body passage extending therethrough, and said bumper body is supported on said end closure such that said body passage is in fluid communication with said end closure passage and such that said annular member chamber and said end member chamber are in fluid communication with one another at least partially through said body passage and said end closure passage.

23. A gas spring assembly according to either one of claims 21 and 22, wherein said inner side wall portion is spaced radially inward from said outer peripheral wall portion and at least partially defines a bumper-restraining cup dimensioned to receive a portion of said bumper body, said inner side wall portion of said bumper-restraining cup operable to restrict radially-outward expansion of said bumper body under axial compression applied under said jounce condition.

24. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 -23, wherein said end closure wall includes an end wall portion unitarily formed with said inner side wall portion and said outer peripheral wall portion, said end wall portion disposed radially inward of said inner side wall portion and at least partially defining said bumper-restraining cup with a portion of said bumper body received radially inside of said inner side wall portion.

25. A gas spring assembly according to claim 24, wherein said end wall portion is approximately planar and said inner side wall portion extends axially outward from along said end wall portion.

26. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 -25, wherein said bumper body includes an outer peripheral surface portion spaced radially inward of said inner side wall portion in an uncompressed condition of said bumper body and displaced into abutting engagement with said inner side wall portion in said jounce condition of said gas spring assembly.

27. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21-26, wherein said inner side wall portion has a cross-sectional profile extending peripherally around said longitudinal axis such that said inner side wall portion has one of a curvilinear shape, a frustoconical shape and a cylindrical shape.

28. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 -27, wherein said end closure wall includes an intermediate wall portion extending radially between and operatively interconnecting said inner side wall portion and said outer peripheral wall portion.

29. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21-28, wherein said flexible annular member is a first flexible annular member and said gas spring assembly further comprises a second flexible annular member disposed radially outward of said first flexible annular member and operatively connected between said first and second end members.

30. A gas spring assembly according to claim 29, wherein said first flexible annular member at least partially defines a first chamber portion of said annular member chamber and said second flexible annular member at least partially defines a second chamber portion of said annular member chamber in fluid communication with said first chamber portion.31 . A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 -30 further comprising a clamping plate supported on said one of said first and second end members with said flexible annular member secured along said clamping plate.

32. A gas spring assembly according to claim 31 , wherein said jounce bumper assembly is supported on said one of said first and second end members with said clamping plate disposed therebetween.

33. A gas spring assembly according to either one of claims 31 and 32, wherein said clamping plate at least partially defines a clamping plate cavity disposed between said end closure and said clamping plate.

34. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 -33, wherein said bumper body extends radially outward along said end closure beyond said inner side wall portion.

35. A gas spring assembly according to claim 34, wherein said bumper body includes a body passage extending therethrough in fluid communication with said clamping plate cavity through said end closure passage.

36. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 30-35, wherein said first chamber portion and said second chamber portion are disposed in fluid communication with one another through at least said clamping plate cavity.

37. A gas spring assembly according to claim 36, wherein said first and second chamber portions are disposed in fluid communication with one another through an end closure passage extending through said end closure wall.

38. A gas spring assembly according to claim 37, wherein said first and second chamber portions are disposed in fluid communication with one another through said end closure passage and a body passage extending through said bumper body in fluid communication with said end closure passage.

39. A suspension system comprising: a pressurized gas system including a pressurized gas source and a control device in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source; and, at least one gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 21 -38 disposed in fluid communication with said pressurized gas source with said control device disposed in fluid communication therebetween.

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