Sleeve for vehicle air spring

Abstract

To provide a sleeve for a vehicle air spring that has improved durability and reduces manufacturing cost by simplifying components.SOLUTION: A sleeve for a vehicle air spring includes at least a first sleeve (520) and a second sleeve (540). The first sleeve (520) is open at both ends and includes a first circumferential portion (522) and a second circumferential portion (524). The second sleeve (540) is open at one end and includes a third circumferential portion (542). The third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540) is coupled to the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520), and an end on an opposite side of the one end of the second sleeve (540) is formed in a closed structure (544).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sleeve for an air spring for a vehicle, and more particularly to a sleeve for an air spring for a vehicle, which has improved durability and can reduce manufacturing costs by simplifying parts. [Background technology]

[0002] An automobile suspension is a device that exists between the body and the wheels, and connects these two rigid bodies using one or more links. It is supported in the vertical direction by springs and shock absorbers, and in other directions, it performs the function of mechanically harmonizing the relative movement between the body and the wheels by appropriately balancing high rigidity and flexibility.

[0003] Such a suspension must satisfy the following basic requirements: it must effectively block out irregular road inputs that occur while the vehicle is running, providing passengers with a comfortable ride; it must provide driving convenience by appropriately controlling the shaking of the vehicle body caused by the driver's driving actions and curvature of the road; and it must maintain an appropriate level of vertical load on the tire's contact surface when running on irregular road surfaces, ensuring maneuverability and stability of the vehicle when cornering, braking, and driving.

[0004] In order to satisfy these conditions, various types of suspensions have been developed and applied to vehicles. Recently, air suspensions that improve ride comfort by changing the volume of the sleeve that forms the air spring to change the air spring constant and automatically maintain the vehicle height by changing the amount of air are widely used in luxury passenger cars.

[0005] However, such sleeves are attached to surrounding parts, and there is a risk of air leaking from the attachment site, which can cause the air spring to break down, thereby reducing the durability of the air spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2,090,801 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a sleeve for an air spring for a vehicle, which has improved durability and can reduce manufacturing costs by simplifying parts.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sleeve for an air spring for a vehicle, which can improve product performance by improving design freedom.

[0009] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a sleeve for an air spring for a vehicle, in which the sleeve is divided into a plurality of pieces and each piece is manufactured by injection molding, thereby improving the flowability of the injection molding during the injection molding of each sleeve and improving the quality of the sleeve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A sleeve 500 for a vehicle air spring according to one embodiment of the present invention includes at least a first sleeve 520 and a second sleeve 540, the first sleeve 520 having both open ends and including a first circumferential portion 522 and a second circumferential portion 524, the second sleeve 540 having one open end and including a third circumferential portion 542, the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 being connected to the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520, and the end opposite to the one end of the second sleeve 540 may be formed with a closed structure 544.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first sleeve 520 is an upper sleeve and the second sleeve 540 is a lower sleeve, the first circumferential portion 522 of the first sleeve 520 is attached to a top mount portion, and the outer surface of the closure structure 544 at the opposite end of the second sleeve 540 may be fixed to an end cap.

[0012] As an example, the closure structure 544 can include a disk 546 that closes an end of the second sleeve 540 opposite the one end.

[0013] For example, the closure structure 544 may further include a reinforcing portion 548 protruding from the disk 546. The reinforcing portion 548 may be a bar, and both ends of the bar may be connected to the inner surface of the second sleeve 540.

[0014] The reinforcing portion 548 may be a plurality of bars, each of which passes through the center of the disc, and the points where the bars connect to the inner surface of the second sleeve 540 may be spaced apart at equal intervals around the inner surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, one of the first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540 may be configured to include a region that forms a lobe.

[0016] The first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540 may be made of a thermoplastic material by injection molding.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may be attached to the third circumferential portion 542 by welding the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540.

[0018] As an example, the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may be arranged to overlap each other, and one of the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may have a step portion 549 formed along the circumferential direction for positioning the remaining sleeve.

[0019] As an example, each of the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may include an outwardly extending flange, and the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 may be attached to the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 by welding the flange.

[0020] As an example, the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may be arranged to overlap each other, the inner sleeve in the overlapping area may include a laser energy absorbing material and the outer sleeve may include a laser energy transparent material, and the welding may be laser welding.

[0021] The sleeve for a vehicle air spring according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an intermediate sleeve 660 interposed between the first sleeve 620 and the second sleeve 640, the intermediate sleeve 660 including a fourth circumferential portion 662 and a fifth circumferential portion 664 at both ends, the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 being connected to the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660, and the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 being connected to the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640.

[0022] The inner sleeve may include carbon black, and the intermediate sleeve may include carbon black. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the sleeve has a closed structure and its outer surface is connected to the end cap, the risk of compressed air leaking from the sleeve is reduced, and not only can the durability of the sleeve be improved, but the number of parts is reduced, making assembly easier and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0024] In addition, by dividing the sleeve into a plurality of pieces and separately injection-molding each of them, the durability of the sleeve can be improved, and the manufacturing efficiency of the sleeve can be improved. In addition, the performance of the product can be improved by improving the design freedom.

[0025] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve is divided into a plurality of pieces, and each piece is manufactured by injection molding, so that the flowability of the injection molding during the injection molding of each sleeve can be improved, thereby improving the quality of the sleeve. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sleeve shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second sleeve showing the top surface of the closure structure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second sleeve showing the underside of the closure structure. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, and a specific embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, and it should be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components. Terms such as first, second, A, and B may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, the second component may be named a first component, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple associated items or any item of multiple associated items. When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the other components may be directly connected or connected to the other components, but there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when a component is described as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between. The terms used in this application are merely used to describe a particular embodiment and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular term includes the plural term unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used in this specification for the purpose of distinction only and should not be understood to indicate or predict any order or priority in any manner.Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application. In addition, the term "about" should be understood in this specification to include the range of manufacturing tolerances in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0028] In the specification and claims, when a part includes a certain element, this does not mean excluding other elements, but may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] The air spring may be disposed between the top mount and the end cap and may include a housing and a sleeve.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the sleeve may be hermetically fixed to the top mount portion and the other end may be hermetically fixed to the end cap. The sleeve may be surrounded by a housing.

[0031] For example, the sleeve is an air bag whose volume can change with the up and down movement of the top mount or end cap. That is, the sleeve, which has a certain pressure inside, changes its volume with the up and down movement, and the internal pressure changes accordingly, acting as a spring.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve shown in Fig. 1 is a sleeve before being attached to a top mount portion and an end cap and a lobe is formed. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sleeve shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] 1 to 3, a sleeve 500 for an air spring for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least a first sleeve 520 and a second sleeve 540. As an example, the first sleeve 520 may be an upper sleeve, and the second sleeve 540 may be a lower sleeve.

[0034] The first sleeve 520 may be open at both ends and may include a first circumferential portion 522 and a second circumferential portion 524. The first circumferential portion 522 of the first sleeve 520 may be coupled to the top mount portion.

[0035] The second sleeve 540 may be open at one end and may include a third circumferential portion 542. The second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 500 may be coupled to the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540. The second sleeve 540 may have an end opposite the one end formed with a closure structure 544. An outer surface of the closure structure 544 at the opposite end of the second sleeve 540 may be secured to an end cap (not shown) (which may be a wheel-side component).

[0036] Accordingly, in the present invention, the opposite end of the second sleeve 540 is not connected to the end cap in an open structure, but rather has its outer surface connected to the end cap in a closed structure 544 .

[0037] If the second sleeve 540 is to be connected in an open end structure, a separate member for such connection must be additionally assembled to the end cap. For example, if the second sleeve 540 is to be hermetically welded to the end cap in an open end structure, the end cap itself does not have a structure that allows such welding, so a separate member to which the open end of the second sleeve 540 can be welded must be hermetically assembled to the end cap.

[0038] In the present invention, the opposite end of the second sleeve 540 has a closed structure 544 and its outer surface is connected to an end cap, which reduces the risk of compressed air leaking from within the sleeve 500, not only improving the durability of the sleeve 500 but also reducing the number of parts, making assembly easier and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0039] In FIG. 2, the first sleeve 520 of the first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540 is configured to include an area that forms a rolling lobe, but the second sleeve 540 may be configured to include an area that forms a rolling lobe.

[0040] In the present invention, the sleeve 500 can be manufactured separately into a sleeve including a region forming a rolling lobe and a sleeve not including such a region. Accordingly, while satisfying the high rigidity required for the sleeve 500, the design freedom of the sleeve 500 is improved and the manufacturing efficiency of the sleeve can be improved.

[0041] For example, the first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540 may be made of the same material, but the sleeve that does not include the area that forms the rolling lobe may be made of a material that is stiffer than the rest of the sleeve, because a stiffer material may not be suitable for forming a rolling lobe.

[0042] The first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540 may be manufactured by injection molding using a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.

[0043] Thermoplastic elastomer materials can be molded by injection or extrusion blow molding like ordinary plastic materials, and can be reused, but they also have the properties of an elastomer.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540 are each independently manufactured by injection molding using a thermoplastic elastomer material, which improves the design freedom of the first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540. For example, the sleeve including the region where the rolling lobe is formed can be designed to have excellent stiffness and spring characteristics by having a thickness variation in the longitudinal direction (as described below).

[0045] In addition, the flowability of the sleeve 500 during injection molding can be improved. The sleeve 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be designed to have different inner diameters in the longitudinal direction, but this can cause poor flowability during injection molding when a single sleeve is injection molded, which can make quality control of the sleeve difficult. In the present invention, the sleeve 500 is manufactured separately into the first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540, and the flowability of the sleeve during injection molding can be improved.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may be attached to the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 by welding the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540.

[0047] For example, the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 can be attached to the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 by positioning the upper sleeve 520 and the lower sleeve 540 so that the ends of the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 face each other (butt joint) and welding the facing portions.

[0048] More preferably, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may be disposed to overlap each other, as shown in Fig. 3. The overlapping area may be welded to attach the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 to the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540.

[0049] In addition, for such welding, one of the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may have a step portion formed in the circumferential direction for positioning the remaining sleeve. As an example, FIG. 3 shows a step portion 549 formed in the circumferential direction on the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first sleeve 520 and the second sleeve 540 may be joined by laser welding at the overlapping region. That is, the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 and the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 may be joined by laser welding along the circumferential direction. To this end, as an example, the inner sleeve may include a laser energy absorbing material, and the outer sleeve may include a laser transmissible material. As an example of a laser energy absorbing material, the inner sleeve may include carbon black.

[0051] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, second circumferential portion 524 of first sleeve 520 and third circumferential portion 542 of second sleeve 540 may each be configured to include an outwardly extending flange.

[0052] The flanges may be placed in opposing contact with one another and the flanges may be welded to attach the second circumferential portion 524 of the first sleeve 520 to the third circumferential portion 542 of the second sleeve 540 .

[0053] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second sleeve, as viewed from above and below, respectively, of the closure structure. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the second sleeve, as viewed from above and below, of the closure structure.

[0054] 4 and 5, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the closure structure 544 can include a disk 546 closing an end opposite one end of the second sleeve 540.

[0055] Also, by way of example, the closure structure 544 may further include a reinforcing portion 548 formed protruding from the disc 546. The reinforcing portion 548 may be in the form of a bar, and each of the two ends of the bar may be connected to the inner surface of the second sleeve 540. A plurality of such bars may be provided, each of the plurality of bars passing through the center of the disc, and the points at which the plurality of bars are connected to the inner surface of the second sleeve 540 may be equally spaced around the inner surface.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] 6, the sleeve 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an intermediate sleeve 660 interposed between the first sleeve 620 and the second sleeve 640. As an example, the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 may be coupled to a fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660, and the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 may be coupled to a third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640. The first circumferential portion 622 of the first sleeve 620 may be coupled to a top mount portion.

[0058] As an example, the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 and the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 may be welded together to attach the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 to the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660, and the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 may be welded together to attach the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 to the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640.

[0059] For example, the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 can be attached to the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 by positioning the first sleeve 620 and the intermediate sleeve 660 so that the ends of the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 and the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 face each other and welding the opposing portions.

[0060] Through this, the sleeve 600 of the present invention can have a further improved degree of freedom in design. For example, the first sleeve 620 and the second sleeve 640 can be made of different materials independently, but in a structure in which the first sleeve 620 and the second sleeve 640 are joined to each other, the degree of freedom in selecting materials may be reduced due to the joining. On the other hand, when the intermediate sleeve 660 is interposed between the first sleeve 620 and the second sleeve 640, even if materials that are difficult to join are selected for the first sleeve 620 and the second sleeve 640, the difficulty in joining can be solved through the intermediate sleeve 660.

[0061] More preferably, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 6, the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 and the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 may be arranged to overlap each other, and the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 and the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640 may be arranged to overlap each other. In this case, additionally, one of the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 and the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 may have a step portion 666 for positioning formed along the circumferential direction, and one of the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 and the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640 may have a step portion 668 for positioning formed along the circumferential direction. In Fig. 6, as an example, the step portions 666, 668 are shown formed on the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 and the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660.

[0062] The second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 and the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 are arranged to overlap each other, and the overlapping region is welded, so that the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 can be attached to the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660. Similarly, the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 and the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640 are arranged to overlap each other, and the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 can be attached to the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640, by being welded. In FIG. 6, as an example, the intermediate sleeve 660 is arranged on the inside in the overlapping region, and the first sleeve 620 to the second sleeve 640 are arranged on the outside. In such a case, when intermediate sleeve 660 and first sleeve 620 or second sleeve 640 are laser welded, intermediate sleeve 660 can be made of a laser energy absorbing material (e.g., carbon black) and first sleeve 620 and second sleeve 640 can be made of a laser transmissive material.

[0063] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 and the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 may each be configured to include an outwardly extending flange. The flanges may be disposed in opposing contact with one another, and the second circumferential portion 624 of the first sleeve 620 may be attached to the fourth circumferential portion 662 of the intermediate sleeve 660 by welding the flanges.

[0064] Similarly, the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 and the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640 may each be configured to include an outwardly extending flange. The flanges may be disposed in opposing contact with one another, and the fifth circumferential portion 664 of the intermediate sleeve 660 may be attached to the third circumferential portion 642 of the second sleeve 640 by welding the flanges. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 500, 600: Sleeve 520: 1st sleeve 540: 2nd sleeve 660: Intermediate sleeve

Claims

1. A sleeve (500) for a vehicle air spring, The sleeve (500) includes at least a first sleeve (520) and a second sleeve (540); The first sleeve (520) is open at both ends and includes a first circumferential portion (522) and a second circumferential portion (524); the second sleeve (540) has one open end and includes a third circumferential portion (542), the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540) being connected to the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520); A sleeve for a vehicle air spring, wherein an end opposite to the one end of the second sleeve (540) is formed with a closed structure (544).

2. The first sleeve (520) is an upper sleeve and the second sleeve (540) is a lower sleeve; the first circumferential portion (522) of the first sleeve (520) is coupled to a top mount; 2. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of a closure structure (544) at an opposite end of the second sleeve (540) is bonded to an end cap.

3. 3. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 2, wherein said closure structure (544) includes a disk (546) closing an end opposite said one end of said second sleeve (540).

4. 4. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 3, wherein said closure structure (544) further includes a reinforcement portion (548) formed protruding from said disc (546).

5. 5. A sleeve for a vehicle air spring according to claim 4, wherein said reinforcing portion (548) is a bar, each of both ends of which is connected to an inner surface of said second sleeve (540).

6. 6. A sleeve for a vehicle air spring as described in claim 5, wherein the reinforcing portion (548) is a plurality of bars, each of which passes through the center of the disc, and the points where the plurality of bars are connected to the inner surface of the second sleeve (540) are spaced apart at equal intervals around the inner surface.

7. 2. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 1, wherein one of the first sleeve (520) and the second sleeve (540) is configured to include a region that defines a lobe.

8. 2. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring according to claim 1, wherein said first sleeve (520) and said second sleeve (540) are made by injection molding from a thermoplastic material.

9. 2. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 1, wherein the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520) and the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540) are attached to the third circumferential portion (542) by welding the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520) and the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540).

10. the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520) and the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540) are arranged to overlap each other; 10. A sleeve for a vehicle air spring as described in claim 9, wherein one of the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520) and the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540) has a step portion (549) formed along the circumferential direction for positioning the remaining sleeve.

11. the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520) and the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540) each include an outwardly extending flange; 10. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 9, wherein the flanges are welded to attach the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520) to the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540).

12. the second circumferential portion (524) of the first sleeve (520) and the third circumferential portion (542) of the second sleeve (540) are arranged to overlap each other; a sleeve disposed inside the overlapping region comprising a laser energy absorbing material; the outer sleeve includes a laser energy transparent material; 10. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring as set forth in claim 9, wherein said weld is a laser weld.

13. Further comprising an intermediate sleeve (660) interposed between the first sleeve (620) and the second sleeve (640), The intermediate sleeve (660) includes a fourth circumferential portion (662) and a fifth circumferential portion (664) at each end, 2. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 1, wherein the second circumferential portion (624) of the first sleeve (620) is connected to the fourth circumferential portion (662) of the intermediate sleeve (660), and the fifth circumferential portion (664) of the intermediate sleeve (660) is connected to the third circumferential portion (642) of the second sleeve (640).

14. 13. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring as set forth in claim 12, wherein the internally disposed sleeve includes carbon black.

15. 14. The sleeve for a vehicle air spring of claim 13, wherein the intermediate sleeve comprises carbon black.

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