DE3828203A1 - Suspension and guide unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit is a compact combination of spring and guide elements with numerous possible applications. Elements integrated into an air-spring bellows (1) are configured in such a way that they guarantee a limited freedom of motion in the direction of springing but can accept guiding forces in a direction radial thereto. By virtue of the flexible or ball-joint-like construction of the guide elements (3), a spherical pivoting or compensating motion between the sprung and the unsprung part of the unit is possible in addition. The suspension and guide unit serves to provide sprung support and guidance for elements in vehicles and machines, e.g. wheel suspension systems in vehicle construction. <IMAGE>

Description

There are a variety of guide elements and suspension devices for extensive areas of application such. B. in the vehicle and Mechanical engineering. Most of the time, however, are to achieve all properties called multiple separate elements, which are separate must be arranged and attached, necessary or it will be some of the requirements were poorly met.

The reason for my development was the demand for an in extremely simple to manufacture and use Guide element, which also the suspension tasks in should be as soft as possible. It should be vertical Suspension axis ensure a horizontally stable guidance on all sides accomplishes. In addition, the pivotal movement is limited Suspension axis required in all directions.

A cylindrical hollow body ( 4 ) with an airtight base and a bracket for fastening to the component to be cushioned serves as the basic element. The lower bead of the bellows ( 1 ) is attached in the upper and open area of the hollow body ( 4 ). The guide element ( 3 ) is arranged in the upper inner region of the hollow body ( 4 ), this in turn receiving the vertical guide shaft ( 2 ) centrally. The fastening and sealing element for the upper bellows bead is arranged on the guide shaft ( 2 ). The guide shaft ( 2 ) also holds flanges and brackets for attaching the unit.

The guide element ( 3 ) has to fulfill most tasks. In this case, a rubber-metal version was chosen, the spherical core of which has a bore provided with sliding guide material for receiving the guide shaft ( 2 ). The centerpiece is enclosed by two bowl-shaped rings, the cavity in between is filled with elastic rubber material and vulcanized. The inner diameter of the rings is smaller than the outer diameter of the core to ensure safety when the rubber material is overloaded.

This guide element ( 3 ) is inserted into the cylindrical hollow body ( 4 ) as far as it will go and is fixed by means of a corresponding safety device. It is therefore in the pressure area of the unit. With stops ( 5 ) on the guide shaft ( 2 ), the spring travel can be limited on the one hand and the cohesion of the unit can be ensured on the other. The guide element ( 3 ) must be located as close as possible to the horizontal center of the bellows ( 1 ) so that the slightest deformation of the bellows ( 1 ) occurs when the guide shaft ( 2 ) is swung out.

An additional property of the guide element ( 3 ) made of rubber metal is the ability to compensate for small changes in distance, which can arise between several units due to unequal spring movements. However, if this radial elasticity is not desired, z. B. a low-play ball joint bearing can be used as a guide element ( 3 ).

The suspension properties of the unit z. B. progressiveness, Travel, can be achieved by partially filling with liquid or adapt external pressure control to the requirements.

With this suspension and guidance unit, many can related problems optimally on simple and inexpensive Kind of be solved. For example, two of these units in the Vehicle construction for guiding and suspension of a tandem axle assembly can be used by placing right and left between the two Axes are arranged. The area of application can be next to the Vehicle construction also with machines, hoists etc.

A similar construction is not known.

Claims (2)

1. suspension and guide unit, characterized in
that suspension and guide components are combined to form a compact functional unit,
that its base element consists of a cylindrical hollow body ( 4 ) with a pressure-tight base, which is provided in the open upper area on the inside for receiving a guide element ( 3 ) and on the outside for fastening the lower bead of an air bellows ( 1 ),
that the guide element ( 3 ) receives a vertical guide shaft ( 2 ) in the center and is designed in such a way that it transmits the executives who occur on the guide shaft ( 2 ) in the radial direction to the hollow body ( 4 ), but in the axial direction guarantees freedom of movement corresponding to the travel and additionally enables a limited spherical pivoting movement of the guide shaft ( 2 ),
that the guide shaft ( 2 ) is provided in the upper area with an element for pressure-tight fastening of the upper bead of an air bellows ( 1 ),
that the guide element ( 3 ) is thus within the pressure range of the unit. 2. Suspension and guide unit according to claim 1, characterized in
that the cylindrical hollow body ( 4 ) is equipped with a bracket or other elements for connection to the sprung / unsprung mass,
that the guide shaft ( 2 ) is provided with attachment options on the counterweight and with stops ( 5 ) to limit the spring travel and to hold the unit together,
that the guide element ( 3 ) consists best of a rubber-metal connection, a spherical core being vulcanized into shell-shaped rings, or alternatively a low-play ball joint bearing can also be used,
that any progressivity of the spring action can be set and a certain damping effect can be achieved by partially filling the unit with liquid,
that the guide element ( 3 ) is most advantageously arranged at the height of the air bellows ( 1 ), so that spherical movements of the guide shaft ( 2 ) can best be absorbed by it,
that the unit can be used in any position.