MXPA99003425A - Air shock absorber and elastomer termoplast springs - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air damper and springs, characterized in that it comprises: an integrally molded body including a thin-walled flexible membrane, which extends between a rigid thick-walled housing and a rigid thick-walled piston, defining this way an internal chamber open only at one end of the housing opposite the piston, whereby the flexible membrane is selectively wound up as the piston housing moves axially towards and away from each other, and an integrally molded cover that connects inside the end open to circumscribe the inter chamber

Description

AIR SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRINGS OF ELA-ST? MRTOO THERMOPLASTIC BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The invention relates to air actuators, including air springs and springs. More particularly, the invention relates to air springs and springs of thermoplastic elastomers, having a molded part containing a leg or piston and a rolling member, all of which are of a non-reinforced construction which is injected or blow molded, wherein the integral cap and / or piston of the structure, may include integral interface fasteners for connection to machinery or clamps and wherein a separate cap or piston is connected to the molded part to complete the structure of the air cushion and spring. Specifically, the invention relates to a non-reinforced thermoplastic elastomeric air and spring damper of a blow-molded or injection molded design with an integral lid and / or piston having integral interface fasteners, wherein the air damper and springs includes a coarse rigid housing with an integral quick coupling adjustment, a thick rigid piston with integral quick-action coupling where the thick rigid piston has a smaller diameter than the rigid or thick housing and can be seated there and a thin roll-up membrane that is extends between the thick rigid piston and the thick rigid housing, thereby defining an internal fluid pressure chamber that is pressurized with a compressed fluid when an end cap is welded to the thick rigid housing. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Pneumatic structures such as air actuators and air springs and springs have been used for many years for various purposes. The air actuator usually consists of a bellows or flexible rubber sleeve containing a supply of compressed fluid and a supply for increasing or decreasing the compressed fluid. The flexible sleeve is formed of a flexible elastomeric material that often contains reinforcing cords, wherein the flexibility of the material allows a first end cap to move axially relative to another end cap held within the sleeve ends as change the amount of compressed fluid. Since the air actuator is positioned between a movable or operable object and typically a fixed object, the moving object moves in correlation with this axial movement.

As for air springs, commonly referred to as air springs and springs, the construction is similar with a bellows or flexible double sleeve containing a supply of compressible fluid. However, the air spring and springs have one or more movable pistons with respect to the flexible sleeve. This piston causes compression and expansion of the fluid within the sleeve, as the sleeve is stretched or retracted, respectively, thus absorbing shock loads and / or damping vibrations. The flexible sleeve is formed of a flexible elastomeric material containing reinforcing cords and this allows the piston to move axially with respect to another piston or end cap held within open ends of the sleeve. One application for these air springs and springs is in motor vehicles where the shock absorber provides cushioning between moving parts of the vehicle, primarily to absorb shock loads imparted to the axles of the vehicle by the wheel striking or colliding with an object on the road. or it falls into a depression. The state of the art in this industry of air and spring dampers, involves the current technology of flexible hose constructed of rubber that is reinforced with nylon rope. This rubber hose reinforced with nylon should be connected in some way to the piston or end caps at each end; what is currently achieved by various forms of fastening structures. Nevertheless, these fastening structures often present a problem since the ineffective sealing and / or clamping of the flexible sleeve to the end caps causes a lack of air tight seal which is critical for the operation of an air damper and springs. In addition, another problem with existing air springs and dampers and springs is the decrease in reinforcement of the rubber sleeve with nylon or equivalent reinforcing cords. This reinforcement step adds extra expense and time to the manufacturing process of the air cushion and total springs. These and other problems and disadvantages exist in the current technology of air springs and springs and air actuators. A person with skill in the specialty will recognize and understand the problems listed above, as well as others not described at this time. For this reason, it is required that an air damper and springs and / or improved air actuator have the objectives and advantages listed below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objects of the invention include providing an air damper and improved springs and / or air actuator. A further object of the invention is to provide this air cushion and improved springs and / or air actuator, which are constructed of improved materials such as thermoplastic elastomers. A further object of the invention is to provide said air damper and improved springs and / or air actuator, wherein all the housing, sleeve and pistons and / or end caps, are manufactured from a non-metallic material and preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer. A further object of the invention is to provide said improved air actuator and / or air damper and springs having a flexible membrane or sleeve made of a material that does not require a reinforcing cord such as nylon. A further object of the invention is to provide said improved air damper and springs and / or air actuator, of improved construction, wherein the membrane or thin flexible roll-up sleeve is integrally connected to the rigid housing and / or end cap and the rigid piston operable there.

A further object of the invention is to provide said improved air damper and springs and / or air actuator, which is substantially an integrally molded part that is, having a rigid housing and a rigid piston which are integrally connected by a rolling membrane . A further object of the invention is to provide said air damper and improved springs and / or air actuator, which are substantially integral integral, comprising a rigid housing and a rigid piston connected with a roller membrane, all of which are molded by injection or molding. A further object of the invention is to provide said air damper and springs and / or improved air actuator, wherein the end cap which closes the rigid housing to form the internal fluid pressure chamber is joined by welding or otherwise. it is fixed to the rigid housing thereby in a leak-proof manner and to pressurize it. A further object of the invention is to provide said air cushion and improved springs and / or air actuator, wherein the quick coupling connections are integrally positioned within each of the end cap and piston, to function as interphase fasteners for assembly to machinery and / or supports. A further object of the invention is to provide said improved air damper and springs and / or air actuator which are economical for use in low cost air actuation environments. These objects and advantages are obtained by the improved air spring and springs of the present invention, the general nature of which can be established to include an integrally molded body and an integrally molded lid. The integrally molded body includes a thin-walled flexible membrane that extends between a rigid thick-walled housing and a rigid thick-walled piston, thereby defining an internal chamber open only at one end of the housing opposite the piston, thereby the flexible membrane coils selectively as the housing and the piston move axially towards and away from each other. The molded lid integrally connects inside the open end to circumscribe the internal chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best way in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, establishes the present description and is illustrated in the drawings and is indicated in a particular and distinctive manner and stated in the claims annexes. Figure 1 is an elevation view of an improved air spring and springs; Figure 2 is a view of the improved air spring and springs in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, of the improved air spring and springs in Figures 1 and 2, where the air spring and springs are in a fully position actuated or under pressure; and Figure 4 is the same sectional side sectional view as Figure 3 of the improved air spring and springs, except that it is in a substantially deflated or unpressurized position. Similar numbers refer to similar parts through the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The air actuator and / or air damper and improved springs are illustrated in Figure 1, and generally denote 10. The air cushion and springs 10 include axially spaced end members which are generally indicated in FIG. 11 and 12, respectively as best illustrated in Figure 3. In the embodiment shown, the end member 11 is a substantially planar lid 11, while the end member 12 is a rigid piston having a base 13 with a wall lateral ring 14 that projects from there. The air actuator 10 also includes a rigid housing 15 and a flexible elastomeric sleeve 16. According to one of the features of the invention, the rigid piston 12, the rigid housing 15 and flexible sleeve 16 are injection molded or blow molded as one piece and preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer such as Hytrel polyester elastomer as manufactured and commercially available by Dupont or urethane. This new one-piece molded construction eliminates the need for retaining rings which in the prior art connect the flexible sleeve 16 to the piston 12 and the housing 15. Additionally in accordance with this feature of the invention, the rigid housing 15 is molded to have a substantial thickness in comparison with the flexible sleeve 16, whereby said thickness provides stiffness and structural integrity to the housing, such that the housing becomes load bearing. Similarly and in accordance with one of the features of the invention, the rigid piston 12 is also of substantial thickness such as to provide integrity and structural rigidity, thereby becoming load bearing. In effect, the rigid piston 12 and the rigid housing 15 are substantially rigid and non-flexible members, which move in conjunction with each other, based on the pressure changes inside the internal pressure chamber 17, as adjusted by the sleeve flexible 16. To comply with conventional molding practices, thicker walls may have ribs to contribute to the necessary strength characteristics, while maintaining the continuous molded wall cross-sectional thicknesses, advantageous for some molding processes. In further accordance with the invention, the flexible sleeve 16 is molded to be of a thin-walled construction, to provide flexible features such that the sleeve 16 can be rolled up as necessary from the position of Figure 3 to a fully pressurized fit. substantial to the position of Figure 4 at a setting of substantially no pressure. In effect, a portion (16) of the one-piece molded part (12, 15 and 16) is such a thin wall that is flexible to be bent and rolled as required during use of the air actuator and / or air damper and springs 10, while the rest (12, 15) is of a substantially coarse wall to be rigid in nature. In more detail, the flexible sleeve 16 is molded to connect for the rigid piston 15 on its inner annular surface with respect to a middle section as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The flexible sleeve 16 is molded to a rigid housing 15 in a form in which the flexible sleeve 16 extends radially inwardly towards a central axis from the rigid housing 15. The flexible sleeve 16 is at its opposite end connected to the rigid piston 12 relative to the outermost annular edge of the rigid piston 12, at the distal end of the wall 14 in relation to the base 13. The flexible sleeve 16 is molded to the rigid piston 12 in an outwardly angled shape from this distal edge. The molding of the piston 12 is such that it is substantially cylindrical in shape although the walls may taper slightly outwardly from its proximal end adjacent the base to the distal end. In contrast, the flexible sleeve 16 is molded into a conical shape to extend from a smaller or smaller diameter area in its connection to the piston 12 to an area of maximum or greater diameter in its connection to the housing 15. This taper or conical shape is necessary to allow the flexible sleeve 16 to be wound up as the piston 12 enters and seats substantially within the housing as illustrated in Figure 4. This conical shape or taper allows the flexible sleeve to remain outside the path of the piston 12 and the housing 15 as this winding occurs. In addition, this tapered shape and the spacing differential between the piston 12 and the housing 15 allow the flexible sleeve wall 16 moves away from a substantially planar cross-sectional position of the housing 15 to the piston 12 when fully inflated, as illustrated in the Figure 3, to a rolled up position, as illustrated in the Figure 4, which includes a pair of curves in cross section somewhat adjacent to each of the connections of the flexible sleeve 16 to the piston 12 and to the housing 15. According to another feature of the invention, fittings are integrally molded by quick coupling in each of the ends 11 and 13 of the air damper and springs. Specifically quick coupling connectors 20 are molded to the end cap 11 and the base 13, to allow easy interconnection in a manner of fastening to the various machine parts and / or supports, where cushioning or shock absorption is desired between them. . Each of these fasteners can be integrally molded from the thermoplastic elastomer to the piston 12, the housing 15 and a flexible sleeve 16; parts may be properly positioned to cause the piston 12 and the end cap 11 to be integrally molded. According to another feature of the invention, the end cap 11 is integrally molded as indicated above with the cutout 20 therein. The end cap 11 is then ultrasonically bonded or otherwise connected similarly to the housing 15 to define the inner chamber 17. The housing 15 in the most preferred embodiment includes an air inlet in its annular side walls. This air inlet is the medium through which pressurized fluid is provided in the inner chamber 17. This fluid supply may be a time event wherein a plug is then inserted into the air inlet thereby defining the invention like an air damper and springs. Alternatively, a source of pressurized fluid can be connected via the air inlet, thereby allowing the pressure inside the pressure chamber 17 to be altered in such a way that the invention is an air actuator. In sum, the entire air actuator and / or air damper and springs 10 is molded in a two-piece construction from a thermoplastic elastomer lacking any reinforcing cords. The preferred thermoplastic elastomer is a polyester elastomer sold on the market under the name Hytrel (E > by Dupont.) The walls of the rigid housing 15 and the rigid piston 12 are of substantial thickness to be rigid and load bearing, while that the walls of the flexible or rolling membrane 16 are thin to allow flexible membrane winding as the rigid housing and the rigid piston move axially together.In all, rigid housing functions as an integral support container wherein the membrane flexible 16 and rigid piston 12 are supported in and out as illustrated respectively in Figures 4 and 3. The welded cap 11 is similarly molded as the other piece of thermoplastic elastomers that are not reinforced The cut-outs 20 are molded into the piston 12 and cover 11, to provide an integral connection feature in the air damper and springs. pa 11 is welded to the housing 15 to define the internal chamber under pressure 17. Accordingly, the improved thermoplastic elastomeric air spring and damper is simplified, providing an effective, safe, economical and efficient device, which achieves all the objectives listed, it allows to eliminate difficulties that are with previous devices and solves problem and obtains new results in the technique. In the previous description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and compression; but no unnecessary limitations shall be involved beyond the requirement of the prior art, since such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be considered broadly. Still further, the description and illustration of the expression of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details illustrated and described. Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved thermoplastic elastomeric air and spring absorber is constructed and used, the construction features and the new and useful advantageous results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, assemblies, parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS 1.- Air damper and springs, characterized in that it comprises: an integrally molded body including a thin-walled flexible membrane, which extends between a rigid thick-walled housing and a rigid thick-walled piston, thereby defining a internal chamber open only at one end of the housing opposite the piston, whereby the flexible membrane is selectively wound up as the piston housing moves axially towards and away from each other; and an integrally molded lid that connects inside the open end to circumscribe the internal chamber.
2. 2. The air damper and springs according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrally molded body is molded of a thermoplastic elastomer.
3. 3. The air damper and springs according to claim 2, characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyester elastomer.
4. 4. The air damper and springs according to claim 3, characterized in that the polyester elastomer is Hytrel (R > 5. The air damper and springs according to claim 2, characterized in that the molded body It is integrally molded by blowing a thermoplastic elastomer 6. The air damper and springs according to claim 2, characterized in that the integrally molded body is molded by injection of a thermoplastic elastomer 7.- The air damper and springs according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrally molded body is molded of non-reinforced thermoplastic elastomer 8. The air damper and springs according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrally molded body is molded of urethane. - The air damper and springs according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid piston of p thick sand is selectively seated within the stiff thick-walled housing. 10. The air damper and springs according to claim 1, characterized in that the thin-walled flexible membrane is conical in shape. 11. The air damper and springs according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid housing with thick wall is cylindrical in shape. 12. - An integrally molded one-piece air spring and damper body, characterized in that it comprises: a rigid, thick-walled housing of tubular shape having an inner and an outer surface, and a pair of opposite ends; a rigid, thick-walled, cup-shaped piston with a base and at least one wall extending from there to an outermost edge; and a thin-walled flexible membrane extending substantially radially inwardly from the inner surface of the rigid thick-walled housing to the outermost edge of the thick-walled rigid piston, defining an internal chamber open only at one end of the housing opposite the piston, whereby the flexible membrane is selectively wound as the piston housing moves axially and away from each other. 13. The body of air cushion and springs in one piece, molded integrally according to claim 12, characterized in that it is used in conjunction with an integrally molded cover that is connected inside the open end to circumscribe the internal chamber. The integrally molded one-piece air damper and springs body according to claim 12, characterized in that the thin-walled flexible membrane makes an angle within the rigid thick wall piston. 15. The body of air cushion and springs of one piece, molded integrally according to claim 12, characterized in that the body is molded of a thermoplastic elastomer. 16. The body of air cushion and springs of one piece, molded integrally in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyester elastomer. 17.- The body of air cushion and springs of one piece, molded integrally according to claim 16, characterized in that the polyester elastomer is Hytrel (?). 18. The body of air cushion and springs of one piece, molded integrally according to claim 12, characterized in that the body is blow molded of a thermoplastic elastomer. 19. The body of air cushion and springs of one piece, molded integrally according to claim 12, characterized in that the body is molded by injection of a thermoplastic elastomer. 20. The body of air cushion and springs of one piece, molded integrally according to claim 12, characterized in that the body is molded of non-reinforced thermoplastic elastomer. 21. The body of air cushion and springs of one piece, molded integrally according to claim 12, characterized in that the body is molded of urethane.