MXPA99005196A - Rapid coupling bumper for air and muel shock absorber - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved air spring and springs having first and second spaced members adapted to be mounted at spaced locations in a structure and a flexible sleeve formed of an elastomeric material which is sealingly engaged with the end members and which forms a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween, the enhancement includes a post mounted on the first of the end members and extending into the fluid chamber, the post having an enlarged end portion and a notch formed below of the enlarged end portion and an impact absorbing bumper mounted to the post for possible impact coupling with the second end member, the bumper includes: a rigid base member having first and second ends and an axial opening formed in the rigid base member and extending between the first and second ends, the first end is seated on the first member, with the post extending into the axial opening, an elastomeric member mounted within the axial opening of the rigid base member and engaging with the post for mounting the elastomeric member on the post, the elastomeric member having an end outer that sits on the second end of the rigid base member in a spaced relationship from the second end member, to hold the rigid base member in the first end member and to contact the second end member when large deflections are experienced by the air cushion and muel

Description

RAPID COUPLING BUMPER FOR AIR SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRINGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The invention relates to air springs and springs and in particular to air springs and springs that have an internal bumper, which acts as a backup in case of failure of the air damper and springs or to absorb deflections or sudden and large shocks imparted in the air damper and springs. More particularly, the invention relates to a spring and air damper having a two-piece quick-coupling bumper, having a rigid base and an elastomeric bumper that replaces the one-piece elastomeric bumper used to date.

Pneumatic shock absorbers, commonly referred to as air springs and springs, have been used for motor vehicles and various machines and other equipment for a number of years providing cushioning between moving parts, primarily to absorb shock loads imparted to them. The air spring and springs usually consist of a flexible rubber sleeve extending between a pair of end members and usually containing a supply of compressed air. One of the end members is usually a piston located at the end of the flexible sleeve. The end members mount the air cushion and springs on spaced components or parts of the vehicle or equipment on which the air cushion and springs are mounted. The internal pressure fluid, which is generally air, absorbs most of the shock imparted on or experienced by one of the spaced end members on which the air cushion and springs are mounted, with the end members moving axially towards and away from each other by absorbing the shock imparted. Examples of these air and spring dampers are illustrated in US Patents. Nos. 4,852,861 and 4,946,144. Certain of these air springs and springs of the prior art have internal bumpers mounted on one of the end members projecting into the pressure chamber. The bumper prevents crushing or total deflection of the shock absorber member in the event of failure of the air spring and springs or when it is not inflated, to absorb shock when the shock absorber experiences severe shocks and deflections. To date, these shock absorbers consisted of a single elastomeric member that was mounted on a rod projecting outwardly from one of the end members as illustrated in US Patents. Nos. 4,506,910 and 4,787,606. Although these single-limbed elastomeric bumpers are satisfactory for most applications, it is desirable for certain applications that the bumper has a superior load carrying capacity with less deflection than that provided by integral integral bumpers such as illustrated in US patents previously referred. Examples of other shock absorbing components shown in the prior art are set forth in the following patents. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,478,396 discloses an elastomeric bumper that is mounted on the top of a column or post of a vehicle. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 3,658,314 discloses a fluid shock absorber having an elastomeric member mounted between two moving tubes concentrically with an elastomeric bumper mounted below the inner tube to absorb impact from the tube. The patent of the US. No. 4,342,264 shows another type of air spring and springs using an elastomeric bumper mounted on one of the end members.

The patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,218,599 discloses a polymeric spring for use in a drawer of a cabinet to ensure that when the drawer is closed it does not bounce to a partially open position. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 5,201, 500 shows a bumper of air damper and springs consisting of one or more plastic members mounted on a structure stacked on a mounting post within a pressure chamber. However, there is a need for an improved type of air spring and bumper bumper that eliminates the integral one-piece elastomeric bumper to date and replaces it with a two-component quick coupling shock absorber that has superior support capacity load, with less deflection than those previous one-piece elastomeric bumpers. CQMPTOMQ DE, IWfMGlQff An object of the invention includes providing an improved air spring and damper construction for motor vehicles and other types of equipment having spaced mobile end members and a two piece quick coupling bumper, mounted within a pressure chamber formed within an elastomeric sleeve extending between the end members to absorb excessive shock imparted to the end members, and having a much greater load carrying capacity with less deflection than bumper constructions to date known. A further object of the invention is to provide said improved air spring and springs wherein the impact absorbing bumper is constituted by a rigid base member preferably formed of metal in a rigid plastic, and an elastomeric member mounted on the rigid base and which it extends beyond the base for contact with the opposite end member to absorb large sudden deflections and to act as a backup device in case of failure of the air damper and springs. Still another object of the invention is to provide said improved air spring and springs wherein the elastomeric member is engaged by quick actuation in position in a column which is connected to one of the end members and presses down on the rigid base, so as to maintaining the elastomeric member and rigid base in assembled position in the first end member, and which can absorb much higher loads and forces than the one-piece elastomeric bumpers used to date. These objects and advantages are obtained by the improved construction of air damper and springs of the invention, the general nature of which can be stated to include a pair of spaced end members adapted to be mounted at spaced locations in a structure and a flexible sleeve formed of an elastomeric material which sealingly engages the end members and which form a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween, the enhancement includes a post mounted on one of the end members and extending into the fluid chamber, the post has an enlarged end portion and a notch formed below the end portion and an impact absorbing bumper, mounted on the post for possible impact engagement with the other end member, the bumper includes a rigid base member having first and second ends and an axial opening formed in the member and extending between the ends, the first The extreme end sits on the first end member with the post extending into the opening; an elastomeric member mounted within the axial opening of the rigid base member and having mounting means that engage the post to mount the elastomeric member on the post, the elastomeric member has an outer end coupled with the second end of the post member. rigid base for securing the rigid base member in the first end member and for contacting the other end member to absorb large deflections in the air damper and springs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best ways in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are illustrated in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly stated and set forth in the claims annexes. Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an air damper and springs having the improved two piece quick coupling bumper incorporated therein; Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation view of Figure 1, with portions broken away and in section; Figure 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the two-piece quick coupling bumper of Figure 2 shown in section; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the elastomeric component of the two-piece quick coupling bumper of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the metallic component of the two-piece quick coupling bumper of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken from line 7-7 of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3, showing a modified two-piece quick coupling bumper. Similar numbers refer to similar parts through the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES The improved air spring and damper of the invention is generally indicated at 1, and shown in a rest position not mounted in Figure 1. The air spring and springs 1 includes an upper end cap and a axially opposed spaced piston member indicated generally at 2 and 3, respectively (Figure 2). The piston 3 is of a conventional construction, which preferably has a generally inverted bowl-shaped configuration that is formed of a suitable material such as aluminum, steel, high strength plastic or the like. The piston 3 includes a base 4 and an annular wall 5 extending downwardly from the base, ending in a peripheral edge 6. A central support structure 7 joins with and extends downwardly from the base 4.

One end of a flexible sleeve which is generally indicated at 10, terminates in a lower bed 11 which is clamped in the base 4 of the piston 3 by a clamping plate 12 in an air-tight seal relationship with the piston 3. The other end of the sleeve 10 has an end strip (not shown) that is clamped on a rolled edge edge of the mounting end cap 2 in an air tight seal relationship therewith, providing a sealed chamber to fluid 15 within the elastomeric sleeve 10. Other types of end seal structures may be used without affecting the concept of the invention, as illustrated in US Pat. Nos. 4,852,861, 4,787,606 and 4,946,144. A source of pressurized air or other fluid communicates with the chamber 15 through an air inlet in a mounting rod 18, which projects outwardly from the end plate 2. One or more additional mounting rods 19 they mount on the end cap 2 and project upwards to mount the air cushion and springs 1 in a vehicle, machine tool or other application in which it is to be used. A conventional bumper mounting post or rod 14 is joined by weld or soldered solder on the plate 12 and projects upwardly into the pressure chamber 15. The post 14 preferably has a bulbous head formed with a notch 16. A fastener 17 connects the piston 3 to the plate 12. The particular construction of the air damper and springs described above and shown in the drawings and particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 3, is of a usual known construction and can vary without affecting the concept of the invention. According to the invention, an improved two-piece quick coupling bumper, generally indicated at 20, is mounted on the base 4 of the piston 3 and extends upwards therefrom inside the chamber 15. The bumper 20 is adapted to engage the end cap 2 in case of a failure of the pressurized fluid inside the air chamber 15, or aid in absorbing excessive shock forces exerted on any of the end members. The bumper 20 includes a rigid base member indicated generally at 22, and an elastomeric member indicated generally at 23. The rigid base 22 is shown particularly in Figures 6 and 7, and is preferably a substantially cylindrical member that is formed from a lightweight material such as aluminum, although it can be formed from a rigid plastic. The base 22 has concentric outer and inner cylindrical walls 24 and 25. The wall 25 can terminate in a conical bottom wall 26 which together with the wall 25 forms an axially extending bore or opening 28. The base 22 ends at one end of flat annular bottom 30 and an upper end generally indicated at 31. The upper end 31 includes an annular recess or groove 33 projecting concentrically with respect to the axial opening 28. The elastomeric member 23 shown particularly in Figures 4 and 5, and which includes a substantially cylindrical body 35 is defined by an outer cylindrical wall 36. A cavity indicated generally at 37 extends inwardly from a flat bottom surface 38 at the lower end of the body 35. The cavity 37 is formed with at least an inwardly projecting rib or projection 40 which is complementary in shape and size to the post 14, allowing the member 23 to be engaged by rapid actuation on the post 14 as illustrated in Figure 3. The free or outer end of the member 23 is formed with a bulbous or flanged configuration and has an outwardly projecting annular portion 42 formed with an annular notch 43 adjacent to the body 35. The notch 43 forms an annular rib-type member 45 which sits in the annular recess 33 of the rigid base 22 as illustrated in Figure 3, with the annular rib 34 of the base 22 projecting into the annular recess of the base. Complementary shape 43 of the elastomeric member 23. The upper surface of the member 23 may have a flat section 46 and a tapered annular outer end portion 47 that engages the upper end plate 2 in the event of failure of the air spring and springs or an exceptionally large deflection that is experienced by the air damper and springs 1. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, it is easily understood that the elastomeric member 23 and in particular the cylindrical body 35, is slidable telescopically mounted within the axial opening 28 of the rigid base 22 and is engaged by quick actuation on the post 14 in a similar manner as the elastomeric bumpers in one piece, such as those shown in the US patent No. 4,787,606. However, the combination of the elastomeric member 23 and rigid base 22 provides a bumper having a very high load carrying capacity with low deflection, since in case the upper end cap 2 comes into contact with the bumper 20, only the upper portion of the elastomeric member is compressed against the rigid base 22 with much of the shock absorbed by the rigid base 22. If desired, the elastomeric member 23 can be attached to the rigid base 22 either within the axial opening 28 or at the upper end, or it can be disconnected with the base 22 rigidly clamped against the piston plate 12 by the downward pressure exerted by the elastomeric member 23, as it is engaged by rapid actuation on the post 14. A modified embodiment of the bumper The two-piece quick coupling of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8, and is generally indicated at 50. The bumper 50 is similar to the para housings 20 since it includes a rigid base member 51 and an elastomeric member 52. The base 51 is substantially annular with the inner cylindrical surface 54 and the outer cylindrical surface 55 and may also have a conical bottom end section 56 which together with the surface 54 forms an axial opening 58 and is formed of a rigid plastic material. The elastomeric member 52 has a cylindrical body 60 with a cylindrical outer wall 61 and a cavity 63 formed at its bottom end which is complementary in shape and size to the post configuration 14 so as to form a quick-acting coupling. An upper end 65 of the elastomeric member 52 is formed with a generally smooth outer surface 66 and an outwardly extending annular flanged end 67 having a smooth annular bottom surface 68 pressed against a smooth annular outer surface of complementary shape 70 of the base 51. Again, quick-action coupling of the elastomeric member 52 with the post 14 can hold the rigid base 51 against the plate 12 or the base 51 can be attached to the elastomeric member 52 by an adhesive or during a molding operation or means similar manufacturing well-known in the specialty. Again, the bumper 50 provides a two-piece bumper that engages by quick actuation in a usual mounting post present in many air spring and springs constructions in order to increase the load carrying capacity that can be provided by a bumper. one-piece integral elastomeric with low deflection, by mounting the elastomeric member on a rigid base. It is also easily seen by anyone skilled in the art that the elastomeric members 23 and 52 can be mounted in another form on the rigid bases 22 and 51 than the particular structures shown in Figures 3 and 8, without affecting the concept of the invention. Accordingly, the improved two-piece quick coupling bumper for air springs and springs is simplified, providing an efficient, safe, economical and effective device that achieves all the listed objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered with previous devices and solve problems and obtain new results in the technique. In the previous description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations will be involved beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be considered widely. Still further, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described. Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the way in which the improved two-piece quick coupling bumper is constructed and used, the construction features and the new and useful advantageous results obtained, the new and useful ones. structures, devices, elements, assemblies, parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1. An improved air and spring damper of the type having a pair of spaced members adapted to be mounted at spaced locations in a structure and a flexible sleeve formed of an elastomeric material which is sealingly engaged with the end members and which Forms a fluid chamber between them, the improvement includes a post mounted on one of the end members and extending into the fluid chamber, the post has an enlarged end portion and a notch formed below the end portion and an impact absorbing bumper mounted on the post for possible impact coupling with the other end members, the bumper includes: a rigid base member having first and second ends and an axial opening formed in the member and extending between the ends, the first end is seated on the first end member, with the post extending into the opening; an elastomeric member mounted within the axial opening of the rigid base member and having mounting means that engage the post to mount the elastomeric member on the post, the elastomeric member has an outer end coupled with the second end of the post member; rigid base, for holding the rigid base member in the first end member and for contacting the other of the end members for absorbing large deflections in the air and spring damper. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid base member has a generally cylindrical configuration with concentrically spaced inner and outer walls, with the inner wall defining the axial opening, and wherein the The axial opening ends in a conical section adjacent to the first end. 3. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that a groove is formed in the second end of the rigid base member; wherein the elastomeric member includes a main body that is mounted within the axial opening of the rigid base member; and wherein the outer member of the elastomeric member includes portions that sit in the slot. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 3, characterized in that the groove is substantially annular and wherein the outer end portions of the elastomeric member include a substantially annular projection which seats in the groove. The improved air spring and damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the second end of the rigid base member is substantially smooth; wherein the elastomeric member includes a main body that is mounted within the axial opening of the rigid base member; and wherein the outer end of the elastomeric member includes an outwardly extending portion that sits on the second end of the rigid base member. The improved air spring and damper according to claim 5, characterized in that the outwardly extending portion of the elastomeric member is attached to the second end of the rigid base member. The improved air and spring damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid base member is formed of metal. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 7, characterized in that the rigid base member is formed of aluminum. The improved air and spring damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid base member is formed of plastic. The improved air spring and damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomeric member has a main body that is mounted within the axial opening of the rigid base member; wherein the first end of the elastomeric member is formed with a cavity that extends partially within the main body; and wherein a projection is formed within the cavity that engages a complementary projection that is formed in the post to provide an adjustment connection by rapid actuation between them. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 10, characterized in that the post projection is an annular groove and wherein the projection of the elastomeric member is an annular rib extending generally radially within the cavity. The improved air spring and damper according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a fastener for mounting the first end member, a clamping plate and the flexible sleeve in an assembled condition. The improved air spring and damper according to claim 12, characterized in that the first end member is a piston and the other of the end members is an end cap. 14. An air damper and springs having a pair of spaced end members adapted to be mounted at spaced locations in a structure; a flexible sleeve formed of an elastomeric material that sealingly engages the end members and forms a pressurized fluid pressure chamber therebetween; a post mounted on one of the end members and projecting into the fluid chamber; an impact absorbing bumper mounted on the pole for engagement with the other end members; the bumper includes a rigid base member having first and second ends, the first end being seated on the first end member; and an elastomeric member mounted on the rigid base member and having mounting means that engage with the post to mount the elastomeric member on the post, the elastomeric member has an outer end coupled with the second end of the rigid base member, to hold the rigid base member in the end member and to contact the other end member to absorb large deflections in the air damper and springs. The air damper and springs according to claim 14, characterized in that the rigid base member has an axial opening formed and projects between the first and second ends; and wherein the elastomeric member includes a main body mounted within the axial opening of the base member. 16. The air damper and springs according to claim 15, characterized in that the first end of the elastomeric member is formed with a cavity projecting partially into the main body; and wherein a projection is formed within the cavity and engages a complementary projection formed in the post to provide an adjustment connection by quick coupling between the post and the elastomeric member. 17. The air damper and springs according to claim 14, characterized in that the rigid member is formed of metal. 18. The air damper and springs according to claim 14, characterized in that the rigid member is formed of plastic.