MXPA99005740A - A metal / elastomeric bumper for air and muel shock absorbers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air cushion and springs that includes a pair of spaced end members adapted to be mounted at spaced locations in a structure, one end member being a piston having a base and an annular wall that is extends downwardly from the base, a flexible sleeve formed of an elastomeric material which is sealingly engaged with the end members and which forms a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween, and an impact absorbing bumper mounted on the base of the piston , the bumper includes a separate and distinct rigid metal base member having first and second ends, the first end is connected to the base of the piston and extends into the fluid chamber and an elastomeric member mounted to the second end of the member of rigid base to contact the other of the end members to absorb large deflections of the air cushion and move

Description

A METAL / ELASTOMERICAL BUMPER FOR AIR SHOCK ABSORBERS 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 two-piece air damper and springs having a metal base and an elastomeric cushion mounted thereon that replaces the one-piece elastomeric bumpers used to date in bumpers of air springs and springs previous Background Information Pneumatic dampers, 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 springs and springs are illustrated in U.S. Pat. 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, which project into the interior of the pressure chamber. The bumper prevents crushing or total deflection of the spring 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 rubber or rubber mierabro that is mounted on a rod projecting outwardly from one of the end members as illustrated in U.S. Pat. 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-based 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 U.S.A. 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 describes 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 cushion and springs consisting of one or more plastic members mounted on a structure stacked on a mounting post inside a pressure chamber. However, there is a need for an improved type of air damper and springs bumper that eliminates the integral one-piece elastomeric bumper to date and replaces it with a bumper construction having superior load-bearing capacity, with less deflection than previous one-piece elastomeric bumpers. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION One 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 bumper, mounted inside 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 known bumper constructions to date. A further object of the invention is to provide said improved air and springs damper wherein the impact absorbing bumper is constituted by a rigid base member preferably formed of metal and an elastomeric or rubber member mounted on the top of the rigid 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 or when the air damper and springs do not inflate. 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 on the upper part of the rigid base which is connected to one of the end members and wherein the shock absorber Air and springs can absorb much higher loads and forces than the one-piece elastomeric bumpers used to date. Another object of the invention is to provide said improved air spring and springs wherein the metal base member is formed with a plurality of flexible fingers which are coupled by rapid actuation onto an existing mounting post to secure the rigid metal base in one of the end members to receive the elastomeric member which is engaged by rapid actuation on the upper part of the metal base. Still another object of the invention is to provide said improved air spring and springs wherein the metal base is welded to a clamp plate in one of the end members and wherein the end member is usually a piston. 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 established to include a pair of spaced end members adapted to be mounted at spaced locations in a structure; a flexible sleeve formed of an elastomeric material which sealingly engages the end members and which forms a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween, and a bumper mounted to one of the end members of the bumper includes a rigid metal base member having first and second ends, the first end connects the first end member and an elastomeric member mounted on the second end of the rigid base member to contact the other end members to absorb large deflections of the air spring and springs . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred modalities of the invention, illustrative of the best ways in which the applicants have contemplated applying the principles, are established in the following description and are illustrated in the drawings and in particular and distinctive form are indicated and established in the attached claims. Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an air damper and springs having the improved two-piece metal / elastomeric bumper incorporated therein; Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation view of Figure 1, with broken-off and sectioned portions showing the two-piece bumper; Figure 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the bumper of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified two-piece bumper; Figure 5 is a top plan view of the metallic component of the bumper of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the metal component of Figure 5.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts through the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODES The improved air spring and damper of the invention is generally indicated at 1, and shown in a rest position not mounted on Figure 1. The air spring and springs 1 includes a top end cap and an axially spaced opposite 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, which 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 strut 7 joins with and extends downwardly from the base 4. a flexible sleeve which is generally indicated at 10, terminates in a lower strip 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 another 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 fluid tight chamber 15 within of the elastomeric sleeve 10. Other types of end seal structures can be used without affecting the concept of the invention, as illustrated in the US patents 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 damper and springs l on a vehicle, machine tool or other application where it will 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 fixes the piston 3 to the plate 12. The particular construction of the air damper and springs described above and shown in the drawings and in particular in Figures 1, 2 and 3, is of a usual known construction and can vary without affect the concept of the invention. According to the invention, an improved two piece quick coupling bumper, generally indicated at 20 (Fig. 3), is mounted on the base 4 of the piston 3 and extends upwards therefrom inside the chamber 15. The bumper 20 it is adapted to couple the end cap 2 in case of a failure of the pressurized fluid inside the air chamber 15, or helps 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 or rubber member indicated generally at 23. A first embodiment of the rigid base 22 is shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3, and is preferably a member. of a substantially inverted cup-shaped piece that is formed of a metal such as steel, having a cylindrical wall 24 and an integral end wall 25. A centrally located hole 27 is formed in the end wall 25 for mounting the member elastomeric 23 as described below. The opposite open end of the cylindrical wall 24 has an outwardly bent annular peripheral edge 28, which abuts on a clamp plate 12 and is held therewith by various fastening means such as welds 30, snap-fit, threads or other connection means. The elastomeric member 23 is a generally disc-shaped member with a rod 32 projecting from a bottom surface 33 and is formed with an annular groove 34 adjacent to the surface 33. The peripheral edge defining the hole 27 is received at the notch 34 to provide adjustment by quick coupling between the member 23 and the wall 25, to mount the elastomeric member 23 on the base end wall 25 is particularly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. A second embodiment of the two-piece bumper is generally indicated at 35 and is particularly illustrated in Figures 4-6. The bumper 35 incorporates a rigid base 36 formed of a metal cylinder with two open ends 37, which provides an open upper end 38 and a lower or open bottom end 39. A separate disk-shaped end plate 40 extends to through the open end 38 of the cylinder 37 and is held by various fastening means, such as welds 41. The plate 40 is formed with a central hole 43 within the sual the rod 32 of the elastomeric member 23 engages by rapid actuation as discussed previously with respect to the bumper 20.

According to another characteristic of this embodiment, the open bottom end 39 includes a plurality of flexible fingers 45 that are formed from the cylinder 37 and project inwardly and upwardly as illustrated in Figures 4 and 6 and provide connection by asholation fast with the post 14, and in particular extends within the annular groove 16 formed in the post 14 with the clamping base 36 on the clamping plate 12 and the base 4 of the piston 3. In summary, the air damper and springs Improved of the present invention, provides a two-piece construction consisting of a rigid metal base generally formed of a metal member in the shape of an inverted cup having an upper end hole within which the elastomeric member is engaged by rapid actuation . The base is mounted by fasteners such as welds, or by connection by quick coupling with a usual bumper mounting post on the piston member of the air damper and springs. This two-piece bumper provides increased twill carrying capacity and shock absorbing sapsity than is provided by the one-piece elastomeric bumper to date used in many prior art air springs and springs and will have relatively high deflection. low due to the mounting of the elastomeric member on a rigid base and will provide adequate support for the opposite end member 2 in the event of a complete collapse of the air spring and springs. According to this, the improved two-piece elastomeric / metal bumper is simplified, provides an efficient, safe, economical and effective device that achieves all the objectives listed, eliminates difficulties encountered with previous devices and solves problems and obtains new ones 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 detailed details shown and dessritos. Having now outlined the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the way in which the improved air spring and bumper bumper is constructed and employed, the construction sarasteristheses and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained, the new ones and useful structures, devices, elements, assemblies, parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS 1. An air spring and springs that includes a pair of spaced end members adapted to be mounted at spaced locations in a structure; a flexible sleeve formed of an elastomeric material which is sealingly engaged with the end members and which forms a pressurized fluid chamber between them, and an impact absorbing bumper mounted on one of the end members, the bumper includes a rigid metal base member having first and second ends, the first end is connected to the first end member and an elastomeric member mounted on the second end of the rigid base member to contact the other end member to absorb large deflections of the end member. air cushion and springs. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the second end of the base member includes a formed end wall is an orifisium; and wherein the elastomeric member includes a rod that engages by rapid actuation within the hole to mount the elastomeric member on the base member. 3. The improved air and spring damper according to claim 2, characterized in that the base member is a bone cylinder with a cylindrical side wall; wherein the first end is defined by a first peripheral edge of the side wall; and wherein the end wall is a separate disk-shaped member that is connected to a second peripheral edge of the cylindrical side wall. 4. The improved air spring and springs are the claim 2, characterized in that the base member is a single-piece hollow cylinder with the end wall forming integral with a cylindrical side wall and with the first end which is an open end of the cylindrical side wall. 5. The improved air spring and springstock of claim 4, characterized in that the cylindrical side wall of the base member is welded to the first end member adjacent to the first end. 6. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 1, sarasterized in that it includes a post mounted on the first end member and projecting into a hollow interior of the rigid base member and having an enlarged end portion and a notch; and wherein the first end of the base member is formed with an opening defined by a plurality of cirsunferensially spaced flexible fingers, the fingers are inclined inwardly and upwardly towards the enlarged end portion of the post and are swathed by rapid sticking on the porsión of enlarged end and seat in the sample to mount the base member in the first end member. 7. The air damper and springs are the claim 6, characterized in that four equally spaced flexible fingers are formed in the metal side wall of the base member. 8. The air damper and springs according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastomeric member has a disk-shaped body that is generally complementary in size to the end wall of the base member and sits there. 9. The air damper and compliance springs are claim 2, characterized in that the end wall is a disc-shaped member and is welded to the second end of the base member. 10. An improved air spring and damper of the type having 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 that is sealingly swelled with the end members and a pressurized fluid chamber forms therebetween, and 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 that is formed below the end portion; the improvement is characterized in that it includes a two-piece impact absorbing shock absorber, mounted on the impact impact possible pole with the other of the end members, the parasol includes: a rigid base member having first and second ends and a opening formed at the first end, the first end is seated on the first end member and with the post extending into the opening; flexible finger means formed on the base member and engaging the enlarged end portion of the post for mounting the base base on the post and the first end member; and an elastomeric member mounted on the second end of the rigid base for contacting the other of the end members to absorb large deflections in the air damper and springs. 11. The improved air and spring damper according to claim 10, characterized in that the rigid base member has a cylindrical metal side wall in general that forms a hollow interior, with the side wall defining the end opening? and wherein the flexible fingers are generally spaced circumferentially with respect to the end opening and are integrally formed from the side wall and extend therein to the inside interior adjacent to the end opening. 12. The improved air spring and springstock of claim 11, characterized in that a plurality of equally spaced flexible fingers are formed in the metal side wall of the base member. 13. The improved air spring and damper according to claim 10, characterized in that the second end of the base member has an end wall; wherein a hole is formed in the end wall; wherein the elastomeric member includes a rod; and wherein the rod is engaged by rapid engagement within the hole to mount the elastomeric member at the second end of the base member. 14. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 10, characterized in that the elastomeric member has a disk-shaped body that is generally complementary in size to the second end of the base member and sits on it. 15. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 14, characterized in that the second end has a member in the form of a disjunction subject to a connection means. 16. The improved air and springs cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the base member is an integral integral member.