Air spring
US6345813B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F9/0445
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An air spring wherein the spring constant of the air spring can be readily tuned to achieve a desired ride performance is disclosed. The air spring has a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve, bead plates, and support rings. The sleeve is secured at each end to a bead plate. The support rings are secured to the bead beads, extending radially outward from the bead plates. The support rings have an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder, and a tracking surface extending between the shoulders. When the air spring is at design height, the sleeve contacts only the inner shoulders of the support rings. By limiting the initial contact of the sleeve with ring and determining where this contact occurs, the movement of the sleeve during jounce can be modified, altering the effective area rate of change.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.