Vehicle air spring assembly
US6746004B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F9/0454
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle air spring assembly has a pair of spaced end plates which sealing engage a bladder to form an air chamber. A pair of bead skirts are attached to the end plates to guide the bladder radially outwardly as the air spring is compressed. By guiding the bladder as it expands radially outwardly, the bead skirts control the effective area with respect to the air spring height, thus controlling the dynamic load and dynamic spring rate of the air spring. The bead skirts are formed complementary in shape and nestle together as they move towards one another. This nestling reduces pinching of the bladder when the air spring is compressed during use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.