Patent Application
20150035211
The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to the art of gas spring devices and, more particularly, to a gas spring and component assembly that includes a gas spring with at least one end member and a component secured along an end member of the gas spring using a connection formed by a cold joining process. Such a gas spring and component assembly can be included in or otherwise form a part of a suspension system. Methods of assembly are also included.
The subject matter of the present disclosure may find particular application and use as or otherwise in conjunction with components for wheeled vehicles, and will be shown and described herein with reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the subject matter of the present disclosure is also amenable to use in other applications and environments, and that the specific uses shown and described herein are merely exemplary. For example, the subject matter of the present disclosure could be used in connection with gas spring assemblies of non-wheeled vehicles, support structures, height adjusting systems and actuators associated with industrial machinery, components thereof and/or other such equipment. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to use associated with gas spring suspension systems of wheeled vehicles.
Wheeled motor vehicles of most types and kinds include a sprung mass, such as a body or chassis, for example, and an unsprung mass, such as two or more axles or other wheel-engaging members, for example, with a suspension system disposed therebetween. Typically, a suspension system will include a plurality of spring devices as well as a plurality of damping devices that together permit the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle to move in a somewhat controlled manner relative to one another. Movement of the sprung and unsprung masses toward one another is normally referred to in the art as jounce motion while movement of the sprung and unsprung masses away from one another is commonly referred to in the art as rebound motion.
Gas spring assemblies are commonly secured on, along or otherwise between the sprung and unsprung masses in a variety of ways and using a wide range of components. Generally, the range of motion of a suspension system extends between a first or fully compressed condition and a second or fully extended condition. To retain the one or more gas spring assemblies in operative association the sprung and unsprung masses, each end of the one or more gas spring assemblies is typically secured on or along opposing structural members of the associated sprung and unsprung masses (e.g., opposing components of a suspension system). As such, conventional gas spring end members commonly include one or more brackets or other components that can be used to orient, position, attach and/or otherwise operatively associate the end members with the opposing structural members of the associated sprung and unsprung masses. Typically, such one or more brackets or other components are removably secured on or along the associated end member using one or more threaded fasteners.
Notwithstanding the wide usage of conventional threaded fasteners and the overall success of known assembly techniques for securing gas spring end members to associated structural components, it is believed to be desirable to develop new constructions, designs and/or assembly techniques that are capable of advancing the art of gas spring devices.
One example of a gas spring and component assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a flexible wall having a longitudinal axis and extending peripherally about the axis between a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally from the first end. The flexible wall can be dimensioned to at least partially define a spring chamber. An end member can be secured across the first end of the flexible wall. The end member can include an end member wall with a first surface disposed toward the flexible wall and a second surface facing away from the flexible wall. A component can include a component wall with a first surface disposed along one of the first surface and the second surface of the end member. An embedded fastener connection can be formed between the end member and the component. The embedded fastener connection can secure the end member and the component in fixed relation to one another.
One example of a method of assembling a gas spring and component assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include providing an end member that includes an end member wall with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The method can also include providing a component that includes a component wall with at least a first surface. The method can also include orienting the end member and the component such that the first surface of the component wall is disposed along one of the first surface and the second surface of the end member wall. The method can further include forming an embedded fastener connection between the end member and the component and thereby securing the end member and the component in fixed relation to one another.
One example of a method of assembling a suspension system in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include providing at least one structural member and providing a gas spring and component assembly including an end member, a component and an embedded fastener connection according to the subject matter of the present disclosure. The method can also include positioning the end member of said gas spring and component assembly adjacent the at least one structural member. The method can further include securing at least the component of the gas spring and component assembly to the at least one structural member.
Turning now to the drawings, wherein the showings illustrate examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure and which are not to be considered limiting,
The suspension system can also include a plurality of gas spring and component assemblies supported between the sprung and unsprung masses of the associated vehicle. In the arrangement shown in
Suspension system 100 also includes a pressurized gas system 104 operatively associated with the gas spring and component assemblies for selectively supplying pressurized gas (e.g., air) thereto and selectively transferring pressurized gas therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Valve assembly 108 is in communication with gas spring and component assemblies 102 through suitable gas transfer lines 118. As such, pressurized gas can be selectively transferred into and/or out of the gas spring and component assemblies through valve assembly 108 by selectively operating one or more of valves 112, such as to alter or maintain vehicle height at one or more corners of the vehicle, for example.
Suspension system 100 can also include a control system 120 that is capable of communication with any one or more systems and/or components (not shown) of vehicle VHC and/or suspension system 100, such as for selective operation and/or control thereof. Control system 120 can include a controller or electronic control unit (ECU) 122 communicatively coupled with compressor 106 and/or valve assembly 108, such as through a conductor or lead 124, for example, for selective operation and control thereof, which can include supplying and exhausting pressurized gas to and/or from gas spring and component assemblies 102. Controller 122 can be of any suitable type, kind and/or configuration.
Control system 120 can also, optionally, include one or more height (or distance) sensing devices (not shown in
A gas spring and component assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a gas spring (which may be also referred to herein as a gas spring assembly) and a component that is mounted on or along the gas spring using a connection formed by a cold joining process. It will be appreciated that such a component can be of any suitable size, shape, configuration and/or construction, and can be disposed along an interior or an exterior surface of an end member or other component of a gas spring assembly in any suitable manner. In some cases, the component can be secured along the exterior of a gas spring assembly, such as on an outer surface of an end member, for example, and can be dimensioned for securement to an associated structural member. In other cases, the component can be secured within the interior of a gas spring assembly, such as along a surface of an end member within the spring chamber of the gas spring assembly, for example, and can be dimensioned to retain an associated internal component within the gas spring assembly.
One example of a gas spring and component assembly 200 in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure is shown in
Gas spring and component assembly 200 can be disposed between associated sprung and unsprung masses of an associated vehicle in any suitable manner. For example, one end member can be operatively connected to the associated sprung mass with the other end member disposed toward and operatively connected to the associated unsprung mass. In the embodiment shown in
It will be appreciated that the one or more end members can be of any suitable type, kind, construction and/or configuration, and can be operatively connected or otherwise secured to the flexible wall in any suitable manner. In the exemplary arrangement shown in
As identified in
End member 208 can also include a bottom wall 236 that is disposed along end 228 of the end member and can be secured on or along outer side wall 222 in any manner suitable for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection, such as by using a flowed-material joint 238, for example. In some cases, mounting stud 214 can be operatively connected to bottom wall 236 in a manner suitable for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therewith, such as by using a flowed-material joint 240, for example. Additionally, end member 208 can include a chamber 242 that is formed therein and in fluid communication with spring chamber 212. In the exemplary arrangement shown, chamber 242 is at least partially defined by outer side wall 222, end wall 230, inner side wall 232 and bottom wall 236.
A height or distance sensing device 244 is, optionally, shown in
One or more fluid communication ports, such as a transfer passage 248 (
As indicated above, a gas spring and component assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a gas spring, such as gas spring 202, and a component that is attached to or otherwise secured on or along an end member of the gas spring using a connection formed by a cold joining process. It will be appreciated that the component can be a component or device of any suitable type, kind and/or construction, such as sensors, valves, fluid connectors and/or electrical terminals, for example. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the component can be of any suitable size, shape, configuration and/or arrangement.
One example of such an component is identified in
Side wall 258 is shown as extending from along base wall 256 and in a transverse orientation relative thereto. As such, side wall 258 can be disposed at an angle relative to base wall 256, such as is represented in
One or more gussets or support walls can, optionally, extend between and operatively interconnect the base wall and the side wall. For example, component 204 is shown in
Additionally, the component can be secured on or along the associated structural component in any suitable manner. For example, side wall 258 can include one or more openings or holes 272 (
In accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, an component, such as component 204, for example, can be secured on or along an end member of the gas spring using a cold joining process. In a preferred arrangement, connections formed between the component and the end member by such cold joining processes are non-threaded threaded connections that are generally deemed to be permanent connections, such as may result in the destruction or deformation (e.g., permanent, plastic and/or substantially-inelastic deformation) of one or more components or elements rendering the same unfit for re-use. It will be appreciated that, in a preferred arrangement, that the end member and the component can be of any suitable size, shape, configuration and/or construction, and can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the end member and the component can each be at least partially formed from a metal material, such as steel or aluminum, for example. In a preferred arrangement, a common metal material can be used for the end member and the component, such as may be useful for providing similar or
In the exemplary arrangement in
It will be appreciated that action of driving the self-piercing fasteners can take place under the influence of opposing dies that can provide for or otherwise permit controlled deformation of the base wall and end member during entry of the self-piercing fasteners. Additionally, the use of opposing dies to control deformation of the end member can permit the formation of embedded fastener connections that are substantially fluid-tight, such as through formation of the connection without permitting the fasteners to pierce or otherwise breakthrough the end member. In such cases, the fasteners forming the embedded fastener connections remain fluidically isolated from the spring chamber of the gas spring. As a result, connections formed by a cold joining process, such as embedded fastener connections 276, for example, can be employed in connection with gas spring devices without generating pathways for potential pressurized gas loss.
It will be appreciated that a connection formed between a gas spring and an component using a cold joining process in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can be formed by any suitable method. One example of a suitable method is illustrated in
Under the influence of die sections 280 and 286, self-piercing fastener 278 is driven into engagement with base wall 256, as is represented in
As illustrated in
As discussed above, it will be appreciated that gas spring and components assemblies of the present disclosure can be operatively connected between the sprung and unsprung masses of an associated vehicle in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in
As used herein with reference to certain features, elements, components and/or structures, numerical ordinals (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, etc.) may be used to denote different singles of a plurality or otherwise identify certain features, elements, components and/or structures, and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. Additionally, the terms “transverse,” and the like, are to be broadly interpreted. As such, the terms “transverse,” and the like, can include a wide range of relative angular orientations that include, but are not limited to, an approximately perpendicular angular orientation. Also, the terms “circumferential,” “circumferentially,” and the like, are to be broadly interpreted and can include, but are not limited to circular shapes and/or configurations. In this regard, the terms “circumferential,” “circumferentially,” and the like, can be synonymous with terms such as “peripheral,” “peripherally,” and the like.
Furthermore, the phrase “flowed-material joint” and the like, if used herein, are to be interpreted to include any joint or connection in which a liquid or otherwise flowable material (e.g., a melted metal or combination of melted metals) is deposited or otherwise presented between adjacent component parts and operative to form a fixed and substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. Examples of processes that can be used to form such a flowed-material joint include, without limitation, welding processes, brazing processes and soldering processes. In such cases, one or more metal materials and/or alloys can be used to form such a flowed-material joint, in addition to any material from the component parts themselves. Another example of a process that can be used to form a flowed-material joint includes applying, depositing or otherwise presenting an adhesive between adjacent component parts that is operative to form a fixed and substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. In such case, it will be appreciated that any suitable adhesive material or combination of materials can be used, such as one-part and/or two-part epoxies, for example.
Further still, the term “gas” is used herein to broadly refer to any gaseous or vaporous fluid. Most commonly, air is used as the working medium of gas spring devices, such as those described herein, as well as suspension systems and other components thereof. However, it will be understood that any suitable gaseous fluid could alternately be used.
It will be recognized that numerous different features and/or components are presented in the embodiments shown and described herein, and that no one embodiment may be specifically shown and described as including all such features and components. As such, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure is intended to encompass any and all combinations of the different features and components that are shown and described herein, and, without limitation, that any suitable arrangement of features and components, in any combination, can be used. Thus it is to be distinctly understood claims directed to any such combination of features and/or components, whether or not specifically embodied herein, are intended to find support in the present disclosure.
Thus, while the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments and considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles hereof. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the subject matter of the present disclosure and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that the subject matter of the present disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US13/30083 | 3/9/2013 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61608996 | Mar 2012 | US |
