Tunable compact spring aid

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10000102-B2
Application number	US-201615163103-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 24, 2016
Priority date	Jun 19, 2015
Publication date	Jun 19, 2018
Grant date	Jun 19, 2018

Abstract

A spring aid for a vehicle suspension includes a compliant tower attachable to elements undergoing suspension travel. The tower defines an axis of travel or center axis and includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of window frames connecting the rings. The rings are perpendicular to, and spaced along, the axis, and define a cylindrical cavity. The window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings. The suspension element may also include a core, which substantially fills the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower. A rod may be disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A suspension system, comprising:
a frame member;
a suspension member;
a coil spring joining the frame member and the suspension member, such that the frame member is movable relative to the suspension member;
a bumper attached to one of the frame member and the suspension member;
a compliant tower attached to the other of the frame member and the suspension member, wherein the tower defines an axis of travel and includes:
a plurality of rings perpendicular to the axis and spaced along the axis, wherein the rings collectively define a cylindrical cavity about the axis within the compliant tower; and
a plurality of window frames connecting the rings, wherein the window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings;

a compliant core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower; and
a rod disposed within the compliant core.

2. The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant tower further includes:
a shelf substantially perpendicular to the axis, wherein the shelf defines a hole aligned with the axis, wherein the rod is movable within the hole of the shelf.

3. The suspension system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a base extending on the opposite side of the shelf from the rings, wherein the base is offset by an angle relative to the rings.

4. The suspension system of claim 3 , wherein the window frames have a trapezoidal cross section.

5. The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the window frames have a trapezoidal cross section.

6. The suspension element of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sleeve covering the bumper and windows of the tower.

7. A suspension element for a vehicle, comprising:
a compliant tower configured for attachment to elements subject to suspension travel, wherein the tower defines an axis of travel and includes:
a plurality of rings perpendicular to the axis and spaced along the axis, defining a cylindrical cavity;
a plurality of window frames connecting the rings, wherein the plurality of window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings and the have a trapezoidal cross section; and
a shelf substantially perpendicular to the axis, wherein the shelf defines a hole aligned with the axis;

a core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower; and
a rod disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.

8. The suspension element of claim 7 , wherein the rod has a uniform cross section.

9. The suspension element of claim 8 , further comprising:
a sleeve covering the bumper and the windows of the tower.

10. A suspension system, comprising:
a frame member;
a suspension member;
a coil spring joining the frame member and the suspension member, such that the frame member is movable relative to the suspension member;
a bumper attached to one of the frame member and the suspension member;
a compliant tower attached to the other of the frame member and the suspension member, wherein the tower defines an axis of travel and includes a plurality of window frames that define a plurality of windows therebetween and collectively define a cylindrical cavity about the axis of travel of the compliant tower;
a compliant core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower; and
a rigid rod disposed with the compliant core.

11. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein portions of the compliant core have different material densities.

12. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein portions of the compliant core are formed from different materials.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Nolte Jason J
• Sanford Leo D
• Lambiris Stephen M
• Brock Thomas A

Classifications

• B60G2202/14

  Plastic spring, e.g. rubber · CPC title

• B60G2206/73

  Rubber; Elastomers · CPC title

• B60G11/54 Primary

  with rubber springs arranged within helical, spiral or coil springs · CPC title

• B60G2202/12

  Wound spring · CPC title

• B60G2800/162

  Reducing road induced vibrations · CPC title