Guide tube retainment feature during crimping of guide tubes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11040389-B2
Application number	US-201916294992-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 7, 2019
Priority date	Dec 6, 2018
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

Abstract

A method for making an air spring assembly, including the steps of providing a bellow, a support ring, and a guide tube. The support ring is positioned relative to a bellow adapter such that a portion of the bellow adapter extends through the support ring. The bellow is then positioned such that a portion of the bellow extends over the support ring and a portion of the bellow adapter. The guide tube is then positioned relative to the bellow and the support ring, such that a portion of the bellow extends into the guide tube and the guide tube is supported by the bellow adapter, and a portion of the guide tube is supported by a ridge support fixture. The first clamp and second clamp are then moved towards the guide tube, applying force to the guide tube, simultaneously forming a first crimp and a second crimp.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for making an air spring assembly, comprising the steps of:
providing a bellow;
providing a support ring; providing a guide tube; providing a die;
providing a crimp tool being part of the die; providing a first clamp being part of the crimp tool;
providing a second clamp being part of the crimp tool; providing a ridge support fixture being part of the die;
providing a bellow adapter being part of the die;
positioning the support ring relative to the bellow adapter such that a portion of the bellow adapter extends through the support ring;
positioning the bellow such that a portion of the bellow extends over the support ring and a portion of the bellow adapter;
positioning the guide tube relative to the bellow and the support ring, such that a portion of the bellow extends into the guide tube and the guide tube is supported by the bellow adapter, and a portion of the guide tube is supported by the ridge support fixture;
moving the first clamp towards the guide tube, applying force to the guide tube; and
moving the second clamp towards the guide tube at the same time as the first clamp, applying force to the guide tube, and simultaneously forming a first crimp and a second crimp.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of upper crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the first clamp;
providing a plurality of lower crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the first clamp;
providing a plurality of upper crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the second clamp; and
providing a plurality of lower crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the second clamp;
forming the first crimp using the plurality of upper crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the first clamp and the plurality of upper crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the second clamp;
forming the second crimp using the plurality of lower crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the first clamp and the plurality of lower crimp teeth integrally formed as part of the second clamp.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing an edge portion integrally formed as part of the bellow adapter;
positioning the guide tube such that an end of the guide tube contacts the edge portion when the guide tube is supported by the bellow adapter.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a cylindrical portion integrally formed as part of the ridge support fixture;
positioning the guide tube such that the cylindrical portion extends into the guide tube and supports a portion of the guide tube during the formation of the second crimp as the first clamp and the second clamp apply force to the guide tube.

5. A method for making an air spring assembly, comprising the steps of:
providing a bellow;
providing a support ring;
providing a guide tube;
providing a die;
providing a crimp tool being part of the die;
providing a first clamp being part of the crimp tool;
providing a second clamp being part of the crimp tool;
providing a first plurality of teeth being part of the first clamp;
providing a second plurality of teeth being part of the second clamp;
providing a ridge support fixture being part of the die; and
providing a bellow adapter being part of the die;
positioning the support ring relative to the bellow adapter such that a portion of the bellow adapter extends through the support ring;
positioning the bellow such that a portion of the bellow extends over the support ring and a portion of the bellow adapter;
positioning the guide tube relative to the bellow and the support ring, such that a portion of the bellow extends into the guide tube and the guide tube is supported by the bellow adapter;
moving first clamp towards the guide tube;
moving the second clamp towards the guide tube at the same time as the first clamp, applying force to the guide tube and deforming a portion of the guide tube to form a first crimp which connects the bellow, support ring, and guide tube to form a sub-assembly;
moving the first clamp and the second clamp away from the guide tube;
repositioning the sub-assembly in the die such a portion of the guide tube is supported by the ridge support fixture and the bellow adapter;
moving the second clamp towards the guide tube at the same time as the first clamp, applying force to the guide tube in proximity to the ridge support fixture and deforming another portion of the guide tube to form a second crimp.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:
providing an edge portion integrally formed as part of the bellow adapter;
positioning the guide tube such that an end of the guide tube contacts the edge portion when the guide tube is supported by the bellow adapter.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a cylindrical portion integrally formed as part of the ridge support fixture;
positioning the guide tube such that the cylindrical portion extends into the guide tube and supports a portion of the guide tube during the formation of the second crimp as the first clamp and the second clamp apply force the guide tube.

Assignees

• Continental automotive systems inc

Inventors

• Jerisk Joseph G

Classifications

• B60G15/14

  the damper being connected to the stub axle and the spring being arranged around the damper · CPC title

• B60G2204/126

  Mounting of pneumatic springs · CPC title

• B21D39/048 Primary

  using presses for radially crimping tubular elements · CPC title

• B21D39/046 Primary

  Connecting tubes to tube-like fittings · CPC title

• F16L13/141

  by crimping or rolling from the outside · CPC title