End closures as well as gas spring assemblies and methods of assembly including same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016252154-A1
Application number	US-201415033474-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 14, 2014
Priority date	Nov 15, 2013
Publication date	Sep 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An end closure ( 260 ) is dimensioned for securement to a gas spring end member ( 204 ). The end closure is dimensioned to form a substantially fluid-tight, friction-fit connection with a flexible spring member ( 206 ) that is in an at least substantially-cured condition. The end closure ( 260 ) can include an end wall portion ( 298 ), a first side wall portion ( 300 ) that extends from along the end wall portion ( 298 ) and a second side wall portion ( 304 ) that is disposed radially inward of the first side wall portion and is axially-offset relative to the end wall portion. The second side wall portion at least partially forms a mounting seat that is dimensioned to form a substantially fluid-tight, friction-fit connection between at least the second side wall portion of the end closure ( 260 ) and the flexible spring member ( 204 ). A gas spring assembly as well as a suspension system and methods of assembly are also included.

First claim

1 . An end closure dimensioned to secure an associated flexible spring member in at least a substantially-cured condition along an associated gas spring end member, said end closure comprising an end closure wall having a longitudinal axis and including:
an end wall portion disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis and dimensioned for securement in abutting engagement with the associated end member; a first side wall portion disposed radially outward of said longitudinal axis and extending from along said end wall portion in a first axial direction; a second side wall portion disposed radially inward of said first side wall portion, said second side wall portion extending from along said first side wall portion in at least said first axial direction and in axially-offset relation to said end wall portion; and, at least one of a flange wall portion and a shoulder wall portion extending radially outward from along said second side wall portion in at least said first axial direction and in axially-offset relation to said first side wall portion such that a mounting seat is at least partially formed by said second side wall portion between said first side wall portion and said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion, said mounting seat dimensioned to form a substantially fluid-tight, friction-fit connection between at least said second side wall portion of said end closure and the associated flexible spring member.

2 . An end closure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion includes a flange wall portion extending radially outward beyond said second side wall portion.

3 . An end closure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion includes a flange wall portion extending radially inward beyond said second side wall portion.

4 . An end closure according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion includes a first shoulder wall portion extending between said flange wall portion and said second side wall portion such that a substantially-continuous contoured surface profile is formed along said second side wall portion, said first shoulder wall portion and said flange wall portion.

5 . An end closure according to claim 1 , wherein said end closure wall includes a second shoulder wall portion extending between said first side wall portion and said second side wall portion such that a substantially-continuous contoured surface profile is formed along said first side wall portion, said second shoulder wall portion and said second side wall portion.

6 . A gas spring assembly comprising:
a flexible spring member having a longitudinal axis and including a flexible wall extending peripherally about said longitudinal axis, said flexible spring member extending longitudinally between opposing first and second ends and at least partially defining a spring chamber therebetween, said flexible wall being formed from a quantity of elastomeric material that is in an at least substantially-cured condition; a first end member dimensioned for securement to an associated first structural component, said first end member extending across said first end of said flexible spring member and secured thereto such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therewith; a second end member dimensioned for securement to an associated second structural component and in spaced relation to said first end member, said second end member abuttingly engaging said flexible spring member such that a rolling lobe can be formed by said flexible spring member along said second end member; and, an end closure secured to said second end member and dimensioned to form a substantially fluid-tight, friction-fit connection with said flexible spring member upon receivingly engaging said second end of said flexible spring member while in said at least substantially-cured condition thereof.

7 . A gas spring assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said end closure includes an end closure wall having a longitudinal axis and including an end wall portion disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis and dimensioned for securement in abutting engagement along said second end member.

8 . A gas spring assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said end closure wall of said end closure includes:
a first side wall portion disposed radially outward of said longitudinal axis and extending from along said end wall portion in a first axial direction; and, a second side wall portion disposed radially inward of said first side wall portion, said second side wall portion extending from along said first side wall portion in at least said first axial direction and in axially-offset relation to said end wall portion.

9 . A gas spring assembly according to claim 8 , wherein said end closure wall of said end closure includes at least one of a flange wall portion and a shoulder wall portion extending radially outward from along said second side wall portion in at least said first axial direction and in axially-offset relation to said first side wall portion such that a mounting seat is at least partially formed by said second side wall portion between said first side wall portion and said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion, said mounting seat dimensioned to form said substantially fluid-tight, friction-fit connection between at least said second side wall portion of said end closure and said second end of said flexible spring member while in said at least substantially-cured condition thereof.

10 . A gas spring assembly according to claim 9 , wherein said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion includes a flange wall portion extending radially outward beyond said second side wall portion.

11 . A gas spring assembly according to claim 9 , wherein said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion includes a flange wall portion extending radially inward beyond said second side wall portion.

12 . A gas spring assembly according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one of said flange wall portion and said shoulder wall portion includes a first shoulder wall portion extending between said flange wall portion and said second side wall portion such that a substantially-continuous contoured surface profile is formed along said second side wall portion, said first shoulder wall portion and said flange wall portion.

13 . A gas spring assembly according to claim 8 , wherein said end closure wall includes a second shoulder wall portion extending between said first side wall portion and said second side wall portion such that a substantially-continuous contoured surface profile is formed along said first side wall portion, said second shoulder wall portion and said second side wall portion.

14 . A suspension system comprising:
a pressurized gas system including a pressurized gas source and a control device; and, at least one gas spring assembly according to claim 6 disposed in fluid communication with said pressurized gas source through said control device such that pressurized gas can be selectively transferred into and out of said spring chamber.

15 .- 17 . (canceled)

18 . A method of assembling a gas spring assembly, said method comprising:
providing a flexible spring member having a longitudinal axis and extending peripherally about said longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, said flexible spring member at least partially formed from an elast

Assignees

• Firestone Ind Products Co Llc

Inventors

• Smith Jason B

Classifications

• B60G17/0521

  the spring having a flexible wall · CPC title

• B60G2202/152

  Pneumatic spring · CPC title

• F16F9/0463

  with separate crimping rings · CPC title

• F16F2226/04

  Assembly or fixing methods; methods to form or fashion parts · CPC title

• F16F9/057 Primary

  characterised by the piston · CPC title