Tunable compact spring aid

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016368342-A1
Application number	US-201615163103-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 24, 2016
Priority date	Jun 19, 2015
Publication date	Dec 22, 2016
Grant date	—

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

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

2 . The suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rod disposed within the core.

3 . The suspension system of claim 2 , further comprising:
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.

4 . The suspension system of claim 3 , 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.

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

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

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

8 . 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; and
a core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower.

9 . The suspension element of claim 8 , further comprising:
a rod disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.

10 . The suspension element of claim 9 , wherein the rod has a uniform cross section.

11 . The suspension element of claim 10 , further comprising:
a sleeve covering the bumper and the windows of the tower.

12 . 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; and 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.

13 . The suspension element of claim 12 , further comprising:
a core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower.

14 . The suspension element of claim 13 , wherein portions of the core have different material densities.

15 . The suspension element of claim 13 , wherein portions of the 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

• B60G11/54 Primary

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

• B60G2206/42

  Springs · CPC title

• B60G2800/162

  Reducing road induced vibrations · CPC title

• B60G2206/73

  Rubber; Elastomers · CPC title

• F16F1/371

  characterised by inserts or auxiliary extension {or exterior} elements, e.g. for rigidification (F16F1/387 takes precedence; {non-embedded reinforcing elements for flexibly-walled air springs F16F9/0436}) · CPC title