GB2079400A - Suspension or damping unit - Google Patents

Suspension or damping unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2079400A
GB2079400A GB8120776A GB8120776A GB2079400A GB 2079400 A GB2079400 A GB 2079400A GB 8120776 A GB8120776 A GB 8120776A GB 8120776 A GB8120776 A GB 8120776A GB 2079400 A GB2079400 A GB 2079400A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
suspension
unit
damping
tubular member
guide bar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8120776A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Norde Suspensions Ltd
Original Assignee
Norde Suspensions Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Norde Suspensions Ltd filed Critical Norde Suspensions Ltd
Priority to GB8120776A priority Critical patent/GB2079400A/en
Publication of GB2079400A publication Critical patent/GB2079400A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F16F1/373—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers characterised by having a particular shape
    • F16F1/374—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers characterised by having a particular shape having a spherical or the like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G11/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs
    • B60G11/22—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having rubber springs only
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G15/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of combined spring and vibration damper, e.g. telescopic type
    • B60G15/02—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of combined spring and vibration damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring
    • B60G15/06—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of combined spring and vibration damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper
    • B60G15/062—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of combined spring and vibration damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper the spring being arranged around the damper
    • B60G15/066—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of combined spring and vibration damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper the spring being arranged around the damper the spring being different from a coil spring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F16F1/40—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers consisting of a stack of similar elements separated by non-elastic intermediate layers

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A suspension/damping unit comprises a tubular member 1, closed at one end 2, a compression member 7 slidably secured within the tubular member 1, a guide bar 4 located within the tubular member 1, and a number of separate compressible members 5 slidably mounted on the guide bar 4 between the compression member 7 and the closed end 2 of the tubular member 1. The compressible members 5 are rubber spheres with bearing members 6. They are a close sliding fit within the tube 1 which is coated with anti-friction material. The unit may be combined with a pneumatic damper 10,12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Suspension or damping unit This invention relates to suspension or damping units such as would be used on, e.g. motor vehicles.
Suspension and damping units known hitherto have in the main been incapable of serving both purposes, and both suspension and damping units have necessarily been provided, e.g. in vehicles.
Even when both suspension and damping units are provided difficulties and possibly dangerous situations can arise by the breakage of, e.g. leaf spring or rubber block type suspension units, and with, e.g.
hydraulic damping units any damage to the seals can cause loss of hydraulic fluid, and frequently such damage goes undetected leading to the complete collapse of the unit with possible dangerous consequences. Mechanical damping units e.g. with coil springs, tend to be less responsive than hydraulic units, and whilst perhaps more robust have the disadvantage that once a spring breaks, the unit instantly cannot serve its purpose with again perhaps dangerous consequences.
The object of the present invention is to provide a unit that can serve as a suspension or damping unit that is robust and yet responsive and is not prone to total failure.
According to the present invention, a suspension/ damping unit comprises a tubular member, closed at one end, a compression member slidably secured within the tubular member, a guide bar located within the tubular member, and a number of separate compressible members slidably mounted on the guide bar between the compression member and the closed end of the tubular member. Preferably, the tubular member is of circular cross-section, and the compressible members spherical and of a diameter to be a close sliding fit within the tubular member.
Thus, with the suspension/damping unit suitably mounted, e.g. in a vehicle, such as by conventional pivotal connections, one outwardly of the closed end of the tubular member, and the other at the outer end of the compressive member, any relative movement of the pivotal connections towards each other causes the compressive member to move down the tubular member to compress the compressible members to allow the unit to serve as a suspension unit or damping unit.
There is, therefore, provided a responsive and robust suspension/damping unit that avoids sub stantially completely the faults inherent in prior art constructions.
It is further preferred that the interior of the tubular member has an anti-friction coating, and that the compressible members are formed from an elastomer, such as rubber (natural or synthetic). Also, the separate compressible members may each have bearing inserts at each end of the through hole for the guide bar, to assist in the members sliding freely along the bar, and to provide a bearing point between adjacent members.
It is preferred that the guide bar for the compressible members extends through the compression member, to act as a guide therefor, and for there to be an enlarged head on the guide bar to limit the return stroke of the compression member. In order that the unit can be further damped, the compression member may be mounted on a cylinder, and when the enlarged head on the guide bar can lie within the cylinder to serve as a piston. Thus, with one or more bleed holes formed through the cylin derwall, movement of the piston along the cylinder during compression of the whole unit causes air to be expelled from the cylinder at a controlled rate.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a sectional side elevation of a suspension/damping unit in accordance with the invention.
In the drawing, a suspension/damping unit has a tubular body 1 closed at one end 2 by a welded cap where there is an external pivotal connection 3.
Centrally of the tubular body is a guide bar 4 secured to the closed end, on which is slidably mounted a number of rubber spheres 5, each having diametrically opposed bearing members 6. Also mounted on the guide bar 4 is a compression member 7, having a shaped face 8 to engage the adjacent rubber sphere 5, the compression member being retained within the tubular body 1 by a screwed cap 9. The guide bar 4 terminates in a head 10 lying behind the compression member 7. The cap 9 has a central hole 11 through which extends a cylinder 12 secured to the compression member, the head 10 lying in the cylinder to serve as a piston, there being bleed holes 13 at the remote end of the cylinder. Externally of the end of the cylinder is a further pivotal connection 14.
Thus, when connected in, e.g. a vehicle, the unit can serve the purpose either of a suspension unit or a damping unit. Any relative movement of the pivotal connections towards each other causes the compression member 7 to bear down on the rubber spheres causing them to compress, and it will readily be appreciated that by avoiding coil or leaf springs and avoiding hydraulics requiring effective seals, a unit is provided that is responsive, robust and considerably less likely to fail.
The additional damping provided can also be useful. As the rubber spheres are compressed, the head 10 passes along the cylinder 12 forcing air through the bleed holes 14, air being drawn through those bleed holes during the return stroke of the head. it will be appreciated that other forms of auxiliary damping means can be provided if required.
1. A suspensionidamping unit comprising a tubular member, closed at one end, a compression member slidably secured within the tubular member, a guide bar located within the tubular member, and a number of separate compressible members slidably mounted on the guide bar between the compression member and the closed end of the tubular member.
2. A suspension/damping unit as in Claim 1, wherein the tubular member is of circular crosssection.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Suspension or damping unit This invention relates to suspension or damping units such as would be used on, e.g. motor vehicles. Suspension and damping units known hitherto have in the main been incapable of serving both purposes, and both suspension and damping units have necessarily been provided, e.g. in vehicles. Even when both suspension and damping units are provided difficulties and possibly dangerous situations can arise by the breakage of, e.g. leaf spring or rubber block type suspension units, and with, e.g. hydraulic damping units any damage to the seals can cause loss of hydraulic fluid, and frequently such damage goes undetected leading to the complete collapse of the unit with possible dangerous consequences. Mechanical damping units e.g. with coil springs, tend to be less responsive than hydraulic units, and whilst perhaps more robust have the disadvantage that once a spring breaks, the unit instantly cannot serve its purpose with again perhaps dangerous consequences. The object of the present invention is to provide a unit that can serve as a suspension or damping unit that is robust and yet responsive and is not prone to total failure. According to the present invention, a suspension/ damping unit comprises a tubular member, closed at one end, a compression member slidably secured within the tubular member, a guide bar located within the tubular member, and a number of separate compressible members slidably mounted on the guide bar between the compression member and the closed end of the tubular member. Preferably, the tubular member is of circular cross-section, and the compressible members spherical and of a diameter to be a close sliding fit within the tubular member. Thus, with the suspension/damping unit suitably mounted, e.g. in a vehicle, such as by conventional pivotal connections, one outwardly of the closed end of the tubular member, and the other at the outer end of the compressive member, any relative movement of the pivotal connections towards each other causes the compressive member to move down the tubular member to compress the compressible members to allow the unit to serve as a suspension unit or damping unit. There is, therefore, provided a responsive and robust suspension/damping unit that avoids sub stantially completely the faults inherent in prior art constructions. It is further preferred that the interior of the tubular member has an anti-friction coating, and that the compressible members are formed from an elastomer, such as rubber (natural or synthetic). Also, the separate compressible members may each have bearing inserts at each end of the through hole for the guide bar, to assist in the members sliding freely along the bar, and to provide a bearing point between adjacent members. It is preferred that the guide bar for the compressible members extends through the compression member, to act as a guide therefor, and for there to be an enlarged head on the guide bar to limit the return stroke of the compression member. In order that the unit can be further damped, the compression member may be mounted on a cylinder, and when the enlarged head on the guide bar can lie within the cylinder to serve as a piston. Thus, with one or more bleed holes formed through the cylin derwall, movement of the piston along the cylinder during compression of the whole unit causes air to be expelled from the cylinder at a controlled rate. One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a sectional side elevation of a suspension/damping unit in accordance with the invention. In the drawing, a suspension/damping unit has a tubular body 1 closed at one end 2 by a welded cap where there is an external pivotal connection 3. Centrally of the tubular body is a guide bar 4 secured to the closed end, on which is slidably mounted a number of rubber spheres 5, each having diametrically opposed bearing members 6. Also mounted on the guide bar 4 is a compression member 7, having a shaped face 8 to engage the adjacent rubber sphere 5, the compression member being retained within the tubular body 1 by a screwed cap 9. The guide bar 4 terminates in a head 10 lying behind the compression member 7. The cap 9 has a central hole 11 through which extends a cylinder 12 secured to the compression member, the head 10 lying in the cylinder to serve as a piston, there being bleed holes 13 at the remote end of the cylinder. Externally of the end of the cylinder is a further pivotal connection 14. Thus, when connected in, e.g. a vehicle, the unit can serve the purpose either of a suspension unit or a damping unit. Any relative movement of the pivotal connections towards each other causes the compression member 7 to bear down on the rubber spheres causing them to compress, and it will readily be appreciated that by avoiding coil or leaf springs and avoiding hydraulics requiring effective seals, a unit is provided that is responsive, robust and considerably less likely to fail. The additional damping provided can also be useful. As the rubber spheres are compressed, the head 10 passes along the cylinder 12 forcing air through the bleed holes 14, air being drawn through those bleed holes during the return stroke of the head. it will be appreciated that other forms of auxiliary damping means can be provided if required. CLAIMS
1. A suspensionidamping unit comprising a tubular member, closed at one end, a compression member slidably secured within the tubular member, a guide bar located within the tubular member, and a number of separate compressible members slidably mounted on the guide bar between the compression member and the closed end of the tubular member.
2. A suspension/damping unit as in Claim 1, wherein the tubular member is of circular crosssection.
3. A suspension/damping unit as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the compressible members are spherical and of a diameter to be a close sliding fit within the tubular member.
4. A suspension/damping unit as in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein pivotal connections are provided on the unit.
5. A suspension/damping unit as in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the interior of the tubular member has an anti-friction coating.
6. A suspension/damping unit as in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the compressible members are formed from an elastomer, such as rubber (natural or synthetic).
7. A suspension/damping unit as in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the separate compressible members each have bearing inserts at each end of the through hole for the guide bar.
8. A suspension/damping unit as in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein an auxiliary damping means associated with the unit is provided.
9. A suspension/damping unit as in Claim 8, wherein an enlarged head on the guide bar behind the compression member lies in a cylinder secured to the compression member to act as a piston therein, there being bleed holes in the cylinder for air.
10. A suspension/damping unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB8120776A 1980-07-04 1981-07-06 Suspension or damping unit Withdrawn GB2079400A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8120776A GB2079400A (en) 1980-07-04 1981-07-06 Suspension or damping unit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8021920 1980-07-04
GB8120776A GB2079400A (en) 1980-07-04 1981-07-06 Suspension or damping unit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2079400A true GB2079400A (en) 1982-01-20

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Family Applications (1)

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GB8120776A Withdrawn GB2079400A (en) 1980-07-04 1981-07-06 Suspension or damping unit

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GB (1) GB2079400A (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2555945A1 (en) * 1983-12-02 1985-06-07 Berthier Christian Suspension element, particularly for a vehicle; suspension equipped with such an element; ultra light aircraft equipped with such a suspension
EP0453701A2 (en) * 1990-04-25 1991-10-30 Miner Enterprises Inc Buffer Cartridge
EP0738837A2 (en) * 1995-04-17 1996-10-23 Kazuo Sugiyama Shock absorbing mechanism of displacement for stick, leg, etc.
WO1997006371A1 (en) * 1995-08-08 1997-02-20 Iradj Hessabi Chargeable and dischargeable energy-storage device
EP1609936A2 (en) * 2004-06-23 2005-12-28 Siegenia-Aubi Kg Limit device for door or window sash
US20140097562A1 (en) * 2012-10-08 2014-04-10 California Institute Of Technology Tunable passive vibration suppressor
DE102004039504B4 (en) * 2003-09-09 2017-05-11 Man Truck & Bus Ag Multi-part valve spring of a motor vehicle engine
EP3232080A1 (en) * 2016-03-29 2017-10-18 Günther Zimmer Spring-shock absorber system from a plurality of spring damper elements arranged one behind the other
CN111433058A (en) * 2017-12-06 2020-07-17 奥迪股份公司 Additional spring for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle and shock-absorbing bearing arrangement for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2555945A1 (en) * 1983-12-02 1985-06-07 Berthier Christian Suspension element, particularly for a vehicle; suspension equipped with such an element; ultra light aircraft equipped with such a suspension
EP0453701A2 (en) * 1990-04-25 1991-10-30 Miner Enterprises Inc Buffer Cartridge
EP0453701A3 (en) * 1990-04-25 1992-11-19 Miner Enterprises Inc Buffer cartridge
EP0738837A2 (en) * 1995-04-17 1996-10-23 Kazuo Sugiyama Shock absorbing mechanism of displacement for stick, leg, etc.
EP0738837A3 (en) * 1995-04-17 1998-04-15 Kazuo Sugiyama Shock absorbing mechanism of displacement for stick, leg, etc.
WO1997006371A1 (en) * 1995-08-08 1997-02-20 Iradj Hessabi Chargeable and dischargeable energy-storage device
DE102004039504B4 (en) * 2003-09-09 2017-05-11 Man Truck & Bus Ag Multi-part valve spring of a motor vehicle engine
EP1609936A2 (en) * 2004-06-23 2005-12-28 Siegenia-Aubi Kg Limit device for door or window sash
EP1609936A3 (en) * 2004-06-23 2011-10-19 Siegenia-Aubi Kg Limit device for door or window sash
US20140097562A1 (en) * 2012-10-08 2014-04-10 California Institute Of Technology Tunable passive vibration suppressor
US9512894B2 (en) * 2012-10-08 2016-12-06 California Institute Of Technology Tunable passive vibration suppressor
EP3232080A1 (en) * 2016-03-29 2017-10-18 Günther Zimmer Spring-shock absorber system from a plurality of spring damper elements arranged one behind the other
CN111433058A (en) * 2017-12-06 2020-07-17 奥迪股份公司 Additional spring for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle and shock-absorbing bearing arrangement for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle
US20200307335A1 (en) * 2017-12-06 2020-10-01 Audi Ag Additional spring for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle and damper bearing for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)