US20080078635A1 - Damper assembly - Google Patents
Damper assembly Download PDFInfo
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- US20080078635A1 US20080078635A1 US11/536,021 US53602106A US2008078635A1 US 20080078635 A1 US20080078635 A1 US 20080078635A1 US 53602106 A US53602106 A US 53602106A US 2008078635 A1 US2008078635 A1 US 2008078635A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- damper assembly
- housing
- diaphragms
- vehicle
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- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/32—Details
- F16F9/54—Arrangements for attachment
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- 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
- B60G15/04—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of combined spring and vibration damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and mechanical damper or dynamic damper
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- 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
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/32—Details
- F16F9/48—Arrangements for providing different damping effects at different parts of the stroke
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
- B60G2200/10—Independent suspensions
- B60G2200/14—Independent suspensions with lateral arms
- B60G2200/142—Independent suspensions with lateral arms with a single lateral arm, e.g. MacPherson type
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
- B60G2204/12—Mounting of springs or dampers
- B60G2204/124—Mounting of coil springs
- B60G2204/1242—Mounting of coil springs on a damper, e.g. MacPerson strut
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to suspension systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle.
- suspension system for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle.
- One form of the suspension system includes a coil spring, one end of which rests in a lower seat moving with the wheel assembly; the opposite end contacts an upper seat of a vehicle body or frame of the vehicle.
- the spring supports the weight of the vehicle body and allows for reciprocating relative movement between the wheel assembly and the vehicle body during road travel to isolate wheel disturbances from the vehicle body.
- a strut is mounted between the movable suspension elements and the body of the vehicle.
- the strut typically includes a hydraulic cylinder with an attached piston and piston rod.
- the piston rod slidably extends from an upper end of the hydraulic cylinder and is connected to the vehicle body through a flexible connection.
- the hydraulic cylinder is attached to movable suspension members at its lower end. The impact of shocks from the road surface causes movement of the piston, in turn, displacing fluid contained in the hydraulic cylinder.
- the resistance of movement of the piston through the hydraulic cylinder is dependent on the rate of displacement, thereby damping the movement of the associated spring and preventing excessive bouncing.
- the present invention is a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle.
- the damper assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted to one end of a strut in the suspension system.
- the housing has a chamber with fluid therein.
- the damper assembly also includes at least one diaphragm extending across the chamber to react with the fluid, to be compliant at relatively small displacements, and to be rigid at relatively large displacements.
- a damper assembly is provided for a suspension system of a vehicle that is stiction free by using elastomeric or small displacement elastic members.
- the damper assembly provides hydraulic damping.
- the damper assembly uses elastomeric or elastic reactions under small displacements to simultaneously react the relatively large static radial and bending loads that usually bind a conventional damper.
- the damper assembly acts in series with the existing damper for low amplitude dynamic displacements, providing relatively low impedance and required damping.
- the damper assembly acts in series with the existing damper, and at larger displacements, after the travel limits are engaged, is dynamically relatively rigid.
- FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a damper assembly, according to the present invention, illustrated in operational relationship with a vehicle.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the damper assembly of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the damper assembly of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the damper assembly of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the damper assembly of FIG. 1 illustrated in operational relationship with a vehicle.
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the damper assembly of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the damper assembly of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the damper assembly of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9 - 9 of FIG. 8 .
- a damper assembly 10 for a suspension system, generally indicated at 11 , of a vehicle 12 (partially shown).
- vehicle 12 has a vehicle body 14 mounted on or integral with a vehicle chassis (not shown).
- vehicle chassis not shown
- the suspension system 11 is operatively connected between an unsprung portion, hereinafter referred to as unsprung mass and a sprung portion or vehicle chassis (not shown) of the vehicle 12 .
- the suspension system 11 includes a strut, generally indicated at 16 , mounted between the unsprung mass (not shown) and the vehicle body 14 of the vehicle 12 .
- the strut 16 includes a hydraulic cylinder 18 with an attached piston (not shown) and piston rod 20 .
- the hydraulic cylinder 18 is attached to the vehicle chassis at its lower end by a suitable mechanism such as fasteners (not shown).
- the piston rod 20 slidably extends from the piston through an upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 18 and is connected to the damper assembly 10 , which is, in turn, connected to the vehicle body 14 .
- the strut 16 also includes a coil spring 22 disposed about a portion of the hydraulic cylinder 18 between a lower spring seat 24 attached to the hydraulic cylinder 18 and an upper spring seat 26 attached to the damper assembly 10 . It should be appreciated that the impact of shocks from a road surface causes movement of the piston which, in turn, displaces fluid contained in the hydraulic cylinder 18 . It should also be appreciated that, except for the damper assembly 10 , the suspension system 11 is conventional and known in the art.
- the damper assembly 10 includes a housing, generally indicated at 30 .
- the housing 30 has a bottom member 32 , a side member 34 , and a top member 36 to form a chamber 38 therein.
- the bottom member 32 is generally annular and “U” shaped in cross-section.
- the bottom member 32 has a centrally located aperture 40 extending therethrough to allow the piston rod 20 to extend therein.
- the bottom member 32 also has an enlarged cavity 42 extending therein and communicating with the aperture 40 .
- the bottom member 32 further has a plurality of threaded apertures (not shown) extending axially therein and spaced circumferentially thereabout.
- the bottom member 32 is made of a metal material.
- the bottom member 32 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece.
- the side member 34 is generally annular.
- the side member 34 has a first or lower member 44 a extending axially and a second or upper member 44 b extending axially and disposed adjacent the lower member 44 a.
- the lower member 44 a has a centrally located aperture 46 extending radially therethrough to form a portion of the chamber 38 .
- the lower member 44 a also has an enlarged central cavity 48 extending therein that communicates with the aperture 46 and forms a portion of the chamber 38 .
- the lower member 44 a has at least one, preferably a plurality of first cavities 50 extending from a lower portion therein and spaced radially from the aperture 46 and communicating with the central cavity 48 for a function to be described.
- the lower member 44 a has at least one second cavity 52 extending from an upper portion therein for a function to be described.
- the lower member 44 a may include a plurality of apertures (not shown) extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout.
- the lower member 44 a is made of a metal material.
- the upper member 44 b has a centrally located aperture 54 extending radially therethrough to form a portion of the chamber 38 .
- the upper member 44 b also has an enlarged central cavity 56 extending therein that communicates with the aperture 54 and forms a portion of the chamber 38 .
- the upper member 44 b has at least one passageway 58 extending therein and communicating with the central cavity 56 and the second cavity 52 for a function to be described.
- the upper member 44 b may include a plurality of apertures (not shown) extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout.
- the upper member 44 b is made of a metal material.
- the top member 36 is generally annular and “U” shaped in cross-section.
- the top member 36 has an enlarged cavity 60 extending therein.
- the top member 36 has a plurality of apertures 62 extending axially therein and spaced circumferentially thereabout.
- the top member 36 is made of a metal material.
- the top member 36 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece.
- the housing 30 further includes a plurality of fasteners (not shown) to secure the bottom member 32 , side member 34 , and top member 36 together.
- the fasteners are bolts that extend through the apertures and threadably engage the threaded apertures. It should be appreciated that either the bottom member 32 or top member 36 has threaded apertures to allow the fasteners to connect and secure the bottom member 32 , side member 34 , and top member 36 together. It should also be appreciated that fasteners (not shown) may attach the housing 30 to the vehicle body 14 .
- the damper assembly 10 includes at least one, preferably a plurality of diaphragms 64 and 65 extending across a portion of the chamber 38 of the housing 30 .
- the diaphragms 64 and 65 are generally circular in shape.
- the lower diaphragm 64 is solid.
- the upper diaphragm 65 includes a plurality of apertures 66 extending axially therethrough.
- the apertures 66 are spaced circumferentially from each other and allow the fasteners to extend therethrough.
- the upper diaphragm 65 also includes at least one, preferably a plurality of apertures 67 spaced radially and extending axially therethrough to allow fluid flow.
- the diaphragms 64 and 65 are made of a metal material.
- Each of the diaphragms 64 and 65 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one piece.
- the lower diaphragm 64 is disposed between the bottom member 32 and the lower member 44 a of the side member 34 and extends radially across a portion of the chamber 38 .
- the upper diaphragm 65 is disposed between the top member 36 and the upper member 44 b of the side member 34 and extends radially across a portion of the chamber 38 .
- the fasteners extend through the apertures 66 . It should be appreciated that the diaphragms 64 and 65 are relatively thin and corrugated flexures for compliant axial freedom and stiff radial reaction.
- the damper assembly 10 includes a central member 78 connecting the diaphragms 64 and 65 at their centers providing a mechanism for attaching the piston rod 20 to the diaphragms 64 and 65 .
- the central member 78 is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
- the central member 78 is preferably a multiple piece member forming spaces 80 for the diaphragms 64 and 65 .
- the central member 78 has a threaded cavity 82 extending axially therein to receive a threaded portion of the piston rod 20 .
- the central member 78 is made of a rigid material.
- the central member 78 is disposed within the chamber 38 of the housing 30 and threadably engages the piston rod 20 . It should be appreciated that the diaphragms 64 and 65 are spaced to react to sizable moments and to react to sideload and bending moments.
- the damper assembly 10 includes a fluid collector 84 for collecting hydraulic fluid.
- the fluid collector 84 includes the second cavities 52 of the lower member 44 a and the passageways 58 of the upper member 44 b of the side member 34 of the housing 30 .
- the fluid collector 84 also includes a membrane 86 disposed in each of the second cavities 52 to separate the interior thereof into a first chamber 88 and a second chamber 90 .
- the first chamber 88 is either filled with a gas 92 such as nitrogen or vented to atmosphere and the second chamber 90 is filled with a liquid fluid 94 such as hydraulic fluid.
- the passageways 58 extend between the chamber 38 and the second chamber 90 for the fluid 94 to pass between the second chamber 90 and the chamber 38 . It should be appreciated that the passageways 58 have a tunable geometry by changing the cross-sectional area and length of the passageways 58 .
- the damper assembly 10 may include at least one supplemental volume dilation stiffness assembly, generally indicated at 96 .
- the supplemental volume dilation stiffness assembly 96 includes the first cavities 50 of the lower member 44 a.
- the supplemental volume dilation stiffness assembly 96 also includes an elastic member such as a spring 98 disposed in each of the first cavities 50 and a movable element such as a piston 100 disposed adjacent the spring 98 such that the spring 98 is disposed between the piston 100 and the axial end of the first cavity 50 .
- hydraulic fluid 94 from the chamber 38 exerts pressure against the piston 100 to compress the spring 98 based on movement of the diaphragms 64 and 65 .
- the elastic member may be rubber plug or equivalent to provide elasticity.
- the damper assembly 10 In operation of the damper assembly 10 , the damper assembly 10 is disposed in series with the strut 16 . For low amplitude dynamic displacements, the damper assembly 10 deflects and provides the required damping. For example, the piston rod 20 , diaphragms 64 and 65 , and central member 78 move or deflect upwardly as a unit and displace fluid that flows from chambers 38 and 60 , through passage 58 , and into the second chamber 90 of the fluid collector 84 .
- the damper assembly 10 At larger displacements, after travel limits are engaged, the damper assembly 10 is relatively rigid and the strut 16 deflects, resulting in displaced fluid within the strut 16 .
- the damper assembly 10 has highly compliant axial freedom such as approximately 5 ⁇ m/N to approximately 10 ⁇ m/N for displacements less than 1 mm, damping at approximately 1 N-sec/mm to approximately 2 N-sec/mm for displacements less than 1 mm, and becomes relatively stiff such as greater than 2000 N/mm for amplitudes greater than 1 mm.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 another embodiment 110 , according to the present invention, of the damper assembly 10 is shown for the suspension system 11 of the vehicle 12 , previously described.
- the vehicle 12 includes the vehicle body 14 and the suspension system 11 .
- the suspension system 11 includes the strut 16 .
- the strut 16 includes the hydraulic cylinder 18 with an attached piston (not shown) and the piston rod 20 .
- the piston rod 20 slidably extends from the piston through an upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 18 and is connected to the damper assembly 110 , which is, in turn, connected to the vehicle body 14 .
- the strut 16 also includes the coil spring 22 disposed about a portion of the hydraulic cylinder 18 between the lower spring seat 24 attached to the hydraulic cylinder 18 and the upper spring seat 26 attached to the piston rod 20 . It should be appreciated that, except for the damper assembly 110 , the suspension system 11 is conventional and known in the art.
- the damper assembly 110 includes a housing, generally indicated at 130 .
- the housing 130 has a bottom member 132 , a side member 134 , and a top member 136 to form a chamber 138 therein.
- the bottom member 132 is generally annular and “U” shaped in cross-section.
- the bottom member 132 has a centrally located aperture 140 extending therethrough to allow the piston rod 20 to extend therein.
- the bottom member 132 also has a plurality of threaded apertures 142 extending axially therein and spaced circumferentially thereabout.
- the bottom member 132 is made of a metal material.
- the side member 134 is generally annular.
- the side member 134 has an aperture 144 extending radially therein to communicate with the chamber 138 .
- the side member 134 also has a plurality of apertures 145 extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout.
- the side member 134 is made of a metal material.
- the top member 136 has a base portion 146 and a shaft portion 148 extending axially from the base portion 146 .
- the base portion 146 is generally annular and stair-stepped in cross-section.
- the base portion 146 has a plurality of apertures 150 extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout.
- the shaft portion 148 is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
- the shaft portion 148 has a diameter less than a diameter of the base portion 146 .
- the shaft portion 148 has a threaded aperture 152 extending axially therethrough.
- the top member 136 is made of a metal material.
- the top member 136 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary and one-piece.
- the housing 130 further includes a plurality of fasteners 154 to secure the bottom member 132 , side member 134 , and top member 136 together.
- the fasteners 154 are bolts that extend through the apertures 150 and 145 and threadably engage the threaded apertures 142 .
- the housing 130 includes a plurality of notches 156 extending radially therein at the juncture of the bottom member 132 , side member 134 , and top member 136 .
- the notches 156 are annular and generally rectangular in cross-section.
- the damper assembly 110 includes at least one, preferably a plurality of diaphragms 158 and 159 extending across the chamber 138 of the housing 130 .
- the diaphragms 158 and 159 are generally circular in shape.
- Each of the diaphragms 158 and 159 include a central portion 160 having an aperture 162 extending axially therethrough.
- Each of the diaphragms 158 and 159 include an edge portion 164 spaced radially from the central portion 160 and having a plurality of apertures 166 extending axially therethrough.
- the apertures 166 are spaced circumferentially from each other and allow the fasteners 154 to extend therethrough.
- Each of the diaphragms 158 and 159 includes a corrugated portion 168 disposed radially between the central portion 160 and the edge portion 164 .
- the corrugated portion 168 includes at least one, preferably a plurality of corrugations 170 .
- the corrugations 170 are annular and extend axially in both directions.
- the upper diaphragm 159 also includes at least one, preferably a plurality of apertures 171 ( FIG. 7 ) extending axially therethrough to allow fluid flow.
- the diaphragms 158 and 159 are made of a metal material.
- Each of the diaphragms 158 and 159 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one piece.
- the lower diaphragm 158 is disposed between the bottom member 132 and the side member 134 and extends radially across the chamber 138 .
- the upper diaphragm 159 is disposed between the top member 136 and the side member 134 and extends radially across the chamber 138 .
- the fasteners 154 extend through the apertures 166 in the edge portion 164 . It should be appreciated that the diaphragms 158 and 159 are located in the notches 156 and their axial movement is limited by the upper and lower travel limiters 200 and 201 . It should also be appreciated that the diaphragms 158 and 159 are relatively thin and corrugated flexures for compliant axial freedom and stiff radial reaction.
- the damper assembly 110 includes a central member 172 connecting the diaphragms 158 and 159 at their centers providing a mechanism for attaching the piston rod 20 to the diaphragms 158 and 159 .
- the central member 172 is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
- the central member 172 has a plurality of annular grooves 174 extending radially therein and spaced axially from each other.
- the central member 172 has an aperture 176 extending axially therethrough.
- the central member 172 is made of a rigid material.
- the central member 172 is disposed within the chamber 138 of the housing 130 and secured therein by a suitable mechanism such as a fastener 178 extending into the aperture 176 and threadably engaging the piston rod 20 . It should be appreciated that the central member 172 extends through the aperture 162 in the central portion 160 of the diaphragms 158 and 159 . It should also be appreciated that the diaphragms 158 and 159 are spaced to react to sizable moments and to react to sideload and bending moments.
- the damper assembly 110 includes a storage reservoir 180 for storing hydraulic fluid and a conduit 182 extending between the storage reservoir 180 and the side member 134 of the housing 130 .
- the storage reservoir 180 may include an optional membrane 184 disposed therein to separate the interior into a first chamber 186 and a second chamber 188 .
- the first chamber 186 is either vented to atmosphere or filled with a gas 190 such as nitrogen and the second chamber 188 is filled with a liquid fluid 192 such as hydraulic fluid.
- the conduit 182 has a passageway 194 extending therein for the fluid 192 to pass from the second chamber 188 through the aperture 144 in the side member 134 and into the chamber 138 of the housing 130 . It should be appreciated that the passageway 194 has a tunable geometry by changing the cross-sectional area and length of the passageway 194 .
- the damper assembly 110 In operation of the damper assembly 110 , the damper assembly 110 is disposed in series with the strut 16 .
- the damper assembly 110 deflects and provides the required damping.
- the piston rod 20 , diaphragms 158 and 159 , and central member 172 move or deflect upwardly as a unit and displace fluid that flows through the apertures 171 in the upper diaphragm 159 and from the chamber 138 , through the passages 144 and 194 , and into the second chamber 188 of the storage reservoir 180 .
- the damper assembly 110 is relatively rigid and the strut 16 deflects, resulting in displaced fluid within the strut 16 .
- the damper assembly 110 has highly compliant axial freedom such as approximately 5 em/N to approximately 10 ⁇ m/N for displacements less than 1 mm, damping at approximately 1 N-sec/mm to approximately 2 N-sec/mm for displacements less than 1 mm, and becomes relatively stiff such as greater than 2000 N/mm for amplitudes greater than 1 mm.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates generally to suspension systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle.
- It is known to provide a suspension system for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle. One form of the suspension system includes a coil spring, one end of which rests in a lower seat moving with the wheel assembly; the opposite end contacts an upper seat of a vehicle body or frame of the vehicle. The spring supports the weight of the vehicle body and allows for reciprocating relative movement between the wheel assembly and the vehicle body during road travel to isolate wheel disturbances from the vehicle body.
- In another form of the suspension system, a strut is mounted between the movable suspension elements and the body of the vehicle. The strut typically includes a hydraulic cylinder with an attached piston and piston rod. The piston rod slidably extends from an upper end of the hydraulic cylinder and is connected to the vehicle body through a flexible connection. The hydraulic cylinder is attached to movable suspension members at its lower end. The impact of shocks from the road surface causes movement of the piston, in turn, displacing fluid contained in the hydraulic cylinder. The resistance of movement of the piston through the hydraulic cylinder is dependent on the rate of displacement, thereby damping the movement of the associated spring and preventing excessive bouncing.
- As the wheel assembly of the vehicle encounters road inputs, the suspension system undergoes compression (ounce) and extension (rebound) strokes. Current dampers in strut type suspension systems, exhibit effects that suggest a strong influence of stiction. The damper carries a radial load induced by reaction of static and dynamic forces in the suspension. This radial load binds the damper rod and tube at the rod guide and piston interfaces. The bind results in a relatively stiff suspension member because the damper rod ceases to freely move within the tube, defeating the advantageous effects of the displacement of the internal fluid. Under such conditions, the damper readily transmits unsprung suspension displacement, virtually lossless (as if it were elastic). Dynamic forces at the reaction interfaces of the vehicle body are much larger than desired, ultimately producing disproportionately large accelerations of the sprung mass.
- As a result, it is desirable to provide a new damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle that is in series with an existing damper of a vehicle. It is also desirable to provide a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle that provides damping and is stiction free. It is further desirable to provide a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle that simultaneously reacts the relatively large static, quasi-static, and dynamic radial and bending loads without binding the damper. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle that meets at least one of these desires.
- Accordingly, the present invention is a damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle. The damper assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted to one end of a strut in the suspension system. The housing has a chamber with fluid therein. The damper assembly also includes at least one diaphragm extending across the chamber to react with the fluid, to be compliant at relatively small displacements, and to be rigid at relatively large displacements.
- One advantage of the present invention is that a damper assembly is provided for a suspension system of a vehicle that is stiction free by using elastomeric or small displacement elastic members. Another advantage of the present invention is that the damper assembly provides hydraulic damping. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the damper assembly uses elastomeric or elastic reactions under small displacements to simultaneously react the relatively large static radial and bending loads that usually bind a conventional damper. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the damper assembly acts in series with the existing damper for low amplitude dynamic displacements, providing relatively low impedance and required damping. A further advantage of the present invention is that the damper assembly acts in series with the existing damper, and at larger displacements, after the travel limits are engaged, is dynamically relatively rigid.
- Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a damper assembly, according to the present invention, illustrated in operational relationship with a vehicle. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the damper assembly ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the damper assembly ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the damper assembly ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the damper assembly ofFIG. 1 illustrated in operational relationship with a vehicle. -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the damper assembly ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the damper assembly ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the damper assembly ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 ofFIG. 8 . - Referring to the drawings and in particular
FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of adamper assembly 10, according to the present invention, is shown for a suspension system, generally indicated at 11, of a vehicle 12 (partially shown). Thevehicle 12 has avehicle body 14 mounted on or integral with a vehicle chassis (not shown). It should be appreciated that thesuspension system 11 is operatively connected between an unsprung portion, hereinafter referred to as unsprung mass and a sprung portion or vehicle chassis (not shown) of thevehicle 12. - The
suspension system 11 includes a strut, generally indicated at 16, mounted between the unsprung mass (not shown) and thevehicle body 14 of thevehicle 12. Thestrut 16 includes ahydraulic cylinder 18 with an attached piston (not shown) andpiston rod 20. Thehydraulic cylinder 18 is attached to the vehicle chassis at its lower end by a suitable mechanism such as fasteners (not shown). Thepiston rod 20 slidably extends from the piston through an upper end of thehydraulic cylinder 18 and is connected to thedamper assembly 10, which is, in turn, connected to thevehicle body 14. Thestrut 16 also includes acoil spring 22 disposed about a portion of thehydraulic cylinder 18 between alower spring seat 24 attached to thehydraulic cylinder 18 and anupper spring seat 26 attached to thedamper assembly 10. It should be appreciated that the impact of shocks from a road surface causes movement of the piston which, in turn, displaces fluid contained in thehydraulic cylinder 18. It should also be appreciated that, except for thedamper assembly 10, thesuspension system 11 is conventional and known in the art. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thedamper assembly 10 includes a housing, generally indicated at 30. Thehousing 30 has abottom member 32, aside member 34, and atop member 36 to form achamber 38 therein. Thebottom member 32 is generally annular and “U” shaped in cross-section. Thebottom member 32 has a centrally locatedaperture 40 extending therethrough to allow thepiston rod 20 to extend therein. Thebottom member 32 also has an enlargedcavity 42 extending therein and communicating with theaperture 40. Thebottom member 32 further has a plurality of threaded apertures (not shown) extending axially therein and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Thebottom member 32 is made of a metal material. Thebottom member 32 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece. - The
side member 34 is generally annular. Theside member 34 has a first orlower member 44 a extending axially and a second orupper member 44 b extending axially and disposed adjacent thelower member 44 a. Thelower member 44 a has a centrally locatedaperture 46 extending radially therethrough to form a portion of thechamber 38. Thelower member 44 a also has an enlargedcentral cavity 48 extending therein that communicates with theaperture 46 and forms a portion of thechamber 38. Thelower member 44 a has at least one, preferably a plurality offirst cavities 50 extending from a lower portion therein and spaced radially from theaperture 46 and communicating with thecentral cavity 48 for a function to be described. Thelower member 44 a has at least onesecond cavity 52 extending from an upper portion therein for a function to be described. Thelower member 44 a may include a plurality of apertures (not shown) extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Thelower member 44 a is made of a metal material. - The
upper member 44 b has a centrally located aperture 54 extending radially therethrough to form a portion of thechamber 38. Theupper member 44 b also has an enlargedcentral cavity 56 extending therein that communicates with the aperture 54 and forms a portion of thechamber 38. Theupper member 44 b has at least onepassageway 58 extending therein and communicating with thecentral cavity 56 and thesecond cavity 52 for a function to be described. Theupper member 44 b may include a plurality of apertures (not shown) extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Theupper member 44 b is made of a metal material. - The
top member 36 is generally annular and “U” shaped in cross-section. Thetop member 36 has anenlarged cavity 60 extending therein. Thetop member 36 has a plurality ofapertures 62 extending axially therein and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Thetop member 36 is made of a metal material. Thetop member 36 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece. - The
housing 30 further includes a plurality of fasteners (not shown) to secure thebottom member 32,side member 34, andtop member 36 together. The fasteners are bolts that extend through the apertures and threadably engage the threaded apertures. It should be appreciated that either thebottom member 32 ortop member 36 has threaded apertures to allow the fasteners to connect and secure thebottom member 32,side member 34, andtop member 36 together. It should also be appreciated that fasteners (not shown) may attach thehousing 30 to thevehicle body 14. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 through 4 , thedamper assembly 10 includes at least one, preferably a plurality ofdiaphragms chamber 38 of thehousing 30. Thediaphragms lower diaphragm 64 is solid. Theupper diaphragm 65 includes a plurality ofapertures 66 extending axially therethrough. Theapertures 66 are spaced circumferentially from each other and allow the fasteners to extend therethrough. Theupper diaphragm 65 also includes at least one, preferably a plurality ofapertures 67 spaced radially and extending axially therethrough to allow fluid flow. Thediaphragms diaphragms - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , thelower diaphragm 64 is disposed between thebottom member 32 and thelower member 44 a of theside member 34 and extends radially across a portion of thechamber 38. Theupper diaphragm 65 is disposed between thetop member 36 and theupper member 44 b of theside member 34 and extends radially across a portion of thechamber 38. The fasteners (not shown) extend through theapertures 66. It should be appreciated that thediaphragms - Referring to
FIG. 3 , thedamper assembly 10 includes acentral member 78 connecting thediaphragms piston rod 20 to thediaphragms central member 78 is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape. Thecentral member 78 is preferably a multiple piecemember forming spaces 80 for thediaphragms central member 78 has a threadedcavity 82 extending axially therein to receive a threaded portion of thepiston rod 20. Thecentral member 78 is made of a rigid material. Thecentral member 78 is disposed within thechamber 38 of thehousing 30 and threadably engages thepiston rod 20. It should be appreciated that thediaphragms - In one embodiment, the
damper assembly 10 includes afluid collector 84 for collecting hydraulic fluid. Thefluid collector 84 includes thesecond cavities 52 of thelower member 44 a and thepassageways 58 of theupper member 44 b of theside member 34 of thehousing 30. Thefluid collector 84 also includes amembrane 86 disposed in each of thesecond cavities 52 to separate the interior thereof into afirst chamber 88 and asecond chamber 90. Thefirst chamber 88 is either filled with agas 92 such as nitrogen or vented to atmosphere and thesecond chamber 90 is filled with aliquid fluid 94 such as hydraulic fluid. Thepassageways 58 extend between thechamber 38 and thesecond chamber 90 for the fluid 94 to pass between thesecond chamber 90 and thechamber 38. It should be appreciated that thepassageways 58 have a tunable geometry by changing the cross-sectional area and length of thepassageways 58. - In one embodiment, the
damper assembly 10 may include at least one supplemental volume dilation stiffness assembly, generally indicated at 96. Preferably, the supplemental volumedilation stiffness assembly 96 includes thefirst cavities 50 of thelower member 44 a. The supplemental volumedilation stiffness assembly 96 also includes an elastic member such as aspring 98 disposed in each of thefirst cavities 50 and a movable element such as apiston 100 disposed adjacent thespring 98 such that thespring 98 is disposed between thepiston 100 and the axial end of thefirst cavity 50. It should be appreciated that hydraulic fluid 94 from thechamber 38 exerts pressure against thepiston 100 to compress thespring 98 based on movement of thediaphragms - In operation of the
damper assembly 10, thedamper assembly 10 is disposed in series with thestrut 16. For low amplitude dynamic displacements, thedamper assembly 10 deflects and provides the required damping. For example, thepiston rod 20,diaphragms central member 78 move or deflect upwardly as a unit and displace fluid that flows fromchambers passage 58, and into thesecond chamber 90 of thefluid collector 84. When thepiston rod 20,diaphragms central member 78 move or deflect downwardly as a unit, the displaced fluid flows from thesecond chamber 90 of thefluid collector 84, through thepassage 58 andapertures 67, and into thechambers - At larger displacements, after travel limits are engaged, the
damper assembly 10 is relatively rigid and thestrut 16 deflects, resulting in displaced fluid within thestrut 16. In one embodiment, thedamper assembly 10 has highly compliant axial freedom such as approximately 5 μm/N to approximately 10 μm/N for displacements less than 1 mm, damping at approximately 1 N-sec/mm to approximately 2 N-sec/mm for displacements less than 1 mm, and becomes relatively stiff such as greater than 2000 N/mm for amplitudes greater than 1 mm. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , anotherembodiment 110, according to the present invention, of thedamper assembly 10 is shown for thesuspension system 11 of thevehicle 12, previously described. Thevehicle 12 includes thevehicle body 14 and thesuspension system 11. Thesuspension system 11 includes thestrut 16. Thestrut 16 includes thehydraulic cylinder 18 with an attached piston (not shown) and thepiston rod 20. Thepiston rod 20 slidably extends from the piston through an upper end of thehydraulic cylinder 18 and is connected to thedamper assembly 110, which is, in turn, connected to thevehicle body 14. Thestrut 16 also includes thecoil spring 22 disposed about a portion of thehydraulic cylinder 18 between thelower spring seat 24 attached to thehydraulic cylinder 18 and theupper spring seat 26 attached to thepiston rod 20. It should be appreciated that, except for thedamper assembly 110, thesuspension system 11 is conventional and known in the art. - Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7 , thedamper assembly 110 includes a housing, generally indicated at 130. Thehousing 130 has abottom member 132, aside member 134, and atop member 136 to form achamber 138 therein. Thebottom member 132 is generally annular and “U” shaped in cross-section. Thebottom member 132 has a centrally locatedaperture 140 extending therethrough to allow thepiston rod 20 to extend therein. Thebottom member 132 also has a plurality of threadedapertures 142 extending axially therein and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Thebottom member 132 is made of a metal material. - The
side member 134 is generally annular. Theside member 134 has anaperture 144 extending radially therein to communicate with thechamber 138. Theside member 134 also has a plurality ofapertures 145 extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Theside member 134 is made of a metal material. - The
top member 136 has abase portion 146 and ashaft portion 148 extending axially from thebase portion 146. Thebase portion 146 is generally annular and stair-stepped in cross-section. Thebase portion 146 has a plurality ofapertures 150 extending axially therethrough and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Theshaft portion 148 is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape. Theshaft portion 148 has a diameter less than a diameter of thebase portion 146. Theshaft portion 148 has a threadedaperture 152 extending axially therethrough. Thetop member 136 is made of a metal material. Thetop member 136 is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary and one-piece. - The
housing 130 further includes a plurality offasteners 154 to secure thebottom member 132,side member 134, andtop member 136 together. Thefasteners 154 are bolts that extend through theapertures apertures 142. Thehousing 130 includes a plurality ofnotches 156 extending radially therein at the juncture of thebottom member 132,side member 134, andtop member 136. Thenotches 156 are annular and generally rectangular in cross-section. - Referring to
FIGS. 7 through 9 , thedamper assembly 110 includes at least one, preferably a plurality ofdiaphragms chamber 138 of thehousing 130. Thediaphragms diaphragms central portion 160 having anaperture 162 extending axially therethrough. Each of thediaphragms edge portion 164 spaced radially from thecentral portion 160 and having a plurality ofapertures 166 extending axially therethrough. Theapertures 166 are spaced circumferentially from each other and allow thefasteners 154 to extend therethrough. Each of thediaphragms corrugated portion 168 disposed radially between thecentral portion 160 and theedge portion 164. Thecorrugated portion 168 includes at least one, preferably a plurality ofcorrugations 170. Thecorrugations 170 are annular and extend axially in both directions. Theupper diaphragm 159 also includes at least one, preferably a plurality of apertures 171 (FIG. 7 ) extending axially therethrough to allow fluid flow. Thediaphragms diaphragms - As illustrated in
FIGS. 6 and 7 , thelower diaphragm 158 is disposed between thebottom member 132 and theside member 134 and extends radially across thechamber 138. Theupper diaphragm 159 is disposed between thetop member 136 and theside member 134 and extends radially across thechamber 138. Thefasteners 154 extend through theapertures 166 in theedge portion 164. It should be appreciated that thediaphragms notches 156 and their axial movement is limited by the upper andlower travel limiters diaphragms - Referring to
FIG. 7 , thedamper assembly 110 includes acentral member 172 connecting thediaphragms piston rod 20 to thediaphragms central member 172 is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape. Thecentral member 172 has a plurality ofannular grooves 174 extending radially therein and spaced axially from each other. Thecentral member 172 has anaperture 176 extending axially therethrough. Thecentral member 172 is made of a rigid material. Thecentral member 172 is disposed within thechamber 138 of thehousing 130 and secured therein by a suitable mechanism such as afastener 178 extending into theaperture 176 and threadably engaging thepiston rod 20. It should be appreciated that thecentral member 172 extends through theaperture 162 in thecentral portion 160 of thediaphragms diaphragms - In one embodiment, the
damper assembly 110 includes astorage reservoir 180 for storing hydraulic fluid and aconduit 182 extending between thestorage reservoir 180 and theside member 134 of thehousing 130. Thestorage reservoir 180 may include anoptional membrane 184 disposed therein to separate the interior into afirst chamber 186 and asecond chamber 188. Thefirst chamber 186 is either vented to atmosphere or filled with agas 190 such as nitrogen and thesecond chamber 188 is filled with aliquid fluid 192 such as hydraulic fluid. Theconduit 182 has apassageway 194 extending therein for the fluid 192 to pass from thesecond chamber 188 through theaperture 144 in theside member 134 and into thechamber 138 of thehousing 130. It should be appreciated that thepassageway 194 has a tunable geometry by changing the cross-sectional area and length of thepassageway 194. - In operation of the
damper assembly 110, thedamper assembly 110 is disposed in series with thestrut 16. For low amplitude dynamic displacements, thedamper assembly 110 deflects and provides the required damping. For example, thepiston rod 20,diaphragms central member 172 move or deflect upwardly as a unit and displace fluid that flows through theapertures 171 in theupper diaphragm 159 and from thechamber 138, through thepassages second chamber 188 of thestorage reservoir 180. When thepiston rod 20,diaphragms central member 172 move or deflect downwardly as a unit, the displaced fluid flows from thesecond chamber 188 of thestorage reservoir 180, through thepassages chamber 138, and through theapertures 171 in theupper diaphragm 159. - At larger displacements, after the travel limits of the
diaphragms damper assembly 110 is relatively rigid and thestrut 16 deflects, resulting in displaced fluid within thestrut 16. In one embodiment, thedamper assembly 110 has highly compliant axial freedom such as approximately 5 em/N to approximately 10 μm/N for displacements less than 1 mm, damping at approximately 1 N-sec/mm to approximately 2 N-sec/mm for displacements less than 1 mm, and becomes relatively stiff such as greater than 2000 N/mm for amplitudes greater than 1 mm. - The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
- Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/536,021 US7347437B1 (en) | 2006-09-28 | 2006-09-28 | Damper assembly |
DE102007045814.4A DE102007045814B4 (en) | 2006-09-28 | 2007-09-25 | Support bearing for the suspension of a vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/536,021 US7347437B1 (en) | 2006-09-28 | 2006-09-28 | Damper assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US7347437B1 US7347437B1 (en) | 2008-03-25 |
US20080078635A1 true US20080078635A1 (en) | 2008-04-03 |
Family
ID=39199148
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/536,021 Expired - Fee Related US7347437B1 (en) | 2006-09-28 | 2006-09-28 | Damper assembly |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US7347437B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102007045814B4 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8382080B2 (en) | 2008-08-11 | 2013-02-26 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Cord reinforced resilient membrane |
US11633998B2 (en) * | 2017-11-16 | 2023-04-25 | Bae Systems Plc | Suspension strut |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090020929A1 (en) * | 2007-07-18 | 2009-01-22 | Freudenberg-Nok General Partnership | Strut Top Mount With Axial Hydraulic Element |
US20100117319A1 (en) * | 2008-11-12 | 2010-05-13 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Vehicle and Trailer Set With Interchangeable Suspension Assemblies |
GB201212534D0 (en) | 2012-07-13 | 2012-08-29 | Dtr Vms Ltd | Hydraulically damped mountinf device |
CN104760481B (en) * | 2015-03-06 | 2017-04-05 | 三江瓦力特特种车辆有限公司 | A kind of electric drive hydraulic pressure independent suspension coiled tubing chassis |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8382080B2 (en) | 2008-08-11 | 2013-02-26 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Cord reinforced resilient membrane |
US11633998B2 (en) * | 2017-11-16 | 2023-04-25 | Bae Systems Plc | Suspension strut |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE102007045814B4 (en) | 2015-07-30 |
DE102007045814A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
US7347437B1 (en) | 2008-03-25 |
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