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WO2001051300A1 - Pneumatic suspension system for vehicles - Google Patents

Pneumatic suspension system for vehicles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001051300A1
WO2001051300A1 PCT/US2000/033602 US0033602W WO0151300A1 WO 2001051300 A1 WO2001051300 A1 WO 2001051300A1 US 0033602 W US0033602 W US 0033602W WO 0151300 A1 WO0151300 A1 WO 0151300A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
end plate
suspension system
adhesive
system defined
component
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2000/033602
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeffrey Capek
Daniel Leonard
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.)
Bridgestone Firestone Inc
Original Assignee
Bridgestone Firestone Inc
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 Bridgestone Firestone Inc filed Critical Bridgestone Firestone Inc
Publication of WO2001051300A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001051300A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61F—RAIL VEHICLE SUSPENSIONS, e.g. UNDERFRAMES, BOGIES OR ARRANGEMENTS OF WHEEL AXLES; RAIL VEHICLES FOR USE ON TRACKS OF DIFFERENT WIDTH; PREVENTING DERAILING OF RAIL VEHICLES; WHEEL GUARDS, OBSTRUCTION REMOVERS OR THE LIKE FOR RAIL VEHICLES
    • B61F5/00—Constructional details of bogies; Connections between bogies and vehicle underframes; Arrangements or devices for adjusting or allowing self-adjustment of wheel axles or bogies when rounding curves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G11/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs
    • B60G11/26—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs
    • B60G11/28—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
    • 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
    • F16F9/02—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum
    • F16F9/04—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum in a chamber with a flexible wall
    • F16F9/05—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum in a chamber with a flexible wall the flexible wall being of the rolling diaphragm type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
    • B60G2200/30—Rigid axle suspensions
    • B60G2200/31—Rigid axle suspensions with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
    • B60G2202/10—Type of spring
    • B60G2202/15—Fluid spring
    • B60G2202/152—Pneumatic spring
    • 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
    • B60G2204/126—Mounting of pneumatic springs
    • 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
    • B60G2204/14—Mounting of suspension arms
    • B60G2204/148—Mounting of suspension arms on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle
    • B60G2204/1482—Mounting of suspension arms on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle on rigid axle by elastic mount
    • 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
    • B60G2204/40—Auxiliary suspension parts; Adjustment of suspensions
    • B60G2204/43—Fittings, brackets or knuckles
    • B60G2204/4306—Bracket or knuckle for rigid axles, e.g. for clamping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/02—Trucks; Load vehicles
    • B60G2300/026—Heavy duty trucks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/04—Trailers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/10—Railway vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to pneumatic suspension systems for vehicles and in particular to the mounting of the end plate of an air spring to the vehicle support by an adhesive to eliminate the need for a bracket attachment on the end plate thereby saving production time and costs.
  • Air actuators and in particular air springs consist of a pair of spaced end members and an intervening flexible sleeve or bellows which forms an internal pressurized fluid chamber. These devices are used for many applications, and in particular for mounting between spaced components of a vehicle for absorbing road shock, and/or for regulating and maintaining the spacing between two spaced components of the vehicle.
  • These air springs assume various configurations depending upon their particular applications and usually consist of an end member such as an end cap or bead plate, with an opposite end member being a piston.
  • the piston will have a designed outer surface over which a rolling lobe of the flexible sleeve moves for affecting the damping of the vehicle or equipment on which the air spring is mounted.
  • Prior art air springs require the need for external or internal threaded fittings formed in or on the end or bead plate in order to mount the end plate on a structural portion of the vehicle. This requires additional assembly time and costs. Likewise, it provides a concentrated stress on the end plate at the point of attachment of the connection and requires that the end plate usually be formed of metal to provide sufficient strength and rigidity for making the connection to the vehicle component and for an air fitting.
  • Fig. 4 of the drawings wherein a suspension system has been attached to the axle by a non-welded connection, such as an adhesive.
  • a non-welded connection such as an adhesive.
  • nothing is shown or suggested for adhesively connecting the end plate to the vehicle component by an adhesive.
  • the present invention provides a pneumatic suspension system for vehicles and in particular attachment of the end plate of an air spring to a vehicle component by use of an adhesive eliminating the need of any mechanical attachment brackets or internally or externally threaded mounting members as heretofore required.
  • An aspect of the invention includes using such a mounting adhesive thereby requiring only an air fitting on the end plate surface eliminating the need for any external studs or internal blind nuts for mounting the end plate of the air spring to the vehicle component, which also eliminates the need for any bracket attachment to the end plate.
  • Another aspect of the invention includes reducing the production time and cost of producing the air spring by eliminating the assembly of a bracket to the end plate, and which reduces stresses on the end plate by providing a central mounting location under the frame rail or other component to provide a central support for the end plate which is adhesively attached thereto.
  • a further feature of the invention is applying the adhesive to the end plate in a controlled environment and then applying a protective strip to the adhesive which is removed by the installer at the time of bonding the end plate to the vehicle component preferably in a controlled environment, to provide a strong and permanent bond between the end plate and vehicle.
  • Another feature of the invention is to provide a readily available structural adhesive such as a cyanoacrylate or various epoxies which provide a good bond between metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevational diagrammatic view of a pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle showing the adhesive mounted air spring as a component thereof;
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the air spring component of the pneumatic suspension system shown in Fig. 1 , with portions broken away and in section;
  • Fig. 3 is a further enlarged sectional view of the encircled portion of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, portions of which are in section, showing the known closest prior art to the subject invention.
  • System 1 illustrates a suspension assembly mounted to a longitudinal frame rail 2 of a vehicle or trailer which supports an axle 3 having a wheel 4 mounted on opposite ends thereof.
  • the suspension assembly further includes a hanger bracket 6 fixedly mounted to frame rail 2.
  • a pivot connection 8 is located at the forward end of a trailing arm 10 which rotatably mounts the trailing arm to the hanger bracket.
  • An air spring indicated generally at 12 extends between trailing arm 10 and frame rail 2 to resiliently resist upward movement of the trailing arm with respect to the frame.
  • An axle mounting bracket 14 preferably mounts axle 3 to trailing arm 10 and may have a plate 16 connected to the trailing arm through two pivot connections 18.
  • a shock absorber 20 can be mounted between frame rail 2 and axle bracket 14 to dampen the movement of the trailing arm with respect to the frame.
  • the particular system shown in Fig. 1 can have various modifications from that shown in order to utilize the unique adhesive mounting of the air spring to the vehicle component, and need not have the exact construction and arrangement shown in Fig. 1.
  • Air spring 12 is shown in detail in Fig. 2 and is of a usual construction in that it includes a piston 22 and a top end plate 24. End plate 24 is shown being formed of metal but can be other materials such as various types of high strength plastics, since no mounting attachments are required as in prior air springs.
  • Piston 22 is mounted to a lower mounting plate 26 which is mounted on the extended end of trailing arm 10 by a bolt 28.
  • a flexible sleeve or bellows 32 is sealingly connected to piston 22 by well known clamp means and preferably is attached to upper end plate 24 by a rolled end 34 which clamps about a peripheral bead area 36 of sleeve 32.
  • Sleeve 32 forms a pressurized internal fluid chamber 33.
  • a usual air fitting 38 is secured to end plate 24 and extends outwardly therefrom for connection to a source of compressed fluid for supplying chamber 33 with a supply of the fluid, which for most applications is air.
  • end plate 24 preferably has a disc-shaped smooth planar top surface 40 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is secured to a complementary-shaped bottom surface 42 of a plate 46 by a layer of adhesive 44.
  • Plate 46 is attached by a weld, bolt or other mechanical fastener to vehicle frame 2.
  • Adhesive 44 can be one of a number of readily available structural adhesives which provide for a relatively quick adhesive bonding of metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic.
  • Various types of structural adhesive epoxies and cyanocrylates adhesives have been found to be satisfactory for this purpose. Two examples of such adhesives would be ARALDITE® distributed by Ciba Specialty Chemical Corp.
  • FIG. 4 shows a prior art suspension system in which a trailing arm 50 is secured to an axle 52 by an adhesive 54.
  • end plate 56 must be secured to a vehicle frame by attachment bolts 58 or other known mechanical fasteners.
  • the improved adhesive mounting of the air spring end plate to the vehicle frame gives a smooth appearance to the air spring in that there are no protruding fasteners, screws or rivets required or spot weld marks, and it provides a safe structure which has fewer and less concentrations of stresses, possible fatigue areas or the like. Furthermore, such adhesive bonding does not require high temperatures and thus it is suitable for heat sensitive materials prone to distortion or change of properties from the heretofore required brazing or welding, and which is suitable for bonding metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic materials.
  • end plate 24 can be metal or other types of materials such as a high strength plastic, as well as plate 46 which could be metal and/or plastic without affecting the attachment of end plate 24 thereto. While the embodiments of the invention have been described, the invention is not limited thereto.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle includes an air spring mounted between a pair of spaced movable components of the vehicle. The air spring has a piston and an end plate sealingly connected to opposite open ends of an intervening flexible sleeve which forms a fluid chamber. The piston is mounted on one of the vehicle components by some type of mechanical fasteners and the end plate is secured to the other vehicle component by an adhesive to eliminate the need for mechanical fasteners or brackets.

Description

PNEUMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to pneumatic suspension systems for vehicles and in particular to the mounting of the end plate of an air spring to the vehicle support by an adhesive to eliminate the need for a bracket attachment on the end plate thereby saving production time and costs.
Background Information
Air actuators and in particular air springs, consist of a pair of spaced end members and an intervening flexible sleeve or bellows which forms an internal pressurized fluid chamber. These devices are used for many applications, and in particular for mounting between spaced components of a vehicle for absorbing road shock, and/or for regulating and maintaining the spacing between two spaced components of the vehicle. These air springs assume various configurations depending upon their particular applications and usually consist of an end member such as an end cap or bead plate, with an opposite end member being a piston. The piston will have a designed outer surface over which a rolling lobe of the flexible sleeve moves for affecting the damping of the vehicle or equipment on which the air spring is mounted.
Prior art air springs require the need for external or internal threaded fittings formed in or on the end or bead plate in order to mount the end plate on a structural portion of the vehicle. This requires additional assembly time and costs. Likewise, it provides a concentrated stress on the end plate at the point of attachment of the connection and requires that the end plate usually be formed of metal to provide sufficient strength and rigidity for making the connection to the vehicle component and for an air fitting.
Therefore, the need exists for an improved manner of mounting an air spring and in particular the upper end plate thereof, to a vehicle frame component without requiring mechanical fasteners. This is achieved in the present invention by adhesively securing the end plate to the vehicle support component by use of a structural adhesive.
Although adhesives are used in various types of vehicle components and mechanisms, such as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,756,048; 3,130,965; 3,672,643; 3,689,054; 3,889,936; 5,267,725 and 5,649,691 , none show or suggest the mounting of an air spring and in particular the top end plate thereof, to a vehicle frame by an adhesive located between the end plate and vehicle frame.
The closest prior art known to the present invention is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings wherein a suspension system has been attached to the axle by a non-welded connection, such as an adhesive. However, nothing is shown or suggested for adhesively connecting the end plate to the vehicle component by an adhesive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pneumatic suspension system for vehicles and in particular attachment of the end plate of an air spring to a vehicle component by use of an adhesive eliminating the need of any mechanical attachment brackets or internally or externally threaded mounting members as heretofore required.
An aspect of the invention includes using such a mounting adhesive thereby requiring only an air fitting on the end plate surface eliminating the need for any external studs or internal blind nuts for mounting the end plate of the air spring to the vehicle component, which also eliminates the need for any bracket attachment to the end plate.
Another aspect of the invention includes reducing the production time and cost of producing the air spring by eliminating the assembly of a bracket to the end plate, and which reduces stresses on the end plate by providing a central mounting location under the frame rail or other component to provide a central support for the end plate which is adhesively attached thereto.
A further feature of the invention is applying the adhesive to the end plate in a controlled environment and then applying a protective strip to the adhesive which is removed by the installer at the time of bonding the end plate to the vehicle component preferably in a controlled environment, to provide a strong and permanent bond between the end plate and vehicle.
Another feature of the invention is to provide a readily available structural adhesive such as a cyanoacrylate or various epoxies which provide a good bond between metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic.
The foregoing advantages, construction and operation of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Fig. 1 is a side elevational diagrammatic view of a pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle showing the adhesive mounted air spring as a component thereof;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the air spring component of the pneumatic suspension system shown in Fig. 1 , with portions broken away and in section;
Fig. 3 is a further enlarged sectional view of the encircled portion of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, portions of which are in section, showing the known closest prior art to the subject invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The pneumatic system of the present invention is indicated generally at 1 , and is shown in a diagrammatic side elevational view in Fig. 1. System 1 illustrates a suspension assembly mounted to a longitudinal frame rail 2 of a vehicle or trailer which supports an axle 3 having a wheel 4 mounted on opposite ends thereof. The suspension assembly further includes a hanger bracket 6 fixedly mounted to frame rail 2. A pivot connection 8 is located at the forward end of a trailing arm 10 which rotatably mounts the trailing arm to the hanger bracket. An air spring indicated generally at 12, extends between trailing arm 10 and frame rail 2 to resiliently resist upward movement of the trailing arm with respect to the frame. An axle mounting bracket 14 preferably mounts axle 3 to trailing arm 10 and may have a plate 16 connected to the trailing arm through two pivot connections 18. A shock absorber 20 can be mounted between frame rail 2 and axle bracket 14 to dampen the movement of the trailing arm with respect to the frame. The particular system shown in Fig. 1 can have various modifications from that shown in order to utilize the unique adhesive mounting of the air spring to the vehicle component, and need not have the exact construction and arrangement shown in Fig. 1.
Air spring 12 is shown in detail in Fig. 2 and is of a usual construction in that it includes a piston 22 and a top end plate 24. End plate 24 is shown being formed of metal but can be other materials such as various types of high strength plastics, since no mounting attachments are required as in prior air springs. Piston 22 is mounted to a lower mounting plate 26 which is mounted on the extended end of trailing arm 10 by a bolt 28. A flexible sleeve or bellows 32 is sealingly connected to piston 22 by well known clamp means and preferably is attached to upper end plate 24 by a rolled end 34 which clamps about a peripheral bead area 36 of sleeve 32. Sleeve 32 forms a pressurized internal fluid chamber 33. Other types of sealing connections can be utilized between sleeve 32 and end plate 24 than that shown in Fig. 2 without affecting the concept of the invention. A usual air fitting 38 is secured to end plate 24 and extends outwardly therefrom for connection to a source of compressed fluid for supplying chamber 33 with a supply of the fluid, which for most applications is air.
In accordance with the main feature of the invention, end plate 24 preferably has a disc-shaped smooth planar top surface 40 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is secured to a complementary-shaped bottom surface 42 of a plate 46 by a layer of adhesive 44. Plate 46 is attached by a weld, bolt or other mechanical fastener to vehicle frame 2. Adhesive 44 can be one of a number of readily available structural adhesives which provide for a relatively quick adhesive bonding of metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic. Various types of structural adhesive epoxies and cyanocrylates adhesives have been found to be satisfactory for this purpose. Two examples of such adhesives would be ARALDITE® distributed by Ciba Specialty Chemical Corp. or SICOMET 7000®. However, it is readily understood that various other adhesives could be used to achieve the desired bonding effect and the above are for illustration of a preferred type. Fig. 4 shows a prior art suspension system in which a trailing arm 50 is secured to an axle 52 by an adhesive 54. However, end plate 56 must be secured to a vehicle frame by attachment bolts 58 or other known mechanical fasteners.
Therefore, the improved adhesive mounting of the air spring end plate to the vehicle frame gives a smooth appearance to the air spring in that there are no protruding fasteners, screws or rivets required or spot weld marks, and it provides a safe structure which has fewer and less concentrations of stresses, possible fatigue areas or the like. Furthermore, such adhesive bonding does not require high temperatures and thus it is suitable for heat sensitive materials prone to distortion or change of properties from the heretofore required brazing or welding, and which is suitable for bonding metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic materials. Thus, end plate 24 can be metal or other types of materials such as a high strength plastic, as well as plate 46 which could be metal and/or plastic without affecting the attachment of end plate 24 thereto. While the embodiments of the invention have been described, the invention is not limited thereto.

Claims

1. A pneumatic suspension system for vehicles including: first and second spaced apart vehicle components movable with respect to each other; an air spring mounted between said spaced apart components, said air spring including: a piston; attachment means for mounting said piston on the first component; an end plate spaced axially from said piston; a flexible sleeve extending between said piston and end plate and forming a fluid chamber therebetween; and an adhesive bonding said end plate to the second component.
2. The suspension system defined in claim 1 in which the end plate is disc-shaped and has a substantially smooth planar outer surface; in which the second component has a mounting surface generally complementary to the planar outer surface of the end plate; and in which the adhesive is a layer of said adhesive located between said planar outer surface of the end plate and said mounting surface of the second component.
3. The suspension system defined in claim 2 in which the end plate is formed of metal and has a rolled edge; and in which said rolled edge is sealingly clamped to a bead area of the flexible sleeve.
4. The suspension system defined in claim 1 in which an air fitting is attached to the end plate and extends outwardly therefrom.
5. The suspension system defined in claim 1 in which the second component is a frame rail of the vehicle.
6. The suspension system defined in claim 1 in which the adhesive is an epoxy structural adhesive.
7. The suspension system defined in claim 1 in which the adhesive is a cyanocrylate.
8. The suspension system defined in claim 1 in which the end plate is metal.
9. The suspension system defined in claim 1 in which the end plate is a plastic.
10. The suspension system defined in claim 2 in which the mounting surface of the end plate is a disc-shaped metal plate.
PCT/US2000/033602 2000-01-11 2000-12-12 Pneumatic suspension system for vehicles Ceased WO2001051300A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US48089700A 2000-01-11 2000-01-11
US09/480,897 2000-01-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001051300A1 true WO2001051300A1 (en) 2001-07-19

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Family Applications (1)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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DE102012107945A1 (en) * 2012-08-29 2014-03-06 PE Automotive GmbH & Co. KG suspension bellows
US10093356B2 (en) 2017-02-21 2018-10-09 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Suspension system
US10207751B2 (en) 2016-05-09 2019-02-19 Nikola Motor Company Llc Motor gearbox assembly
US10266025B2 (en) 2016-05-06 2019-04-23 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Suspension module having an air spring pedestal
US10435075B2 (en) 2016-05-06 2019-10-08 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Suspension module having a subframe assembly
US10814917B2 (en) 2019-03-04 2020-10-27 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Assembly having a skid plate module
US10913321B2 (en) 2019-03-04 2021-02-09 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Suspension system
US10926596B2 (en) 2019-02-28 2021-02-23 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Suspension system
US10981609B2 (en) 2015-12-30 2021-04-20 Nikola Corporation Systems, methods, and devices for an automobile door or window
US11001129B2 (en) 2015-12-30 2021-05-11 Nikola Corporation Cargo door for semi-truck

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US2756048A (en) 1952-07-30 1956-07-24 Gen Tire & Rubber Co Pneumatic suspension system for vehicles
US3130965A (en) 1955-02-16 1964-04-28 Continental Gummi Werke Ag Air suspension systems
US3321200A (en) * 1965-01-13 1967-05-23 Gen Motors Corp Reinforced plastic bellows spring
DE1268439B (en) * 1963-06-11 1968-05-16 Fruehauf Corp Heat-hardenable adhesive connection
US3672643A (en) 1969-06-02 1972-06-27 Albert G Bodine Elastomeric piston
US3689054A (en) 1971-01-28 1972-09-05 Mercadante Combined vehicle chassis and air suspension system
FR2216482A1 (en) * 1973-02-06 1974-08-30 Asea Ab
US3889936A (en) 1974-04-12 1975-06-17 Wright Barry Corp Combined air mounts
JPH04163272A (en) * 1990-10-25 1992-06-08 Fuji Heavy Ind Ltd Truck frame for rolling stock
EP0510359A2 (en) * 1991-04-23 1992-10-28 Man Nutzfahrzeuge Ag Air spring between frame and axle of commercial vehicles
US5267725A (en) 1991-10-12 1993-12-07 Continental Aktiengesellschaft Air spring having a sleeve-type flexible member made of elastomeric material
US5326082A (en) * 1992-06-10 1994-07-05 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Self locking, snap mounted attachment device
WO1996032594A1 (en) * 1995-03-27 1996-10-17 Lotus Cars Limited Method of manufacture of a structure and a structural member for use in the method
US5649691A (en) 1993-11-03 1997-07-22 Fichtel & Sachs Ag Shock absorber and pneumatic spring assembly
DE19720776A1 (en) * 1997-05-17 1998-11-19 Bpw Bergische Achsen Kg Commercial vehicle air spring

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2756048A (en) 1952-07-30 1956-07-24 Gen Tire & Rubber Co Pneumatic suspension system for vehicles
US3130965A (en) 1955-02-16 1964-04-28 Continental Gummi Werke Ag Air suspension systems
DE1268439B (en) * 1963-06-11 1968-05-16 Fruehauf Corp Heat-hardenable adhesive connection
US3321200A (en) * 1965-01-13 1967-05-23 Gen Motors Corp Reinforced plastic bellows spring
US3672643A (en) 1969-06-02 1972-06-27 Albert G Bodine Elastomeric piston
US3689054A (en) 1971-01-28 1972-09-05 Mercadante Combined vehicle chassis and air suspension system
FR2216482A1 (en) * 1973-02-06 1974-08-30 Asea Ab
US3889936A (en) 1974-04-12 1975-06-17 Wright Barry Corp Combined air mounts
JPH04163272A (en) * 1990-10-25 1992-06-08 Fuji Heavy Ind Ltd Truck frame for rolling stock
EP0510359A2 (en) * 1991-04-23 1992-10-28 Man Nutzfahrzeuge Ag Air spring between frame and axle of commercial vehicles
US5267725A (en) 1991-10-12 1993-12-07 Continental Aktiengesellschaft Air spring having a sleeve-type flexible member made of elastomeric material
US5326082A (en) * 1992-06-10 1994-07-05 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Self locking, snap mounted attachment device
US5649691A (en) 1993-11-03 1997-07-22 Fichtel & Sachs Ag Shock absorber and pneumatic spring assembly
WO1996032594A1 (en) * 1995-03-27 1996-10-17 Lotus Cars Limited Method of manufacture of a structure and a structural member for use in the method
DE19720776A1 (en) * 1997-05-17 1998-11-19 Bpw Bergische Achsen Kg Commercial vehicle air spring

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Cited By (15)

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