Unreinforced elastomeric spring wall, gas spring and method

摘要

A spring wall for securement between associated end members for forming an associated gas spring assembly includes a first wall portion that extends axially along a longitudinal axis and circumferentially thereabout. The first wall portion is formed from an unreinforced elastomeric material, and the first wall portion has a first nominal stiffness value. A second wall portion extends along the longitudinal axis and circumferentially thereabout. The second wall portion is disposed in longitudinal relation to the first wall portion and has a second nominal stiffness value that is different from the first nominal stiffness value of the first wall portion such that a non-constant stiffness profile is established along a longitudinal length of the spring wall. A gas spring and a gas spring and reservoir assembly utilizing such a spring wall as well as a method of manufacturing a gas spring are also included.

主权项

1. A gas spring assembly displaceable between extended and compressed conditions, said gas spring assembly comprising:
a first end member; a second end member disposed in spaced relation to said first end member; and, a spring wall secured therebetween that at least partially defines a spring chamber, said spring wall having a longitudinal length and extending circumferentially about a longitudinally-extending axis, said spring wall formed from an unreinforced thermoplastic elastomer material, and said spring wall including a first annular zone along said longitudinal length that has a first nominal stiffness value and a second annular zone along said longitudinal length that has a second nominal stiffness value, said first nominal stiffness value being at least 25 percent less than said second nominal stiffness value such that said first annular zone operates as a flex zone of said spring wall varying from a first cross-sectional shape to a second cross-sectional shape that is substantially different from said first cross-sectional shape during displacement of said gas spring assembly between extended and compressed conditions, and said second annular zone operates as a non-flex zone of said spring wall forming a substantially-rigid wall portion of said spring wall relative to said first annular zone having an approximately consistent cross-sectional shape during displacement between extended and compressed conditions of said gas spring assembly.