| 摘要 |
An air spring (10) formed by a pair of spaced end members (15) and an intervening tubular elastomeric sleeve (12) having internal reinforcing cords forms a fluid pressure chamber (18) therebetween for mounting between spaced portions preferably of a vehicle to provide damping and to absorb road shock on the vehicle. Each of the end members (15) has an end cap (16) and a clamp ring (20) provided with annular mating surfaces. The clamp ring is formed with an annular convex projection which extends into a larger annular concave recess formed in the end cap and when the ring and end cap are snapped axially together two annular radially spaced areas of the sleeve are placed in compressive shear to provide a secure clamping engagement with the sleeve material. An annular expansion area (56) is formed within the recess between the projection permitting the sleeve material located between the compressive shear areas to expand therein. The sleeve cords move through a direction change of approximately 180 DEG . The annular projection and annular recess form two radially spaced pinch areas on each of the end members and the intervening expansion areas ensures a change of direction of the reinforcement cord to securely clamp the sleeve ends therebetween. The expansion areas permit the elastomeric material of the sleeve to expand therein on both sides of the pinch areas. The combination of the two compressive shear pinch areas with the intervening expansion areas provide for a secure end clamp and seal for the tubular sleeve without requiring any internal bead reinforcement. In a second embodiment helical thread-like mating projections formed on the end cap and clamp ring provide the two compressive shear pinch areas and intervening expansion area. |
