Spring isolators and suspension systems incorporating same
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJason PAULDING, Juergen FUNKE, Jon Roland WATSON, Thorsten Dirk KRUPP, Paul GODESBERG
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring isolator for a wheel suspension may include a first side configured to rest on a spring plate of the suspension. The spring isolator may also include a second side, opposite the first side, configured to receive a last coil of a coil spring of the suspension to support the coil spring on the spring plate. The first side may have at least one cavity extending through a thickness of the isolator toward the second side. An elasticity of the isolator between the first and second sides may prevent the last coil from breaking contact with the second side during operation of the suspension.
Claims21
A spring isolator for a wheel suspension, comprising:
- a first side configured to rest on a spring plate of the suspension;
- and
- a second side, opposite the first side, configured to receive a last coil of a coil spring of the suspension to support the coil spring on the spring plate;
- wherein the first side has at least one cavity extending through a thickness of the isolator toward the second side, and
- wherein an elasticity of the isolator between the first and second sides prevents the last coil from breaking contact with the second side during operation of the suspension.
A wheel suspension, comprising:
- a coil spring;
- a spring plate;
- and
- a spring isolator positioned between the coil spring and the spring plate, the spring isolator comprising first and second opposite sides,
- wherein the first side rests on the spring plate and the second side supports a last coil of the coil spring, and
- wherein the first side has at least one cavity extending through a thickness of the isolator toward the second side, the at least one cavity being configured to maintain contact between the last coil and the second side during operation of the suspension.
A method for maintaining contact between a coil spring and a spring isolator under a vertical force on the spring, the method comprising:
- during application of the force, expanding a material forming the spring isolator into a cavity within the isolator to increase an elasticity of the isolator;
- and
- following spring movements of the coil spring with the spring isolator such that a contact surface area between the isolator and the spring remains constant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.