Method of attachment of flexible member to stamped steel piston
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorJohn Eric Arnold
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An air spring assembly having a flexible member and moveable piston is provided. A bead surface of the flexible member is secured into a channel in the moveable piston to create an air-tight seal which can withstand tensile stress. The hollow piston increases the volume of the air reservoir which contributes to a reduction in the spring rate.
Claims5
In an air spring assembly comprising a flexible member, said flexible member having a central axis, spaced first and second edges, a cylindrical side wall, and an interior, said side wall having a torodial region encompassing said second edge whereby said second edge is in said interior, said first edge having a first annular bead surface, said second edge having a second annular bead surface;
- an improved method of attaching a moveable piston to said flexible member, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a cylindrical surface, said cylindrical surface having an extension at a first end,
- curving said extension to create an inwardly directed sinuous curve;
- seating said second annular bead surface around said curve;
- and,
- crimping said curve against said bead surface.
A method of producing an air piston assembly comprising a piston plate having an annular edge, a flexible member having a central axis, spaced first and second edges, a cylindrical side wall, and an interior, said side wall having a torodial region encompassing said second edge whereby said second edge is in said interior, said first edge having a first annular bead surface, said second edge having a second annular bead surface, and an upper bead plate having an annular groove therein for the reception of said first bead surface, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a cylindrical surface, said cylindrical surface having an extension at a first end,
- curving said extension to create an inwardly directed sinuous curve;
- seating said second annular bead surface around said curve;
- crimping said curve against said bead surface;
- receiving said first bead surface into said annular groove to form an airtight juncture therebetween;
- and,
- hermetically attaching said annular edge of said piston plate to a second end of said cylindrical surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.