Suspension element systems and methods

• US 10,632,805 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2018
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oshkosh Defense LLC (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oshkosh Defense LLC (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Inventors: Rositch, Aaron, Ellifson, Erik, Dillman, Patrick, Schubart, Kai, Sollenskog, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M
• Application Number:
  US15/956,974
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/12 and fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/005 Suspension locking arrangements for retractable wheels B62D61/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/152 Pneumatic spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/24 Fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/30 Spring/Damper and/or actuator Units
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/82013 Friction or heat welding
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/01 the wheel being mounted for sliding movement, e.g. in or on a vertical guide camber maintaining means B60G3/26

Abstract

A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.

Claims

1. A suspension element for use with a vehicle comprising:

a main body including a sidewall and an end cap disposed at an end of the main body, the sidewall and the end cap defining an inner volume;

a tubular element extending at least partially within the inner volume;

a primary piston positioned within the inner volume and coupled to the tubular element, the primary piston having a first contact surface;

a secondary piston comprising;

a second contact surface configured to engage the first contact surface in at least one position;

an opposing surface opposite the second contact surface;

an inner cylindrical face defining a central aperture that receives the tubular element; and

a damping groove, the damping groove comprising a first groove and a second groove; and

an annular chamber formed between the main body and the tubular element, the annular chamber further comprising;

a recoil chamber disposed between the secondary piston and the end cap; and

an extension chamber disposed between the primary piston and the secondary piston,

wherein;

the first groove extends along the opposing surface at a first angle relative a first radial reference line passing through a center of the first groove, and

the second groove extends along the opposing surface at a second angle relative a second radial reference line passing through a center of the second groove.

2. The suspension element of claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove are substantially parallel to one another.

3. The suspension element of claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove are substantially perpendicular to one another.

4. The suspension element of claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove are spaced equally from one another around the circumference of the secondary piston.

5. The suspension element of claim 1, further comprising a resilient member disposed between the secondary piston and the end cap, wherein the resilient member is configured to bias the secondary piston into a position.

6. The suspension element of claim 1, the secondary piston further comprising:

an inner groove disposed on the inner cylindrical face; and

a contact groove disposed on the second contact surface.

7. The suspension element of claim 6, wherein together, the inner groove and the contact groove form a channel that is at least partially aligned with one of the first groove and the second groove.

8. The suspension element of claim 7, wherein the inner groove has a cross-sectional shape that is different from the cross-sectional shape of the first groove.

9. The suspension element of claim 7, wherein the inner groove has a cross-sectional shape that is different from the cross-sectional shape of the second groove.

10. The suspension element of claim 7, wherein the contact groove has a cross-sectional shape that is different from the cross-sectional shape of the first groove.

11. The suspension element of claim 7, wherein the contact groove has a cross-sectional shape that is different from the cross-sectional shape of the second groove.

12. The suspension element of claim 7, wherein the inner groove is arcuate and has a constant radius of curvature, and wherein the contact groove has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially rectangular.

13. The suspension element of claim 7, wherein the contact groove is narrower than the inner groove.