Frictionally damped suspension strut
First Claim
1. A frictionally damped suspension strut, comprising:
- a first load bearing member;
a second load bearing member telescopically movable within said first load bearing member;
a sleeve bearing composed of resilient low friction material;
support means mounted by said first load bearing member for supporting said sleeve bearing adjacent one end of said first load bearing member such that said sleeve bearing substantially surrounds said second load bearing member as the only bearing between said.one end of said first load bearing member and said second load bearing member, while simultaneously therewith providing for a first level of frictional resistance to extension and contraction of said second load bearing member from and into said first load bearing member; and
acutuator means operatively associated with said support means for pressing a substantially cylindrical portion of said sleeve bearing inwardly against said second load bearing member in response to an axial load on the strut, causing said sleeve bearing to provide for a second level of frictional resistance to extension and contraction of said second load bearing member from and into said first load bearing member, said second level of frictional resistance being greater than said first level of frictional resistance;
whereby said sleeve bearing alternatively provides (1) low friction telescopic movement of said first and second load bearing members while providing for said first level of frictional resistance, and (2) frictionally damped telescopic movement of said first and second load bearing members while providing for said second level of frictional resistance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The strut includes a telescoping load bearing assembly that extends through a composite spring and a frictional damping assembly. The damping assembly includes one, two three or more movable damper wedges that are urged by two wedge rings against a sleeve bearing that normally provides for low friction extension and contraction of the load bearing assembly. In response to application of an axial load on the load bearing assembly, however, the damper wedges press or squeeze the sleeve bearing into gripping engagement with the load bearing assembly, which causes the sleeve bearing to apply a frictional damping force to the load bearing assembly. Elastomer layers interposed between the interactive faces of the damper wedges and the wedge rings are placed in visco-elastic shear in response to movement of the damper wedges and, hence, provide essentially frictionless movement of the damper wedges under such conditions. This enhances the sensitivity of the strut to certain road conditions. In a second presently preferred embodiment, the damper wedges are replaced by a single split wedge ring.
23 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A frictionally damped suspension strut, comprising:
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a first load bearing member; a second load bearing member telescopically movable within said first load bearing member; a sleeve bearing composed of resilient low friction material; support means mounted by said first load bearing member for supporting said sleeve bearing adjacent one end of said first load bearing member such that said sleeve bearing substantially surrounds said second load bearing member as the only bearing between said.one end of said first load bearing member and said second load bearing member, while simultaneously therewith providing for a first level of frictional resistance to extension and contraction of said second load bearing member from and into said first load bearing member; and acutuator means operatively associated with said support means for pressing a substantially cylindrical portion of said sleeve bearing inwardly against said second load bearing member in response to an axial load on the strut, causing said sleeve bearing to provide for a second level of frictional resistance to extension and contraction of said second load bearing member from and into said first load bearing member, said second level of frictional resistance being greater than said first level of frictional resistance; whereby said sleeve bearing alternatively provides (1) low friction telescopic movement of said first and second load bearing members while providing for said first level of frictional resistance, and (2) frictionally damped telescopic movement of said first and second load bearing members while providing for said second level of frictional resistance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification