Suspension strut assembly
First Claim
1. A vehicle suspension strut comprisinga generally cylindrical housing including a first end and a second end, the housing defining a generally longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a housing interior for containing a fluid,a first closure for closing the first end of the housing, the first closure including a piston receiving aperture,a second closure for closing the second end of the housing,a piston extendable through the piston receiving aperture, the piston being movable in an axial direction between a fully collapsed position and an extended position, the piston including:
- a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and exteriorly of the housing exterior,a second end disposed adjacent to the second end of the housing and within the housing interior, andan insertable portion having a length L, the insertable portion being that portion of the piston which is disposed within the housing interior when the piston is in the fully collapsed position,a piston head fixedly coupled to the piston adjacent the second end thereof, the piston head including a plurality of apertures through which the fluid can pass at a controlled rate, anda bearing assembly disposed within the housing abutting against the first closure for facilitating axial movement of the piston between its extended and collapsed positions, the bearing assembly including at least two axially extending arrays of bearing members that engage the piston over a distance sufficient to absorb radially directed side load forces thereby substantially eliminating the need for a side load force absorbing member at the second end of the piston.
21 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle suspension strut includes a generally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end. The housing defines a generally longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a housing interior for containing a fluid. A first closure closes the first end of the housing and includes a piston receiving aperture. A second closure is provided for closing the second end of the housing. A piston is extendable through the piston receiving aperture, and is moveable in an axial direction between a fully collapsed position and an extended position. The piston includes a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and exteriorly of the housing exterior, and a second end disposed adjacent to the second end of the housing and within the housing interior. The piston also includes an insertable portion having a length L. A piston head is fixedly coupled to the piston adjacent to the second end thereof, and includes a plurality of apertures through which the fluid can pass at a controlled rate. A bearing assembly is disposed within the housing adjacent to the first end thereof for facilitating axial movement of the piston between its extended and collapsed positions. The bearing assembly includes at least two axially extending arrays of bearing members that engage the piston over a distance sufficient to absorb radially directed side-load forces, thereby substantially eliminating the need for a side-load force absorbing member at the second end of the piston.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A vehicle suspension strut comprising
a generally cylindrical housing including a first end and a second end, the housing defining a generally longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a housing interior for containing a fluid, a first closure for closing the first end of the housing, the first closure including a piston receiving aperture, a second closure for closing the second end of the housing, a piston extendable through the piston receiving aperture, the piston being movable in an axial direction between a fully collapsed position and an extended position, the piston including: -
a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and exteriorly of the housing exterior, a second end disposed adjacent to the second end of the housing and within the housing interior, and an insertable portion having a length L, the insertable portion being that portion of the piston which is disposed within the housing interior when the piston is in the fully collapsed position, a piston head fixedly coupled to the piston adjacent the second end thereof, the piston head including a plurality of apertures through which the fluid can pass at a controlled rate, and a bearing assembly disposed within the housing abutting against the first closure for facilitating axial movement of the piston between its extended and collapsed positions, the bearing assembly including at least two axially extending arrays of bearing members that engage the piston over a distance sufficient to absorb radially directed side load forces thereby substantially eliminating the need for a side load force absorbing member at the second end of the piston. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28)
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- 3. A vehicle suspension strut comprising:
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4. a generally cylindrical housing including a first end and a second end, the housing defining a generally longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a housing interior for containing a fluid,a first closure for closing the first end of the housing, the first closure including a piston receiving aperture,a second closure for closing the second end of the housing,a piston extendable through the piston receiving aperture, the piston being movable in an axial direction between a fully collapsed position and an extended position, the piston including:
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a. a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and exteriorly of the housing exterior, b. a second end disposed adjacent to the second end of the housing and within the housing interior, and c. an insertable portion having a length L. 5. a piston head fixedly coupled to the piston adjacent the second end thereof, the piston head including a plurality of apertures through which the fluid can pass at a controlled rate, and 6. a bearing assembly disposed within the housing adjacent to the first end thereof for facilitating axial movement of the piston between its extended and collapsed positions, the bearing assembly comprising a first cylindrical ball bushing bearing and a second cylindrical ball bushing bearing disposed in series adjacent to the first ball bushing bearing, each of the first and second cylindrical ball bushing bearings including a first bushing portion, a second bushing portion and at least six axially extending arrays of ball bearings disposed between the first and second bushing portions, the axially extending arrays of bearing engaging the piston over a distance sufficient to absorb radially directed side load forces thereby substantially eliminating the need for a side load force absorbing member at the second end of the piston.
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23. A vehicle suspension strut comprising
a generally cylindrical housing including a first end and a second end, the housing defining a generally longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a housing interior for containing a fluid, a first closure for closing the first end of the housing, the first closure including a piston receiving aperture, a second closure for closing the second end of the housing, a piston extendable through the piston receiving aperture, the piston being movable in an axial direction between a fully collapsed position and an extended position, the piston including: -
a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and exteriorly of the housing interior, a second end disposed adjacent to the second end of the housing and within the housing interior, and an insertable portion having a length L, the insertable portion being that portion of the piston which is disposed within the housing interior when the piston is in the fully collapsed position, a piston head fixedly coupled to the piston adjacent the second end thereof, the piston head comprising a generally thin member having a thickness substantially less than its diameter and including a plurality of apertures through which the fluid can pass, the piston head extending radially outward from the piston and leaving a clearance space between the perimeter of the piston head and the housing, a stop disposed on the piston and extending radially outwardly therefrom, a radially extending collar disposed between the piston and the housing, the stop being engageable with the collar for limiting the axial movement of the piston in an extending direction, a cylindrical ball bushing bearing assembly disposed within the housing assembly abutting against the first closure for facilitating axial movement of the piston between its extended and collapsed positions, the bearing assembly including at least four axially extending arrays of bearing members for engaging the piston over a distance sufficient to absorb radially directed side load forces thereby eliminating the need for a side load force absorbing member at the second end of the piston. - View Dependent Claims (25, 27)
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Specification