Abstract: An air spring assembly including an internal snapping gaiter. The internal snapping gaiter includes a free end having a flange that is snap fit to a retainment tab of a free end of a guide tube of the air spring assembly.

Abstract: An air spring assembly including sliding joint providing a gaiter sliding upward or downward as a vehicle displaces the air spring assembly. The air sprig assembly includes a damper, a piston connected to the damper, a gaiter surrounding the piston and a portion of the damper, and a dampening ring connected to the gaiter.

Abstract: An air spring strut assembly includes a top cap with a metal flange overmolded within a plastic overmold housing. The metal flange carries structural loads through the top cap and the plastic overmold housing includes non-load bearing complex shapes ands surfaces. A shock absorber and bellows are attached to the top cap to complete the air spring strut assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for an air spring includes an outer gaiter defined in part by an interior portion, an inner gaiter defined in part by an exterior portion, at least one floating ring extending from a first floating ring end to a second floating ring end, the first floating ring end coupled with the inner gaiter and the second floating ring end is coupled with the outer gaiter, where the at least one floating ring allows the outer gaiter to move relative to the inner gaiter.

Abstract: An assembly for an air spring includes an outer gaiter defined in part by an interior portion, an inner gaiter defined in part by an exterior portion, at least one floating ring extending from a first floating ring end to a second floating ring end, the first floating ring end coupled with the inner gaiter and the second floating ring end is coupled with the outer gaiter, where the at least one floating ring allows the outer gaiter to move relative to the inner gaiter.

Abstract: An air spring assembly having pressure relief capability, where the air spring assembly includes a single air volume, or a multi-chamber air volume. When the air spring assembly is operating at a stiffer spring rate in combination with a setting to increase ground clearance, during certain road events, the air spring assembly is compressed, and the pressure in the air spring assembly increases. In order to not exceed the safe mechanical limits of the air spring assembly, the pressure is limited to a maximum value when full compression is achieved. The air spring assembly includes at least one valve, which is opened based on a “cracking pressure,” which is determined based on the mechanical limits of the air spring assembly. This facilitates the operation of the air spring assembly at settings to increase ground clearance of the vehicle, while allowing for pressure relief when the mechanical limit is reached.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a damper body which is decoupled from the bellow of a piston, allowing the damper to rotate freely without inducing torsion into the piston. The design includes a two-piece piston having both an inner piston and an outer piston which are connected together, and a portion of the inner piston is positioned over the damper tube. The piston having the two-piece design allows for the two-piece piston to fully decouple from the damper without leakage. The inner piston retains a rotary O-ring which seals to a damper rod to keep air within the air spring assembly. The air spring assembly also includes a thrust bearing located between the inner piston and the top surface of the damper tube. The thrust bearing allows full decoupling from the inner piston and the damper, ensuring that there is no torsion translated to the bellow.

Abstract: Air spring strut for a motor vehicle including an air spring with a shock absorber for spring-cushioning and damping oscillations of a motor vehicle running gear assembly. The air spring includes an air spring cover and an air spring piston. An air spring bellows made of elastomeric material is clamped air-tightly between the air spring cover and the air spring piston partially delimits a working space filled with compressed air and, while forming a rolling fold, rolls on the air spring cover and/or the air spring piston. The air spring cover is embodied in two parts with a first cover part for receiving an absorber bearing and with a second cover part for fastening the air spring bellows. The first cover part is manufactured from metal and the second cover part is manufactured from plastic.

Abstract: An air spring assembly having pressure relief capability, where the air spring assembly includes a single air volume, or a multi-chamber air volume. When the air spring assembly is operating at a stiffer spring rate in combination with a setting to increase ground clearance, during certain road events, the air spring assembly is compressed, and the pressure in the air spring assembly increases. In order to not exceed the safe mechanical limits of the air spring assembly, the pressure is limited to a maximum value when full compression is achieved. The air spring assembly includes at least one valve, which is opened based on a “cracking pressure,” which is determined based on the mechanical limits of the air spring assembly. This facilitates the operation of the air spring assembly at settings to increase ground clearance of the vehicle, while allowing for pressure relief when the mechanical limit is reached.

Abstract: Air spring strut for a motor vehicle including an air spring with a shock absorber for spring-cushioning and damping oscillations of a motor vehicle running gear assembly. The air spring includes an air spring cover and an air spring piston. An air spring bellows made of elastomeric material is clamped air-tightly between the air spring cover and the air spring piston partially delimits a working space filled with compressed air and, while forming a rolling fold, rolls on the air spring cover and/or the air spring piston. The air spring cover is embodied in two parts with a first cover part for receiving an absorber bearing and with a second cover part for fastening the air spring bellows. The first cover part is manufactured from metal and the second cover part is manufactured from plastic.

Abstract: A support ring used as part of an air spring assembly, where the support ring provides support for a top cap against radial forces applied by a clamping ring. The support ring is made of a plastic material which is less costly than a metal support ring. The plastic material is a high creep resistance plastic material, which provides increased strength and improved creep resistance, to withstand the compressive radial forces of the clamping ring. Once the support ring is formed, the top cap, which is also made of plastic, is overmolded such that a portion of the top cap is overmolded around the support ring. The high creep resistance plastic material is oriented during the injection molding process around the entire circumference of the support ring, to provide sufficient strength to withstand the radial forces from the clamping ring.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a damper body decoupled from a piston, allowing the damper to rotate freely without inducing torsion into the piston. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, where part of the damper body is disposed in a piston, and a decoupling mechanism connected to the damper body. The decoupling mechanism allows for rotation of the damper body relative to the piston, preventing torsion from being transferred from the damper body to the piston. The decoupling mechanism includes an adapter ring connected to the damper body, and a rotatable machine element surrounding the damper body. The adapter ring is surrounded part of the piston, and the rotatable machine element is adjacent the adapter ring. The inner wall of the piston is in contact with the rotatable machine element, such that the rotatable machine element facilitates relative rotation between the piston and damper body.

Abstract: A support ring used as part of an air spring assembly, where the support ring provides support for a top cap against radial forces applied by a clamping ring. The support ring is made of a plastic material which is less costly than a metal support ring. The plastic material is a high creep resistance plastic material, which provides increased strength and improved creep resistance, to withstand the compressive radial forces of the clamping ring. Once the support ring is formed, the top cap, which is also made of plastic, is overmolded such that a portion of the top cap is overmolded around the support ring. The high creep resistance plastic material is oriented during the injection molding process around the entire circumference of the support ring, to provide sufficient strength to withstand the radial forces from the clamping ring.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a reservoir which is adaptable to meet different packaging requirements. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, at least one piston connected to the damper body, and a bellow connected to the piston, the bellow having a cavity. A top cap is connected to the bellow, and a fitting is connected to the top cap. A reservoir is connected to the fitting such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the cavity. Air flows between the bellow and the reservoir as a result of movement of the piston and damper body during travel of the vehicle. The reservoir may be tube-shaped, having a consistent diameter, or a varying diameter. The reservoir may also be spherical-shaped, rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, or may be shaped to fit specific packaging requirements such that the reservoir may be positioned in any area of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a damper body which is decoupled from a piston, allowing the damper to rotate freely without inducing torsion into the piston. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, and a decoupling mechanism connected to the damper body, where a portion of the decoupling mechanism surrounds the damper body. A piston is connected to the decoupling mechanism such that the decoupling mechanism allows for rotation of the damper body relative to the piston, preventing torsion from being transferred from the damper body to the piston. The decoupling mechanism also includes a rotatable machine element, such as a bearing, surrounding the damper body, and the bearing is adjacent the cup portion such that the rotatable machine element facilitates relative rotation between the damper body and the spring cup portion to limit torsion applied to the piston from the damper body.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a damper body which is decoupled from a piston, allowing the damper to rotate freely without inducing torsion into the piston. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, and a decoupling mechanism connected to the damper body, where a portion of the decoupling mechanism surrounds the damper body. A piston is connected to the decoupling mechanism such that the decoupling mechanism allows for rotation of the damper body relative to the piston, preventing torsion from being transferred from the damper body to the piston. The decoupling mechanism also includes a rotatable machine element, such as a bearing, surrounding the damper body, and the bearing is adjacent the cup portion such that the rotatable machine element facilitates relative rotation between the damper body and the spring cup portion to limit torsion applied to the piston from the damper body.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a damper body decoupled from a piston, allowing the damper to rotate freely without inducing torsion into the piston. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, where part of the damper body is disposed in a piston, and a decoupling mechanism connected to the damper body. The decoupling mechanism allows for rotation of the damper body relative to the piston, preventing torsion from being transferred from the damper body to the piston. The decoupling mechanism includes an adapter ring connected to the damper body, and a rotatable machine element surrounding the damper body. The adapter ring is surrounded part of the piston, and the rotatable machine element is adjacent the adapter ring. The inner wall of the piston is in contact with the rotatable machine element, such that the rotatable machine element facilitates relative rotation between the piston and damper body.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a reservoir which is adaptable to meet different packaging requirements. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, at least one piston connected to the damper body, and a bellow connected to the piston, the bellow having a cavity. A top cap is connected to the bellow, and a fitting is connected to the top cap. A reservoir is connected to the fitting such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the cavity. Air flows between the bellow and the reservoir as a result of movement of the piston and damper body during travel of the vehicle. The reservoir may be tube-shaped, having a consistent diameter, or a varying diameter. The reservoir may also be spherical-shaped, rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, or may be shaped to fit specific packaging requirements such that the reservoir may be positioned in any area of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring for air suspension system comprises a piston assembly and a damper assembly where the piston assembly is spaced apart from the damper assembly to at least partially define an air chamber. A seal is molded with piston walls to form an integrated piston assembly. The seal includes at least one sealing lip extending radially inward from the piston assembly at an angle that is non-perpendicular to an axis of the damper and the at least one sealing lip contacts the damper assembly when the piston assembly and the damper assembly are assembled together to seal the air chamber.

Abstract: An air spring for air suspension system comprises a piston assembly and a damper assembly. A plurality of crush ribs are spaced apart from one another located within an internal cavity defined by the piston assembly and extending in an axial direction. A striker cap is located proximate to a first end of the damper assembly. There is a first interference fit between the damper assembly and the striker cap and there is a second interference fit between the striker cap and the crush fins, such that the piston assembly and the damper assembly are rotationally fixed relative to one another.