Patent ID: 6510930
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
A vibration damper assembly comprising:an inner housing concentrically aligned within an outer housing along an axis and having fluid disposed therein; a support ring enclosing said inner housing thereby defining a pumping chamber for the fluid; a piston shaft, having a piston, inserted through said support ring such that said piston is disposed in said pumping chamber for defining a first pumping chamber and a second pumping chamber with said piston moving the fluid between said first and second pumping chambers in response to axial movement of said piston shaft within said inner housing; said support ring including: a seal cover having an inner surface with a rim; a rod guide inserted into said seal cover abutting a portion of said rim, wherein said rod guide guides said shaft through said support ring and moves within said seal cover in a lateral direction relative to said axis; and a retainer sleeve secured to said rod guide and interengaging said seal cover and said rod guide such that said rim is disposed between said rod guide and said retainer sleeve wherein said rod guide is first inserted into said seal cover and said retainer sleeve is then secured to said rod guide such that said support ring can be easily assembled, said retainer sleeve movably securing said rod guide to said seal cover for providing movement of said rod guide within said seal cover in a lateral direction relative to said axis and preventing movement of said rod guide within said seal cover in a longitudinal direction relative to said axis.