Airspring with non-molded-in bead

Abstract: A method for producing an airspring which reduces the time of manufacture by: Curing of the airsleeve in the absence of beads, then wrapping the end of the sleeve around a bead ring and finally crimping an end member around the wrapped-in bead ring.

Description: Field of the Invention This invention relates to airspring fluid pressure devices as recited in the preamble of claim 1. Such a device is disclosed in EP-A-442 093. Background of the Invention Airsprings having crimped-on end members are known, e.g. US-A-3 063 732 and US-A-4 787 608. Heretofore, the fluid pressure sleeves were made with the bead wire or ring molded into them such as illustrated in US-A-2 971 562, 2 874 458, 3 057 768, 3 078 085 and 3 078 086. The thickness of the end portions where the sleeves overlap after being wrapped about the bead wire or ring poses a problem in the vulcanization step where in order to effect a uniform cure of both the overlapped portion and the thinner sidewall portion, it is necessary to cure at a lower temperature and for a longer time. Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention there is provided a fluid pressure device such as defined in claim 1. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a fluid pressure device of the present invention. Fig. 1A is an enlarged detail of Fig. 1 showing the fluid pressure sleeve to end member connection. Detail Description of the Invention Fig. 1 illustrates a fluid pressure device having an elastomeric fluid pressure sleeve 10 connected between a pair of end members 12,12. One of the end members 12 generally has an opening 14 for introducing fluid pressure into pressure chamber 11. The fluid pressure sleeve 10 is usually built of two plies 16 and 17 of rubberized fabric, the plies having cords which extend at opposite angles from the axial direction. The sleeve 10 is preferably further comprised of an innerliner 13 of an air impervious elastomer such as polychloroprene or halobutyl and a cover layer 15 of an elastomer which is abrasion resistant and oil resistant. The sleeve is generally built in a cylindrical shape then either vulcanized in that shape for sleeve used in rolling lobe type devices or vulcanized in a mold such as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,673,168 into a molded bellows type sleeve. To assemble the fluid pressure device of the present invention, an end portion 22 of a vulcanized sleeve 10 is wrapped around a bead ring or wire 18 and then placed within an annular rolled end 20 of an end member 12. The rolled end 20 is then crimped about the wrapped bead 18. By vulcanizing the sleeves without the beads present, it has been found that the vulcanization time can be reduced to about 50-55% of that of a sleeve with a molded-in bead, thus, making the process more cost and energy efficient. It can be appreciated that while the invention has been illustrated as a single convolution molded sleeve, it can also be used with multi-convoluted sleeves as well as with sleeves used in rolling lobe type devices where one or both of the end members are the commonly-known piston variety. In addition, while both end members have been illustrated as being connected according to the process of the present invention, only one of them need be, the other may be attached by a well-known swage ring operation. The bead ring 18 can be made from any one of a number of metals or synthetic materials as a solid ring or they can be made of stranded and twisted wire with their ends mechanically fastened. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims: Fluid pressure device having a fluid pressure sleeve (10) connected between a pair of spaced end members (12), wherein the sleeve has been vulcanized prior to assembly, the end portion (22) of the sleeve is wrapped about a bead ring (18) and crimped within an annular rolled portion (20) of at least one of the end members (12) characterized in that the end portion (22) of the sleeve (10) lies outside the crimp area. Fluid pressure device according to claim 2 wherein the fluid pressure sleeve (10) is built of two plies (16,17) of rubberised fabric, the plies having cords which extend at opposite angles from the axial direction. Fluid pressure device according to claim 3 wherein the sleeve (10) comprises an innerliner (13) of an air impervious elastomer and a cover layer (15) of an elastomer which is abrasion and oil resistant.

Inventors: BURKLEY THOMAS EDWARD, HAINES EDWIN LEE, MUNGO FRANK GEORGE, WOODLEE JAMES EDWIN, BURKLEY, THOMAS EDWARD, HAINES, EDWIN LEE, MUNGO, FRANK GEORGE, WOODLEE, JAMES EDWIN
Applicants: GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B29D22
IPC codes: F16F5, F16F9