Patent Description:
In general, suspension systems improve driving stability and ride comfort while a vehicle is traveling by performing functions such as absorbing vibration or shock transmitted from the road surface through an axle and balancing a vehicle body between the axle and the vehicle body.

Among these suspension systems, air suspension may adjust an air pressure in an air spring by supporting a vehicle body with an air spring using the elasticity of compressed air and thus adjust the pressure according to the number of passengers or the condition of the road surface, thereby keeping the spring smooth at all times. Therefore, the air suspension is more advantageous for ride comfort.

In addition, since the air suspension behaves nonlinearly in its characteristics, the pressure and volume of gas are inversely proportional at a certain temperature. Accordingly, the air suspension has a characteristic in that when a loading weight increases due to loading of people or cargo, the air is compressed to provide a higher repulsive force, whereas when the loading weight decreases, the repulsive force returns to its original force.

Conventional air suspension has a complicated assembly process and a reduction in airtight performance because individual components are bonded by welding in different manners when manufacturing a top port coupled to a piston rod of a damper. Therefore, there is a need to address such an issue.

The related art of the present disclosure is disclosed in <CIT>, entitled "AIR SPRING FOR VEHICLE"). <CIT> relates to an air spring whose cover has an additional volume and a method for making the air spring. <CIT> relates to a composite component and an air spring component.

Various embodiments are directed to a top port apparatus for air suspension with improved airtightness and durability.

In an example not according to the claimed invention, a top port apparatus for air suspension may include a top casing connected to a vehicle body, a bottom casing disposed to face the top casing and connected to an air spring, and a sealing section configured to seal a gap between the top casing and the bottom casing.

The top casing may include a top casing body, and a first extension part protruding outward from the top casing body. The bottom casing may include a bottom casing body coupled to the top casing body, and a second extension part protruding outward from the bottom casing body and disposed to face the first extension part.

The sealing section may include an elastic member disposed between the first extension part and the second extension part, and a cover part disposed to face the elastic member and surround the first extension part and the second extension part.

The cover part may have both ends that are deformed by press working and pressed to respective outer surfaces of the first second extension part and the second extension part.

The sealing section may further include a guide member that is provided between at least one of the first second extension part or the second extension part and the cover part, and guides deformation of the cover part.

According to the claimed invention, a top port apparatus for air suspension includes: a middle casing, a top casing coupled to an upper side of the middle casing and connected to a vehicle body, a bottom casing coupled to a lower side of the middle casing and connected to an air spring, and a sealing section configured to seal a gap among the middle casing, the top casing, and the bottom casing.

The middle casing includes a middle casing body disposed between the top casing and the bottom casing and having a valve chamber, and a seating part protruding outward from the middle casing body and extending along a circumferential surface of the middle casing body.

The top casing includes a top casing body having a first chamber connecting with the valve chamber, and a first extension part protruding outward from the top casing body and seated on an upper side of the seating part. The bottom casing includes a bottom casing body having a second chamber and a third chamber connecting with the valve chamber, and a second extension part protruding outward from the bottom casing body and seated on a lower side of the seating part.

The first extension part and the second extension part may each have a stepped cross-section.

The first extension part and the second extension part may have ends that are spaced apart from and face each other.

The sealing section may include an elastic member disposed between the first second extension part and the second extension part, and a cover part disposed to face the elastic member and surround the first extension part and the second extension part.

The guide member may gradually decrease in cross-sectional area as it is directed to the cover part.

The guide member may be formed to be elastically deformable.

As apparent from the above description, the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the present disclosure can simplify the assembly process and reduce costs to manufacture as the middle casing, the top casing, and the bottom casing are vertically stacked and coupled to each other.

In addition, the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the present disclosure can double-block foreign substances from entering the middle casing, the top casing, and the bottom casing or air from leaking out of the middle casing, the top casing, and the bottom casing, by the stepped contact structure of the seating part and the first and second extension parts, and the sealing section.

Moreover, the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the present disclosure can enhance the coupling force among the middle casing, the top casing, and the bottom casing by the cover part, and maintain the close contact of the elastic member with the first extension part and the second extension part.

Furthermore, the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the present disclosure can block direct exposure of the elastic member to the outside by the cover part, thereby enhancing overall sealing performance of the sealing suction and preventing damage to the elastic member.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of achieving the advantages and features will be clear with reference to embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein but will be implemented in various forms. The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided so that the present disclosure is completely disclosed, and a person with ordinary skill in the art can fully understand the scope of the present disclosure. The present invention will be defined only by the scope of the appended claims. Meanwhile, the terms used in the present specification are for explaining the embodiments, not for limiting the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a top port apparatus for air suspension according to an unclaimed example of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the present example is configured to connect a vehicle body to a piston rod A of a shock absorber coupled with an axle and to adjust an air pressure within an air spring B, and includes a top casing <NUM>, a bottom casing <NUM>, and a sealing section <NUM>.

The top casing <NUM> defines an upper appearance of the top port apparatus for air suspension and is connected to the vehicle body. That is, the top casing <NUM> functions to support the top port apparatus for air suspension as a whole with respect to the vehicle body.

The top casing <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example may include a top casing body <NUM>, a rod mount <NUM>, and a first extension part <NUM>.

The top casing body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape with an outer circumference forming a closed curve. The top casing body <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material and manufactured by injection molding. The top casing body <NUM> may have an upper surface detachably connected to the vehicle body by bolting or the like. The bottom of the top casing body <NUM> is coupled to the top of the bottom casing <NUM> to be described later. In this case, the bottom of the top casing body <NUM> may be integrally bonded to the top of the bottom casing body <NUM> with adhesive or the like. The top casing body <NUM> may have an upper chamber Ca, which is defined therein and filled with air. The upper chamber Ca may pass through the lower surface of the top casing body <NUM>.

The rod mount <NUM> is coupled to the top casing body <NUM> and supports the piston rod A. That is, the rod mount <NUM> functions to connect the piston rod A to the vehicle body via the top casing body <NUM>. The rod mount <NUM> according to the present embodiment may have a cup shape with open upper and lower sides. The rod mount <NUM> may be made of a metal material such as aluminum. The rod mount <NUM> may be integrally coupled to the top casing body <NUM> by insert injection or the like. The rod mount <NUM> may have a bottom protruding into the top casing body <NUM>. The top of the piston rod A may be inserted into the rod mount <NUM> through the bottom of the rod mount <NUM>. The top of the piston rod A may be detachably fixed to the rod mount <NUM> by bolting or the like.

The first extension part <NUM> protrudes outward from the top casing body <NUM>. The first extension part <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example may protrude from the outer surface of the top casing body <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod A. The first extension part <NUM> may be made of the same material as the top casing body <NUM>. The first extension part <NUM> may continuously extend along the circumferential surface of the top casing body <NUM> to have a substantially ring shape. The first extension part <NUM> may have a stepped cross-section.

The bottom casing <NUM> is disposed to face the top casing <NUM> and defines a lower appearance of the top port apparatus for air suspension. The bottom casing <NUM> is connected to the air spring B, and functions to allow air to be transferred between the top port apparatus for air suspension and the air spring B.

The bottom casing <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example includes a bottom casing body <NUM> and a second extension part <NUM>.

The bottom casing body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape with an outer circumference forming a closed curve. The bottom casing body <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material and manufactured by injection molding. The top of the bottom casing body <NUM> may be coupled to the bottom of the top casing body <NUM>. In this case, the top of the bottom casing body <NUM> may be integrally bonded to the bottom of the top casing body <NUM> with adhesive or the like. The bottom of the bottom casing body <NUM> may be coupled to the top of the air spring B.

The bottom casing body <NUM> may have therein a lower chamber Cb, which is filled with air and communicates with the upper chamber Ca, and a main chamber Cm, which is partitioned from the lower chamber Cb and communicates with the air spring B. The lower chamber Cb may communicate with the upper chamber Ca as the top casing body <NUM> is coupled to the bottom casing body <NUM>. The upper chamber Ca or the lower chamber Cb may be supplied with air via a nozzle (not shown) or the like from the outside. A valve (not shown) may be further installed between the lower chamber Cb and the main chamber Cm to allow air to be transferred between the lower chamber Cb and the main chamber Cm.

The second extension part <NUM> protrudes outward from the bottom casing body <NUM>. The second extension part <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example may protrude from the outer surface of the bottom casing body <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod A. The second extension part <NUM> may be made of the same material as the bottom casing body <NUM>. The second extension part <NUM> may continuously extend along the circumferential surface of the bottom casing body <NUM> to have a substantially ring shape. The upper surface of the second extension part <NUM> is seated on the lower surface of the first extension part <NUM>. The second extension part <NUM> may have a stepped cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the first extension part <NUM>. Accordingly, the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM> may form a structure in which they come into close contact with each other in a stepwise manner, thereby preventing foreign substances from entering or air from leaking between the top casing body <NUM> and the bottom casing body <NUM> together with the sealing section <NUM> to be described later.

The sealing section <NUM> seals a gap between the top casing <NUM> and the bottom casing <NUM>. That is, the sealing section <NUM> functions to prevent foreign substances from entering or air from leaking into the gap between the top casing <NUM> and the bottom casing <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view schematically illustrating the configuration of the sealing section according to the unclaimed example.

Referring to <FIG>, the sealing section <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example includes an elastic member <NUM> and a cover part <NUM>.

The elastic member <NUM> is disposed between the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example may have a substantially ring shape. The elastic member <NUM> may be disposed between the lower surface of the first extension part <NUM> and the upper surface of the second extension part <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or silicon. The elastic member <NUM> may have a height greater than the distance between the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>. Accordingly, the respective upper and lower surfaces of the elastic member <NUM> may be tightly pressed against the lower surface of the end of the first extension part <NUM> and the upper surface of the end of the second extension part <NUM> by elastic deformation.

The cover part <NUM> is disposed to face the elastic member <NUM> and surround the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>. That is, the cover part <NUM> is coupled to the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> to enhance the coupling force between the top casing <NUM> and the bottom casing <NUM>, and functions to maintain the close contact of the elastic member <NUM> with the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>. In addition, the cover part <NUM> may block direct exposure of the elastic member <NUM> to the outside, thereby enhancing overall sealing performance of the sealing section <NUM> and preventing damage to the elastic member <NUM>.

The cover part <NUM> according to the present is unclaimed example may have a hollow ring shape with open upper and lower sides. The inner surface of the cover part <NUM> may surround the circumferential surfaces of the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM> and may be disposed to face the elastic member <NUM>. Depending on the shape of the first or second extension part <NUM> or <NUM>, the cover part <NUM> may be disposed to face the elastic member with the first or second extension part <NUM> or <NUM> interposed therebetween or to directly face the elastic member <NUM>.

The cover part <NUM> may have a vertical height greater than the length between the top of the first extension part <NUM> and the bottom of the second extension part <NUM>. Accordingly, the cover part <NUM> may have both upper and lower ends that protrude upward from the first extension part <NUM> and downward from the second extension part <NUM>, respectively, in a state in which the inner surface of the cover part <NUM> faces the circumferential surfaces of the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>. In this state, the upper and lower ends of the cover part <NUM> may be deformed by press working and pressed and fixed to the outer surfaces of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>. The cover part <NUM> may be made of a metal material such as aluminum or steel so that it is variable in shape by press working while securing sufficient rigidity.

The sealing section <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example may further include a guide member <NUM>.

The guide member <NUM> is provided between at least one of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM> and the cover part <NUM> and guides deformation of the cover part <NUM> by press working. More specifically, the guide member <NUM> supports the inner surface of the cover part <NUM> during press working of the cover part <NUM> to guide the end of the cover part <NUM> to be deformed into a predetermined shape, and at the same time functions to distribute the pressurized load applied to the end of the cover part <NUM>. Accordingly, the guide member <NUM> can prevent the end of the cover part <NUM> from being deformed and broken at an excessive angle, and prevent the pressurized load applied to the end of the cover part <NUM> from being concentrated locally.

An example in which the guide member <NUM> is provided between the second extension part <NUM> and the cover part <NUM> will be described below. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the guide member <NUM> may be provided between the first extension part <NUM> and the cover part <NUM>, or may consist of a plurality of guide members, which are provided between the first extension part <NUM> and the cover part <NUM> and between the second extension part <NUM> and the cover part <NUM>, respectively.

The guide member <NUM> according to the present unclaimed example may have a hollow ring shape with open upper and lower ends. The guide member <NUM> may be disposed such that its inner surface is in contact with the outer surface of the bottom casing body <NUM> and its upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the second extension part <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> may be fixed to the bottom casing body <NUM> or the second extension part <NUM> by welding, adhesive, or the like. The guide member <NUM> may be made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, silicon, or synthetic resin.

Hereinafter, a process of assembling the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the unclaimed example will be described in detail.

<FIG> are views schematically illustrating the process of assembling the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the unclaimed example.

Referring to <FIG>, the top casing body <NUM> and the bottom casing body <NUM> may be disposed such that their respective lower and upper surfaces, which are opened by the respective upper chamber Ca and lower chamber Cb, face each other vertically.

Subsequently, the top casing body <NUM> and the bottom casing body <NUM> move in close proximity to each other, so the bottom of the top casing body <NUM> comes into contact with the top of the bottom casing body <NUM>.

The bottom of the top casing body <NUM> and the top of the bottom casing body <NUM> that are in contact with each other may be integrally coupled to each other with adhesive or the like.

In this case, as the bottom of the top casing body <NUM> comes into contact with the top of the bottom casing body <NUM> with the elastic member <NUM> being disposed between the top casing body <NUM> and the bottom casing body <NUM>, both upper and lower surfaces of the elastic member <NUM> may be tightly pressed and fixed to the lower surface of the first extension part <NUM> and the upper surface of the second extension part <NUM>, respectively.

Subsequently, the inner surface of the cover part <NUM> is disposed to face the circumferential surfaces of the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

The upper and lower ends of the cover part <NUM> are formed by press working, and pressed and fixed to the outer surfaces of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

More specifically, the upper end of the cover part <NUM> is deformed in a direction in which its inner surface is directed toward the outer surface of the first extension part <NUM> by the pressing force applied from a press tool (not shown) or the like, so that the upper end of the cover part <NUM> is pressed and fixed to the outer surface of the first extension part <NUM>.

The lower end of the cover part <NUM> is deformed in a direction in which its inner surface is directed toward the outer surface of the second extension part <NUM> by the pressing force applied from the press tool or the like.

As the lower end of the cover part <NUM> is deformed at a predetermined angle or more, the inner surface of the cover part <NUM> may come into contact the outer surface of the guide member <NUM>. The lower end of the cover part <NUM> may then be deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the guide member <NUM>, and pressed and fixed to the outer surfaces of the guide member <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a top port apparatus for air suspension according to an embodiment of the claimed invention.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a top port apparatus for air suspension according to an embodiment of the claimed invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the embodiment of the claimed invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the top port apparatus for air suspension, which is designated by reference numeral <NUM>, according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to connect a vehicle body to a piston rod A of a shock absorber coupled with an axle and to adjust an air pressure within an air spring B, and may include a middle casing <NUM>, a top casing <NUM>, a bottom casing <NUM>, and sealing section <NUM>.

Since the piston rod A and the air spring B correspond to well-known components in a typical air suspension structure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The middle casing <NUM> is disposed between the vehicle body and the air spring B, and interconnects the top casing <NUM> and the bottom casing <NUM>.

The middle casing <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a middle casing body <NUM> and a seating part <NUM>.

The middle casing body <NUM> defines a schematic external appearance of the middle casing <NUM> and is disposed between the top casing <NUM> and the bottom casing <NUM>. The middle casing body <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a cylindrical shape with an outer circumference forming a closed curve. The cross-section of the middle casing body <NUM> perpendicular to the piston rod A may be asymmetrical. The middle casing body <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material and manufactured by injection molding. The middle casing body <NUM> has therein a valve chamber V in which a solenoid valve (not shown) may be installed to control the connection between a first chamber C1, a second chamber C2, and a third chamber C3, which will be described later, so that the stiffness of the air spring B is variable.

The seating part <NUM> protrudes outward from the middle casing body <NUM> and supports a first extension part <NUM> and a second extension part <NUM> which will be described later. The seating part <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention protrudes from the outer surface of the middle casing body <NUM> preferably in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod A. The seating part <NUM> may be made of the same material as the middle casing body <NUM>. The seating part <NUM> extends along the circumferential surface of the middle casing body <NUM> preferably to have a substantially ring shape. The seating part <NUM> may have a stepped cross-section in which its height gradually increases toward the end thereof.

The top casing <NUM> is coupled to the top of the middle casing <NUM> and connected to the vehicle body. That is, the top casing <NUM> functions to support the top port apparatus for air suspension <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention as a whole with respect to the vehicle body.

The top casing <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a top casing body <NUM>, preferably a rod mount <NUM>, and a first extension part <NUM>.

The top casing body <NUM> defines a schematic external appearance of the top casing <NUM> and is disposed above the middle casing body <NUM>. The top casing body <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a cylindrical shape with an outer circumference forming a closed curve. The cross-section of the top casing body <NUM> perpendicular to the piston rod A may be asymmetrical, more specifically, may have a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the middle casing body <NUM>. The top casing body <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material and manufactured by injection molding. The top casing body <NUM> has an upper surface detachably connected to the vehicle body by bolting or the like. The bottom of the top casing body <NUM> is coupled to the top of the middle casing body <NUM>. In this case, the bottom of the top casing body <NUM> may be integrally bonded to the top of the middle casing body <NUM> with adhesive or the like. The top casing body <NUM> has therein a first chamber C1, which is filled with air and connects with the valve chamber V, and preferably a fourth chamber C4, which is partitioned from the first chamber C1 and connects with the valve chamber V and a third chamber C3 to be described later.

The rod mount <NUM> is coupled to the top casing body <NUM> and supports the piston rod A. That is, the rod mount <NUM> functions to connect the piston rod A to the vehicle body via the top casing body <NUM>. The rod mount <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a cup shape with open upper and lower sides. The rod mount <NUM> may be made of a metal material such as aluminum. The rod mount <NUM> may be integrally coupled to the top casing body <NUM> by insert injection or the like. The rod mount <NUM> has a bottom protruding into the top casing body <NUM>. The top of the piston rod A is inserted into the rod mount <NUM> through the bottom of the rod mount <NUM>. The top of the piston rod A may be detachably fixed to the rod mount <NUM> by bolting or the like.

The first extension part <NUM> protrudes outward from the top casing body <NUM> and is seated on the upper side of the seating part <NUM>. The first extension part <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention protrudes from the outer surface of the top casing body <NUM> preferably in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod A. The first extension part <NUM> may be made of the same material as the top casing body <NUM>. The first extension part <NUM> may continuously extend along the circumferential surface of the top casing body <NUM> to have a substantially ring shape. The lower surface of the first extension part <NUM> is seated on the upper surface of the seating part <NUM>. The first extension part <NUM> may have a stepped cross-section in which its height gradually decreases toward the end thereof so as to correspond to the cross-section of the seating part <NUM>. Accordingly, the first extension part <NUM> and the seating part <NUM> may form a structure in which they come into close contact with each other in a stepwise manner, thereby preventing foreign substances from entering or air from leaking between the middle casing body <NUM> and the top casing body <NUM> together with the sealing section <NUM>.

The bottom casing <NUM> is coupled to the bottom of the middle casing <NUM> and connected to the air spring B. That is, the bottom casing <NUM> functions to allow air to be transferred between the air spring B and the top port apparatus for air suspension <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The bottom casing <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a bottom casing body <NUM> and a second extension part <NUM>.

The bottom casing body <NUM> defines a schematic external appearance of the bottom casing <NUM> and is disposed beneath the middle casing body <NUM>. The bottom casing body <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a cylindrical shape with an outer circumference forming a closed curve. The cross-section of the bottom casing body <NUM> perpendicular to the piston rod A may be asymmetrical, more specifically, may have a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the middle casing body <NUM>. The bottom casing body <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material and manufactured by injection molding. The top of the bottom casing body <NUM> is coupled to the bottom of the middle casing body <NUM>. In this case, the top of the bottom casing body <NUM> may be integrally bonded to the bottom of the middle casing body <NUM> with an adhesive or the like. The bottom of the bottom casing body <NUM> is coupled to the top of the air spring B. The bottom casing body <NUM> has therein a second chamber C2, which is filled with air and connects with the valve chamber V, and a third chamber C3, which is partitioned from the second chamber C2 and preferably connects with the fourth chamber C4 and the air spring B.

The second extension part <NUM> protrudes outward from the bottom casing body <NUM> and is seated on the lower side of the seating part <NUM>. The second extension part <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention protrudes from the outer surface of the bottom casing body <NUM> preferably in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod A. The second extension part <NUM> may be made of the same material as the bottom casing body <NUM>. The second extension part <NUM> may continuously extend along the circumferential surface of the bottom casing body <NUM> to have a substantially ring shape. The upper surface of the second extension part <NUM> is seated on the lower surface of the seating part <NUM>. The second extension part <NUM> may have a stepped cross-section in which its height gradually decreases toward the end thereof so as to correspond to the cross-section of the seating part <NUM>. Accordingly, the second extension part <NUM> and the seating part <NUM> may form a structure in which they come into close contact with each other in a stepwise manner, thereby preventing foreign substances from entering or air from leaking between the middle casing body <NUM> and the bottom casing body <NUM> together with the sealing section <NUM>. The upper surface of the end of the second extension part <NUM> is spaced apart from and disposed to face the lower surface of the end of the first extension part <NUM>. Accordingly, a space in which an elastic member <NUM> to be described later is installed may be provided between the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

The sealing section <NUM> seals a gap among the middle casing <NUM>, the top casing <NUM>, and the bottom casing <NUM>. That is, the sealing section <NUM> functions to prevent foreign substances from entering or air from leaking into the gap among the middle casing <NUM>, the top casing <NUM>, and the bottom casing <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view schematically illustrating the configuration of the sealing section according to the embodiment of the claimed invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the sealing section <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may include an elastic member <NUM>, a cover part <NUM>.

The elastic member <NUM> is disposed between the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a substantially ring shape. The elastic member <NUM> is disposed between the lower surface of the end of the first extension part <NUM> and the upper surface of the end of the second extension part <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or silicon. The elastic member <NUM> has a height greater than the distance between the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>. Accordingly, the respective upper and lower surfaces of the elastic member <NUM> may be tightly pressed against the lower surface of the end of the first extension part <NUM> and the upper surface of the end of the second extension part <NUM> by elastic deformation.

The cover part <NUM> is disposed to face the elastic member <NUM> and surround the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>. That is, the cover part <NUM> is coupled to the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> to enhance the coupling force among the middle casing <NUM>, the top casing <NUM>, and the bottom casing <NUM>, and functions to maintain the close contact of the elastic member <NUM> with the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>. In addition, the cover part <NUM> may block direct exposure of the elastic member <NUM> to the outside, thereby enhancing overall sealing performance of the sealing section <NUM> and preventing damage to the elastic member <NUM>. The cover part <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a hollow ring shape with open upper and lower sides. The inner surface of the cover part <NUM> surrounds the circumferential surfaces of the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM> and is disposed to face the elastic member <NUM>. The cover part <NUM> has a vertical height greater than the length between the top of the first extension part <NUM> and the bottom of the second extension part <NUM>. Accordingly, the cover part <NUM> may have both upper and lower ends that protrude upward from the first extension part <NUM> and downward from the second extension part <NUM>, respectively, in a state in which the inner surface of the cover part <NUM> faces the circumferential surfaces of the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>. The upper and lower ends of the cover part <NUM> may be deformed by press working and pressed and fixed to the outer surfaces of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>. The cover part <NUM> may be made of a metal material such as aluminum or steel so that it is variable in shape by press working while securing sufficient rigidity.

The sealing section <NUM> according to the present embodiment may further include a guide member <NUM>.

The guide member <NUM> according to the present embodiment may have a hollow ring shape with open upper and lower ends. The guide member <NUM> is disposed such that its inner surface is in contact with the outer surface of the bottom casing body <NUM> and its upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the second extension part <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> may be fixed to the bottom casing body <NUM> or the second extension part <NUM> by welding, adhesive, or the like. The guide member <NUM> may have a cross-sectional shape in which its cross-sectional area gradually decreases as the guide member <NUM> is directed to cover part, for example, as shown in <FIG>, directed downward. The guide member <NUM> may be made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, silicon, or synthetic resin.

Hereinafter, a process of assembling the top port apparatus for air suspension <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

<FIG> are views schematically illustrating the process of assembling the top port apparatus for air suspension according to the embodiment of the claimed invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the top casing body <NUM> moves downward toward the middle casing body <NUM> in the state in which it is disposed above the middle casing body <NUM>.

As the top casing body <NUM> moves downward by a predetermined distance or more, the bottom of the top casing body <NUM> comes into contact with the top of the middle casing body <NUM>.

The top of the middle casing body <NUM> and the bottom of the top casing body <NUM> that are in contact with each other are integrally coupled to each other with adhesive or the like.

In addition, the bottom casing body <NUM> moves upward toward the middle casing body <NUM> in the state in which it is disposed beneath the middle casing body <NUM>.

As the bottom casing body <NUM> moves upward by a predetermined distance or more, the top of the bottom casing body <NUM> comes into contact with the bottom of the middle casing body <NUM>.

The bottom of the middle casing body <NUM> and the top of the bottom casing body <NUM> that are in contact with each other are integrally coupled to each other with adhesive or the like.

As the middle casing body <NUM>, the top casing body <NUM>, and the bottom casing body <NUM> are coupled to each other, the lower surface of the end of the first extension part <NUM> and the upper surface of the end of the second extension part <NUM> are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and face each other.

The elastic member <NUM> is inserted between the ends of the first and second extension parts <NUM> and <NUM>. Both upper and lower surfaces of the elastic member <NUM> are pressed against the lower surface of the end of the first extension part <NUM> and the upper surface of the end of the second extension part <NUM>, respectively.

As the lower end of the cover part <NUM> is deformed at a predetermined angle or more, the inner surface of the cover part <NUM> comes into contact the outer surface of the guide member <NUM>. The lower end of the cover part <NUM> is then deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the guide member <NUM>, and pressed and fixed to the outer surfaces of the second extension part <NUM> and the guide member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A top port apparatus for air suspension, comprising:
a middle casing (<NUM>);
a top casing (<NUM>) coupled to an upper side of the middle casing (<NUM>) and configured to be connected to a vehicle body;
a bottom casing (<NUM>) coupled to a lower side of the middle casing (<NUM>) and configured to be connected to an air spring (B); and
a sealing section (<NUM>) configured to seal a gap among the middle casing (<NUM>), the top casing (<NUM>), and the bottom casing (<NUM>),
wherein the middle casing (<NUM>) comprises:
a middle casing body (<NUM>) disposed between the top casing (<NUM>) and the bottom casing (<NUM>) and having a valve chamber (V); and
a seating part (<NUM>) protruding outward from the middle casing body (<NUM>) and extending along a circumferential surface of the middle casing body (<NUM>),
wherein the top casing (<NUM>) comprises:
a top casing body (<NUM>) having a first chamber (C1) connecting with the valve chamber (V); and
a first extension part (<NUM>) protruding outward from the top casing body (<NUM>) and seated on an upper side of the seating part (<NUM>), and
wherein the bottom casing (<NUM>) comprises:
a bottom casing body (<NUM>) having a second chamber (C2) and a third chamber (C3) connecting with the valve chamber (V); and
a second extension part (<NUM>) protruding outward from the bottom casing body (<NUM>) and seated on a lower side of the seating part (<NUM>).