Spring devices – Vehicle – Torsion
Patent
1990-01-26
1991-06-04
Oberleitner, Robert J.
Spring devices
Vehicle
Torsion
267149, 267154, F16F 148, F16F 114
Patent
active
050207830
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a torsional spring with each end secured non-rotating to a component that does rotate in relation to the component at the other end and consisting of at least two coaxial thin-walled sections of piping, one of which accommodates the other concentrically and loosely, that are secured together non-rotating at one end and accordingly constitute a series of torsional resilient sections and that are provided at the other end with means of securing them non-rotating to the components that rotate in relation to each other. The invention in particular concerns a torsion bar for a connecting rod that pivots in a bearing mounted stationary in a vehicle and positions either a running wheel or a Caterpillar cogwheel at the end remote from the bearing.
A torsion bar of this type and for this purpose is known from German AS 1 010 332. One end of the two loosely concentric piping sections is rigidly secured to the same end of the other. The joints at the ends of this rod are considerably extensive axially and consist of rings welded in between the piping sections. This type of securing area necessarily leads either to reducing the lengths of section available for the actual spring or to increasing its overall length.
When torsional springs of this type are employed for suspending running wheels or Caterpillar cogwheels from connecting rods, the springs' overall length is particularly important in that they must be accommodated within the wheelbase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is accordingly to improve the torsional spring to the extent that it will provide a greater rotation at less weight than the known spring and will also be easier to manufacture and install.
This object is attained in accordance with the invention by integrating the piping sections in the torsional spring into each other such that one merges directly into the other at the end where they are secured together non-rotating in a turnback that represents a transition point.
In contrast to the known torsional spring, wherein the two loosely concentric piping sections are joined by a ring inserted at one end and welded to both sections, the two sections in the invention are in one piece and merge together smoothly at the point of transition. This design allows exploitation of the total length of the piping sections as a spring.
The two piping sections that constitute a series of resilient sections in one important embodiment are made of fiber-reinforced plastic. It will in this case be practical for the piping sections to be weak springs with fibers that extend at 45.degree. to their longitudinal axis. The plastic can be reinforced with glass fibers in particular.
The advantages of fiber-reinforced composites, which are in themselves known, in comparison with steel are that they are lighter in weight and can accommodate more work. In spite of the low modulus of elasticity of such materials, a series of at least two loosely concentric sections made thereof will result in a comparatively long spring range. This is especially true when the embedded fibers are coiled at 45.degree. to the longitudinal axis as in the previously mentioned advanced version of the embodiment now being discussed.
Although torsional springs made of fiber-reinforced composites are approximately 40% larger than those made of steel that accommodate the same level of work, their lower density and essentially lower shear modulus means that torsional springs made from a composite will weigh only about 15 1/3 as much as one made from steel. This situation more than compensates for the advantage of steel torsional springs in terms of maximum permissible shearing strain. Light-weight piping sections are also easy to manufacture from fiber-reinforced composites.
It turns out to be of advantage to ensure a smooth transition from one section of piping to the other in the torsional springs in accordance with the invention for the reinforcing fibers to extend through the transition from one piping section to the
REFERENCES:
patent: 2573361 (1951-10-01), Rodgers et al.
patent: 2942871 (1960-06-01), Kraus
patent: 4473238 (1984-09-01), Aubry
Hartmann Rudolf
Schroder Bernd
Thate Helmut
Fogiel Max
IBP Pietzsch GmbH
Oberleitner Robert J.
Poon Peter M.
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