DESC:SELF LOCKING BUMP STOP RIB WASHER

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to a rear suspension assembly of vehicles and more particularly, to aself locking bump stop rib washer.

Background of the invention:

Normally a bump stop in rear suspension is used for controlling metal to metal contact during shock absorber stroke. This will provide a good ride comfort feel during shock absorber bottoming. While taking the compression impacts, the bump stop experiencing early failures due to the uneven surface contact of damper at spinning or split spring seat guide on other side.

During manufacturing the assembly, the bump stop can be placed anywhere in stroke area or the damper end. A washer (as shown in figure 1) is placed between the bump stop and end mounting with the guide of piston rod. The design where the washer placed above the bump stop due to more clearance between the washer inner diameter and piston rod outer diameter causes sliding and annoying rattle noise. Also, the normal design washer placed in top of the bump stop stores the mud particles and make piston rod scratches; hence a modified design is required to eliminate the concern.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide aself locking bump stop rib washer for a rear suspension assembly of vehicles that can overcome the drawbacks in the prior art.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to avoid rattle noise in suspension systems of motor vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved life to a shock absorber and a bump stop.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a self locking bump stop rib washerfor a rear suspension assembly of a vehicle. The rear suspension assembly includes a bump stop, a spring seat, a nut plate, a spring and a piston rod at a lower mount thereof. The spring seat includes a slit.

The self locking bump stop rib washer is a disc shaped thin plate fitted between the bump stop and the spring seat. The self locking bump stop rib washer includes a hole at a center thereof and at least three inner diameter ribs. The hole at the center allows insertion of the piston rod vertically therethrough. The at least three inner diameter ribs is configured on the central hole for providing a lesser inner diameter clearance to the self locking bump stop rib washer. The self locking bump stop rib washer is made of plastic. The self locking bump stop rib washer protects the bump stop from damage due to the spring seat slit when the bump stop compresses at full stroke.

The at least three inner diameter ribs locks the movements of the self locking bump stop rib washer when a shock absorber reaches at full stroke thereby aligning the self locking bump stop rib washer and the bump stop to an end mount such that the lesser inner diameter clearance of the self locking bump stop rib washer provides a lesser contact area to the piston rod to avoid rattling noise.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bump-stop rib-washer, in accordance with a prior art;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a rear suspension assembly showing alower mount of a shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the rear suspension assembly,in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows a closer view of a self locking bump stop rib washer, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed descriptionof the invention:

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiments.

The present invention provides a self locking bump stop rib washer for a motor vehicle suspension assembly that avoidsa piston rod scratches and rattle noise during a shock absorber stroke. The invention provides a washer with lesser inner diameter clearance to align with a lower mount of the suspension assembly to avoid rattling of the individual parts thereof.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description and in the table below.

Table:
100 Rear suspension assembly
10 Self locking bump stop rib washer
11 Bump stop
12 Spring seat
13 Nut plate
14 Spring
15 Spring seat slit
16 Piston rod
17 Ribs
18 Mounting end

Referring to figures 2 to 4, aself locking bump stop washer(10) for a rear suspension assembly (100)of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is shown. The rear suspension assembly (100) comprisestheself locking bump stop washer (10), (herein after referred to as “the washer”), a bump stop (11), a spring seat (12), a nut plate (13), a spring (14) and a piston rod (16) at a lower mount thereof (as shown in figure (2)). The piston rod (16) is inserted vertically through the bump stop (11), the nut plate (13), the spring seat (12) and a center hole of the washer (10).

As shown in figure 4, the washer (10) is a disc shaped thin plate. The washer (10) includes a hole at a center thereof andat least three inner diameter ribs (17) (here in after referred to as “the ribs” (17)). The ribs (17) are configured at the center hole. The ribs (17) provide a lesser inner diameter clearance to the washer (10). This makes the washer (10) to have a lesser contact area to the piston rod (16). The ribs (17) lock the washer (10) to the lower mount of the rear suspension assembly (100) firmly. In an embodiment the washer (10) is made of plastic.
Again referring to the figures 2 to 4, in an operation of the rear suspension assembly (100), the piston rod (16) is inserted vertically into the bump stop (11), the center hole of the washer (10), the nut plate (13) and the spring seat (12).The washer (10) is fitted in between the bump stop (11) and the spring seat (12) at the lower mount of the rear suspension assembly (100). In an embodiment, the spring seat (12) is provided with a slit (15) (as shown in figure 3) that is required to assemble or disassemble the spring (14).The ribs (17) configured at the inner diameter of the washer (10) lock the movements of the washer (10) when the shock absorber reaches at full stroke. Thus, the washer (10) and the bump stop (11) keep aligning to the end mount and avoid rattling. The washer (10) protects the bump stop (11) from damage due to the spring seat slit (15) when the bump stop (11) compresses at full stroke.

Once the shock absorber reaches full stroke, the bump stop (11) and the washer (10) get aligned to the lower mount. The lesser inner diameter clearance of the washer (10) provides the lesser contact area to the piston rod (16) thereby making process of assembling very easy and arresting the movement of the washer (10)to avoid the rattling noise.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The washer (10) inner diameter profile is designed in such a way that the piston rod (16) is inserted with lesser effort and gets locked upon insertion.
2. The washer (10) avoids any piston rod scratch.
3. The ribs (17) at the inner diameter of the washer (10) held it firmly to the end mount and avoid any movements during the normal functioning of the system and this eliminates the rattle noise of the washer (10).
4. The washer (10) is an economical solution to the sliding of the parts and annoying rattle noise.
5. The washer (10) reduces assembly time.
6. The washer (10) improveslife of the shock absorber and the bump stop (11).

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A self locking bump stop rib washer (10) for a rear suspension assembly (100) of a vehicle, the rear suspension assembly (100) having a bump stop (11), a spring seat (12), a nut plate (13), a spring (14) and a piston rod (16) at a lower mount thereof, the spring seat (12) having a slit (15),
characterized in that, the self locking bump stop rib washer(10) being a disc shaped thin plate fitted between the bump stop (11) and the spring seat (12), the self locking bump stop rib washer (10) having,
a hole at a center thereoffor inserting the piston rod vertically therethrough; and
at least three inner diameter ribs (17) configured on the central holefor providing a lesser inner diameter clearance thereto,
wherein, at least three inner diameter ribs (17) locks the movements of the self locking bump stop rib washer (10) when a shock absorber reaches at full stroke thereby aligning the self locking bump stop rib washer (10)and the bump stop (11) to an end mount such that the lesser inner diameter clearance of the self locking bump stop rib washer (10) provides a lesser contact area to the piston rod (16)to avoid rattling noise.

2. The self locking bump stop rib washer(10) as claimed in claim 1 is made of plastic.

3. The self locking bump stop rib washer (10) as claimed in claim 1protects the bump stop (11) from damage due to the spring seat slit (15) when the bump stop (11) compresses at full stroke.

Dated this 22nd day of January 2019

Prafulla Wange
(Agent for Applicant)
(IN/PA/2058)