Spring seat having an installation land/step
View Patent ↗A strut assembly includes a top mount assembly, a shock absorber, a lower spring seat and a spring extending between the top mount assembly and the lower spring seat. The lower spring seat includes an annular disc and a tubular extension extending from the annular disc. The tubular wall defines a plurality of lands or steps which define bearing surfaces which are used to press the lower spring seat onto the shock absorber.
1. A strut assembly comprising:
a top mount assembly including an upper spring seat;
a shock absorber attached to said top mount assembly;
a single piece lower spring seat attached to said shock absorber, said single piece lower spring seat including an annular disc and a tubular extension extending from said annular disc, said tubular extension including a tubular wall and a plurality of steps extending radially outward from said tubular wall; and
a spring disposed between said upper spring seat and said lower spring seat; wherein
each of said plurality of steps define a bearing surface for a press fit tool which presses said lower spring seat onto said shock absorber, the bearing surface being generally perpendicular to an axial centerline of said tubular wall; and
wherein a terminal end of said tubular wall of said tubular extension opposite to annular disc defines a closed aperture completely surrounded by said tubular wall.
2. The strut assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each step defines a curved base and said bearing surface.
3. The strut assembly according to claim 2 , wherein said bearing surfaces define a bearing plane.
4. The strut assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said bearing plane is generally perpendicular to said axial centerline of said shock absorber.
5. The strut assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said annular disc defines a planar surface, an axial centerline of said tubular extension being at an angle with respect to said planar surface.
6. The strut assembly according to claim 5 , wherein each step defines a curved base and said bearing surface.
7. The strut assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said bearing surfaces define a bearing plane.
8. The strut assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said bearing plane is generally perpendicular to said axial centerline of said shock absorber.
9. The strut assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said angle of said axial centerline of said tubular extension with respect to said planar surface is less than 90°.
10. The strut assembly according to claim 9 , wherein each step defines a curved base and said bearing surface.
11. The strut assembly according to claim 10 , wherein said bearing surfaces define a bearing plane.
12. The strut assembly according to claim 11 , wherein said bearing plane is generally perpendicular to said axial centerline of said shock absorber.
13. The strut assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a dirt shield disposed between said top mount assembly and said shock absorber, said dirt shield being attached to a bumper cap attached to said shock absorber at a position spaced from said lower spring seat.
14. A single piece lower spring seat comprising:
an annular disc;
a tubular extension extending from said annular disc, said tubular extension including a tubular wall;
a plurality of steps extending radially outward from said tubular wall; wherein
each of said plurality of steps define a bearing surface for a press fit tool which presses said lower spring seat onto a shock absorber, said bearing surface being generally perpendicular to an axial centerline of said tubular wall; and
wherein a terminal end of said tubular wall of said tubular extension opposite to annular disc defines a closed aperture completely surrounded by said tubular wall.
15. The lower spring seat according to claim 14 , wherein each step defines a curved base and said bearing surface.
16. The lower spring seat according to claim 15 , wherein said bearing surfaces define a bearing plane.
17. The lower spring seat according to claim 16 , wherein said bearing plane is generally perpendicular to said axial centerline of said shock absorber.
18. The lower spring seat according to claim 14 , wherein said annular disc defines a planar surface, an axial centerline of said tubular extension being at an angle with respect to said planar surface.
19. The lower spring seat according to claim 18 , wherein each step defines a curved base and said bearing surface.
20. The lower spring seat according to claim 19 , wherein said bearing surfaces define a bearing plane.
21. The lower spring seat according to claim 20 , wherein said bearing plane is generally perpendicular to said axial centerline of said shock absorber.