Tunable compact spring aid
A spring aid for a vehicle suspension includes a compliant tower attachable to elements undergoing suspension travel. The tower defines an axis of travel or center axis and includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of window frames connecting the rings. The rings are perpendicular to, and spaced along, the axis, and define a cylindrical cavity. The window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings. The suspension element may also include a core, which substantially fills the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower. A rod may be disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.
1. A suspension system, comprising:
a frame member;
a suspension member;
a coil spring joining the frame member and the suspension member, such that the frame member is movable relative to the suspension member;
a bumper attached to one of the frame member and the suspension member;
a compliant tower attached to the other of the frame member and the suspension member, wherein the tower defines an axis of travel and includes:
a plurality of rings perpendicular to the axis and spaced along the axis, wherein the rings collectively define a cylindrical cavity about the axis within the compliant tower; and
a plurality of window frames connecting the rings, wherein the window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings;
a compliant core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower; and
a rod disposed within the compliant core.
2. The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the compliant tower further includes:
a shelf substantially perpendicular to the axis, wherein the shelf defines a hole aligned with the axis, wherein the rod is movable within the hole of the shelf.
3. The suspension system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a base extending on the opposite side of the shelf from the rings, wherein the base is offset by an angle relative to the rings.
4. The suspension system of claim 3 , wherein the window frames have a trapezoidal cross section.
5. The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the window frames have a trapezoidal cross section.
6. The suspension element of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sleeve covering the bumper and windows of the tower.
7. A suspension element for a vehicle, comprising:
a compliant tower configured for attachment to elements subject to suspension travel, wherein the tower defines an axis of travel and includes:
a plurality of rings perpendicular to the axis and spaced along the axis, defining a cylindrical cavity;
a plurality of window frames connecting the rings, wherein the plurality of window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings and the have a trapezoidal cross section; and
a shelf substantially perpendicular to the axis, wherein the shelf defines a hole aligned with the axis;
a core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower; and
a rod disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.
8. The suspension element of claim 7 , wherein the rod has a uniform cross section.
9. The suspension element of claim 8 , further comprising:
a sleeve covering the bumper and the windows of the tower.
10. A suspension system, comprising:
a frame member;
a suspension member;
a coil spring joining the frame member and the suspension member, such that the frame member is movable relative to the suspension member;
a bumper attached to one of the frame member and the suspension member;
a compliant tower attached to the other of the frame member and the suspension member, wherein the tower defines an axis of travel and includes a plurality of window frames that define a plurality of windows therebetween and collectively define a cylindrical cavity about the axis of travel of the compliant tower;
a compliant core substantially filling the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower; and
a rigid rod disposed with the compliant core.
11. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein portions of the compliant core have different material densities.
12. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein portions of the compliant core are formed from different materials.