Suspension element systems and methods
A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.
1. A vehicle, comprising:
a support arm having a mounting portion including a passage;
a suspension element, the suspension element comprising:
a main body having a first end and a second end;
a tubular element disposed on the second end and at least partially within the main body; and
a cap attached to one of the first end and the tubular element, the cap including a first opening;
a thrust washer disposed between the passage and the first opening;
a seal disposed between the passage and the first opening; and
a mounting pin extending through the passage, the first opening, and at least one of the thrust washer or the seal, wherein the mounting pin rotatably couples the suspension element to the support arm.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the thrust washer comprises an inner ring that is spaced apart from the mounting pin to form an annular gap, and wherein the seal is at least partially disposed within the annular gap.
3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein an outer surface of the seal is approximately flush with a surface of the thrust washer.
4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises an ear, wherein the first opening is defined by the ear, and wherein the ear is spaced apart from the support arm by the thrust washer.
5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the thrust washer comprises an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface defines a plurality of channels extending in a radial direction.
6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the thrust washer comprises an outer surface and an inner ring, wherein the inner ring is received within a recessed area of the support arm, and wherein a portion of the outer surface extends radially outwardly from the first opening.
7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the thrust washer comprises an outer surface and an inner ring, and wherein an inner diameter of the inner ring is greater than an inner diameter of the outer surface.
8. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the cap is a first cap, further comprising:
a structural element spaced apart from the support arm;
a second cap disposed on an opposite end of the suspension element as the first cap; and
an upper mount comprising:
a first mounting member disposed proximal the second cap;
a second mounting member disposed proximal at least one of the first mounting member or the second cap;
a third mounting member spaced apart from the second mounting member; and
a fourth mounting member disposed proximal the third mounting member;
wherein:
at least one of the first mounting member or the second mounting member have an upper surface configured to engage a surface of the structural element,
a protruded portion of the second cap extends through a locating aperture in the structural element and is received within at least one of a third member aperture in the third mounting member or a fourth member aperture in the fourth mounting member, and
at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth mounting members are friction welded together.
9. A suspension element comprising:
a main body having a first end and a second end;
a tubular element disposed on the second end and at least partially within the main body; and
an ear attached to one of the first end and the tubular element, the ear defining a first opening;
a thrust washer configured to engage a surface of the ear;
a seal configured to engage the thrust washer; and
a mounting pin configured to extend through the first opening, the thrust washer, and the seal.
10. The suspension element of claim 9 , wherein the thrust washer comprises an inner ring that is spaced apart from the mounting pin to form an annular gap, and wherein the seal is at least partially disposed within the annular gap.
11. The suspension element of claim 9 , wherein an outer diameter of the thrust washer is greater than a diameter of the first opening.
12. The suspension element of claim 9 , wherein the thrust washer comprises an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface defines a plurality of channels extending in a radial direction.
13. The suspension element of claim 9 , wherein the thrust washer comprises an outer surface and an inner ring, and wherein an inner diameter of the inner ring is greater than an inner diameter of the outer surface.
14. A vehicle comprising:
a structural element;
a suspension element, the suspension element comprising:
a main body having a first end and a second end;
a tubular element disposed on the second end and extending at least partially within the main body; and
a cap attached to one of the first end and the tubular element;
an upper mount comprising:
a first mounting member disposed proximal the cap;
a second mounting member disposed proximal at least one of the first mounting member or the cap;
a third mounting member spaced apart from the second mounting member; and
a fourth mounting member disposed proximal the third mounting member;
wherein:
at least one of the first mounting member or the second mounting member have an upper surface configured to engage a surface of the structural element,
a protruded portion of the cap extends through a locating aperture in the structural element and is received within at least one of a third member aperture in the third mounting member or a fourth member aperture in the fourth mounting member, and
at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth mounting members are friction welded together.
15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the first mounting member is friction welded to the second mounting member.
16. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the third mounting member is friction welded to the fourth mounting member.
17. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the second mounting member is disposed between the first mounting member and the cap.
18. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the first mounting member is spaced radially apart from the protruded portion by the second mounting member.
19. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the fourth mounting member defines a recess, and wherein the second mounting member is received within the recess.
20. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the protruded portion is received within and surrounded by each of the first mounting member, the second mounting member, the third mounting member, and the fourth mounting member.