DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING SPRING-DAMPER ASSEMBLIES FOR MACHINES FOR ASSEMBLING/DISASSEMBLING VEHICLE SUSPENSIONS

Abstract

 A device (1) for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines (100) for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions, of the type comprising a frame (101) for supporting presser means (102) for the compression/release of the spring of a spring-damper assembly, a connecting element (2) which can be associated with the frame (101) of the machine (100) and means (3) for supporting a pair of jaws (4) which can move in an alternating manner mutually closer/apart and are adapted to form a resting surface (S) of the lower turn of a spring of a spring-damper assembly being processed. Furthermore, the supporting means (3) of the jaws (4) are associated with the connecting element (2) so as to be orientable around a substantially horizontal rotation axis (A).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions.

[0002] In the field of car repair shop work for vehicle maintenance it is known to have to act on the suspensions of said vehicles, for example to replace the shock absorber.

[0003] Once the spring-damper assembly has been disassembled from the vehicle, it is necessary to compress the spring in order to disengage the shock absorber and extract it from its seat, to then insert a new one and finally release the spring to restore the original configuration of the assembly and be able to reinstall it on the vehicle.

[0004] Equipment of the manual type and of the automatically actuated type is known for performing these interventions.

[0005] Known automatic equipment, so-called coil spring compressors, are essentially constituted by a frame which supports a device for supporting the lower end of the spring and by a pneumatic cylinder that acts in a vertical direction and whose movable stem entrains in an alternating translational motion a horizontal crossmember that is connected to two vises adapted to be fastened at the upper end of the spring.

[0006] The crossmember is associated so as to slide along two vertical guides.

[0007] Each vise is hinged so that it can rotate about a horizontal axis at the end of a respective arm that oscillates on the horizontal plane and is connected to the crossmember, which entrains the vises in an alternating translational motion in a vertical direction. In this manner the position of the vises can adapt to different diameters and inclinations of the turns of the spring.

[0008] The actuation of the pneumatic cylinder allows to compress or release the spring, respectively, to disassemble or assemble the shock absorber.

[0009] These machines are usually provided with various "accessories" which can be used in an alternating manner as devices for supporting the spring-damper assembly as a function of the type and size of the components on which to act.

[0010] In particular, multiple C-shaped brackets are usually provided which have a different diameter and orientation so that they can be used with right-handed and left-handed springs that have a different turn diameter.

[0011] In addition to the brackets cited above, there is usually also a vise to be mounted on the frame to grip and support the stem of the shock absorber instead of the spring.

[0012] These known machines are not free from drawbacks, which include the fact that every time they are used they must be set up with the adequate supporting device as a function of the characteristics of the spring-damper assembly on which the intervention is to be performed, with consequent downtimes and greater workload for the assigned operators.

[0013] In addition to the above, these known machines entail the need to accommodate in their vicinity the various support accessories, so that they can be reached easily by the assigned operators, increasing the overall space required for their installation and use.

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks described above of the background art by providing a device for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions that allows to avoid the setup operations described above and the consequent downtimes.

[0015] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that avoids the need to accommodate a plurality of support accessories, reducing overall space occupation and facilitating the installation and use of coil spring compressors.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that could be usable both in newly manufactured coil spring compressors and in already installed machines as a replacement of the support accessories usually provided.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and of relatively low cost.

[0018] This aim and these objects are all achieved by the present device for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions according to claim 1 and optionally according to the provisions of the dependent claims.

[0019] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of two preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a device for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 are respective perspective views of a first embodiment of a device for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions, according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the supporting device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective c view of the first embodiment of the supporting device according to the invention, without the connecting element;

Figures 5 and 6 are respective perspective views of a second embodiment of a supporting device according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the second embodiment of the supporting device according to the invention;

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective c view of the second embodiment of the supporting device according to the invention, without the connecting element;

Figures 9-11 are respective front elevation views of a machine for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions which incorporates the supporting device according to the invention in different operating conditions;

Figures 12 and 13 are respective plan views of a machine for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions which incorporates the supporting device according to the invention in different operating conditions.

[0020] With particular reference to the figures , the reference numeral 1 generally designates a device for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions.

[0021] The device 1 is designed to be mounted on so-called coil spring compressors 100, which are essentially constituted by a frame 101 for supporting presser means 102 actuated with an alternating translational motion for the compression and release of the spring of a spring-damper assembly. Preferably, the actuation of the presser means 102 is of the automatic type by means of linear actuators using a fluid medium or of the electric type. Said machine 100, shown in Figures 9-13, is not described in detail since it is of a type that is known to the person skilled in the art.

[0022] The device 1 comprises a connecting element 2 designed to be mounted on the frame 101 in conventional manners and means 3 for supporting a pair of jaws 4 which can move in an alternating manner mutually closer/apart and are adapted to form a resting surface S for the lower turn of the spring of a spring-damper assembly, not shown since it is of a known type.

[0023] The supporting means 3 are associated with the connecting element 2 in a manner that allows orientation about a substantially horizontal rotation axis A.

[0024] In this manner, by varying the mutual distance between the jaws 4 and modifying the angular position of the supporting means 3 of the jaws around the rotation axis A, it is possible to configure the device 1 as a function of the dimensions of the spring of the spring-damper assembly on which work is to be done and of the inclination of the turns of said spring, making the device 1 universally usable.

[0025] It should be noted that in the present description the term "substantially" is understood to mean with allowance for ordinary machining and assembly tolerances.

[0026] Each jaw 4 comprises a supporting block 5 from which an arc-like element 6 protrudes which is provided with a raised external edge 7 for the containment of the lower turn of the spring being processed. Each arc-like element 6 forms, in an upper region, a portion of the resting surface S. The jaws 4 have their respective arc-like elements 6 arranged mutually opposite.

[0027] Usefully, the device 1 comprises a pair of inserts 8 which can be associated detachably with the mutually facing internal edges of the jaws 4 in order to fasten the stem of a spring-damper assembly.

[0028] Each insert 8 can be associated with the respective jaw 4 by virtue of conventional mechanical connection means of the reversible type, such as screws 20 or other connecting systems of the known type.

[0029] Each insert 8 is constituted by a respective C-shaped element adapted to be fastened onto the stem of a spring-damper assembly.

[0030] In this manner, the device 1 is further flexible in use, since it can also be used for spring-damper assemblies that need to be supported by means of the fastening of the stem of the corresponding shock absorber and not by means of the resting contact of the spring.

[0031] The connecting element 2 is essentially L-shaped, so as to form a ledge 9 for fixing to the frame 101 and a front plate 10 associated with the supporting means 3.

[0032] The plate 10 is provided with a hole in which a ring 11 is inserted for rotational support about the rotation axis A of the supporting means 3; the ring 11 is arranged at said axis.

[0033] The supporting means 3 comprise a bracket 12 which supports two mutually opposite wings 13 and is provided with a first hole 14 at the ring 11.

[0034] The supporting means 3 also comprise a plate 15 provided with a second hole 16 at the first hole 14, which is connected to the bracket 12 by virtue of threaded elements 17.

[0035] Finally, the supporting means 3 comprise a pivot 18 that lies along the rotation axis A and is inserted so as to pass through the first hole 14 and the second hole 16 until it enters rotatably the ring 11, which is provided with a disc 19 for abutment against the plate 15.

[0036] The jaws 4 are associated with the bracket 12 by virtue of mutual distance adjustment means 21, which comprise a stem 22 that has a substantially horizontal arrangement and supports two externally threaded sections 22a and 22b, with an oppositely oriented thread, each of which is coupled in a corresponding threaded hole 23 formed on the block 5 of a respective jaw 4.

[0037] The stem 22 has the opposite ends inserted in respective slots 24 formed on the wings 13 of the bracket 12. At one end, the stem 22 is coupled to an actuation knob 25 which can be gripped by an operator in order to actuate its rotation about the corresponding longitudinal axis and therefore to allow the variation of the mutual distance of the jaws 4. By virtue of the rotation of the stem 22 about its own longitudinal axis in either direction, the approach/spacing of the jaws 4 is determined.

[0038] In Figures 12 and 13, the jaws 4, with the corresponding inserts, are shown respectively at the maximum and minimum distance.

[0039] The jaws 4 are connected to the wings 13 of the bracket 12 by means of a linear guide 26, which has an arrangement that is substantially horizontal and parallel to the stem 22 and is inserted so as to pass through respective holes 27 provided in the blocks 5 of the jaws 4. The guide 26 has mutually opposite ends supported by the wings 13 of the bracket 12.

[0040] Advantageously, the device 1 can have means 28 for adjusting the angular position of the supporting means 3 with respect to the connecting element 2 about the rotation axis A.

[0041] The adjustment means 28 can be provided with an L-shaped plate 29 which is connected to a wing 13 and to the corresponding end of the guide 26 and is associated with a knob 30 which supports a retractable pivot 31 which can be inserted in at least one corresponding opening 32 provided on the front plate 10 as a function of the desired angular position. For this purpose, the front plate 10 is provided with a plurality of openings 32 for the insertion of the retractable pivot 31 which are arranged along different orientations about the rotation axis A.

[0042] Preferably, the adjustment means 28 are adapted to define at least one first operating position, in which the resting surface S has a substantially horizontal arrangement (Figure 9), a second operating position, in which the resting surface S has a first inclination α with respect to a horizontal plane P that passes through the rotation axis A (Figure 10), and a third operating position, in which the resting surface S has a second inclination β, which is equal and opposite with respect to the first inclination α, relative to the horizontal plane P (Figure 11). In this manner the device 1 allows to work with right-handed and left-handed springs.

[0043] In this case, the front plate 10 is provided with three openings 32 that are distributed around the rotation axis A (Figures 3 and 7).

[0044] Furthermore, it is possible to provide stroke limiting means 33 which are interposed between the connecting element 2 and the supporting means 3 in order to limit the rotation about the rotation axis A at the second and third operating positions.

[0045] Thestroke limiting means 33 comprise two abutment pins 34 of the bracket 12 which protrude from the front plate 10 on opposite sides of the rotation axis R.

[0046] In a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1-4, the threaded elements 17 have such a length as to not pass through the bracket 12.

[0047] In a second embodiment, shown in Figures 5-8, the device 1 comprises means 35 for guiding the rotation of the supporting means 3 with respect to the connecting element 2 about the rotation axis R. In this case, the threaded element 17 have a greater longitudinal extension and are inserted so as to pass through the bracket 12 until they are inserted, with the respective stems, in corresponding arc-like slots 36 formed on the front plate 10. The coupling of the stems of the threaded elements 17 in these arc-like slots 36 provides said guiding means 35. This embodiment of the device 1 is adapted to withstand greater loads during processing.

[0048] In practice it has been found that the described invention achieves the proposed aim and objects and in particular the fact is stressed that the device according to the invention can be used universally as the characteristics of the spring-damper assembly being processed vary and does not require preparatory setup interventions. Furthermore, it compacts the space occupation of the coil spring compressor on which it is installed, since it does not require to provide auxiliary components. Not least, the device according to the invention can be fitted both on newly manufactured machines and on machines that are already installed as a replacement of conventional support accessories.

[0049] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0050] All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0051] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements without thereby abandoning the protective scope of the claims that follow.

[0052] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000006935 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device (1) for supporting spring-damper assemblies for machines (100) for assembling/disassembling vehicle suspensions, of the type comprising a frame (101) for supporting presser means (102) for the compression/release of the spring of a spring-damper assembly, characterized in that it comprises a connecting element (2) which can be associated with the frame (101) of said machine (100) and means (3) for supporting a pair of jaws (4) which can move in an alternating manner mutually closer/apart and are adapted to form a resting surface (S) of the lower turn of a spring of a spring-damper assembly, the supporting means (3) of said jaws (4) being associated with the connecting element (2) so as to be orientable around a substantially horizontal rotation axis (A).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pair of inserts (8) which can be associated detachably with the mutually facing internal edges of said jaws (4) for fastening a stem of a damper of a spring-damper assembly.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting an angular position (21) about said rotation axis (A) of said supporting means (3) with respect to said connecting element (2).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said adjustment means (21) comprise at least one first operating position, in which the resting surface (S) formed by said jaws (4) has a substantially horizontal arrangement, a second operating position, in which said resting surface (S) has a first inclination with respect to a horizontal plane (P) that passes through said rotation axis (A), and a third operating position, in which said resting surface (S) has a second inclination, which is opposite the first one, with respect to said horizontal plane (P).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises stroke limiting means (33) which are interposed between said connecting element (2) and said supporting means (3) for limiting the rotation about said rotation axis (A) at the second and third operating positions.

6. The device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises means (35) for guiding the rotation of said supporting means (3) with respect to said connecting element (2) about said rotation axis (A).

7. A machine (100) for assembling/disassembling spring-damper assemblies of vehicle suspensions, comprising a frame (101) for supporting presser means (102) for the compression/release of the spring of a spring-damper assembly, characterized in that it comprises a device (1) for supporting a spring-damper assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, having the corresponding connecting element (2) associated with said frame (101).

Drawing