Contitech Luftfedersysteme Gmbh

Manfred Degenhardt

Wolfgang Gnirk

Detlef Wenzel

Joachim Muth

A vulcanization mold () includes several segments () which define two end profiles () and two inner profile shells () having concave surfaces. With synchronous movement sequences, which take place via linear controls from both ends, the segments () are moved together under simultaneous shaping pressure. The outer profile shells () pass through twice the distance as the inner profile shells (). The forming of the work blank () is completed via the shaping pressure when the mold () has reached the closed position. Preferably the upper profile half shells () and the lower profile segments () are operatively connected to each other via toothed racks () and gear wheels () including additional sets of teeth (').

Method of making three-fold bellows and an arrangement for carrying out the method

A rolling-lobe air spring ( ) has a flexible member ( ), a cover plate ( ) and roll-off piston ( ). The bead ( ) at the piston end is configured so that a contact of the bent-over edge portion ( ) with the resilient member ( ) takes place as late as possible to avoid an escape of the bead ( ) downwardly into the free space. This is done to facilitate the attachment of a bead ( ) of the flexible member at the piston end with a bent-over edge portion ( ). The gap formed by bending over the edge portion when catching the bead ( ) should already be closed so far that the bead ( ) can no longer slip out. The bead ( ) when grasped, should lie in a clamping manner against the inner surface of the contact wall. For the above purpose, the bead ( ) of the flexible member ( ) at the piston end is so formed thereon by vulcanization that its sealing surface ( ) does not lie horizontally; instead, the sealing surface (14) is tilted at an angle (&agr;) of preferably 45&deg; to 65&deg; to the perpendicular ( ) standing on the longitudinal axis ( ) of the flexible member. When the bent-over operation is completed, the bead ( ) at the piston end comes to lie in a 90&deg; position to the perpendicular ( ) of the longitudinal axis ( ) of the flexible member.

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Pattensen, Germany

Manfred Degenhardt