Abstract

The present paper responds to the following aim: to define a model, which can predict quite well the static character-istic of a bellow spring. In detail an analytical non-dimensional model of the bellow spring is obtained. It can describe the axial force and the effective area apart from its geometric size. The typical parameters of this model are spring geometrical ratio and number of convolutions. No detailed information about membrane characteristic is required. Internal volume and spring stiffness equations are then analytically derived.
At last a dynamic model of the spring is developed using the static characteristics previously defined. This tool would be useful for particular applications that involve dynamics as a keyword, such as vibration isolators, vehicle sus-pensions and actuators.

Keywords: air spring analytical model, non-dimensional model, bellow spring