Automotive leaf springs are produced from low-hardenability and specified hardenability steel, with identical and different length, width and thickness and constant or variable cross section profile, that are subjected to through-surface hardening and low tempering. The ideal critical diameter of hardening, carbon content and hardened layer depth depend on the thickness of constant cross section profile leaf and maximum and minimum thicknesses of variable cross section profile leafs. Adherence to the optimum correlations of parameters indicated make it possible to produce leaf springs with the best mechanical properties and longevity.

Automotive leaf springs are produced from low-hardenability and specified hardenability steel, with identical and different length, width and thickness and constant or variable cross section profile, that are subjected to through-surface hardening and low tempering. The ideal critical diameter of hardening, carbon content and hardened layer depth depend on the thickness of constant cross section profile leaf and maximum and minimum thicknesses of variable cross section profile leafs. Adherence to the optimum correlations of parameters indicated make it possible to produce leaf springs with the best mechanical properties and longevity.

A vehicle spring for a spring system, includes a spring body (20) and is produced, in particular rolled, from a profiled bar (1) made of a flat steel bar, in particular spring steel, in a hot deformation process. The profiled bar (1) or the spring body (20) has at least one material recess (6) which is provided over the length of the profiled bar or the spring body at least in some regions. The cross-sectional shape of the profiled bar (1) can be the same over the entire length of the profiled bar, whereas the cross-sectional shape in the spring body (20) can vary over the length of the spring body.

A vehicle spring for a spring system, includes a spring body (20) and is produced, in particular rolled, from a profiled bar (1) made of a flat steel bar, in particular spring steel, in a hot deformation process. The profiled bar (1) or the spring body (20) has at least one material recess (6) which is provided over the length of the profiled bar or the spring body at least in some regions. The cross-sectional shape of the profiled bar (1) can be the same over the entire length of the profiled bar, whereas the cross-sectional shape in the spring body (20) can vary over the length of the spring body.

A motor vehicle suspension having a leaf spring, a control, and a connector formed of a monolithic piece of elastomer. The connector has a blind-hole cavity receiving an end of the leaf spring and a through-hole cavity through which the control arm extends. The connector is bonded to the leaf spring and to the control arm by vulcanization. The control arm has at least one hole formed through a flat connection portion thereof, and the connector extends through the at least one hole. At least one stiffener plate is embedded in the connector and is arranged substantially parallel to the flat connection portion of the control arm received by the through-hole cavity.

A motor vehicle suspension having a leaf spring, a control, and a connector formed of a monolithic piece of elastomer. The connector has a blind-hole cavity receiving an end of the leaf spring and a through-hole cavity through which the control arm extends. The connector is bonded to the leaf spring and to the control arm by vulcanization. The control arm has at least one hole formed through a flat connection portion thereof, and the connector extends through the at least one hole. At least one stiffener plate is embedded in the connector and is arranged substantially parallel to the flat connection portion of the control arm received by the through-hole cavity.

A sub-frame arranged to be mounted on a chassis of a car and to have the rear wheels of the car mounted thereon is arranged to receive an electric drivetrain arranged to drive the car. The sub-frame includes a cage including bars arranged to form an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter and a plurality of struts extending between the upper and lower perimeters; a pair of rear wheel suspension mounts, each rear wheel suspension mount being arranged to have one of the rear wheels of the car mounted thereon; and a plurality of brackets located on the cage and arranged to facilitate connection of the sub-frame to the chassis of the car and/or to the electric drivetrain. A frame and vehicle including such a sub-frame and a method of installing such a sub-frame are also disclosed.

A sub-frame arranged to be mounted on a chassis of a car and to have the rear wheels of the car mounted thereon is arranged to receive an electric drivetrain arranged to drive the car. The sub-frame includes a cage including bars arranged to form an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter and a plurality of struts extending between the upper and lower perimeters; a pair of rear wheel suspension mounts, each rear wheel suspension mount being arranged to have one of the rear wheels of the car mounted thereon; and a plurality of brackets located on the cage and arranged to facilitate connection of the sub-frame to the chassis of the car and/or to the electric drivetrain. A frame and vehicle including such a sub-frame and a method of installing such a sub-frame are also disclosed.

A fiber-reinforced plastic leaf spring and a method for producing the fiber-reinforced plastic leaf spring are provided, which is suitable in particular for use in a motor vehicle. It has an elongate leaf spring main body which comprises a first eye bushing at a first end and a second eye bushing at a second end. The leaf spring main body and the first and second eye bushings are formed using at least a first layer and a second layer of a composite material. Each of the layers is guided along a centerline of the leaf spring main body to form the leaf spring main body and, to form the first and second eye bushings, is respectively wrapped around a bushing element having a first center axis and around a bushing element having a second center axis.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for assembling a composite material leaf spring module, wherein the efficiency of assembly of the composite material leaf spring module is improved and a camber of a spring member of a composite material is compensated for during assembly. An apparatus for assembling a composite material leaf spring module includes a first support configured to support a central portion of the composite material leaf spring module, a pair of second supports configured to individually support springs of the composite material leaf spring module, and a base connecting the first and second supports.