A leaf spring bearing for supporting a leaf spring against a transportation vehicle body having a body-side coupling portion and at least one elastomer portion for compensating displacements transverse to the supporting direction. A centering apparatus for interlockingly engaging with a vehicle-body-side counter-contour is provided on the coupling portion. The centering apparatus on the coupling portion guides the coupling portion of the leaf spring bearing in the event of deviations from a target contact position on the transportation vehicle body transverse to the supporting direction, toward the target contact position. Also disclosed is a transportation vehicle wheel suspension having the disclosed leaf spring bearing and an assembly method.

A leaf spring bearing for supporting a leaf spring against a transportation vehicle body having a body-side coupling portion and at least one elastomer portion for compensating displacements transverse to the supporting direction. A centering apparatus for interlockingly engaging with a vehicle-body-side counter-contour is provided on the coupling portion. The centering apparatus on the coupling portion guides the coupling portion of the leaf spring bearing in the event of deviations from a target contact position on the transportation vehicle body transverse to the supporting direction, toward the target contact position. Also disclosed is a transportation vehicle wheel suspension having the disclosed leaf spring bearing and an assembly method.

A leaf spring suspension system for a vehicle includes a chassis rail. Also included is a pivot block operatively coupled to the chassis rail and rotatable relative to the chassis rail. Further included is a leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate an end of the leaf spring. Yet further included is a half leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate a first end of the half leaf spring and operatively coupled to a vehicle axle proximate a second end of the half leaf spring.

A leaf spring suspension system for a vehicle includes a chassis rail. Also included is a pivot block operatively coupled to the chassis rail and rotatable relative to the chassis rail. Further included is a leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate an end of the leaf spring. Yet further included is a half leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate a first end of the half leaf spring and operatively coupled to a vehicle axle proximate a second end of the half leaf spring.

A vehicle weight sensing system particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.

A vehicle weight sensing system particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.

A vehicle suspension system may include a first suspension assembly operably coupling a first wheel to a chassis of a vehicle, a second suspension assembly operably coupling a second wheel to the chassis where the first and second wheels form a pair of front wheels, a third suspension assembly operably coupling a third wheel to the chassis, a fourth suspension assembly operably coupling a fourth wheel to the chassis where the third and fourth wheels forming a first pair of rear wheels, and a payload extension kit that is attachable to the chassis non-permanently. The payload extension kit may include a fifth suspension assembly operably coupling a fifth wheel to a sub-frame extension of the payload extension kit, and a sixth suspension assembly operably coupling a sixth wheel to the sub-frame extension, where the fifth and sixth wheels form a second pair of rear wheels.

An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle beam and a suspension system. The suspension system includes a mounting member, at least one positioning member, and at least one coupling member configured to cooperate to maintain a position of a working component. The mounting member having at least one aperture formed therein is freely disposed on the axle beam and the at least one coupling member is disposed through the at least one aperture of the mounting member and entirely outside the axle beam.

An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle beam and a suspension system. The suspension system includes a mounting member, at least one positioning member, and at least one coupling member configured to cooperate to maintain a position of a working component. The mounting member having at least one aperture formed therein is freely disposed on the axle beam and the at least one coupling member is disposed through the at least one aperture of the mounting member and entirely outside the axle beam.

A leaf spring suspension includes a knuckle having a wheel to be coupled thereto, a fixed frame positioned on a vehicle body and coupled to the knuckle through a trailing arm, a leaf spring having a first end portion coupled to the knuckle and having a second end portion having a variable support point, and a support unit configured to vary the support point on the second end portion of the leaf spring, wherein the support unit includes a spring support positioned to be brought into contact with the leaf spring, and a spring driver coupled to the spring support and configured to apply driving force to change the position of the spring support, and wherein the spring driver moves the position of the spring support to change the support point on the leaf spring.