A vehicle leaf spring shackle includes pair of longitudinal plate members opposed to each other, pair of devices for connecting the pair of longitudinal plate members to each other at their opposite end portions with respective predetermined spacing distances, and between pair of longitudinal plate members, one pair of devices is coupled to a member of a vehicle body while other pair of devices is coupled to one end portion of a leaf spring device provided to suspend the vehicle body. At least one end portion of the pair of longitudinal plate members on the leaf spring device side including a thick-walled portion formed with thickness larger than other portions of the pair of longitudinal plate members, the thick-walled portion is formed by press-forming operation to press at least one end portions of the longitudinal plate members on the leaf spring device side, in direction of the end portion plane.

A leaf spring device includes a main leaf made of a steel plate including an elastic section configured to generate elastic force when bent; and an eye section formed in an end portion of the elastic section, the elastic section and the eye section being tempered. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the leaf spring device. The eye section is formed by rolling the end of the elastic section into a circular form. The eye section is tempered at a higher temperature than the elastic section.

A wheel suspension arrangement is provided for a vehicle having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a vertical direction. The wheel suspension arrangement includes a wheel holder for supporting a vehicle wheel. A first vertical end region of the wheel holder is pivotally attached to a vehicle support structure by a rigid control arm and a second vertical end region of the wheel holder is attached to the vehicle support structure by a leaf spring. A longitudinal direction of the leaf spring is arranged substantially in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The leaf spring is pivotally attached to the vehicle support structure at a transverse centre region of the vehicle, and a centre of the leaf spring in the transverse direction is located vertically offset from a pivotal attachment location of the leaf spring. The pivotal attachment location of the leaf spring is vertically offset towards the side of the rigid control arm.

A suspension system allows travel of a sprung mass relative to an unsprung mass. A primary stage has a primary leaf attached between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass. An auxiliary stage has an auxiliary leaf operatively attached to either the primary stage or unsprung mass. A variable engagement bracket includes a mount point, attached to the sprung mass and defining an axis, and an offset arm extending from the mount point and rotatable about the axis. The offset arm contacts the auxiliary stage at a first point at a first travel of the suspension system and at a second point at a second travel. The first point provides or defines a maximum contact span and the second provides a minimum contact span, smaller than the maximum contact span, for the auxiliary stage.

Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.

A method and apparatus for lowering the height of a wheeled vehicle for cargo height constraints during transportation. The rear leaf spring shackle on each side of the vehicle is connected to a sliding frame mount. In the transport configuration, fasteners are removed from the sliding frame mount, and the mount slides forward, rotating the rear leaf spring shackle from a near vertical to a near horizontal position, effectively lowering the height of the vehicle. To return the vehicle to the ride configuration, a screw jack member is attached to the sliding frame mount and a rear attachment point on the vehicle, pulling the sliding frame mount back, aligning attachment points of the mount with the frame member in the original position. The fasteners are reinstalled to lock the sliding frame mount into the ride configuration.

A systems and apparatus to decouple an axle and a leaf spring of a vehicle are disclosed herein. In some embodiment, the apparatus includes a spacer block. The spacer block has a main body having an upper surface and two opposing side surfaces with an opening formed in each of the two opposing side surfaces of the main body to form a passage through the main body. The spacer block allows the leaf spring to rotate independent of the axle.

The disclosure relates to a bearing arrangement for a bearing end of a fastening shackle in a vehicle body of a vehicle that includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve and a sleeve-shaped plastic sliding bearing. The inner sleeve is mounted in the outer sleeve so that the inner sleeve is able to slide. The sleeve-shaped plastic sliding bearing surrounds the inner sleeve and is connected to the inner sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner. The sleeve-shaped plastic sliding bearing is also longer than the outer sleeve and is delimited by a first sleeve rim that protrudes beyond the outer sleeve, where the first sleeve rim is configurable to be form-locked and to resist rotation.

This disclosure details electrified vehicle drive systems equipped with electric machine integrated axle assemblies. An exemplary electrified vehicle drive system includes a leaf spring assembly and an axle assembly mounted to the leaf spring assembly. The axle assembly may include a cradle and an electric machine mounted within the cradle. Shocks and stabilizer bar assemblies may extend between the cradle and a vehicle frame of the electrified vehicle.

A C-spring contains an inner spring that is spaced apart from the outer primary spring. In one example usage, the upper and lower legs of the C-spring have rear regions respectively configured for being mounted to a tubular frame tool frame member of a ground working implement, such as a disk, and to a bearing housing.