A suspension limiter includes a diaphragm element configured to be placed in operable communication with a suspension such that a rate of increase in load per unit travel of compression of the suspension is reduced near a full travel of the suspension than would exist for the suspension if the diaphragm element were not present, the diaphragm element arranged to deform only elastically through the full travel of the suspension. Suspension arrangements and methods of loading suspension arrangements are also described.

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 longitudinal leaf spring device for suspending a motor vehicle body or chassis on a vehicle axle thereof. Leaf spring device including an elongated leaf spring unit, a coupling device connecting the leaf spring unit to the vehicle axle, and suspension unit arranged in a substantially vertical direction between a chassis and the axle. The suspension unit including suspension elements providing a spring-back force in the vertical direction and producing an active connection between the chassis and the axle when the distance between the chassis and axle exceeds a predetermined first deflection depth.

An axle suspension for a vehicle includes a spring assembly with a leaf spring and a connecting arm, wherein the leaf spring supports a vehicle axle and, on an end side, is pivotably connected to a vehicle structure and pivotably connected to the connecting arm. In order to provide an optimized axle suspension with two-stage suspension, the spring assembly in a region of the connecting arm has a first stop element and the vehicle structure has a second stop element, which stop elements under normal load of the vehicle are spaced apart from one another and, when a limit load is exceeded, contact one another, whereby at least one stop element is elastically deformable.

A vehicle axle suspension having a leaf spring unit suspending a rigid axle on a structural component or portion of the vehicle. The leaf spring unit arranged on the vehicle to extend parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A first bearing unit, secured to the structure, and pivotably connects, at a first pivot axis, to a first end portion of the leaf spring unit. A second bearing unit is secured to the structure. A connection arm pivotably connects at one end, at a second pivot axis, to the second bearing unit. The other end of the connection arm pivotably connects, at a third pivot axis, to a second end portion of the leaf spring unit. The second bearing unit including at least one resilient spring element engaging the connection arm wherein the connection arm is supported on the resilient spring element from a pivoting about the second pivot axis a predetermined extent.

A vehicle axle suspension having a leaf spring unit suspending a rigid axle on a structural component or portion of the vehicle. The leaf spring unit arranged on the vehicle to extend parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A first bearing unit, secured to the structure, and pivotably connects, at a first pivot axis, to a first end portion of the leaf spring unit. A second bearing unit is secured to the structure. A connection arm pivotably connects at one end, at a second pivot axis, to the second bearing unit. The other end of the connection arm pivotably connects, at a third pivot axis, to a second end portion of the leaf spring unit. The second bearing unit including at least one resilient spring element engaging the connection arm wherein the connection arm is supported on the resilient spring element from a pivoting about the second pivot axis a predetermined extent.