LEAF SPRING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE, CHASSIS WITH SUCH A LEAF SPRING DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A LEAF SPRING DEVICE AND/OR SUCH A CHASSIS

Abstract

A leaf spring device (1, 101) for a vehicle with a spring leaf (2, 102) made from a fiber-enforced plastic. In order to realize the stiffness and/or a progressive suspension of the leaf spring device (1, 101) during increasing spring stress, the spring leaf is has an inner space (5, 6, 105, 106), which is at least partially or completely filled with an elastic material.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A leaf spring device for a vehicle, the leaf spring device comprising: a spring leaf (2, 102) made from a fiber-reinforced plastic, further comprising at least one inner space (5, 6, 105, 106), and the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) being at least partially or completely filled or not filled with an elastic material (12, 112).

18. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein the elastic material (12, 112) is positioned between an inner side of the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) and a spring leaf section (13, 14, 113, 114) of the spring leaf (2, 102), and the elastic material (12, 112) is located on the inner side of the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) and on an inner side or an outer perimeter of the spring leaf section (13, 14, 113, 114).

19. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein due to at least one of the inner space and an interaction of the elastic material (12, 112) and a spring leaf section (13, 14, 113, 114) of the spring leaf (2, 102), which is assigned to the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106), a stiffness of the leaf spring device (1, 101) results in at least one of an increasing suspension and a progressive suspension through an increasing spring load and an increased bending of the spring leaf (2, 102).

20. The leaf spring device according to claim 18, wherein the spring leaf (2, 102), the spring leaf section (13, 14, 113, 114), and the elastic material (12, 112) are designed to realize a stiffness of the leaf spring device (1, 101) for at least one of increasing suspension and a progressive suspension such that, starting at a no-load condition of the leaf spring device (1, 101), the elastic material (12, 112) is increasingly deformed with an increasing spring load, as the spring leaf section (13, 14, 113, 114) bends due to increasingly load.

21. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein either the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) in the spring leaf (2, 102) is designed as a cavity, or the inner space (5, 6, 105, 105) is a through hole that extends from a first side of the spring leaf (2, 102) to a second side of the spring leaf (2, 102) which is opposite to the first side, and the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) extends, when the leaf spring device (1, 101) is installed in the vehicle, either transverse or perpendicular to a vehicle vertical axis.

22. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein the leaf spring (2, 102) is mirror-symmetrical to a median plane (7, 107) which extends perpendicular to at least one of a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal axis of the leaf spring device (1, 101), and the leaf spring device (1, 101) is connectable by two fastening devices (10, 1, 110, 111), arranged at opposite ends of the leaf spring device (1, 101) to at least one of a vehicle support, a vehicle frame, and a vehicle chassis.

23. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein the spring leaf (2, 102) has the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106), at least one of the leaf spring device (1, 101) and the spring leaf (2, 102) has a first inner space (5, 105) with the elastic material (12, 112) and a second inner space (6, 106) with the elastic material (12, 112), and the first inner space (5, 105) and the second inner space (6, 106) are designed mirror-symmetrical to at least one of each other and a median plane (7, 107) of the spring leaf (2, 102).

24. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein a leaf spring section (13, 14) of the spring leaf (2) is stretched substantially longitudinally until a predetermined spring load, and the spring leaf section (13, 14), starting at the predetermined spring load, is resilient to bending in addition to an already achieved stress level.

25. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein a leaf spring section (13, 14) of the spring leaf (2) has a convex shape under a no-load condition of the leaf spring device (1), the leaf spring section, in the no-load and installed condition of the leaf spring device (1) in the vehicle, convexly curves outwards in a direction of the vehicle vertical axis, and the leaf spring section (13, 14) is designed as section of a tension side (3) of the spring leaf (2).

26. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein a tension side (3) of the spring leaf (2), during a no-load condition of the leaf spring device (1), has a wavelike form, a leaf spring section (13, 14) of the spring leaf (2) is formed as a wave crest, and at least one of the spring leaf section (13, 14) and the wave crest are positioned in an area of the inner space (5, 6).

27. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein a spring leaf section (113, 114) of the spring leaf (102) extends as a sword shape into the inner space (105, 106), the elastic material (12) contact one side an inner parameter of the inner space (105, 106) and contacts another side an outer perimeter of the spring leaf section (113, 114).

28. The leaf spring device according to claim 27, wherein the sword shaped spring leaf section (113, 114) extends, starting at a median section (115) of the spring leaf (102), in at least one of a longitudinal direction of the spring leaf (102) and a direction of one end (108, 109) of the spring leaf (102), a sword shaped first spring leaf section (113), starting from a median range (115), extends in a direction of a first end (108) of the spring leaf (102), and a second spring leaf section (114), starting at the median range (115) extends in a direction of a second end (109) of the spring leaf (102) which is opposite to the first end (108).

29. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein the leaf spring device (1, 101) is formed as either one-leaf or multi-leaf, the leaf spring device is formed as two-leaf, wherein a first spring leaf and a second spring leaf are firmly bonded with each other to form the at least one inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) between the first spring leaf and the second spring leaf.

30. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein the leaf spring device (1, 101) is formed as two-leaf, and a first spring leaf and a second spring leaf are firmly bonded with each other to form the at least one inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) between the first spring leaf and the second spring leaf.

31. The leaf spring device according to claim 17, wherein the spring leaf (2, 102) is manufactured from at least one of a fiber-plastic compound and a glass fiber-plastic compound, and the spring leaf (2, 102) is designed as a longitudinal leaf spring.

32. A chassis with a leaf spring device (1, 101) according to claim 17, wherein the leaf spring device (1, 101) is assembled in one of a vehicle or a motor vehicle.

33. A method for the manufacturing of the leaf spring device (1, 101) for a vehicle, the method comprising: manufacturing a spring leaf (2, 102) from a fiber-reinforced plastic, forming the leaf spring with at least one inner space (5, 6, 105, 106), and one of at least partially or completely filling or not filling at all the inner space (5, 6, 105, 106) with an elastic material (12, 112).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Hereinafter, the invention is further described based on the drawings. Hereby, same reference characters refer to the same, similar, or functionally the same parts or elements. It shows:

[0037] FIG. 1 a sectional side view of first leaf spring device according to the invention,

[0038] FIG. 2 a section of the sectional side view of the first leaf spring device of FIG. 1 according to the invention,

[0039] FIG. 3 a sectional side view of another leaf spring device according to the invention, and

[0040] FIG. 4 a section of the sectional side view of the additional leaf spring device as in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows sectional side view of an inventive first leaf spring device 1. The leaf spring device 1 is designed, in this embodiment, as one-leaf and has therefore one single spring leaf 2. The spring leaf 2 is realized as a fiber plastic compound, in this embodiment as a glass fiber plastic compound. In the present unloaded condition, the leaf spring 2 is curved or rather bent. The spring leaf 2 has a tension side 3 and a pressure side 4, positioned opposite to the tension side 3. In an installed condition of the spring leaf 2 or the leaf spring device in a vehicle or chassis not shown here, the tension side 3 is presented at the same time, as the topside and the pressure side 4 at the same time is the bottom side of the spring leaf 2.

[0042] The leaf spring device 1 or the spring leaf 2, respectively, has in this embodiment a first inner space 5 and a second inner space 6. The two inner spaces 5, 6 are positioned separate from each other or distanced from each other, respectively. Hereby, the two inner spaces 5, 6 are designed as mirror-symmetrical to a median plane 7. Also, the spring leaf 2 is mirror-symmetrical designed to the median plane 7. The median plane 7 is vertically positioned in an installed condition. In addition, the median plane 7 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal stretching of the leaf spring device 1. In an embodiment of the spring leaf 2 as a longitudinal leaf spring, the median plane 7 extends, in the installed condition, additionally perpendicular to a vehicle longitudinal axis.

[0043] The spring leaf 2 has at two ends 8, 9 of the spring leaf 2, opposite of each other, in each case and here presented schematically a fastening device 10 or 11, respectively. The spring leaf device 1 can be connected by means of the fastening devices 10, 11 to a vehicle frame and/or chassis, not presented here in detail.

[0044] In the inner spaces 5, 6, in each case, an elastic material, here actually an elastomer material 12 is positioned or inserted, respectively. In this embodiment, the inner spaces 5, 6 are completely filled with the elastic material 12. The spring leaf 2 has a first spring leaf section 13 and a second spring leaf section 14. The first spring leaf section 13 is positioned in the first inner space 5, and the second spring leaf section 14 is in the second inner space 6. The two spring leaf sections 13, 14 are positioned on the tension side 3 of the spring leaf 2. Also, the two spring leaf sections 13, 14 are positioned as mirror-symmetrical to the median plane 7.

[0045] The spring leaf sections 13, 14 are here presented in an unloaded condition of the leaf spring device 1 and bent convex to the outside. As a result, at the same time, the inner spaces 5, 6 are created. Due to the convex, curved to the outside, shape of the two spring leaf sections 13, 14, a wave shape form is created for the tension side 3. The spring leaf sections 13, 14 each create a wave crest. Between the spring leaf section 13, 14, exists a median plane 15 of the spring leaf 2. This median plane 15 creates at the same time a wave trough between the two wave crests, created by the spring leaf sections 13, 14. Starting with the spring leaf section 13 or 14, respectively, and in the direction of each nearest end 8 or 9, respectively, some kind of additional wave trough is created in the area of the tension side 3.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a section of the sectional side view of the inventive first leaf spring device 1 in accordance with FIG. 1. One can see the first spring leaf section 13 and the first inner space 5. Based on the here presented, no-load condition and with an increasing spring load, the tension side 3 will be stretched. At the same time, the pressure side 4 is loaded for bending. With an increasing spring load, the elastic material 12 of in the inner space 5 or 6, respectively, is increasingly compressed. Due to the stretch load of the first spring leaf section 13 or analogous also the second spring leaf section 14, the spring leaf section 13, 14 moves in the direction of the pressure side 4 of the spring leaf 2. Hereby, a deformation or compactness, respectively, of the elastic material 12 is created.

[0047] The compression of the elastic material 12 happens at a predetermined spring load. Starting at the predetermined spring load, no further the compression of the elastic material 12 is possible. In the case of an increasing spring load, a mainly load to a bending takes place instead of an additional stretching of the tension side 3. Hereby, the stiffness of the entire leaf spring device 1 or the spring leaf 2, respectively, is strengthened. Due to the interaction of the pressure side 4, the tension side 3, the spring leaf sections 13, 14. And the elastic material 12, a progressive suspension can be realized. Hereby, the stiffness of the leaf spring device 1 or spring leaf 2 increases with an increasing spring load.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the inventive additional leaf spring device 101. The leaf spring device 101 is, in this embodiment, designed as one-leaf and therefore has one single spring leaf 102. The spring leaf 102 is realized, in this embodiment, as a glass fiber plastic compound. It is here presented in the no-load condition of the spring leaf 102 as bent or rather arched. The spring leaf 102 has a tension side 103 and, positioned opposite of the tension side 103, the pressure side 104. In the here not further presented installed condition of the spring leaf 102 or rather the leaf spring device 101 in a vehicle or chassis, the tension side 103 represents also a top side and the pressure side 104 is the bottom side of the spring leaf 102.

[0049] The leaf spring device 101 or rather the spring leaf 102 has in this embodiment a first inner space 105 and a second inner space 106. The two inner spaces 105, 106 are positioned separate from each other rather at a distanced from each other. Herein, the two inner spaces 105, 106 are an integral part of the spring leaf 102. The two inner spaces 105, 106 are designed as mirror-symmetrical to a median plane 107. The spring leaf 102 is also designed as mirror-symmetrical to the median plane 107. The median plane 107 is vertically aligned in the installed condition of the spring leaf device 101. In addition, the median plane 107 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal stretching of the leaf spring device 101. In a design of the spring leaf 102 as a longitudinal leaf spring, the median plane 107 extends in the installed condition as perpendicular to a vehicle longitudinal axis.

[0050] The spring leaf 102 has at two mutually remote ends 108, 109 of the spring leaf 102 each have a fastening device 110 and 111 shown here only schematically. By means of the fastening devices 110, 111, the leaf spring device 101 can be connected with a vehicle frame and/or chassis not but further shown.

[0051] In each of the inner spaces 105, 106, an elastic material, here primarily an elastomer material 112, is positioned or rather inserted. The spring leaf 102 has a first spring leaf section 113 and a second spring leaf section 114. The first spring leaf section 113 is assigned to a first inner space 105 and the second spring leaf section 114 to the inner space 106. In this embodiment, the spring leaf sections 113, 114 are designed in a sword shape. Starting from a median plane 115 of the spring leaf 102, the spring leaf sections 113, 114 extend in the direction towards the ends 108 or 109, respectively. The inner space is 105, 106 are in this embodiment example filled with the elastic material 12 between an inner side or rather an inner perimeter of the inner spaces 105, 106 and an outer perimeter of the sword-shape spring leaf section 113, 114. The two spring leaf sections 113, 114 are designed mirror-symmetrical in reference to the median plane 7.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a section of the sectional side view of the inventive leaf spring device 101 according to FIG. 3. One can see the first spring leaf section 113 and the first inner space 105. Beginning here, from the illustrated no-load condition, the elastic material 112 in the inner space 105 or the analogous inner space 106, will be increasingly deformed with an increased spring load between the outer side, facing the tension side 103, of the spring leaf section 113 or rather 114 and the inner side of the inner space 105 or 106, respectively, facing away from the tension side 103.

[0053] The deformation and/or constraints of the elastic material 112 takes place up to a predetermined spring load. Beginning with the predetermined spring load, no more compression of the elastic material 112 is possible. During an additional increase of the spring load, an additional load is taking place at the spring load section 113 or 114, respectively, for a bending. Herein, the stiffness of the entire leaf spring device 101 or rather the spring leaf 102 is strengthened. Herein a progressive suspension can be realized. Herein, the stiffness of the leaf spring device 101 or rather the spring leaf 102 continuously increases with an increasing spring load.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0054] 1 Leaf Spring Device [0055] 2 Spring Leaf [0056] 3 Tension side [0057] 4 Pressure side [0058] 5 First inner space [0059] 6 Second inner space [0060] 7 Median plane [0061] 8 End [0062] 9 End [0063] 10 Fastening device [0064] 11 Fastening device [0065] 12 Elastic material [0066] 13 First spring leaf section [0067] 14 Second spring leaf section [0068] 15 Median plane [0069] 101 Spring leaf device [0070] 102 Spring leaf [0071] 103 Tension side [0072] 104 Pressure side [0073] 105 First inner space [0074] 106 Second inner space [0075] 107 Median plane [0076] 108 End [0077] 109 End [0078] 110 Fastening device [0079] 111 Fastening device [0080] 112 Elastic material [0081] 113 First spring leaf section [0082] 114 Second spring leaf section [0083] 115 Median plane