LEAF SPRING HOLDER FOR CONNECTING A LEAF SPRING TO AN AXLE AND CHASSIS WITH SUCH A LEAF SPRING HOLDER

Abstract

A leaf spring holder for connecting a leaf spring to an axle via a first fixing device and a second fixing device. Due to co-operation of the first fixing device with the second fixing device, a first mounting is spaced away from a second mounting to provide space for mounting the leaf spring between the first fixing device and the second fixing device. Co-operation of the first fixing device with the second fixing device enables deformation of a leaf spring section of the leaf spring between the first mounting and the second mounting. In order to increase the rigidity as a function of the spring deflection and/or to produce a rising-rate suspension, the leaf spring holder includes a stop surface for limiting deformation of the leaf spring section.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A leaf spring holder for connecting a leaf spring (9) to an axle (4), by a first fixing device (2) and a second fixing device (3), due to co-operation of the first fixing device (2) with the second fixing device (3), a first mounting (10) and a second mounting (11), a distance away from the first mounting (10), being realized for mounting the leaf spring (9) between the first fixing device (2) and the second fixing device (3), and the co-operation of the first fixing device (2) with the second fixing device (3) facilitating deformation of a leaf spring section (13) of the leaf spring (9) between the first mounting (10) and the second mounting (11), and a stop surface (15) for limiting the deformation of the leaf spring section (13).

17. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein by virtue of the stop surface (15), at least one of an elasticity and a progressive suspension that increases the rigidity of the leaf spring (9) is produced, by way of the stop surface (15), the deformation of the leaf spring section (13) is restricted, at least one of between the first fixing device (2) and the second fixing device (3) and in a direction transverse to a length of the leaf spring section (13).

18. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the co-operation of the first fixing device (2) with the second fixing device (3) facilitates deformation of the leaf spring section (13) up to a specified spring load such that, under action of a spring load that is at least one of equal to and greater than the specified spring load, the stop surface (15) blocks further deformation of the leaf spring section (13).

19. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the leaf spring section (13) extends between the first mounting (10) and the second mounting (11), and the leaf spring section (13) is clamped, with an interposition of an elastomer support (12), between the first fixing device (2) and the second fixing device (3).

20. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the leaf spring (9) has a portion of thickened material for preventing slippage of the leaf spring (9) in a direction of a length of the leaf spring (9), and the leaf spring section (13) is in a form of the thickened material portion so that due to the thickened material, the leaf spring section (13) is thicker than parts of the leaf spring (9) away from the leaf spring section (13), and the thickened material extends at least one of transversely to a length of the leaf spring (9) and in a vertical direction when the leaf spring holder (1) is fitted in a vehicle.

21. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the first fixing device (2) is configured to fasten the leaf spring holder (1) to the axle (4) and the stop surface (15) is associated with the second fixing device (3), and the stop surface (15) faces toward at least one of the first fixing device (2) and the leaf spring section (13).

22. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the stop surface (15) is arranged between the first mounting (10) and the second mounting (11), and the stop surface (15) extends from the first mounting (10) to the second mounting (11).

23. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the stop surface (15) is arranged on one side of a bridge element (17) of the second fixing device (3) that extends from the first mounting (10) to the second mounting (11), and the bridge element (17) is connected by at least one holding element (5, 6) to the first fixing device (2), and the holding elements (5, 6) are associated, respectively, with the first mounting (10) and with the second mounting (11).

24. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein an elastomer layer (14) is arranged on at least one of a side of the leaf spring section (13) facing toward the stop surface (15) and a side of the stop surface (15) facing toward the leaf spring section (13), and the elastomer layer (14) extends between the first mounting (10) and the second mounting (11).

25. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the leaf spring (9) is made of at least one of a plastic material, a fiber-reinforced plastic, and a glass-fiber plastic, and the leaf spring (9) is in a form of at least one of a single-leaf spring and a longitudinal leaf spring.

26. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein the leaf spring section (13) is, in a first operating mode below a specified spring load, deformable in a direction toward the stop surface (15), and, in the first operating mode, there is a free space (16) between the stop surface (15) and either the leaf spring section (13) or an elastomer layer (14) arranged on the leaf spring section (13) facing toward the stop surface (15).

27. The leaf spring holder according to claim 16, wherein deformation of the leaf spring section (13) hi a direction of the stop surface (15) is blocked, in a further operating mode, when a specified spring load has been at least one of reached and exceeded, and, in the further operating mode, either the leaf spring section (13) or an elastomer layer (14) arranged on the leaf spring section (13) facing toward the stop surface (15) is either partially or fully in contact with the stop surface (15).

28. The leaf spring holder according to claim 27, wherein a rigidity of the leaf spring (9) is lower in the first operating mode than in a further operating mode, and the specified spring load is adjustable by at least one of the stop surface (15) designed according to need, the leaf spring section (13) designed according to need, and the elastomer layer (14) designed according to need and facing toward the stop surface (15).

29. A chassis with a leaf spring holder which connects a leaf spring (9) to an axle (4), with a first fixing device (2) and a second fixing device (3), due to co-operation of the first fixing device (2) with the second fixing device (3), a first mounting (10) and a second mounting (11), a distance away from the first mounting (10), are realized for mounting the leaf spring (9) between the first fixing device (2) and the second fixing device (3), and the co-operation of the first fixing device (2) with the second fixing device (3) facilitates deformation of a leaf spring section (13) of the leaf spring (9) between the first mounting (10) and the second mounting (11), and a stop surface (15) for limiting the deformation of the leaf spring section (13), a rigidity of the leaf spring (9), in a first operating mode, is lower than a rigidity of the leaf spring (9), in a further operating mode.

30. The chassis according to claim 29, wherein, in the first operating mode, a two-point mounting of the leaf spring (9) is produced in an area of the leaf spring holder (1), and, in the further operating mode, a single-point mounting of the leaf spring (9) is produced, and a first axial end (18) of the leaf spring (9) and a second axial end (19) of the leaf spring (9), remote from the first axial end (18), are mounted on one of a vehicle frame, a vehicle body and an intermediate element.

31. A leaf spring holder for connecting a leaf spring to an axle, the leaf spring holder comprising a first fixing device and a second fixing device which together form a first mounting and a second mounting, the second mounting being spaced a distance away from the first mounting, the first and the second mountings supporting the leaf spring between the first fixing device and the second fixing device, the first and the second fixing devices facilitating deformation of a leaf spring section of the leaf spring between the first mounting and the second mounting, a stop surface limiting the deformation of the leaf spring section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Below, the invention is explained with reference to the figures. In this, the same indexes refer to the same, similar, or functionally equivalent components or elements. The figures show:

[0032] FIG. 1: A side view of a leaf spring holder according to the invention, in a first operating mode,

[0033] FIG. 2: A first cross-section of the leaf spring holder according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1,

[0034] FIG. 3: A further cross-section of the leaf spring holder according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1,

[0035] FIG. 4: A side view of a leaf spring holder according to the invention, in a further operating mode,

[0036] FIG. 5: A first cross-section of the leaf spring holder according to the invention, shown in FIG. 4,

[0037] FIG. 6: A further cross-section of the leaf spring holder according to the invention, shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a leaf spring holder 1 according to the invention, in a first operating mode. The leaf spring holder 1 comprises a first fixing device 2 and a second fixing device 3. The first fixing device 2 is connected to an axle 4. In this example embodiment the axle 4 is a rigid axle. In a condition (not illustrated in detail here) as fitted in a vehicle, the axle 4 extends transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction or travel direction of the vehicle. Owing to the connection of the axle 4 to the first fixing device 2, movement of the axle 4 relative to the first fixing device 2 is excluded. The connection between the axle 4 and the first fixing device 2 can for example be in the form of a welded joint or a bolted joint. In this example embodiment the first fixing device 2 is positioned above the axle 4.

[0039] The first fixing device 2 is connected to the second fixing device 3. Here, the second fixing device 3 is positioned above the first fixing device 2. To connect the first fixing device 2 to the second fixing device 3, the leaf spring holder 1 has holding elements 5, 6. In this example embodiment the holding elements 5, 6 are in the form of U-shaped clamps. The arms of the holding elements 5, 6 engage the second fixing device 3 with interlock and extend in the direction of the first fixing device 2. The holding elements 5, 6 have free ends 7. The free ends 7 of the holding elements 5, 6 on the arms of the U-shaped holding elements 5, 6 extend in this example embodiment through correspondingly formed apertures 8 in the first fixing device 2. In this example embodiment the apertures 8 are in the form of through-holes or bores. By means of a suitable connection, for example a weld joint or bolted joint, the holding elements 5, 6 are attached to the first fixing device 2. The holding elements 5, 6 are arranged in the area of two ends of the leaf spring holder 1 a distance apart from one another. Furthermore, the holding elements 5, 6 are separated from one another in the direction of the length of a leaf spring 9. The leaf spring 9 is held or arranged between the first fixing device 2 and the second fixing device 3. In this example embodiment the leaf spring 9 is in the form of a longitudinal leaf spring. In addition, in this embodiment the leaf spring 9 is made of a fiber-plastic composite, namely a glass-fiber plastic. Moreover, the leaf spring 9 is a single-leaf or one-leaved spring.

[0040] Owing to the co-operation of the first fixing device 2 with the second fixing device 3, a first mounting 10 and a second mounting 11 are formed. The first mounting 10 and the second mounting 11 are a distance apart form one another and are designed to hold the leaf spring 9 between the first fixing device 2 and the second fixing device 3. Here, the first mounting 10 is arranged in the area of the holding element 5 and the second mounting 11 in the area of the holding element 6. The first mounting 10 and the second mounting 11 are designed mirror-symmetrically to one another. Alternatively, the two mountings 10, 11 can be different distances away from the axis 4. The first mounting 10 and the second mounting 11 each comprise an elastomer fitting 12. The elastomer fitting 12 will be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures below.

[0041] The leaf spring 9 has a leaf spring section 13. This leaf spring section 13 is arranged between the first mounting 10 and the second mounting 11. In this example embodiment the leaf spring section 13 has at least one area of thickened material, so that the leaf spring section 13 is thicker than a section of the leaf spring 9 in the area of the two mountings 10, 11 and/or outside the leaf spring section 13. Here, the thickened material in this example extends in the vertical direction. In addition the thickened material or leaf spring section 13 abuts against the elastomer fitting 12 of the first mounting 10 on one side and against the elastomer fitting 12 of the second mounting 11 on the other side. This prevents or blocks any slipping of the leaf spring 9 or leaf spring section 13 in the direction of the length of the leaf spring 9.

[0042] On a side facing toward the second fixing device 3, the leaf spring section 13 has an elastomer layer 14. In this example embodiment the elastomer layer 14 extends from the first mounting 10 to the second mounting 11. Here, the elastomer layer is in contact on one side against the elastomer fitting 12 of the first mounting 10 and on the other side against the elastomer fitting 12 of the second mounting 11. In this embodiment variant the elastomer layer 14 has a constant thickness all over its length. The elastomer layer 14 is attached firmly to the side of the leaf spring section 13 facing toward a stop surface 15.

[0043] The second fixing device 3 has a stop surface 15. The stop surface 15 faces toward the leaf spring section 13 and the elastomer layer 14. In the first operating mode illustrated here there is a free space between the stop surface 15 and the leaf spring section 13 and its elastomer layer 14.

[0044] The second fixing device 3 comprises a bridge element 17. The bridge element 17 extends from the first mounting 10 to the second mounting 11. The stop surface 15 is arranged on one side of the bridge element 17 facing toward the first fixing device 2.

[0045] The leaf spring 9 has a first axial end 18 and a second axial end 19 remote from the first axial end 18. By means of the two axial ends 18, 19 the leaf spring 9 can be fitted onto a vehicle frame or vehicle body (not shown here). Thus, in the first operating mode the leaf spring 9 is, on the one hand, mounted in the area of the first axial end 18 and in the area of the second axial end 19. In addition, the leaf spring 9 is held in the area of the first mounting 10 and the second mounting 11. Thus, in relation to the leaf spring holder 1 a two-point mounting of the leaf spring 9 is produced in the first operating mode.

[0046] In this example embodiment, the first axial end 18 can be connected and articulated directly to a vehicle frame or vehicle body. The second axial end 19 can in this case be connected to a vehicle frame or vehicle body by way of an intermediate element. The intermediate element can be designed as a so-termed shackle. A first end of the intermediate element is articulated to the second axial end 19. A second end of the intermediate element a distance away from its first end can be articulated to a vehicle frame or vehicle body. By means of the intermediate element a change of the length of the leaf spring 9 during compression and/or extension movements can be compensated.

[0047] When the axle 4 is pressed up in the vertical direction, the leaf spring section 13 is deformed between the first mounting 10 and the second mounting 11. Specifically, during this the leaf spring section 13 between the first mounting 10 and the second mounting 11 is bent up toward the stop surface 15. Here, the deformation or bending of the leaf spring section 13 takes place into the area of the free space 16.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a first cross-section 2-2 through the leaf spring holder 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1. In this example embodiment the elastomer fitting 12 comprises a first elastomer layer 20 and a further elastomer layer 21. The first elastomer layer 20 is arranged between the leaf spring 9 and the first fixing device 2. Thus, the first elastomer layer 20 is in contact with the leaf spring 9 on one side and with a side or surface of the first fixing device 2 on its other side. The further elastomer layer 21 is arranged between the leaf spring 9 and the second fixing device 3. Thus, the further elastomer layer 21 is in contact with the leaf spring 9 on one side and with a side or surface of the second fixing device 3 on its other side. Thanks to this layering, damage-free deformation of the leaf spring 9 in the area of the first mounting 10 and the same in the area of the second mounting 11 is possible.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a further cross-section 3-3 of the leaf spring holder 1 shown in FIG. 1. The free space 16 between the stop surface 15 and the elastomer layer 14 can be seen clearly. In the first operating mode, under the action of spring loading and until a specified spring load is reached, the leaf spring section 13 can deform or bend into the area of the free space 16.

[0050] On a side facing away from the stop surface 15 or the elastomer layer 14, a free space 22 is formed between the leaf spring section 13 and the first fixing device 2. As shown in FIG. 1 this free space 22 extends from the first mounting 10 to the second mounting 11. Specifically, the free space 22 extends between the elastomer layer 12 of the first mounting 10 and the elastomer layer 12 of the second mounting 11. When the leaf spring section 13 deforms in the direction of the stop surface 15, the free space 22 becomes larger. In particular, the distance between the leaf spring section 13 and the first fixing device 2 becomes larger.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the leaf spring holder 1 according to the invention in a further operating mode. In this further operating mode the leaf spring section 13 is deformed or bent in such manner that the leaf spring section 13, or in this example embodiment the elastomer layer 14, comes in contact with the elastomer layer 14 on the stop surface 15. Thus, in the further operating mode the free space present in FIGS. 1 to 3 is no longer there, or has been bridged or filled, owing to the deformation of the leaf spring section 13.

[0052] In the further operating mode, moreover, in relation to the leaf spring holder 1 the leaf spring 9 is held in a one-point mounting. Thus, in the further operating mode the leaf spring holder 1 provides a single holding point. In addition, as in the first operating mode at least one further mounting point is formed at each of the two axial ends 18, 19.

[0053] Comparing the further operating mode as in FIG. 4 and the first operating mode as in FIGS. 1 to 3, it can be seen that the effective length of the leaf spring 9 or the elastic portion of the leaf spring 9 is reduced. Since owing to its contact against the stop surface 15 the leaf spring section 13 is prevented from further deformation, the rigidity of the leaf spring 9 is greater in the further operating mode than it is in the first operating mode.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section 5-5 through the leaf spring holder 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 4. The structure of this cross-section corresponds essentially to the structure shown in FIG. 2. Thus, reference can be made to the previous description.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a further cross-section 6-6 through the leaf spring holder 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 4. It can be seen that the elastomer layer 14 is in contact with the stop surface 15 all over its surface, so the free space 16 shown in FIG. 3 has been fully bridged or filled in the further operating mode illustrated here. Furthermore, the distance between the leaf spring section 13 and the first fixing device 2, and hence the free space 22, is larger in the further operating mode compared with the first operating mode according to FIG. 3.

INDEXES

[0056] 1 Leaf spring holder [0057] 2 First fixing device [0058] 3 Second fixing device [0059] 4 Axle [0060] 5 Holding element [0061] 6 Holding element [0062] 7 Free end [0063] 8 Aperture [0064] 9 Leaf spring [0065] 10 First mounting [0066] 11 Second mounting [0067] 12 Elastomer support [0068] 13 Leaf spring section [0069] 14 Elastomer layer [0070] 15 Stop surface [0071] 16 Free space [0072] 17 Bridge element [0073] 18 First axial end [0074] 19 Second axial end [0075] 20 First elastomer layer [0076] 21 Further elastomer layer [0077] 22 Free space