LONGITUDINAL LEAF SPRING DEVICE FOR SUSPENSION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE BODY

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a longitudinal leaf spring device for suspension of a body of a motor vehicle. and the longitudinal leaf spring device comprises a longitudinally formed leaf spring element and a coupling device that mechanically couples the leaf spring element to a motor vehicle axle. According to the disclosure, a holder device is provided that has a base holder element for fixed connection to a vehicle chassis and a suspension adjustment element that faces the leaf spring element and is fixedly connected to the base holder element. In this case, the leaf spring element is connected in a front region, fixedly to the base holder element, and the front region is provided to come into mechanical bearing with the suspension adjustment element in at least one operating state.

Claims

1. A longitudinal leaf spring of a vehicle, comprising: a longitudinally-formed leaf spring element; and a holder having a base holder element fixedly connected to a vehicle chassis and a suspension adjustment element that faces the leaf spring element, the suspension adjustment element being fixedly connected to the base holder element, wherein the leaf spring element is fixedly connected in a front region to the base holder element, the front region being provided to come into mechanical bearing with the suspension adjustment element in at least one operating state.

2. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension adjustment element has a surface that faces the leaf spring element and is formed to be convex in a vertical plane.

3. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension adjustment element has a surface that faces the leaf spring element and has local radii of curvature arranged in a vertical plane, and wherein the radii of curvature change continuously as a function of a distance from a foremost point of the surface.

4. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 2, wherein a front part of the surface of the suspension adjustment element is in mechanical bearing with the leaf spring element in a body-loaded state of the longitudinal leaf spring being only loaded with a body load, and wherein an angle is formed at a bearing point between the surface of the suspension adjustment element and a vertical direction that corresponds substantially to an angle formed at the bearing point between a surface of the leaf spring element that faces the surface of the suspension adjustment element and the vertical direction.

5. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 4, wherein the surface of the suspension adjustment element facing the leaf spring element has, in the body-loaded state of the longitudinal leaf spring, a minimum distance to the surface of the leaf spring element that increases continuously in a backwards direction.

6. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the surfaces from the surface of the suspension adjustment element and the surface of the leaf spring element facing the suspension adjustment element is formed as a mechanically resistant isolation layer.

7. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fixed connection between the front region of the leaf spring element and the base holder element is formed as a screw or adhesive connection.

8. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leaf spring element is composed of a composite material.

9. The longitudinal leaf spring as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an acoustic separating element having at least one elastomer that acoustically uncouples the leaf spring element.

10. A vehicle comprising: longitudinal leaf springs coupled to an axle; and a holder having a base fixedly connected to a chassis and a suspension adjustment element that faces a leaf spring, wherein the suspension adjustment element is fixedly connected to the base, and wherein the leaf spring is fixedly connected to the base at a region provided to come into mechanical bearing with the suspension adjustment element in an operating state.

11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the suspension adjustment element has a surface that faces the leaf spring and has local radii of curvature arranged in a vertical plane, and wherein the radii of curvature change continuously as a function of a distance from a foremost point of the surface.

12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein a front part of the surface of the suspension adjustment element is in mechanical bearing with the leaf spring in a body-loaded state being only loaded with a body load such that an angle is formed at a bearing point between the surface of the suspension adjustment element and a vertical direction that corresponds to an angle formed at the bearing point between a surface of the leaf spring element that faces the surface of the suspension adjustment element and the vertical direction.

13. The vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the surface of the suspension adjustment element that faces the leaf spring has, in a body-loaded state, a minimum distance of the leaf spring element that increases continuously in a backwards direction to the surface of the suspension adjustment element.

14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10 further comprising an acoustic separating element having an elastomer that acoustically uncouples the leaf spring element.

15. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the leaf spring element is composed of a composite material.

16. A suspension for a vehicle comprising: a holder having a base fixedly connected to a chassis and a suspension adjustment element that faces a longitudinal leaf spring, wherein the suspension adjustment element is fixedly connected to the base, and wherein the longitudinal leaf spring is fixedly connected to the base at a region provided to come into mechanical bearing with the suspension adjustment element in an operating state; and an acoustic separating element having an elastomer that acoustically uncouples the leaf spring.

17. The suspension as claimed in claim 16, wherein the suspension adjustment element has a surface that faces the leaf spring and has local radii of curvature arranged in a vertical plane, and wherein the radii of curvature change continuously as a function of a distance from a foremost point of the surface.

18. The suspension as claimed in claim 17, wherein a front part of the surface of the suspension adjustment element is in mechanical bearing with the leaf spring in a body-loaded state being only loaded with a body load such that an angle is formed at a bearing point between the surface of the suspension adjustment element and a vertical direction that corresponds to an angle formed at the bearing point between a surface of the leaf spring that faces the surface of the suspension adjustment element and the vertical direction.

19. The suspension as claimed in claim 17, wherein the surface of the suspension adjustment element that faces the leaf spring has, in a body-loaded state, a minimum distance of the leaf spring element that increases continuously in a backwards direction to the surface of the suspension adjustment element.

20. The suspension as claimed in claim 16, wherein the leaf spring is composed of a composite material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a longitudinal leaf spring device, which is coupled to an axle of a motor vehicle, in a side view; and

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a holder device of the longitudinal leaf spring device according to FIG. 1 in a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0042] Identical parts are always provided with the same reference numbers in the various figures, which is why these are also generally only described once.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of a longitudinal leaf spring device 10, coupled to an axle 54 of a motor vehicle, in a side view. Longitudinal leaf spring device 10 serves to suspend a body of the motor vehicle, which is formed as a heavy goods vehicle or transporter. Axle 54 is formed by a rigid rear axle 54. A longitudinal leaf spring device 10 with an identical structure is provided symmetrically on an opposite side of axle 54 of the motor vehicle (not represented).

[0044] Longitudinal leaf spring device 10 contains a longitudinally formed leaf spring element 12, which is composed to a predominant ratio of more than 95 vol. % from a composite material, namely from a fiber/plastic composite. The fiber/plastic composite is embodied as a glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin. Longitudinally formed leaf spring element 12 lies, in an installation state represented in FIG. 1, in a plane (XZ plane) that is arranged perpendicular to axle 54 of the motor vehicle and matches the drawing plane. A direction of extent of leaf spring element 12 is arranged substantially parallel to a (forward) direction of travel 56 of the motor vehicle, which runs from right to left in FIG. 1 (X-direction). Leaf spring element 12 has a substantially rectangular cross-section that varies along a direction of extent in order to achieve a predetermined spring characteristic curve of leaf spring element 12.

[0045] Longitudinal leaf spring device 10 furthermore has a coupling device 14 for mechanical coupling of leaf spring element 12 to axle 54 of the motor vehicle. Coupling device 14 has a pair of U-bolts 16 composed of steel that are spaced apart in (forward) direction of travel 56 and arranged with a U-shaped part directed upwards and comprise leaf spring element 12 in its central region. An upper transition element 18 of coupling device 14 for adjustment to leaf spring element 12 is arranged between leaf spring element 12 and the U-shaped part of U-bolts 16, and a lower transition element 20 of coupling device 14 for adjustment to axle 54 is arranged between leaf spring element 12 and the open part of the U-shape of bolts 16. Upper transition element 18 and lower transition element 20 are composed of steel. U-bolts 16 penetrate through through-bores in lower transition element 20 and are secured by screw nuts.

[0046] Coupling device 14 furthermore contains an acoustic separating element 22, which is formed as an elastomer molded part and is adapted to inner surfaces, which face leaf spring element 12, of upper transition element 18 or of lower transition element 20, and to outer contours of leaf spring element 12 in a region of coupling device 14. Acoustic separating element 22 serves, during operation of longitudinal leaf spring device 10, a purpose of acoustic uncoupling of leaf spring element 12 from coupling device 14. In the present configuration, acoustic separating element 22 is formed as a single, elastomer molded part. In alternative embodiments, the acoustic separating elements 22 can also be formed by two, separate, elastomer molded parts that are arranged between upper transition element 18 and leaf spring element 12, or between lower transition element 20 and leaf spring element 12

[0047] The motor vehicle is fitted with a mounting bracket 44, which, at a position arranged above a rear end of leaf spring element 12, is connected to the chassis (not represented) of the motor vehicle, which is formed, for example, as a ladder frame, and extends downwards. Mounting bracket 44 is equipped with cylindrical plain bearing bushes 46, 50 spaced apart in the vertical direction (Z-direction) and are composed of metal. A cylinder bolt composed of metal is guided through upper plain bearing bush 46, which cylinder bolt is connected fixedly to the chassis of the motor vehicle so that mounting bracket 44 is pivotable about an upper transverse axis 48 relative to the chassis.

[0048] A rear end of leaf spring element 12 as seen in direction of travel 56 is formed as an eye. A cylindrical metal bolt is guided through the eye. Both ends of the metal bolt are guided through two lower plain bearing bushes 50 composed of metal and arranged at the same height in mounting bracket 44 so that the rear end of leaf spring element 12 is pivotable about a lower, transverse axis 52 relative to mounting bracket 44. A filling of rubber (not represented) between plain bearing bushes 46, 50 and the cylindrical metal bolts is provided to reduce a development of noise during operation of longitudinal leaf spring device 10.

[0049] Longitudinal leaf spring device 10 furthermore has a holder device 24 with a base holder element 26 and a suspension adjustment element 28. Base holder element 26 has a substantially box-shaped form and is fixedly connected to the chassis of the motor vehicle. The connection can, for example, be embodied to be detachably fixed so that a fitter can form and release the mechanical connection in a reversible manner with the aid of a tool. The connection can, however, also be formed to be firmly bonded.

[0050] Leaf spring element 12 is fixedly connected to base holder element 26 in a front region. The fixed connection can, as represented in FIG. 1, be produced by a non-positive and positive-locking screw connection via a threaded bolt 30. Alternatively, the fixed connection can also be brought about by adhesive bond, for example, by gluing.

[0051] Suspension adjustment element 28 is connected in a detachably fixed manner to base holder element 26 on an under side of base holder element 26, facing leaf spring element 12. Suspension adjustment element 28 comprises a surface 32 that faces leaf spring element 12 and formed convexly in a vertical plane that corresponds to the drawing plane of FIG. 1.

[0052] Suspension adjustment element 28 is arranged in such a manner that a front part of surface 32 of suspension adjustment element 28 is in mechanical bearing with leaf spring element 12 in a state of longitudinal leaf spring device 10 only loaded with the body load, which state is represented in FIG. 1. An angle 34 formed at a bearing point between surface 32 of suspension adjustment element 28 and the vertical direction furthermore substantially corresponds to an angle 36 at the bearing point between a surface of leaf spring element 12 facing surface 32 of suspension adjustment element 28 and the vertical direction.

[0053] The front region of leaf spring element 12 is provided, in the event of increasing load on longitudinal leaf spring device 10, to come into mechanical bearing with a part, which is increasing in size, of surface 32 of suspension adjustment element 28 up to complete surface 32.

[0054] This continuing rolling movement of leaf spring element 12 during operation of longitudinal leaf spring device 10 during travel of the motor vehicle on surface 32 of suspension adjustment element 28 could lead to increased surface wear. For effective reduction of the surface wear, surface 32, which faces leaf spring element 12, of suspension adjustment element 28 is formed as a mechanically resistant isolation layer 38.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the holder device of the longitudinal leaf spring device according to FIG. 1 in a side view. Surface 32 facing leaf spring element 12 has local radii of curvature 40, 42 arranged in the vertical (XZ) plane, which change so as to become constantly larger in terms of magnitude as a function of a distance from a foremost point of surface 32. For example, two of local radii of curvature 40, 42 are represented in FIG. 1. Surface 32, facing leaf spring element 12, of suspension adjustment element 28 has, in the state in which longitudinal leaf spring device 10 is only under the car body load, a minimum distance to surface 32 of leaf spring element 12, which increases continuously in a backwards direction.

[0056] The effectively active spring characteristic curve of longitudinal leaf spring device 10 can be fixed by selection of material and geometry of leaf spring element 12, and by a configuration of a form of surface 32, facing leaf spring element 12, of suspension adjustment element 28. By changing the form of suspension adjustment element 28, in the case of an identical leaf spring element 12, a completely different, effectively active spring characteristic curve of longitudinal leaf spring device 10 can be provided so that leaf spring element 12 can be used for different variants of a motor vehicle, and thus the tool can be retained for production of leaf spring element 12.

[0057] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the disclosure. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure.