Axle spring seat attachment assembly

Abstract

A spring seat attachment assembly for use with an axle / suspension system having at least one leaf spring and an axle, said attachment assembly including a band and a spring seat. The band may include a locator structure and is fixed to the axle and extends around a portion of the axle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. The spring seat receives the leaf spring and is fixed to the band.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 724,675, filed August 30, 2018. technical field [0003] The present disclosure generally relates to axle / suspension systems for heavy vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to heavy vehicle axle / suspension systems employing axle mounts for leaf springs. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to spring seat attachment assemblies for heavy vehicle axle / suspension systems. Background technique [0004] Axle / suspension systems for heavy vehicles are known. For convenience, reference is generally made to heavy vehicles, with the understanding that such references include trucks, tractor-trailer or semi-trailers, trailers, and the like. The axle / suspension system typically includes a pair of laterally spaced suspension assemblies connected to the vehicle's main frame or a subframe supported by the main frame. S...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, when prior art spring seat assembly wires are welded to the center tube, the area formed adjacent to the start and end of each weld is generally more favorable than non-welded areas or other types of seams that lack distinct start and end points. The welded area is more susceptible to stress

This results in welded higher stress areas of the center tube along the shaft being more susceptible to potential damage from the forces and loads acting on the shaft than unwelded areas

To compensate for this increased sensitivity, prior art axle / suspension systems typically increase the thickness of the axle's center tube, which undesirably increases the weight, amount of material, and cost of manufacturing the axle / suspension system

[0009] Additionally, while prior art axle / suspension systems with axle spring mounts worked satisfactorily using wire or window welds located in the front and rear quadrants of the axle, due to the acceleration and Periodic forces and loads across the shaft generated by deceleration and exacerbated by loading conditions during operation, which may unexpectedly present less than optimal wear rates

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