A leaf spring connection node

Abstract

A leaf spring connection node includes a spherical hinge structure with an opening and a laminated spring structure arranged at the opening of the spherical hinge structure. The spherical hinge structure includes a metal sleeve and a metal outer sleeve outside the metal sleeve, and the metal sleeve and the metal outer sleeve are connected by a rubber body. The metal outer sleeve is a cylinder including an arc-shaped head and a V-shaped tail. Its arc-shaped head surrounds the metal sleeve, and its V-shaped tail surrounds the laminated spring structure. There are two assembly cavities respectively for inserting and fixing the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring of the leaf spring between the V-shaped tail and the upper and lower surfaces of the laminated spring structure. The present invention connects the end of the leaf spring through a connection node with an assembly cavity, maintaining the integrity of the leaf spring. And when there are differences in the stiffness of the leaf spring and there are longitudinal and transverse misalignments between the deformations of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring, the end connection will still not be affected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a leaf spring connection node for connecting two opposite leaf springs at the ends, and belongs to the field of vibration reduction technology. Background Art

[0002] In the new generation of high-speed trains, due to higher speeds, higher requirements are imposed on stability and comfort. Therefore, composite leaf springs are used in the primary suspension system to bear vertical loads and provide elastic vibration reduction to meet the requirements of stiffness, lightweight, and shock absorption. The leaf spring is a long circular arc spring steel with a rectangular cross-section, and usually two identical pieces are used in relative cooperation and fixed at both ends to achieve better vibration reduction effects. When in use, the leaf spring is installed on the vehicle through the middle part, and both ends are in a free state. Therefore, when vertically loaded, both ends of the spring extend to both sides. The greater the load, the longer the extension length to both sides. In theory, the elongation reaches the limit value when the leaf spring is pressed to the flattened state, but in actual use, the leaf spring after being loaded still maintains a certain arc.

[0003] Currently, the connection of the leaf spring ends usually involves drilling holes at the ends of the leaf spring and then using bolts to connect the two leaf springs to a connecting device that can rotate around it, such as an eyelet. For example, in the invention patent application with the application number CN202111098478.9 and the name "End Connection Device of Leaf Spring and Its Installation Method and End Deformation Method", the upper spring leaf and the lower spring leaf are connected by an end connection device composed of a lower metal seat, a rubber bushing 4, and an upper metal sleeve at each end. The upper metal sleeve is provided with a connecting pin to connect with the upper spring leaf, and the lower metal seat is provided with a connecting column to connect with the lower spring leaf.

[0004] The above-mentioned end connection device has the following problems: First, both the upper spring leaf and the lower spring leaf are connected to the connecting pin and the connecting column respectively through holes, and the holes will affect the performance of the leaf spring; second, when the upper spring leaf and the lower spring leaf deform and rotate around the end connection device, rotational friction will occur between the rubber bushing and the lower metal seat under load, resulting in relatively large wear at the rotation point; third, since both the upper spring leaf and the upper metal sleeve and the lower spring leaf and the lower metal seat are rigidly connected, when under load, due to the inconsistent deformation between the spring leaf and the end connection device, line contact may be formed between the spring leaf and the end connection device, greatly increasing the force at the contact part, seriously affecting the performance of the leaf spring, and further leading to poor vibration reduction effect and low service life of the leaf spring. Therefore, it is necessary to make improvements. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the problem that the current end connection device of the leaf spring has unreasonable structure, resulting in poor vibration damping effect and low service life of the leaf spring, the present invention proposes a leaf spring connection node to transmit the loads of the upper and lower leaf springs and enable mutual rotation at the ends, which can greatly improve the performance and service life of the leaf spring.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is as follows: a leaf spring connection node includes a spherical hinge structure with an opening and a laminated spring structure arranged at the opening of the spherical hinge structure. The spherical hinge structure includes a metal sleeve and a metal outer sleeve outside the metal sleeve, and the metal sleeve and the metal outer sleeve are connected by a rubber body; the metal outer sleeve is a cylinder including an arc-shaped head and a V-shaped tail, its arc-shaped head surrounds the metal sleeve, and its V-shaped tail surrounds the laminated spring structure, and there are two assembly cavities respectively for inserting and fixing the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring of the leaf spring between the V-shaped tail and the upper and lower surfaces of the laminated spring structure.

[0007] Further, the laminated spring structure is integrally in a V-shaped cylinder, including an upper panel, a lower panel, and a rubber layer between the upper panel and the lower panel.

[0008] Further, assembly cavities are formed between the upper panel and the lower panel and the V-shaped tail of the metal outer sleeve respectively, and the upper panel, the lower panel, and the surfaces of the V-shaped tail at the assembly cavities are all wrapped with rubber.

[0009] Further, a partition is provided in the rubber layer of the laminated spring structure.

[0010] Further, a spacer sleeve is provided in the rubber body of the spherical hinge structure.

[0011] Further, the spacer sleeve is an arc-shaped cylinder, and its arc-shaped ends are respectively connected to the upper panel and the lower panel.

[0012] Further, the spacer sleeve and the upper panel and the lower panel are of an integrally formed structure.

[0013] Further, the spacer sleeve and the upper panel and the lower panel are connected by an arc.

[0014] Further, holes are provided between the rubber layer and the rubber body.

[0015] Further, reinforcing ribs are provided on the outer side between the arc-shaped head and the V-shaped tail of the metal outer sleeve.

[0016] Further, the metal outer sleeve is of an integrally formed structure.

[0017] Further, the arc-shaped head and the V-shaped tail of the metal outer sleeve are connected by an arc.

[0018] Further, after the leaf spring is pre-loaded and deformed, it is installed in the assembly cavity, and the laminated spring structure is in a free state before loading after assembly.

[0019] Furthermore, there is an interference fit between the leaf spring and the wall of the assembly cavity.

[0020] Furthermore, stoppers protruding towards the assembly cavity are provided at both ends of the V-shaped tail portion.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0022] 1. In the present invention, the end portions of the leaf springs are connected through the connection nodes with the assembly cavities, maintaining the integrity of the leaf springs. Moreover, when there are differences in the stiffness of the leaf springs and there are longitudinal and lateral displacements between the deformations of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring, the end connection is still not affected.

[0023] 2. In the present invention, by installing the leaf springs into the assembly cavities, surface contact is achieved between the leaf springs and the connection nodes, and during the use process, surface contact always exists between the leaf springs and the connection nodes, avoiding excessive local stress caused by line contact in the current connection device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall connection node in Embodiment 1;

[0025] Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of the assembly of the leaf spring and the connection node in Embodiment 1 (where some structure cross-section lines are omitted);

[0026] Figure 3 Schematic cross-sectional view of the connection node in Embodiment 1 (where some structure cross-section lines are omitted);

[0027] Figure 4 Schematic cross-sectional view of the metal outer sleeve in Embodiment 1;

[0028] Figure 5 For Figure 2 Partially enlarged schematic diagram;

[0029] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of stoppers facing inwards provided on both sides of the V-shaped tail portion of the metal outer sleeve;

[0030] In the figure: 1. Ball joint structure, 11. Metal sleeve, 12. Rubber body, 13. Spacer sleeve, 14. Metal outer sleeve, 141. Arc-shaped head, 142. V-shaped tail portion, 15. Reinforcing rib, 16. Stopper, 2. Laminated spring structure, 21. Upper panel, 22 Rubber layer, 23. Partition board, 24. Lower panel, 3. Assembly cavity, 31. Upper leaf spring, 32. Lower leaf spring, 4. Opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes, showing schematic diagrams rather than physical diagrams, and should not be construed as a limitation to this patent; in order to better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, some components in the drawings will be omitted, enlarged or reduced, which do not represent the dimensions of the actual product; for those skilled in the art, it is understandable that some well-known structures and their descriptions in the drawings may be omitted.

[0032] Embodiment 1

[0033] A leaf spring connection node, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, includes a spherical hinge structure 1 and a laminated spring structure 2. As Figure 3 shown, the spherical hinge structure 1 includes, from the inside to the outside, a metal sleeve 11, a rubber body 12, a spacer sleeve 13, a rubber body 12, and a metal outer sleeve 14. The metal sleeve 11 is a cylinder, and the spacer sleeve 13 is a cylinder with an arc-shaped radial cross-section. As Figure 4 shown, when viewed axially, the metal outer sleeve 14 includes an arc-shaped head 141 and a V-shaped tail 142, forming a cylinder with an opening. The metal sleeve 11, the rubber body 12, and the spacer sleeve 13 are all enclosed within the arc-shaped head 141 of the metal outer sleeve 14. At the same time, in order to improve the strength of the metal outer sleeve 14, the metal outer sleeve 14 in this embodiment is formed by an integral molding method. At the same time, as Figure 3 shown, a reinforcing rib 15 is provided outside the metal outer sleeve 14 to connect the arc-shaped head 141 and the V-shaped tail 142.

[0034] As Figure 3 shown, the laminated spring structure 2 includes an upper panel 21, a rubber layer 22, a partition plate 23, and a lower panel 24. In this embodiment, the upper panel 21 and the lower panel 24 are respectively connected to the two arc-shaped ends of the spacer sleeve 13, and an integral molding method is used to improve the overall strength of the connection node. The rubber layer 22 connects the upper panel 21 and the lower panel 24 into a whole, and a partition plate 23 is provided in the rubber layer 22 to improve the rubber bearing capacity. The thickness of the rubber layer 22 near the spherical hinge structure 1 is less than the thickness of the rubber layer 22 far from the spherical hinge structure 1, making the laminated spring structure 2 a V-shaped cylinder as a whole.

[0035] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the figure, the laminated spring structure 2 is located within the V-shaped tail 142 of the metal outer sleeve 14. Assembly cavities 3 for inserting the upper spring leaf 31 and the lower spring leaf 32 of the leaf spring are respectively formed between the upper panel 21, the lower panel 24, and the V-shaped tail 142. During assembly, after the leaf spring is in a preloaded state, it is inserted into the assembly cavity 3. When the leaf spring is loaded, the end of the upper spring leaf 31 moves upward and the middle part moves downward after deformation, while the end of the lower spring leaf 32 moves downward and the middle part moves upward after deformation. When the ends are assembled into the assembly cavity 3, during loading, the end of the upper spring leaf 31 pushes the metal outer sleeve 14 upward, the end of the lower spring leaf 32 pushes the metal outer sleeve 14 downward, and the upper spring leaf 31 and the lower spring leaf 32 also simultaneously squeeze the laminated spring structure 2 towards each other. Through preloading and deformation before assembly, the width between the arc ends of the arc-shaped head 141 of the metal outer sleeve 14 matches the height at the end of the leaf spring after preloading deformation, and the appropriate thickness of the rubber layer 22 is designed so that the rubber layer 22 is in a free state at this time. In this way, both the deformation amount of the leaf spring under load conditions during use is reduced, and the outward expansion force borne by the V-shaped tail 142 of the metal outer sleeve 14 under load conditions and the extrusion force borne by the rubber layer 22 under load conditions are reduced, improving the service life of each component. At the same time, by adopting the method of integrally forming the arc-shaped head 141 and the V-shaped tail 142 and connecting the arc-shaped head 141 and the V-shaped tail 142 by arranging reinforcing ribs 15 outside the metal outer sleeve 14, the stiffness of the metal outer sleeve 14 is increased, further improving the service life. Of course, better still, integrally forming the reinforcing ribs 15, the arc-shaped head 141, and the V-shaped tail 142 can achieve better results. Similarly, the spacer sleeve 13, the upper panel 21, and the lower panel 24 are also integrally formed as a whole to increase their stiffness.

[0036] As Figure 3 shown in the figure, an opening 4 is provided between the rubber layer 22 and the rubber body 12 to increase the free surface of the rubber. When the leaf spring is loaded and the rubber layer 22 is squeezed and deformed, stress can be released from the free surfaces at both ends. At the same time, the inner walls of the assembly cavity 3 are all wrapped with rubber, and there is an interference fit between the leaf spring and the wall of the assembly cavity 3. When the leaf spring is inserted into the assembly cavity 3, the surface of the leaf spring contacts the rubber, making the contact between the leaf spring and the rubber always a surface contact state. In this way, the stress between the contact surfaces is uniform, protecting the weak parts of the leaf spring.

[0037] As Figure 5 shown in the figure, the arc-shaped head 141 and the V-shaped tail of the metal outer sleeve 14 are connected by an arc R1, and the spacer sleeve 13 and the lower panel 24, as well as the spacer sleeve 13 and the upper panel 21, are connected by an arc R2. During loading, the arc R1 serves as the main support point when the V-shaped tail is stressed and deformed, and the arc R2 serves as the main support point when the upper panel 21 or the lower panel is stressed and deformed. Using an arc structure can better disperse the stress at the stress application point.

[0038] AsFigure 6 As shown, at both ends of the V-shaped tail 142 along the axial direction of the spherical hinge structure 1, there are stoppers 16 protruding towards the assembly cavity 3. The stoppers 16, the V-shaped tail 142 and the upper panel 21 or the lower panel 24 together enclose the assembly cavity 3. Of course, it is not required that the stoppers 16 must completely block the assembly cavity 3 in width or be exactly designed to be the width of the assembly cavity 3. The stoppers 16 can only block a part of the assembly cavity 3 as long as it can prevent the leaf spring from coming out of the side of the assembly cavity 3 when the leaf spring moves out of place. The stoppers 16 can also be set to extend to both ends of the rubber layer 22 or the partition 23.

[0039] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention, rather than limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the relevant technical fields can also make various changes or transformations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention should be defined by each claim.

Claims

1. A leaf spring connection node, characterized in that: The invention comprises a ball hinge structure (1) with an opening and a laminated spring structure (2) arranged at the opening of the ball hinge structure (1), wherein the ball hinge structure (1) comprises a metal sleeve (11) and a metal jacket (14) outside the metal sleeve (11), and the metal sleeve (11) and the metal jacket (14) are connected by a rubber body (12); the metal jacket (14) is a column comprising an arc-shaped head (141) and a V-shaped tail (142), wherein the arc-shaped head (141) surrounds the metal sleeve (11) and the V-shaped tail (142) surrounds the laminated spring structure (2), and two assembly cavities (3) are provided between the V-shaped tail (142) and the upper and lower surfaces of the laminated spring structure (2), into which an upper spring leaf (31) and a lower spring leaf (32) of a leaf spring are respectively inserted and fixed.

2. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 1, wherein: The laminated spring structure (2) is in the form of a V-shaped column as a whole, and comprises an upper panel (21), a lower panel (24), and a rubber layer (22) between the upper panel (21) and the lower panel (24).

3. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 2, wherein: An assembly cavity (3) is formed between the upper panel (21) and the lower panel (24) and the V-shaped tail (142) of the metal jacket (14), and the surfaces of the upper panel (21), the lower panel (24) and the V-shaped tail (142) at the assembly cavity (3) are all covered with rubber.

4. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 2, wherein: A partition plate (23) is provided in the rubber layer (22) of the laminated spring structure (2).

5. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 2, wherein: A spacer sleeve (13) is provided in the rubber body (12) of the ball joint structure (1).

6. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 5, characterized in that: The spacer (13) is an arc-shaped column, and its arc-shaped ends are respectively connected to the upper panel (21) and the lower panel (24).

7. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 2, wherein: An opening is provided between the rubber layer (22) and the rubber body (12).

8. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 1, wherein: A reinforcing rib (15) is provided on the outer side between the arc-shaped head (141) and the V-shaped tail (142) of the metal jacket (14).

9. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 1, wherein: The leaf spring is preloaded and deformed before being installed into the assembly cavity (3). After assembly, the front-loaded laminated spring structure (2) is in a free state.

10. The leaf spring connection node according to claim 1, wherein: Stoppers (16) protruding toward the assembly cavity (3) are provided at both ends of the V-shaped tail (142).

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