Transverse leaf spring assembly for suspension of vehicle

Abstract

A transverse leaf spring assembly for a suspension of a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes: a frame; lower arms rotatably mounted on both sides of the frame, respectively; a bushing mounted on the frame; and a leaf spring having two end portions respectively in contact with the lower arm, the leaf spring including a protruding portion protruding from the leaf spring and fixed by the bushing. According to the transverse plate spring assembly, the center of the vehicle in the width direction of the vehicle can be aligned with the center of the transverse plate spring when the transverse plate spring is assembled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a lateral leaf spring assembly for a suspension of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a lateral leaf spring assembly for a suspension of a vehicle that can align the center in the width direction of the vehicle with the center of the lateral leaf spring when assembling the lateral leaf spring in the suspension of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] To ensure the battery space and interior space in an electric vehicle, it is necessary to lower the platform. For this reason, the suspension of the electric vehicle adopts a lateral leaf spring structure arranged in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0003] In addition, applying a composite material such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) to reduce the weight of the vehicle requires an assembly structure different from that of a conventional metal leaf spring.

[0004] When the lateral leaf spring made of a composite material is assembled to the suspension frame, the lateral leaf spring needs to be positioned to align with the lateral center of the vehicle.

[0005] Specifically, when the leaf spring is assembled to the suspension, the suspension includes a lower arm on one side thereof, and due to the rigidity and bending of the leaf spring, the leaf spring is pushed away, making it difficult to assemble the leaf spring to the suspension, which includes a lower arm on the other side thereof. Therefore, improvements are needed to solve this problem.

[0006] The related art of the present utility model is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2021-0147535 (published on December 7, 2021 and titled "Leaf Spring Suspension System"). Summary of the Utility Model

[0007] Various embodiments relate to a lateral leaf spring assembly for a suspension of a vehicle that can align the center of the vehicle in the width direction of the vehicle with the center of the lateral leaf spring when assembling the lateral leaf spring in the suspension of the vehicle.

[0008] In one embodiment, a lateral leaf spring assembly for a suspension of a vehicle may include: a frame; lower arms respectively rotatably mounted on both sides of the frame; a bushing mounted on the frame; and a leaf spring having two ends respectively contacting the lower arms, the leaf spring including a protrusion protruding from the leaf spring and fixed by the bushing.

[0009] In the present disclosure, the bushing may include: a first bushing mounted on the frame and configured to contact the upper surface of the leaf spring; and a second bushing disposed below the first bushing and configured to contact the lower surface of the leaf spring. The protrusion may be inserted into at least one of the first bushing and the second bushing.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the first bushing may include: a first bushing body configured to contact the upper surface of the leaf spring; a first bushing protrusion protruding from the first bushing body to surround the side surface of the leaf spring; and a first bushing receiving groove recessedly formed in the first bushing body and configured to receive a protrusion formed to protrude from the upper portion of the leaf spring.

[0011] In the present disclosure, the first bushing may further include a first bushing insertion portion formed to protrude from the first bushing body and inserted into the frame.

[0012] In the present disclosure, the second bushing may include: a second bushing body configured to contact the lower surface of the leaf spring; a second bushing protrusion protruding from the second bushing body to surround the side surface of the leaf spring; and a second bushing receiving groove recessedly formed in the second bushing body and configured to receive a protrusion formed to protrude from the lower portion of the leaf spring.

[0013] In the present disclosure, the second bushing may further include a second bushing insertion portion formed to protrude from the second bushing body and inserted into the frame.

[0014] In the present disclosure, the leaf spring may include a leaf spring body having a protrusion formed to protrude from the surface of the leaf spring body. The protrusion may include: a first protrusion formed to protrude from the upper portion of the leaf spring body and inserted into the first bushing; and a second protrusion formed to protrude from the lower portion of the leaf spring body and inserted into the second bushing.

[0015] The protrusion may have a hemispherical shape.

[0016] In the present disclosure, the frame may include: a frame body that houses the bushing and rotatably supports the lower arm; a bracket that closes the frame body housing the bushing; and a fastener that fastens the bracket to the frame body.

[0017] In the present disclosure, the frame body may include: a frame support body portion; a frame receiving portion recessedly formed in the frame support body portion and configured to house the bushing; and a frame rotation portion that rotatably supports one of the lower arms on the frame support body portion.

[0018] The leaf spring of the present disclosure may be made of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0019] The transverse leaf spring assembly according to the present disclosure may enable the center of the vehicle in the width direction of the vehicle to be aligned with the center of the transverse leaf spring when the transverse leaf spring is assembled.

[0020] In addition, the lateral leaf spring assembly according to the present disclosure can prevent the leaf spring from being pushed to the opposite side by the curvature and rigidity of the lateral leaf spring during assembly, and ensure reliable and easy assembly when the protrusion of the leaf spring is inserted into the bushing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 FIG. is a perspective view schematically showing a lateral leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view schematically showing the assembly of the lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 3 FIG. is a bottom perspective view schematically showing the assembly of the lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 4 FIG. is a front view schematically showing the lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 5 is schematically shown Figure 4 a partial enlarged view of A of.

[0026] Figure 6 is schematically shown Figure 4 a sectional view taken along line B-B of. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, a lateral leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension will be described through a plurality of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be considered that, for the sake of clarity and convenience of description, the thickness of each line or the size of each component in the drawings may be exaggeratedly shown.

[0028] In addition, the terms used herein are defined in consideration of the functions of the present disclosure, and these terms may change depending on the intention or practice of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms must be based on the content herein.

[0029] Figure 1 FIG. is a perspective view schematically showing the lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view schematically showing the assembly of the lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 FIG. is a bottom perspective view schematically showing the assembly of the lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 FIG. is a front view schematically showing the lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is schematically shown Figure 4 a partial enlarged view of A of. Figure 6is schematically shown Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 6 , a lateral leaf spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a frame 100, a lower arm 200, a bushing 300, and a leaf spring 400.

[0031] The lower arm 200 may be rotatably mounted on both sides of the frame 100, respectively. The bushing 300 may be mounted below the frame 100 (as Figure 2 shown).

[0032] The frame 100 may include a frame body 110, a bracket 120, and a fastener 130. The frame body 110 may accommodate the bushing 300 and rotatably support the lower arm 200. The bushing 300 may be mounted below the frame body 110 (as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown). The lower arm 200 may be rotatably mounted on the left and right sides of the frame body 110, respectively.

[0033] The frame body 110 may include a frame support body portion 111, a frame accommodation portion 113, and a frame rotation portion 115. The frame accommodation portion 113 may be formed in a lower portion of the frame support body portion 111, and the frame rotation portion 115 may be rotatably mounted on the left and right sides of the frame support body portion 111. A vehicle body (not shown) may be mounted on the frame body 110.

[0034] The frame accommodation portion 113 may be recessed in a lower portion of the frame support body portion 111 (as Figure 3 shown), and may accommodate a first bushing 310 and a second bushing 320 of the bushing 300.

[0035] The frame rotation portion 115 may rotatably support the lower arm 200 on the frame support body portion 111. The frame rotation portion 115 may be mounted on the left and right sides of the frame support body portion 111, respectively. The frame rotation portion 115 may be hingedly coupled to the lower arm 200 to rotatably support the lower arm 200.

[0036] The bracket 120 may enclose the frame body 110 that accommodates the bushing 300. The bracket 120 may enclose the frame accommodation portion 113 of the frame body 110 that accommodates the bushing 300. The bracket 120 may be made of a flat plate and may be formed to be larger than the frame accommodation portion 113.

[0037] The fastener 130 can fasten the bracket 120 to the frame body 110. The fastener 130 can include bolts, screws, etc., and can fasten the bracket 120 to the frame support body portion 111 of the frame body 110. An adhesive can be applied to the fastener so that the bracket 120 and the frame support body portion 111 of the frame body 110 can remain firmly coupled to each other.

[0038] The lower arms 200 can be rotatably mounted on both sides of the frame 100, respectively. The lower arms 200 can rotate by being hinge-coupled to the frame rotation portions 115 of the frame 100. The lower arms 200 can connect the vehicle body and the wheels.

[0039] The end bushings 210 can be mounted on the lower arms 200. The end bushings 210 can contact the ends of the leaf spring body 410 of the leaf spring 400. The end bushings 210 can be made of plastic, rubber, etc. The end bushings 210 can be made of an elastically deformable material to reduce damage or impact to the leaf spring 400.

[0040] The bushings 300 can be mounted on the frame 100. The bushings 300 can support the leaf spring 400. The bushings 300 can be received in the frame receiving portions 113 of the frame 100. A pair of bushings 300 can be arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction ( Figure 4 the horizontal direction in

[0041] of the leaf spring 400).

[0042] The bushings 300 can restrict the movement of the leaf spring 400, thereby preventing the leaf spring 400 from being pushed to the opposite side by the bending and rigidity of the leaf spring 400 during assembly, and ensuring reliable assembly simplicity.

[0042] The bushings 300 can include a first bushing 310 and a second bushing 320. The first bushing 310 can be arranged above the second bushing 320 (as Figure 2 shown).

[0043] The drawings of the present disclosure can show an example of the first bushing 310 as a pair of first bushings 310 and an example of the second bushing 320 as a pair of second bushings 320, the pair of first bushings being formed at intervals on the leaf spring body 410 of the leaf spring 400, and the pair of second bushings being formed at intervals below the leaf spring body 410 of the leaf spring 400.

[0044] The first bushing 310 can include a first bushing body 311, a first bushing protrusion 313, and a first bushing receiving groove 315.

[0045] The first bushing body 311 can be arranged on the leaf spring 400 and can contact the upper surface of the leaf spring 400 (as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown).

[0046] The first bushing protrusion 313 may protrude from the first bushing body 311 to surround the side surface of the leaf spring 400. The first bushing protrusion 313 may protrude downward from the edge of the first bushing body 311 to surround the upper surface of the leaf spring 400. A pair of first bushing protrusions 313 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other, and the distance between the spaced-apart first bushing protrusions 313 may be the same as the width of the leaf spring body 410 of the leaf spring 400.

[0047] The first bushing receiving groove 315 may be recessedly formed in the first bushing body 311 to receive the protrusion 420 formed to protrude from the upper portion of the leaf spring 400. The first bushing receiving groove 315 may be formed in the first bushing body 311 to face the first protrusion 421 of the protrusion 420 formed to protrude from the upper portion of the leaf spring 400. The first bushing receiving groove 315 may be formed to match the shape of the first protrusion 421 of the protrusion 420.

[0048] The first bushing receiving groove 315 may be formed to be recessed in a hemispherical shape to match the shape of the first protrusion 421 of the protrusion 420. The first bushing receiving groove 315 may receive the first protrusion 421 of the protrusion 420 to prevent the leaf spring 400 from shifting by means of the first bushing protrusion 313.

[0049] The first bushing 310 may further include a first bushing insertion portion 317. The first bushing insertion portion 317 may be formed to protrude from the first bushing body 311 and inserted into the frame 100. The first bushing insertion portion 317 may be formed to protrude from the upper portion of the first bushing body 311 (as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown) and inserted into the frame body 110 of the frame 100, and thus may restrict movement. Accordingly, the movement of the leaf spring 400 may be restricted by the first bushing 310.

[0050] The second bushing 320 may include a second bushing body 321, a second bushing protrusion 323, and a second bushing receiving groove 325.

[0051] The second bushing body 321 may be disposed below the leaf spring 400 and may be in contact with the lower surface of the leaf spring 400 (as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown).

[0052] The second bushing protrusion 323 may protrude from the second bushing body 321 to surround the side surface of the leaf spring 400. The second bushing protrusion 323 may protrude upward from the edge of the second bushing body 321 to surround the lower surface of the leaf spring 400. A pair of second bushing protrusions 323 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other, and the distance between the spaced-apart second bushing protrusions 323 may be the same as the width of the leaf spring body 410 of the leaf spring 400.

[0053] The second bushing receiving groove 325 may be recessedly formed in the second bushing body 321 to receive a protrusion 420 formed to protrude from the lower portion of the leaf spring 400. The second bushing receiving groove 325 may be formed in the second bushing body 321 to face a second protrusion 423 of the protrusion 420 formed to protrude from the lower portion of the leaf spring 400. The second bushing receiving groove 325 may be formed to match the shape of the second protrusion 423 of the protrusion 420.

[0054] The second bushing receiving groove 325 may be formed to be recessed in a hemispherical shape to match the shape of the second protrusion 423 of the protrusion 420. The second bushing receiving groove 325 may receive the second protrusion 423 of the protrusion 420 to prevent the leaf spring 400 from shifting by means of the second bushing protrusion 323.

[0055] The second bushing 320 may further include a second bushing insertion portion 327. The second bushing insertion portion 327 may be formed to protrude from the second bushing body 321 and inserted into the frame 100. The second bushing insertion portion 327 may be formed to protrude from the lower portion of the second bushing body 321 (as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown) and inserted into the bracket 120 of the frame 100, and thus movement may be restricted. Accordingly, the movement of the leaf spring 400 may be restricted by the second bushing 320.

[0056] The leaf spring 400 may have its two ends respectively contacting the lower arm 200, and include a protrusion 420 formed to protrude therefrom, and the leaf spring may be fixed by the bushing 300. The leaf spring 400 may be a lateral leaf spring formed to extend laterally on both the left and right sides of the frame 100.

[0057] The leaf spring 400 may include a leaf spring body 410 and a protrusion 420. The two ends of the leaf spring body 410 may respectively contact the lower arm 200. The protrusion 420 may be formed to protrude from the surface of the leaf spring body 410. The leaf spring body 410 may be a lateral leaf spring formed to extend laterally on both the left and right sides of the frame 100.

[0058] The two ends of the leaf spring body 410 may be respectively seated on end bushings 210 mounted on the lower arm 200.

[0059] At least one of the protrusions 420 may be formed to protrude from one side ( Figure 4 the upper side in) and the other side ( Figure 4 the lower side in) of the leaf spring body 410. The drawings of the present disclosure may show an example of the protrusions 420 as a pair of protrusions 420 formed to be spaced apart from each other on the leaf spring body 410 and a pair of protrusions 420 formed to be spaced apart from each other below the leaf spring body 410.

[0060] The protrusion 420 may include a first protrusion 421 and a second protrusion 423. The first protrusion 421 may be formed to protrude from the upper portion of the leaf spring body 410 (as shown in Figure 4 ) and inserted into the first bushing 310, and thus may restrict displacement from the first bushing 310. The first protrusion 421 may be formed to match the shape of the first bushing receiving groove 315 of the first bushing 310. The first protrusion 421 may be formed to protrude in a hemispherical shape to match the shape of the first bushing receiving groove 315.

[0061] The second protrusion 423 may be formed to protrude from the lower portion of the leaf spring body 410 (as shown in Figure 4 ) and inserted into the second bushing 320, and thus may restrict displacement from the second bushing 320. The second protrusion 423 may be formed to match the shape of the second bushing receiving groove 325 of the second bushing 320. The second protrusion 423 may be formed to protrude in a hemispherical shape to match the shape of the second bushing receiving groove 325.

[0062] The first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 423 may be inserted into the first bushing receiving groove 315 of the first bushing 310 and the second bushing receiving groove 325 of the second bushing 320, respectively, to prevent the leaf spring 400 from being pushed to the opposite side during the assembly of the leaf spring 400.

[0063] The leaf spring 400 may be made of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). Glass fiber reinforced plastic is a polyester resin mixed with glass fibers and cured, having high heat resistance, mechanical properties, and a weight lighter than steel, thereby improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

[0064] The transverse leaf spring assembly according to the present disclosure may enable the center of the vehicle in the width direction of the vehicle and the center of the transverse leaf spring to be aligned when assembling the transverse leaf spring.

[0065] In addition, the transverse leaf spring assembly according to the present disclosure may prevent the leaf spring from being pushed to the opposite side by the bending and rigidity of the transverse leaf spring during assembly, and ensure stable assembly simplicity when the protrusions of the leaf spring are inserted into the bushings.

[0066] The present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but these are merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art of this technology should understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments can be made without departing from the essence and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension, characterized in that, The lateral leaf spring assembly includes: A frame; Lower arms rotatably mounted on both sides of the frame respectively; Bushings mounted on the frame; and A leaf spring having two ends respectively contacting the lower arms, the leaf spring including a protrusion protruding from the leaf spring and fixed by the bushing.

2. The lateral leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bushing includes: A first bushing mounted on the frame and configured to contact the upper surface of the leaf spring; and A second bushing disposed below the first bushing and configured to contact the lower surface of the leaf spring, and The protrusion is inserted into at least one of the first bushing and the second bushing.

3. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first bushing includes: A first bushing body configured to contact the upper surface of the leaf spring; A first bushing protrusion protruding from the first bushing body to surround the side surface of the leaf spring; and A first bushing receiving groove recessed in the first bushing body and configured to receive the protrusion formed to protrude from the upper portion of the leaf spring.

4. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first bushing further includes a first bushing insertion portion formed to protrude from the first bushing body and inserted into the frame.

5. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second bushing includes: A second bushing body configured to contact the lower surface of the leaf spring; A second bushing protrusion protruding from the second bushing body to surround the side surface of the leaf spring; and A second bushing receiving groove recessed in the second bushing body and configured to receive the protrusion formed to protrude from the lower portion of the leaf spring.

6. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second bushing further includes a second bushing insertion portion formed to protrude from the second bushing body and inserted into the frame.

7. The lateral leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that: The leaf spring includes a leaf spring body having the protrusion formed to protrude from the surface of the leaf spring body, and The protrusion includes: A first protrusion formed to protrude from the upper portion of the leaf spring body and inserted into the first bushing; and A second protrusion formed to protrude from the lower portion of the leaf spring body and inserted into the second bushing.

8. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 7, characterized in that, The protrusion has a hemispherical shape.

9. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame includes: A frame body accommodating the bushing and rotatably supporting the lower arms; A bracket closing the frame body accommodating the bushing; and Fasteners fastening the bracket to the frame body.

10. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 9, characterized in that, The frame body includes: A frame support body portion; A frame accommodating portion recessed in the frame support body portion and configured to accommodate the bushing; and A frame rotation portion rotatably supporting one of the lower arms on the frame support body portion.

11. The transverse leaf spring assembly for a vehicle suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that, The leaf spring is made of glass fiber reinforced plastic.

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