BLATTFEDERBOCK

Abstract

A leaf spring support (50) for a vehicle (10) comprises an upper support (52) that is capable of being pivotably connected to a distal end (54) of a leaf spring (56); a lower support (58) that is capable of being pivotably connected to a frame component (60) of the vehicle (10); and a linear element that is positioned between the upper support (52) and the lower support (58); wherein the upper support (52) and the lower support (58) are pivotably connected to each other; wherein the upper support (52) is capable of being pivotably connected to the distal end (54) of the leaf spring (56) at a first pivot connection (64), wherein the upper support (52) is pivotably movable about a first axis (66) relative to the distal end (54) of the leaf spring (56);wherein the lower bracket (58) is suitable for being pivotably connected to the frame component (60) of the vehicle (10) at a second pivot connection (70), wherein the lower bracket (58) is pivotably movable relative to the frame of the vehicle (10) about a second axis (72); and wherein the upper bracket (52) and the lower bracket (58) are pivotably connected to each other at a third pivot connection (76) and are pivotably movable relative to each other about a third axis (78), wherein the linear element is a linear damping element (62) suitable for damping the pivoting movement of the upper bracket (52) relative to the lower bracket (58); wherein: the upper bracket (52) comprises a first end (52A) and a second end (52B), and the first pivot connection (64) is adjacent to the first end (52A) of the upper bracket (52);the lower bracket (58) comprises a first end (58A) and a second end (58B), the second pivot connection (70) is adjacent to the first end (58A) of the lower bracket (58); the third pivot connection (76) is located between the first and second ends (52A, 52B) of the upper bracket (52) and between the first and second ends (58A, 58B) of the lower bracket (58); the movement of the first end (52A) of the upper bracket (52) away from the first end (58A) of the lower bracket (58) pivots the upper bracket (52) and the lower bracket (58) relative to each other, and moves the second end (52A) of the upper bracket (52) towards the second end (58B) of the lower bracket (58).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a leaf spring bracket according to the preamble of claim 1 for a vehicle of a type substantially known from US 1 580 121 A.

[0002] Further details of the state of the art can be found in the publications DE 10 2016 210 820 A1 and DE 101 21 918 A1.

[0003] A leaf spring bracket attaches one end of a leaf spring to the frame of a vehicle. A leaf spring suspension comprises leaf springs that position and support the axle under the vehicle and bear the vehicle's weight. When a leaf spring flexes up or down, its length changes from eye to eye. Since typically one end of a leaf spring is fixed to the vehicle frame and cannot move, all the change in length occurs at the opposite end of the leaf spring. A leaf spring bracket is positioned between this second end of the leaf spring and the vehicle frame, connecting it to the frame. Such leaf spring brackets generally include a first pivot connection between the leaf spring and the bracket, and a second pivot connection between the bracket and the vehicle frame.The first and second pivot connections are spaced apart and allow the movement of the second end of the leaf spring in both an x-direction (forward and backward) and a z-direction (upward and downward).

[0004] Although the current leaf spring mounts fulfill their purpose, there is therefore a need for a new and improved leaf spring mount that includes a third pivoting connection and uses linear damping to provide improved suspension characteristics. SUMMARY

[0005] According to the invention, a leaf spring bracket for a vehicle is presented, which is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to another aspect, the linear damping element is positioned between the second end of the upper bracket and the second end of the lower bracket, and is suitable to dampen the movement of the second end of the upper bracket towards the second end of the lower bracket, while dampening the movement of the first end of the upper bracket away from the first end of the lower bracket.

[0007] According to another aspect, the first end of the upper bracket is pivotable about the first axis and can be moved in both an x-direction, forwards and backwards, as well as in a z-direction, upwards and downwards; the first end of the lower bracket is pivotable about the second axis and is held fixed in both the x-direction and the z-direction; and the third pivot connection is movable between the upper and lower brackets in both the x-direction and the z-direction.

[0008] According to another aspect, the linear damping element comprises a coil spring positioned between the second end of the upper bracket and the second end of the lower bracket, as well as a damper positioned inside the coil spring between the second end of the upper bracket and the second end of the lower bracket.

[0009] According to another aspect, the coil spring is made of steel.

[0010] According to another aspect, the damper comprises a first component made of a damping material and a second component made of an energy-absorbing material.

[0011] According to another aspect, the first component of the damper is a cylindrical tower positioned inside the coil spring and made of thermoplastic urethane, and the second component of the damper is a column positioned inside the cylindrical tower and made of microcellular urethane.

[0012] According to another aspect, the damper includes a hydraulic shock absorber.

[0013] According to another aspect, the linear damping element is linearly compressed by the movement of the second end of the upper bracket towards the second end of the lower bracket.

[0014] According to another aspect, the upper bracket and the lower bracket are stamped steel components.

[0015] Furthermore, a leaf spring assembly for a vehicle is described. The leaf spring assembly comprises a leaf spring and a leaf spring bracket suitable for connecting the leaf spring to a frame component of the vehicle, wherein the leaf spring bracket comprises an upper bracket made of stamped steel suitable for pivotally connecting to a distal end of the leaf spring, a lower bracket made of stamped steel suitable for pivotally connecting to a frame component of the vehicle, and a linear damping element positioned between the upper bracket and the lower bracket, wherein the upper bracket and the lower bracket are pivotably connected to each other, and the linear damping element is suitable for damping a pivoting movement of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket.

[0016] According to another aspect, the upper bracket is suitable for being pivotably connected to the distal end of the leaf spring at a first pivot connection, wherein the upper bracket is pivotably movable about a first axis relative to the distal end of the leaf spring, the lower bracket is suitable for being pivotably connected to the frame components of the vehicle at a second pivot connection, wherein the lower bracket is pivotably movable about a second axis relative to the frame of the vehicle, wherein the upper bracket and the lower bracket are pivotably connected to each other at a third pivot connection and are pivotably movable about a third axis relative to each other.

[0017] According to another aspect, the upper bracket comprises a first end and a second end, the first pivot connection is adjacent to the first end of the upper bracket, the lower bracket comprises a first end and a second end, the second pivot connection is adjacent to the first end of the lower bracket, the third pivot connection is located between the first and second ends of the upper bracket and between the first and second ends of the lower bracket, wherein the movement of the first end of the upper bracket away from the first end of the lower bracket pivots the upper bracket and the lower bracket relative to each other and moves the second end of the upper bracket towards the second end of the lower bracket.

[0018] According to another aspect, the linear damping element is positioned between the second end of the upper bracket and the second end of the lower bracket, wherein a movement of the second end of the upper bracket towards the second end of the lower bracket linearly compresses the linear damping element and the linear damping element is suitable to linearly dampen a movement of the second end of the upper bracket towards the second end of the lower bracket, damping the movement of the first end of the upper bracket away from the first end of the lower bracket.

[0019] According to another aspect, the first end of the upper bracket is pivotable about the first axis and movable in both an x-direction, forwards and backwards, and in a z-direction, upwards and downwards; the first end of the lower bracket is pivotable about the second axis and held fixed in both the x-direction and the z-direction; and the third pivot connection between the upper bracket and the lower bracket is movable in both the x-direction and the z-direction, wherein the linear damping element comprises a steel coil spring positioned between the second end of the upper bracket and the second end of the lower bracket, and a damper positioned inside the coil spring between the second end of the upper bracket and the second end of the lower bracket.

[0020] From another perspective, the damper comprises a cylindrical tower positioned inside the coil spring and made of thermoplastic urethane, and a column positioned inside the cylindrical tower and made of microcellular urethane.

[0021] According to yet another aspect, the damper includes a hydraulic shock absorber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a leaf spring which is supported by a leaf spring bracket on a frame component of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a leaf spring bracket that has a linear damper comprising a first component and a second component; Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a leaf spring mount featuring a linear damper that includes a hydraulic shock absorber; Fig. 4A is a side cross-sectional view along line 4A-4A of Fig. 3A; Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the first and second components of the linear damper, which is in Fig. 3A is shown; Fig. 5A is a side cross-sectional view along line 5A-5A of Fig. 3B; and Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the hydraulic shock absorber of the linear damper, which is in Fig. 3B is shown.

[0023] The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be larger or smaller to illustrate details of certain components. In some cases, known components, systems, materials, or processes have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, the specific design and functional details disclosed herein are not to be understood as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching a person skilled in the art to apply the present invention in different ways. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Exemplary embodiments are now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. According to one exemplary embodiment, Fig. Figure 1 represents a vehicle 10 with an associated leaf spring support 50. The vehicle 10 generally comprises a chassis 12, a body 14, front wheels 16, and rear wheels 18. The body 14 is arranged on the chassis 12 and essentially encloses components of the vehicle 10. The body 14 and the chassis 12 can together form a frame. The front wheels 16 and the rear wheels 18 are each rotatably connected to the chassis 12 near their respective corners of the body 14.

[0025] As shown, the vehicle 10 generally comprises a drive system 20, a transmission system 22, a steering system 24, a braking system 26, a sensor system 28, an actuator system 30, at least one data storage device 32, a vehicle control unit 34, and a wireless communication module 36. In an embodiment in which the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, a transmission system 22 may be omitted. The drive system 20 may, in various embodiments, comprise an internal combustion engine, an electric machine such as a traction motor, and / or a fuel cell propulsion system. The transmission system 22 is configured to transmit power from the drive system 20 to the front wheels 16 and rear wheels 18 of the vehicle according to selectable gear ratios. According to various embodiments, the transmission system 22 may comprise a multi-stage automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission, or another suitable transmission.The braking system 26 is configured to provide a braking torque to the front wheels 16 and rear wheels 18 of the vehicle. The braking system 26 may, in various embodiments, include friction brakes, wire-operated brakes, a regenerative braking system such as an electric motor, and / or other suitable braking systems. The steering system 24 influences the position of the front wheels 16 and rear wheels 18. Although it is shown to include a steering wheel for illustrative purposes, the steering system 24 may not include a steering wheel in some embodiments, such as those considered for a fully autonomous vehicle.

[0026] The sensor system 28 comprises one or more sensor devices that detect observable conditions of the external environment and / or the internal environment of the autonomous vehicle 10. The sensor devices may include, but are not limited to, radars, lidar, global positioning systems, optical cameras, thermal cameras, ultrasonic sensors and / or other sensors.

[0027] The vehicle control unit 34 comprises at least one processor 44 and a computer-readable storage device or medium 46. The at least one processor 44 can be any custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors assigned to the vehicle control unit 34, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions. The computer-readable storage device or medium 46 can include volatile and non-volatile memory, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM).A KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables while at least one processor 44 is switched off. The computer-readable memory device(s) or media 46 can be implemented using any number of known memory devices, such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (erasable PROMs), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROMs), flash memory, or any other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combined memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represents executable instructions used by the vehicle controller 34 in controlling the vehicle 10.

[0028] The wireless communication module 36 is configured to wirelessly communicate information to and from other remote units 48, such as, but not limited to, other vehicles (“V2V” communication), infrastructure (“V2I” communication), remote systems, remote servers, cloud computers, and / or personal devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication system 36 is a wireless communication system configured to communicate over a wireless local area network (WLAN) using IEEE 802.11 standards or over cellular data communication. However, additional or alternative communication methods, such as a Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) channel, are possible.DSRC channels refer to one-way or two-way short- to medium-range wireless communication channels specifically designed for use in vehicles, as well as a corresponding set of protocols and standards.

[0029] The vehicle control unit 34 is a non-general electronic control unit comprising a pre-programmed digital computer or processor, memory or non-transient computer-readable medium used to store data such as control logic, software applications, instructions, computer code, data, lookup tables, etc., and a transmit / receive device [or input / output terminals]. Computer-readable media includes all types of media accessible to a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of storage. A "non-transient" computer-readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links carrying transient electrical or other signals.A non-transient computer-readable medium includes media on which data can be permanently stored and media on which data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable storage device. Computer code includes all types of program code, including source code, object code, and executable code.

[0030] With reference to Fig. 2 comprises a leaf spring support 50 for a vehicle 10, an upper bracket 52 suitable for pivoting with a distal end 54 of a leaf spring 56, and a lower bracket 58 suitable for pivoting with a frame component 60 of the vehicle 10. A linear damping element 62 is positioned between the upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58. The upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58 are pivotally connected to each other, and the linear damping element 62 is suitable for damping the pivoting movement of the upper bracket 52 relative to the lower bracket 58.In an exemplary embodiment, the upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58 are components made of stamped steel; however, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58 can be manufactured by methods and from materials not specifically disclosed herein, without departing from the novel features of the present invention.

[0031] With reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. 5A The upper bracket 52 is suitable for being pivotably connected to the distal end 54 of the leaf spring 56 at a first pivot connection 64, wherein the upper bracket 52 is pivotably movable relative to the distal end 54 of the leaf spring 56 about a first axis 66, as indicated by arrow 68. The lower bracket 58 is suitable for being pivotably connected to the frame component 60 of the vehicle 10 at a second pivot connection 70, wherein the lower bracket 58 is pivotable relative to the frame component 60 of the vehicle 10 about a second axis 72, as indicated by arrow 74. The upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58 are pivotably connected to each other at a third pivot connection 76 and are pivotable relative to each other about a third axis 78, as indicated by arrows 80 and 82.

[0032] The upper support 52 comprises a first end 52A and a second end 52B, wherein the first pivot connection 64 is adjacent to the first end 52A of the upper support 52, the first end 52A of the upper support 52 being pivotable about the first axis 66, as indicated by arrow 68, and movable in both an x-direction 84, forward and backward, as indicated by arrow 86, and a z-direction 88, upward and downward, as indicated by arrow 90. The lower support 58 comprises a first end 58A and a second end 58B, wherein the second pivot connection 70 is adjacent to the first end 58A of the lower support 58, the first end 58A of the lower support 58 being pivotable about the second axis 72, and being held fixed in both the x-direction 84 and the z-direction 88.The third pivot connection 76 is located between the first and second ends 52A, 52B of the upper bracket 52 and between the first and second ends 58A, 58B of the lower bracket 58, wherein the third pivot connection 76 between the upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58 is movable in both the x-direction 84, as indicated by arrow 92, and the z-direction 88, as indicated by arrow 94. The movement of the first end 52A of the upper bracket 52 away from the first end 58A of the lower bracket 58, as indicated by arrow 96, pivots the upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58 relative to each other, as indicated by arrows 80, 82, and the movement of the second end 52B of the upper bracket 52 towards the second end 58B of the lower bracket 58, as indicated by arrow 98, causes the upper bracket 52 and the lower bracket 58 to pivot.

[0033] The linear damping element 62 is positioned between the second end 52B of the upper bracket 52 and the second end 58B of the lower bracket 58, and is suitable for damping the movement of the second end 52B of the upper bracket 52 towards the second end 58B of the lower bracket, while damping the movement of the first end 52A of the upper bracket 52 away from the first end 58A of the lower bracket 58. Thus, when the vehicle 10 travels on a road surface, the distal end 54 of the leaf spring 56 moves forward and backward in the x-direction 84 and up and down in the z-direction 88 as the leaf spring extends and contracts when the vehicle wheels encounter irregularities in the road surface.The damping element 62 dampens and absorbs the movement of the distal end 54 of the leaf spring 56 due to such low amplitude / high frequency irregularities on the road surface, thus reducing the perception of such irregularities by the passengers inside the vehicle 10.

[0034] In one exemplary embodiment, the linear damping element comprises a helical spring 100 positioned between the second end 52B of the upper support 52 and the second end 58B of the lower support 58, and a damper 102 positioned within the helical spring 100 between the second end 52B of the upper support 52 and the second end 58B of the lower support 58. In various embodiments, the helical spring 100 is made of any material suitable for the application, such as steel, spring steel, or another material suitable for the application.Thus, when the vehicle 10 encounters irregularities in the road surface that cause deformation and movement of the leaf spring 56, the linear damping element 62 is linearly compressed by the movement of the second end 52B of the upper bracket 52 towards the second end 58B of the lower bracket 58, the linear damping element 62 providing linear damping of the movement of the second end 52B of the upper bracket 52 towards the second end 58B of the lower bracket 58 along a vertical axis 124.

[0035] With reference to Fig. 3A, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B The damper 102 comprises a first component 104, which is made of a damping material, and a second component 106, which is made of an energy-absorbing material. In an exemplary embodiment, the first component 104 of the damper 102 is a cylindrical tower 108, which is positioned inside the helical spring 100 and is made of thermoplastic urethane, and the second component 106 of the damper 102 is a column 110, which is positioned inside the cylindrical tower 108 and is made of microcellular urethane. As shown, the cylindrical tower 108 has a lattice structure with angled vertical support sections 114 that connect adjacent annular sections 116. The angled vertical support sections 114 are suitable to allow a slight deflection of the cylindrical tower 108 under compression in order to slightly dampen the compression of the damper 102.Dimensions such as the length and thickness of the vertical support sections 114 can be designed to give the cylindrical tower more or less stiffness, thus allowing the damper to be tailored to a specific application. Additionally, the stiffness and energy-absorbing properties of the cylindrical tower 108 made of thermoplastic urethane and the column 110 made of microcellular urethane can be adjusted to further tailor the damper to a specific application.

[0036] With reference to Fig. 3B, Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B The damper 102 includes a hydraulic shock absorber 112. The hydraulic shock absorber 112 can be any type of device that uses a compressible fluid 118 to absorb energy when the damper is compressed.

[0037] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that other types of damping elements 62 can also be used without deviating from the novel features of the present invention. With reference to Fig. 4A, the second end 52B of the upper bracket 52 in an exemplary embodiment comprises a downwardly projecting knob 120 which engages with the cylindrical tower 104 and / or the coil spring 100 to align and keep the linear damping element 62 in contact with the second end 52B of the upper bracket 52, and the second end 58B of the lower bracket 58 comprises an upwardly projecting knob 122 which engages with the coil spring 100 to align and keep the linear damping element 62 in contact with the second end 58B of the lower bracket 58.

Claims

[1] Leaf spring support (50) for a vehicle (10), comprising: an upper support (52) which is suitable to be pivotably connected to a distal end (54) of a leaf spring (56); a lower bracket (58) that is suitable for being pivotably connected to a frame component (60) of the vehicle (10); and a linear element positioned between the upper support (52) and the lower support (58); and wherein the upper bracket (52) and the lower bracket (58) are pivotably connected to each other; wherein the upper support (52) is suitable to be pivotably connected to the distal end (54) of the leaf spring (56) at a first pivot connection (64), wherein the upper support (52) is pivotably movable about a first axis (66) relative to the distal end (54) of the leaf spring (56); wherein the lower bracket (58) is suitable to be pivotably connected to the frame component (60) of the vehicle (10) at a second pivot connection (70), wherein the lower bracket (58) is pivotably movable relative to the frame of the vehicle (10) about a second axis (72); and wherein the upper bracket (52) and the lower bracket (58) are pivotably connected to each other on a third pivot connection (76) and are pivotably movable relative to each other about a third axis (78). characterized by , that the linear element is a linear damping element (62) suitable for damping the pivoting movement of the upper support (52) relative to the lower support (58); where: the upper bracket (52) comprises a first end (52A) and a second end (52B), the first pivot connection (64) is adjacent to the first end (52A) of the upper bracket (52); the lower bracket (58) comprises a first end (58A) and a second end (58B), the second pivot connection (70) being adjacent to the first end (58A) of the lower bracket (58); the third pivot connection (76) is located between the first and second ends (52A, 52B) of the upper bracket (52) and between the first and second ends (58A, 58B) of the lower bracket (58); wherein the movement of the first end (52A) of the upper bracket (52) away from the first end (58A) of the lower bracket (58) pivots the upper bracket (52) and the lower bracket (58) relative to each other and moves the second end (52A) of the upper bracket (52) towards the second end (58B) of the lower bracket (58). [2] Leaf spring bracket (50) according to claim 1, wherein the linear damping element (62) is positioned between the second end (52A) of the upper support (52) and the second end (58B) of the lower support (58), and is suitable to dampen the movement of the second end (52B) of the upper support (52) towards the second end (58B) of the lower support (58), wherein the movement of the first end (52A) of the upper support (52) away from the first end (58A) of the lower support (58) is dampened. [3] Leaf spring bracket (50) according to claim 2, wherein: the first end (52A) of the upper support (52) is pivotable about the first axis (66) and is movable in both an x-direction, forwards and backwards, and a z-direction, upwards and downwards; the first end (58A) of the lower support (58) is pivotable about the second axis (72) and is held fixed in both the x-direction and the z-direction; and the third pivot connection (76) between the upper and lower support (58) is movable in both the x-direction and the z-direction. [4] Leaf spring bracket (50) according to claim 3, wherein the linear damping element (62) comprises a coil spring (100) positioned between the second end (52B) of the upper support (52) and the second end (58B) of the lower support (58), and a damper (102) positioned inside the coil spring (100) between the second end (52B) of the upper support (52) and the second end (58B) of the lower support (58). [5] Leaf spring bracket (50) according to claim 4, wherein the coil spring (100) is made of steel. [6] Leaf spring bracket (50) according to claim 4, wherein the damper (102) comprises a first component (104) made of a damping material and a second component (106) made of an energy-absorbing material. [7] Leaf spring bracket (50) according to claim 6, wherein the first component (104) of the damper (102) is a cylindrical tower (108) positioned inside the coil spring (100) and is made of thermoplastic urethane, and the second component (106) of the damper (102) is a column (110) positioned inside the cylindrical tower (108) and is made of microcellular urethane. [8] Leaf spring bracket (50) according to claim 4, wherein the damper (102) comprises a hydraulic shock absorber (112).

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