Central Spring Support for Cantilever Leaf Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pivoted spring suspension systems for vehicles with two axles have complex, heavy, and costly structures with inefficient torsional stress management and assembly procedures, particularly under vertical, horizontal, and lateral forces.
Innovation Solution
A central spring support system comprising two casting parts, half-bearings, and spring fastening brackets that connect leaf springs to pivoting extensions of the suspension structure, utilizing rubber-metal bearings and U-shaped fastening brackets to securely fasten the springs, reducing component count and weight while enhancing torsional displacement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a complicated fixing system with high number of components is used to connect leaf springs to the holding structure, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the weight, cost, and assembly complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (casting parts, half-bearings, spring fastening brackets) into an integrated central spring support assembly. The two casting parts form a unified structure that houses the half-bearings and mounting brackets, reducing the total number of discrete components while maintaining connection strength through the cohesive design of the integrated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The central spring support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a bearing housing, facilitates spring mounting, and enables pivoting motion. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If a complicated fixing system with high number of components is used to connect leaf springs to the holding structure, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the weight increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a integrated central spring support assembly, the patent eliminates redundant material usage found in separate components. The unified structure optimizes material distribution, placing mass only where structurally necessary, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining metal casting parts with rubber-metal half-bearings. This composite approach allows the rigid metal components to provide structural strength while the rubber-metal bearings provide friction-based motion control, achieving strong connections with reduced weight compared to purely metal assemblies.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional fixing components are used that are not optimized for torsional stresses, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the reliability under vertical, horizontal, and lateral forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by designing the casting parts with specific geometric features (reinforced sections, optimized wall thicknesses, strategic rib placement) in areas subjected to high torsional and lateral loads. This localized reinforcement ensures structural reliability under multi-directional forces while keeping other areas of the component simpler for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber-metal half-bearings provide enhanced reliability under torsional stress through the viscoelastic properties of rubber combined with metal reinforcement. This composite material system naturally dampens torsional vibrations and absorbs lateral forces, improving reliability without complicating the manufacturing process since the half-bearings are standard components.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a complex fixing system with high number of components is used, then the connection stability is improved, but the assembly time increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-assembling the central spring support with integrated mounting brackets and bearing housings, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps required during installation. The unified structure arrives as a near-complete assembly requiring minimal on-site configuration, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining connection stability through the pre-integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The central spring support components are pre-configured and pre-positioned during manufacturing, with mounting brackets and bearing housings already in their final positions. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex alignment and positioning operations during assembly, reducing assembly time while ensuring stable connections through factory-prepared configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The central spring support system achieves reduced weight and complexity, eliminates maintenance needs, and allows for simpler assembly, with improved torsional displacement and vertical force management, suitable for various suspension types, including tandem rear axle suspension.
Implementation Method 1
two rubber-metal half-bearings (33, 34) with a lateral surface comprising two truncated conical parts, facing to each other
Implementation Method 2
two rubber-metal half-bearings (33, 34) with a lateral surface comprising two truncated conical parts, facing to each other, with a central annular groove (8)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
It is described a central spring support for a cantilever spring suspension of a vehicle, for connection of the leaf springs of the cantilever spring suspension to pivoting extensions (6) of the supporting structure of the suspension, comprising two casting parts (31, 32), two half-bearings (33, 34), and two spring fastening brackets (35, 36) the latter to fasten the middle of said leaf springs over respectively said two casting parts, said two half-bearings, and said pivoting extensions.