Composite Leaf Spring Assembly with Camber Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of composite material leaf springs is challenging due to their inherent camber, which complicates the efficient assembly of the composite material leaf spring module, especially when using fiber-reinforced plastic materials.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving a first support for the central portion, second supports for individual springs, and a U-bolt retainer to facilitate the assembly by aligning and coupling the saddles of the composite material leaf spring module, with inclined surfaces and guides to accommodate the camber and secure the U-bolts, allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If composite material leaf springs are used instead of steel, then weight is reduced and corrosion resistance is improved, but assembly difficulty increases due to inherent camber
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus pre-positions the composite material leaf spring on the lower saddle using support members before final assembly, compensating for the inherent camber in advance to facilitate easier coupling with the upper saddle
Solution Approach 2:
Support members and guides act as intermediaries between the cambered leaf spring and the assembly fixtures, accommodating the camber and enabling straightforward assembly operations
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional assembly methods are used for composite material leaf springs, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but assembly efficiency deteriorates due to camber compensation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary positioning and camber compensation during the assembly process itself, eliminating the need for separate camber correction operations and improving assembly efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The support members and guides are designed to automatically accommodate the inherent camber of the composite material leaf spring, allowing the assembly process to self-correct without complex external interventions
3Strength
If the leaf spring has inherent camber, then structural integrity is maintained, but assembly precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support members and guides are designed with asymmetric features that specifically accommodate the cambered shape of the composite material leaf spring, enabling precise positioning while maintaining the spring's inherent structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus adjusts positioning parameters and angles during assembly to compensate for the camber, achieving precise alignment between the upper and lower saddles while preserving the leaf spring's structural properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for assembling a composite material leaf spring module, wherein the efficiency of assembly of the composite material leaf spring module is improved and a camber of a spring member of a composite material is compensated for during assembly. An apparatus for assembling a composite material leaf spring module includes a first support configured to support a central portion of the composite material leaf spring module, a pair of second supports configured to individually support springs of the composite material leaf spring module, and a base connecting the first and second supports.