Leaf Spring Bearing Centering Device for Automated Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaf spring mounts for transportation vehicle wheel suspension systems face challenges with dimensional deviations, leading to manual positioning and lack of reliability in automated mounting processes.
Innovation Solution
A leaf spring mount with a body-side coupling section, elastomer section for transverse movement compensation, and a centering device for positive locking engagement with the vehicle body, allowing for automatic alignment and fixation without additional fastening methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual positioning is used to accommodate dimensional deviations, then mounting reliability improves, but automation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring mount is designed with an integrated centering device that enables the component to self-align and self-center during automated mounting. The centering protrusion and centering recess automatically guide the mount to the correct position on the vehicle body, eliminating the need for manual positioning while maintaining high mounting reliability through automated processes.
2Reliability
If additional fastening methods are used to ensure secure mounting, then mounting reliability improves, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function and fastening function are merged into a single integrated centering device. The centering protrusion on the leaf spring mount combines with the centering recess on the vehicle body to simultaneously achieve alignment and secure mounting in one operation, eliminating the need for separate fastening methods and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential centering and positioning function from complex fastening systems, creating a standalone centering device that handles both alignment and securement. This extracted centering mechanism replaces multiple fastening components, simplifying the overall mounting system while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple construction is used to simplify production, then manufacturing ease improves, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring mount is segmented into distinct functional elements: the body-side coupling section, the elastomer section, and the integrated centering device with protrusion and recess features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, while the centering features provide precise positioning when assembled, achieving both manufacturing ease and positioning precision.
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
Ensures high process reliability and enables fully automated mounting of the wheel suspension system, simplifying the construction and production of the leaf spring mount while maintaining the spring rate of the leaf spring.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastomer section (3) for the compensation of movements transversely with respect to the supporting direction (A)
Data Source
AI summary
A leaf spring bearing for supporting a leaf spring against a transportation vehicle body having a body-side coupling portion and at least one elastomer portion for compensating displacements transverse to the supporting direction. A centering apparatus for interlockingly engaging with a vehicle-body-side counter-contour is provided on the coupling portion. The centering apparatus on the coupling portion guides the coupling portion of the leaf spring bearing in the event of deviations from a target contact position on the transportation vehicle body transverse to the supporting direction, toward the target contact position. Also disclosed is a transportation vehicle wheel suspension having the disclosed leaf spring bearing and an assembly method.