Leaf Spring Bearing Elastic Material Composite Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheel suspensions with transverse leaf springs have limited mobility and stiffness, which restricts the vehicle's roll and lift stiffness, leading to inadequate compliance and comfort, and require additional suspension springs and anti-roll bars.
Innovation Solution
A leaf spring bearing system with two bearing blocks made of elastic material, incorporating a bearing core and insert to create three elastic layers, providing high vertical stiffness while maintaining low torsional and transverse stiffness, and featuring support plates and form-fit elements for precise positioning and load transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rigid bearing blocks are used to connect the transverse leaf spring to the vehicle, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the mobility and compliance of the suspension system deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing blocks are made from elastic material instead of rigid material, fundamentally changing the mechanical parameter of stiffness to enable both strength and compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing block uses a composite structure combining elastic material with a harder bearing core material, integrating both compliance and load-bearing capabilities in a single component
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional suspension springs and anti-roll bars are added to improve roll and lift stiffness, then the vehicle stability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bearing block performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides vertical support, allows controlled deformation for compliance, and contributes to roll and lift stiffness, replacing the need for separate suspension springs and anti-roll bars
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of traditional suspension components (springs, anti-roll bars) are merged into the bearing block itself through the use of elastic material, simplifying the overall suspension system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing blocks are made entirely of elastic material, then the compliance and deformability are improved, but the load-bearing capacity and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing block combines elastic material for compliance with a harder bearing core material for load-bearing, creating a composite structure that exhibits both properties simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bearing block have different material properties: the outer elastic material provides compliance while the inner bearing core provides localized strength and stability
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 solution enhances the vehicle's roll and lift stiffness, improves driving comfort by allowing greater deformability, and simplifies installation while reducing positional errors and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
Each bearing block is formed at least partially of elastic material... The bearing has a stiffness in the vertical direction, a torsional stiffness, and a transverse stiffness
Data Source
AI summary
A leaf spring bearing for a vehicle with a transverse leaf spring. The leaf spring bearing includes an upper bearing block and a lower bearing block between which a portion of the transverse leaf spring can be interposed. Each bearing block is formed at least partially of elastic material and comprises an upper support surface and a lower support surface. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has a bearing core and an insert positioned in the elastic material between the upper and lower support surfaces so as to define three layers of the elastic material within the at least one bearing block. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has two support plates arranged either outside the elastic material or at least partially surrounded by the elastic material in the area of the upper and lower support surfaces of the bearing block.