Releasable Leaf Spring Alignment Clip for Collision Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leaf spring suspensions in vehicles are prone to failure during collisions due to the binding action of conventional alignment clips, which can cause the primary leaf spring to break between the clip and its attachment point, leading to potential damage and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A releasable alignment clip is introduced, designed to secure the primary leaf spring to secondary leaf springs while allowing relative sliding, and configured to deform and separate the primary leaf spring from the secondary leaf springs in response to excessive movement, such as during a collision, thereby preventing breakage by distributing the impact force across a larger area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional alignment clip is used to secure the primary leaf spring to secondary leaf springs, then the leaf spring suspension maintains proper alignment during normal operation, but the primary leaf spring may break between the clip and attachment point during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment clip transitions from a static rigid component to a dynamic system that can change its state. The clip includes a deformable portion that can elastically deform under impact forces, allowing the system to adapt to collision conditions while maintaining alignment during normal operation. This dynamic response prevents the primary leaf spring from breaking by absorbing impact energy through controlled deformation of the clip itself rather than transferring all force to the leaf spring.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the alignment clip is made more rigid to prevent leaf spring separation, then alignment stability improves, but the risk of leaf spring breakage during collisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion of the alignment clip acts as an intermediary element between the rigid components (primary leaf spring, secondary leaf springs, and attachment points). This intermediary can elastically deform to absorb and dissipate impact energy, protecting the primary leaf spring from breaking while still maintaining alignment stability during normal operation. The intermediary absorbs the harmful impact forces before they can damage the leaf spring.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the alignment clip is designed to be releasable with reduced thickness or notches, then impact damage risk decreases through controlled deformation, but alignment stability during normal operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment clip's physical parameters (thickness, presence of notches) are specifically optimized to create a deformable portion with controlled mechanical properties. This deformable portion has reduced thickness or includes notches that allow it to yield at predetermined impact force levels, while the overall clip structure maintains sufficient rigidity for normal operation. The parameter changes create a dual-state system: stable during normal use, deformable during impact.
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 releasable alignment clip enhances the safety and functionality of leaf spring suspensions by preventing primary leaf spring breakage during collisions, ensuring the suspension system operates effectively and reduces the risk of damage to the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The releasable alignment clip has a minimum separation force such that in response to a collision forcing a wheel forwardly, the releasable alignment clip deforms and permits separation of the primary leaf spring from the secondary leaf spring
Data Source
AI summary
A releasable alignment clip secures a primary leaf spring to one or more secondary leaf springs of a suspension of a vehicle. The releasable alignment clip prevents separation of the primary leaf spring from the secondary leaf spring during normal operation while permitting relative sliding. The releasable alignment clip has a minimum separation force such that in response to a collision forcing a wheel forwardly, the releasable alignment clip deforms and permits separation of the primary leaf spring from the secondary leaf spring to avoid the primary leaf spring from breaking between the alignment clip and a point of attachment to the vehicle. The releasable alignment clip may have a reduced thickness, notches, or one or more perforations to achieve the minimum separation force.