Leaf Spring Rocker Suspension for Even Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles like trucks, experience overloading and reduced useful life of leaf springs due to uneven load distribution, leading to potential catastrophic failures.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with rockers and connecting elements that distribute load more evenly across leaf springs, using first and second rockers connected via hinges and buffers to allow relative movement and compensate for ground asperities, reducing deformation and fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the second connection (rocker) allows wide movement of the leaf spring to follow ground asperities, then the suspension capacity and adaptability are improved, but tensile overloads are generated in the end of the leaf spring connected by the first connection, reducing reliability and useful life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first connection dynamic by introducing a rocker mechanism that allows the leaf spring end to move relative to the side member. This dynamic connection enables the suspension system to adapt to ground asperities while distributing movement across multiple degrees of freedom, preventing concentrated tensile overloads at fixed connection points and thereby improving both adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a rotational degree of freedom to the first connection by implementing a rocker mechanism. This dimensional change allows the leaf spring end to accommodate wide movements in multiple directions (vertical, longitudinal, and rotational), distributing the suspension capacity across different movement dimensions while preventing tensile overloads that would occur in a fixed single-degree-of-freedom connection
2Stability of the object's composition
If the first connection is fixed to the side member to provide stable support, then structural stability is improved, but tensile overloads are generated when the leaf spring moves to compensate for ground asperities, reducing useful life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed connection into a dynamic rocker connection that maintains structural stability through controlled movement. The rocker mechanism allows the leaf spring end to follow ground asperities while the hinge connection to the side member provides stable rotational support, distributing stresses and preventing tensile overloads that would reduce the useful life of the leaf spring
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
Enhances load distribution, increases suspension capacity, and extends the useful life of leaf springs by minimizing tensile overloads, thereby reducing the risk of breakages.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer (9) made of an elastic material... configured to cushion the ends of the leaf springs (5) against each other... minimizing tensile overloads
Implementation Method 2
the buffer (9) made of an elastic material... configured to cushion the ends of the leaf springs (5) against each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A suspension system (3) to connect at least two axles (4) to a frame (2) of a vehicle (1), the vehicle extending along a longitudinal axis (A), the suspension system (3) comprises an elastic element (5) extending along the longitudinal axis and comprising a first end (5a), a second end (5b) and an intermediate portion (5c), the intermediate portion (5c) being connected to the respective axle (4), the first and second ends (5a, 5b) being connected to the frame (2) via respective first and second rockers (7, 8), the suspension system (3) further comprising at least a connecting element (18) connecting two between the first and second rockers (7, 8) to each other.