Leafspring Clevis Mounting Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clevis brackets in leafspring suspension systems face challenges in balancing the need to support heavy loads while maintaining flexibility to securely clamp the bushing in place, as casted metal clevises are robust but lack flexibility, and stamped metal clevises are too flexible and deflect under load.
Innovation Solution
A clevis type mounting bracket comprising a metal plate fastened to an L-shaped casted bracket, with aligned apertures creating a pivot axis, allowing the leafspring to rotate and providing a clamping force that elastically deforms the metal plate to secure the bushing between opposing surfaces, using materials like ductile iron for the casted bracket and cold rolled steel for the metal plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a casted metal clevis is used, then the robustness and load-bearing capacity is improved, but the flexibility to securely clamp the bushing is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The clevis is divided into two separate components: a casted bracket providing structural strength and a metal plate providing flexibility. The casted bracket handles load-bearing functions while the metal plate handles clamping operations, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The clevis combines two different metal materials with complementary properties: casted metal (ductile iron) for robustness and stamped metal (cold rolled steel) for flexibility. This composite structure allows the assembly to simultaneously achieve both high strength and clamping flexibility that neither material could provide alone
2Ease of operation
If a stamped metal clevis is used, then the flexibility to clamp the bushing is improved, but the load-bearing capacity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The clevis is divided into two separate components: a casted bracket providing structural strength and a metal plate providing flexibility. The casted bracket handles load-bearing functions while the metal plate handles clamping operations, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The clevis combines two different metal materials with complementary properties: casted metal (ductile iron) for robustness and stamped metal (cold rolled steel) for flexibility. This composite structure allows the assembly to simultaneously achieve both high strength and clamping flexibility that neither material could provide alone
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 effectively secures the leafspring suspension system, providing both robustness to support heavy loads and flexibility to maintain proper clamping, suitable for vehicles up to class 8 gross vehicle weight ratings, ensuring reliable suspension performance.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot provides a clamping force that elastically deforms the metal plate of the clevis, securing the bushing between a set of opposing surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension subsystem is provided having a leafspring that is mounted to a vehicle frame with a clevis type mounting bracket. An end of the leafspring includes an eyelet which receives a bushing, the bushing in turn receiving a pivot. The clevis type mounting bracket is mounted to the vehicle frame and consists of a metal plate fastened to an L-shaped casted bracket. The metal plate and L-shaped casted bracket have aligned apertures which define a pivot axis. With the pivot being located in the bushing and the bushing located in the eyelet of the leafspring, one end of the pivot is disposed in the aperture of the metal plate and the other end is disposed in the aperture of the L-shaped casted bracket, allowing the leafspring to rotate about the pivot axis.