GB2158548A - Leaf springs of composite material - Google Patents

Leaf springs of composite material Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2158548A
GB2158548A GB08412192A GB8412192A GB2158548A GB 2158548 A GB2158548 A GB 2158548A GB 08412192 A GB08412192 A GB 08412192A GB 8412192 A GB8412192 A GB 8412192A GB 2158548 A GB2158548 A GB 2158548A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
spring
clamping member
terminal portion
parts
attachment member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08412192A
Other versions
GB2158548B (en
GB8412192D0 (en
Inventor
Adrian Tucker-Peake
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GKN Technology Ltd
Original Assignee
GKN Technology Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GKN Technology Ltd filed Critical GKN Technology Ltd
Priority to GB08412192A priority Critical patent/GB2158548B/en
Publication of GB8412192D0 publication Critical patent/GB8412192D0/en
Publication of GB2158548A publication Critical patent/GB2158548A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2158548B publication Critical patent/GB2158548B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G11/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs
    • B60G11/02—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having leaf springs only
    • B60G11/10—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having leaf springs only characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
    • B60G11/12—Links, pins, or bushes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F16F1/366—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers made of fibre-reinforced plastics, i.e. characterised by their special construction from such materials
    • F16F1/368—Leaf springs
    • F16F1/3683—Attachments or mountings therefor
    • F16F1/3686—End mountings

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)

Abstract

In a composite leaf spring 10 with a terminal portion 11 defining a transverse recess receiving an attachment member such as a bush 12, held in the recess by a sheet metal clamping member 13 extending around the terminal portion of the spring and having parts which lie against spaced surfaces of the spring, the parts of the clamping member are held to the spring by resilient means, namely one or two spring clips, engaging the parts of the clamping member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Leaf springs of composite material This invention relates to leaf springs made of composite, fibre reinforced resin, material. More particularly, the invention relates to an end fitting by which a composite leaf spring can be secured to a motor vehicle or other apparatus or equipment where it is to be used.
It has been proposed, in our published European Patent Application 0070122, that an end fitting for a composite leaf spring can comprise an attachment member lying within a recess extending transversely of the spring at a terminal portion thereof, and a clamping member extending around the attachment member and terminal portion of the spring, and secured to the spring adjacent said terminal portion to hold the attachment member in the recess. The clamping member is of sheet metal, and has parts which extend along opposed surfaces of the spring adjacent the terminal portion thereof, spaced in the direction of bending of the spring. Such parts of the clamping member can be secured to the spring by bolts or other fasteners passing through the spring, or by a strap extending transversely around the parts of the clamping member and spring.It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved method for securing the clamping member to the spring.
The present invention provides a composite leaf spring including, at an end thereof, an attachment member lying in a recess extending transversely of a terminal portion of the spring and held therein by a clamping member extending around said attachment member and terminal portion and having parts extending along surfaces of the spring, spaced in the direction of bending of the spring, adjacent said terminal portion, wherein said clamping member is held to the spring by resilient means engaging said parts of the clamping member.
The invention avoids the necessity of piercing the spring to accept fasteners, and also any possible damaging effect to the composite spring material of welding in close proximity thereto. With a suitable resilient means, assembly of the end fitting to the spring can be facilitated and, if it should be necessary, dismantling. Further, the invention is relatively tolerant of slight variations in spring thickness.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an end portion of a spring having an end fitting according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a view along the spring of the end fitting.
Figure 3 shows diagrammatically a further form of end fitting.
Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawing, there is shown part of a leaf spring 10 of composite material comprising fibres, eg glass fibres, set in a matrix of a resin material such as an epoxy resin.
A terminal portion 11 of the spring defines a transversely extending recess which accommodates an attachment member in the form of bush 12. The bush 12 may be the outer part of the well known form of metal-rubber-metal bush.
The attachment member 12 is held in the recess at the terminal portion of the spring by a clamping member 13 which is of sheet metal, eg steel, extending around the attachment member 12 and terminal portion of the spring. Parts 14, 15 of the clamping member lie against the surfaces of the spring, spaced in the normal direction of bending of the spring in use.
Parts 14, 15 of the clamping member are held to the spring by a resilient means in the form of a generally 'C' shaped clip 16. The clip 16 comprises spaced parallel side walls 17 with hooked over ends 18, and a connecting wall 19. The hooked portions 18 of the clip engaged the portion 14 of the clamping member and connecting wall 19 engages portion 15 of the clamping member.
Thus the clamping member is firmly held by the clip 16 to retain the attachment member 12 in the recess defined by the terminal portion 11 of the spring. As illustrated, the portion 14 of the clamping member has an outwardly turned end 20, which provides additional security against the clamping member pulling out of the clip 16 if a load lengthwise of the spring occurs between the attachment member and spring.
In manufacture of the spring assembly, the clamping member would be held to the spring on a suitable jig. The clip can then be applied to the clamping member, ey. by sliding it lengthwise of the spring and using a suitable tool with a ramp surface or surfaces to expand the clip to engage the clamping member. Thereafter the ramp tool can be removed, and the assembly removed from the jig.
Referring now to Figure 3, this shows an embodiment in which two generally 'C' shaped clips 21, one on each side of the spring, are used to hold the portions 14, 15 of the clamping member to the spring. The portions of the clamping member have upturned edges 14a, 15a with which the resilient clips 21 engage. Clips 21 would be fitted in a manner analogous to that described above.
1. A composite leaf spring including, at an end thereof, an attachment member lying in a recess extending transversely of a terminal portion of the spring and held therein by a clamping member extending around said attachment member and terminal portion and having parts extending along surfaces of the spring, spaced in the direction of bending the spring, adjacent said terminal portion, wherein said clamping member is held to the spring by resilient means engaging said parts of the clamping member.
2. A spring according to Claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a single resilient clip.
3. A spring according to Claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises two resilient clips, each
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Leaf springs of composite material This invention relates to leaf springs made of composite, fibre reinforced resin, material. More particularly, the invention relates to an end fitting by which a composite leaf spring can be secured to a motor vehicle or other apparatus or equipment where it is to be used. It has been proposed, in our published European Patent Application 0070122, that an end fitting for a composite leaf spring can comprise an attachment member lying within a recess extending transversely of the spring at a terminal portion thereof, and a clamping member extending around the attachment member and terminal portion of the spring, and secured to the spring adjacent said terminal portion to hold the attachment member in the recess. The clamping member is of sheet metal, and has parts which extend along opposed surfaces of the spring adjacent the terminal portion thereof, spaced in the direction of bending of the spring. Such parts of the clamping member can be secured to the spring by bolts or other fasteners passing through the spring, or by a strap extending transversely around the parts of the clamping member and spring.It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved method for securing the clamping member to the spring. The present invention provides a composite leaf spring including, at an end thereof, an attachment member lying in a recess extending transversely of a terminal portion of the spring and held therein by a clamping member extending around said attachment member and terminal portion and having parts extending along surfaces of the spring, spaced in the direction of bending of the spring, adjacent said terminal portion, wherein said clamping member is held to the spring by resilient means engaging said parts of the clamping member. The invention avoids the necessity of piercing the spring to accept fasteners, and also any possible damaging effect to the composite spring material of welding in close proximity thereto. With a suitable resilient means, assembly of the end fitting to the spring can be facilitated and, if it should be necessary, dismantling. Further, the invention is relatively tolerant of slight variations in spring thickness. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an end portion of a spring having an end fitting according to the invention. Figure 2 is a view along the spring of the end fitting. Figure 3 shows diagrammatically a further form of end fitting. Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawing, there is shown part of a leaf spring 10 of composite material comprising fibres, eg glass fibres, set in a matrix of a resin material such as an epoxy resin. A terminal portion 11 of the spring defines a transversely extending recess which accommodates an attachment member in the form of bush 12. The bush 12 may be the outer part of the well known form of metal-rubber-metal bush. The attachment member 12 is held in the recess at the terminal portion of the spring by a clamping member 13 which is of sheet metal, eg steel, extending around the attachment member 12 and terminal portion of the spring. Parts 14, 15 of the clamping member lie against the surfaces of the spring, spaced in the normal direction of bending of the spring in use. Parts 14, 15 of the clamping member are held to the spring by a resilient means in the form of a generally 'C' shaped clip 16. The clip 16 comprises spaced parallel side walls 17 with hooked over ends 18, and a connecting wall 19. The hooked portions 18 of the clip engaged the portion 14 of the clamping member and connecting wall 19 engages portion 15 of the clamping member. Thus the clamping member is firmly held by the clip 16 to retain the attachment member 12 in the recess defined by the terminal portion 11 of the spring. As illustrated, the portion 14 of the clamping member has an outwardly turned end 20, which provides additional security against the clamping member pulling out of the clip 16 if a load lengthwise of the spring occurs between the attachment member and spring. In manufacture of the spring assembly, the clamping member would be held to the spring on a suitable jig. The clip can then be applied to the clamping member, ey. by sliding it lengthwise of the spring and using a suitable tool with a ramp surface or surfaces to expand the clip to engage the clamping member. Thereafter the ramp tool can be removed, and the assembly removed from the jig. Referring now to Figure 3, this shows an embodiment in which two generally 'C' shaped clips 21, one on each side of the spring, are used to hold the portions 14, 15 of the clamping member to the spring. The portions of the clamping member have upturned edges 14a, 15a with which the resilient clips 21 engage. Clips 21 would be fitted in a manner analogous to that described above. CLAIMS
1. A composite leaf spring including, at an end thereof, an attachment member lying in a recess extending transversely of a terminal portion of the spring and held therein by a clamping member extending around said attachment member and terminal portion and having parts extending along surfaces of the spring, spaced in the direction of bending the spring, adjacent said terminal portion, wherein said clamping member is held to the spring by resilient means engaging said parts of the clamping member.
2. A spring according to Claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a single resilient clip.
3. A spring according to Claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises two resilient clips, each engaging both said parts of the clamping member and disposed one on each side of the spring.
4. A spring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3, of the accompanying drawings.
GB08412192A 1984-05-12 1984-05-12 Leaf springs of composite material Expired GB2158548B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08412192A GB2158548B (en) 1984-05-12 1984-05-12 Leaf springs of composite material

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08412192A GB2158548B (en) 1984-05-12 1984-05-12 Leaf springs of composite material

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8412192D0 GB8412192D0 (en) 1984-06-20
GB2158548A true GB2158548A (en) 1985-11-13
GB2158548B GB2158548B (en) 1987-10-07

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08412192A Expired GB2158548B (en) 1984-05-12 1984-05-12 Leaf springs of composite material

Country Status (1)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0215365A2 (en) * 1985-09-11 1987-03-25 Techno Saarstahl GmbH Fibre-reinforced plastic leaf spring
EP0243267A1 (en) * 1986-04-25 1987-10-28 Bertin & Cie Leaf spring of a vehicle suspension comprising end fittings
FR2597943A1 (en) * 1986-04-25 1987-10-30 Bertin & Cie Fixture for the end of a suspension strip made of composite material
US10807431B2 (en) 2017-08-25 2020-10-20 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Leaf spring arrangement having a leaf spring made of a fibre-composite material and at least one bearing eye holder

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0215365A2 (en) * 1985-09-11 1987-03-25 Techno Saarstahl GmbH Fibre-reinforced plastic leaf spring
EP0215365A3 (en) * 1985-09-11 1987-05-20 Technoarbed Deutschland Gmbh Fibre-reinforced plastic leaf spring
EP0243267A1 (en) * 1986-04-25 1987-10-28 Bertin & Cie Leaf spring of a vehicle suspension comprising end fittings
FR2597943A1 (en) * 1986-04-25 1987-10-30 Bertin & Cie Fixture for the end of a suspension strip made of composite material
WO1987006665A1 (en) * 1986-04-25 1987-11-05 Bertin & Cie Elastic suspension blade provided with end connectors for a vehicle
US4886254A (en) * 1986-04-25 1989-12-12 Bertin & Cie Elastic suspension blade provided with end connectors for a vehicle
US10807431B2 (en) 2017-08-25 2020-10-20 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Leaf spring arrangement having a leaf spring made of a fibre-composite material and at least one bearing eye holder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2158548B (en) 1987-10-07
GB8412192D0 (en) 1984-06-20

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee