![leaf spring girder front end leaf spring girder front end](https://www.motorcycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/041015-survivor-bikes-traub-front-suspens.jpg)
The smallest leaf receives the maximum set, which is progressively reduced with the increase of the span of the leaf, so that the main leaf has the least set (Fig. When the springs are manufactured, each leaf is curved or given a camber set. The spring lies parallel and very close to the chassis, so that a compact and effective suspension is achieved.įig. The central pivot of this spring extends the effective spring length. 22.8F) has been used in some cars such as the Jaguar for the rear suspension. The cantilever-mounted semi-elliptic spring (Fig. 22.8E) are commonly used to form bottom, top, or both transverse link-arms for both front and rear independent suspensions. 22.8D) is used on small sports cars where a compact short spring is preferred. It is used for car rear suspension and for both front and rear suspensions of van and lorry. The most commonly used leaf spring today is the half or semi-elliptic spring (Fig. Therefore it is used on some heavy recovery vehicle having a considerable weight difference between unladen and laden conditions. This configuration in a modified form provides a progressive dual-rate fixed cantilever spring whose stiffness increases with loading. 22.8B) gives a soft but more rigid support. 22.8A) refers to the days of coaches, but now it is used only for the suspension of commercial-vehicle driver-cab. Application of original fully elliptic spring (Fig. fully, three-quarter, half, or quarter elliptic. Laminated leaf-spring configurations may be classified by the portion of an ellipse they represent i.e. This is a tapered leaf, which is thin at the ends and thick in the centre, so that overstressing at the centre of the spring is avoided. Today many springs in use have only one leaf. (Hi) Using inter-leaf plates of low friction material.
![leaf spring girder front end leaf spring girder front end](http://www.indianriders.co.uk/images/clip_image004.jpg)
(ii) Reducing the number of leaves, this however requires the increase in the width. (i) Fitting the synthetic rubber buttons at the ends of the leaves. To achieve this, nowadays special features are incorporated with the spring instead of periodic spraying of penetrating oil, done earlier.
![leaf spring girder front end leaf spring girder front end](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/63/5f/6c/635f6cae897649738326f4d21d515d80--sportster-motorcycle-buell-motorcycles.jpg)
This provides beneficial damping effect, but also causes ‘hard’ ride, noise and wear, which necessitates reduction of this friction as much as possible. This is called a progressive or variable-rate spring.Īs the laminated spring deflects the plates or leaves slide over each other causing inter-plate friction. When the lower leaves are set to a reverse camber, a stiffening-up of the spring occurs with the increase of deflection. Normal springs have a constant rate, and produce a deflection, which is proportional to the load (Hooke’s Law). (Hi) thickness of leaf (thicker spring, higher stiffness), and (iv) number of leaves (greater number, higher stiffness).Ī low-rate spring gives soft ride but it also deflects a larger amount under a given load. (ii) width of leaf (wider spring, higher stiffness), (i) length of spring (shorter spring, higher stiffness), The force required for unit deflection of a spring is called the stiffness or rate of the spring. A swinging shackle accommodates the alteration in spring length. Rubber bushes, fitted in each eye, allow for movement of the spring, and act as noise insulators. Rebound clips transmit the load to some of the lower leaves during the return motion of the spring, and thus eliminate the need for using large number of leaves above the main plate. To obtain a constant stress throughout the spring the leaves are graduated in length. The main details of a semi-elliptic spring are presented in Fig. The various leaves are held together by a centre bolt. The most commonly used leaf spring is the semi-elliptic type, consisting of one main leaf, which usually has its ends formed into eyes for connection with the spring brackets, and a number of shorter leaves, the length of which gradually and uniformly decreases from the main leaf. Due to low cost and simple connection to axle, the leaf springs are very popular for rear suspension.