Abstract
Suspension stiffness affects vehicle comfort and handling performance. The stiffness optimization of the transverse leaf spring suspension can be achieved by adjusting the distance between the two central installation positions of the leaf spring. This method can avoid changing the structure of the leaf spring, reduce the difficulty of product development, and shorten the product development cycle, so this type of suspension has high engineering application value. In the paper, a finite element model of the transverse leaf spring is established, and the characteristics of the stiffness, deformation and stress of the leaf spring with the distance are studied. According to the objectives of suspension dynamic deflection, body roll angle and leaf spring reliability, the distance matching design is carried out, and the design scheme is experimentally verified. The research shows that the stiffness of the leaf spring under the opposite direction loading condition is greater than that of the same direction loading condition, and the difference between the two data increases with the increase of the distance. When the distance is 800 mm, the stiffness of the suspension is 102.1 N/mm under the same loading and 220.4 N/mm under reverse loading, the maximum stress is 1487 MPa, the dynamic deflection 39.2 mm, and the maximum body roll angle is less than 6.0°. All of the above indicators meet the design requirements. The research results provide theoretical basis and reference for the design of a transverse leaf spring suspension.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by special projects in key fields of general universities in Guangdong province (high-end equipment manufacturing)(Q2022ZDZX3023) and the science and technology research project of Hubei Provincial Department of Education (Q20212602). The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Naveco Automobile Co., Ltd. for providing the mate-rials and apparatus to carry out the experimental works.
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Bao Zhang is a senior engineer and received M.E degree. His research interests include structural mechanics, dynamics and NVH.
Hongnan Wang is an Associate Professor and graduate advisor. His research interests include vehicle dynamics and vehicle powertrain.
Zhi Li is Assistant Professor. His current research interests include vehicle dynamics and NVH.
Tangyun Zhang is a senior engineer, and his main research direction is solid mechanics.
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Zhang, B., Wang, H., Li, Z. et al. Stiffness design and mechanical performance analysis of transverse leaf spring suspension. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 1339–1348 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0220-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0220-4