Leaf spring suspension for wheeled vehicle

US10864791B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Thomas Gerhards · Niederzier, DE
• Alberto Girelli Consolaro · Aachen, DE
• Ralf Hintzen · Aachen, DE
• Daniel Mainz · Herzogenrath, DE
• Rainer Souschek · Aachen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 18, 2018
• Grant date: Dec 15, 2020
• Expiry date: Apr 20, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60G2800/162
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A suspension for a wheeled vehicle include an axle with a mid-section and an end comprising an upper portion and a lower portion defining a space therebetween, a leaf spring having forward and rear ends attached to vehicle structure and a mid-section retained in the space and secured between the upper and lower portions, and a closure element attached to the axle end and at least partially closing an outboard end of the space. The upper and lower axle portions may be formed integrally with the axle mid-section or may be a separately-formed component secured to the axle. The space tapers from a greater vertical dimension at the outboard end thereof to a smaller vertical dimension at an inboard end thereof, and the leaf spring mid-section is wedged into the space. An intermediate element is disposed between the mid-section and at least one of the upper and lower axle portions.