Method of forming a composite leaf spring with fabric wear pad
US4894108A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2277/10
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A composite leaf spring for a motor vehicle has an elongated body of layers of epoxy coated fibers extending in the longitudinal direction of the spring. The composite fiber/adhesive body is formed and cured to provide sufficient strength and flexibility to suspend the vehicle. A synthetic fiber pad is fixed adjacent the end of the spring for engagement with the spring hanger of the suspension system to resist wear of the body at the interface with the hanger. In the preferred embodiment, the pad is a woven fabric of aramid fibers at least some of which extend substantially normal to the wear interface. A specific double plane weave fabric including a warp/fill fiber ratio of approximately 7:1 provides superior results. Epoxy resin is preferred for the adhesive both for the body of the spring and for pre-impregnation of the pad. In the related method, the pre-impregnated pad is applied to the mold contoured to correspond to the shape of the spring and elongated fibers are layered in the mold over the pad. Sufficient heat and pressure is applied to integrally bond the pad to the spring to form the wear surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.