Apparatus and method for assembling composite material leaf spring module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10767719-B2
Application number	US-201715615462-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 6, 2017
Priority date	Dec 15, 2016
Publication date	Sep 8, 2020
Grant date	Sep 8, 2020

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for assembling a composite material leaf spring module, wherein the efficiency of assembly of the composite material leaf spring module is improved and a camber of a spring member of a composite material is compensated for during assembly. An apparatus for assembling a composite material leaf spring module includes a first support configured to support a central portion of the composite material leaf spring module, a pair of second supports configured to individually support springs of the composite material leaf spring module, and a base connecting the first and second supports.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for assembling a composite material leaf spring module, the apparatus comprising:
a first support configured to support a central portion of the composite material leaf spring module, wherein the leaf spring module includes a spring member, an upper saddle disposed atop a central portion of the spring member, a lower saddle disposed under the central portion of the spring member, and a U-bolt coupling the upper saddle and the lower saddle;
a pair of second supports configured to individually support springs of the composite material leaf spring module;
a base connecting the first and second supports; and
a U-bolt retainer separably installed on the first support;
wherein the first support includes a pair of symmetrically disposed side walls, and a connection wall connecting the pair of side walls;
wherein an insertable support extends from the connection wall;
wherein the lower saddle has a cylindrical structure having a hollow, the insertable support has a corresponding cylindrical structure, and the insertable support is inserted into the hollow of the lower saddle;
wherein the U-bolt retainer includes at least one pair of guides detachably coupled to the side walls of the first support, a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed connection members, and a pair of pressure plates;
wherein each connection member of the pair of connection members is connected to the upper end of a corresponding one of the pair of guides through a connection rod, and each pressure plate of the pair of pressure plates extends from the corresponding one of the pair of guides toward a side surface of the upper saddle;
wherein each of the guides has a guide surface contacting the U-bolt; and
wherein the guide surface is inclined.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the second supports includes a support member configured to support a lower surface of the corresponding spring, and
wherein the support member has an upper surface inclined at an inclination angle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the guides has a recess configured to accommodate an upper end of the side wall.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the guide is separably coupled to the upper end of the side wall by inserting a dowel pin through the guide and the side wall.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a pair of connection members connected to the upper end of the guide by a connection rod, wherein each of the pair of connection members includes a pressure plate configured to press against an upper saddle of the composite material leaf spring module.

6. A method for assembling a composite material leaf spring module by using the apparatus claimed in claim 1 , the method comprising:
supporting a lower saddle of the composite material leaf spring module and the spring member by the first support;
supporting springs of the composite material leaf spring module by the second support units; and
coupling the lower saddle and an upper saddle of the composite material leaf spring module using U-bolts.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
fixedly supporting the springs on the second supports by fixing the spring to the support members of the second supports using dowel pins.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
coupling the springs supported by the second supports to the spring member using a coupler.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
inserting the insertable support into the lower saddle.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
locating the spring member of the composite material leaf spring module on the lower saddle and arranging the spring member such that a center of the spring member is aligned with a center of the lower saddle.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
arranging the upper saddle and the lower saddle on and under a central portion of the spring member by positioning the upper saddle on the central portion of the spring member, and coupling the upper saddle and the lower saddle using the U-bolts.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Motors Corp

Inventors

• Jang Hyun Seok
• Oh Seung Hyun

Classifications

• B60G11/38 Primary

  and also rubber springs · CPC title

• F16F2226/04

  Assembly or fixing methods; methods to form or fashion parts · CPC title

• B60G2204/121

  Mounting of leaf springs · CPC title

• B60G2204/4402

  Spacers or shims · CPC title

• B60G2204/43065

  U-shaped bolts crossing each other · CPC title