Transverse leaf spring assembly for a motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9278596-B2
Application number	US-201414260971-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 24, 2014
Priority date	May 6, 2013
Publication date	Mar 8, 2016
Grant date	Mar 8, 2016

Abstract

A transverse leaf spring assembly for a motor vehicle includes a transverse leaf spring which is arranged transversely to the motor vehicle. A bearing unit connects the transverse leaf spring to a body of the motor vehicle and has a holder and elastic dampers. Accommodated in the holder is an adapter which has an interior space suited to a cross sectional geometry of the transverse leaf spring, with the transverse leaf spring being received in the adapter between the elastic dampers.

First claim

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein:

1. A transverse leaf spring assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a transverse leaf spring arranged transversely to the motor vehicle;
a bearing unit configured to connect the transverse leaf spring to a body of the motor vehicle, said bearing unit including a holder and elastic dampers; and
an adapter accommodated in the holder and having an interior space suited to a cross sectional geometry of the transverse leaf spring, said transverse leaf spring being received in the adapter between the elastic dampers,
wherein the adapter includes an upper adapter part and a lower adapted part which are directly connectable with one another and confine therebetween the transverse leaf spring in contact with the latter.

2. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes connectors configured to couple the adapter to the dampers and to interact with abutments of the dampers for coupling the adapter to the dampers.

3. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 2 , further comprising support plates integrated in the dampers, said connectors configured for coupling with free ends of the support plates.

4. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 3 , wherein the support plates are made of plastic, metal, or composite.

5. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 2 , wherein the dampers include an upper elastic damper and a lower elastic damper, and wherein the connectors are configured to interact with abutments on the dampers for coupling the adapter to the dampers and include an upper connector provided on the upper adapter part and interacting with the upper damper and a lower connector provided on the lower adapter part and interacting with the lower damper.

6. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the two adapter parts are connectable to one another via force-locking and/or form-fitting coupling elements integrally provided in them.

7. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is joined by a material joint with the dampers.

8. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is vulcanized onto the dampers.

9. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adapter has sidewall regions configured to conform geometrically to inner wall regions of the holder.

10. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adapter has bearing surfaces configured to conform geometrically to contact surfaces of the dampers.

11. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is made of plastic.

12. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is made of polyamide or fiber-reinforced plastic.

13. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the dampers are made of elastomeric material.

14. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the dampers are made of rubber.

15. The transverse leaf spring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the transverse leaf spring is made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic.

16. A kit for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of transverse leaf springs, each configured for installation transversely to the motor vehicle via a bearing unit upon a vehicle body, each said transverse leaf spring having at least one length portion, with the length portions of the transverse leaf springs having different cross sectional geometries; and
a plurality of adapters configured to conform to the transverse leaf spring in one-to-one correspondence for selective installation in a holder of the bearing unit between elastic dampers,
wherein each of the adapters includes an upper adapter part and a lower adapter part directly connectable with one another and confining therebetween at least one of the transverse leaf spring in contact with the latter.

17. The kit of claim 16 , wherein the adapters have a same outer configuration and define each an interior space configured to complement the cross sectional geometry of the pertaining one of the transverse leaf springs.

Assignees

• Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh

Inventors

• Hummelt Jürgen
• Schröder Aloys

Classifications

• B60G11/10

  characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle · CPC title

• B60G2206/011

  Modular constructions · CPC title

• B60G11/08 Primary

  arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle · CPC title

• B60G2204/41043

  formed by a U-shaped external bracket · CPC title

• B60G2204/41

  Elastic mounts, e.g. bushings · CPC title