Monday  |  Salon 14  |  04:00 PM–04:20 PM

#18512–Optimization of Properties for Leaf Spring Components

Leaf springs are designed to lessen the vertical vibrations caused by uneven road conditions and provide passengers with a comfortable riding experience. Currently, the materials of leaf springs are designed and tested only for static loads, instead of long-term creep and relaxation which replicates real-life conditions more accurately. The goal of this research is to optimally redesign geometries and choose the appropriate materials of components for leaf springs in order to improve their long-term dynamics and to minimize (or expedite) their change (relaxation) over time. To achieve this goal, we first used an Abaqus model of the leaf spring under realistic load cases to examine the contact pressures. We then designed a novel test rig that replicated the contact pressures internal to a leaf spring. This novel test rig was then used to conduct experimental parameter studies that investigated the choice of materials and design of geometry of the liners located between leaf springs. The results of this set of experiments will be used to guide the redesign of leaf spring geometries going forward and improve user experience.

Xin Xu   Rice University
Rui Wang   Rice University
Cengizhan Taslicay   Rice University
Matthew Brake   Rice University