Suspension System with Combined Leaf and Helical Spring: A Review

Abstract

A good suspension system of any automobile vehicle must have minimum deflection, minimum weight, low maintenance and low operating cost with some other fine properties. Springs are major element of any suspension system and first line of its defense. If the suspension springs are rigid enough, they will not absorb road shocks efficiently, and if they are more flexible, then they will keep vibrating for a longer time even after the bump has passed. Therefore, the suspension device must be a compromise between flexibility and stiffness. Leaf springs and helical springs are two main types of suspension springs which are being used today in automobile vehicles. Leaf spring suspensions are much simpler, capable of handling much higher loads with less deflection than helical springs. Also, leaf spring suspension has superior wear characteristics and good corrosion resistance. On the other hand, helical springs are lightweight, less expensive, maintenance-free, versatile and available in various varieties. In case of helical springs, they are ideal for absorbing vertical up and down energy but their design does not deal well with side-to-side motion. So, leaf spring can be used in conjunction with helical spring to enhance the spring rate adjustability function for chassis set up balance and for overall better performance of suspension system. Taking consideration of this approach a conventional steel leaf spring is combined with two helical springs, the overall reduction of stresses and deflection will obtain. Thus the efficiency and overall performance of the proposed design of suspension system can be increased.A good suspension system of any automobile vehicle must have minimum deflection, minimum weight, low maintenance and low operating cost with some other fine properties. Springs are major element of any suspension system and first line of its defense. If the suspension springs are rigid enough, they will not absorb road shocks efficiently, and if they are more flexible, then they will keep vibrating for a longer time even after the bump has passed. Therefore, the suspension device must be a compromise between flexibility and stiffness. Leaf springs and helical springs are two main types of suspension springs which are being used today in automobile vehicles. Leaf spring suspensions are much simpler, capable of handling much higher loads with less deflection than helical springs. Also, leaf spring suspension has superior wear characteristics and good corrosion resistance. On the other hand, helical springs are lightweight, less expensive, maintenance-free, versatile and available in various varieties. In case of helical springs, they are ideal for absorbing vertical up and down energy but their design does not deal well with side-to-side motion. So, leaf spring can be used in conjunction with helical spring to enhance the spring rate adjustability function for chassis set up balance and for overall better performance of suspension system. Taking consideration of this approach a conventional steel leaf spring is combined with two helical springs, the overall reduction of stresses and deflection will obtain. Thus the efficiency and overall performance of the proposed design of suspension system can be increased.