Arvin Meritor Technology, LLC

James Trotter

David K Platner

Ramin Rezakhanlou

Tomaz Dopico Varela

Kou Yang

Xinyu Wen

An axle beam includes a hollow beam body with at least first and second apertures formed in opposing wall portions of the hollow beam body. A stiffener is received within the first and second apertures and is fixed to the hollow beam body at an attachment interface.

Internal stiffener for hollow structure

A suspension system includes a composite leaf spring having a mounting segment of a tapered width combined with an expanding depth. Any position along the longitudinal length of the mounting segment provides a singular cross-sectional shape taken parallel to an axle beam. An axle beam attachment system defines a cavity having a shape equivalent to the leaf spring at the predetermined location for mechanically interlocking the axle beam attachment system with the leaf spring at that predetermined location.

Composite leaf spring geometry with an interlocking interface

A suspension system includes a composite leaf spring attachment system having a bracket, a mount and a shear damper mounted therebetween. The mount is rectilinear in cross-section to receive a rearward leaf spring segment of the composite leaf spring. During flexing of the leaf spring, the rearward leaf spring segment of the leaf spring slides within the mount. The shear damper in combination with sliding of the leaf spring through the mount accommodates this longitudinal lengthen during flexing. Also, due to the width of the of the leaf spring segment the shear damper may alternatively be utilized alone to accommodate the flexing of the leaf spring as the significant width of the composite leaf spring provides a large mounting platform for a significantly large shear damper heretofore unavailable with relatively thin conventional steel leaf springs.

Attachment arrangement for a composite leaf spring which accommodates longitudinal movement through shear displacement

A suspension system includes a composite leaf spring having an arcuate segment that is located between a retaining pin and a bumper. The retaining pin includes a shank surrounded by a resilient tube. The bumper is located adjacent a rear wall of the bracket opposite the retaining pin. The bumper includes an arcuate face to engage the outer arc of the arcuate segment while the pin is at least partially surrounded by the arcuate segment. The end of the composite leaf spring is thereby securely yet resiliently retained within the front leaf spring attachment system without penetrating fasteners.

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Auburn Hills, MI, United States of America

James Trotter