The objective of this work is to design and develop a lightweight composite elliptic spring for automotive suspensions utilizing the high tensile strength-to-weight ratio as well as inherent damping characteristics of fiber-reinforced plastics. The elliptic spring which functions in the same vertical deflection mode and packaging space as a steel coil spring has the potential of saving as much as 50 % by weight in a typical automotive suspension system. Several elliptic springs from both unidirectional and multidirectional glass fiber-epoxy composites have been constructed and tested in static compression. The unique feature of this construction is that the fibers are utilized in tension instead of shear, thus avoiding the inherent weakness of a composite material in coil spring type applications. It is demonstrated that by mounting several spring segments in series, it is possible to obtain the same suspension characteristics of a typical steel coil spring.
Design and development of composite elliptic springs for automotive suspensions
Konstruktion und Entwicklung von elliptischen Verbundfedern fuer Autos
1985
5 Seiten, 3 Bilder, 5 Tabellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Composite Springs for Automotive Suspensions
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