Design of parabolic leaf spring for light duty automobile

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this proposed parabolic leaf spring (PLS) is to reduce the weight of the steel leaf spring by developing a new design, to increase the load-carrying capacity, to increase the ride comfort for the passengers and also to achieve a substantial weight reduction in the suspension system by replacing the semi-elliptic leaf spring.

Design/methodology/approach

The semi-elliptic steel leaf spring and the PLS are compared based on the load-carrying capacity and weight. The design constraints are stresses and deflection. The dimensions of the HM trekker Jeep semi-elliptic leaf springs are taken. A three-dimensional model is created, and the static structural analysis is performed. The semi-elliptic leaf spring is tested on a universal testing machine, and the experimental result is compared with the analytical result for the validation. After validation, the stress analysis of the PLS is carried out and compared with the stress analysis of the semi-elliptic leaf spring.

Findings

The results show that the developed PLS performs better than the semi-elliptic leaf spring in terms of load-carrying capacity and weight reduction.

Originality/value

Comparison between the semi-elliptic leaf spring and the PLS (static structural analysis and dynamic analysis) has not been carried out before.

Citation

Marappan, K., M.P., J. and B., S.K. (2018), "Design of parabolic leaf spring for light duty automobile", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 91-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-01-2017-0006