Variable rate flat spring arrangement

• Main Authors: Willemsen, Ronald J, Delgado, Jose G, Zeimet, James N, Kota, Ananth K, Brothers, Brian R, Hopkins, Jeffrey S, Meza, Jesus Ernesto, Galea, Chris, Berlingieri, Anthony, Friedrichs, Robert W, Frausto Rodriguez, Jose Roberto, Ruiz Juarez, Jose G, Diego Guedea, Ramon Heberto
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 11.05.2021
• Subjects: BLASTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GEARING; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; SPRINGS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A suspension system for a vehicle includes a first chassis rail and a second chassis rail, each extending longitudinally in an axial direction of the vehicle. Also included is a first leaf spring element extending longitudinally in the axial direction of the vehicle, the first leaf spring element operatively coupled proximate ends thereof to the first chassis rail and at an intermediate location to an axle assembly of the vehicle. Further included is a second leaf spring element extending longitudinally in the axial direction of the vehicle, the second leaf spring element operatively coupled proximate ends thereof to the second chassis rail and at an intermediate location to the axle assembly of the vehicle. Yet further included is at least one leaf spring extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the at least one leaf spring having a spring rate that is actively variable.