Vehicle suspensions having leaf springs and alternative clamp groups

Abstract

A vehicle leaf spring suspension having a low spring rate is disclosed. The suspension has an axle seat secured to a vehicle axle. The leaf spring is clamped at its spring seat area to the axle seat at the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat and with certain of the disclosed axle seats, can be clamped such that the spring seat area is asymmetrically positioned with respect to the vehicle axle centerline. Also, an active clamp group arrangement can be used to utilize the entire physical length of the leaf spring.

1 . A suspension for a vehicle axle extending laterally across a vehicle, comprising: 
 a leaf spring extending longitudinally along a side of the vehicle having a spring seat section;    an axle seat attached to the vehicle axle;    a clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat positioned longitudinally offset from the vehicle axle; and    a fastener used to clamp the spring seat section of the leaf spring to the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat such that the clamped spring seat section is not symmetrically positioned about a centerline of the vehicle axle.    
     
     
         2 . The suspension as defined by  claim 1  wherein the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat is positioned entirely ahead of the vehicle axle.  
     
     
         3 . The suspension as defined by  claim 1  wherein the axle seat is attached to the vehicle axle by press-fitting and welding the axle seat to the vehicle axle.  
     
     
         4 . The suspension as defined by  claim 1  wherein the axle seat is attached to the vehicle axle by press-fitting the axle seat to the vehicle axle and extending another fastener through the axle seat and the vehicle axle.  
     
     
         5 . The suspension as defined by  claim 1  wherein the axle seat comprises a fabricated assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The suspension as defined by  claim 1  wherein the axle seat comprises a cast member.  
     
     
         7 . The suspension as defined by  claim 1  wherein the spring seat section of the leaf spring is encapsulated by an elastomer.  
     
     
         8 . A suspension for a fabricated front steer vehicle axle extending laterally across a vehicle, comprising: 
 a leaf spring extending longitudinally along a side of the vehicle having a spring seat section;    a fabricated axle seat attached to the fabricated front steer vehicle axle;    a clamp group mounting surface of the fabricated axle seat positioned directly above the fabricated front steer vehicle axle; and    a fastener used to clamp the spring seat section of the leaf spring to the clamp group mounting surface of the fabricated axle seat.    
     
     
         9 . The suspension as defined by  claim 8  wherein the fabricated axle seat is attached to the fabricated vehicle axle by press-fitting and welding the fabricated axle seat to the fabricated vehicle axle.  
     
     
         10 . The suspension as defined by  claim 8  wherein the fabricated axle seat is attached to the fabricated vehicle axle by press-fitting the fabricated axle seat to the fabricated vehicle axle and extending another fastener through the fabricated axle seat and the fabricated vehicle axle.  
     
     
         11 . The suspension as defined by  claim 8  wherein the spring seat section of the leaf spring is encapsulated and compressed by an elastomer.  
     
     
         12 . A suspension for a vehicle axle extending laterally across a vehicle, comprising: 
 a leaf spring extending longitudinally along a side of the vehicle having a spring seat section;    an elastomer encapsulating the spring seat section of the leaf spring;    an axle seat attached to the vehicle axle;    a clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat positioned directly above the vehicle axle; and    a fastener used to clamp the spring seat section of the leaf spring to the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat and compress the elastomer against the spring seat section of the leaf spring.