E-SPRINGS FOR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

摘要

E-spring can be used as a passive vehicle suspension system of built-in damping, a passive vehicle suspension system with hydraulic damper, a semi-active vehicle suspension system of two opposite E-springs (10,11) of built-in damping, or a semi-active vehicle suspension system of two opposite E-springs (10,11) penetrated at line of external loading by hydraulic damper (12). The E-spring is a spring of a special E- shape above which mass can be suspended vertically while under static or dynamic loading conditions. The outer two arms of the E-shape of the spring are inclined such that to be horizontal while fully loaded ensuring safe compression pattern. The E-shape has two opposite sets of turns of different sizes one of small radius of curvature at the side of line of the applied external load and the opposite one has large radius of curvature in order to maximize spring vertical deflection capability. Thickness throughout the E-spring developed length is graduated in order to minimize induced stresses, weight, and cost. Stiffness of the E-spring can be nonlinear in order to provide improved vibration isolation and can be adjusted for same compact space allowance through increasing or decreasing its number of turns. The E-spring can be made of Polymeric Matrix Composite of resin strengthened at nano-scale by nanometer-sized powder E-glass fibers. Moreover, the E-spring can be made of Metallic Matrix Composite or of whole metallic monolithic material.