Analysis and Optimization for Weight and Stress reduction in Leaf Spring

Abstract

Suspension leaf springs are widely used in automobile systems. The increasing interest of automobile industry in the usage of composite materials in substitute to conventional steel leaf springs owing to higher strength to weight ratio in latter. The past literature survey shows that leaf springs are designed as generalized force elements where the position, velocity and orientation of the axle mounting gives the reaction forces in the chassis attachment positions. The attachment of chassis positions along different positions plus difference in axle mounting’s velocity and orientation, the leaf springs are designed for these force elements. So, it is very important to study the analysis of leaf springs made up of composite materials. Modelling of leaf spring has been done with SOLIDWORKS 20.0 software and analysis has been carried out with ANSYS R19.2. Thus, the comparison of static analysis of these three materials are made and compared for material composites leaf spring. The static testing is done for a load of 50000 N in the rear suspension, also FE analysis is carried out and validated.[1] Von Mises Stress and Total Deformation were found out from this analysis. The conclusion was reached that there was a reduction in both stress and weight when composite material was used rather than conventional steel material. It is an effective energy conservation measure as reduction in overall fuel consumption of automobile is also achieved.