Abstract:

Leaf springs are used as suspension elements in the front and rear axles of vehicles in the automotive industry, especially in heavy commercial vehicles. Leaf springs working all road conditions and under load, it provides damping of the loads transmitted from the wheel and from the ground to the chassis. In this way, it ensures the safety and working comfort in the vehicle. Mechanical suspension systems have been replaced by air suspension systems in new generation vehicles. In air suspension systems; Z type parabolic leaf springs, especially used in heavy commercial vehicles, is a type of leaf spring that provides spring back with air bellows. In this study; Z type parabolic leaf spring design and finite element model of this leaf spring were prepared and form and stress analyzes were performed on the model. By using finite element analysis, high-tension regions of this leaf spring were determined and the appropriate design was selected. Finally, the fatigue life of this spring was obtained in the N-Code program and physical test.

Keywords: