Performance Analysis Of Leaf Spring Based On Finite Element Method

The leaf spring is an important component of automotive non-independent suspension system. It is not only plays a role of elastic element, in some cases the Guiding role also bear the shock absorption effect. The leaf spring can pass on all the force and moment between the wheels and the body(frame), it can mitigate the body’s(frame)impact load which is caused by irregularity of the road. Due to the friction between the leaf, thus it can weaken the bearing system vibration caused by all kinds of impact load. The leaf spring has been widely used in many aspects, because its structure is relatively simple and the price is inexpensive, what’s more, it is easy to use and replace, it is also very reliability. The bearing capacity and fatigue characteristics has an important significance for vehicle’ safety driving. This paper first analyzes the leaf spring’s assembly stress and working stress, then make a prediction of its fatigue life. And optimized leaf springs structure.According to its three-dimensional size of the leaf and the radius of curvature parameters, the use of Pro/Engineer is to build its three-dimensional model, then to make each leaf virtual assembly. The aim of importing the assembly three-dimensional geometric model of leaf spring to the HyperMesh software is for unit division. When different loads and constraints are exerted on the leaf spring, we can simulate the assembly process, stress changes during normal operation and special conditions as well as the effect of friction coefficient on the leaf spring performance. By use of theoretical formulas we can calculate the Leaf spring stiffness values and make a comparison with the Simulation stiffness values. Finally, combining the S-N curve of 60Si2 Mn materials, using fatigue module of ANSYS software for life estimation of this leaf spring.In this paper, through the finite element method we can analyze and calculate the multiple leaf springs, so that we can timely find out the problems before putting into use, and then modify the design parameters or design scheme.