Semi-Trailer Suspension

Technical Field

The utility model belongs to the technical field of automotive component equipment, and more particularly relates to a semi-trailer suspension.

Background Technology

An automotive suspension is an elastic connection device between the vehicle frame and the axle. It generally consists of elastic elements, guiding mechanisms, shock absorbers, and other components. Its primary function is to cushion impacts transmitted from uneven road surfaces to the vehicle frame, thereby improving ride comfort.

A semi-trailer is a trailer whose axle is positioned behind the vehicle’s center of gravity and is equipped with a coupling device capable of transmitting horizontal and vertical forces to the towing vehicle. Existing semi-trailer suspension systems are composed of hangers, leaf springs, equalizer beams, and equalizer beam pins. This structure has a complicated connection method, and the leaf spring is directly connected to the hanger through the equalizer beam pin, resulting in poor shock absorption performance.

Chinese utility model patent No. 201610005008.6 discloses a novel equalizer beam and a semi-trailer suspension system using the same, which effectively solves the above problems and provides good shock absorption while maintaining the load-bearing requirements of the semi-trailer. However, the structure has relatively poor stability and is prone to stress concentration, leading to mechanical fatigue of the leaf spring. In particular, the ends of the leaf spring are prone to fatigue fracture. Once the leaf spring end fractures, asynchronous displacement of the axle may occur, potentially causing serious traffic accidents.

Summary of the Invention

To solve the above problems and overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the utility model provides a semi-trailer suspension.

First Technical Problem Solved

The existing semi-trailer suspension system has a complicated connection structure, and the leaf spring is directly connected to the hanger through the equalizer beam pin, resulting in poor shock absorption performance.

Second Technical Problem Solved

The structure has poor stability and is prone to stress concentration, causing mechanical fatigue of the leaf spring, especially fatigue fracture at the leaf spring ends. Once the leaf spring end fractures, asynchronous axle displacement may occur, resulting in serious traffic accidents.

Technical Solution

The semi-trailer suspension comprises symmetrically arranged hangers, leaf spring assemblies, and equalizer beams, characterized in that:

The leaf spring assembly is formed by stacking a preset number of U-shaped leaf springs.

Leaf spring fixing seats are arranged at both ends of the leaf spring assembly.

A U-bolt is arranged at the middle portion of the leaf spring assembly.

Safety connection devices are arranged on both sides of the leaf spring fixing seat. The safety connection device includes:

a limiting groove,

a connecting rod, and

a limiting protrusion.

The connecting rod is connected with the groove through the limiting protrusion.

Both ends of the equalizer beam are respectively provided with:

an equalizer beam axle connection end, and

a leaf spring fixing seat.

The middle portion of the equalizer beam is provided with an equalizer beam hanger connection hole.

The equalizer beam has an upwardly arched structure, and the equalizer beam hanger connection hole is located at the arched middle portion.

A shock-absorbing cylinder is arranged between the hanger and the U-bolt.

Further Improvements

The end portion of the limiting protrusion is configured in a T-shape. The T-shaped end cooperates with the groove in a snap-fit manner and is connected through sliding engagement.

The other end of the limiting protrusion is hingedly connected to the hanger.

The equalizer beam hanger connection hole is hingedly connected to the hanger.

The leaf spring assembly is fixed by the U-bolt.

A leaf spring axle connection end is arranged at the bottom of the leaf spring assembly.

Beneficial Effects

The device creatively connects the leaf spring to the equalizer beam through the leaf spring fixing seat, and then connects the equalizer beam to the hanger through a hinged structure. A shock-absorbing cylinder is also arranged between the hanger and the U-bolt. This configuration greatly improves shock absorption performance while maintaining structural stability.

Safety connection devices are arranged on both sides of the leaf spring fixing seat. The limiting protrusion cooperates with the groove through snap-fit engagement and sliding connection, which not only ensures normal displacement of the connecting rod during extension and contraction of the leaf spring, but also provides a limiting function.

The connecting rod bears part of the load, thereby extending the service life of the leaf spring. Meanwhile, the limiting function of the connecting rod can, to a certain extent, prevent asynchronous axle displacement when the end of the leaf spring fractures, thereby reducing the severity of accidents.

Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the utility model.

Reference numerals in the figure:

Connecting rod

Limiting protrusion

Leaf spring fixing seat

Equalizer beam hanger connection hole

Hanger

Equalizer beam

Equalizer beam axle connection end

U-bolt

Leaf spring axle connection end

Leaf spring assembly

Shock-absorbing cylinder

Groove

Detailed Description

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the utility model clearer, the utility model is further described below with reference to Figure 1.

In the description of the utility model, terms such as “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” “lower left,” “upper right,” and “outer” indicate positional relationships based on the drawings and are used merely for convenience of description and simplification. They do not indicate or imply that the referenced device or element must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of the utility model. Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used only for descriptive purposes and should not be understood as indicating relative importance.

Specific Embodiment

The semi-trailer suspension comprises symmetrically arranged hangers 5, leaf spring assemblies 10, and equalizer beams 6.

The leaf spring assembly 10 is formed by stacking a preset number of U-shaped leaf springs. Leaf spring fixing seats 3 are arranged at both ends of the leaf spring assembly 10, and a U-bolt 8 is arranged at the middle portion.

Safety connection devices are arranged on both sides of the leaf spring fixing seat 3. The safety connection device includes:

a limiting groove 12,

a connecting rod 1, and

a limiting protrusion 2.

The connecting rod 1 is connected to the groove 12 through the limiting protrusion 2.

Both ends of the equalizer beam 6 are respectively provided with:

an equalizer beam axle connection end 7, and

a leaf spring fixing seat 3.

The middle portion of the equalizer beam 6 is provided with an equalizer beam hanger connection hole 4.

The equalizer beam 6 has an upwardly arched structure, and the equalizer beam hanger connection hole 4 is located at the arched middle portion.

A shock-absorbing cylinder 11 is arranged between the hanger 5 and the U-bolt 8.

The end portion of the limiting protrusion 2 is configured in a T-shape. The T-shaped end cooperates with the groove 12 through snap-fit engagement and sliding connection.

The other end of the limiting protrusion 2 is hingedly connected to the hanger 5.

The equalizer beam hanger connection hole 4 is hingedly connected to the hanger 5.

The leaf spring assembly is fixed through the U-bolt 8.

A leaf spring axle connection end 9 is arranged at the bottom of the leaf spring assembly 10.

Working Principle

When the vehicle experiences slight vibration:
The leaf spring assembly 10 is hingedly connected to the hanger 5, and vibration is transmitted through the equalizer beam 6 to the leaf spring assembly 10. The leaf spring undergoes slight deformation along the axial direction to offset the force.

When the vehicle experiences severe vibration:
The leaf spring assembly 10 is hingedly connected to the hanger 5, and vibration is transmitted through the equalizer beam 6 to the leaf spring assembly 10. The leaf spring deforms axially, and the T-shaped end of the limiting protrusion 2 slides along the groove 12. Under the limiting effect at the end of the groove 12, the connecting rod 1 offsets part of the force along the axial direction and assists the leaf spring in returning to its original position. The shock-absorbing cylinder 11 also offsets part of the force and promotes restoration of the leaf spring.

When severe vibration causes fatigue fracture of the leaf spring end:
The T-shaped end of the limiting protrusion 2 slides along the groove 12, and the connecting rod 1 functions to connect the leaf spring fixing seat 3, thereby preventing asynchronous axle displacement and reducing the severity of accidents.

The above descriptions illustrate the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that the utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the utility model. Various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model, and such modifications and improvements shall fall within the protection scope of the utility model. The protection scope of the utility model shall be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.