Virtual Validation of Parabolic Leaf Spring under the Static Load Condition by using FEA: Enhancing Suspension System Performance through Virtual Validation

Abstract

The parabolic suspension leaf spring is one of the potential items for weight reduction in automobiles as it accounts for ten to twenty percent of the unsprung weight. This helps in achieving better riding improvement. Springs are designed to absorb and store energy and then release it. Hence, the weight, cost and strain energy of material becomes a major factor in designing the springs. It can be easily observed, lower modulus and density will have a greater specific strain energy capacity. The introduction of parabolic leaf spring can reduce the weight of the suspension system without any reduction in load carrying capacity and stiffness. Since parabolic leaf spring has more elastic strain energy, storage capacity, and high strength-to-weight ratio as compared to conventional semi elliptic leaf spring. Springs are placed between the road wheels and the vehicle body. When the wheel goes bump condition, it rises and deflects the spring upward, there by storing energy there in. On releasing, due to the elasticity of the spring material, it rebounds there by expending the stored energy. In this way the spring starts vibrating. Of course, amplitude of leaf spring decreases gradually on account of internal friction of the spring material.