FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13] TITLE: “A LEAF SPRING FOR A SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE”
Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED of Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai - 400 001 Maharashtra, India.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates in general to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a suspension system of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a leaf spring for the suspension system of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Generally, in vehicles suspension systems are provided to support a vehicle body above the vehicle wheels. The primary function of the suspension system is to maximize contact between tires and a road surface, providing steering stability and good handling, evenly supporting the weight of the vehicle (including the chassis, engine, and body), and ensuring the comfort of passengers by absorbing and dampening the forces generated due to unevenness on the road surface. To achieve such functions, the suspension systems are typically connected between the axle and the chassis of the vehicle. Typically, the suspension systems include active components, such as springs and the like, to keep the sprung mass (vehicle body) supported above the un-sprung mass (vehicle wheels). Usually commercial vehicles adapted to carry heavy loads make use of leaf springs in the suspension system.
Conventionally, a number of leaf springs are stacked and are fixed to mounting brackets on the chassis of the vehicle through shackles. These shackles are required for maintaining steady articulation of the leaf springs on uneven road surface. Here, the longitudinal movement received from the wheels of the vehicle is received by shackle and vertical load from the wheels is received by the leaf spring. Further, stacked leaf springs are used to effectively take up the load of the vehicle, due to restricted mounting space available on the chassis of the vehicle and also due to the existence of shackles. However, by incorporating multiple leaf springs to effectively take up the load of the vehicle, the suspension system becomes heavy, bulky, noisy, requires regular maintenance which results in high operational and manufacturing costs.
Present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the known arts.

The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the disclosure would never limit its scope only to such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a leaf spring as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the leaf spring as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment, a leaf spring for a suspension system of a vehicle is disclosed. The leaf spring includes a body which is defined with a first end and a second end. Further, the body is defined with an intermediate point which lies between the first end and the second end. Furthermore, the body of the leaf spring is defined with a first section that extends from the first end to the intermediate point and a second section extending from the intermediate point to the second end. Here, the second section extends arcuately from the intermediate point and orients in a semi-circular path till the second end. This configuration of the leaf spring results in increased working span which enables the suspension system to operate with a single leaf spring. Additionally, the second section arcuately extending from the intermediate point enables movement of the leaf spring in a longitudinal direction and ensures appropriate vehicle behavior on uneven road surfaces, without needing shackle assembly.
In an embodiment, the first section is defined with a concave profile.
In an embodiment, the first end and the second end are connectable to a chassis of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the first end and the second end of the body are defined with a provision to connect the leaf spring to a chassis of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, a damping member is disposed within the provision. The damping member mitigates direct contact between the leaf spring and the first bracket and the second bracket, such vibrations, shocks and jerks produced at the connection of the leaf spring and the chassis is prevented.
In an embodiment, the body is made of a metal or metal alloy.
In another non-limiting embodiment, a suspension system of a vehicle is disclosed. The suspension system includes, a first bracket connected to a chassis of the vehicle. Further, the suspension system includes a second bracket connected to the chassis which is adjacent to the first bracket. Furthermore, the suspension system includes a leaf spring connected between the first bracket and the second bracket. The leaf spring includes a body which is defined with a first end and a second end. Further, the body is defined with an intermediate point which lies between the first end and the second end. Furthermore, the body of the leaf spring is defined with a first section that extends from the first end to the intermediate point and a second section extending from the intermediate point to the second end. Here, the second section extends arcuately from the intermediate point and orients in a semi-circular path till the second end.
In an embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a chassis adapted to support a body of the vehicle and an axle connected to the chassis and adapted to receive wheels of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle includes a suspension system connected between the chassis and the axle. The suspension system includes, a first bracket connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Further, the suspension system includes a second bracket connected to the chassis which is adjacent to the first bracket. Furthermore, the suspension system includes a leaf spring connected between the first bracket and the second bracket. The leaf spring includes a body which is defined with a first end and a second end. Further, the body is defined with an intermediate point which lies between the first end and the second end. Furthermore, the body of the leaf spring is defined with a first section that extends from the first end to the intermediate point and a second section extending from the intermediate point to the second end. Here, the second section extends arcuately from the intermediate point and orients in a semi-circular path till the second end. Further, the vehicle include a third bracket which is disposed on the leaf spring. The third bracket is adapted to connect the axle of the vehicle with the suspension system.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a suspension system of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the suspension system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of a leaf spring of the suspension system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the
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conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, assemblies, system, methods and processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent construction do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its construction and features, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device or a system or a method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such device, assembly, system or method. In other words, one or more elements in a device or an assembly or a system or a method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device or system or method.
The construction and configuration of the mechanism of the present disclosure enables automatic calibration of the horn by maintaining contact between the first contact member and the second contact member. Thus, the mechanism the mitigates the need for manual tuning of the horn.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1-3.
Figs. 1 and 2, illustrates a perspective view and a side view of a suspension system (200) of a vehicle, respectively. In an embodiment, the vehicle [not shown in Figs] may be including but not limited to cars, support utility vehicle (SUV), a multi utility vehicle (MUV), a light commercial vehicle (LCV), a heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) and the like. The vehicle may include a chassis (7) which may be which may be adapted to support a body [not shown in Figs] of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle may include one or more axles (9) which may be adapted to receive wheels of the vehicle. The axle (9) may be configured facilitate powered or non-powered rotation of wheels to drive the vehicle. In an embodiment, the chassis (7) may be supported on the axle (9) of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle includes the suspension system (200) that may be connected between the chassis (7) and the axle of the vehicle. Further, the suspension system (200) may include a first bracket (5) which may be connected to a portion of the chassis (7) and a second bracket (6) which may be connected to another portion of the chassis (7) which may be adjacent to the first bracket. In an embodiment, the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6) may be connected to a same side of the chassis (7). Furthermore, the suspension system (200) may include a leaf spring (100) which may be connected between the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). In other words, ends of the leaf spring (100) may be connected to the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6) such that, the leaf spring (100) may be supported by the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). In an embodiment, the first bracket (5), the second bracket (6) and the leaf spring (100) may be connected to a first side of the chassis (7) and may be configured to support one end of an axle (9) of the vehicle. In an illustrated embodiment, to support the axle (9) of the vehicle, the first bracket (5), the second bracket (6) and the leaf spring (100) may be provided on each side of the chassis (7). Additionally, such arrangement of the suspension system (200) may be provided for each axle (9) of the vehicle.
Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the leaf spring (100) of the suspension system (200). The leaf spring (100) may include a body (10). The body (10) may be defined with a first end (3) and a second end (4) which may be defined opposite to the first end (3). Further, the first end (3) and the second

end (4) of the body (10) may be defined with a provision (12) to connect the leaf spring (100) to the chassis (7) of the vehicle. That is, the provision (12) may be adapted to connect the leaf spring (100) with the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6) such that, the leaf spring (100) extends between the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). In an embodiment, the provision (12) may be adapted to receive a fastener to connect the leaf spring (100) with the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). Additionally, the leaf spring (100) may include a damping member (11) which may be disposed within the provision (12). The damping member (11) may be configured to mitigate direct contact between the leaf spring (100) and the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6), such that a soft connected is provided between the leaf spring (100) and the chassis (7). That is, the damping member (11) may function as a vibration isolator and provide an interface between the leaf spring (100) and the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). In an embodiment, the damping member (11) may act as a buffer and may absorb vibrations, shocks and jerks produced by the interaction between the provision (12) and the chassis (7). In an embodiment, the damping member (11) may be in the form of a bushing which may be made of a polymeric material or a soft metal.
Further, the leaf spring (100) may be defined with an intermediate point (IP) which may be located on body (10) between the first end (3) and the second end (4). The intermediate point (IP) may be configured to define sections of the body (10). A first section (1) may be defined on the body (10), where the first section (1) may extend from the first end (3) to the intermediate point (IP) of the body (10). In an embodiment, the intermediate point (IP) of the body (10) may be reinforced with additional material to provide extra strength and mitigate chances of crack generation, fractures and any other negative effects of stress concentration. In an embodiment, the first section (1) may be defined with a concave profile. Further, a second section (2) may be defined on the body (10), where the second section (2) may extend from the intermediate point (IP) to the second end (4) of the body (10). The second section (2) may extend arcuately from the intermediate point (IP) and may orient in a semi-circular path till the second end (4). In an embodiment, the second end (4) may be positioned adjacent and parallel to the intermediate point (IP) due to the arcuate extension of the second section (2) of the body (10). The configuration of the arcuate extension and the semi¬circular path of the second section (2), the length of the leaf spring (100) may be increased without increasing the distance between the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). As the distance

between the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6) is maintained constant, higher loads can be accommodated by the vehicle without increasing the number of leaf springs in the suspension system (100).In an embodiment, radius of the second section (2) may be directly proportional to the length of the first section (1). For example, if the length of the first section (1) increases the radius of the second section (2) may also increase and vice versa.
In an embodiment, the length of the body (10) may be directly proportional to the thickness of the body (10). That is, if the length of the body (10) may be increased to take up higher load, then the thickness of the body (10) may also be increased and vice versa.
The configuration of the leaf spring (100) having the second section (2) which may extend arcuately in the semicircular path and terminating at the second end (4) facilitates increased working span of the leaf spring (100) which enables the suspension system (200) to operate with single leaf spring (100). That is, the second section (2) may eliminate the need for a shackle at the second bracket (6), thereby allowing different lengths of the leaf spring (100) to be accommodated between the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). The second section (2) having the arcuate profile absorbs any longitudinal displacement of the leaf spring (100) due to displacement of the axle (9) without requiring the shackle connection and ensures appropriate vehicle behavior on uneven road surfaces. Further, the first section (1) and the second section (2) in combination may be configured to absorb vertical displacement of the leaf spring (100) and ensure appropriate vehicle behavior on uneven road surfaces. Furthermore, as the length of the leaf spring (100) is directly related to the load carrying capacity of the leaf spring (100), multiple leaf spring (100)s which were conventionally required to bear the load of the vehicle may be carried out by a single leaf spring (100). For example, if the load bearing capacity of the suspension system (200) has to be increased, the length of the leaf spring (100) may be increased to bear the additional load without altering the position of the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6). That is, length of the leaf spring (100) may be varied based on the load carrying requirement of the vehicle, and leaf spring (100) having increased length may be accommodated within the restricted mounting space available on the chassis (7) of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the body (10) may be made of a metal or metal alloy. For example, the leaf spring (100) may be made of steel.

Referring back to Fig. 1, the vehicle may include a third bracket (8) which may be disposed on the leaf spring (100). The third bracket (8) may be adapted to connect the axle (9) with the leaf spring (100) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the third bracket (8) may be disposed on the leaf spring (100) between the first end (3) and the intermediate point (IP). For example, the third bracket (8) may be disposed at any location on the first section (1) of the body (10) based on the length of the first section (1).
It should be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the Figs. 1-3 the features, construction, position and connections should not be construed as a limitation as the suspension system (200) and the leaf spring (100) may include any other type of features, construction, position, and connections which may work with other combinations.
In an operational embodiment, upon the vehicle being maneuvered over uneven road surfaces, that is, when the vehicle is moving over bumps, the first section (1) connected to the axle (9) may get compressed due to vertical displacement of the axle (9). The vertical displacement of the axle (9) may be absorbed by the concave profile of the first section (1) which may compress and straighten to absorb the vertical loads and may decompress to its original state after the vehicle has maneuvered over the bump due to the resilient nature of the leaf spring (100). Further, during compression of the first section (1), the second section (2) may also compress to provide the damping effect and such compression may also take up the longitudinal displacement of the leaf spring (100) which may be caused due to the compression of the first section (1). Further, the second section (2) may also decompress to its original state due to the resilient nature of the leaf spring (100) after the vehicle has maneuvered over the bump.
In an embodiment, the leaf spring (100) is simple in construction and easy to manufacture. Further, as the suspension system (200) includes only a single leaf spring (100), the weight of the suspension system (200) is reduced, and results in a compact construction. Additionally, noise generated due to use of multiple leaf spring (100) are mitigated. Further, the single leaf spring (100) does not require regular maintenance results in low operational and manufacturing costs.
It should be imperative that the leaf spring, the suspension system and any other elements or features described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with

respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such device and system should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,

C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope.

Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Leaf spring
200 Suspension system
1 First section
2 Second section
3 First end
4 Second end
5 First bracket
6 Second bracket
7 Chassis
8 Third bracket
9 Axle
10 Body
11 Damping member
12 Provision
IP Intermediate point

We Claim:
1. A leaf spring (100) for a suspension system (200) of a vehicle, comprising:
a body (10) defined with:
a first end (3);
a second end (4);
an intermediate point (IP) between the first end (3) and the second end (4);
a first section (1) extending from the first end (3) to the intermediate point (IP); and
a second section (2) extending from the intermediate point (IP) to the second end (4), the second section (2) extends arcuately from the intermediate point (IP) and orients in a semi-circular path till the second end (4).
2. The leaf spring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first section (1) is defined with a concave profile.
3. The leaf spring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (3) and the second end (4) are connectable to a chassis (7) of the vehicle.
4. The leaf spring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the body (10) are defined with a provision (12) to connect the leaf spring (100) to a chassis (7) of the vehicle.
5. The leaf spring (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a damping member (11) disposed within the provision (12).
6. The leaf spring (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (10) is made of a metal or metal alloy.
7. A suspension system (200) of a vehicle, the system comprising:
a first bracket (5) connected to a chassis (7) of the vehicle;

a second bracket (6) connected to the chassis (7) adjacent to the first bracket (5); and
a leaf spring (100) for the suspension system (200) connected between the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6), the leaf spring (100) comprising:
a body (10) defined with:
a first end (3);
a second end (4);
an intermediate point (IP) between the first end (3) and the second end (4);
a first section (1) extending from the first end (3) to the intermediate point (IP); and
a second section (2) extending from the intermediate point (IP) to the second end (4), the second section (2) extends arcuately from the intermediate point (IP) and orients in a semi-circular path till the second end (4).
8. The suspension system (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first end (3) and the second end (4) are connectable to the chassis (7) of the vehicle.
9. The suspension system (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the body (10) are defined with a provision (12) to connect the leaf spring (100) to the chassis (7) of the vehicle.
10. A vehicle, comprising:
a chassis (7) adapted to support a body of the vehicle;
an axle (9) connected to the chassis (7) and adapted to receive wheels of the vehicle;
a suspension system (200) connected between the chassis (7) and the axle (9), the suspension system comprising:
a first bracket (5) connected to the chassis (7) of the vehicle;

a second bracket (6) connected to the chassis (7) adjacent to the first bracket (5);
a leaf spring (100) for the suspension system (200) connected between the first bracket (5) and the second bracket (6), the leaf spring (100) comprising:
a body (10) defined with:
a first end (3);
a second end (4);
an intermediate point (IP) between the first end (3) and the second end (4);
a first section (1) extending from the first end (3) to the intermediate point (IP); and
a second section (2) extending from the intermediate point (IP) to the second end (4), the second section (2) extends arcuately from the intermediate point (IP) and orients in a semi-circular path till the second end (4); and
a third bracket (8) disposed on the leaf spring (100) and adapted to connect the axle (9) of the vehicle with the suspension system (200).