Leaf Ends

The Leaf Ends component provides details about the leaf end types at the front and rear ends. Currently, two types of leaf ends are supported. Other possible options will be slider end.

Currently, for the front and rear leaf ends, keywords are fixed, which are 'Front_leaf_end' and 'Rear_leaf_end'.
Figure 1. Leaf Ends Panel in the Leaf Builder


The Leaf Ends section is explained below:

Use the Leaf End Type drop-down menu to define the type of Leaf end:
Figure 2. Available Selections for Leaf Ends


  • Spring eye
  • Slipper end

Spring Eye

Type
Defines the type of spring eye.
Figure 3. Available selections for spring eye


  • Upturned
    Figure 4.


  • Downturned
    Figure 5.


  • Berlin
    Figure 6.


Inner Radius
Defines the leaf end radius.
Eye Position
Defines either rear or front position of the leaf end.
Bushing
By selecting the bushing option, a new option Eye Bushing is displayed. The Eye Bushing drop-down menu lists all the bushings that are added in the Bushings Component.
Figure 7. Bushing Selection in Leaf Ends


Spring Eye Location
Defines the location of the leaf end. Represents the center of the rear eye hook with respect to either ‘Leaf_Ref_Loc’ or ‘BOLTLOCATION’ depending upon the shape condition.
Note: If the shape Condition is ‘PRE_ASSEMBLY’, the location should be defined with respect to the ‘BOLTLOCATION’ of ‘MASTER’ leaf.
Figure 8. Spring Eye Location in Leaf Ends


Slipper End

Another available option for leaf ends which is a step away from traditional spring eyes is slipper ends, where one end of the leaf spring or both ends comprises the open leaf which slides in a ‘bracket’ or ‘hanger’ which is welded to the chassis of the trailer.

The top surface of the bracket (contact pad) can have many shapes based on the requirement.

Here you can enter data for a primitive shape such as cylinder, for more refined shapes you will have to replace the primitive slipper bracket graphic with a refined one in MotionView.

Figure 9. Leaf Ends - Slipper End Type


Slipper Type (Round Surface)
By default, the round surface type is used. It is a cylindrical pin-based slipper end.
Leaf Contact Len
Defines an approximate length along the leaf surface that will make contact with the slipper end. It is centered about the slipper center location.
Pad Radius
Defines the radius of the cylindrical slipper end.
X
Center X location of the slipper end.
Z
Center Z location of the slipper end.
Retaining Pin Details
Pin Radius
Defines the radius of the cylindrical pin.
X
Center X location of the retaining pin.
Z
Center Z location of the retaining pin.
Side Contact Details
Width
Length of the bracket along Y direction.
Height
Length of the bracket along Z direction.
Depth
Length of the bracket along X direction.

Leaf Ends for Leaf Property File (*lpf)

An example of how a Leaf Ends block is represented in a TiemOrbit file format is shown below:
$------------------------------------------LEAF_ENDS
[LEAF_ENDS]
FRONT = 'FRONT_EYE_HOOK'
REAR = 'REAR_EYE_HOOK'
Block Name = ‘LEAF_ENDS’ (Required)
Attributes Type Valid Value Required
Front String 'Front_Leaf_End’,

‘Front_Eye_Hook’

 Yes
Rear String 'Rear_Leaf_End’,

'Rear_Eye_Hook'

 Yes

Rear Leaf End for Leaf Property File (*lpf)

An example of how a Rear Leaf End block is represented in a TiemOrbit file format is shown below:
$-----------------------------------------REAR_LEAF_END
[REAR_LEAF_END]
ENDTYPE = ‘SPRING EYE’
INNERRADIUS = 20.0
LOCATION – [636.027, 0.0, 140.0]
TYPE = ‘UPTURNED’
Note: A Rear Leaf End block is required only if block name has been defined in the “Leaf_Ends” block.
Block Name = ‘Rear_Leaf_End’ (Required)
Attributes Type Valid Value Required
EndType String 'Spring Eye'

'Slipper End'

 Yes
Type String ‘Berliner’,

‘upturned’,

‘downTurned’

 Yes
innerRadius Real - Yes
Location List [x,y,z] Optional

Front Leaf End for Leaf Property file (*lpf)

An example of how a Front Leaf End block with Slipper End is represented in a TiemOrbit file format is shown below:
$-------------------------------------FRONT_LEAF_END
[FRONT_LEAF_END]
BLOCKNAME = ‘FRONT_LEAF_END’
ENDTYPE = ‘SLIPPER END’
SLIPPERTYPE = ‘ROUND SURFACE’
(PINDATA)
PINCONTACTPROP = ‘METAL_METAL’
PINLOCX = -530.0
PINLOCZ = 110.0
PINRADIUS = 20.0
(SIDECONTACTDATA)
DEPTH = 5.0
HEIGHT = 50.0
SIDECONTACTPROP = ‘METAL_METAL’
WIDTH = 85.0
(SLIPPERDATA)
LEAFCONTACTLEN = 100.0
PADCONTACTPROP = ‘METAL_METAL’
PADLOCX = -530.0
PADLOCZ = 190.0
PADRADIUS = 30.0
Note: A Front Leaf End block is only required if block name has been defined in the “Leaf_Ends” block.
Block Name = ‘Front_Leaf_End’ (Required)
Attributes Type Valid Value Required
EndType String 'Spring Eye'

'Slipper End'

 Yes
Slipper Type String 'Round Surface' Yes

Slipper Data for Leaf Property file (*lpf)

Block Name = ‘Front_Leaf_End’ (Required)
Sub-Block Name = ‘SLIPPERDATA’ (Required)
Attributes Type Valid Value Required
Leaf Contact Length Real - Yes
Pad Contact Property String 'METAL_METAL' Yes
Pad Location X Real - Yes
Pad Location Z Real - Yes
Pad Radius Real - Yes

Retaining Pin Data for Leaf Property file (*lpf)

Block Name = ‘Front_Leaf_End’ (Required)
Sub-Block Name = ‘PINDATA’ (Required)
Attributes Type Valid Value Required
Pin Contact Property String 'METAL_METAL' Yes
Pin Location X Real - Yes
Pin Location Z Real - Yes
Pin Radius Real - Yes

Retaining Side Contact Data for Leaf Property file (*lpf)

Block Name = ‘Front_Leaf_End’ (Required)
Sub-Block Name = ‘SIDECONTACTDATA’ (Required)
Attributes Type Valid Value Required
Side Contact Property String 'METAL_METAL' Yes
Width Real - Yes
Height Real - Yes
Depth Real - Yes