Abstract: A suspension device for suspension of an axle by an intermediate portion of a single leaf spring has first restriction device which restricts, upon breakage of the leaf spring at a position behind the intermediate portion of the spring, the rear portion of the leaf spring from tilting downwardly relative to a shackle, and a second restriction device for restriction of the shackle from pivotally moving backward beyond a predetermined angle. The first restriction device is constituted by a stopper plate on the shackle for support of the rear portion of the leaf spring from below upon breakage.

Abstract: A suspension device for suspension of an axle 2 by an intermediate portion of a single leaf spring 5 has first restriction means which restricts, upon breakage of the leaf spring 5 at a position behind the intermediate portion of the spring, the rear portion of the leaf spring 5 from tilting downwardly relative to a shackle 6, and a second restriction means (retainer pawl 13) for restriction of the shackle 6 from pivotally moving backward beyond a predetermined angle. The first restriction means is constituted by a stopper plate 12 (stopper) on the shackle 6 for support of the rear portion of the leaf spring 5 from below upon breakage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a leaf spring material superior in mechanical characteristics and a manufacturing method of the leaf spring material capable of reliably achieving the same, utilizing induction hardening. The manufacturing method of the leaf spring material comprises the steps of imparting tensile stress on a first surface along the longitudinal direction of the first surface and compressive stress on a second surface along the longitudinal direction of the second surface of a substantially strip-shaped steel plate, and subjecting the first surface to induction hardening. With this induction hardening, an induction-hardened structure having a higher average hardness than that of a parent material structure in the vicinity of the second surface and comprising martensite and finely and evenly dispersed austenite is imparted on a surface layer in the vicinity of the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a leaf spring material superior in mechanical characteristics and a manufacturing method of the leaf spring material capable of reliably achieving the same, utilizing induction hardening. The leaf spring material comprises a substantially strip-shaped steel plate having a first surface and a second surface. The leaf spring material has in the vicinity of the first surface a hardened layer comprising an induction-hardened structure having a higher average hardness than that of the parent material structure in the vicinity of the second surface, and a compressive residual stress layer of a thickness at least not smaller than that of the thickness of the hardened layer in the vicinity of the first surface. Such a characteristic structure is achieved by stress-induced hardening that imparts a predetermined tensile stress or higher.

Abstract: In order to provide a suspension which is inexpensive and light in weight and which can attain substantially improved vehicle-riding comfort without lowering drivability, an axle is hanged from a chassis side (side rails) by resilient supports (leaf and air springs) with different spring characteristics arranged forwards and rearwards of the axle. The axle 1 is allowed to make rolling motion due to difference in spring characteristic between the forward and rearward resilient supports.

Abstract: Disclosed are a stabilizer with conventionally unattainable, extreme swift effectiveness and an air leaf suspension using the stabilizer. The stabilizer has a stabilizer bar 18 which is U-shaped when seeing from above and which has a portion 18a laterally extending along and rotatably connected to an axle 3, and a pair of upwardly convergent stabilizer links 19 which connect opposite longitudinally extending ends of the stabilizer bar to a chassis frame side above them.

Abstract: An air suspension has a hollow axle beam 1 suspended from opposite side rails 3 via air springs 5. In order to supplement volumes of the respective air springs 5 without addition of new tank equipment, an inner space of the axle beam 1 is divided by an intermediate partition 12 into two divided spaces which are respectively communicated as surge tanks 13 with the air springs 5 for supplement of the volumes of the air springs 5.

Abstract: In order to provide a suspension which is inexpensive and light in weight and which can attain substantially improved vehicle-riding comfort without lowering drivability, an axle 1 is hanged from a chassis side (side rails 4) by resilient supports (leaf and air springs 2 and 3) with different spring characteristics arranged forwards and backwards of the axle. The axle 1 is allowed to make rolling motion due to difference in spring characteristic between the forward and backward resilient supports.

Abstract: Disclosed are a stabilizer with conventionally unattainable, extreme swift effectiveness and an air leaf suspension using the stabilizer. The stabilizer has a stabilizer bar 18 which is U-shaped when seeing from above and which has a portion 18a laterally extending along and rotatably connected to an axle 3, and a pair of upwardly convergent stabilizer links 19 which connect opposite longitudinally extending ends of the stabilizer bar to a chassis frame side above them.