Fatigue Design Criterion of LCV Leaf Spring Based on Road Load Response Analysis

Suspension system of light commercial vehicle (LCV) has enough endurance to protect passenger and freight. Leaf spring is major part of LCV suspension system. Thus, fatigue strength evaluation of leaf spring based on road load response was carried out. At first, the strain of leaf spring was measured on the city mode driving condition and proving ground driving condition. And , the damage analysis of road load response was carried out. After that, fatigue test of leaf spring was also carried out. Based on ε-N life relation, fatigue life of leaf spring was evaluated at Belgian mode, city mode and drawing test specification called the 3 steps test mode. Next, it is compared the design life of leaf spring and evaluated fatigue life by the 3steps test mode. From the above, new target of Belgian mode and city mode was proposed to gratify design specification of leaf spring. It is expect that the proposed target can be satisfied leaf spring fatigue endurance at specific road condition.