What Is an Automotive Spring?-

An automotive spring is a crucial component of a vehicle’s suspension system, designed to
enhance driving stability and ride comfort. Known also as coil springs, these components serve
dual purposes:
Improving driving stability by maintaining consistent contact with the road surface.
Absorbing road surface impacts to enhance ride comfort.
The spring rate, or hardness, is adjusted based on the vehicle’s intended use, with
corresponding adjustments to the shock absorber for optimal performance.

Uses of Automotive Springs

Automotive springs

play a vital role in shock absorption and stability enhancement. The
suspension design involves fine-tuning the spring’s softness and the damping force of shock
absorbers to match the vehicle’s usage and operating environment.
While softer springs increase ride comfort by adapting more flexibly to road surfaces, they may
reduce stability by increasing body roll during turns. Conversely, stiffer springs reduce body roll
and enhance stability at the expense of ride comfort. Thus, the spring settings are often
customized to balance between comfort and stability based on the vehicle’s purpose.
Auto springs are a crucial component of a vehicle’s suspension system, and there are several
types, each with its own unique characteristics and applications. Springs are mechanical
components of immense importance used in effecting motion, improving shock-absorbing
capabilities, etc., in many products. Let’s start with something about spring. A spring stores
energy when force is applied and releases it once the force is removed. Typically, regardless of
the type, a spring returns to its original shape upon load removal.
Springs are versatile mechanical devices that store and release mechanical energy, making
them essential components in various industries and applications. From simple coil springs to
complex torsion springs, each type serves a specific purpose.
Springs play a vital role in numerous industries and applications, providing mechanical support,
control, and energy storage. Understanding the different types of springs and their applications
is essential for engineers, designers, and anyone working with mechanical systems. Whether
it’s the compression springs in your car’s suspension, the leaf springs supporting heavy loads,
or the gas springs providing smooth motion, each type of spring serves a specific purpose,
contributing to the efficiency and functionality of countless products and systems.

Principles of Automotive Springs

Automotive springs

absorb shocks through contraction and expansion, mitigating impacts from
the road. Special metals are used in their construction to endure repeated shocks without
breaking or losing their shape. This functionality extends beyond suspensions to engine parts
and clutches due to their durable and flexible nature.

Other Information on Automotive Springs

1. Suspension Structure

The suspension system includes:
Shock Absorber (Damper): Dampens the coil spring’s motion to stabilize the vehicle
body, enhancing stability and ride quality.
Suspension Arm: Supports the tires and limits their position relative to the road
surface, contributing to driving stability.

2. Suspension System Types

Suspension systems are categorized into axle suspension and independent suspension:
Axle Suspension System: Connects the left and right wheels with an axle, offering
simplicity, durability, and ease of maintenance but at the cost of ride comfort.
Commonly used in economically priced vehicles.
Independent Suspension System: Allows independent movement of each wheel,
improving stability and comfort. Preferred in sports and luxury vehicles, though also
found in the front suspension of lower-priced models due to higher production costs.

Here are the main types of auto springs and their uses:

1. Coil Springs: These are the most common type, found in most passenger vehicles.
They’re ideal for:
– Supporting heavy loads
– Providing a smooth ride
– Maintaining vehicle height

2. Leaf Springs: Typically used in:
– Heavy-duty trucks and buses
– Older vehicles
– Vehicles with solid axles

3. Torsion Springs: Used in:
– Suspension systems with torsion bars (e.g., some BMW models)
– Providing stability and support

4. Air Springs: Used in:
– Luxury vehicles (e.g., air suspension systems)
– Heavy-duty trucks (e.g., air-ride suspension)
– Providing a smooth ride and adjustable height

5. Hydraulic Springs: Used in:
– Some heavy-duty applications (e.g., hydraulic suspension systems)
– Providing support and stability

6. Progressive Springs: Used in:
– High-performance vehicles
– Providing a sporty ride and handling

7. Linear Springs: Used in:
– Some passenger vehicles
– Providing a balanced ride and handling

Spring Types and Their Applications

• Compression springs: designed to operate with a compressive load. Found in
  shock absorbers, spring mattresses, mechanical pencils, and retractable pens.
• Extension springs: designed to operate with a tensile load. …
• Torsion springs: designed to operate with torque (twisting force).

Leaf Springs

What is a Leaf Spring?

A leaf spring is a type of suspension spring, typically made of several layers or “leaves” of spring
steel bound together in a specific pattern. These leaves are progressively shorter in length and
are stacked on top of one another, forming a curved or “arched” shape resembling a bow. This
design provides flexibility and resilience to the spring.

Leaf springs, with their simple yet effective design, have been an integral part of vehicle
suspension systems for centuries. Their ability to distribute weight, absorb shocks, and
maintain stability make them a cornerstone of safe and comfortable transportation.

Understanding how leaf springs function provides valuable insight into the engineering behind
a smooth and secure ride, underscoring their importance in the automotive industry.

Leaf springs are made of rectangular metal plates, known as flat springs or leaves, which are
usually fastened together and are most commonly found in large vehicles, ranging from bigger
cars to trucks and train carts. Different types of leaf springs which are listed below:

1. Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
2. Elliptical Leaf Springs
3. Quarter Elliptical Leaf Springs
4. .Three-Quarter Elliptical Springs
5. Transverse Leaf Springs

Structure of a Leaf Spring

The construction of a leaf spring comprises several components, each contributing to its overall
Functionality:

• Main Leaf: The longest and thickest leaf in the assembly, positioned at the center. It bears the
  majority of the load and forms the primary structure of the spring.
• Helper Leafs: These are the progressively shorter leaves stacked on top of the main leaf. They
  assist in distributing the load and providing additional support.
• Clamps or Clips: These are used to hold the leaves together and maintain their alignment,
  ensuring the spring functions as a cohesive unit.
• Eyelet: Found at either end of the leaf spring, the eyelet allows the spring to be attached to the
  vehicle’s chassis and axle.

How Does a Leaf Spring Work?

The operation of a leaf spring is based on the principles of elasticity and resilience of the spring steel. When a vehicle encounters bumps, potholes, or uneven terrain, the leaf spring flexes
and compresses, absorbing the shocks and vibrations.

Here’s how it works:

Load Distribution: The main leaf, being the longest and thickest, bears the primary load. As the load increases, the helper leaves engage, distributing the weight across the entire length of the Spring.

Flexibility: The arch-shaped design of the leaf spring allows it to flex easily when subjected to
stress or pressure. This flexibility helps maintain a smoother ride even on rough surfaces.

Energy Absorption: As the vehicle encounters bumps or irregularities in the road, the leaf
spring compresses and absorbs the energy generated by the sudden movement. Differences
in spring deflection enable the accumulation of potential energy, which is stored as strain
energy and later released in a more controlled and gradual manner, resulting in a more
comfortable ride for the occupants.

Stability and Traction: Leaf springs play a crucial role in maintaining tire grip on the road. The
consistent pressure and weight distribution facilitated by the leaf spring ensure that the tires
remain firmly planted, enhancing stability during acceleration, braking, and turning.

A leaf spring can either be attached directly to the frame at both eyes or attached directly at
one end, usually the front, with the other end attached through a shackle: a short swinging
arm. The shackle takes up the tendency of the leaf spring to elongate when compressed and
thus makes the suspension softer.

AKAR is one of the leading manufacturer & exporter of automotive, suspension components &
assemblies in India. AKAR has a huge setup in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. AKAR delivers
the finest and strongest suspension for commercial vehicles which makes it the best in the
industry. All the products and designs we create are custom-made, to fit the requirements and
specifications of each order we receive.

AKAR was incorporated in the year 1995. We are a top-notch manufacturer of Parabolic Leaf
Springs, Multi-Leaf Springs, Mechanical Trailer Suspension Assemblies, Trailer Leaf Springs, Ubolts, and Leaf Spring Bushes for almost all kinds of Trucks & Trailers. Our goods are well

suited for the Heaviest of Vehicles & the Toughest of Terrains. Our product is in high demand both in
domestic as well as in the international market. For the last three decades, we have maintained
the international standard of our product quality and continuously strive to exceed the client’s
expectations. We are regularly catering to the requirements of our customers in worldwide.

AKAR strive hard to make sure all our process is up to date with the current market trends.
The wide product range is suitable for all sorts of vehicles, from the lightest utility vehicles to
the heaviest trucks, built for long-haul or off-road missions.

After the rolling and forging operations, the spring leaves are quenched and tempered to
achieve the required mechanical properties. They are then shot-peened to increase the
fatigue life. Magnetic particle inspection tests are carried out when required, Using a specific
Process,

AKAR can manufacture high stress springs. The high performances obtained enable a weight
reduction and, as a result, allow the vehicle payload to be increased. All the major truck
manufacturers have now opted for this technological solution.

Below are the Leaf springs we are manufacturing

Multi Leaf Spring

Multi Leaf springs, as the name suggests, has multiple leaves. The leaves have constant width
and each leaf has constant thickness.

Over the years, the combination of great passion, long man hours, computerized techniques
and a team of professionals from design, research and manufacturing department, have
helped Mack Springs usher a foundation of strong relationships with automobile sectors
across the world.

We manufacture products for automobile companies in USA, Europe, Africa, Middle East and
Asia. We take immense pride for our consistency in providing impeccable products an
exemplary service to our customers.

Single Stage

Akar manufactures various types of Multi Leaf, Conventional spring, and conventional
assemblies. These leaf springs are widely used for Heavy Duty trucks Special Application
Vehicles SUVs & MUVs, LCV & HCVS in Trucks and Buses.

Two Stage

Akar manufactures various types of Multi Leaf Conventional Spring Assemblies with helper.
Akar manufacturs both types of helper assemblies; conventional & parabolic. These leaf
springs are widely used for Heavy Duty trucks Special Application Vehicles SUVs & MUVs, LCV
& HCVS in Trucks and Buses.

Bogie Type

Akar manufactures various types of Multi Leaf Bogie type parabolic assemblies. These leaf
springs are widely used for Heavy Duty trucks Special Application Vehicles SUVs & MUVs, LCV
& HCVS in Trucks and Buses.

Trailer Assembly

Akar manufactures various types of Multi Leaf Spring assemblies for trailer. These leaf springs are widely used for Heavy Duty trucks Special Application Vehicles SUVs & MUVs, LCV & HCVS in Trucks and Buses.

Parabolic Springs

Parabolic Springs have constant width with full length leaves, and each leaf is of variable
thickness. No machine can roll an ideal parabolic profile.
Parabolic Springs has less interleaf friction, better fatigue life, better resilience, better quality ride and high value to weight ratio.

Parabolic Single Stage

Akar

is Equipped with an imported parabolic machine with manufacturing capability from
6mm to 60 mm thickness rolling capacity with minimum Parabolic thickness tolerance. Various
type of leaf springs are manufactured and supplied Worldwide.

Parabolic Two Stage

Akar

is Equipped with an imported parabolic machine with manufacturing capability from
6mm to 60 mm thickness rolling capacity with minimum Parabolic thickness tolerance. Various
type of leaf springs are manufactured and supplied Worldwide.

Long Taper Springs

Full Taper Springs are usually used on heavy duty trucks and trailers. Full Taper Springs
typically have anywhere between 1 to 4 leaves that differ in thickness, but the length of the leaves is approximately the same. The main purpose of full Taper Spring is to act as a cushion between the axle and chassis, to protect the vehicle and cargo.

The major design goals of full Taper Springs are it reduces spring stiffness; reduce inter-leaf friction and reducing spring weight.

By tapering each leaf in the full Taper Spring the load or stress is spread out evenly along theentire length of the leaf. In fact, each leaf acts as a separate spring.

We mainly manufacture products for major domestic truck manufacturers. As well as
manufacturing according to the needs of our customers, such as to achieve the weight
reduction of trucks and buses, improve riding comfort, and meet the particular needs of
different regions, we also manufacture special leaf springs. We are also working to improve
our production efficiency with industrial robots and aim to provide leaf springs of high quality at low prices.