Abstract
Leaf springs are springs made of several individual leaves. Their load-deflection curves show hysteresis because of the friction force between leaves. Since this hysteresis loop affects the driving comfort and stability of vehicles, it is one of the most important factors to consider the friction in designing leaf springs. In this paper, the effects of type of eye, eye diameter, and edge shape of No.2 leaf to the friction on the hysteresis loop were experimentally studied. It was found that combining the Berlin eye of the No.1 leaf with the curved edge of No.2 leaf can control the increase of the dynamic spring-rate under the low deflection area. It was also realized that this effect can improve the driving comfort of vehicle.