From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Proposal to revert to tapered-end rear leaf springs from the current bent-end design to improve ride quality and reduce squeaking.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 80\2\ scan0262 | |
| Date | 5th March 1920 | |
| R.R. 235a (100 T) (S.G. 643. 19-2-20) G 2618 X.3981. R7/G5.3.20. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X.2628.6. RE REAR SPRINGS. X 3981. During Mr. Hives' recent visit he shewed springs of our present type in which the makers bend both the ends of each plate so as to make the spring look neat without much trouble. This results in a very hard spot at the narrow end of the leaf which is very undesirable. This has suggested that as soon as possible it would be preferable for us to return to the springs which have ends tapered in thickness, rather than tapered in width. Such springs would be absolutely necessary if we decided to use materials such as ferodo between the plates, we should have every reason to believe that with ordinary care there would not be the very high pressure spot at the end, so we might get less squeaky springs and be able to run the springs without greasing, and therefore take advantage of the small amount of friction that these springs naturally provided towards the necessary damping friction required to keep the car steady. I should also like you to make a comparison between the old thin leaf springs curved so as to provide damping friction and our present thick leaf one. [Handwritten notes below with diagrams] [Left side notes and diagram showing a more curved, multi-leaf spring] Thinner & increased curvature. Old & future practice [Right side notes and diagram showing a thicker, less curved spring] All one thickness and curvature for minimum weight + friction. Present practice | ||