The 7 types of car suspension
The driver’s perception of the vehicle in question can be inferred quite accurately from how the car feels while operating it.
The various systems the car’s suspension can provide will see to it that this concern is resolved.
Because of this, it is now feasible to experience a sense of security while driving and to navigate a variety of terrains while operating the controls of a vehicle with four wheels.
In light of this, throughout this new Motorbli entry, we will endeavor to explain the workings of this essential component of the mechanical structure of any automobile, as well as the various typologies that can be discovered in the models currently available on the market.
Which one is the best, and which one is the one that is most appropriate for my driving? You will be provided with the answers after the text.
When we have completed the introductory portion of this brand-new post, it will be time to move on to the meat of the matter, which is to explain how precisely the suspension of vehicle functions and how we can locate it. Here we go.
Can you explain how a car’s suspension system works?
A vehicle’s suspension can be considered the system between the wheels and the vehicle’s chassis—providing a certain level of comfort.
At the same time, driving and safety are its primary functions in conjunction with the car’s guidance.
Its sole mission is to protect the occupants of the vehicle and the integrity of the car itself, which is why its primary focus is on ensuring the vehicle’s stability.
To accomplish this, it uses one on each tire to ensure that the adaptation to the terrain’s irregularities is maintained.
In addition, it is constructed in such a way that when it is driven over a bump, the bodywork oscillates on the order of 1-2 Hz until it has returned to a state of complete rest.
A frequency that can adjust itself to the responses given by the human body to prevent feelings of fatigue or dizziness.
We must not forget that it serves other purposes, such as keeping the steering angles at the predetermined values or reacting to the various forces that occur during acceleration, braking, and turning.
Neither of these things should be overlooked. In light of everything that has been covered up to this point, it is essential to note that if a problem with one of the system’s components is not resolved in a relatively short amount of time, it may affect other parts of the system.
If we look at things in greater depth, the following is a list of the functions that are potentially involved in the suspension of a vehicle::
When we talk about the components that go into making it, we can speak of the elastic, the damping, and the rigid parts.
The first ones, such as a spring or a leaf spring, are responsible for preventing an abrupt transmission of the irregularities of the ground, while the second ones control the roll of the vehicle.
The third ones are in charge of avoiding any deformations that may occur as a result of the bodywork, and as a result, they are responsible for preserving a certain level of harmony in the movements on each side. The anti-roll bar and the connecting rods are examples of rigid elements.
The response provided by the suspension system can be mathematically estimated using these two constants.
The rate of the elastic and damping elements will largely determine the answer. The rate of a flexible part is the force required to deform a spring to a specific length.
Suspended and unsprung mass are concepts that you ought to be familiar with to grasp everything that we are going to discuss.
The unsprung mass comprises all of a vehicle’s components that remain in their original positions when the car is rocked while parked.
Some examples of these components include the wheels, brakes, and suspension arms. As a consequence of this, the dynamics of it will be improved the lower it is.
For example, when we try to maintain our balance by leaning against a parked car, we primarily interact with suspended mass because this is the only component that moves.
According to mathematical evidence, the ratio of a vehicle’s unsprung mass to its sprung mass should be as low as possible. This will improve the vehicle’s overall grip and stability.
Or, to put it another way, if you want to improve the dynamic behavior of your car, you should always look for the unsprung mass to be as low as possible.
This is why it is essential to use alloy wheels, suspension hoses made of lightweight materials, and inboard brakes.
Which kinds of vehicle suspensions are there?
Following the presentation of several fundamental ideas concerning the functioning of a suspension, the next step is to dissect each of the distinct kinds of breaks that can be installed within the mechanized framework of a vehicle.
1. Rigid
This system is one of the most fundamental and one of the earliest that can be discovered.
Its operation is incredibly uncomplicated: the wheels are fastened to the chassis using the same rigid axle; the shock absorbers are attached to the crossbar of the bridge, which serves as the primary receiver of the changes that are transmitted by the suspensions; and the device’s leading receiver is the bridge itself.
In the unlikely event that the vehicle cante around an obstruction using only one wheel, the entire bridge will lean in the direction of the terrain.
Off-roaders generally use this system extensively to travel on unpaved roads and climb mountains over land.
They accomplish this by lifting the chassis to the appropriate height so that the vehicle’s ride height is not adversely affected.
If there is a problem with it, it would have to be that it is unstable, not to mention the fact that it is uncomfortable.
2. Semi-rigid
It is very similar to the rigid one in many ways, even though it is differentiated from this one thanks to an additional arm that makes the inclinations and vibrations less severe.
As a result, it is not as rigid, but at the same time, it cannot boast about being independent.
It is distinguished by its low weight and the fact that the interaction between the wheels and the floor is partially transmitted to the bodywork.
It is made up of springs attached to articulated supports, bolted to the differential, and a bar that runs the entire bridge length.
It is necessary to point out that it is the most common to see because they carry the vast majority of the basic automobiles we see driving around daily.
3. Independent
Many people consider it the best option available anywhere currently on the market. It is not for nothing that it contains the most recent technology that has been used.
In any event, the movement of one tire does not affect the other tires in its lateral pair in any way. It is made up of horizontal and vertical elements.
Its reaction to irregularities will be either one or the other, depending on the quantity of the horizontal and vertical components.
It is important to note that it can be further subdivided into several types of suspension systems, including pneumatic, swing axle, McPherson, trailing arm, overlapping triangle, and multi-link suspensions.
The pneumatic system
It comprises height and acceleration sensors, a distribution block, pressurized air circuits, springs or inflatable cushions, and a block that distributes the air.
No direct contact between the wheels and the passenger compartment translates into a more comfortable ride, which is the primary attribute that distinguishes it from other types of vehicles.
At the same time, it implies a series of benefits, such as adapting the bodywork to different heights based on the ride or the same with the suspension and damping according to the various terrains or roads.
Both of these benefits are possible because of the variable nature of the ride. Its most notable quality is its ability to absorb any vibration, bump effectively, or broken surface encountered on the road.
This contributes to an environment of comfort for the driver and the rest of the passengers in the vehicle. It is most commonly found in sport utility vehicles and luxury sedans.
Oscillating axle
The joints attached to the rear axle are where the springs are located. Because it lacks torsion arms, its operation is straightforward; only one connection is made to the bridge, and the chassis is connected to the shock absorber.
Its primary purpose is to make the set that represents the car more stable, which is its direct endorsement.
McPherson
Lower monitoring of longitudinal and transverse movement is carried out by a structure that can take the form of a triangle or two arms.
They use the shock absorber column as a connecting component to accomplish this.
The fact that it is inexpensive, along with the fact that it is easy to use, and has a small footprint, are three of its many strengths.
On the other hand, the wheels move vertically in an arc-like pattern when they are trying to absorb the unevenness of the terrain, which means that the tire footprint does not remain the same.
Arms drew inward
The springs are housed within the lower portion of it, more specifically within the arms of the rear axle.
Because there is more space between each component where the springs are stored, this product is appropriate for use in urban environments.
Overlapping triangles
Because this is one of the most advanced, its primary application is found in the competition.
It has upper arms and joints, and the lower and upper arms become deformed whenever damping is applied to the system.
¿Did you like the content?
