Suspension System

1. Purpose of Suspension System

1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.

Support the weight of the vehicle

Cushion bumps and holes in the road
Maintain traction between the tires and the road
Hold the vehicle in alignment

2. Components of suspension system

Main two parts are springs and shock absorber. Springs support the weight of
the vehicle and its load, and absorb road shocks. Shock absorbers help
control or dampen spring action. The vehicle bouncing caused by spring
oscillation due to a hole or a bumper in the road is quickly (within few spring
movement cycles) finished over by shock absorbers. Springs and shock
absorbers may be either mechanically or electronically controlled.
3. Types

o springs
Coil type
Leaf type
Torsion bar
Air suspension

3.1.
Coil Type
It is a steel rod wound in to a coil.

3.2.
Leaf Spring
It is a flexible steel plate, that keeps the motion perpendicular to the axis of
the plate. Two types are available. i) single leaf and, ii) multi leaf springs.
Several flexible steel plates with graduated lengths stacked and held
together by makes multi leaf spring. When tire passes a bump or a hole,
spring bends to absorb shock and slides on each other.

3.3.
Torsion Bar
The torsion bar is a straight steel rod. It is rigidly fastened at one end to the
vehicle frame or body and the other end attaches to the upper or lower
control arm. As the control arm moves up and down in response to wheel
movement, the torsion bar twists to provide the spring action.

3.4.
Air spring
The air spring is a rubber cylinder or air bag filled with compressed air. A
plastic piston on the lower control valve moves up and down with the lower
control arm causing compressed air to provide spring action. Change in load
in vehicle cause the valve at the top, to open to release or add air. An air
compressor is connected to the valve to add required air.
4. Sprung and unsprung weight
Sprung weight is the weight supported by springs whereas the unsprung
weight is the weight not supported by springs. This includes the axels, axel
shafts, wheels and tires. In order to reduce the roughness of ride , unsprung
weight should be kept as low as possible.
5. Spring Rate
The spring rate is the load required to extend or reduce the spring by a unit
length. If the spring rate remains constant for varying loads, it is called linear
rate spring. If it does not remain constant it is variable rate spring. Winding a
coil from a tapered rod is an example for variable rate spring.