Vehicle Suspension System: What is it and what are its functions?

Date March 11, 2024
Category
Uncategorized
Vehicle Suspension System: What is it and what are its functions?
Vehicle Suspension System

Vehicle Suspension System

The vehicle suspension system, also known as the suspension, is a component of a vehicle that prevents the transfer of vibrations and oscillations caused by the vehicle’s movement on uneven surfaces to the body and occupants.

These vibrations and oscillations can have a detrimental effect on the vehicle’s body, chassis, and occupants. Here, the body refers to the cabin, chassis, and all related components. The system consists of main components including springs, shock absorbers, support columns, and wheels, and it establishes the connection between the wheels and the front and rear axles with the chassis. The suspension system has two main functions: firstly, absorbing and reducing the momentum, vibrations, and oscillations transferred from the movement on different road surfaces to the wheels; secondly, improving the performance of the wheels and creating proper friction between their tires and the road surface to enhance vehicle control and provide a more comfortable driving experience for the driver.

The Two Primary and Important Functions of the Vehicle Suspension System:

Vehicle Suspension System

Vehicle Suspension System

  1. Providing Comfort and Convenience for Passengers and the Driver: The suspension system in vehicles is designed to prevent the transfer of impacts and vibrations caused by vehicle movement to the body and its components. This action increases the lifespan of the parts, as transferring impacts to the body and its components can result in unauthorized movement and interference between parts, leading to premature wear and excessive depreciation.

  2. Improving Ride Quality and Enhancing Vehicle Handling and Control: When designing suspension systems, two important prioritized principles are considered. Firstly, improving ride quality and enhancing comfort for passengers and the driver; secondly, improving the vehicle’s handling and control capabilities. However, these two objectives are often in conflict, meaning that improving one aspect may result in a compromise in the other.

In addition to these functions, another task of the suspension system is to maintain the vehicle’s balance during motion. With changes in weight distribution and the shifting of the vehicle’s center of gravity, the suspension system must maintain its balance. Otherwise, when encountering turns, the stability of the vehicle becomes compromised, leading to potential deviation. Furthermore, maintaining a consistent vehicle height and proper weight distribution between the wheels are additional responsibilities of the suspension system to preserve vehicle balance.

The vehicle suspension system is composed of various components, each with its specific tasks. The absence or malfunction of any of these components can disrupt the suspension, impact vehicle safety, and weaken the vehicle’s maneuverability. In different suspension systems, components such as control arms, trailing arms, Pitman arms, trailing links, axle steering arms, tie rods, Panhard rods, kingpins, and control arms exist. While the number and combination of these parts may vary in different vehicles and suspension systems, generally, a few components are considered the most crucial in most common suspension systems.

The Most Important Components in Most Suspension Systems:

Vehicle Suspension System

Vehicle Suspension System

Wheels and Tires:

The wheels and tires play a crucial role in the operation and performance of the vehicle suspension system. They serve as the primary components of the suspension system and are responsible for absorbing impacts and vibrations from the road surface.

Wheels are circular components typically made of metal. They are mounted on the wheel hub and connected to the tires. Wheels play a vital role in supporting and transferring the vehicle’s weight to the tires. They absorb impacts and vibrations from uneven road surfaces, preventing them from being transmitted to other parts of the vehicle. Additionally, wheels need to be strong enough to bear the weight of the vehicle and withstand the stresses from contact with the road surface.

Tires also have a significant impact on the performance of the vehicle suspension system. They are constructed with layers of rubber and are mounted on the wheels. Tires, with proper inflation and the use of air or other materials inside them, have the ability to absorb impacts and vibrations from the road surface. They absorb shocks and vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces, preventing them from being transmitted to other parts of the vehicle. Furthermore, tires have specialized profiles to improve the comfort and control of the vehicle during contact with the road surface, and different types of tires are used based on the vehicle type and different driving conditions.

Springs:

Springs function as the primary source of energy absorption in the suspension system and help maintain the balance and stability of the vehicle.

Springs serve as the primary source of energy absorption in the suspension system and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and stability of the vehicle. Springs have a fundamental function and perform a vital role in vehicle suspension.

Springs are primarily made of steel and are installed in the vehicle’s suspension system. They have the ability to absorb the energy generated when the vehicle encounters an impact and immediately transfer it to the suspension components. Springs exhibit flexibility due to the absorbed energy and remain compressed, allowing the vehicle to maintain its balance and stability.

The type and design of springs vary depending on the type of vehicle and its requirements. Some vehicles use ascending springs that absorb more energy when compressed, while others use descending springs that absorb less energy when compressed. Additionally, springs can be designed as homogeneous or heterogeneous springs, each having different characteristics and functionalities.

By utilizing springs, the vehicle’s balance and stability are preserved when encountering obstacles and impacts. The shocks and vibrations resulting from the road surface are absorbed by the springs and transferred to other suspension components in a controlled manner. This functionality of springs enables the vehicle to provide the necessary comfort and stability during the driving process.

 

Dampers or Spring Assist in Vehicle Suspension

Springs serve as the primary source of energy absorption in the suspension system and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and stability of the vehicle. Springs have a fundamental function and perform a vital role in vehicle suspension.

Springs are primarily made of steel and are installed in the vehicle’s suspension system. They have the capability to absorb the energy generated when the vehicle encounters an impact and immediately transfer it to the suspension components. Springs exhibit flexibility due to the absorbed energy and remain compressed, allowing the vehicle to maintain its balance and stability.

The type and design of springs vary depending on the type of vehicle and its requirements. Some vehicles use ascending springs that absorb more energy when compressed, while others use descending springs that absorb less energy when compressed. Additionally, springs can be designed as homogeneous or heterogeneous springs, each having different characteristics and functionalities.

By utilizing springs, the vehicle’s balance and stability are preserved when encountering obstacles and impacts. The shocks and vibrations resulting from the road surface are absorbed by the springs and transferred to other suspension components in a controlled manner. This functionality of springs enables the vehicle to provide the necessary comfort and stability during the driving process.

Therefore, springs, as the primary source of energy absorption in the suspension system, play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and stability of the vehicle, and depending on their type and design, they enhance the driving experience and the performance of the suspension system.

Bushings in Vehicle Suspension

Bushings are installed at the connection points of suspension components and are responsible for reducing friction and wear between the components in the vehicle suspension system. This system consists of various components, each with its specific tasks, contributing to the proper and optimal functioning of the vehicle suspension. Let’s discuss some of these components:

Belt Bushings: These types of bushings reduce friction and wear between suspension components. They are primarily made of high-quality materials such as polyurethane, polyamide, and polycarbonate. Belt bushings are used in points that require movement and rotation, such as joints and sleeves.

Silicone Wave Bushings: These bushings are made of silicone and other composite materials and are used to absorb vibrations and noises generated in the suspension system. They have the capability to absorb energy and reduce vibration propagation, thereby improving driving comfort.

Oil Bushings: These bushings have a complex structure and contain a small volume of oil within them. This oil helps reduce friction and wear between the components and also acts as a lubricating agent. Oil bushings are particularly used in points that require smooth and frictionless motion, such as belts and pins.

Movable Bushings: These bushings have the ability to move and provide motion in multiple directions. They act as connection points between components and are made of materials such as polyamide, polypropylene, and polyester.