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Introduction to Suspension Systems

The car suspension is the mechanism of connecting the wheels and the body, supporting and damping the body. Mainly through the action between the wheel and the frame of the force, and buffer from the uneven road to the frame or body of the impact, attenuation caused by the shock to ensure that the car can run smoothly.
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Typical suspension system structures include elastic components, guide mechanisms and Coilovers and other parts. Elastic components and steel springs, air springs, coil springs and torsion bar spring and other forms, and modern car suspension system using coil spring and torsion bar spring, individual high-class cars are using air springs.
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Independent suspension and non-independent suspension of the difference
Car suspension can be divided according to a variety of forms, in general, mainly divided into two categories, independent suspension and non-independent suspension. How to distinguish between independent suspension and non-independent suspension?
Independent suspension can be easily understood as between the left and right wheels there is no rigid axis between the rigid connection, the side of the wheel suspension parts are all connected with the body only. Rather than independent suspension between the two wheels are not independent of each other, there is a rigid connection between the hard axis.
From the structural point of view, independent suspension because there is no interference between the two wheels, you can have better comfort and handling. Rather than independent suspension between the two wheels have a hard link, will interfere with each other, but its structure is simple, with better rigidity and through sex.
McPherson suspension
McPherson suspension is the most common kind of suspension, mainly A-type fork arm and vibration reduction mechanism. The fork arm is connected to the wheel and is mainly subjected to the lateral force and longitudinal force at the lower end of the wheel. The upper part of the vibration reduction mechanism is connected with the vehicle body, the lower part is connected with the fork arm, bear the task of damping and supporting the body, and also bear the lateral force of the upper end of the wheel.
McPherson's design is characterized by simple structure, hanging light weight and small footprint, the response speed and rebound speed will be faster, so the suspension of the Cheap Coilovers capacity is relatively strong. However, McPherson structure is simple, light weight, then the anti-roll and brake nod ability is weak, poor stability. McPherson currently hangs mostly for the front suspension of a home sedan.
 

Double wishbone suspension
Double wishbone suspension (double A arm, double wishbone suspension), the structure can be understood as the McPherson suspension based on the addition of a fork arm. The upper arm of the wheel is connected with the body, and the lateral and longitudinal forces of the wheel are supported by the fork arm, and the vibration reduction mechanism is only responsible for supporting the body and damping.
Since both the lateral and longitudinal forces of the wheel are supported by two sets of arms, the strength and impact resistance of the double wishbone suspension is much stronger than the McPherson suspension and can well restrain the roll when the vehicle turns Brake nodding and other issues.
Double fork arm suspension is usually used from the upper and lower unequal long arm (on the short), so that the wheel in the up and down movement can automatically change the camber angle and reduce the track change to reduce tire wear, and can adapt to the road, tire grounding Large area, good sticky. As the double wishbone suspension than the McPherson suspension double fork arm more than a rocker arm, need to take up a larger space, and positioning parameters more difficult to determine, so the small car's front axle for space and cost considerations less Use such suspension.
Twisted beam suspension
Twisted beam suspension structure, the two wheels are not directly connected between the hard axis, but by a twisted beam connection, twisting beam can be reversed within a certain range. But if a wheel encounters a non-flat road, the torsion beam will still have some interference on the other side of the wheel, strictly speaking, the twisted beam suspension is semi-independent suspension.
Torsion beam suspension is less comfortable than the stand-alone suspension, but the structure is simple and reliable, it does not account for space, and maintenance costs are lower than the independent suspension, so the torque beam suspension used in small cars and compact car after On the bridge.
The role of the stabilizer bar
Stabilizer bar is also called balance bar, mainly to prevent the body roll, keep the body balance. The ends of the stabilizer bar are fixed on the left and right suspension respectively. When the car turns, the outer suspension will press against the stabilizer bar, the stabilizer bar will bend, and the elasticity of the deformation will prevent the wheel from lifting, so that the body can be kept as balanced as possible.
Multi-link suspension
Multi-link suspension, that is, through a variety of connecting rods to the wheel and the body connected to a set of suspension mechanism, the connecting rod than the ordinary suspension to be more, generally connected to the number of three or more suspension Rod suspension. The current mainstream connecting rod number is 4 or 5 connecting rod. Front suspension is generally 3-link or 4-link independent suspension; rear suspension is generally 4-link or 5-link rear suspension.
Multi-link suspension by connecting the movement point of the constraint angle design makes the suspension in the compression can take the initiative to adjust the wheel positioning, making the wheel and the ground as far as possible to maintain vertical, sticky, with excellent handling. Multi-link suspension to maximize the tire grip to maximize the control limits of the vehicle, is the best of all suspension design, but the complex structure, manufacturing costs are high. General small and medium-sized car for the cost and space considerations rarely use this suspension.
Air suspension
Air suspension is the use of air shock absorber suspension, mainly through the air pump to adjust the air damper air volume and pressure, can change the air shock absorber hardness and elasticity coefficient. By adjusting the amount of air pumped, you can adjust the air shock absorber stroke and length, you can achieve the chassis to raise or lower.
Air suspension has many advantages over conventional steel suspension systems. Such as the vehicle at high speed, the suspension can be hardened to improve the stability of the body; and low speed or bumpy road driving, the suspension can be softened to improve comfort.
Spring and shock absorbers
In the suspension of the vibration mechanism, in addition to the shock absorber will have a root spring. With the shock absorber Why spring? In fact, need their cooperation in order to complete the task of vibration.
When the vehicle is running on an uneven road, the spring is deformed by the impact of the ground, and the spring needs to restore the prototype will appear back and forth vibration phenomenon, which will obviously affect the car handling and comfort. And the shock absorber plays a role in the damping of the spring, inhibit the spring swing back and forth. So that when the car through the uneven sections, it will not keep trembling.