Introduction: The automobile frame and body are mounted on the front and rear axle not directly but through the springs and shock absorbers. The assembly of parts, which perform the isolation of parts from the road shocks,may be in the forms of bounce, pitch and roll is called suspension system.
Functions of suspension system:
- It prevents the vehicle body and frame from road shocks.
- It gives stability of the vehicle.
- It safeguards the passengers and goods from road shocks.
- It gives the good road holding while driving, cornering and braking.
- It gives cushioning effect.
- It provides comfort.
Requirements of suspension system:
- There should be minimum deflection.
- It should be of low initial cost.
- It should be of minimum weight.
- It should have low maintenance and low operating cost.
- It should have minimum tyre wear.
Components of Suspension system: Coil springs, Leaf springs, shock absorbers, Spring shackles, stabilizer Independent suspension system: The independent suspension system means any arrangement that connects road wheels to the frame in which raise or fall of the wheel has no direct effect on the other wheel. It eliminates wheel wobbling.
Advantages:
- 1. It provides softer suspension.
- It reduces wheel wobbling
- It reduces the tendency of fitting of the wheel on one side due to road vibration
- It provides more space for engine accommodation.
- It promotes under steer which results low un sprung weight.
- The movement of the spring on one wheel is not transmitted to the other wheel.
Sprung Weight: It is weight of all the parts supported by the spring including weight of the spring. Un sprung weight: It is the weight of all the parts between the spring and rod and the portion of spring weight it self.
Basic suspension movements:
- Bouncing: The vertical movement of the complete body.
- Pitching: The rotating movement of all the parts between the spring and road and the portion of spring weight itself.
- Rolling: The movement about longitudinal axis produced by the centrifugal force during cornering.
Types of front Independent suspension system:
There are three types:
- Wish bone Type
- Vertical guide type
- Trailing Link Type
Wish bone Type of Front Independent suspension system: In this type of suspension system coil springs are mostly used between the two suspension arms and are controlled with frame and at the open ends of the upper and lower wishbones which are connected to the chassis frame. The upper arm is shorter than lower one. This keeps the wheel track constant. The closed ends of the both arms are connected with steering knuckle, supported by means of kingpin. A coil spring is placed in between the lower suspension arm and frame.
Types of suspension springs:
- Steel Springs : a. Leaf Springs
- Coil Springs
- Torsion bar Springs
- Rubber Springs: a. Compression Springs
- Progressive Springs
- Plastic Srings
- Air Springs: a. Bellow Type
- Pestoon Type
- Hydraulic Type
Construction and working of Leaf Springs: Leaf springs are formed by bending. They are made of long strips of steel. Each strip is named as Leaf. The long leaf is called Master Leaf, and it consists of eyes at its both ends. One end is fixed to the chassis frame, the other end is fixed to the shackle spring. The spring will get elongated during expansion and shortened during compression. This change in length of spring is compensated by the shackle. The U-bolt and clamps are located at the intermediate position of the spring. The bronze or rubber bushes are provided on both eyes on the master leaf.
Types of Leaf Springs: There are five types of leaf springs
- Full – elliptic type
- Semi – elliptic type
- Three Quarter – elliptic type
- Transverse Spring type
- Helper Spring type
- Full elliptic :
The advantage of this type is the elimination of shackle and spring. The lubrication and wear frequently which are on of the main draw back of this type of springs.
- Semi – elliptic : This type is more popular for rear suspension are used in 75% of cars.
- Three – Quarter – elliptic type: This type is rarely used in now-a-days. It gives resistance, but occupies more space than other types.
- Transverse Type:This type of spring is arrange transversely across the car instead of longitudinal direction. The transverse spring for front axle as shown in figure, which is bolted rigidly to the frame at the center and attache d to the axle by means of shackle at both ends.
- Helper Springs: The helper springs are used in heavy vehicles for rear suspension. When vehicle fully loaded the main sp[ring as well as helper spring to come in action and absorb the road shocks. When the load of the vehicle is less the helper spring will not act and the main spring only absorb the road shocks. Need of Shock Absorber: If the suspension springs are rigid enough, they will not absorb road shocks efficiently, and if they are flexible enough, they will continue to vibrate for longer time even after the bump has passed. Therefore, the springing device must be compromise flexibility and stiffness a shock absorber needed in Automobile Suspension system.
AUTO KEEDA.IN 