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Vehicle Suspension
Presented by
Chirag S shetty
5𝑡ℎ sema
Mechatronics
Roll no:07
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Contents
1. Introduction to suspension system
2. Functions of suspension system
3. Requirements of suspension system
4. Elements of suspension system
5. Springs
6. Dampers(or shock absorbers)
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Introduction to Suspension System
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The suspension system of an automobile is one which
separates the wheel/axle assembly from the body.
The primary function of the suspension system is to isolate the
vehicle structure from shocks and vibration due to irregularities
of the road surface.
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Function of suspension system
To prevent the road shocks from being transmitted to the
vehicle frame.
To preserve the stability of the vehicle in pitching or rolling.
To safeguard the occupants from road shocks.
To provide good road holding while driving, cornering and
braking.
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Requirements of a suspension system
Low initial cost.
Minimum weight.
Minimum tire wear.
Minimum deflection consistent with required stability.
Elements of suspension system
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Spring: It absorbs road shocks or impacts due to
bump in road by oscillating. Tires also provides
spring effect , but to a smaller extent.
Damper: They reduce the tendency of the carriage unit to
continue to “bounce "up and down on its springs.
Oscillation due to road shocks are restricted to a
reasonable level by damper.
Springs 8
Springs are resilient members and as such act as reservoirs of
energy . They store the energy due to the sudden force which
comes when vehicle encounters a bump or a ditch . This
energy is released subsequently and with the action of damper,
the energy is converted into heat and bounce is avoided.
Springs used for suspension system should absorb road
shocks quickly and return to the original position slowly.
Types of springs
1. Leaf spring
2. Coil spring
3. Torsion bars
4. Air and gas spring
5. Rubber spring
1. Leaf spring
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Referred to as Laminated springs since they use steel strips or
lamination one over the other with reducing length.
They are also called as Semi elliptical springs as they are bent in
that form.
Leaf strips are made from strips of spring steel .
Each strip is called a leaf. They are joined together by clamps
and a central bolt.
The length of each leaf decreases so that the spring 12
assembly act as a flexible beam and is of uniform
strength.
The ends of master leaf are formed into loops called
spring eyes.
One end of the spring is attached with frame through a
spring bolt
passing through the eye. The other end is secured
through a shackle .
The shackle helps in accommodating the change
in length of the spring.
2.Coil spring
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A section of Spring steel rod wound in a spiral pattern
or shape. Widely used in both Front and Rear
suspension systems. Like large metal bed springs, these
coils cushion and absorb the shocks and bumps as the
vehicle is driven. They are usually found near the front
wheels, but some cars have them in the rear as well.
Often the Shock absorbers run up the center of the coil
springs.
3. Torsion bars
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A torsion bar is a solid bar of steel which is connected to the car chassis
at one end, and free to move at the other end. They can be mounted
across the car or along the car .The springing motion is provided by the
metal bar's resistance to twisting.
To over-simplify, stick your arm out straight and get someone to twist
your wrist. Presuming that your mate doesn't snap your wrist, at a certain
point, resistance in your arm (and pain) will cause you to twist your
wrist back the other way. That is the principle of a torsion bar.
Torsion bars are normally locked to the chassis and the 17
suspension parts with splined ends. This allows them to be
removed, twisted round a few splines and re- inserted, which
can be used to raise or lower a car, or to compensate for the
natural 'sag' of a suspension system over time. They can be
connected to just about any type of suspension system listed
on this page.
The rendering below shows an example longitudinal torsion
bar. The small lever at the far end of the torsion bar would be
attached solidly to the frame to provide the fixed end. The
torsion bar itself fits into that lever and the suspension arm at
the front through splined holes. As the suspension at the
front moves upwards, the bar twists along its length
providing the springing motion.
4.Air and gas spring
In these springs compressed air or gasis filledin the
cylinder or bellows against which the wheel movement
is transmitted through diaphragm. As soon as the wheel
passes over a road irregularity the compressed air
returns the system to its original position.
5.Rubber spring
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Rubber springs are available in a range of sizes and
designs allowing for relatively high levels of
deflections for shock absorption. the rubber springs
can be supplied with metal inserts to assist with
installation. in most cases their design is such that
the centre of the rubber spring is hollow and
profiled to allow for high levels of deflection
without over stressing the rubber
Dampers or Shock absorbers 21
Shock absorber also called damper is a device for
controlling unwanted motion of a spring mounted vehicle
on an automobile , for example the springs act as a cushion
between the axles and the body and reduce the shocks on
the body produced by a rough road surface some
combinations of road surface and car speed may result in
excessive up and down motion of the car body shock
absorbers or dampers slow down or reduce the magnitude
of these vibratory motions
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