Airbags for car suspension: pros and cons
Content
The air suspension is designed to effectively reduce the vibrations of the body of a loaded machine under severe operating conditions. Therefore, it is optimal to choose elastic elements for specific models and types of standard suspension.
For normal operation in the city, the car has enough standard suspension. But with a heavy load on the body and in harsh conditions, additional elastic elements are used - pillows in the car's suspension. Electronically controlled devices increase the machine's directional stability and reduce stress on other parts.
Purpose of airbags
The elastic suspension element dampens the vibrations of the car body during shocks on rough roads. The damping properties depend on the pressure in the cylinders and the material. In new models of passenger cars, air bags are electronically controlled. The pressure is redistributed depending on the condition of the roadway and the slope of the car body.
Air suspension modes:
- Tough work - with increased ground clearance on poor road surfaces and manual pressure control.
- Normal mode - when driving on a good hard surface at low speed.
- Soft operation of suspension air bellows - on a good flat road when driving above 100 km / h with manual shifting.
Advantages and disadvantages
Air suspension improves vehicle performance, but requires constant maintenance. Parts made of polymeric materials and rubber serve less than metal ones.
Airbag
Advantages of an air suspension bracket:
- clearance setting depending on the load on the car body;
- maintaining a constant clearance during maneuvers and turns;
- extending the life of other suspension parts, springs and shock absorbers;
- good handling on any road surface.
Disadvantages of the device:
- the impossibility of repair, if the part breaks down, a replacement for a new spare part is required;
- rubber devices cannot be operated at low temperatures;
- airbags wear out from contact with road dust.
The design is chosen for additional protection of the body from shaking and vibration of loaded machines.
Varieties of available models
The design of the damping device consists of several elements. The main bearing part is air cushions made of polymeric material or rubber. Additional elements - receiver, pump and control system.
The main types of automotive air suspension:
- Single circuit device with simple central control. This type of damper is often used in trucks.
- Air cushions with two circuits. They are installed on each axle, and the cylinders are independently pumped using electrovalves.
- Four-circuit device, with installation on each wheel. Pneumocylinders control - according to the signals of the sensors.
Usually, a suspension with air elastic elements is used as an additional damper to an already installed standard device.
How to determine size
The air suspension is designed to effectively reduce the vibrations of the body of a loaded machine under severe operating conditions. Therefore, it is optimal to choose elastic elements for specific models and types of standard suspension.
Recommendations for choosing an air bag:
- The high air tank makes the machine run softer.
- The connected receiver increases the effectiveness of the suspension.
- The small diameter of the device reduces the stiffness of the damper.
- Wide parts are applicable for sports cars.
The calculation of the required dimensions is done based on the load on each wheel. The pressure in the airbags is set 20-25% more to dampen the roll of the car when cornering. The axle load may differ depending on the type of vehicle: in trucks, the rear is heavier, while in passenger cars, the front is heavier. The height of the air spring must be greater than the stroke of the strut shock absorber.
