Air Spring
Air springs have been used in heavy duty vehicle suspension systems
for nearly a century, where they have been able to provide
usefulness by taking advantage of the compressed air required for
vehicle braking systems. Air springs have provided a two-fold
advantage over mechanical leaf- or coil-springs. One advantage with
air suspension is the extra comfort provided by being able to vary
the air pressure inside the spring, which changes the spring rate,
and therefore, ride quality. Additionally, because variable control
over air pressure adjusts the deck or trailer height, aligning
loading docks to the level of the deck is possible when dock plates
are unavailable.
Air Spring Features
Common features for air springs include adjustable configuration,
reducible, locking, and valve.
1. An adjustable configuration allows the user to fine tune desired
damping, either continuously or at discrete settings.
2. A reducible gas spring has an adjustment style for gas shocks in
which gas is let out to permanently reduce force capacity.
3. In a locking gas spring the position can be locked at ends or in
the middle of stroke.
4. Valves can be included for fluid absorbers, a valve or port,
which can be used to increase or decrease fluid volume or pressure.
Air Spring Performance Specifications
Important performance specifications to consider when searching for
gas springs include absorber stroke, compressed length, extended
length, maximum force (P1), and maximum cycles per minute.
1.Absorber or spring stroke is the difference between fully
extended and fully compressed position.
2. Compressed length is the minimum length of shock (compressed
position).
3. Extended length is the maximum length of shock (extended
position).
4.The maximum rated force for shock absorber or damper, referred to
as the P1 force.
5.The maximum cycles per minute are the rated frequency of
compression/extension cycles.
What is the Air Suspension Air Compressor all about?
While you might be most familiar with gas-filled shocks and struts,
there are actually several different suspension types used today.
One is air suspension, which relies on air-filled rubber air bags
to provide the cushioning and ride quality necessary. This is
actually a more advanced type of suspension than conventional
shocks/struts and coil-over springs, but it does have its problems.
These systems are inherently more complex than others, and require
a significant number of components in order to operate. One of the
most important is the air suspension air compressor.
The compressor pumps air into the air bags to raise the chassis off
the axles and provide good ride quality. It works in conjunction
with a dryer which is often made into the same assembly, although
this varies from one automaker to another. If the compressor fails,
your air suspension will not be able to adjust, and will be stuck
at the inflation level where the compressor quit. Eventually, the
air in the air springs will leak out, and the vehicle will sag.
Air Suspension
When it comes to air-ride suspension, they come in several styles
for both OE replacement and aftermarket upgrades. Some systems use
an integrated air spring and shock absorber that replaces your
customer’s metal springs with pressure-adjustable air springs
(i.e., airbag). Using correctly sized air springs and properly
calibrated shock absorbers offers ride characteristics similar to
coilovers.
An air-suspension system consists of many different components.
Components include an air compressor, air springs, pneumatic
solenoid valves, height sensors, electronic control unit, air
reservoir, air lines, pressure sensor and temperature sensor. The
system may be designed for the rear air suspension only or for the
entire vehicle.
While air-suspension systems are mostly used on high-end European
cars, manufacturers have adapted them to many other vehicles such
as SUVs and pickups to improve ride comfort and functionality. OEMs
also discovered that air ride could improve fuel economy by
lowering the car at highway speeds to reduce the drag coefficient.
