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.
