From time to time, among motorists, controversy erupts about the pros and cons of air suspension. The compressed air system has long attracted designers for its improved performance. However, the disadvantages of pneumatics can negate its advantages.
The design of any type of air suspension includes a special cushion filled with compressed air (gas) and liquid. You can mount the air suspension on any type of car, as long as the mountings are suitable. The design feature is the possibility of manual or automatic body height adjustment. The driver can independently change the ground clearance and suspension stiffness (if there are shock absorbers). Automatic settings depend on parameters such as driving speed, car tilt angle, acceleration, etc. That is, depending on the conditions, the car can become rigid, like a sports car, or comfortable, like a limousine. The most actual use of air suspension in trucks.
Air suspension advantages
One of the main advantages of the design is increased energy consumption, which prevents dangerous rolls when cornering. This is due to a decrease in the vibration amplitude, as a result of which the amount of energy absorbed by the shock absorbers is reduced. When using steel springs, such suspension properties can only be achieved by significantly increasing the complexity of the structure.
The second important plus is a fairly wide range of stiffness regulation. This allows you to choose the most optimal option, depending on the load on the suspension. Another advantage is the constant position of the body. This improves the stability of the car and the correct position of the headlights under any load, which creates a safe driving environment at night. In addition, the air suspension:
- increases the carrying capacity;
- precisely adjusts the braking force depending on the load on the wheels;
- has a durability (up to 1 million km of run), subject to proper operation.
disadvantages
One of the most common air suspension problems is air leakage associated with wear on the connecting elements. If small defects associated with wear are not eliminated in time, this will inevitably lead to more serious damage. Another disadvantage is the "walking" of the suspension: when the engine is not running, the rear axle is lowered, when started, it rises, but at the same time the front axle is also "bulging". A similar situation develops when driving fast: in front of the car it lowers, and when braking it lifts up above the rear axle.
And one more important drawback - in the event of a breakdown of the air suspension elements, in most cases, you have to change the entire system, which will result in a considerable amount. And if we consider the use of a pneumatic structure on Russian roads, then another drawback will appear - a negative effect on the suspension of chemicals and negative temperatures.
