Air Suspension System

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Advanced Air Suspension/Levelling Systems

• Introduction

In this assignment I will attempt to discuss the advanced air suspension systems and levelling systems used in heavy goods vehicles. I will endeavour to describe and discuss the different types of air suspensions as well as levelling systems.

• Advanced Air Suspension

While the air suspension has been in existence since the 1950's it is a relatively new development in relation to Heavy Goods Vehicles and Public Transport Vehicles.

There are several types of air suspension ranging from a tri-axle suspension system to pneumatic suspension systems. The main constituents of these air suspension systems are air bags/ air struts and compressors and in some more recent systems electronic …show more content…

The Variable Mass Air Spring system is one system which has been successfully adapted for use in heavy goods vehicles. With this adaptation has come the introduction of height control and levelling systems which have both given the driver a sense of a smoother ride and have also increased protection for fragile loads. While this is the case these innovations have also eased damage that has been cause in the past to road infrastructure.

This suspension is commonly constructed with air suspension linkages being attached using a trailing arm which is rigidly attached to vehicle chassis. It is common for these trailing arms to be extended beyond the axles in order to accommodate the mounting of the air …show more content…

It is here that the rigid arms which are attached to the vehicle chassis must be allowed to pivot so that over steer can be prevented when one of these linkage arms swings upward and the linkage arm on the opposite side swings downward. One key aspect and component of this is the isolating valve. This valve is present so that in a cornering situation air is prevented from being pumped from the springs that are under compression to those in expansion, which would likely cause a reduction in roll resistance. This too can be said with relation to the introduction of the levelling valve. This is comprised of a hydraulic damper and air control valve. This valve helps to reduce any axle rebound or bump that may occur when the vehicle is on rough road

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