Ch67SuspensionFund..pptMicrosoftPowerPoint97-2003.pptVIP

Functions of a suspension system Basic suspension system Independent and nonindependent suspension systems Understeer and oversteer Suspension system springs Suspension system construction (Continued) Long-short arm suspension Torsion bar suspension MacPherson strut suspension Pickup truck suspension systems Rear suspension systems Suspension leveling systems Electronic suspension system Active suspension system Supports the weight of the vehicle Allows the wheels to move up and down Allows rapid cornering without extreme body roll Keeps the tires in firm contact with the road Prevents excessive body squat when accelerating or heavily loaded Prevents excessive body dive when braking Allows the front wheels to turn left or right for steering Helps keep the wheels in correct alignment Suspensions Independent Suspension Allows one wheel to move up and down with minimal effect on the other wheels Each wheel is attached to its own suspension unit Movement of one wheel does not cause direct movement of the wheel on the other side of the vehicle Nonindependent Suspension Both left and right wheels are attached to the same solid axle When one tire hits a bump in the road, its upward movement causes a slight upward tilt of the other wheel Neither wheel is independent of the other Understeer The vehicle is slow to respond to steering changes in a turn the rear tires retain traction the front tires may slip on the road surface due to lack of downforce or other factors Oversteer The rear tires try to skid around sideways in a sharp or hard turn The front tires retain traction The rear tires skid Neutral Steering Suspension systems are designed to balance understeer and oversteer Neutral steering is the result, where all four wheels have equal traction in turns Lateral Acceleration Amount of side force a vehicle can achieve before its tires lose traction and skid in a sharp turn Measured in units of gravity (g-force) Passenger cars might achieve 1.0 g Race cars might ach