Car air suspension parts are built with an electric function. The air suspension is one of the most modern forms of vehicle suspensions.
The car air suspension parts incorporate a compressor. Which is an air pump that is electric and it gets the electric charge from the car’s engine.
In today’s post we are going to explore the parts that make up the car’s air suspension system. Further, we will look at;
- Types of air suspension systems.
- The types of air springs.
Car air suspension parts.
In order to understand the car’s air suspension system, you need to first understand the parts it consists of. Since this is a modern type of suspension system, it incorporates some common parts and new ones.
a] Compressor.
It is one of the main components of the air suspension parts. The functionality of the compressor relies on electric power. Which comes from the engine.
Its main function is to inflate or deflate the bellows of the air springs.
We’ll check out the air springs later.
These bellows are made up of textile reinforced rubber to strengthen them. Hence preventing any malfunction that could cause suspension spring problems.
The compressor’s location is within the engine bay. Meaning that it supplies air to the bellows through tubes and valves.
b] Air lines and valves.
These are the channels through which air has to pass in transit to the bellows. The air lines or tubes connect the compressor to the bellows. Their structure withstands high air pressure without rapturing.
Further, you will find valves within the tubes. The function of valves is to control the flow of air that’s moving towards the bellows.
The valves open and close when the compressor is pumping air. Valve movement is essential because it helps to regulate the firmness of the suspension springs. Hence affecting ride comfort.
c] Shock absorbers.
Generally speaking, the different types of shock absorbers have a main function of regulating the car’s up and down movement.
The presence of shock absorbers within the car air suspension parts enhances the comfort of the ride. Because the shock absorbers help to reduce the spring rate.
This is possible because shock absorbers reduce the number of spring oscillations. Additionally, this improves the vehicle’s handling capacity.
d] Height sensors.
They are sensors that the air suspension system incorporates for the purpose of monitoring height. They ensure that the air being pumped by the compressor into the bellows does not exceed a specific limit.
Height sensors measure the distance between the vehicle body frame and the wheels. This information goes to the control module so that the air pressure can be adjusted.
Hence, maintaining the right vehicle height.
e] Control module.
This is the brain of the air suspension system. It receives information from height sensors. Afterwards, it uses this information to control the air pressure in the bellows. Hence adjusting the height.
Further, the control module receives information from other sensors that monitor the vehicle’s operations. For example, it receives information from the acceleration sensor.
This information helps with making necessary adjustments to the car air suspension parts.
Car air suspension springs.
The Air suspension springs have a unique structure which is almost similar to rubber springs. But this depends entirely on the manufacturer and the year of production.
Because in a traditional type of car suspension system, air springs may be made from metallic materials. Their responsibility is to support the vehicle’s weight.
Additionally, they work alongside shock absorbers to provide ride comfort. This is by minimizing the up and down movement of the vehicle’s body during bumpy rides.
a] Double convoluted air springs.
Their resemblance can be confused for two tires that are stacked on top of each other. Their material is flexible fabric that combines with other reinforcement layers.
This structural make up helps them to handle the air pressure. Additionally, it helps them to incorporate a higher weight handling capacity.
Further, their structure helps to handle the spring rate. Which makes them better suitable for the front suspension system parts.
Their design has two folds also called convolutions. This allows for smoother compression and expansion during a bumpy ride.
b] Tapered-sleeve air springs.
They are also referred to as conical air springs. Their structure has a smaller diameter when you compare them to the double convoluted air springs.
Additionally, the diameter reduces as the air spring extends outwards due to their tapered design. An advantage of this suspension spring is that it’s design allows for easier expansion and contraction.
Further, the tapered-sleeve design allows for better weight distribution along the spring’s length.
Materials that make up the tapered-sleeve air spring is similar to the one that makes up the double convoluted air spring. But they are able to fit both the front and rear suspensions.
Types of air suspension systems.
The air suspension system constitutes of all the things we have mentioned above. It doesn’t matter which type of air suspension system you are dealing with. It will probably have the same components.
a] Bellow type air suspension.
This is a type of air suspension spring that is characterized by rubber bellows. When the compressor is pumping air into the suspension through tubes, the air goes into these bellows.
The design involves two convolutions which are beneficial in compression and expansion. Further, material that makes up this spring is rubber that is reinforced with fabric.
This material helps the bellows to handle air compression and expansion. Hence providing a smooth ride even when the road is bumpy.
b] Piston type air suspension.
As the name suggests, this type of air suspension system incorporates a piston. The piston attaches to the vehicle’s frame on one end and to the air springs on the other.
Further, air from the compressor moves to the air spring which forces the spring to push against the piston. This happens in order to support the vehicle’s weight.
The driver can adjust the vehicle’s height through this mechanism. This involves using the valves and height sensors to regulate the amount of air pressure in the air springs.
Additionally, this mechanism assists with regulating the up and down movement of the vehicle. Hence providing a smooth ride during a bumpy road.
c] Elongated bellows air spring.
They have longer structure than the normal air spring bellows. This gives them an advantage in terms of providing better weight handling capacity.
Because weight is evenly distributed along the elongated spring’s body. This makes them a preference to the rear suspension. Because of their enhanced weight handling capacity.
Further, these springs have a design that consists of more than two convolutions. Hence providing better expansion and contraction capacity during a bumpy ride. This enhances the ride’s comfort.
