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Air Springs

If we look at the different suspension systems used in motor vehicles today, they are either mechanical or air suspension systems (there are some hybrid systems). Air suspension is used in nearly all heavy duty trailer axles, Truck cabins, Bus/Coach chassis, rail transportation and some automotive applications.
The advantages of air are; by changing pressure the ride remains the same regardless of load, steering and braking forces are improved, you can control height of the system etc.

Depending on space availability and the design of add-ons, they can be set up directly with the vibration damper as a one-piece spring strut or alternatively installed in parallel arrangement to the dampers. As a rule air springs used for cab suspension are arranged as a four-corner suspension between the driver’s cab and the chassis frame. In addition to improving comfort, air-spring cab suspension offers the advantage that a manufacturer can use a uniform component regardless of customer variant and equipment preferences. The air spring equalizes any force differences as may occur because of differences in cabin weight (raised roof, air-conditioning system etc.) or driving speed. It does this by means of a control valve that automatically varies the internal pressure in such a way that the driver’s cab is statically always in the manufacturer’s specified design position vis-à-vis the vehicle chassis.

1. Air Inlet: Provides air entrance into the air spring.
2. Top Plate: Mounting plate to the chassis that can be conical compressed or vulcanized according to the specifications of the product.
3. Installation Bolt: Mounting bolts to the chassis.
4. Bumper: The rubber bumper protects the assembly by and preventing the top plate from hitting the piston by limiting its travel.
5. Bottom Bowl –Stretch Sheet: The component that attaches the air spring to the piston.
6. Inner/Outer Rubber: A specially developed rubber layer which provides leak proofing and wraps the cord fabric.
7. Cord Fabric: A special type of fabric which allows the air spring rubber to work with the desired strength.
8. Piston: Controls the air spring function and is generally connected with a bolt to the conical shaped stretch sheet or bottom bowl. Pistons can be made from formed, plated or dyed metal sheet with plastic or aluminum material.

Air springs come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and also include designs where the air bag encases a shock absorber in a single assembly.

If we look at the different suspension systems used in motor vehicles today, they are either mechanical or air suspension systems (there are some hybrid systems). Air suspension is used in nearly all heavy duty trailer axles, Truck cabins, Bus/Coach chassis, rail transportation and some automotive applications.