Understanding air suspension

system
An air suspension system is made up of an air spring, also
known as plastic/airbags, rubber, and an airline system, all of
which are coupled to an air compressor, valves, solenoids,
and electronic controllers. The application of an air
suspension system includes heavy-duty trucks, trailers, and
buses. Well, In this article, you’ll get to know the definition,
applications, diagram, components, construction, types,
working, advantages, and disadvantages of the air
suspension system. You’ll also learn about the parts and
characteristics of air springs.

What is an air suspension system?

Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension that is
operated by an air pump or compressor that is either electric
or engine-driven. The air is pumped into a flexible bellow,
which is commonly composed of textile-reinforced rubber.
Unlike a hydropneumatic suspension, which has many of the
same benefits, air suspension uses compressed air rather
than pressurized liquid. The bellows are inflated by the air
pressure, which lifts the chassis away from the axle.

What is an air spring?

In air suspension systems, air springs are used. Air
suspension systems are installed and configured differently
for different makes and models, but the essential idea is the
same. The metal spring (coil or leaf) is removed, and an
airbag, sometimes known as an air spring, is fitted or built to
replace it. The suspension can be changed up or down when
air pressure is delivered to the airbag (lifted or lowered).

Air springs are flexible bellows that contain compressed air

and are used to carry the load on automobiles. They are
commonly composed of textile-reinforced rubber. The
bellows are inflated by the air pressure, which lifts the
chassis away from the axle. When compressed, air springs
have flexibility or “springiness.” It’s found on a lot of today’s
heavy-duty trucks, trailers, and buses.

Characteristics & some benefits of

Air Spring
 When the vehicle is not loaded, they are soft, but as the
load is raised, the stiffness improves by increasing the air
pressure inside the chamber. As a result, when the vehicle
is lightly loaded or completely loaded, it provides the best
ride comfort.
 Whenever the load varies, the air pressure is varied to
keep the vehicle’s height constant.
 By absorbing road shock, air springs improve vehicle
stability.
 Air spring systems are made to increase load-carrying
capacity, stability, and overall ride quality.

Types of air spring

The following are the various types of air springs used in air
suspension systems:

Double-Convoluted Air Spring:

The double-convoluted design resembles two little tires
stacked on top of each other. These air springs have a higher
load capacity, a shorter stroke, and a more progressive
spring rate, making them ideal for most front suspensions
where the spring lies well inboard of the suspension’s load
point. As a result, load capacity needs are multiplied while
travel requirements are divided.

Tapered-Sleeve & Rolling-Sleeve:

Air springs with a tapered or rolling sleeve have a smaller
diameter, a longer stroke, and a more linear spring rate.
Because they have more travel needs and fewer load-
capacity requirements, they are best suited for most back-
end applications.

In air spring suspensions, devices for adjusting air pressure

and compressors for compressing air are necessary. Small,
electric, or engine-driven air compressors are commonly
used in these systems, which occasionally fill an onboard air
receiver tank that reserves compressed air for immediate use
in the future. The suspension system, on the other hand, is
more complicated. In current automobiles, electronically
modulated air suspension is used in conjunction with air
springs.

Components of an air suspension

system

The air filter, air accumulator, relief valve, air spring, lift
control valve, return valve, and supply line is the major
component of an air suspension system. Below are the
common parts of the modern air suspension system.

1. each wheel has a vulcanized rubber air spring

2. An air compressor is usually found in the trunk (boot) or
under the hood of a car.
3. A compressed air storage tank, capable of storing air at
150 psi (1000 kPa), may be provided for quick “kneeling.”
(1 psi=6.89 kPa)
4. a valve block with a sequence of solenoids, valves, and
many o-rings that routes air from the storage tank to the
four air springs
5. an ECAS computer that communicates with the BeCM, the
car’s main computer, and selects where air pressure should
be routed
6. a system of 6 mm air pipes that distribute air throughout
the entire system (mainly from the storage tank to the air
springs via the valve block)
7. a desiccant-filled air drier canister
8. Height sensors on all four corners of the vehicle, ideally
based on resistive contact sensing, provide an absolute
height reference for each corner.
9. Dunlop Systems and Components Ltd has proceeded to
improve the products to the point where the Electronic
Control Unit (ECU) can now be installed beneath the
vehicle’s floor. The control valves are far smaller and
lighter, and they manufacture their own compressors.

Diagram of an air suspension system:

Construction
The figure above depicts the layout of an air suspension
system. The four air springs, which might be bellows or
piston-type, are positioned in the same location as the coil
springs. An air compressor, air accumulator, relief valve, lift
control valve, leveling valve, and pipeline are also included.

Types of an air suspension system

Below are the various types of air suspension systems.
Bellow air suspension (Spring)
Rubber bellows make up this sort of spring. For proper
working, the bellows are constructed into circular parts with
two convolutions. As a result, the coil spring is replaced by a
bellows-type air suspension.

Piston air suspension (Spring)

In these types of air suspension systems, a metal-air
container in the shape of an inverted drum is used in this
spring. The frame is attached to the drum. The lower
wishbone is coupled to a sliding piston. A flexible diaphragm
is used to create a seal. At its outer circumference, the
diaphragm is closely attached to the drum’s lip, and at its
center, to the piston.

Elongated below air spring:

Elongated bellows are used when this suspension system is
applied to the vehicle’s rear axle. These bellows are roughly
rectangular in design, but they have semi-circular ends with
two convolutions in general. These elbows are located
between the vehicle’s rear axle and the frame. Radius rods
are utilized at the rear axle to resist torques and thrusts.

Working principle
The working of an air suspension system is less complex and
can be easily understood. An air suspension system is made
up of an air spring, also known as plastic/airbags, rubber, and
an airline system, all of which are coupled to an air
compressor, valves, solenoids, and electronic controllers. The
onboard compressor is an electric pump that uses various
lines to supply air to the airbags. Valves are crucial in this
situation because they control airflow and allow air to access
various portions of the system. When the system adjusts for
different driving circumstances, the solenoids open and
close, inflating and venting the airbags, changing the amount
of air entering each one.

The on/off switches are controlled by the electronic control

module, which also monitors the pressure and adjusts the
ride height. They are pliable and have some flexibility to
them. The stiffness of the material rises when it is
compressed.

By adding air when riding fully loaded and deflating the air
when riding light, air springs can provide customizable
suspension and load support. You can lower the height of
your vehicle so that it sits very low on the road, yet it still
rises high enough to handle irregularities and rough areas.
Air springs are the only load support component that can be
adjusted, allowing for different load and leveling capacities as
well as increased ride comfort.

Advantages and disadvantages of

an air suspension system
Advantages:
Below are the benefits of air suspension systems in their
various applications:

 Increased driving comfort as a result of reduced road noise,

harshness, and vibration, which reduces driver fatigue.
 Reduced vibration during heavy-duty driving means less
wear and tear on the suspension system.
 When a truck with a short wheelbase is unloaded, air
suspension lowers the vehicle’s bouncing over bad roads.
 Because the air suspension is better matched to the road
conditions, higher cornering speeds can be achieved.
 Air suspensions have a wide range of spring rates and load
capacities, allowing for instant customization. In just a few
 minutes, the adaptability can get the ride load and ride
height you want.
 Adapting to diverse situations: adjusting the spring rates in
combination with performance customization gives your
vehicle limitless performance potential, allowing for real-
time tuning and a cushiony ride for improved comfort on a
bumpy road.
 Towing: Trucks and heavy vehicles can tow heavier cargo
more easily with this technique. When pulling high weights,
drivers can increase their stiffness to improve riding
comfort.

Disadvantages:
Despite the good advantages of an air suspension system,
some limitations still occur. Below are the disadvantages of
air suspension springs.

 Leaking is a typical flaw in all air suspension systems.

When the system can no longer contain air, it will go flat.
Air suspension issues are very widespread due to clogged
airlines.
 Initial costs: This is a one-time expenditure associated with
purchasing a car. Air suspension is only available as
standard equipment on luxury cars, high-end cars, and
select SUVs.
 Maintenance will be more expensive than with normal coils
and shocks.
 Because of the complexity of wiring, connections, and hose
installations, installing an air suspension will take longer.
The installation itself necessitates the usage of a number of
different tools. As a result, engaging a skilled mechanic to
handle it is the best way to ensure vehicle safety and
integrity.
 If not properly maintained, air suspension can cost three
times as much to fix as a leaf suspension system over the
course of ten years.
 Because the weight of the air suspension system is heavier
than the weight of the leaf suspension, fuel economy may
be compromised.
 The failure of air struts or bags might be caused by rust or
moisture from the inside.
 The air suspension tubing connecting the air struts or bags
to the air system has failed.
 Failure of an air fitting due to damage sustained during
installation or occasional use

Conclusion
An air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension that is
operated by an air pump or compressor that is either electric
or engine-driven. The air is pumped into a flexible bellow,
which is commonly composed of textile-reinforced rubber. It
is made of an air spring. That is all for this article, where the
definition, applications, diagram, components, construction,
types, working, advantages, and disadvantages of an air
suspension system. The meaning, characteristics, and types
of air springs are also discussed. I hope you get a lot from the
reading, if so, kindly share with other students. Thanks for
reading, see you around!