Three Main Types Of Shock Absorber Springs, Which One To Choose
The current vehicle shock absorption generally includes damping mechanisms, oil circuits and pre-loading springs. For the selection of shock absorbing springs, there are three types, including equidistant spring, double pitch spring and progressive pitch spring. The pitch refers to the change of the spring density. Which one to choose and is the best suitable? What are the differences among the three kinds of shock absorber springs.
The biggest difference between these three types of springs is that with the increase of the loading weight, the amount of spring compression will be different. Therefore, when the suspension spring is designed with different pitches, it will have different effects.
The Role Of Equidistant Spring As The Shock Absorber Spring
When using a equidistant spring, the k value of the spring has not changed before compression to the limit. Therefore, the weight of the loading is proportional to the compression amount. This kind of shock absorber spring has low production cost. At the same time, because the k value of the equidistant spring itself is linear, for heavy braking, the sense of security is also high. In addition, equivalent springs are also simpler for adjusting the pre-loading and damping design and can be easily adjusted to a good setting. Therefore, the suspension used for competition orientation also adopts the design of equidistant spring.
However, based on the general pavement orientation, the setting of the K value will not be too high. As a result, when the heavy brake, it will appear insufficient. Conversely, if the K value is settled with high loading, in general, the road will be too rigid to absorb the impact of uneven road surface.
- Advantages
The best linear reactivity and controllability, easy to adjust, and low cost.
- Disadvantages
It is difficult to have both intense and leisure driving.
The Role Of Double Pitch Spring As The Shock Absorber Spring
The production cost of the double pitch spring is slightly higher than that of the equal pitch type, but for the use on general roads, because this types of shock absorber spring has two K values, when meet the situation of the jump and shock of the uneven road, can be compressed first by the part with lower k value. When the emergency brake, the part compressed to the higher k value can still maintain the supportability. But the disadvantage is that the change of K value will be quite obvious.
- Advantages
Compared to equivalent pitch spring, double pitch spring can provide better comfort.and better adjustment.
- Disadvantages
There is a turning point which causes an obvious non-linear reaction when is compressed.
The Role Of Progressive Spring As The Shock Absorber Spring
The production cost of the progressive pitch spring is higher, because the pitch of each circle is different, so that the entire spring has different K values, which strengthen the advantages of the double pitch springs and smooth turning points. It can gradually reduce the compression of the spring itself as the load increases to achieve a better buffering effect. Such shock absorber spring design can get the best damping reaction.
Although the progressive spring seems to perfectly solve the problem of comfort and performance, there is still an important problem, whether the selection of the entire K value change rate is correct, otherwise the complete working stroke cannot be used appropriately. In addition, the entire shock absorption system is not just a spring. Using a progressive spring will increase the difficulty of adjusting the pre-loading. In addition, the K value generated by the spring is different due to suspension at different strokes, which also makes the setting of rebound damping more difficult to master and require better damping mechanism.
- Advantages
It can take into account the more driving methods of sport and leisure without K value turning point.
- Disadvantages
It is difficult to set, not linear enough.
Summary
The three types of shock absorber springs have their own advantages and disadvantages. Before the adaptation, be sure to the demands of your own car and the settings, etc, especially the pre-load settings. The correct pre-loading setting is the basis of the shock absorption setting. Through the correct pre-loading setting, the subsequent damping settings are meaningful.
