


In this example, if springs are installed between the chassis and axles, the sprung-to-unsprung ratio might be 90% representing the chassis weight and 10% representing the axle and wheel weight.Īs a vehicle gains speed, the springs begin to absorb the impact of striking irregularities in the road surface. A farm wagon with no springs represents 100% unsprung weight. Springs cushion the ride of a vehicle according to the principle of sprung-to-unsprung weight ratios. Variable rate coil springs are often used in chassis configurations that occasionally carry heavy loads. In some cases, a coil spring can be designed as a variable rate spring that increases load-bearing capability as it’s compressed. In general, wire gauge, length, overall diameter and numbers of coils determine the characteristics of the coil spring. Most modern imports use the coil spring in variations of the MacPherson strut design. Since a coil spring occupies a relatively small space, it can be used in a variety of suspension designs including MacPherson strut, solid axle with trailing arms, independently sprung rear axle, or any SLA suspension system using a spring or coil-over shock absorber configuration. Because the coiled wire twists during the spring’s compression/extension cycles, the coil spring actually operates on the same principle as a torsion bar. The function of a coil spring can be better understood if we visualize it as a long, thin, torsion bar wound into a coil shape. In addition, torsion bars can be attached to either the upper or lower control arms, increasing the versatility of the design. Since the torsion bar tension is controlled by a threaded screw adjustment, torsion bars can be used to fine-tune suspension height. The advantages of the torsion bar suspension system include compactness and light weight. Because a torsion bar is generally preloaded by a clockwise or counterclockwise twist built into it, a torsion bar will fit only the side of the vehicle for which it was designed. As the name implies, the torsion bar is simply a round bar, approximately four feet long, that’s designed to twist as weight is applied to the suspension system. Torsion-bar suspensions have been used for many years on vehicles equipped with short-long-arm (SLA) suspension systems. In some cases, a conventional steel spring can be replaced with a plastic unit that substantially reduces unsprung weight and resists corrosion from road salt and other elements. In addition, a leaf spring tends to act as its own rebound dampener due to the friction of the leaves rubbing together. The leaf spring can also be tuned to different load-bearing and ride control requirements by changing the numbers, widths, thicknesses and lengths of the spring leaves. Although leaf springs are normally used in truck applications with solid drive axles, a transverse leaf spring can be combined with an independently suspended rear axle to form a lightweight rear suspension system in performance road cars. In some applications, a single “mono-leaf” spring is employed. The advantages of the leaf spring are many, not only because it acts as a spring, but also because it attaches the axle directly to the chassis.
#TORSON CLOCK MINI SUSPENSION UNIT FREE#
When a physical pendulum is hanging from a point but is free to rotate, it rotates because of the torque applied at the CM, produced by the component of the object’s weight that acts tangent to the motion of the CM.Historically speaking, the steel multi-leaf spring is one of the oldest and most widely used spring designs in suspension systems.
