Types of Suspension Assembly | MacPherson Strut, Double-wishbone, Swing Axle & Arm, Torsion Beam etc

Summary

This video script delves into the intricacies of suspension assemblies, explaining their role beyond mere wheel linkage. It covers how suspension impacts vehicle dynamics like steering, traction, and body roll. The script discusses various suspension types, including rigid axle, semi-independent, and independent, each with unique characteristics affecting vehicle performance. Examples include the torsion beam's space efficiency and the double wishbone's handling advantages. The video aims to clarify how different suspensions respond to road conditions and vehicle movements, providing a comprehensive guide for understanding automotive suspension systems.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Suspension assembly is crucial for connecting wheels to the vehicle frame, providing more than just up-and-down movement.
• 🛠️ Vehicle dynamics such as steering, traction, and body roll are significantly influenced by the type of suspension system used.
• 🚧 The ideal suspension system responds appropriately to various road conditions like speed breakers and potholes, maintaining wheel-road contact.
• 🔄 Suspension systems can be categorized into dependent, semi-dependent, and independent types, each with unique characteristics and applications.
• 🌐 Rigid axle suspension is robust and suitable for heavy-duty vehicles but lacks comfort and individual wheel control.
• 🔄 Torsion beam suspension, a semi-dependent type, offers a balance between rigid axle and independent suspension characteristics.
• 🔧 MacPherson strut suspension is simple, cost-effective, and commonly used in front-wheel-drive cars, but it has limitations in camber control.
• 🏎️ Double wishbone suspension provides precise control over camber and suspension length, making it popular in performance vehicles.
• 🔄 Swing arm suspension alters wheelbase and can lead to squatting under acceleration or braking, affecting vehicle dynamics.
• 🔄 Swing axle suspension, similar to swing arm but transverse, has issues with camber and track change, yet it's a cost-effective solution for certain rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Q & A

What is the primary function of a suspension assembly in a vehicle?

The primary function of a suspension assembly is to connect the wheels to the vehicle frame with springs and dampers, allowing the wheels to move up and down while maintaining good road contact, and influencing vehicle dynamics such as steering, traction, and handling.

How does the suspension system affect the vehicle's handling during a turn?

The suspension system allows the wheels to maintain good road contact during a turn by changing the camber angle and adjusting the suspension length relative to the car's body, which helps in reducing body roll and maintaining tire contact with the road.

What are the different types of suspension assemblies mentioned in the script?

The script mentions three types of suspension assemblies: dependent, semi-dependent, and independent. Examples include rigid axle suspension, torsion beam suspension, MacPherson strut, double wishbone, swing arm, and swing axle.

Why is rigid axle suspension more robust and suitable for heavy cargo vehicles?

Rigid axle suspension is more robust due to its simple and strong construction, which can handle high horsepower as there are no CV joints connecting the wheels. The power from the differential goes directly to the wheels, making it suitable for heavy cargo vehicles with high power and no comfort requirements.

How does a torsion beam suspension differ from a rigid axle suspension?

Torsion beam suspension differs from a rigid axle suspension in that it uses a beam pivoted to the frame with a swing arm for each wheel. This allows for some independent movement of the wheels, providing a combined effect of rigid axle and independent suspension, and is often used in cars for rear suspension.

What is the main advantage of MacPherson strut suspension?

The main advantage of MacPherson strut suspension is its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. It consumes more vertical space than horizontal, which is beneficial for front engine front-wheel drive cars that require space for the engine and transmission.

Why is double wishbone suspension preferred in sports cars?

Double wishbone suspension is preferred in sports cars because it allows for more control over vehicle dynamics, provides a flat and robust construction for better aerodynamics, and can be designed to minimize camber change and tire scrubbing, which are critical for high-performance vehicles.

How does swing arm suspension affect the wheelbase of a vehicle?

Swing arm suspension can change the wheelbase of a vehicle due to the compression of the suspension. This can lead to squatting effects during acceleration and braking, which is a drawback as it can negatively affect the vehicle's handling.

What is the main difference between swing arm and swing axle suspension?

The main difference between swing arm and swing axle suspension is the layout; swing arm is a longitudinal layout, while swing axle is a transverse layout. Swing axle suspension changes the camber and track while keeping the wheelbase constant, but it can lead to excessive camber change and reduced tire contact.

Why is the position of the pivot point in MacPherson strut suspension considered a disadvantage?

The pivot point in MacPherson strut suspension is substantially offset from the center of the tire, which can cause more wheel scrubbing and require more effort in handling, especially with wider tires. This is less of an issue in regular cars but can be a disadvantage in sports cars where precise handling is crucial.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Understanding Suspension Assembly Dynamics

The paragraph discusses the multifaceted role of the suspension assembly in a vehicle, which goes beyond merely connecting wheels to the frame. It highlights how the suspension system influences various vehicle dynamics such as steering effort, understeer, oversteer, control, and traction. The suspension's design is crucial for maintaining road contact, handling body roll during turns, and adapting to different road conditions. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of suspension linkage in determining a vehicle's performance and introduces the types of suspension assemblies, including rigid axle, semi-independent, and independent suspensions. It also touches on the need for suspension to adapt to different scenarios, such as speed breakers, potholes, and turns, to ensure optimal vehicle performance.

05:02

🔧 Types of Suspension Assemblies and Their Applications

This paragraph delves into the specifics of various suspension assemblies, starting with the rigid axle suspension, which is robust and suitable for high horsepower vehicles but lacks comfort due to its limited wheel movement. It then moves on to semi-independent suspension, specifically the torsion beam suspension, which combines the characteristics of both rigid axle and independent suspensions, providing more cabin space and being widely used in cars. The paragraph also covers independent suspensions, including MacPherson strut, double wishbone, swing arm, and swing axle suspensions. Each type is analyzed based on its construction, advantages, and typical applications, such as the MacPherson strut being cost-effective and space-saving, while double wishbone offers more design freedom for vehicle dynamics. The discussion concludes with the practical implications of these suspension types in different driving conditions and their impact on vehicle performance.

Keywords

💡Suspension Assembly

Suspension Assembly refers to the system of linkages, springs, and dampers that connect a vehicle's wheels to its frame. It is crucial for maintaining the vehicle's stability and handling. In the video, the suspension assembly is discussed as a critical component that affects vehicle dynamics such as steering, traction, and the effects of adverse road conditions. The script explains how different types of suspension assemblies respond to various driving scenarios, such as going over speed breakers or potholes.

💡Vehicle Dynamics

Vehicle Dynamics encompasses the study of the forces and torques acting on a vehicle, influencing its motion and behavior. It includes aspects like steering, handling, and stability. The video script discusses how the suspension assembly plays a pivotal role in vehicle dynamics, particularly in how it affects the car's response to steering inputs, the car's tendency to understeer or oversteer, and the maintenance of wheel contact with the road during cornering.

💡Steering Feedback

Steering Feedback is the sensation a driver feels through the steering wheel that provides information about the vehicle's interaction with the road. It is an important aspect of vehicle dynamics that contributes to the driver's control and confidence. The script mentions steering feedback as one of the elements influenced by the suspension assembly, which can vary depending on the type of suspension and its design.

💡Body Roll

Body Roll is the lateral tilt of a vehicle's body around its center of gravity (CG) during cornering. It affects the vehicle's stability and the driver's perception of the car's handling. The video script explains how the suspension assembly should ideally change the wheel camber around the CG as a pivot to maintain good wheel contact while turning, which helps to minimize body roll and improve handling.

💡Rigid Axle Suspension

Rigid Axle Suspension, also known as a solid axle suspension, is a type of dependent suspension where both wheels on the same axle are connected by a rigid axle. This design allows both wheels to move up and down together, which can be beneficial on smooth surfaces but can lead to reduced tire contact and comfort on uneven surfaces. The script uses rigid axle suspension as an example of a dependent suspension system, discussing its robustness and application in heavy cargo vehicles.

💡Semi-Independent Suspension

Semi-Independent Suspension is a type of suspension system that lies between dependent and independent suspensions. It allows for some degree of independent movement of the wheels but still retains some connection between them. The torsion beam suspension, mentioned in the script, is an example of a semi-independent suspension, which combines elements of both rigid axle and independent suspensions to provide a balance between comfort and handling.

💡Independent Suspension

Independent Suspension is a system where each wheel is connected to the vehicle's frame independently, allowing each wheel to move up and down without affecting the other. This design improves handling and ride comfort, as each wheel can respond individually to road conditions. The video script discusses various types of independent suspensions, such as MacPherson strut, double wishbone, swing arm, and multi-link suspensions, and how they contribute to different vehicle dynamics.

💡MacPherson Strut

MacPherson Strut is a type of independent suspension system commonly used in the front of front-engine, front-wheel-drive cars. It combines the functions of a shock absorber and a spring into a single unit, saving space and simplifying the design. The script mentions that while it is simple and cost-effective, it may not offer the same level of camber control as other suspension types, making it less ideal for sports cars.

💡Double Wishbone Suspension

Double Wishbone Suspension, also known as a double A-arm suspension, is an independent suspension system characterized by its A-shaped control arms. It allows for precise control over the wheel's motion, maintaining a consistent tire contact patch and providing excellent handling characteristics. The script highlights the double wishbone's ability to provide a flat and robust design, which is beneficial for both aerodynamics and handling, making it a preferred choice for sports cars.

💡Swing Arm Suspension

Swing Arm Suspension is a type of independent suspension that pivots the wheel around a single point, similar to a bike suspension. It allows for changes in wheelbase due to suspension compression, which can affect the vehicle's stance and handling. The video script notes that while it has some drawbacks, such as squatting under acceleration and braking, it is a cost-effective solution for rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

💡Multi-Link Suspension

Multi-Link Suspension is an independent suspension system that uses three or more lateral control arms to locate the wheel. It offers a high degree of adjustability, allowing engineers to fine-tune the suspension's behavior for optimal handling and ride comfort. The script does not explicitly mention multi-link suspension, but it is a common type of independent suspension that would fit within the discussion of suspension assemblies and their effects on vehicle dynamics.

Highlights

Suspension assembly is crucial for vehicle dynamics, including steering, traction, and handling.

Suspension systems must maintain wheel contact with the road in various driving scenarios.

Different suspension assemblies are designed to handle speed breakers, potholes, and turns effectively.

Rigid axle suspension is robust and suitable for high horsepower vehicles but lacks comfort.

Semi-independent suspension, like torsion beam, combines features of rigid axle and independent suspension.

Independent suspension allows each wheel to move independently, unaffected by the other.

MacPherson strut suspension is simple, cost-effective, and commonly used in front-wheel drive cars.

Double wishbone suspension offers more design freedom for vehicle dynamics and is used in sports cars.

Swing arm suspension changes wheelbase due to compression, affecting vehicle squat during acceleration and braking.

Swing axle suspension, similar to swing arm, maintains constant wheelbase with changing camber and track.

Suspension design must consider factors like camber change, road contact, and vehicle body roll.

Long-wheelbase cars may benefit from rear wheel steering geometry for improved handling.

Short-wheelbase cars require suspension designs that prevent over-steer during sharp turns.

Torsion beam suspension provides a balance between rigid axle and independent suspension characteristics.

MacPherson strut is not ideal for sports cars due to limited camber adjustment and scrubbing issues.

Double wishbone suspension is preferred for its aerodynamic benefits and ease of assembly with wide tires.

Swing arm and swing axle suspensions are cost-effective options for rear-wheel drive vehicles.

The video provides a detailed explanation of various suspension types and their applications.

Transcripts

suspension assembly it is not just a

linkage connecting the wheels to the

frame with springs and dampers nor it

just allows the wheels to go up and down

the whole vehicle Dynamics like steering

effort under steer and over steer

control steering feedback traction will

contact while cornering body roll

acceleration deceleration effects and

adverse road condition effects on the

car Etc I decided by the suspension

linkage used in your

car in the last two videos of the

suspension series we talked about the

suspension spring types and shock

absorber types in this one let's

untangle the suspension

assemblies no one on the internet has

explained it in detail as required so

here's our try rather than just jumping

into the type of suspension assembly and

comparing them by advantages and

disadvantages we'll first see the

vehicle Dynamics required in different

scenarios further to which we'll see how

each suspension assembly satisfy those

requirements when there is a speed

breaker both Wheels should go up

together in deps both Wheels should come

down together in case of a p hole on

just one side the wheel should go down

like this so that both Wheels maintain

good road contact and it is same when

one wheel goes over a

bump when the car turns the car's body

tilts around its CG called body roll

the wheels should stay in contact with

the road like this so relative to the

car's body the expected wheel position

is with changed camber angle and

different suspension length so it's

ideal for suspension assembly to change

the wheel camber around the CG as pivot

and adjust to Desir length to maintain

good wheel contact while

turning there are few more things that a

suspension should do while turning like

for long- wheel based cars at sharp

cornering the rear set of wheels should

turn such that the turning radius

decreases by that you get good handling

and easier turning of the car some

suspension assemblies to discuss further

have such geometries that do it but this

same effect is undesirable in short

wheelbase cars as it may lead to over

steer so assembly of short cars with

shorter wheelbase are designed such that

the rear set of FS don't lean in any

direction while you make a

turn there are three types of of

suspension assemblies dependent

semi-dependent and independent in the

dependent suspension the effect of one

wheel affects the position of the other

paired wheel there is rigid axle

suspension with either coil spring or

leaf spring the second is

semi-independent suspension the only

type of it worth knowing is torsion boom

suspension third is independent

suspension in which the position of one

wheel doesn't affect the others its main

types are macers stud double visible

suspension swing arm suspension swing

axle suspension and multi-link

suspension with three four or five

links first let's see rigid axle

suspension here a axle is connected to

the frame by either leaf or coil springs

on speed Breakers and in dips all

assembly moves together it's fine till

that the problem arises on a

single-sided p hole and bumps as the

camar changes and the contact patch of

both Tire get reduced on big bumps the

vehicle tells in One Direction that

isn't very comfortable experience to be

in the rigid axle suspension is more

robust and has benefits like the

assembly when fitted on driving Wheels

can handle High horsepower as there are

no CVS connecting them the power from

the differential directly goes to the

wheels this rigid axle suspension is

preferably used for heavy cargo vehicles

having high horsepower and also no

Comfort requirement next is

semi-dependent suspension

which is torsion beam suspension a beam

is pivoted to a frame and has a swing

arm for each field so it is like a swing

arm suspension connected with torsion

bar preferably near the pivot the

suspension has coil springs so on bumps

and po holes the wheel moves up and down

like a swing arm while torsion beam

resists that torsion beam does two

things one it increases the stiffness of

the suspension two it gives combined

effect of rigid Axel and independent

suspens suspension the assembly fixes

due to the bumps this not only pushes

the assembly up and down but also gives

some camber change as in rigid axle

suspension that is helpful while making

a turn the assembly also being

relatively flat allows for more cabin

space for passengers this suspension

assembly is widely used as rear

suspension of cars now let's see

complete independent suspension first is

macson stud the construction is simple

like this it consumes more vertical

space than horizontal there is little

camber change due to up and down moment

it is widely used as front suspension of

front engine front-wheel drive cars as

it gives lot of space to fit engine and

transmission here its construction is

simple and coste effective this is not

generally used in sports car as it has

low Bonnet so vertical assemblies don't

suit there plus there is less control to

the engineer on camber while designing

so camber performance cannot be

optimized as wanted but some cars like

Porsche have macson St as front

suspension to give cargo space in front

and its assembly travel is also very

less so sometimes macers thre can be

used in sports car even though it's

never the first choice this is how the

macers St performs in different

conditions

one disadvantage of Mac verson St is

that the pivot of steering remains

substantially offset to the center of

the tire so the wheel scrubs more and

handling takes more effort narrower the

tire less the offset becomes so regular

cars don't fish much of this issue but

wider tires does

what's more preferable in sports car is

double Wishbone suspension whose

construction is like this substantially

flat and it can be made even flat so the

nose of the car can be low that is great

for

aerodynamics its construction is like

parallelogram the links make the wheel

go straight up and down with no camber

change whereas by shortening the upper

arms the desired camber change effect

can be brought so designer get more

freedom to adjust the vehicle Dynamics

by shortening the arm length which isn't

possible in macers starts the fishbone

becomes more spread out and gives more

robustness to the assembly with bigger

rims and wide tires it becomes easier to

put the assembly in the wheel and have

pavots near to the tire center so the

scrubbing issue as in Mac verson thread

can be mitigated this is how a double

visone assembly Works in different

scenarios

double F bone is used in both front and

rear of the car next is swing arm that

is similar to bike suspension system the

wheelbase changes due to compression of

the suspension its drawback is it tends

to squats due to acceleration and

braking this is how a swing arm Works in

different

conditions next is Swing AEL this is

similar to to swing arm but in

transverse layout the camber changes and

the track also changes while the

wheelbase remains constant with

compression camber changes too much and

the tire contact is also not very good

but it is good and cheap way of having

suspension in rear wheeel drive vehicles

like these

ones

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