Know the Types of Air Suspension, its Uses, How it Works, and Advantages!

Air suspension is a system that uses air as its dampening medium. This system replaces conventional dampers that use springs and sockets with air that is pressure regulated to stabilize the height of the vehicle and provide better driving comfort.

This suspension system is usually used in vehicles that require adjustable height such as trucks, buses, and modified cars. In addition, the system can also help reduce shaking when traveling over damaged or uneven roads. It is also used in luxury cars as part of premium comfort and performance features.

Types of Air Suspension

There are two main types of systems in air suspension technology, namely pressure-based systems and height-based systems.

Pressure-Based System

Pressure-based air suspension systems use components such as an air compressor, air tank, regulating valve, and shock absorbers. The system utilizes air pressure generated by an air compressor and stored in an air tank to stabilize vehicle height and provide optimal ride comfort.

The system is equipped with a regulating valve that allows the driver to adjust the air pressure generated by the air compressor into the suspension. The more the air pressure is adjusted, the higher the vehicle will be lifted. The system also allows the driver to adjust the height of the vehicle for specific road conditions, such as rocky roads or potholes.

The advantages of pressure-based systems are better control over vehicle height and the ability to adjust air pressure according to driving needs. However, these systems require regular maintenance to maintain stable air pressure and the components connected to them.

Height-Based System

The height-based air suspension system uses height sensors mounted on each wheel of the vehicle to detect changes in vehicle height. These sensors provide information to the electronic control unit, which regulates the airflow into the suspension to stabilize the vehicle’s height.

This system allows the vehicle to maintain the same height from the ground, even when different heavy loads or passengers are carried. Height sensors attached to each wheel also allow the system to adjust the vehicle height independently at each wheel, improving ride comfort and vehicle stability.

The advantage of height-based systems is the ability to automatically adjust the vehicle height and optimize system performance by adjusting the air pressure at each wheel. However, these systems require proper calibration of the height sensors and periodic maintenance to maintain system reliability and performance.

What is the Use of Air Suspension

This system has many uses that vary depending on the type of vehicle it is installed on. The following is an explanation of the uses of air suspension in cars and buses:

Uses in the Car

In cars, this system can improve ride comfort and optimize suspension performance. By adjusting the air pressure in the suspension, air suspension can reduce shock and vibration while driving, thus providing a smoother and more comfortable driving experience. In addition, air suspension systems can help stabilize vehicle height and improve handling and handling performance.

In luxury cars, this system is often used as a special feature to enhance the comfort and class of the vehicle. This system allows the driver to customize the vehicle’s height and suspension comfort according to their needs and preferences.

Usability on the Bus

In buses, air suspension has many very important uses. One of the main benefits is to increase passenger comfort while riding. By adjusting the air pressure in the suspension, the air suspension system can reduce shocks and vibrations when traveling over uneven roads or potholes.

In addition, this system also helps to improve the safety and stability of the vehicle. The system allows the vehicle to maintain the same height from the ground even when a heavy load is being transported, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and improving vehicle stability.

This system system on the bus also allows passengers to enter and exit the vehicle more easily, as the height of the vehicle can be adjusted to the height of the sidewalk or bus platform.

In addition, air suspension on buses can also improve fuel efficiency by adjusting the height of the vehicle according to the speed and load, thereby reducing tire friction and improving fuel use efficiency.

How Air Suspension Works

Air suspension is a system that uses air to hold and support a vehicle. The system consists of several components, including an air compressor, air tank, air controls, and this system parts in each wheel.

Here is an in-depth explanation of how air suspension works:

Air Pressure

This system system requires air to operate the system. Air is compressed by an air compressor and stored in an air tank before being pumped into the air suspension section. The air pressure is then adjusted by air controls to regulate vehicle height and suspension performance.

Height Sensor

Height sensors are mounted on each wheel and are used to detect the height of the vehicle from the ground. This information is sent to the air control to regulate the correct air pressure in each air suspension and maintain the desired vehicle height.

Suspension Performance

This system consists of an air balloon placed inside a per, and a shock absorber that acts to resist the movement and vibration of the suspension while driving. When the vehicle is moving, the performance of this system is regulated by air controls that regulate the air pressure entering the air balloon and change the height of the vehicle as needed.

Air Control

The air control is the brain of the air suspension system. It controls the air pressure entering into the air balloon in each air suspension, as well as regulates the vehicle height and suspension system performance according to road conditions and the driver’s needs.

Driving Mode

Many suspension systems now have driver-selectable driving modes, such as sport mode or economy mode, which affect this system settings and vehicle height. These modes help optimize vehicle performance for different driving conditions.

Security and Stability

This suspension system can also help improve vehicle safety and stability by controlling vehicle height and suspension performance. When the vehicle is too heavy or when crossing uneven roads, this system can adjust the air pressure in each air suspension to maintain the same vehicle height off the ground and reduce the risk of accidents and damage to the vehicle.

That’s how air suspension works in depth. With this advanced system, drivers can feel more comfortable while driving and improve vehicle performance for different road conditions.

What are the Pros and Cons of Air Suspension

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using this system on vehicles:

Pros

1. Better suspension performance: this suspension system has the ability to adjust vehicle height and suspension stiffness levels according to road conditions. This provides greater comfort and better suspension performance, especially when traversing uneven roads.
2. Better load adjustment: this system can adjust the air pressure in each air suspension to balance the vehicle load. This helps to reduce the load spread on each wheel and extend the life of the suspension.
3. Better transportability: this suspension system can improve the transportability of vehicles. Vehicles with suspension system are able to carry heavier loads and are more stable under different road conditions.
4. Better handling: this suspension system can help improve vehicle handling at higher speeds by optimizing vehicle height and reducing vehicle body movement.

Disadvantages

1. Cost: The installation and maintenance cost of an this system is more expensive compared to a conventional suspension system. Also, if there are any breakdowns or problems with the system, the repair costs can be quite expensive.
2. Reliability: this suspension system have more components and are more complex compared to conventional suspensions, making them more prone to breakdowns and more frequent maintenance.
3. More complicated maintenance: The maintenance of this suspension systems requires more complicated and more frequent maintenance than conventional suspensions. The air pressure in each this system should be measured regularly, and replacement of parts should be carried out according to the prescribed maintenance schedule.
4. Not suitable for off-roading: This system is not suitable for extreme off-road use because it is prone to damage to the air components and is more susceptible to leakage and damage from uneven and rocky roads.

Those are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this system. However, along with technological advances, some of the disadvantages of air suspension systems can be minimized or overcome with proper maintenance and use.

Apart from the advantages and disadvantages that have been described, the use of air suspension on vehicles can be more effective and efficient with the support of the Fleet Management System (FMS). One of the FMS that can be used is TransTRACK.

TransTRACK is a fleet management solution that can help improve fleet operational efficiency. In the case of air suspension use, TransTRACK can assist in optimizing suspension performance and ensure optimal use of this system. With TransTRACK, users can monitor the air pressure in each air suspension and optimize vehicle height to reduce vehicle body movement when crossing uneven roads.

In addition, TransTRACK can also assist in optimizing vehicle usage by monitoring vehicle usage patterns, identifying damaged vehicles, and monitoring vehicle conditions on a regular basis. This can help extend suspension life and reduce maintenance costs.

By using  TransTRACK as an FMS solution, the use of air suspension on vehicles can become more effective and efficient, reducing maintenance costs and improving overall fleet operational performance.