12.4.

DAMPERS
In one type of suspension system, a long tube, or strut, has a shock absorber built into its centre section. Shock absorbers control, or dampen, the sudden loading and unloading of suspension springs to reduce wheel bounce and the shock transferred from the road wheels to the body. One shock absorber is installed at each wheel. Modern shock absorbers have a telescoping design and use oil, gas, and air, or a combination to absorb energy.

12.4.1. Tube layout

Fig. 12.30 Shock-absorber basic design: twin-tube (left) and monotube (right)

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Twin-tube shock absorber

Fig. 12.31 Twin tube shock absorber

Fig. 12.32 Twin tube shock absorbers: left two way fluid circulation; right one way fluid circulation - 136 -

Monotube shock absorber

Fig. 12.33 Monotube shock absorbers left low pressure; right high pressure (in tube and lateral gas-chambers) The Copen's optional Sports-pack shock absorber has a separate fluid chamber. It incorporates a rubber lip seal not unlike the one in the Infiniti G35 and Peugeot shocks that helps absorb minute high-frequency surface irregularities. Two suspension settings are available, the "Special-tune" featuring firmer settings including a rear shock pair with outrigger low-pressure gas chambers.

Fig. 12.34 Schematic of a rotational hydraulic damper Prinzip des Hebel- oder Rotationsstodmpfers Ferrari F 2004: der Hebel 3 ist ber die Welle 2 fest mit dem Flgel 4 verbunden, der den Innenraum des Gehuses 1 in zwei lgefllte Kammern teilt; das Dmpfungsventil 5 sowie die Bohrungen 6 und 7 erlauben ldurchtritt zwischen den Kammern

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12.4.2. Shock absorber valves

Non-adjustable valves

Fig. 12.35 Force-velocity properties of shock absorber valving

Fig. 12.36 Functioning of shock absorber valves: left compression travel; right rebound travel; a first stage (orifice); b second stage (blow-off)

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Fig. 12.37 Valves functioning of de Carbon shock absorber: left compression travel; right rebound travel Adjustable valves

Fig. 12.38 Proportional valves disposal: outside tube (left), inside tube (right)

Fig. 12.39 Proportional valve design and characteristics of a controlled damper Maserati Quattroporte - 139 -

12.5. SPRING-DAMPER UNITS

Fig. 12.40 Motorcycle spring-damper unit with internal pressure chamber

Fig. 12.41 Motorcycle spring-damper unit with lateral pressure chamber

Fig. 12.42 Car air spring-hydraulic damper unit 1 air; 2 nozzle; 3 bellow; 4 oil - 140 -

Fig. 12.43. Strut units of front drive-axles left coil spring and damper Peugeot 407; middle and right air spring and damper Mercedes and ZF Sachs

Fig. 12.44. Corner modules containing the spring-damper unit, the knuckle and the brakes rotor and calliper are often produced by tier-one suppliers: left TRW; right - ArvinMeritor

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