32
Principles of air suspension
Measures are taken during the design stage
to adapt the characteristic curves to the
requirements of suspension matching.
Shock absorbers with decreasing
characteristic curves are normally used.
Normal shock absorbers have predetermined
characteristic curves. They are adapted to
normal bodywork weights and can cope with
a wide range of driving situations in a well-
matched running gear.
Running gear matching is always a
compromise between driving safety (driving
dynamics) and driving comfort.
The degree of damping (damping effect of
sprung masses) is lessened as the load
increases, which affects the driving dynamics.
In contrast, the degree of damping is greater
when the vehicle is un-laden, which lessens
driving comfort.
Note:
A distinctive feature of damper
matching is described in SSP 213,
page 28, “Shock absorbers with load
and travel-dependent damping
characteristics”.
To Next Page
