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Evolution of Car Navigation...

Evolution of Rear Suspension

Car suspension systems are broadly classified into front suspensions and rear suspensions. Both the types have advanced with the moving wheel of time and are now empowered with improved designs and better technology.

Just like the evolution of the car front suspension, rear suspension has also seen various alterations and advancements with the changing needs of the car industry. These suspensions became more sophisticated, rugged, and powerful with more and more new cars plying on Indian roads.

History

The wagons and carriages in the sixteenth century had the leather straps connected to the four posts of a chassis. The carriage body was suspended from the chassis and given the term ‘suspension’. Though it was not successful in moving the body and wheels of the carriage independently, it was used until new suspension designs came into picture.

After the slung-suspension, semi-elliptical spring suspension came into existence and was popularly used on wagons, buggies and carriages. They had a high center of gravity and were not that effective.

By that time powered-vehicles started hitting the roads and these suspensions were not at all fit for to run them. With new cars, technology also entered the car market, which gave birth, to more efficient rear suspension systems to smooth out rides for passengers.

Types

The advanced rear suspension systems are broadly classified to dependent rear suspension and independent rear suspension.

Dependent Rear Suspension: These types of suspension systems in the rear wheels are physically linked to each other. The most common of dependent suspensions are solid axle and beam axle suspensions. If the solid axle suspension system either uses leaf spring or coil spring to connect the rear wheels of a car. The leaf spring design is very simple and cheap to build. The ends of the leaf springs are directly connected to the chassis and the shock absorbers to the clamp that holds the axle. In case of coil spring the same design is used, only the leaf spring is replaced by coil spring to connect to the chassis. The front end is attached to the chassis and the rear to the axle. This system is comparatively smaller than the leaf spring suspension.
Independent Rear Suspensions: These types of rear suspension in the rear wheel keeps both the wheels disconnected that can be mounted and sprung individually. The most common types of independent rear suspension systems are trailing arm suspension and short arm/long arm systems. Trailing arm suspension is also known as the control arm suspension and is most commonly found in passenger cars and light trucks. The latest design in independent rear suspension system is short-arm/long-arm suspension system that is mounted on a sub-frame. The two lower control arms hold the power to control the wheelbase and the two upper arms control side-to-side movement.

Functions

The basic function of the rear suspension is to enhance the connection and association between the rear wheels, thereby improving stability, level of comfort, traction control, and steering control. This also helps to maintain correct height of the car, reduce the effect of sudden forces, maintain wheel alignment, and keep the tyres in contact with the road.

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