What is a shock absorber on a car?

Smooth driving on rough roads and a comfortable experience on bumpy sections all rely on a seemingly insignificant yet crucial component under the car's chassis - the shock absorber.

When we drive on bumpy roads, have we ever thought about what makes the bumps softer? Shock absorbers, as the core component of the automotive suspension system, are precisely the key to enhancing driving comfort and safety.

1.The Important Role of Shock Absorbers

In the automotive suspension system, shock absorbers play the role of "invisible guardians". Although they do not directly support the weight of the vehicle body, they play an irreplaceable role in ensuring the smooth running of the vehicle.

According to China Quality News Network, the main function of shock absorbers is to suppress the oscillation when the spring rebounds after absorbing shock and the impact from the road surface, accelerate the attenuation of the vibration of the vehicle frame and body, and maintain the smoothness of the vehicle.

When a car passes over an uneven road surface, the shock-absorbing spring can filter out the vibrations of the road, but the spring itself will keep moving back and forth.

A vehicle without shock absorbers will sway up and down like a small boat many times after passing through potholes, and shock absorbers are precisely the devices used to suppress this bouncing.

Shock absorbers not only concern ride comfort but also directly affect driving safety. Good shock absorbers can maintain good contact between the tires and the road surface, improving the handling stability of the vehicle when turning, accelerating and braking.

2.Unveiling the Working Principle

How do shock absorbers achieve their shock absorption effect? The core principle is to convert mechanical energy into thermal energy and dissipate it.

Hydraulic shock absorbers are widely used in automotive suspension systems. Their working principle is that when the frame (or body) and the axle move relatively due to vibration, the piston inside the shock absorber moves up and down, and the oil in the shock absorber cavity repeatedly flows from one cavity through different pores into another.

At this point, the friction between the hole wall and the oil, as well as the internal friction among the oil molecules, exert a damping force on the vibration, converting the vehicle's vibration energy into the heat energy of the oil, which is then absorbed and dissipated into the atmosphere by the shock absorber.

Interestingly, the damping force of the shock absorber during the compression and extension strokes is not the same. In terms of design, the damping force of the extension stroke is greater than that of the compression stroke, so as to meet the requirement of rapid shock absorption.

3.Different types and Structures

With the development of technology, shock absorbers have evolved into various types to meet the needs of different vehicles and driving conditions.

From the perspective of materials, shock absorbers are mainly divided into hydraulic and pneumatic types, and there is also a type of shock absorber with variable damping.

Hydraulic shock absorbers are widely used in automotive suspension systems at present, while pneumatic shock absorbers are a new type of shock absorber that has developed since the 1960s. Their structural feature is that a floating piston is installed at the lower part of the cylinder barrel, and high-pressure nitrogen is filled in the closed air chamber formed by the floating piston and one end of the cylinder barrel.

From a structural perspective, shock absorbers can be further classified into single-tube and double-tube types. The double-tube shock absorber has two tubes, an inner one and an outer one. The piston moves in the inner tube. The single-tube shock absorber has a simple structure and eliminates one set of valve system.

In recent years, electronically controlled shock absorbers have also emerged. They can detect driving conditions through sensors, calculate the optimal damping force by a computer, and make the damping force adjustment mechanism on the shock absorber work automatically.

4.Coordination of springs and shock absorbers

Many people mistakenly believe that shock absorbers are responsible for supporting the vehicle's weight. In fact, springs are the components that support the vehicle's weight, while shock absorbers are specifically designed to consume vibration energy.

The vibration energy of a car is large and its jumping speed is fast. If there is no spring buffering and the energy-consuming stroke of the shock absorber is extended, it will be much more difficult to expect the shock absorber to consume all the vibration energy within a very short stroke.

Springs and shock absorbers complement each other and neither can be missing. A vehicle with only springs but no shock absorbers will have its body sway for a long time when subjected to road excitation. A vehicle with only shock absorbers but no springs cannot support the body and has no driving performance at all.

5.Maintenance and Replacement

Shock absorbers are vulnerable parts during the use of a car, and their working condition directly affects the smoothness of the car's driving and the lifespan of other components.

Car owners should regularly check the shock absorbers for any signs of oil leakage, abnormal noise or excessive wear. Oil leakage is a common manifestation of shock absorber failure. Once detected, it should be replaced in a timely manner.

There are several simple ways to determine the working condition of shock absorbers: Drive the car for 10 kilometers on a road with poor conditions and then stop. Touch the outer shell of the shock absorber with your hand. If it is not hot enough, it indicates that there is no resistance inside the shock absorber and it is not working.

Press the bumper hard and then release it. If the car jumps 2 to 3 times, it indicates that the shock absorber is working well.

When shock absorbers need to be replaced, it must be done by professional technicians because it involves the adjustment and balance of the suspension system. Incorrect installation may cause the suspension system to lose balance, affecting driving safety.

According to statistics, the performance decline of shock absorbers will directly lead to an increase in vehicle braking distance and a decrease in cornering stability. On slippery roads, worn shock absorbers may even increase braking distance by more than 15%.

Behind every smooth turn and every composed bump filtration, there is the silent contribution of shock absorbers. As suspension system experts put it, "Springs are energy storage components that act as buffers." Shock absorbers are energy-consuming components that serve to reduce vibration. The perfect combination of these two elements creates a comfortable and safe driving and riding experience.

For car owners, regularly checking the condition of shock absorbers and promptly replacing worn parts is not only a pursuit of comfort but also a responsibility for safety. If you would like to learn more about shock absorbers, please contact LONG WIND GROUP