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What is an air suspension system?
The air suspension system is used to support the vehicle on the axles with the use of air bags instead of steel springs, leaf springs, torsion springs, or some coil springs. The air bags are also referred to as bellows. Suspensions with steel or torsion springs added by the use of air bags are not considered air suspension systems. Generally, the air suspension system components are used on the rear end of the vehicle. Subject to the conditions, this type of air suspension will probably have to be dealt with for leveling drives.
Components of the air suspension system
An air suspension system generally has three basic components. They are the air supply, the air bags, and the height control valves.
The air supply
The air supply system consists of the engine air compressor, air tanks, air valves, and airlines. The engine air compressor supplies air for all the air equipment on the vehicle. The pressure delivered by the compressor varies. For several years, the air supply was maintained at around 120 to 125 psi, but on some new vehicles, this has been improved to 135 psi. Dash gauges are present that will supply system pressure information, but all vehicles have what we say is a “pop-off valve”. You can hear the valve “pop off” when the system reaches the maximum air pressure.
Air bags
They are simple rubber bladders that hold air. Air bags are also referred to as air bellows. The air bags are located in the middle of the frame of the vehicle and the vehicle axles. Air bags are estimated for weight and pressure capacities.
Height Control Valve
Most of the HCVs are mechanical valves, but electronic height control mechanisms are also available. The HCV is fastened to the frame of the vehicle. An L-shaped linkage attaches the HCV to the axle. As the axle moves up and down in relation to the frame, the linkage travels to the valve or electronic mechanism. With mechanical valves, there is an airline from the air supply to the HCV. There is an airline from the HCV to the airbag or bags that it controls.
The HCV also has an exhaust port. When the connecting linkage travels up, the HCV links the air supply to the air bags, inflating the bags. When the connecting linkage moves down, the HCV connects the air bags to the exhaust port, shrinking the bags. This controls the height of the vehicle. If the height control is electronic, by means of the control linkage moving up or down, an electronic sensor propels information to electronic control. These controls will open or close air solenoid valves as needed to inflate or deflate the bags.
How the air suspension system functions.
The vehicle is upheld on the frame with a course of action of airbags. The vehicle air system, motor air compressor, tanks, lines, and so on. These supply air to the valves (HCV) mounted to the edge of the vehicle. The valves are associated with the airbags on an airline. The linkage which interfaces the HCVs to the axles pivots the HCV valving as it climbs and descends.
When weight is added to the vehicle through the suspension of the vehicle, the air noticeable all around the bags is compacted, and the edge draws nearer to the pivot. This powers the HCV linkage up. As the linkage climbs, the valving of the HCV associates the air supply with the air bags. The included weight and volume swell the air bags, bringing on the frame to move far from the pivot.
As the edge moves back to the correct ride height, the HCV linkage moves to the unbiased position. This moves the valves far from the air supply and secures the air all around the sack to keep up the best possible ride height. As weight is expelled from the vehicle or the air suspension system moves weight away, the current weight noticeable all around bags can push the frame far from the pivot.
The HCV linkage is dragged down. This associates the air bags with the HCV fume port. As air is depleted from the air bags, the frame lets down towards the pivot. As the linkage climbs to the neutral position, the exhaust port is shut and the air is again locked in place all around the bags, keeping up a fitting ride height.
