Everything about Independent Suspension totally explained
Independent suspension is a broad term for any
automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same
axle to move vertically (for example reacting to a bump in the road) independently of each other. This is contrasted with a
beam axle,
live axle or
deDion system in which the wheels are linked - movement on one side affects the wheel on the other side. Note that “independent” refers to the motion or path of movement of the wheels/suspension. It is common for the left and right sides of the suspension to be connected with anti-roll bars or other such mechanisms. The anti-roll bar ties the left and right suspension spring rates together but doesn't tie their motion together.
Most modern vehicles have
independent front suspension (
IFS). Many vehicles also have an
independent rear suspension (
IRS). IRS, as the name implies, has the rear wheels independently sprung. A
fully independent suspension has an independent suspension on all wheels. Some early independent systems used
swing axles, but modern systems use
Chapman or
MacPherson struts,
trailing arms,
multiple links, or
wishbones.
Independent suspension typically offers better
ride quality and
handling characteristics, due to lower
unsprung weight and the ability of each wheel to address the road undisturbed by activities of the other wheel on the vehicle. Independent suspension requires additional engineering effort and expense in development versus a
live axle or
beam axle arrangement. A very complex
IRS solution can also result in higher manufacturing costs.
The key reason for lower unsprung weight relative to a
live axle design is that, for driven wheels, the
differential unit doesn't form part of the
unsprung elements of the suspension system. Instead it's either bolted directly to the vehicle's
chassis, or more commonly to a
subframe.
The relative movement between the wheels and the differential is achieved through the use of swinging driveshafts connected via
universal (U) joints, analogous to the
constant-velocity (CV) joints used in
front wheel drive vehicles.
Further Information
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