The principle of operation and the device of the torsion suspension. Problems associated with torsion beam

It differs from the classic spring because instead of springs in its designs are used torsions. Extremely simple and at the same time effective. Torsion is a elastic shaft, which is strictly fixed with one side to or, and the other side is associated with the wheel hub. In case of front-wheel drive carTorque is fixed on the lower transverse lever.

Varieties and torsion suspension device

In vehicles with front-wheel drive and transverse arrangement of peel peeling levers fastened along the body. In the case of longitudinal peers levers, respectively, secure across the body of the car.

The most common example of torsion suspension is the rear semi-dependent suspension of passenger cars with front-wheel drive. This suspension is two longitudinal levers, which are interconnected U-shaped beam. The connecting beam due to its design has the ability to work on twisting and allows the wheels to work out irregularities independently of each other.

Principle of operation of torsion suspension

Due to the fact that the torsion shaft is rigidly fixed on the body or frame of the car, then during the operation of the suspension, the forces of twisting are affected. However, the torsion shaft is made of a special alloy and has a certain hardening, which allows it to work as a spring element. When twisting the shaft tends to return to the original position. The principle of operation is similar to spring or trenchy suspension.

The advantages of Torsion

Despite the fact that the principle of operation of the torsion and spring suspension is practically no different, torsion shafts have several advantages over springs or springs:

simple and compact suspension device;
ease of repair and maintenance;
the ability to adjust the stiffness of the suspension.

Torsion shafts occupy very little space, which allows you to make the suspension as compact as possible. Service and self repair of torsion suspension Do not deliver trouble. The replacement of one of the torsion is made with much less labor costs than replacing the springs.

It is also worth noting that the torsion suspension can adjust hardnessWhat does not allow you to do a classic spring. On some cars, the adjustment of the suspension stiffness is made automatically or manually remotely using electric motors that adjust the preliminary force of the torsion.

Good day. Today we will talk about one of the varieties of suspension. There are several types of suspension: pneumatic, spring, spring, but speech today will go about torsion suspension. Do you know that this model of suspension is developed for tanks and use it in armored vehicles until today? And only over time it was modified and installed on passenger cars and SUVs. What kind of principle does this suspension work, and what pluses and minuses is it endowed? Let's try to figure it out.

1. History of creating and developing torsion design

It is believed that the first torsion-lever suspension Germans installed the Germans in the 30s of the last century on Volkswagen Beetle. But this is not the case, the French are ahead of them and for the first time installed the suspension model of such a type on citroen car Traction Avant, and it was in 1934. Most successfully torsions in the suspension used american company "Chrysler". And in the Soviet Union, the torsion suspensions put on cars ZIL and LUAZ, as well as "Zaporozhets".

The suspension improvement of the suspension was engaged in the Czech professor of ice and already in 1938, the similarity of his torsion suspension began to use in KDF-Wagen automotive company Ferdinand Porsche. The German inventor was most like a small suspension weight. He understood how this moment was important in construction. military equipment and sports cars. And this advantage of the suspension is relevant for today. This is confirmed by the use of torsion pendant in such brands as Ferrari and Toyota Landcroier.

In the time of World War II, the torsion suspension was used in armored vehicles, namely in German and Soviet tanks. Of the most famous German tanks that had a torsion model suspension, were kV-1 and pz. V "Panther". And after the end of the war, the torsion suspensions were used by the majority european manufacturers Auto. The peak of the use of torsion suspensions was the 50-60s. Attention attracted simplicity of the device and its compactness. In 1961, the torsion beam was first applied on the front suspension. The car on which they decided to conduct an experiment was Jaguar E-Type. Over time, manufacturers have abandoned such a type of suspension, as it has become not profitable. But some manufacturers, for example, Ford, Dodge, General Motors., Mitsubishi Pajero., Until now, you prefer to install your torsion suspension on your SUVs and trucks.

Developers around the world are working hard on the improvement of torsion suspension and a decrease in its cost. The process is actively connected modern equipment And the newest computer programs. Some experts even claim that in a few years the torsion suspension will catch up with its competitors' popularity. But most manufacturers have not massively using torsion pendants in the manufacture of cars. In any case, it remains hope that the tendency to change for the better. After all, the torsion suspension is a unique development worthy of special attention.

2. Device and the principle of operation of the torsion beam

- This is the type of suspension in which torsions play the role of the working element. Torsion is a metal working element that works on twisting. It usually consists of metal rods, and less often plates, round or square sections that work together on twisting. In the car torsion vehicles can be used as an elastic element, or as auxiliary device - Stabilizer transverse stability. Fixing a cross-stability stabilizer on the hub node of the left wheel, passes to the hinge assembly in the form of a rubberometallic hinge.

Next to the parallel board of the car in the transverse direction, where it is attached to another board in a mirror position. The role of levers during the operation of the suspension in the vertical direction is carried out by the segments of the torsion. IN modern cars The torsion beam can be used transversely or longitudinally. At the same time on passenger cars A transverse beam is used. And the longitudinal is more suitable for trucks. In both cases, it is designed to alleviate the smoothness of the stroke and adjust the roll when turning. On the modern models torsion beam is used with an electric motor when aligning in automatic mode. Suspension that can adjust the height of the wheels can be used when replacing the wheel. In this case, three wheels raise the car, and the fourth wheel rises without the help of a jack.

The principle of operation of this suspension is quite simple. The ends of the torsion beam are rigidly fixed on the frame or body car. Metal from which it is made has a special alloy and this allows it to work as a spring element. During the movement, the strength of twisting and the shaft seek to return the wheel to the place. If the shaft is installed in the car along with an additional electric motor, then the driver has the opportunity to manual mode Change the stiffness of the suspension. It can be said that the principle of operation of this suspension is similar to the undercorns and spring.

3. Pros and Minuses of torsion beam

Since the creation of a torsion beam has passed many stages of modifications. At the same time improved her positive traits And if possible, the shortcomings were removed. But it is impossible to remove all flaws. Let's consider all the pros and cons of modern torsion suspension. And so start with the tasks that the suspension should perform:

1. Ensure a smooth course of the car;

2. Wheel stabilization;

3. Adjusting the corner of the roll on turns;

4. Absorption of wheel oscillations and frames.

TO benefits Torsion suspension We can attribute:

1. The suspension is very easy to operate. It is very simple and it makes it easy to repair the suspension. In this case, the repair can even hold a novice car enthusiast.

2. Very simple and understandable hardness adjustment. This allows the motorist to independently increase the stiffness of the suspension and increase the torsions under their ride style.

3. Compared to other types of suspension, it has a very small weight and compactly placed under the car body.

4. The ability to automatically affect the suspension is not all cars, but manufacturers try to add this option to new models. And this is understandable, because it is much more convenient to adjust the rigidity and height of the suspension by pressing the button from the interior of the car.

5. The most pleasant plus of this suspension for the motorist is its durability. All design and torsion can serve the entire period of operation without visible problems. And if the suspension lost to the former rigidity, the situation will help correct the wrench.

There is such suspension and row disadvantages, namely:

1. One of the most big problems torsion suspension, which still cannot solve manufacturers - this is an excessive car turning. On a sharp turn of the car begins to deploy and from the driver requires certain skills to keep it on the road. Domestic motorists Could face this problem by driving "Zaporozhet".

2. Another minus is additional vibrations that are shifted from the suspension from the wheels to the body. This contributes to low passenger comfort. rear seats. It is also impossible to make high-quality noise insulation.

3. The disadvantage of the torsion shaft is also the presence of needle bearings. They have a limited routine resource of about 60-70 TIS. km. And it binds drivers more often to look under the bottom of the car. Bearings are protected by rubber glands and gaskets, but due to the effects of the aggressive environment and aging rubber gives cracks. Through them, water is seeded with dust and mud and displays the bearing. In turn, the bearing broken off planting torsion beams and this changes the shaft of the wheels.

4. One of the reasons for which manufacturers refuse to put a torsion suspension to their cars is a high cost of manufacturing such a shaft. The fact is that complex is the technology of manufacturing and processing torsion. To prevent the appearance of cracks on their surface, it is necessary to use plastic precipitates and other technologies. All this increases the cost of torsion suspension, in addition, the maximum load on the shaft itself is not very large.

4. Operation of torsion suspension

Although torsion beam and easy to operate, it still requires some repair. Repair of the suspension is associated with the following moments: adjusting the height of the suspension, replacement of needle bearings, replacement of torsions rear beam, replacing the rear beam fingers, rear beam levers.

The adjustment of the height of the torsion suspension cannot be considered as a full repair. Most often, it makes drivers confessing a sporty ride style. They need to raise rear part car. Also, the change in the height of the suspension makes sense with increasing the stiffness of the suspension and the smallest precipitation of the car maximum load. But it should be remembered that then the torsion works in more aggressive conditions and it is most likely to affect its resource.

If the torsion beam is repaired, then it is certainly necessary to disassemble torsion. In this case, it is necessary to accurately outline the position of the torsion on the beam, so that when installing it is clear where to insert it. To dismantle the torsion, namely, remove it from the slotted connection, you need special tool, inertial shooter. Maybe you have to clean the thread of the slotted connection, which is to sit the torsion, to do this, be a tag. Quite often these very slot compounds As they say "zakisey", and then remove the torsion becomes a problem and the inertial shooter does not help. In this case, the ordinary sledgehammer will help.

Most. frequent moment The repair of the torsion beam is the replacement of worn needle bearings. To make their replacement, you need to remove the torsion and rear beam levers. On each side there are two bearings. The most dangerous is that it is not possible to determine whether the bearing was outraged. And exploitation faulty bearing leads to wear axis. Replacing the axis itself is possible, but very difficult in the "home" conditions. Therefore, manufacturers call for drivers to follow the work of the bearing and make it a replacement on time, it will save your money and time. Even more difficult is the rear beam lever repair. It fails for the same reasons that the rear beam finger, but repair it is made on a turning plant. And then the problem is becoming a problem necessary equipment and masters.

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Torsion suspension

Torsion square cross section

In connection with the project on the "big" modernization of T-34 tank in the USSR, the issue of the development of the suspension was raised back in September 1940. On November 19, 1940, the Resolution of the Defense Committee No. 428 ordered NKSM and NPOs by January 1, 1941 to provide proposals for the transition to the production of T-34 tanks with a new chassis with torsion suspension. Designed by the KB of Plant No. 183 The project of the torsion suspension provided for the use of existing rollers and balancers. Due to its use, the volume of combat branch increased by 20%, which made it possible to increase the fuel supply to 750 liters and place it in the transmission office. At the same time, the mass of the suspension itself decreased by 300-400 kg.

In the UK, the telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers installed in the UK in parallel with springs, so that the pendant pendant was eliminated to the longitudinal housing fluctuations, the smoothness of the stroke was significantly increased.

Torsions in car suspensions

The transverse stability stabilizer is essentially a torsion-working torsion designed to create a car role resistance. It is fixed in the left wheel hub, then it passes in the direction of movement to the hinge assembly of the mount to the body, then in the lateral direction to the opposite board of the car, where the mirror is mounted similarly to the first board. Torsion segments, passing in the direction of movement, work as levers when operating suspension in the vertical direction.

As elastic elements, longitudinally located torsions are used - working on twisting rods.

Torsions can be located both longitudinally (in this case, they serve simultaneously with the axes of transverse levers in the parallelogram suspension, as a rule of the lower), and transversely (in the second case, each of them can be amplified by the principle of action by the transverse stability stabilizer in the traditional suspension, with the difference What transverse torsions have a fixed mount on one side, and the stabilizer is fixed only on the suspension levers, at the points of attachment to the frame or the body, it can be freely turning freely, so the stabilizer does not work when compressed or swelling the suspension simultaneously on both sides opposing wheels)

Sports car fortots. The torsion beam was located transversely and was toughly fixed on the frame

Such anterior suspension was used on many cars of Packard, Chrysler and Fiat since the fifties, Soviet lungy Zil and some models of the French company SIMCA, created during cooperation with Chrysler (for example, SIMCA 1307).

It is characterized by a high smoothness of the stroke, compactness (which, for example, allowed the "SIM card" to place between the levers of the front wheels).

Torsion got quite widespread on small car cars 1950s - 1960s due to compactness and relative ease of manufacture.

As a rule, their torsion beam (or beams) was located cross And it was rigidly fixed on the frame, in this case the suspension is structurally similar to the tank described above. To the ends of the torsion (torsion) were attached longitudinal swinging levers, connected to the wheel directly or with swivel fist With the help of a pivot node or ball supports.

On many french cars A similar design, but with one torsion (or two one by one per side) had a rear suspension, examples - Renault 4, Renault 16 and others; The latter is more curious because due to the use of two side tracks located one by one side of the torsion, it was a different wheelbase on the right and left, since one of the torsion workers was constructively located behind the second - drawing. This version of the suspension was distributed in France to the 1980s and even the 1990s thanks to the ability to make a completely even floor between the levers, which was beneficial for very popular cars there with "Hatchback" and "Universal".

Transverse torsions were used on all models of the LUAZ car.

Suspension S. luduth Located cylindrical tocions were used, as a rule, on relatively large and heavy cars - such as Imperial (USA, 1957-75), Packard 1955-56 or representative models ZIL (-114, -117, 4104), but also and on relatively compact: FIAT 130, RENAULT 4, SIMCA 1307, MORRIS MARINA, Alfa Romeo. (Giulietta, GTV, 75).

According to the design, it usually corresponded conventional suspension On double transverse levers, but instead of the springs, torsions were used in it, in most cases connected with lower levers and at the same time playing the role of their axes. Compared to the spring suspension, the torsion such type allowed to achieve a higher smoothness of the stroke and controllability.

On Packard cars, special electric drives changed the corner of the peers twist, which allowed long before the appearance of hydropneumatic and pneumatic suspension (It seems to be installed on Lowriders or Citroen cars) "on the go" to regulate the road clearance - for those years, it was a very bold idea (unfortunately, in a specific implementation on the "Paparda", the level of reliability of this node did not fully correspond to the level of its novelty).

For long operation Suspension with longitudinal torsions was revealed a serious drawback of such a design associated with the vulnerability of lowly located torsion mounts for corrosion.

In addition, on some car, Krasisler concern there was a suspension type, in which a pair with double transverse levers was used transverse torsions, which allowed to achieve greater compactness; In their location and action, they were partly similar to the "half" of the transverse stability stabilizer in usually suspension, with one of the ends attached to lower lever The suspension, and the second - fixedly fixed on the frame or subframe of the body (scheme).

car suspension on double longitudinal levers

In this suspension, on each side there are two longitudinal levers. As a rule, such a suspension was used on the front axle of comparatively low-speed rear-engine cars - the characteristic examples of its use are "Volkswagen Beetle" and the first generations "Volkswagen conveyor", early models Sports "Porsche", as well as motorcycle C-3D and "Zaporozhets".

They were all essentially common design (the so-called "Porsche system", in honor of the inventor) - as elastic elements, the transverse torsion shafts connecting each other, connecting a pair of levers, and torsions were concluded in the pipe suspension sides (later models "Zaporozhets" in addition to torsion Additional elastic elements also used cylindrical twisted springs located around shock absorbers).

Volkswagen Zhuk.

The main advantage of such suspension is a large compactness in the longitudinal and vertical directions. In addition, the crossing of the suspension is located far ahead of the anterior wheels, so that it becomes possible to severely make the interior forward, placing the driver's legs and front passenger Between the arches of the front wheels, which made it possible to significantly reduce the length of the rear-engine car. At the same time, however, the frontier of the trunk turned out to be very modest in terms of volume, precisely because of the suspension pronounced far forward.

From the point of view of kinematics, this suspension is imperfect: it occurs in it, albeit less compared to single longitudinal levers, but still substantial changes in the wheelbase at the passage of the aback and compression, and there is also a strong change in the collapse of the wheel with a body rolls. To this it should be added that the levers in it should perceive the large bending and tweak loads from both vertical and lateral forces, which makes them make enough massive.

Carrier-lever car suspension (with conjugated levers)

Very common in our time type semi-dependent suspension rear kers With two longitudinal levers connected on twisting torsion beam. The main elastic elements were twisted springs, and not torsion. Was developed by Audi in the seventies, after which it was very widely used (and used now, as a rule budget models) as a rear on the front-wheel drive cars

Sources

Notes

Torsion in armored encyclopedia

The advantages of torsion suspension

If the roll occurs, the car gets better handling.
Simple adjustment, large service frequency
High maintainability, reliability
Now you can easily install the desired value for road Suit. And there is no need to change any serious details in the design
Weight always remains small
Maintenance and installation as simple as possible
Compared to the spring system, this has much more compact dimensions. It takes less free space.

Tightening of fixture bolts - the main type of service that requires torsion suspensions. To solve this task, there is enough simple wrench. But it is not worth tightening everything too much, otherwise the rigidity rates will increase.

Disadvantages of torsion

Excessive turning. For this, almost all cars are prone to this suspension. The driver must be especially attentive at turns, because at this moment vehicle May just turn over the other side. On car brand ZAZ with low speed, this problem becomes especially noticeable.
Processing and technology of production of torsion rooms - pretty complex processes by themselves. But otherwise manufacturers cannot provide a proper level of elasticity of material, high strength. It does not work out without special procedures for strengthening the surface, otherwise the metal will not be resistant to the occurrence on the surface of the crack. Including plastic precipitation. But even this does not stop those who use torsion to ensure a higher level of comfort during movement in the most different locality.
There, where levers are attached to the ends of the torsion beam, there are needle bearings. This system has a somewhat limited routine resource. Through the cracks in the gaskets and the glands in the bearings, dirt, water and dust fall, because of which the bearings themselves are faster. In this case, the intensity of driving and style in this special role is not playing. Much more important is the effect of aggressive media plus aging of rubber material.

But thanks high level Modern service, the problem is easy to solve, changing only bearings or glands. Sometimes you need repair, replacement of the torsion beam, but it is only in the worst case.

Features of the torsion system

Using torsions, it is quite difficult to get an independent suspension system that would completely provide necessary level Comfort. Partly, precisely for this reason the details are not yet used widely. But if the torsion design is still present, the system becomes free enough. Rotating shock absorption levers at the end of the beams will make better results.

Thanks to this decision, the user can get a greater smoothness of the course during the ride, the independence of the wheels. This suspension will be a particularly effective solution on large machineswhere it will be constantly experiencing quite serious loads.

Torsions, from the history of their development

Volkswagen Beetle is the first machine on which parts were used with similar features, the main purpose. She appeared in the 20th century, in the 30s. The first modernization of Torsion was carried out by Czech scholars. In the same 30s, torsions were delivered to Tatra cars. By the end of the decade, the system was used everywhere on the technique produced by Ferdinand Porsche and his company.

Small suspension weight at the time became the main advantage for the Austrian engineer. It was especially claimed on cars for sports competitions, army. For SUVs, such a detail was also unnecessary. This is the advantage of torsion vessels remaining relevant and in modern world. Torsions with double levers also become the invention of Ferdinand Porsche. In steel pipes of these structures were placed transverse rods. It was this detail that was the so-called torsion beam.

The dependence of the stiffness of the suspension from the length of the torsion beam is the advantage of the design that Andre Lefevev, an engineer from France. He then created the Citroen Ta car. The suspension became softer as the torsion was longer. The load that appears on the roadbed is distributed throughout the frame. This is achieved thanks long shaftlocated along the longitudinal axis of the entire car.

In the automotive and armored technique also actively used torsions, especially in wartime. And then they got more distribution by passing the test time. In Europe, America, almost all car manufacturers used this system. Pretty fast it was recognized even in the Soviet Union. If the torsion suspension breaks out a little, there is nothing terrible. It is enough to use the usual wrench to adjust the position. With spring structures, it is much more difficult to work, and everything is simple and understandable here.

The torsion suspension is used in the automotive industry for about eighty years, for the first time it was applied on Citroen cars in the middle of the thirties of the last century. A little later, the Germans were interested in this design and implemented it in the car Volkswagen Beetle. IN domestic automotive industry The torsion suspension was first applied by the "Zaporozhets" machine, the front suspension of which was made on the basis of two torsions of the square cross section.

Currently this species The suspension was widespread among most automakers, due to the simplicity of design, compactness and low cost.

What is a torsion suspension

In this form suspension role elastic element Performs torsion. This is a kind of metal rod round or square section, producing work on twisting. It can be both solid and scored from several metal plates, there are slots at its ends to connect to other elements.

IN general features The diagram of the torsion suspension is as follows. One end of the rod is still connected to the body, the other with the lever. The principle of operation is based on the elasticity of Torsion. The wheel of the car, moving in the vertical plane, twists it, so that the elastic connection between the wheel and the car body occurs. Split K. normal state, torsion returns the wheel in initial position. On the video you can see how this design works.

These elastic elements possess two features:

their rotation is possible only towards twisting;
with their help, you can adjust the clearance of the car.

Application of torsion

This species of elastic elements is used in the most different types Suspension: on longitudinal or double transverse levers, as well as in a semi-independent.

Suspension on longitudinal levers

Its device Next: one or two elastic elements are located across the body, and the longitudinal levers are attached. This design was used, as a rule, for the rear suspension of small passengers, currently not applied.

For the first time, it was used by car Volkswagen Beetle, such a device had its front part. One of their cars with the rear suspension on the longitudinal levers was Renault 16. This car is interested in what happened different wheel base Left and right. The reason is that in its design rear axis Two Torsion applied, located one behind the other.

Independent suspension on double transverse levers

Torsions B. this case They are located along the body, one by one on each side, in one end they are attached to the frame, and the other to the transverse lever (as a rule, to the bottom, although in some cars they can be attached to the top). The peculiarity of such a suspension is that the length of the torsion, and therefore their elastic properties can be adjusted in a very large range (the more length, the easier the elastic element is dried, therefore, softer suspension). Such a device has anterior suspension of some high-pass vehicles.

Semi-dependent suspension

This type occupies a special place among the suspensions, in which the elastic element is torsion. She happens to be intermediate link between independent I. dependent suspensions, Therefore, it was called semi-dependent. Wide application She found among many cars from "a" to "C" - class. Its device is as follows. Longitudinal levers located one by one on each side are interconnected by a torsion beam. One end, each of them is attached to the body of the car, and to the other wheel to the hub.

The principle of its work is based on the form of an elastic element. The beam has a U-shaped section, due to which the bending resists well, but it is easily twisted. Therefore, the wheels get the opportunity to move in the vertical plane does not depend on each other. The diagram of the torsion beam is presented in the photo.

Pros and Minuses of torsion suspension

Like any other design, the torsion suspension has its pros and cons.

Its main advantages are as follows:

compactness in comparison with spring suspension;
simple device and high reliability;
low weight;
the ability to quickly change the clearance of the car without making changes in the design;
good maintainability;
large intervals between service.

Minuses of torsion suspension:

the worst handling compared to multi-type suspension (machines show a tendency to excessive turning);
complex technology of production and processing of elastic elements;
limited service life of needle bearings in attachment nodes longitudinal levers to the torsion beam (about 60-70 thousand km);
If you do not replace the bearings in a timely manner, you will have to repair or change your torsion beam.