About a Shock absorber

A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock pulses.It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the impact into another form of energy (usually heat) which is then dissipated. Most shock absorbers are a type of damper (a damper that resists motion through viscous friction).

Descriptions

Pneumatic and hydraulic shock absorbers are used with cushions and springs.Automotive shock absorbers contain spring-loaded check valves and orifices to control oil flow through the internal piston.When designing or selecting a shock absorber, one design consideration is where energy goes.In most shock absorbers, energy is converted to heat within the viscous fluid.In a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic fluid heats up, while in an air cylinder, the hot air is usually vented to the atmosphere.In other types of shock absorbers, such as the electromagnetic type, the energy dissipated can be stored for later use.In general, shock absorbers help cushion the vehicle on uneven roads.

Vehicle suspension

In vehicles, shock absorbers reduce the impact of driving over rough terrain, thereby improving ride quality and vehicle handling.While the job of the shock absorbers is to limit excessive suspension movement, their main purpose is to dampen spring vibrations.The shock uses oil-air valves to absorb excess energy from the springs.Spring rates are selected by the manufacturer based on loaded and unloaded vehicle weight.Some people use shocks to modify the spring rate, but that's not the correct usage.Along with the hysteresis of the tires themselves, they dampen the energy stored in the up and down motion of the unsprung weight.Effective wheel bounce damping may require tuning the shocks for optimum resistance.Spring-based shocks typically use coil or leaf springs, but torsion bars are also used for torsional shocks.However, an ideal spring is not itself a shock absorber, since the spring simply stores energy and does not dissipate or absorb it.Vehicles typically use both hydraulic shock absorbers and springs or torsion bars.In this combination, "shock absorber" refers specifically to a hydraulic piston that absorbs and dissipates vibration.Composite suspension systems are now mainly used for two-wheel vehicles, leaf springs are also made of composite materials for four-wheel vehicles.

Constructions

Shock absorbers are an important part of a car's suspension, designed to improve comfort, stability and overall safety.Shock absorbers produced with precision and engineering have many important properties.The most common type is a hydraulic shock absorber, which usually includes a piston, cylinder and oil-filled chamber.The piston is connected to the piston rod, which extends into the cylinder and divides the cylinder into two parts.One chamber is filled with hydraulic oil, while the other chamber holds compressed oil or air.When a vehicle is involved in an accident or vibrates, the piston moves into the cylinder, forcing hydraulic fluid through small holes, creating resistance and dissipating energy in the form of heat.This dampens oscillations, reducing further bouncing or wobbling of the car. Shock absorbing structures require a balance of characteristics such as piston design, fluid viscosity and overall size of the unit to ensure performance.As technology developed, other types of shock absorbers appeared, including gas and electric shock absorbers, which offered improved control and flexibility.As vehicle dynamics and passenger comfort continue to improve, so does the design and manufacture of shock absorbers.