A PhD student at Cambridge University has come up with a new design of suspension that he claims will enhance driver control as well as increasing comfort and safety. The new design combines two 'E'-shaped springs at different tensions.
According to Salah Elmonselhy from the Department of Engineering, the springs are placed opposite each other but can work together when needed. The first operates under light loads, while the second is more tightly set to provide greater stiffness
only when the weight of the vehicle's load is heavier. As a result, the vehicle's suspension adjusts itself, according to the vehicle's needs.
"Suspension is an ongoing problem for commercial and heavy goods drivers as it can't always be tuned to a level that balances control, comfort and safety," says Elmonselhy.
"This innovation will give drivers more control over their vehicles whatever the weight the suspension has to bear. The good news is that no extra tuning will be required due to the E-shape." "The new suspension system is at the end of a fully-developed and mature design concept stage, and is ready to enter the commercial exploitation stage," he adds.
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