Front suspension
The front suspension performs 2 main tasks:
- Isolates the driver from bumps in the road surface.
- Determines the driving performance and handling of the car.
The front suspension absorbs tire impacts when driving on uneven road surfaces and dissipates this energy, transferring it to the suspension system. This process isolates the occupants from the road surface. The speed at which the suspension dissipates energy and the amount of energy it absorbs are both indicators of how the suspension determines the vehicle's handling characteristics. Ride quality is built into the design of the suspension system and cannot be adjusted. Ride quality is touched upon in this description to help understand the functions of the suspension system. The suspension system must allow vertical movement of the tire and wheel assembly as the vehicle travels over uneven road surfaces, while maintaining tire-to-road connection in a horizontal plane.
This requires a knuckle to be suspended between the lower arm and the telescoping strut assembly. The lower suspension arm is attached to the steering knuckle at the outermost point of the suspension arm. Fastening is carried out by means of a ball joint. The farthest inner end of the suspension arm is attached at 2 points to the vehicle frame with semi-rigid bushings. The upper part of the steering knuckle is attached to the telescoping strut assembly. Next, the telescopic strut assembly is attached to the car body by means of the upper bearing. The steering knuckle can move up and down, regardless of the vehicle body structure and frame.
This up and down movement of the steering knuckle as the vehicle travels over bumps is absorbed predominantly by the coil spring. This spring is held in tension on the telescoping strut assembly. The strut is used in conjunction with this system to dampen the vibrations of the coil spring. The rack is an elementary hydraulic cylinder. The strut is filled with oil and has a movable rod that attaches to a piston inside the strut. The valves inside the shock absorber resist the flow of oil and as a result slow down the rapid movement of the piston and rod. Each end of the damper is attached in such a way as to take advantage of this single spring return action. Each end of the strut is designed as a connection point for the suspension system to the vehicle and acts as a coil spring support cup. This allows the post to use dampening action to reduce the recoil of the spring itself. The lower suspension arm is able to pivot vertically on the vehicle frame. The ball joint allows the steering knuckle to remain perpendicular to the road surface. Front suspension systems use a stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar connects the left and right telescopic strut assemblies through the stabilizer bar and stabilizer bar insulators. This bar controls the amount of independent suspension movement when the car is making a turn. The independent drive limit determines the vehicle's handling when cornering.
Frame
The front frame is a full perimeter frame assembly with four angled insulated body mounts to isolate occupants from the effects of the road and the noise and vibration of the power plant (in combination with various supports).
The front frame distributes and supports the weight of the power plant, front suspension components and steering components using a 4-post system so that they can be properly assembled, assembled and operated.
The front frame also contributes to the overall structural stability and strength of the vehicle/front section/rear section, acts as a structural element in a crash, and is also responsible for energy management and minimizing the transfer of energy to the body structure when hitting obstacles.