Single Convoluted Air Spring/Air Suspension Spring FS120-9 / Air
Bags Air Ballons
OEM NUMBER
PRODUCT DRAWING
DESCRIPTION
An air spring is basically a column of air confined within a
rubber-and-fabric container shaped like a bellows. The spring
action results from the compression and expansion of the air. When
used on road vehicles, air springs can keep the vehicle at a
constant standing height regardless of load.
Air springs have been used in heavy duty vehicle suspension systems
for nearly a century, where they have been able to provide
usefulness by taking advantage of the compressed air required for
vehicle braking systems. Air springs have provided a two-fold
advantage over mechanical leaf- or coil-springs. One advantage with
air suspension is the extra comfort provided by being able to vary
the air pressure inside the spring, which changes the spring rate,
and therefore, ride quality. Additionally, because variable control
over air pressure adjusts the deck or trailer height, aligning
loading docks to the level of the deck is possible when dock plates
are unavailable.
As air is directed into air springs, the bladders allow them to
expand in a linear fashion, which permits them to be used as
force-developing actuators, like pneumatic cylinders, and as such,
rod attachments are available to mimic the function of them. Most
often, however, an air actuator is simply two end plates connected
by a bladder, and as they’re pressurized, force pushes the plates
away from each other. As linear actuators, they can provide up to
35 tons of force, making them useful in various press applications,
such as a forming press or small stamping press. Air actuators are
also excellent for constant force applications, such as pulley
tensioners or drum roller compression devices. All air springs are
single-acting, unless they are coupled together so one extends
while the other retracts.
