An important component that determines the comfort of a car: shock absorber

Suspension usually consists of three parts: the link connecting the wheel and the frame, the spring between the link and the frame, and the shock absorber. The function of the shock absorber is to reduce vibration. In addition to stabilizing the body, it is more important to ensure that the wheels have good contact with the ground.

When the car is impacted by the road, the spring will absorb the force of vibration with its own compression deformation, which can buffer the bumps and vibrations caused by the uneven road to the body. Then, when the impact force disappears, the spring will release the absorbed energy while returning to its original state, stretch itself longer, and bounce the car upwards. This phenomenon is called rebound.

The rebound will make the passengers in the car feel uncomfortable, and it will make the car difficult to control and prone to danger. Therefore, a shock absorber is installed in the suspension (usually in the spring coil) to prevent the rebound phenomenon.

Without the shock absorber in the suspension, the situation is like a cart used by a hawker, and the body will keep shaking as you walk. Because the spring exerts its elastic function, there is no shock absorber to stabilize the body.

The function of the spring is to buffer the impact of the ground, while the function of the shock absorber is to limit the excessive elastic force of the spring. The two functions are completely different.

Hydraulic shock absorbers are the most commonly used shock absorbers. The principle is that a cylinder with a small hole drilled and a piston is filled with pressure oil. When the spring vibrates, the oil will be forced to flow through the small hole, thus producing a restrictive effect. The size of the diameter of the small hole determines the size of the restriction (or shock absorption). If the diameter of the small hole is small, there will be strong restrictions, and the stability of the car will be higher; on the contrary, the ride of the car will be more comfortable. When designing, the size of the diameter of the small hole should take into account the stability and comfort.