This article will help you understand air suspension thoroughly

First, let's define what an air suspension system is. Simply put, it is a suspension system that uses air compressors and accumulators to adjust the height and elasticity of the vehicle body. The structure of an air suspension system mainly includes air compressors, accumulators, control units, and front and rear axle vehicle height sensors. The air compressor generates compressed air to provide the necessary air source for the system. The accumulator stores and releases the compressed air produced by the compressor to maintain stable system pressure. The control unit acts as the "brain" of the entire system, responsible for receiving signals from the sensors, processing control instructions, and adjusting the state of the suspension system. The front and rear axle vehicle height sensors monitor changes in vehicle height and transmit these signals to the control unit.

Now that we understand the structure of the air suspension, how do these components work together? In short, the sensors transmit the collected signals to the control unit, which then issues instructions to adjust the hardness of the air spring and the resistance of the shock absorber. This allows the suspension to achieve the optimal elastic state, and this process is completed in just tens of microseconds.

To summarize, air suspension can adjust the softness and hardness of shock absorption and the height of the vehicle body by changing the volume of gas in the air spring. It can automatically lower the vehicle height during high-speed driving, reducing wind resistance and improving handling performance and stability. Conversely, when driving on bumpy roads, the vehicle height is automatically increased, enhancing its ability to navigate challenging terrain. Additionally, air suspension provides a smoother ride experience by reducing vibrations and impacts, resulting in greater passenger comfort.

Although the structure of air suspension is relatively complex and the cost is higher, it is not a new "black technology" designed to exploit consumers. Its origins date back to the early 20th century, when air suspension was first used as a component in tram suspension shock absorbers. The first car equipped with air suspension appeared in 1914, but technological limitations prevented mass production. By 1944, General Motors and Falston had conducted experiments on vehicles, leading to the use of air suspension in buses and coaches. In the 1950s, Neway Corporation in the United States produced the world's first commercial air suspension system, which quickly gained popularity in commercial vehicles across Europe, the United States, Japan, and other countries.

With the evolution of the automotive industry, air suspension systems have continued to innovate. Today, the available air suspension systems are primarily categorized into single-chamber, double-chamber, and three-chamber systems. In a single-chamber air suspension, the entire airbag functions as one air chamber. This can be likened to a balloon; while the amount of air inside determines its size, it does not affect its softness or hardness, resulting in limited adjustments to ride comfort. Therefore, single-chamber air suspension is typically used for height adjustments, with minimal impact on "soft and hard" settings.

Double-chamber air suspension is more complex. As the name suggests, it consists of two chambers within the airbag: a main air chamber and a secondary air chamber. This design allows the dual-chamber air spring to adjust the gas volume by controlling the valves of different chambers, facilitating corresponding adjustments in height and hardness. This capability bridges the gap between vehicle comfort and sportiness. Representative models include the new Lynk & Co 09 EM-P, Xpeng G9, and Xpeng X9. Three-chamber air suspension systems offer even greater performance, allowing for more precise adjustments of height, elasticity, and damping through the control unit.

In addition to their application in high-end luxury cars, air suspension systems are becoming increasingly common in commercial vehicles. The development of air suspension has primarily focused on the commercial vehicle market. For instance, luxury buses and high-end trucks equipped with air suspension can significantly enhance comfort compared to traditional leaf spring systems. They reduce the road's impact on the vehicle, minimizing wear and tear and extending the vehicle's lifespan. This advantage is also being adopted by more light commercial vehicles; for example, SAIC Maxus's Xintu V90 and Xintu V70 light commercial vehicles utilize air suspension systems to improve driving stability and ride comfort.