Development of a composite suspension with a coil and hydro-pneumatic spring

A new composite suspension is developed, where a coil spring and a hydro-pneumatic spring are used in order to improve the poor reliability of off-road vehicle with pure hydro-pneumatic suspension. According to road conditions, the two springs play different roles. The method for matching the composite suspension stiffness and distributing the load is proposed. The working pressure of hydro-pneumatic spring as well as the load and stiffness characteristics of composite suspension is compared with a pure hydro-pneumatic suspension. In addition, the ISO weighted vehicle body acceleration, suspension travel and relative dynamic load of the wheels between two kinds of suspension are analyzed with a quarter vehicle mode. The simulation result shows that the developed composite suspension is more suitable for off-road vehicle than the one hydro-pneumatic suspension, because the composite suspension can reduce the working pressure, improve the reliability and keep a similar ride comfort with hydro-pneumatic suspension.