Ford Active Suspension
Ford active suspension, also known as Ford Adaptive Suspension, is a type of automotive suspension system that uses an onboard control system to manage the vertical movement of the vehicle’s wheels and axles relative to the chassis or vehicle frame. Unlike conventional passive suspension systems that rely solely on large springs to maintain static support and dampen vertical wheel movements caused by the road surface, active suspensions use some type of actuator to raise and lower the chassis independently at each wheel.
Key Features and Benefits:
– Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD): Ford’s adaptive suspension system, referred to as Continuously Controlled Damping, is fully automated and works alongside the Terrain Management System (TMS) for precise control and handling on a variety of road surfaces.
– Improved Ride Quality: The system provides a more agile and confident ride, with additional features such as a pothole mitigation system.
– Integration with Suspension System: Unlike other load-assisting products that resist and/or transfer load to the vehicle’s frame, Ford’s active suspension is integrated with the suspension system, converting the passive suspension into an active system, which vastly decreases rear squat and bounce while improving stability and handling.
Evolution and Availability:
– Ford’s adaptive suspension has been available on select Ford models, such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, as standard equipment, and it is working its way down from expensive luxury cars to more affordable vehicles.
– More sophisticated and faster-reacting active suspension systems have been introduced by various automotive manufacturers, including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, and Nissan, with some systems even capable of compensating for crosswinds.
In conclusion, Ford active suspension, or Ford Adaptive Suspension, is an advanced automotive suspension system that provides improved ride quality, precise control, and handling on various road surfaces, and it is gradually becoming more accessible across different vehicle models.
Contents
- Why was active suspension banned?
- Why is active suspension not used?
- How do you know if you have active suspension?
- What are the disadvantages of active suspension system?
- Is active suspension the same as air suspension?
- What is the difference between adaptive and active suspension?
- Is Active air suspension worth it?
- Why is active suspension banned?
- What is the difference between active suspension and normal suspension?
- Which is better active or passive suspension?
Why was active suspension banned?
In the early 1990s, active suspension and other “driver’s aids” would produce fabulously complex and fast cars, but resulted in an all too typical reaction by F1’s governing bodies — banning the technology in order to generate safer, and supposedly more exciting, Grand Prix motor racing.
Why is active suspension not used?
The active system has apparent pros and cons in the seat suspension system. Indeed, the active system can bring high performance in ride comfort-however, the high cost, high energy consumption, and considerable volume constraint its application in vehicles.
How do you know if you have active suspension?
If you notice that your car’s ride quality and handling are consistently smooth and well-controlled, it may be an indication of an active suspension system. 2. Height adjustment: Some active suspension systems have the ability to adjust the vehicle’s ride height.
What are the disadvantages of active suspension system?
An important improvement of the suspension performance is achieved by active systems. Nevertheless, they are only used in a very reduced number of automobile models because they are expensive and complex. Another disadvantage of active systems is the relatively high energy consumption.
Is active suspension the same as air suspension?
An air suspension system is a type of active suspension for personal cars and other vehicles. Rather than the static shocks and struts found on passive systems, they use pressurized air to adjust resistance to respond to changes in road surface and weight distribution.
What is the difference between adaptive and active suspension?
These systems are very expensive. And are usually fitted to sports cars nowadays when entering the corner at high speed. The car’s weight moves to either the left or right side in bigger cars such as
Is Active air suspension worth it?
Active air ride systems have several benefits for drivers, including: Superior ride quality: When healthy, an air suspension provides a smooth, high-quality ride that is unmatched by almost any other type of system.
Why is active suspension banned?
Active suspension was banned from F1 for 1994 as part of a raft of changes designed to eliminate what were colloquially called driver aid ‘gizmos’. The ban included the elimination of traction control and ABS.
What is the difference between active suspension and normal suspension?
An active suspension is a type of automotive suspension that uses an onboard control system to control the vertical movement of the vehicle’s wheels and axles relative to the chassis or vehicle frame, rather than the conventional passive suspension that relies solely on large springs to maintain static support and …
Which is better active or passive suspension?
The active suspension system performance is compared with passive suspension system subjected to random road profile. Results show passenger bounce and acceleration are reduced drastically in active suspension system indicating improvement in both road holding and comfort. …