KONI and the Cambridge consortium
Eight years ago KONI was invited to be part of the "Cambridge Vehicle Dynamics Consortium (CVDC)" founded by Cambridge and Cranfield Universities. Its main objective is to develop improved suspensions for trucks and trailers, which maximise truck safety, minimise road damage, improve driver ride comfort and reduce vehicle body vibrations. The research is concentrating on optimising existing suspension components and is investigating advanced concept suspension with computer-controlled "active" and "semi-active" elements. KONI contributed to this investigation by developing a complete new shock absorber for the bus, truck & trailer industry called KONI CVD (Continuous Variable Damper).
- KONI CVD shock absorber. The shock absorber is fitted upside down as this is required in this application.
Rocking not rolling
Quite often the headlines in the national press include news of trucks rolling over and discharging their contents onto major highways, causing traffic chaos. Researchers at KONI, who are active members of the "Cambridge Vehicle Dynamics Consortium" have made a major contribution towards the development of a system of active controlled shock absorbers and anti-roll bars to help to prevent this type of accident. The CVDC has been studying the dynamics of heavy vehicles for some time and has developed advanced suspension concepts, which balance the basic trade-off between roll and ride performance. The CVDC found that by controlling movement of the suspension with active anti-roll bars and semi-active shock absorbers the likelihood of a truck rolling over could be decreased. This control of movement can also reduce the dynamic load applied to the road surface and as a result this causes less damage to the road.
- Truck model showing various body movements.
KONI has developed and manufactured special Continuous Variable Dampers which are better known as semi-active shock absorbers. CVD is an electronically controlled variable damping system. The damping forces are continuously variable and independent of the damper velocity. The damping will change automatically when the road and driving situation changes. It is possible to collate relevant information with sensors; for example the axle movements, the brake pressure, the position of the accelerator, the steering angle, the vehicle speed and the axle load, to the millisecond. All such information can be downloaded to a computer and translated into an electronic signal to be sent to the electronically controlled valve of the CVD shock absorbers. The characteristics of the shock absorbers can therefore be changed in milliseconds.
- Variable characteristics of the KONI CVD
In such a way the shock absorbers, within the complete system, contribute towards maximum safety in terms of rollover, a reduction in road damage and an improvement in ride for both driver and cargo.
