Magnetic Suspension (EXPLAINED)

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Magnetic Suspension or magnetic ride control is a type of suspension system where the shock absorbers reacts to the road and adjusts much faster than regular absorbers. Magnetic suspension can adapt to uneven road surfaces several hundred times per second, in fact it takes only a few milliseconds to adjust any one of the shock absorbers.

Magnetic suspension is described as the fastest reacting suspension in the world as sensors monitor the road surface up to 1000 times per second and an ECU can make variations within a few milliseconds resulting in the possibility of multiple damping variations being made in a second.  Magnetic ride control uses a system known as magneto rheological technology for suspension damping. Each absorber is filled with a polymer liquid containing many small magnetic particles. An electrical charge is sent to the liquid in the absorber which immediately changes the position of the particles in the liquid and its viscosity. The viscosity of the polymer liquid can be changed to an almost solid state similar to plastic or rubber in composition. As the viscosity of the liquid changes, it offers a difference in the damping. Each of the four dampers are adjusted individually and independently even when it seems that all of them are doing the same thing. This ensures a comfortable ride along various road surfaces.
The working of the magnetic suspension is explained in this short video by AUDI. The video also compares the normal damper and its action with the magnetic shock absorber.

Magnetic suspension reduces vibration, bouncing, noise and body roll very effectively on all road surfaces and at any speed that the vehicle could travel. It also eliminates the need for anti roll bars.

Another benefit is that these dampers easily offers the best of both worlds in the ride comfort/handling compromise that many other suspension systems are subjected to. Although this type of suspension offers a very comfortable ride, sport settings can be applied or tuned into the system to cater for performance vehicles. The Cadillac CTS-V uses magnetic suspension/magnetic ride control and has earned the respect of many for its ride comfort/handling compromise as much as its powerful engine.   Magnetic dampers are designed with similar dimensions and connection points to other types of dampers so they are usually attached to the chassis of the vehicle similar to how a coil spring suspension would.

Now a days, Magnetic suspension or magnetic ride control is used by a range of Cadillac vehicles and several other high end vehicles from General Motors (GM) like the Chevrolet Corvette. Other companies, such as Ferrari and Audi are also known to use magnetic suspension in their vehicles. Ferrari uses them in most of their vehicles and Audi uses them in the their supercar, the R8. Whether the magnetic suspension is soft for comfort or firm for performance it maintains the quick reaction time to change the damping immediately when required.

Location: Nashik, Maharashtra, India

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