Ride quality

Importance

Good ride quality provides comfort for the people inside the car, minimises damage to cargo and can reduce driver fatigue on long journeys in uncomfortable vehicles, and also because road disruption can impact the driver's ability to control the vehicle.

Suspension design is often a compromise between ride quality and car handling because cars with firm suspension can result in greater control of body movements and quicker reactions. Similarly, a lower center of gravity is more ideal for handling, but low ground clearance limits suspension travel and requires stiffer springs.

Ambulances have a special need for a high level of ride quality to avoid further injury to the already-ill passengers.

Technology

Early vehicles, like the Ford Model T, with its leaf spring, live axle suspension design, were both uncomfortable and handled poorly.

Historically, weight was key to allowing cars such as the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and the Cadillac in the 1950s and the 1960s to have a more comfortable ride quality. However, there are various drawbacks to heavier cars, including poor fuel efficiency, acceleration, braking, cornering and additional stresses on components.

Over time, technology has shifted the curve outward and so it is possible to offer vehicles that are extremely comfortable and still handle very well or vehicles with excellent handling that are also reasonably comfortable. One technical solution for offering both excellent comfort and reduced or eliminating body roll is by using computer-controlled suspensions, such as hydraulic active suspension system (like Active Body Control) or active anti-roll bars, but such systems are expensive because of their complexity.

Factors

The main factor affecting ride quality is the stiffness of suspension components (e.g. springs, shock absorbers, anti-roll bars and bushings). Other factors include suspension geometry, vehicle mass and weight distribution.

References

References

1. "Automobile Ride, Handling, and Suspension Design".
2. "What is Ride Quality?".
3. "Ride Quality, Part 1".
4. "Suspension Basics 1 - Why We Need It".
5. (2012-09-07). "Suspension Truth #2: Sport Suspensions – The Illusion of Performance".
6. (2005-04-11). "SAE Technical Paper Series".
7. Kumbhar, Prasad Bhagwan. (August 2013). "Simulation-Based Virtual Driver Fatigue Prediction and Determination of Optimal Vehicle Seat Dynamic Parameters". Texas Tech University.
8. "Mustang Suspension 101".
9. (October 2007). "The ride comfort vs. handling compromise for off-road vehicles". Journal of Terramechanics.
10. "Ambulance Universal Chassis and Suspension (AUCAS)".
11. (March 2003). "Understanding Springs And Ride Quality – Tech". Hot Rod.
12. "Driver Power 2012: Best for ride quality".