What is Shock Absorber and its functions?

We all know that Shock absorbers are act as an important component of any vehicle suspension system. But rarely anyone knows what is Shock absorbers and how does it work to provide significant strength and functionality to a vehicle. Let’s understand these from this article.

What is Shock Absorber?

It is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock impulses. This is achieved by converting the kinetic energy (form of heat created being motion) into another form of energy which then burnt out.

A rubber shock absorber is the most common type, due to its durable high elasticity, ability to eliminate vibration, shock, and sound insulation. It has the ability to form a required shape and satisfy the requirements of stiffness and strength. The rubber vibration absorber has some certain damping function such as the ability to absorb mechanical energy, especially high-frequency oscillation energy.

Types of shock absorber

There are mainly three types of Shock Absorber which could be used in any types of vehicles. They are:

1. Conventional telescopic: conventional telescopic types of shock absorbers are the most common type that can be found both on front and rear suspension systems.
2. Strut: These are built strong to cope with greater loads and forces. They do the same job as the normal shock absorbers, but it replaces part of the suspension system. struct types of shock absorbers are commonly seen on the front and rear of small and medium cars.
3. Spring seat: These types of shock absorbers combine the characteristics of both telescopic and strut type of absorbers. Like structs, a spring seat is a suspension unit and damping device in a single unit, but it’s not designed to be subject to high side loads like the structs.

Functions

• The main purpose of shock absorbers is to limit overall vehicle body movement, or sway. As a vehicle is driven, the body can move in any direction depending upon the driving and road conditions. These types of movements are controlled by shock absorber. Shock absorbers stabilize the overall vehicle ride, preventing an excess lean or roll in any one direction, especially when cornering or navigating sharp turns.
• It keeps tires in contact with the road at all times from preventing the tire from hopping or bouncing in uneven or choppy terrain and helps to a vehicle tire planted firmly on the ground or road surface. Tires that are held firmly against the ground and held in position by a firm shock absorber last longer and experience much less tread wear.
• Shock absorber ensures the safest control and quicker braking response of your car.

From this we can clearly see that Shock absorbers basically absorb and deflect a great deal of initial road impacts and the body movement of a vehicle. But still there are things which can’t be controlled and would be automatically passed to other parts of a vehicle’s suspension system.