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Tests have been successful and so it is now time to present the new technology. One year ago, AVIA started developing air spring suspension. Historically AVIA was using conventional leaf spring suspension for there models, like the A31. In 1997, with the arrival of the new model A60, Avia vehicles were equipped with lighter parabolic springs. After negotiating with several component suppliers AVIA Ashok Leyland chose Hendrickson, a English company also supplying air suspension sets for vehicles such as DAF, Renaut and Iveco. WABCO, will be supplying the additional components for the fully air operated brakes system. This new system is not available in other vehicles of ths segment. The same company also supplies the Electronically Controlled Air Suspension, ECAS.
By means of a height sensor located between the rear axle and the frame of the vehicle, the system monitors height of the vehicle, but, unlike some other systems, it makes adjustments during driving only after a change has lasted longer than 30 seconds (the reaction is immediate when the vehicle is not in motion). Thus air is not released from the air springs and repressurized again so frequently, thus improving the fuel economy. Another important characteristic of AVIA’S air spring suspension is its closed system that prevents the passing of air between the air spring regardless of the vehicle incline on the turns. Older types of the system reacted to increased compression in one of the air spring by adding more air. However, this was performed with a delay and so it was possible that air was added right at the moment of coming out of a turn.
The transmission to air springs brings to AVIA vehicles the ability to provide more gentle transportation of loads. This will be appreciated mainly by transporters of vibration-sensitive loads such as furniture, glass and electronics. The advantage of air spring suspension is the possibility to change the height of the frame located above the rear axle to the extent of +/- 85 mm from the operating position, thus by overall 170 mm. AVIA trucks can now adjust to different ramp height levels because of their new air suspension system.
The actuating device of the air spring suspension is located on left side of the driver’s seat. Two chassis heights can be stored in its memory. For example, when driving from the ramp of one company to the ramp of another company, the driver doesn’t have to set the corresponding height all over again; he can adjust the position simply by pressing a button.
The generally known advantage of air spring suspension is the ability to maintain an identical height during continuous loading or unloading. Thus the driver doesn’t have to monitor whether the chassis or body of a vehicle has touched down on a ramp when the load pressure increases, as it can sometimes happen with parabolic springs. Air spring suspension will bring in an increase of 15kg weight when compared to parabolic spring vehicles.
Using air suspension for the rear axle gives great benefit when the vehicle is coupled with a trailer. There is thus approximately one-third less straining of the tow-hitch, cross-member and frame of the semi-trailer, which prolongs its service life.
Rear axle air spring suspension is now available upon customer request only, for a cost-effective 49,050 Czech crowns. It is assembled into models D110 – D120 with all axle bases; it is especially suitable for long-distance vehicles.
Demanding tests of new suspension
AVIA trucks were made to undergo demanding tests, testing the operating life at the Hungarian Györ. On the Raba Ring, suitable conditions were prepared according to typical Czech road conditions (bumps, gravel, potholes ...). The severity was multiplied 100 times to compensate for the shorter duration of testing cycle. In terms of chassis straining, AVIA underwent tests equivalent to driving 1.5 million kilometers. And, AVIA, with new air spring suspension, withstood these tests very well. Further information is available at www.avia.cz
