Page 50 - TBN-2014-5

Shock Absorber Myths
避震器的错误观点
When we talk about a truck, we usually talk about a top performing engine, horsepower, and loading ca- pacity. However, the majority are not aware that a powerful engine is pretty useless without the driver’s ability to control and handle the truck well. That’s why damper (or shock absorber) is very important and that’s where the expertise of E-2000 Products Sdn Bhd Director Woon Boon Loot comes in. E-2000 Products is the sole distributor of Powerdown, the Australian-based bus, truck and trailer absorber manufacturer and specialist.
To understand dampers, Woon said, it was important to un- derstand the concept of suspension systems in relation to the damper. Woon explained that suspension systems could com- prised any of these springs - leaf springs, parabolic springs, air bellows/air springs, coil springs or torsion bars - or a combina- tion of the items.
“The suspension systems are designed to carry the loads of the vehicles. When the vehicles run on the road, the uneven road surfaces will cause the vehicles to experience ‘up’ (called rebound forces) and ‘down’ (compression forces) of the sus- pension systems. These ‘up and down’ movements will cause a lot of problems (or damages) to the vehicles in terms of shorter tyre service life; driver’s discomfort and fatigue; vehicle safety; higher fuel consumption and other premature compo- nents breakdown. Without seriously confronting these issues, it would most likely increase the total maintenance cost espe- cially breakdown/firefighting maintenance.”
The solution to the above problems, Woon said, was to use suitably designed quality dampers. Suitably designed qual- ity dampers would control the ‘up and down’ movements and reduce the damages significantly. And hence significantly re- duced total maintenance cost.
To reduce overall maintenance cost, Woon’s advice to fleet companies was to identify critical vehicle components. “Along with the tyres and brakes, shock absorbers are a critical ele- ment of vehicle safety. In addition, they are the main compo- nents of the suspension system. Unfortunately, as they are not visible like tyres, they are often an overlooked maintenance point of the vehicle.”
The initial cost of good shock absorbers is 2-3 times higher as compared to the normal shock absorbers but Woon stressed that the investment would pay off well in the long run. “Good shock absorbers are durable, have a longer life span and will do the work they are designed to do. It helps fleet companies to reduce service breakdowns, wear and tear on tyres and other suspension components, and enhance fuel economy, comfort and vehicle performance.”
48 truck & bus news › 2014/4
Trevor Barter (National Sales Manager, Powerdown Australia Pte Ltd (left) and Woon Boon L
当 威力再怎么强大也无济于事。这就是为什么避震器如此重 要， 这也正是澳大利亚巴士、卡车及牵引车避震器Power- down独家经销商----E-2000产品私人有限公司董事温文律的 专长所在。
我们谈及卡车时，我们一般会谈引擎的最佳表 现、马力及载重量。然而，大部分人都不知道， 如果司机无法将卡车控制和处理好，那么引擎的
温文律说，为了让读者更明瞭避震器，首先必须简单地说明 避震器系统与避震器之间的关系。他解释说，悬挂系统可由 下列几种弹簧组成---- 钢板弹簧、抛物线状弹簧、空气波 纹管/空气弹簧、螺旋形弹簧或圆柱螺旋弹簧--或这些弹簧 组合而成。
“避震器系统的设计是为了能够支撑车子的载重量。当车子 在路上行驶时，不均匀的路面会导致车子悬挂系统 ‘上’ (反弹力)和‘下’(压缩力)移动。这些‘上’和‘下’ 的移动，会为车子带来许多问题(伤害)，比如缩短轮胎的 服务寿命、司机的不舒适和疲惫、车子安全、更高的油耗及 过早的组件故障。若没有认真处理这些问题，那就会增加总 维修成本，特别是车子故障/消防维修。”
解决这些问题的解决方案，温文律说就是使用设计和品质良 好的避震器。 设计良好的优质避震器 ，能够控制‘上下’ 的移动和大幅度降低损伤和降低维修总成本。
温文律对降低维修总成本的建议是鉴定重要的汽车部件。“ 轮胎、制动器及避震器都是保障车子安全的重要部件，它们 也是悬挂系统的主要构件。不幸的是，它们不像轮胎那样看 得见，因此往往很容易在维修车子时被忽略。”
好的避震器的最初成本较一般避震器的高2-3倍。但是，温
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