Modeling and Experimental Testing Analysis of Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Air Springs

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">In order to study the effects of different factors on the static and dynamic characteristics of air springs, three models were established to calculate the static and dynamic characteristics of air springs, including modeling at the design position, modeling only considering the straight state, and modeling considering the thickness of the bellows in the straight state. Static stiffness of air springs is calculated using three different models and are compared with experiments. In the straight state model considering the thickness of the bellow, the influence of aluminum tube and bellows thickness on the static stiffness are considered, and the modeling with the straight state solved the problem of the change in cord angle after the air spring was inflated and expanded. The established model is then used to calculate static and dynamic characteristics of air springs, such as static stiffness, hysteresis loop, and dynamic stiffness. The static stiffness, force versus displacement hysteresis loop, and dynamic stiffness of the air spring at design position are measured. The comparison of the calculation and experimental results showed that the result of modeling considering the thickness of the bellows in the straight state was more accurate, and the maximum relative error of static stiffness is less than 5%. The modeling and analysis methods in this article can predict the static and dynamic characteristics of air springs, providing guidance and reference for designing the static and dynamic characteristics.</div></div>