2. Elastic suspension

The suspension of a vehicle comprises a set of devices designed to attenuate the effects of ground unevenness, which subjects the wheels to rapid changes in height and, consequently, to accelerations and changes in the distribution of loads and pressures on the ground, resulting in vibrations imparted to the vehicle and to what it is carrying.

The main roles of the suspension are :

• firstly, to filter the shocks and vibrations received by the wheels ;

• secondly, to maintain each one's strength and grip on the ground;

• finally, for all vehicles with more than three wheels, to distribute the load between all the wheels.

All kinds of combinations are possible between the independent wheel suspension and the bogie, which...