Conventional dampers

The classic hydraulic gas-pressure shock absorber is used in most automobiles today. Basic principle: The oil column of the monotube gas-pressure shock absorber is held at continuous pressure by an additional volume of gas which is separated by a separating piston. Every shock oil contains about 10% air in a bound molecular gaseous state. The movement of the shock piston within the oil column during deflection and extension results in pressure differences. If the piston rod is abruptly pushed into the interior of the damper due to uneven pavement, pressure increases in front of the piston and decreases behind it. The nitrogen gas of a gas-pressure shock absorber, separated from the oil by a separating piston, keeps the oil column pressurized and thus prevents the bound gas molecules in the shock oil from being released (prevents foaming).

In sum: Only gas-pressure shock absorbers offer drivers constant vibration damping in every driving situation.

For our partners in the automotive industry we are continually developing new solutions in the area of conventional dampers.

Monotube gas-pressure shock absorbers (deCarbon principle)

In motor sports as well as for luxury class vehicles (SUVs, off-road vehicle and sports cars), the high-performance monotube technology by thyssenkrupp is standard. The perfect handling of these systems speaks for itself. Monotube shock absorbers are only available in a gas-pressure version. In this single-walled damper system, the thermal generated in the shock absorber is discharged directly into the environment. The large working piston ensures that the flow pressure generated is low.

At the same time, high damping forces are available, ensuring consistently high damping performance. Due to the gas pressure, the oil cannot foam. The damping forces defined by thyssenkrupp suspension engineers are always available, ensuring perfect, dynamic handling.

Characteristics:

  • Oil does not foam
  • Low number of valves
  • Good responsiveness thanks to precise damping, even at small amplitudes
  • One tube = Direct heat dissipation
  • No overheating – Required vibration damping is always available
  • Freely selectable installation point thanks to upside-down strut design
  • Large working piston – Large effective surface area – Better setting/More precise tuning
  • Greater production precision

Twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers

More than 90% of all production vehicles are equipped with twin-tube shock absorbers. In this dual tube damping system, the thermal energy generated cannot be discharged directly into the environment. The diameter of the inner damper tube is the maximum that the working piston located in inner damper tube can accept. Due to the small diameter of the working piston and the resulting small effective surface area, very high pressures are generated. This results in increased wear.

Characteristics:

  • Short installation length
  • Low friction
  • Outer tube is well suited for installing add-on parts (spring plates, stabilizer brackets)
  • Particularly suited for MacPherson struts
  • Two tubes > High thermal load
  • Small working cylinder > Greater wear
  • High thermal load > Loss in performance
  • Foaming, Loss in performance
  • Short service life
  • Mounting position only to max. 45°
  • Greater tolerances > Cost-effective production
  • Short installation length with the same stroke in comparison with monotube
  • No problem in welding add-on parts to the outer tube > Inner wall is not a functional surface

DampMatic® I / II

In comparison with conventional dampers, DampMatic enhances ride comfort while maintaining the same level of roll stability. And neither additional sensor technology nor electronic controls are required for this simple, cost-effective innovation. Due to its additional, integrated comfort valve, the advanced DampMatic II offers further improvement in terms of setting the soft-damping characteristics.

Characteristics:

  • Passive, amplitude-selective damping system
  • The piston-rod assembly is extended with the DampMatic® module, consisting of a housing and DampMatic® pistons
  • At low excitation amplitudes, the DampMatic® assembly provides a bypass to the main piston > Lower characteristic, low damping forces
  • At greater excitation amplitudes, the DampMatic® piston reaches an end position and seals the bypass > High damping forces
  • Economical, passive adjustment system
  • No control module, no sensors
  • Robust design, few components