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First Truck Independent Suspension
Yes, if you can believe the management of Volvo trucks, it's the first independent suspension on a heavy truck in production. However, the Volvo FH is not equipped with it as standard, but can be ordered with it. For rude
use e.g. for gravel trucks, the surcharge is probably not the right one, but rather well invested for the long haul.
The designs of ZF and of Volvo are based on air suspension with telescopic dampers, the steering changed to the for heavy trucks unusual rack, but not, as in passenger cars, now from hydraulic to purely electric
assistance. Presumably, the required support forces are (still) too high. Overall, the ZF construction looks more filigree.
The construction of Volvo Trucks is still very much reminiscent of a rigid front axle that extends inwards under the air spring bellows, which is separated from the telescopic damper. The missing connection to the other
side is now taken over by two big wishbones in order to guide it. All in all, a very massive construction, which lacks an emphasis on the least possible unsprung masses.
But even ZF uses stub axles, as in the rigid axle including roller bearings. For the diaphragm cylinder of the front brake has been just found a place. At Volvo Trucks they have to give way upwards. However, at ZF the
connection of
suspension and damping to the frame is unclear. But then it will be necessary still a significant reinforcement upwards. The axle comes clearly from the bus, where it is already used for some time. But it has a largely
self-supporting
chassis, quite different to that of a truck. 05/18
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