Active Sway Bar Suspension Explained

Active sway bars, also known as electronic anti-roll bars, are a type of suspension system that uses electric motors or hydraulics to provide additional torque to the sway bar, reducing body roll during cornering. These systems are becoming increasingly popular in high-performance vehicles, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional passive sway bars.

How Active Sway Bars Work

Traditional sway bars are passive components, meaning that they rely on the force of the suspension to resist body roll. Active sway bars, on the other hand, are actively controlled by a computer system. This system uses sensors to monitor the vehicle’s speed, steering input, and body roll. When the system detects that the vehicle is cornering, it sends a signal to the electric motors or hydraulic actuators to apply additional torque to the sway bar.

This additional torque helps to keep the vehicle’s body flat, reducing body roll and improving handling. Active sway bars can also be used to adjust the vehicle’s handling characteristics, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car’s responsiveness to their preferences.

Benefits of Active Sway Bars

Active sway bars offer a number of benefits over traditional passive sway bars, including:

• Improved handling: Active sway bars help to reduce body roll, making the vehicle more responsive and easier to control in corners.
• Increased stability: By reducing body roll, active sway bars also improve the vehicle’s stability, especially at high speeds.
• Enhanced comfort: Active sway bars can help to improve ride comfort by reducing the amount of body movement in rough conditions.
• Adjustable handling: Active sway bars can be adjusted to suit different driving conditions and preferences.

Types of Active Sway Bars

There are two main types of active sway bars:

• Electrically actuated sway bars: These systems use electric motors to apply torque to the sway bar. Electrically actuated sway bars are typically more compact and efficient than hydraulic systems.
• Hydraulically actuated sway bars: These systems use hydraulic actuators to apply torque to the sway bar. Hydraulically actuated sway bars are typically more powerful than electrically actuated systems, but they can also be more complex and expensive.

Conclusion

Active sway bars are a sophisticated technology that offers a number of benefits for drivers who demand the best possible handling and stability. By actively controlling the sway bar, active sway bars can help to reduce body roll, improve handling, and enhance ride comfort. As technology continues to advance, active sway bars are likely to become increasingly common in high-performance vehicles.