From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Page discussing the fundamental principles of suspension, focusing on the importance of low unsprung weight.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\1\ img175 | |
| Date | 28th August 1926 guessed | |
| - 3 - criticism will probably be of increased value. On the whole the design and experimental departments are acutely aware of most of the short-comings of the R-R suspension. II: A FEW FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. (a) The importance of low unsprung weight. Since the permissible spring deflection is limited, in order that a car shall be affected as little as possible by the road shocks transmitted to the axle, the weight of the unsprung parts i.e., the axles, wheels and tyres should be the minimum. Without indulging in a mathematical explanation of the subject, consideration of the two small appended sketches may possibly emphasize the truth of the assertion. In case (1) the small mass W₁ receives an acceleration from the road. The spring and the large mass W. have to absorb the K.E. that the road has imparted to the small mass. As W. is large in proportion to W₁ it will only receive a small acceleration. Conversely in fig. (2) as W₁ is small in comparison with W, it will receive a relatively large acceleration from a bump. Large accelerations mean shocks to the passenger and uncomfortable riding. It should be observed that a R-R car is somewhat handicapped in this respect because of the large variety FIG 1. FIG 2. contd. | ||