Active suspension systems

Engineers from Birrana have designed a load-sensing system for mining trucks and haulers that reduces torsional, vibration, and shock loads on a vehicle's structure.

During the past two decades, technology has impacted many areas of haul-truck design and construction, but very little has advanced with respect to the suspension systems. The very nature of the industry's demanding operating conditions has dictated an over-engineered, almost utilitarian approach to suspension design, resulting in simplicity and durability taking precedence over function and efficiency.

However, research into the relationship between human body shock/vibration and machine operating environments has gained considerable momentum recently as a result of the introduction of a new European Council's draft directive relating to the occupational heath and safety of machine operators. Prominent research in this area has highlighted some inherent dynamic deficiencies in conventional, widely used off-highway suspension systems.