KYB reveals methodology behind innovative double hydraulics stops system

Active suspension starting to become reality in passenger cars and semi-active solutions conquering more segments

KYB reveals methodology behind innovative double hydraulics stops system
Citroën C5 Aircross features a suspension concept based on passive shock absorbers.

The new Citroën C5 Aircross was launched in 2017, with KYB selected as the original equipment supplier for shock absorbers.

Reviews described the behaviour of the vehicle as: “an ultra-comfortable hatchback with a unique personality”, “suspension improving comfort with a moderate cost” and following one test drive “even before we’d driven our first mile, the improvements in comfort and overall refinement are little short of astonishing”.

Active suspension is starting to become a reality in passenger cars and semi-active solutions are conquering more segments.

Thanks to a joint development between KYB and PSA, a suspension concept based on passive shock absorbers, capable of merging high performance with competitive costs, has been developed and applied to the Citroën C5 Aircross.

Progressive hydraulic cushions

Citroën is calling the system “progressive hydraulic cushions”; the secret of this revolutionary concept is a double hydraulic stops system.

The total stroke of the shock absorbers can be divided into three differentiated parts for which the shock absorber will provide different characteristics.

The first part corresponds to the position around the centre of the stroke.

In this working area the conventional valving in the piston and the base valve provide the damping forces.

“Pioneering research”

The second and third parts correspond to the positions close to the end of the rebound and the compression strokes, with the hydraulic compression and rebound stops responsible for providing additional energy absorption.

This split allows the shock absorbers main valves to focus on comfort and entrusts the hydraulic stops to take responsibility when more demanding situations are encountered.

In order to achieve this effectively, both the rebound and compression stops have to be able to provide sufficient energy absorption and to have a very flexible response.

The stops provide an unprecedented comfort level and give what Citroën describe as a “flying carpet effect”, as the car feels like it’s flying over bumps and holes in the road.

KYB Europe’s general manager for aftermarket product management, Jean François Huan, explains: “This is another great example of the pioneering research and development which our OE engineers are famous for, I look forward to seeing how this new technology develops in our market.”

For further information about KYB Europe, click “more details” below.

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