fjöðrun

Fjöðrun is the system of springs and dampers that connects a vehicle to its wheels and absorbs road irregularities. Its primary purpose is to keep tires in contact with the surface, reduce vibrations, and improve ride comfort, steering response, and overall handling.

A fjöðrun system typically includes springs (fjöðrar), dampers (dempur), and often anti-roll devices such as sway bars. Springs store energy from bumps, while dampers dissipate energy as heat to control oscillations during compression and rebound. Modern systems may also incorporate control arms, linkages, and sometimes air or hydraulic chambers to adjust stiffness.

Types of fjöðrun range from passive to semi-active and active. Passive suspension uses fixed spring rates and damping characteristics. Semi-active suspension can adjust damping in response to driving conditions, improving comfort or handling without adding power. Active suspension uses sensors and actuators to continuously modify ride characteristics in real time. Common spring types include coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, and air springs, the latter allowing adjustable ride height and stiffness.

Applications span road vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, bicycles with suspension forks and rear shocks, and even aircraft landing gear in specialized contexts. The choice of fjöðrun design affects ride quality, vehicle dynamics, weight, and cost, and is often tailored to the intended use, from comfort-oriented setups to performance-focused configurations.

Maintenance involves inspecting for worn or leaking dampers, checking spring integrity, and ensuring proper alignment and tire pressure. Worn fjöðrun components can lead to reduced ride comfort, poor handling, uneven tire wear, and degraded braking performance.