From air suspension to hydropneumatics: why?

Hemscheidt VSE

From air suspension to hydropneumatics: why?

Many vehicles today use air suspension. It is proven technology, but air systems also have disadvantages. They require relatively large installation space, consist of multiple components and are prone to leaks, pressure loss and faults. Building up and maintaining air pressure also consumes energy. For future vehicle platforms — and especially for electric applications — this is becoming increasingly significant. Battery packs, drivetrains and electronics already take up available space. Energy used by auxiliary systems reduces the overall driving range.

Hydropneumatic suspension systems combine hydraulic power transmission with gas suspension in one compact system. This means fewer components are required and the response remains constant and predictable under changing conditions. The energy consumption of the suspension system itself is structurally lower than with conventional air suspension. How much lower depends on the specific application and vehicle architecture. For Hemscheidt and VSE, hydropneumatic suspension is a concrete building block for vehicle platforms that are less dependent on air systems.

Hemscheidt VSE

Integration into existing and new platforms

The transition from air suspension to hydropneumatics does not have to be a radical break. Hemscheidt and VSE develop hydropneumatic systems as direct replacements, tailored to both existing and new vehicle platforms. In doing so, we consider the full context: available installation space, vehicle weight, axle configuration, load, comfort, maintenance and energy consumption. The result is a suspension system that matches the vehicle’s technical requirements and can be integrated practically into production, service and daily operation.

For vehicle manufacturers, this means less dependence on air systems, fewer vulnerable components and a simpler system architecture.

Hemscheidt VSE

Steering and suspension as an integrated system solution

Vehicle dynamics do not arise from a single component. How a vehicle steers, suspends, responds to load and remains stable under changing conditions together determine how well it performs in practice.

Hemscheidt and VSE develop steering and suspension systems in conjunction with the rest of the vehicle. A smart steering solution provides a shorter turning circle, better manoeuvrability and less stress on tyres, axles and chassis components. A well-tuned hydropneumatic suspension system contributes to stability, control and predictable response. Together, these systems deliver a vehicle that is more manoeuvrable at low speed and more stable under load.

Toegankelijkheid en comfortabel instappen

Hemscheidt VSE

Benefits in practice

In practice, steering and suspension systems from Hemscheidt and VSE contribute to:

A shorter turning circle
Better manoeuvrability in confined spaces
Greater stability under variable loads
Less tyre wear and lower component stress
More control for the driver
Lower energy consumption in the suspension system
A less fault-prone system architecture
Less unplanned downtime
Simpler integration into the vehicle platform

These are concrete benefits for buses, trailers, special vehicles and electric vehicle platforms, particularly in applications where vehicles are intensively used, manoeuvre frequently or need to deliver high availability.

Less downtime, greater availability

Compact technology, lower fuel consumption

Proven technology with targeted customisation

Hemscheidt VSE

From proven technology to customisation

A good system must fit within the vehicle’s mechanical, hydraulic, electronic and software-related framework conditions. That is why Hemscheidt and VSE contribute at an early stage in the development process of vehicle manufacturers.

In some cases, a proven standard solution is sufficient. In others, customisation is required to achieve the right performance within limited installation space or specific vehicle architectures. This combination of standardisation and targeted adaptation makes our systems widely applicable.