What are the three stages of suspension?

The automotive suspension system can be divided into three main components: elastic elements, shock absorbers, and control elements. Elastic elements are responsible for absorbing road impact forces and preventing direct transmission to the vehicle body. Common types include coil springs (mainstream for family cars), leaf springs (commonly used in commercial vehicles), torsion bar springs, and air springs (equipped in high-end models). Shock absorbers suppress the oscillation of elastic elements during rebound via hydraulic or electromagnetic mechanisms to ensure the vehicle quickly regains stability. Control elements include various links (such as MacPherson struts, double wishbones, and multi-links) and anti-roll bars, which work together to maintain wheel alignment and optimize steering stability. For example, anti-roll bars reduce cornering roll through torsion, enhancing handling safety. Air suspensions further dynamically adjust the vehicle body height through sensors to adapt to complex road conditions, but their cost is high. The collaboration of the three components of the suspension system directly affects riding quality, safety, and durability, and is one of the core considerations in vehicle design.