Case Study: The Development of Supashock’s Passive Damper for the Lynx IFV

Introduction

Supashock, an Australian business specialising in high-performance suspension systems, was asked to develop a passive damper for Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The challenge was to design a shock absorber that would mount to existing installation points, and be lightweight. The shock absorber also had to pass a catastrophic failure load case provided by Rheinmetall. This case study provides an overview of Supashock’s passive damper design for the Lynx IFV.

Design features

Free damping at ride height

The Lynx IFV is designed to operate over harsh terrain, and the dampers need to absorb low amplitude vibrations for extended periods without generating excessive heat. Supashock’s solution was to vary the damping force generated over the stroke of the damper by changing the internal area of the cylinder. As the piston moves through the cylinder, the amount of oil that can bleed past the piston changes, affecting the damping force.

This is known as bypass damping, and it provides superior comfort for a vehicle that weighs 44 tons. When the piston overlaps the slots, oil is allowed to bleed past the main piston by flowing around the outside of the seal. The slots are positioned so that this effect takes place 50mm either side of ride height. This design required a modified piston seal, capable of withstanding increased wear and side loads without being damaged at different piston positions.

Optimization for Strength and Weight

Supashock conducted extensive analysis on the load cases defined in the specification to ensure that the combination of geometry and materials allows for the lightest design without failure. The damper had to withstand catastrophic failure loads provided by Rheinmetall and weigh no more than 20kg per unit. For context, scaling the mass of a typical aftermarket 4×4 damper to fit the Lynx would weigh 73.6kg per damper.

Conclusion

Supashock successfully designed a passive shock absorber for the Lynx IFV that met all the design requirements. The damper mounts to existing installation points, and is lightweight. Supashock conducted extensive analysis to ensure the damper’s strength and weight meet the specifications provided by Rheinmetall. The damper’s innovative design with free damping at ride height and adjustable damping provides the Lynx IFV with improved mobility, increased comfort for the crew, and reduced maintenance costs.

Contact

Supashock Advanced Technologies

2-6 Ardtornish St

Holden Hill, SA, 5088, Australia

Phone: +61 08 8333 1123