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Anti-dive is a characteristic or design feature in automotive front suspensions that aims to minimize or counteract the front-end lowering effect that occurs under braking. Here are the key aspects of anti-dive in suspension systems:

  1. Purpose: The primary purpose of anti-dive suspension geometry is to maintain a more stable and level ride height at the front of the vehicle during braking. This helps to optimize handling, stability, and control, especially under hard braking conditions.
  2. Mechanism: Anti-dive is typically achieved by positioning the suspension components (such as control arms, strut mounts, or wishbones) and their attachment points in such a way that they counteract the natural tendency of the front suspension to compress or dive downward when braking force is applied.
  3. Design Features:
  • Geometry: The suspension geometry may incorporate specific angles and mounting positions that minimize the change in suspension geometry under braking, thereby reducing front-end dive.
  • Stiffness: Adjusting the stiffness of suspension components, such as springs and dampers, can also help in controlling dive by resisting compression during braking.
  1. Benefits:
  • Improved Stability: By reducing front-end dive, anti-dive suspensions help maintain more consistent weight distribution and tire contact patches, which improves overall stability and responsiveness.
  • Reduced Nose Dive: Less front-end dive results in reduced weight transfer to the front wheels during braking, which can enhance braking performance and reduce stopping distances.
  • Enhanced Driver Confidence: Vehicles with effective anti-dive characteristics provide a more predictable and controlled braking experience, contributing to driver confidence and comfort.
  1. Application: Anti-dive suspension designs are commonly found in performance-oriented vehicles, sports cars, and vehicles with advanced suspension systems. They are designed to complement other handling and stability features to optimize overall driving dynamics.

Anti-dive is a suspension design feature aimed at improving braking performance and vehicle stability by minimizing front-end dive under braking, thereby enhancing handling characteristics and driver control.

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Alternative Meanings:
  • Anti-Dive

    A tuned-in front suspension characteristic that converts braking-induced forces in the suspension links into a vertical force that tends to lift the body, thereby reducing dive under braking.

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