Oversuspension Project
The project was born after 40 years of experience gained on the track and in the Aprilia testing department. Nicola Bragagnolo is therefore the first in the world to realize that the elastic energy released by the continuous compression and expansion of the tire often disturbs the functioning of the suspension, which due to its conception cannot manage this anomaly.
Hence the idea of creating a device capable of counteracting this energy being released. A first device is therefore created that exploits the well-known technology of the Mass Damper, but this device does not satisfy all the questions posed by the problem because it limits itself to mediating the resonance frequencies but not to counteract the uncontrolled "rebound" of the tire.
A particular device called mass resonator is therefore developed by Nicola Bragagnolo, which exploiting a particular polymer, on which the energy of a resonant mass is dissipated, which working in counterphase counteracts the elastic energy released by the tire itself.
They therefore increase safety, reduction of braking distances, increased traction, reduction of tire consumption, maintenance of the average temperature of the tire, a greater driving comfort, and a reduction in mechanical stress of the vehicle. In wet conditions, the device is able to reduce the aquaplaning phenomenon by over 60%.
The device is then taken to the track and developed in collaboration with many reference teams, as well as being tested on the road and off-road by numerous test drivers including the “Pirelli Experience” research center which validates its operation and effectiveness.