Damper assembly including a suction valve in a fluid chamber

Abstract

A damper assembly includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed in the outer tube, the inner tube defining a fluid space between the outer tube and the inner tube. The inner tube defines an interior volume. A piston is slidably disposed in the inner tube and divides the interior volume into a rebound working chamber and a compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is in fluid connection with the rebound working chamber and the fluid chamber, and an active compression valve is in fluid connection with the reserve chamber and the compression working chamber. A suction assembly is positioned in the fluid chamber to control fluid flow through the active rebound valve and into the compression working chamber during a rebound stroke, and to control fluid flow from the compression working chamber through the active compression valve and into the rebound working chamber during a compression stroke. The present invention advantageously reduces the fixed length of the damper by providing a suction assembly in the fluid chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to dampers. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a damper having an external active control valve and a passive intake valve, the passive intake valve selectively allowing fluid flow between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber. Background Technology

[0002] Dampers used in vehicles are typically found in a wide variety of vehicle sections. Some vehicles include semi-active dampers that adjust the damping level according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics. The damper is located between the body and the vehicle's suspension system. A piston is located within the damper. The piston is connected to the body or vehicle's suspension via a piston rod. When the damper compresses or extends, fluid flows between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber within the damper to counteract vibrations. By adjusting the flow of damping fluid between the chambers, larger or smaller damping forces can be generated. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure relates to a damping system that continuously adjusts the damping level according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics.

[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, a damper assembly is provided, comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube defining a fluid chamber between the outer tube and the inner tube, the inner tube defining an internal volume, the outer tube and the inner tube having a common longitudinal axis; a piston slidably disposed within the inner tube along the common longitudinal axis, the piston dividing the internal volume of the inner tube into a spring-loaded chamber and a compression chamber; a spring-loaded valve fluidly located outside the outer tube and fluidly connected to the spring-loaded chamber and the fluid chamber, the spring-loaded valve having variable flow resistance; a compression valve located outside the outer tube and fluidly connected to the fluid chamber and the compression chamber, the compression valve having variable flow resistance, the spring-loaded valve and the compression valve being separated by a gap along the common longitudinal axis; and a suction assembly fixed within the fluid chamber at the gap between the spring-loaded valve and the compression valve, the suction assembly being in fluid communication with the spring-loaded valve and the compression valve through a suction port in the outer tube, and in fluid communication with the internal tube volume through a suction port in the inner tube, the suction assembly controlling the fluid flow between the spring-loaded chamber and the compression chamber.

[0005] The suction assembly includes a rebound ring having at least one rebound hole and a compression ring having at least one compression hole. During fluid flow between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber, the rebound hole and the compression hole are selectively blocked.

[0006] The spring-loaded hole is blocked by a flexible spring-loaded disc, and the compression hole is blocked by a flexible compression disc.

[0007] The spring ring and flexible spring disc, as well as the compression ring and flexible compression disc, all include axially aligned fastening holes and are fastened together in a mirror manner through the aligned fastening holes. The spring ring and compression ring face each other.

[0008] Furthermore, the damper assembly also includes at least one pivot spacer. The pivot spacer provides increased flow resistance to at least one of the flexible rebound disc and the compression disc by increasing bending force.

[0009] The spring ring and compression ring are fastened to the outer tube by one of the weld and O-ring.

[0010] The springback ring includes a springback conical portion near the springback hole, and the compression ring includes a compression conical portion near the compression hole. The springback conical portion faces the compression conical portion.

[0011] At least one of the rebound cone section and the compression cone section is located near the outer tube intake port.

[0012] The springback ring includes a springback groove and the compression ring includes a compression groove. The springback groove faces the compression groove, and the O-ring is sealed in both the springback groove and the compression groove.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a damper assembly is provided, comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube defining a fluid chamber between the outer tube and the inner tube, the inner tube defining an internal volume, the outer tube and the inner tube having a common longitudinal axis; a piston slidably disposed within the inner tube along the common longitudinal axis, the piston dividing the internal volume of the inner tube into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber; a rebound valve fluidly located outside the outer tube and connected to the rebound chamber and the fluid chamber, the rebound valve having variable flow resistance; a compression valve fluidly located outside the outer tube and connected to the compression chamber and the fluid chamber, the compression valve having variable flow resistance; and a suction assembly fixed within the fluid chamber to control fluid flow between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber, the suction assembly including a rebound ring having a rebound orifice and a compression ring having a compression orifice, the rebound ring facing the compression ring, the rebound orifice being blocked by a flexible rebound disc, and the compression orifice being blocked by a flexible compression disc.

[0014] Furthermore, the damper assembly also includes a springback pivot spacer and a compression pivot spacer to increase flow resistance.

[0015] The spring ring and compression ring, spring disc and compression disc are fastened together by the first fastener and the second fastener.

[0016] The first and second fasteners are selected from a group consisting of rivets, bolts, and screws.

[0017] The suction assembly is positioned in the gap between the rebound valve and the compression valve.

[0018] The spring-loaded hole and the compression hole are arc-shaped.

[0019] The spring ring and the compression ring have the same shape.

[0020] The spring plate includes a tapered portion near the spring hole, and the compression plate includes a tapered portion near the compression hole.

[0021] The spring hole faces the compression hole.

[0022] Furthermore, the damper assembly also includes at least one seal between the rebound hole and the inner tube.

[0023] Furthermore, the damper assembly also includes a springback pivot spacer and a compression pivot spacer. The springback pivot spacer and the compression pivot spacer are used to preload the springback disc and the compression disc into closed positions above the springback hole and the compression hole, respectively.

[0024] The damper assembly provided by the present invention can advantageously reduce the fixed length of the damper by including an intake assembly in the fluid chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle including a suspension system with multiple damper assemblies;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the damper assembly during the rebound stroke.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the damper assembly during the compression stroke.

[0028] Figure 4 The cross-sectional end view of the damper assembly taken along section line 4-4 shows the intake assembly in the reservoir chamber;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the suction assembly;

[0030] Figure 6A This is an end view of the inhalation ring;

[0031] Figure 6B End view of the flexible suction disc;

[0032] Figure 6C An end view of a pair of fulcrum spacers;

[0033] Figure 6D An end view of the assembly including the inhalation ring, inhalation disc, and pivot spacer.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the intake assembly in a conventional dual-tube damper environment. Detailed Implementation

[0035] This disclosure relates to a damping system that continuously adjusts the damping level according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics. (Reference) Figure 1 The diagram shows a vehicle 10 with a suspension system 12 and a body 14. The suspension system 12 includes dampers 20 and coil springs 22. The dampers 20 are semi-active, and their damping level is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 25. The ECU 25 receives information (acceleration, displacement, steering, braking, speed) from sensors (not shown) at different locations in the vehicle to make independent adjustments to each damper.

[0036] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exemplary disclosure provides a continuously variable damper 20, which includes an elongated outer tube 24 having a first end and a second end. The outer tube 24 has an inner tube 26 concentrically included therein. A rod 32 is included within the inner tube 26, the rod 32 including a piston 30 at a first rod end 31. The rod 32 includes a second end 34 extending to the outside of the outer tube 24 via a rod guide assembly 36. As shown, the piston 30 and the inner tube 26 define a springback chamber 38 and a compression chamber 40. The springback chamber 38 and the compression chamber 40 include fluid, preferably hydraulic oil suitable for use with the damper.

[0037] The damper 20 includes an active rebound valve 42, which is in fluid communication with the rebound chamber 38 through a fluid chamber 18 and a distal inner tube orifice 94. The active rebound valve 42 has variable flow resistance controllable by the ECU 25. The damper 20 also includes an active compression valve 44, which is in fluid communication with the compression chamber 40 through a proximal inner tube orifice 96. The active compression valve 44 has variable flow resistance controllable by the ECU 25. As shown, the active rebound valve 42 and the active compression valve 44 are located outside the outer tube 24 and separated by a gap 46. The intake assembly 50 is disposed within the fluid chamber 18 and can be positioned at the gap 46. The intake assembly 50 is selectively in fluid communication with the active rebound valve 42 and the active compression valve 44 through an outer tube intake port 52, thereby allowing the intake assembly 50 to control fluid flow during the rebound and compression strokes.

[0038] refer to Figure 5 The suction assembly 50 may include a rebound ring 54 and a compression ring 56. The rebound ring 54 includes at least one rebound hole 55, and preferably two rebound holes. The rebound hole 55 is blocked by a flexible rebound disc 58, and the compression hole 57 is blocked by a flexible compression disc 60. Figure 5 As shown, a springback fulcrum spacer 62 and a compression fulcrum spacer 64 can also be provided. For example... Figure 5As shown, the components can be held together by fastener 69. The flexible spring-loaded disc 58 and the flexible compression disc 60 are biased to close the spring-loaded hole 55 and the compression hole 57, respectively. Figure 2 As shown, during the springback stroke, fluid flows from the springback chamber 38 out of the distal inner tube 94 and through the fluid chamber 18 to the active springback valve 42, and then through the suction assembly 50 into the compression chamber 40. Figure 3 As shown, during the compression stroke, fluid flows from the compression chamber 40 out of the proximal inner tube 96 and through the fluid chamber 18 to the active compression valve 44, and then through the suction assembly 50 into the rebound chamber 38.

[0039] Advantageously, such as (along) Figure 2 (Section line 4-4) Figure 4 As shown, the intake assembly 50 is annular and located within the fluid chamber 18, which allows the piston 30 to extend beyond the active rebound valve 42 and the active compression valve 44, thereby reducing the fixed length of the damper 20 compared to conventional dampers such as those shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 2020 / 0208705A1. The intake assembly 50 of this disclosure can be used as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The damper with an energy storage device shown, or such as Figure 7 The more traditional two-tube damper is shown.

[0040] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The damper 20 shown includes an accumulator 80. The accumulator 80 is in fluid communication with an active rebound valve 42 and an active compression valve 44 via an accumulator orifice 82. The accumulator includes a low-pressure chamber 84, which is separated from the compression chamber 40 by an end wall 86. The accumulator 80 also includes a flexible diaphragm 88 and a gas chamber 90. The accumulator 80 can receive or discharge fluids known in the art.

[0041] The active rebound valve 42 is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber 18 through the active rebound valve port 92 in the outer tube 24, and with the rebound chamber 38 through the distal inner tube port 94 in the inner tube 26. During the rebound stroke, fluid flows from the rebound chamber 38 through the fluid chamber 18 out of the distal inner tube port 94, and enters the active rebound valve 42 through the active rebound valve port 92 in the outer tube 24. It then enters the compression chamber 40 through the suction assembly 50 and through the proximal inner tube port 96. The active compression valve 44 is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber 18 through the active compression valve port 93 in the outer tube and the proximal inner tube port 96. During the compression stroke, fluid flows from the compression chamber 40 out of the proximal inner tube port 96, enters the active compression valve 44 through the active compression valve port 93 in the outer tube 24, and then enters the rebound chamber 38 through the suction assembly 50, the fluid chamber 18, and the distal inner tube port 94.

[0042] refer to Figures 4-6D The suction assembly 50 is shown in more detail below. As described above, the suction assembly 50 includes a rebound ring 54 and a compression ring 56. The rebound ring 54 and the compression ring 56 may have the same construction. Both the rebound ring 54 and the compression ring 56 may each include a pair of holes 55 and 57, each hole being arc-shaped, such as... Figure 6A As shown. The holes on the spring ring 54 are called spring holes, and the holes on the compression ring 56 are called compression holes. Both the spring ring 54 and the compression ring 56 may each include one or more fastening holes 61. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the suction assembly 50 is assembled by aligning and securing the fastener 69 with the fastening hole 61. Figure 5 As shown, the springback ring 54 and the compression ring 56 are mirror images of each other.

[0043] The intake assembly 50 includes a rebound disc 58 and a compression disc 60, as well as multiple pivot spacers 62 and 64. The rebound disc 58 and the compression disc 60 each also include a fastening hole 61. The rebound pivot spacers 62 and the compression pivot spacers 64 are preferably identical. The pivot spacers also include fastening holes 61. As shown, the rebound ring 54, compression ring 56, rebound disc 58, compression disc 60, and the rebound pivot spacers 62 and compression pivot spacers 64 are all fastened together by fasteners 69, which connect the components through aligned fastening holes 61. Rivets, bolts, screws, or other suitable fasteners can be used. The intake assembly 50 can be assembled before being assembled into the damper 20.

[0044] As in Figure 5 and Figure 6DAs best seen, the spring ring 54 and compression ring 56 include corresponding tapered portions 71 near the spring hole 55 and compression hole 57. These tapered portions provide fluid inlet through the outer tube suction port 52 into the suction assembly 50. Figure 5 As shown, ring 100 can be secured to inner tube 26. Ring 100 can be a weld or a clamp. Springback ring 54 and compression ring 56 are secured to ring 100 in a suitable manner during assembly, such as by welding. As shown, a pair of O-rings 98 are provided to seal springback ring 54 and compression ring 56 to outer tube 24.

[0045] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6D It can be seen that the outer diameters of the spring ring 54 and the compression ring essentially correspond to the inner diameter of the outer tube 24, while the inner diameter essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the inner tube 26. To allow for the clearance between the spring disc 58 and the compression disc 60 as they move away from the spring hole 55 and the compression member 57, the outer diameters of the spring disc 58 and the compression disc are smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube. Similarly, the inner diameters of the spring disc 58 and the compression disc 60 are larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube 26.

[0046] The pivot spacer 64 may be made of metal or any other suitable material. During assembly, the fastener 69 and the pivot spacer 64 provide preload to allow for a proper hydraulic seal so that fluid does not flow through the compression ring 56 during the springback stroke and similarly does not flow through the springback ring 54 during the compression stroke.

[0047] refer to Figure 2 The rebound stroke will be described in more detail. During the rebound stroke, the piston moves in the direction of arrow A. As shown, fluid exits from the distal inner tube orifice into fluid chamber 18. The fluid flows through fluid chamber 18 and into active rebound valve 42. As shown, the fluid is held within the intake assembly 50 by a hydraulic seal against the flexible compression disc abutting the compression ring 56. Active rebound valve 42 is controlled by ECU 25 to provide the desired damping effect. Fluid flows out from active rebound valve 42 and through outer tube intake orifice 52. As the compression chamber 40 increases, the pressure therein is less than the pressure at inlet 52 and low-pressure chamber 84. This pressure difference acts on the flexible rebound disc 58 to move the flexible rebound disc 58 away from the rebound ring 54 or away from the two rebound holes 55 of the rebound ring 54. The size and selection of the rebound pivot spacer 62 can be set to cause the rebound disc 58 to bend and move away from the rebound holes according to the required larger or smaller fluid pressure. As shown in the figure, fluid can flow from the low-pressure chamber 84 of the accumulator 80 through the outer tube suction port 52 as needed. The fluid then flows through the proximal inner tube port and into the compression chamber 40 until the rebound stroke is completed.

[0048] refer to Figure 3The compression stroke will be described in more detail. During the compression stroke, the piston moves in the direction of arrow B. As shown, fluid exits from the proximal inner tube orifice into the active compression valve 44 through the fluid chamber 18 and the outer tube active compression valve orifice 93. Hydrostatic pressure maintains the flexible spring plate 58 closed between it and the spring orifice 55. Fluid flows through the active compression valve 44 under the control of the ECU 25. As the spring chamber expands, the pressure therein is lower than the pressure at the inlet, while the pressure in the compression chamber 40 is higher than the pressure in the low-pressure chamber 84. Here, fluid enters the suction assembly 50 from the outer tube suction port 52 and drives the flexible compression plate 60 away from the compression orifice 57. As shown, fluid may flow into the low-pressure chamber 84 of the accumulator 80 as needed. Fluid flows into the fluid chamber 18, through the distal inner tube orifice 94, and into the spring chamber 38 until the compression stroke is complete.

[0049] refer to Figure 7 This illustrates a conventional two-tube damper 120, which does not include... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The accumulator. A conventional two-tube damper includes an active rebound valve 142, an active compression valve 144, and an outer tube 124 and an inner tube 126. A rod 132, including a piston 130, is contained within the inner tube 126. The piston 130 and the inner tube 126 define a rebound chamber 138 and a compression chamber 140. As described above, the rebound chamber 138 and the compression chamber 140 contain fluid, preferably hydraulic oil. A conventional two-tube damper includes a reservoir tube 180. In a conventional two-tube damper 120, an intake assembly 50 is located in a fluid chamber 118. The inner tube 126 includes a distal port 194 in fluid communication with the rebound chamber 138 and a proximal port 196 in fluid communication with the compression chamber 140. The operation of the damper 120 is similar to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The damper 20 is shown. Similar to the damper 20, the fixed length of the damper 120 can be advantageously reduced by including the suction assembly 50 in the fluid chamber 118.

[0050] This disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than restrictive. In light of the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations of this disclosure are possible, and this disclosure may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described.

Claims

1. A damper assembly, comprising: outer tube; An inner tube disposed within the outer tube defines a fluid chamber between the outer tube and the inner tube, and defines an internal volume; the outer tube and the inner tube have a common longitudinal axis. A piston, slidably disposed in the inner tube along the common longitudinal axis, divides the internal volume of the inner tube into a springback chamber and a compression chamber. as well as A spring valve, fluidly located outside the outer tube and fluidly connected to the spring chamber and the fluid chamber, the spring valve having variable flow resistance; A compression valve, located outside the outer tube and fluidly connected to the fluid chamber and the compression chamber, the compression valve having variable flow resistance, and the spring valve and the compression valve being separated by a gap along the common longitudinal axis; A suction assembly is fixed in the fluid chamber at the gap between the rebound valve and the compression valve. The suction assembly is selectively fluidly connected to the rebound valve and the compression valve through an outer tube suction port, and is also fluidly connected to the inner tube volume through an inner tube suction port. The suction assembly controls the fluid flow between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber. The suction assembly includes a rebound ring having at least one axially arranged rebound hole and a compression ring having at least one axially arranged compression hole, wherein the rebound hole and the compression hole are selectively blocked during fluid flow between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber. The spring-loaded hole is blocked by a flexible spring-loaded disc, the compression hole is blocked by a flexible compression disc, and the spring-loaded ring and the spring-loaded disc, as well as the compression ring and the compression disc, are fastened together by a first fastener and a second fastener. The spring ring includes a spring conical portion near the spring hole, and the compression ring includes a compression conical portion near the compression hole. The spring conical portion faces the compression conical portion, and the spring conical portion and the compression conical portion provide fluid inlet to the suction assembly through the outer tube suction hole.

2. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring ring and the spring disc, as well as the compression ring and the compression disc, each include axially aligned fastening holes and are mirror-fastened together via the aligned fastening holes, wherein the spring ring and the compression ring face each other.

3. The damper assembly of claim 2 further includes at least one pivot spacer that provides increased flow resistance to at least one of the rebound disc and the compression disc by increasing bending force.

4. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rebound cone portion and the compression cone portion is located near the outer tube intake port.

5. The damper assembly of claim 3, wherein the springback ring includes a springback groove and the compression ring includes a compression groove, the springback groove facing the compression groove, and the O-ring is sealingly positioned in the springback groove and the compression groove.

6. The damper assembly of any of claims 1-5, wherein the rebound ring and the compression ring are secured to the outer tube by one of a weld and an O-ring.

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