Flow regulation device and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a flow adjusting device which comprises a driven valve seat, a main valve seat and a leaf spring. The driven valve seat is fixed at one end of the main valve seat; the leaf spring comprises a fixed ring and a movable sheet; the fixing ring is fixed between the driven valve seat and the main valve seat; the movable piece is connected with the fixed ring through a plurality of arc-shaped cantilevers which are evenly distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction, a center hole and surface small holes are formed in the movable piece, and through-flow gaps exist between the arc-shaped cantilevers and the fixed ring and between the arc-shaped cantilevers and the movable piece. The leaf spring is used for replacing a traditional complex structure, surface small holes stabilize pre-flow when the leaf spring is not powered on, a center hole and a through-flow gap achieve main through-flow after the leaf spring is powered on, the problems of nonlinearity and hysteresis of low-working-condition PQ characteristics are solved, damping precision is guaranteed, meanwhile, the defects of function conflict and poor universality of a traditional structure are overcome, and the adaptability, stability and driving and riding comfort of a valve system are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive shock absorber technology, and in particular to a flow regulation device and method. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of automotive shock absorbers, electronically controlled shock absorbers, with their dynamic damping force adjustment characteristics, have become a core technology for improving vehicle ride comfort and handling stability. The solenoid valve, as a key actuator in electronically controlled shock absorbers, receives electrical signals and changes the valve opening in real time, thereby precisely controlling the damping force. The primary passive valve system, as the core unit for precise damping force control, currently generally adopts a combined structure design of "coil spring + multi-plate valve," but this structure has the following significant drawbacks in practical applications: Complex structure and large space occupation: In order to match specific pressure-flow (PQ) characteristics, multiple flat valve plates of different diameters and thicknesses need to be stacked and assembled, and a special helical spring is required. This results in a large number of parts and a large axial dimension, which not only increases the assembly difficulty and production cost, but also makes it difficult to adapt to the design requirements of modern solenoid valves for miniaturization and integration. Poor low-current regulation performance: Under low-current drive and low-flow conditions, the opening response of traditional multi-plate valve stacks has obvious nonlinear characteristics and hysteresis, which causes irregular fluctuations in the initial stage of the PQ curve and makes it impossible to achieve a smooth transition of damping force, directly affecting the stability of vehicle driving and ride comfort. Conflict between pre-flow and stiffness adjustment functions: Traditional structures rely on fixed-size throttling pads and valve plates to achieve the pre-flow function. However, once the pre-opening size is determined, it cannot be adjusted. Furthermore, it cannot flexibly adapt to stiffness adjustment for different damping requirements while ensuring the pre-flow effect. The function is singular and lacks versatility, making it difficult to meet the dynamic damping control requirements under complex road conditions.

[0003] Based on this, the present invention proposes a flow regulation device and method to solve the problems mentioned above. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flow regulating device and method that ensures excellent damping characteristics and control accuracy of the solenoid valve under low current and low flow conditions, while reducing structural complexity and assembly difficulty.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a flow regulating device, including a passive valve seat, a main valve seat, and a leaf spring; the passive valve seat is fixed to one end of the main valve seat; the leaf spring is axially deformable for controlling and regulating the main chamber pressure, including a fixed ring and a movable plate concentrically disposed inside the fixed ring; the fixed ring is fixed between the passive valve seat and the main valve seat; the movable plate is connected to the fixed ring through multiple circumferentially evenly spaced arc-shaped cantilever arms, and the movable plate has a central hole and surface holes. There are flow gaps between the arc-shaped cantilever, the fixed ring, and the movable plate. When the damping valve is not energized, the movable plate is pressed against the passive valve seat, the central hole and the flow gap are closed, and the fluid flows into the main valve seat through the surface holes for pre-flow. When the damping valve is energized, the movable plate overcomes the initial pre-tightening force, disengages from the passive valve seat, and moves axially to form a preset stroke. The central hole and the flow gap are opened, and the fluid flows into the main valve seat through the central hole or the flow gap and then flows out to the external low-pressure chamber.

[0006] Furthermore, the flow regulating device also includes a main stage preload gasket; the main stage preload gasket is pressed onto the passive valve seat, and the main stage preload gasket is located between the passive valve seat and the leaf spring, for providing initial preload force to the leaf spring.

[0007] Furthermore, the primary preload pad can be one or more.

[0008] Furthermore, the flow regulating device also includes a main stage pivot gasket; the main stage pivot gasket is attached to the end surface of the leaf spring away from the passive valve seat, and is used to limit the maximum deformation stroke of the leaf spring.

[0009] Furthermore, the fixed ring, movable piece, and arc-shaped cantilever are integrally formed.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner wall of one end of the main valve seat is provided with a first annular connecting groove, and the passive valve seat is fixed in the first annular connecting groove by interference fit or riveting.

[0011] Furthermore, the outer wall of the main valve seat at the end away from the passive valve seat is provided with a second annular connecting groove.

[0012] Furthermore, there are multiple surface holes, and the multiple surface holes are distributed in a circumferentially uniform manner.

[0013] The present invention also provides a flow rate regulation method, which employs the flow rate regulation device described above.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The flow regulating device provided by this invention uses a leaf spring as the core elastic element, replacing the complex combination of "helical spring + multiple flat valve plates" in the traditional method. With the design of the central hole, surface holes and flow gap between the arc-shaped cantilever and the fixed ring and the moving plate, it can stably provide pre-flow function when not energized through the surface holes, and realize the main flow through the central hole and flow gap in synergy after energization. It effectively improves the nonlinearity and hysteresis of PQ characteristics under low current and low flow conditions, and ensures damping characteristics and control accuracy. Furthermore, the integrated leaf spring structure significantly reduces the number of parts, shrinks the axial dimension, and lowers assembly difficulty and production costs. It adapts to the miniaturization and integration requirements of modern solenoid valves, and the stiffness can be flexibly adjusted by adjusting the leaf spring parameters. With the optional configuration of main stage preload gasket and main stage pivot gasket, precise control of preload and maximum deformation stroke can be achieved. This solves the defects of traditional structure preflow and stiffness adjustment function conflict and poor versatility, and comprehensively improves the adaptability, stability and driving comfort of the damping valve main stage passive valve system. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the overall structure of the flow regulating device in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the leaf spring structure in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the flow regulating device in the damping valve in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow regulation device guiding the fluid when the damping valve is energized in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the main valve seat in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Reference numerals: 1. Passive valve seat; 2. Main valve seat; 20. First annular connecting groove; 21. Second annular connecting groove; 3. Leaf spring; 30. Fixed ring; 31. Movable leaf; 310. Center hole; 311. Surface hole; 312. Flow gap; 32. Arc-shaped cantilever; 4. Main stage preload gasket; 5. Main stage pivot gasket; 6. Main stage; 7. Pilot stage; 8. Magnetic circuit section. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The flow regulation device and method of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the schematic diagrams, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the invention described herein while still achieving its advantageous effects. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being of general knowledge to those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0018] Furthermore, based on the teachings of this specification, those skilled in the art can form new technical solutions through cross-combination of different implementation methods without creating technical contradictions. Such variations should all be considered to fall within the protection scope of this patent.

[0019] The invention is described more specifically by way of example in the following paragraphs with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the invention will become clearer from the following description. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the invention.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention proposes a flow regulating device, including a passive valve seat 1, a main valve seat 2, and a leaf spring 3.

[0021] Specifically, the passive valve seat 1 is fixed to one end of the main valve seat 2; the leaf spring 3, as the core elastic element, can deform along the axial direction to control and adjust the pressure in the main chamber.

[0022] Combined with reference Figure 2 The leaf spring 3 includes a fixed ring 30 and a movable leaf 31 concentrically disposed inside the fixed ring; the fixed ring 30 is fixed between the passive valve seat 1 and the main valve seat 2; the movable leaf 31 is connected to the fixed ring 30 through a plurality of circumferentially evenly spaced arc-shaped cantilever 32, and the movable leaf 31 has a central hole 310 and surface holes 311, and there are flow passage gaps 312 between the arc-shaped cantilever 32, the fixed ring 30 and the movable leaf 31.

[0023] A damping valve typically consists of a main stage 6, a pilot stage 7, and a magnetic circuit section 8. The flow regulating device provided in this embodiment is used in the passive valve system of the damping valve, constituting the core flow regulating unit of the main stage 6 (e.g., Figure 3 As shown in the figure, its adjustment method is as follows: When the magnetic circuit of the damping valve is not energized, the movable plate 31 of the leaf spring 3 is pressed against the surface of the passive valve seat 1 under the action of the initial preload. At this time, the flow gap 312 between the center hole 310 and the arc-shaped cantilever 32, the fixed ring 30, and the movable plate 31 is closed. The high-pressure oil cannot flow through the main oil circuit and can only flow into the main valve seat through the surface hole 311 on the movable plate 31, forming a stable preflow channel. This effectively ensures the basic flow requirements under low flow conditions and avoids damping fluctuations caused by insufficient preflow in traditional structures. When the magnetic circuit of the damping valve is energized, the movable plate 31 overcomes the initial preload and disengages from the passive valve seat 1, moving axially and forming a preset stroke S1. The central hole 310 and the flow passage 312 open synchronously, allowing oil to flow bidirectionally into the main valve seat 2 through either the central hole 310 (main flow channel) or the flow passage 312 (auxiliary flow channel), and finally out to the external low-pressure chamber (such as...). Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the flow rate and damping force are precisely adjusted by dynamically changing the flow area.

[0024] In the above implementation process, there are multiple surface holes 311, which are evenly distributed around the circumference. By setting multiple surface holes 311, the total flow area of ​​the pre-flow can be expanded through "multi-channel parallel" without increasing the diameter of a single hole. This makes the oil flow more stable, avoids sudden changes in damping force caused by blockage of a single hole or concentration of flow, makes the initial stage of the PQ curve smoother, significantly improves the damping control accuracy under low operating conditions, and ensures ride stability and comfort. At the same time, the multiple surface holes 311 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the movable plate 31, which allows the oil to penetrate evenly around the circumference of the movable plate during the pre-flow stage, avoids local pressure concentration, and thus reduces the asymmetric force on the leaf spring 3, ensuring the consistency of its axial deformation and improving the accuracy of damping adjustment.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment, the flow regulating device may also be equipped with 4 main stage preload pads and 5 main stage support pads.

[0026] The main preload gasket 4 is pressed between the passive valve seat 1 and the leaf spring 3 to provide initial preload force for the leaf spring 3. The number of gaskets can be selected according to the needs, one or more can be used, or different thickness specifications can be changed to flexibly adjust the preload force.

[0027] The main support gasket 5 is attached to the end of the leaf spring 3 away from the passive valve seat 1 to limit the maximum deformation stroke of the leaf spring 3, prevent the leaf spring 3 from losing its elasticity due to overload deformation, and ensure the reliability of the device operation.

[0028] In addition, the leaf spring 3 is integrally formed from spring steel or stainless steel, and the fixed ring 30, movable leaf 31 and arc-shaped cantilever 32 are seamlessly connected, which reduces the number of parts, shrinks the axial dimension, and improves the structural strength and deformation stability.

[0029] As another preferred embodiment, in conjunction with reference to... Figure 5 The inner sidewall of one end of the main valve seat 2 is provided with a first annular connecting groove 20, and the passive valve seat 1 is fixed in the first annular connecting groove 20 by interference fit or riveting.

[0030] The first annular connecting groove 20 on the inner wall of the main valve seat 2 provides a precise radial and axial positioning reference for the passive valve seat 1. Combined with interference fit or riveting fixing, it avoids circumferential offset and axial loosening of the passive valve seat 1 during operation, ensuring uniform and consistent assembly clearance between it and the leaf spring 3 and the main stage preload gasket 4, guaranteeing stable preload transmission and symmetrical deformation of the leaf spring 3, improving the accuracy of damping adjustment. It also enables the two to form a robust integrated structure, resisting the risk of loosening caused by high-pressure oil impact and vibration, and extending service life. At the same time, the guiding function of the first annular connecting groove 20 simplifies the assembly process and reduces the difficulty. It can be quickly aligned and installed without additional positioning tooling, ensuring consistency in mass production and meeting industrial needs. Moreover, it does not require additional positioning or fixing parts, relying solely on the groove structure of the main valve seat itself to achieve reliable fixing, avoiding the structural redundancy of traditional positioning methods, further reducing the axial and radial dimensions of the valve system, and adapting to the miniaturization and integration design goals of modern solenoid valves.

[0031] Furthermore, the outer wall of the main valve seat 2, away from the passive valve seat 1, is provided with a second annular connecting groove 21. The second annular connecting groove 21 can be precisely fitted and connected to the pilot stage housing of the damping valve, providing a stable installation benchmark for the overall integrated assembly of the entire flow regulating device, simplifying the assembly process of the device and other components of the damping valve, improving overall assembly efficiency and connection reliability, and further meeting the integrated design requirements of the solenoid valve.

[0032] This invention also provides a flow regulation method, which uses the flow regulation device described above. The specific process has been disclosed above and will not be repeated here.

[0033] In summary, compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following advantages: The flow regulating device provided by this invention uses a leaf spring as the core elastic element, replacing the complex combination of "helical spring + multiple flat valve plates" in the traditional method. With the design of the central hole, surface holes and flow gap between the arc-shaped cantilever and the fixed ring and the moving plate, it can stably provide pre-flow function when not energized through the surface holes, and realize the main flow through the central hole and flow gap in synergy after energization. It effectively improves the nonlinearity and hysteresis of PQ characteristics under low current and low flow conditions, and ensures damping characteristics and control accuracy. Furthermore, the integrated leaf spring structure significantly reduces the number of parts, shrinks the axial dimension, and lowers assembly difficulty and production costs. It adapts to the miniaturization and integration requirements of modern solenoid valves, and the stiffness can be flexibly adjusted by adjusting the leaf spring parameters. With the optional configuration of main stage preload gasket and main stage pivot gasket, precise control of preload and maximum deformation stroke can be achieved. This solves the defects of traditional structure preflow and stiffness adjustment function conflict and poor versatility, and comprehensively improves the adaptability, stability and driving comfort of the damping valve main stage passive valve system.

[0034] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A flow regulating device, characterized in that, This includes the passive valve seat, the main valve seat, and the leaf spring; The passive valve seat is fixed to one end of the main valve seat; The leaf spring can deform axially to control and adjust the pressure in the main chamber. It includes a fixed ring and a movable plate concentrically located inside the fixed ring. The fixed ring is fixed between the passive valve seat and the main valve seat. The movable plate is connected to the fixed ring through multiple arc-shaped cantilever arms, and the movable plate has a central hole and surface holes. There are flow gaps between the arc-shaped cantilever arms, the fixed ring, and the movable plate. When the damping valve is not energized, the movable plate is pressed against the passive valve seat, the central hole and the flow gap are closed, and the fluid flows into the main valve seat through the surface holes for pre-flow. When the damping valve is energized, the movable plate overcomes the initial preload and moves axially from the passive valve seat to form a preset stroke. The central hole and the flow passage gap open, and the fluid flows into the main valve seat through the central hole or the flow passage gap and then flows out to the external low-pressure chamber.

2. The flow regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a primary stage preload gasket; the primary stage preload gasket is pressed onto the passive valve seat and is located between the passive valve seat and the leaf spring, and is used to provide initial preload force for the leaf spring.

3. The flow regulating device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The primary preload pad can be one or more.

4. The flow regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a primary pivot gasket; the primary pivot gasket is attached to the end surface of the leaf spring away from the passive valve seat, and is used to limit the maximum deformation stroke of the leaf spring.

5. The flow regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed ring, movable piece, and arc-shaped cantilever are integrally molded.

6. The flow regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of one end of the main valve seat is provided with a first annular connecting groove, and the passive valve seat is fixed in the first annular connecting groove by interference fit or riveting.

7. The flow regulating device as described in claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, The outer wall of the main valve seat at the end away from the passive valve seat is provided with a second annular connecting groove.

8. The flow regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The surface has multiple small holes, which are distributed at uniform intervals around the circumference.

9. The flow regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple arc-shaped cantilever arms are evenly spaced along the circumference.

10. A flow rate regulation method, characterized in that, The flow regulating device described in any one of claims 1-9 is used.

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