Active Valve Suspension Damping for Bottom-Out Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers for vehicles face challenges with 'bottom out' conditions, where the dampening piston retracts due to compressive forces, leading to harsh rides and poor handling, and existing solutions do not provide a complete and adjustable system to account for dampening fluid temperature changes or allow for 'on-the-fly' adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A damper system with a fluid chamber divided by a piston into compression and rebound portions, featuring a bottom out cup and active valve that adjusts fluid flow rates based on vehicle acceleration data, allowing for dynamic adjustment of damping characteristics to prevent 'bottom out' and maintain optimal ride quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dampening is increased to prevent bottom out, then the bottom out condition is avoided, but the ride becomes harsh and vehicle handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dampening characteristics adjustable through an active valve system. The valve can be remotely operated to change fluid flow rates through different orifices, allowing the dampening force to be dynamically adjusted based on operating conditions. This enables the system to provide high dampening when needed to prevent bottom out while maintaining softer dampening for normal ride quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by providing multiple orifices with different flow characteristics and using an active valve to selectively control fluid flow through these orifices. The valve can adjust the effective orifice size and flow rate, changing the dampening parameter from a fixed value to a variable one that can be optimized for different conditions such as temperature changes and terrain variations.
2Reliability
If the dampening is set for high temperature operation, then bottom out is prevented at high temperatures, but the dampener is too stiff at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The active valve system enables dynamic adjustment of dampening characteristics to account for temperature variations. The valve can be remotely operated to increase fluid flow rates during initial low-temperature operation, providing softer dampening, and then adjusted to reduce flow rates when the fluid warms up, preventing bottom out at high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the dampening parameter by providing multiple orifices with different flow characteristics and using the active valve to selectively control which orifices are active. This allows the effective dampening parameter to be changed based on temperature conditions, transitioning from a stiff setting for high-temperature operation to a softer setting for low-temperature operation.
3Ease of operation
If the dampening is set to be soft initially, then ride quality is good, but bottom out occurs during extended use
Solution Approach 1:
The active valve system provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the dampening to start soft for good ride quality and then be increased during extended use to prevent bottom out. The remote operation capability enables the valve to be adjusted based on actual operating conditions and fluid temperature.
4Device complexity
If a fixed dampening system is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot adapt to temperature changes or terrain variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing a fixed dampening system with one that has active control capability. The valve can be remotely operated to adjust fluid flow rates, enabling the system to adapt to different terrains and temperature conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The active valve system provides multi-functionality by enabling the same dampener to perform both soft dampening for comfort and stiff dampening for bottom out prevention, as well as adapting to different temperature conditions. This eliminates the need for multiple fixed dampeners for different conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents 'bottom out' by dynamically adjusting damping forces in response to vehicle conditions, ensuring a consistent ride quality regardless of temperature changes or terrain, thereby enhancing vehicle handling and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an active valve coupled with said fluid flow path, said active valve to meter a fluid flow of a working fluid through said fluid flow path
Implementation Method 2
a damper chamber divided by a piston and shaft into a compression portion and a rebound portion
Implementation Method 3
a fluid flow path formed in the bottom out control feature for providing fluid communication from the bottom out control feature to the compression portion of the damper chamber during a compression stroke of the damper
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A damper (200) for a shock absorber comprising: a damper chamber (220) divided by a piston (210) and shaft (215) into a compression portion and a rebound portion; a bottom out control feature (250, 275) at an end of the compression portion; a fluid flow path (302; 444) formed in the bottom out control feature for providing fluid communication from the bottom out control feature to the compression portion of the damper chamber during a compression stroke of the damper; and an active valve (350; 450, 450b) coupled with said fluid flow path, said active valve to meter a fluid flow of a working fluid through said fluid flow path.