Adaptive Vibration Damper Valve Unit for Compact Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Adaptive vibration dampers require more design space and are complex, making them costly and less compact compared to conventional dampers.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper with a valve unit featuring three flow paths, including a first valve for hard damping, a second valve with a variable throttle for soft damping, and a check valve, allowing for adaptive settings without the need for additional check valves in the damper tube, enabling a compact design and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adaptive vibration dampers are designed with multiple damper settings and switching capabilities, then the driving comfort and adaptability are improved, but the design space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple damper settings (hard damping, soft damping, and intermediate settings) into a single integrated vibration damper system. The first and second damper valves are merged within one damper unit, allowing switching between different damping characteristics without requiring separate dampers for each setting. This reduces the overall number of components while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different damping settings through the first and second damper valves. The system can adaptively change its damping characteristics in real-time based on driving conditions, transitioning between hard damping (sporty behavior) and soft damping (comfortable behavior) modes. This dynamic capability provides versatility without requiring multiple static damper systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adaptive vibration dampers are designed with multiple damper settings and switching capabilities, then the driving comfort and adaptability are improved, but the design space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple damper settings (hard damping, soft damping, and intermediate settings) into a single integrated vibration damper system. The first and second damper valves are merged within one damper unit, allowing switching between different damping characteristics without requiring separate dampers for each setting. This reduces the overall number of components while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the first and second damper valves are positioned within the same damper housing, with the check valve arranged in an annular space between the cylinder and tube. This nesting of multiple functional elements within a compact structure reduces the overall design space required while maintaining all necessary adaptive damping capabilities.
3Device complexity
If conventional vibration dampers are used with check valves in annular spaces, then the design is simpler, but the adaptive damping control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vibration damper system universal by implementing multiple damper valves (first and second damper valves) that can provide different damping characteristics. The system can function in multiple modes: hard damping for sporty driving behavior, soft damping for comfortable driving behavior, and intermediate settings. This multi-functionality is achieved while keeping the overall component count manageable through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different damping settings through the first and second damper valves. The system can adaptively change its damping characteristics in real-time based on driving conditions, transitioning between hard damping (sporty behavior) and soft damping (comfortable behavior) modes. This dynamic capability provides versatility without requiring multiple static damper systems.
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 solution allows for a more compact and cost-effective adaptive vibration damper design, capable of switching between hard and soft damping settings, improving driving comfort and reducing the number of components, thus lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The valve unit comprises at least three flow paths for the damper fluid, the first flow path comprising a first valve for a first damper setting, the second flow path comprising a second valve for a second damper setting
Implementation Method 2
The check valve is arranged such that, during the compression stage, it allows the flow of the damping fluid from an equalizing space through a fluid connection into the working space at the piston rod side
Implementation Method 3
the second flow path comprising a second valve for a second damper setting and a variable throttle, and the third flow path comprising a check valve. The second damper setting is softer than the first damper setting and the cross section of the second flow path is adjustable at least partially by the variable throttle
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damper for a motor vehicle having at least one damper tube, which includes at least one damper fluid, a piston rod having a piston, which is guided axially in the damper tube, and at least one valve unit. The valve unit includes at least three flow paths for the damper fluid. The first flow path includes a first valve for a first damper setting. The second flow path includes a second valve for a second damper setting and a variable throttle. The third flow path includes a check valve, wherein the second damper setting is softer than the first damper setting and the cross section of the second flow path is adjustable at least partially by the variable throttle.