Adjustable Suspension Damper With Variable Fluid-Flow Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle suspension systems experience a constant damping rate throughout the entire stroke, leading to the risk of 'bottoming out' and potential deformation or breakage of damping components, which is not adjustable to varying driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable vehicle suspension damper system featuring a rotatable valve and damping adjustment lever that obstructs fluid flow between the piston sides, allowing for variable damping rates through the use of a control rod and motive source, such as electric or hydraulic input, to manage fluid flow through vented paths and shim stacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a constant damping rate is used throughout the entire stroke, then the damper structure is simple, but the suspension risks bottoming out and components may deform or break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the damping rate variable rather than constant. The damping piston includes adjustable vents that can be positioned at different heights to change the damping characteristics during compression and extension strokes. This allows the damping rate to adapt dynamically to different suspension conditions, preventing bottoming out while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the damping parameter by allowing adjustment of vent positions on the damping piston. By changing which vents are exposed during compression or extension, the fluid flow paths and damping rates are modified. This parameter change enables the system to avoid bottoming out conditions while keeping the overall damper structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If the damping rate is increased to prevent bottoming out, then suspension reliability improves, but the damping force becomes too high for normal driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system dynamically adjusts its characteristics based on the stroke position and driving conditions. During normal operation, lower damping rates are used for comfort, while during approaching bottoming out conditions, the damping rate increases automatically through vent positioning changes, providing both comfort and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the damping stroke have different damping requirements. The patent applies local quality by having different vents activated at different positions - some vents provide lower damping for normal operation while others provide higher damping near the extremes of travel. This allows optimization of damping characteristics for specific local conditions within the stroke.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable damping mechanisms are added to vary damping rates, then suspension adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment mechanism with the damping piston itself. The vents are integrated into the piston structure, and the adjustment is achieved through the relative movement between the piston and cylinder rather than separate adjustment mechanisms. This combining approach provides adaptability while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping piston serves multiple functions: it provides the primary damping action, contains the adjustable vents for rate control, and its relative movement with the cylinder provides the adjustment mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 varies damping rates to prevent 'bottoming out' and allows for customizable damping characteristics based on driving conditions, enhancing suspension performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
the piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
the adjuster obstructs fluid flow from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension damper including: a cylinder; a piston assembly; and an adjuster, wherein the piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within the cylinder and the adjuster obstructs fluid flow from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston.