Adjustable Suspension Damper With Pilot Spool Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle suspension dampers provide a constant damping rate throughout the stroke, failing to adapt to varying terrain conditions, and lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting damping rates to enhance vehicle performance.
Innovation Solution
A pilot spool valve assembly with a latching solenoid mechanism that allows for adjustable damping rates by controlling fluid flow through a pressure-balanced pilot spool, using low power consumption and enabling external tuning of the damper's open state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a constant damping rate is used throughout the stroke, then the damper structure is simple, but the damper cannot adapt to varying terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pilot spool valve assembly with a latching solenoid mechanism that enables the damper to dynamically adjust its damping rate. The solenoid controls the pilot spool to open or close fluid passages, allowing the damping characteristic to change from constant to variable throughout the stroke, thereby adapting to different terrain conditions while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the damping parameter by controlling fluid flow through the pilot spool valve assembly. By using the latching solenoid to shift the pilot spool between positions, the system alters the flow restriction characteristics, thereby changing the damping rate to match varying terrain requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pilot spool valve assembly with latching solenoid is used to enable adjustable damping rates, then adaptability to terrain conditions improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the damping adjustment function into a separate pilot spool valve assembly that operates independently from the main damper body. This modular approach allows the complex valve control mechanism to be isolated, making the overall system more manageable while providing adjustable damping rates through the pilot spool's interaction with fluid passages
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot spool acts as an intermediary element between the latching solenoid and the main damping fluid flow. The solenoid controls the pilot spool position, which in turn controls the main fluid passages, providing a two-stage control mechanism that reduces the complexity burden on the main damper structure while enabling adjustable damping rates
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dampers are used, then power consumption is low, but damping rates cannot be adjusted to enhance vehicle performance
Solution Approach 1:
The latching solenoid operates in a periodic or intermittent manner rather than continuously, switching the pilot spool between latched positions only when damping rate changes are required. This periodic activation significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous control, while still providing the capability to adjust damping rates to enhance vehicle performance
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism allows the solenoid to maintain the pilot spool position without continuous power input. Once the solenoid actuates the pilot spool to a desired position, the latching feature maintains that position passively, requiring power only during transitions. This self-latching behavior reduces overall power consumption while preserving damping adjustment capability
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
Enables controllable preload and damping rates, reducing power consumption, and allowing riders to adjust damping settings to suit their preferences, enhancing vehicle suspension performance.
Implementation Method 1
A pilot spool valve assembly with a latching solenoid mechanism that allows for adjustable damping rates by controlling fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
controlling fluid flow through a pressure-balanced pilot spool
Implementation Method 3
A damper may be constructed by placing a damping piston in a fluid-filled cylinder (e.g., liquid such as oil). As the damping piston is moved in the cylinder, fluid is compressed and passes from one side of the piston to the other side
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension damper is described. The vehicle suspension damper includes: a pilot valve assembly; a primary valve; and an adjuster, wherein the pilot valve assembly meters fluid to the primary valve, and the adjuster moves the primary valve.