Adjustable Damping Curve Shock Absorber External Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic shock absorbers require disassembly for damping performance adjustments, limiting convenience and flexibility in adjusting both compression and rebound damping curves.
Innovation Solution
The shock absorber incorporates an adjustable mechanism with a plug and spring system that allows for easy adjustment of the damping curve by controlling fluid flow through an aperture seat, enabling infinite adjustability and predefined locking points for desired ride characteristics, and can be adapted for use with remote reservoirs for further control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disassembly is required for damping adjustments, then manufacturing precision and reliability are maintained, but ease of operation and adjustment convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjustment mechanism from the internal structure and places it on the external surface of the shock absorber. The adjustment knob and associated components are positioned on the outer casing, allowing users to access and modify damping characteristics without disassembling the shock absorber body. This external placement directly resolves the contradiction by enabling easy adjustment while maintaining the integrity of the internal sealing and manufacturing precision.
2Ease of operation
If external adjustment controls are added, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls compression damping, rebound damping, and can be configured for different ride characteristics through predefined settings. The same external control system handles both compression and rebound adjustments, eliminating the need for separate internal adjustment mechanisms for each function. This multi-functionality approach improves ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber includes built-in predefined adjustment positions that allow users to quickly select desired ride characteristics without requiring complex calibration or technical knowledge. The mechanism provides self-contained adjustment capabilities with tactile feedback and positional indicators, enabling end-users to service and adjust the damping characteristics independently without external tools or assistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If infinite adjustability is provided, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates predefined adjustment positions that are pre-configured during manufacturing to provide specific ride characteristics. These predetermined settings are built into the adjustment mechanism, allowing users to quickly select from known good configurations. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through multiple adjustable positions while maintaining manufacturing precision through factory-calibrated reference points.
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
This solution allows for convenient and precise adjustment of the damping curve without disassembly, providing infinite adjustability and replicable settings, enhancing the performance and customization of shock absorbers for various vehicle conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment control(s) 45 may include an adjuster 60 that, when actuated, advances against a spring 65 to increase the compressive force exerted by the spring 65 on the plug body 70
Implementation Method 2
one or more fluids (including, but not limited to, liquids (e.g., hydraulic fluid) and/or gases (e.g., nitrogen)) may be disposed within the piston cavity 20
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment control for adjusting a damping curve of a shock absorber includes an aperture seat coupled to a base of the shock absorber. The aperture seat defines a flow tube. A plug, in mechanical communication with a spring, slidably engages the flow tube. A plug nut is threadably coupled to an adjustment nut shaft stud and is in mechanical communication with the spring. An adjustment nut is coupled to the base. The adjustment nut has a non-circular cavity to receive at least a portion of the adjustment nut shaft stud and at least a portion of the non-circular region of the plug nut such that the plug nut cannot rotate relative to the non-circular cavity of the adjustment nut. An adjustment knob causes rotation of the adjustment nut shaft stud. The rotation of the adjustment nut shaft stud causes axial movement of the plug nut.