Axial Needle Vibration Damper for Independent Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration dampers for vehicles, such as motorcycles, face challenges in manufacturing complexity and cost due to the use of rotary valves, which are expensive to produce and can lead to check valves getting stuck, limiting sensitive adjustment of rebound damping and increasing manufacturing time.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper design featuring axially movable adjusting needles within a piston rod, allowing independent adjustment of compression and rebound damping, manufactured using a simpler machining process, reducing production costs and enabling sensitive damping adjustments without the need for complex rotary valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rotary valves are used for damping adjustment, then independent adjustment of compression and rebound damping is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The damping adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent axial adjustment devices: one for compression damping and one for rebound damping. Each device operates independently through axial movement rather than requiring complex rotary valve mechanisms, thereby achieving independent adjustment while simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using rotary movement to control damping (as in conventional rotary valves), the patent inverts the approach by using axial linear movement of adjustment needles to control fluid flow. This inversion transforms a complex rotary mechanism into a simpler linear adjustment system that is easier to manufacture
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotary valves with multiple radial bores are used, then damping characteristics can be adjusted, but manufacturing time and cost increase due to frequent tool changes
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into separate axial adjustment devices for compression and rebound, each with its own adjustment needle. This segmentation eliminates the need for multiple radial bores and frequent tool changes, as each device can be manufactured independently with simpler machining operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the adjustment parameter from radial bore alignment (requiring multiple drilling operations) to axial position of adjustment needles. This parameter change allows damping characteristics to be adjusted by simply moving the needle axially, which can be achieved through simpler machining processes without frequent tool changes
3Reliability
If check valves are designed with large radial movement requirements, then opening pressure can be achieved, but valve member stiffness increases leading to high breakaway torque and reduced sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring large radial movement of the valve member (which demands high stiffness and creates high breakaway torque), the patent inverts the approach by using axial movement of adjustment needles to control damping. This inversion allows for sensitive adjustment without the drawbacks of large radial valve movement
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 vibration damper achieves cost-effective and reliable damping adjustments with reduced manufacturing complexity, allowing for independent control of compression and rebound damping, enhancing performance and ease of use by enabling quick changes in damping characteristics without disassembling the entire unit.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration damper with a cylinder (6) designed to accommodate damping fluid and an axially movable working piston (8)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A vibration damper is provided with a cylinder (6; 61) designed to receive damping fluid and an axially movable working piston (8) therein, which is guided on a piston rod (15) designed with an axial passage and divides the cylinder interior (7) into a first (13) and a second (14) working chamber, and the vibration damper (1; 60) has a fluid communication passage (17) that at least partially axially penetrates the piston rod (15) for fluid exchange between the working chambers (13, 14) and a check valve (18) that opens into the respective working chamber (13, 14).19) and has a first adjusting device for adjusting the compression damping and a second adjusting device for adjusting the rebound damping, and one adjusting device is adjustable by means of an adjusting sleeve (20) arranged in the axial passage of the piston rod (15) and provided with an axial passage (24), and the other adjusting device is adjustable by means of an adjusting rod (22) arranged in the axial passage of the adjusting sleeve (20), wherein the first adjusting device is a first adjusting needle (23) axially displaceable in the fluid communication passage, and the second adjusting device is a second adjusting needle (21) axially displaceable in the axial longitudinal direction of the piston rod (15) and formed with an inner recess (24).