Balanced Semi-Active Damper Valve Layout to Eliminate Bending Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle dampers face challenges in efficiently adjusting damping levels according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics, leading to potential space and packaging issues due to asymmetric loads and increased dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A semi-active damper system with external active control valves balanced by passive intake valves, allowing for continuous adjustment of damping forces and reduced dimensions by orthogonal orientation of valves and identical contact areas to minimize bending moments, enabling smaller and more versatile damper designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If asymmetric valve configuration is used for active control, then damping adjustment capability is improved, but bending moments increase leading to larger component dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in reverse by introducing symmetric counterbalancing elements. The active control valve is positioned asymmetrically for damping control, but a counterbalancing passive valve is positioned symmetrically on the opposite side to eliminate the resulting bending moments, thus resolving the contradiction between damping adjustability and structural size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the counterbalancing passive valve as a counterweight to offset the bending moments generated by the asymmetric active control valve. This counterbalancing approach allows the active valve to provide full damping adjustment capability while the counterbalancing valve eliminates the unwanted bending moments that would otherwise require larger, thicker components
2Strength
If thicker components are used to resist bending moments, then structural strength is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counterbalancing passive valve generates opposing fluid forces that cancel the bending moments, eliminating the need for thicker structural components. This allows the damper to maintain full structural strength while minimizing volume by using thin-walled tubes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic fluid forces from the counterbalancing valve to actively counteract bending moments. By utilizing fluid pressure and flow forces, the system achieves structural strength without increasing physical dimensions, as the balancing force is generated hydraulically rather than structurally
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 enables a compact and adaptable damping system that effectively adjusts to various conditions, reducing the need for thicker components and allowing for wider application in vehicles, including electric vehicles, by balancing fluid forces and eliminating bending moments.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid forces associated with the active rebound valve and active compression valve are balanced with passive rebound and compression intake valves to substantially eliminate bending moments
Implementation Method 2
fluid flows through both active compression valve (64), located on one side of the elongate tube (26), and intake compression valve (80), located on the opposite side of the elongate tube (26)
Data Source
AI summary
A continuously variable damper is disclosed. The damper includes an elongate outer tube and inner tube with a piston in the inner tube. The piston defines a rebound working chamber and compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is in fluid communication with the rebound working chamber through a rebound down tube, and an active compression valve is in fluid communication with the compression working chamber through a compression down tube. An intake compression valve is in fluid communication with the rebound working chamber through the rebound down tube, and an intake rebound valve is in fluid communication with the compression working chamber through the compression down tube. The opposite position of the intake valves balance the active rebound and compression valves to avoid asymmetric/bending loads on the inner tube in the damper.