Controlled Damper Cross-Flow Valve Layout for Simpler Bidirectional Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CVRTD shock absorbers with internal valves face complexity due to the need to operate in both rebound and compression directions, leading to intricate designs and technical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A damper assembly with a piston that divides the fluid compartment into rebound and compression chambers, featuring a proportional valve and check valves to regulate fluid flow in a single direction during both strokes, simplifying the design and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an internal valve is used in a CVRTD damper, then the damping control is integrated within the piston assembly, but the design becomes very complex and faces technical difficulties due to needing to operate in two directions (rebound and compression)
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into separate functional components: a proportional valve for active damping control and a check valve for passive one-way flow control. This segmentation allows each valve type to perform its specialized function independently, avoiding the complexity of a single valve handling both compression and rebound strokes
Solution Approach 2:
A cross-flow passage acts as an intermediary channel between the compression and rebound chambers. This passage allows fluid to flow in one direction during both compression and rebound strokes, enabling the proportional valve to control damping in a simplified manner without directly handling bidirectional flow
2Ease of operation
If a proportional valve operates bidirectionally in internal CVRTD dampers, then both compression and rebound damping are controlled, but the valve design becomes intricate and technically challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the proportional valve directly control bidirectional flow between compression and rebound chambers, the design inverts the approach by using a cross-flow passage to handle the bidirectional flow path. The proportional valve then only needs to control unidirectional flow through this passage, greatly simplifying its design and operation
Solution Approach 2:
The damping control function is segmented into two independent mechanisms: the check valve handles the one-way flow requirement, while the proportional valve handles the controllable damping portion. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more reliable
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 configuration enables a more straightforward and effective implementation of a one-way continuously variable real-time damping system, reducing damping characteristics during both compression and rebound strokes, thus enhancing the stability and control of vehicle suspension systems.
Implementation Method 1
a proportional valve configured to regulate fluid flow between the cross-flow passage and an outlet passage based on an electrical control signal
Implementation Method 2
a first check valve configured to allow fluid flow from the compression chamber into the cross-flow passage while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction
Implementation Method 3
a second check valve configured to allow fluid flow from the rebound chamber into the cross-flow while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction
Implementation Method 4
a piston slidably disposed in the tube and dividing the fluid compartment into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A damper assembly (20) comprises a tube (22) defining a fluid compartment (32,34); and a piston (40) slidably disposed in the tube (22) and dividing the fluid compartment (32,34) into a rebound chamber (34) and a compression chamber (32). The piston (40) defines a cross-flow passage (56) and includes: a first check valve (54) configured to allow fluid flow from the compression chamber (32) into the cross-flow passage (56) while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction, a second check valve (58) configured to allow fluid flow from the rebound chamber (34) into the cross-flow passage (56) while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction, and a proportional valve (52) configured to regulate fluid flow between the cross-flow passage (56) and an outlet passage (88) based on an electrical control signal. Fluid flow is directed through the proportional valve (52) in a same direction during each of a compression stroke and a rebound stroke.