Damper Intermediate Channel Layout for Wider Compression Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current damper designs with a single externally mounted control valve are limited in the range of compression damping forces they can provide, as fluid flow is restricted during compression strokes due to the piston rod volume, resulting in a narrower damping force range compared to extension strokes.
Innovation Solution
The damper design incorporates unidirectional blocking valves and an external control valve, allowing the first and second working chambers to operate independently, enabling a wider range of compression damping forces by controlling fluid flow through intermediate channels and a reservoir chamber, thus enhancing the damping force range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single externally mounted control valve is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the range of compression damping forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate channel is divided into multiple segments by unidirectional blocking valves, creating distinct fluid flow paths. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow between working chambers, enabling a wider range of compression damping forces with a single control valve.
Solution Approach 2:
Unidirectional blocking valves act as intermediary elements between the single control valve and the working chambers. These intermediaries redirect and regulate fluid flow in specific directions, expanding the damping force range without requiring additional control valves.
2Ease of operation
If piston rod volume is present in the damper, then the damper structure is complete, but fluid flow during compression strokes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow path is segmented into multiple channels with unidirectional blocking valves, allowing fluid to bypass the piston rod volume restriction during compression strokes. This creates independent flow paths that are not constrained by the piston rod displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing fluid flow to be naturally restricted by the piston rod volume during compression, the design inverts the approach by using unidirectional blocking valves to actively redirect fluid flow through alternative paths, eliminating the restriction caused by piston rod volume.
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 design allows for a larger range of compression damping forces, comparable to existing dampers with two control valves, while maintaining the simplicity of a single externally mounted electro-mechanical valve, making it suitable for a broader spectrum of vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
The first unidirectional blocking valve is a one-way valve that permits fluid flow in only a first direction moving from the first intermediate channel portion to the second intermediate channel portion
Implementation Method 2
The external control valve includes a control valve inlet and a control valve outlet. The control valve inlet is positioned in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion and the control valve outlet is positioned in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber
Implementation Method 3
A piston is located within the damper and separates a first working chamber and a second working chamber
Implementation Method 4
Vehicles generally include dampers that are used in conjunction with suspension systems to absorb vibrations and bumps during driving
Data Source
AI summary
A damper including inner and outer tubes and a control valve. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube to define first and second working chambers. An intermediate member assembly is disposed annularly about the inner tube. An intermediate channel is positioned radially between the intermediate member assembly and the inner tube and a reservoir channel is positioned radially between the intermediate member assembly and the outer tube. A first unidirectional blocking valve forms a first partition between first and second intermediate channel portions of the intermediate channel. A second unidirectional blocking valve forms a second partition between the second intermediate channel portion and a third intermediate channel portion. An external control valve has a control valve inlet that is arranged in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion.