Hydraulic Damper Compression Stop Assembly for Compact Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic dampers face challenges in reducing operational length, ensuring cost-efficiency, and providing versatile tuning properties, particularly in suspension systems with side loads, where a sufficient bearing span is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic damper with a compression stop assembly featuring a sleeve and insert design, utilizing a coil spring to displace the sleeve within an inner chamber, creating multiple flow channels to generate additional damping force, and incorporating safety and check valves to control fluid flow during compression and rebound strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the minimum bearing span is decreased to accommodate compression stop assembly space, then the operational length is reduced, but the bearing span becomes insufficient for suspension systems with side loads
Solution Approach 1:
The compression stop assembly is nested within the compensation chamber, which is itself located within the main tube. The sleeve and insert components are concentrically arranged, with the sleeve inside the insert, both positioned within the compensation chamber volume. This nested configuration allows the compression stop assembly to utilize the existing compensation chamber space rather than requiring additional bearing span length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear arrangement where the compression stop assembly would extend the bearing span to a radial/concentric arrangement where components are stacked within the compensation chamber volume. By utilizing the radial dimension and the existing compensation chamber volume, the design achieves compression stop functionality without increasing the axial operational length or compromising the bearing span.
2Force
If a conventional compression stop assembly is provided, then additional damping force is generated, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation chamber serves multiple functions: it compensates for volume changes during compression and rebound strokes, and it houses the compression stop assembly. The sleeve and insert components are designed with simple geometric features that can be integrated into existing damper manufacturing processes. The flow channels are formed as simple annular passages, avoiding complex machining or assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression stop assembly is merged with the base valve assembly, with the sleeve and insert positioned within the compensation chamber that is already part of the base valve structure. The flow channels are integrated into the existing hydraulic circuit, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall assembly complexity.
3Length of moving object
If the compression stop assembly working length is reduced, then packaging and handling are improved, but the additional damping force generation capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The compression stop assembly utilizes hydraulic principles by forcing working liquid through restricted flow channels formed by the sleeve and insert. The additional damping force is generated hydrodynamically as the liquid must pass through the annular flow channels, creating pressure-dependent resistance. This allows effective damping force generation within a compact volume without requiring long mechanical travel or complex mechanical spring assemblies.
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 achieves a reduced operational length, cost-effective manufacturing, and versatile damping force tuning, while maintaining optimal performance in suspension systems with side loads.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve is attached to the piston assembly by a spring disposed within said sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic damper comprises a main tube filed with working liquid... configured to generate a damping force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A hydraulic damper comprises a main tube, a piston assembly, a base valve assembly, and a compression stop assembly. The compression stop assembly includes an insert defining an inner chamber, and a sleeve displaceable along with the main piston assembly and configured to be slidably introduced inside the inner chamber. The sleeve has a diameter lower than the diameter of the main tube defining a first external flow channel between the sleeve and the main tube; the sleeve is attached to the piston assembly by a spring disposed within the sleeve; and the insert is provided with a plurality of axially-spaced holes and has an annular flange adjoining the inner wall of the main tube and separating the compression chamber from a second external flow channel between the radially external outlets of the holes and the base valve assembly.