Damper Intake Valve Assembly for Continuous Damping Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle dampers lack the ability to continuously adjust damping levels effectively according to varying road conditions and vehicle dynamics, limiting their ability to optimize vibration control.
Innovation Solution
A damper system with external active control valves and a passive intake valve that selectively allows flow between the rebound and compression working chambers, utilizing a unitary support ring, fulcrum spacers, and bendable valve discs to control fluid flow, enabling dynamic adjustment of damping forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional damper designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to continuously adjust damping levels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into modular components including a support ring, fulcrum spacers, and bendable valve discs that can be assembled separately and then combined. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the complex functionality needed for continuous damping adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper employs dynamic valve discs that can bend and flex to continuously adjust the opening area of the valves. This dynamic mechanism enables real-time adjustment of damping levels based on road conditions and vehicle dynamics, transforming a static structure into an adaptive system.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple valve components are used for precise control, then damping control precision is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve components including the support ring, fulcrum spacers, and valve discs are merged into a single integrated assembly unit. This combined assembly can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled as a module, reducing the number of separate assembly steps required while maintaining precise control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve discs are designed to be bendable and self-adjusting based on pressure differentials across the damper chambers. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex external control systems and multiple adjustment components, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If passive intake valve is added, then fluid flow control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive intake valve acts as an intermediary component that automatically regulates fluid flow between chambers based on pressure conditions. It mediates the fluid dynamics without requiring active control systems, simplifying the control mechanism while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive intake valve operates autonomously using pressure differentials to control fluid flow. It opens and closes automatically based on the mechanical state of the damper, providing self-service flow control without adding complex actuation systems.
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
Enables continuous adjustment of damping levels based on real-time vehicle and road conditions, enhancing vibration control and assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the bendable valve discs selectively open and close to control fluid flow between the rebound and compression working chambers
Implementation Method 2
fluid flows between rebound and compression working chambers within the damper to counteract vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A damper includes an inner tube elongated along an axis, a piston slidably disposed in the inner tube, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube and outer tube define a fluid chamber therebetween. The damper includes and intake assembly in the fluid chamber. The intake assembly includes a unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers, a support post fixed to and extending along the axis away from the unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers, and a valve ring supported by the support post. The valve ring defines an orifice. A valve disc is supported by the support post between the valve ring and the unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers. The valve disc covers the orifice of the valve ring.