Damper Jounce Shock System for Impact Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current suspension systems face challenges in managing impact loads effectively, leading to the need for heavier vehicle components to absorb energy, which compromises driving comfort and controllability, and lacks sufficient cushioning due to rigid striker plates and marginal energy absorption by jounce bumpers.

Innovation Solution

A damper system with a jounce shock mechanism that includes a jounce bumper assembly and a jounce shock system within a tubular housing, where a rod with pistons moves to engage the jounce shock system, providing energy dissipation and reducing peak forces experienced by the vehicle frame during impacts, allowing for the use of lighter materials without compromising performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid metallic striker plate and jounce bumper are used to limit jounce, then jounce is limited, but cushioning effect is insufficient and energy absorption is marginal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejounce limitationVSAvoidenergy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the working fluid within the shock absorber to enhance energy absorption. The fluid undergoes phase changes and parameter variations under impact conditions, transforming mechanical energy into thermal energy more effectively than rigid bumpers alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic fluid within the shock absorber system to manage impact energy. The fluid's incompressibility and viscosity characteristics provide superior energy dissipation compared to mechanical bumpers, allowing the system to absorb impact energy through fluid resistance and pressure changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Loss of energy

If heavier vehicle components are used to absorb impact energy, then energy absorption is improved, but driving comfort and controllability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoiddriving comfort and controllability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical energy absorption methods (heavy springs, rigid bumpers) with a hydraulic-pneumatic system. This substitution allows for more efficient energy dissipation through fluid dynamics, reducing the need for heavy mechanical components while maintaining impact protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the working fluid (phase transitions, viscosity changes, pressure variations) to dynamically adjust energy absorption characteristics. This allows the system to adapt to different impact conditions without requiring heavy fixed-mass components, thereby maintaining vehicle responsiveness and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If rigid striker plate and marginal capacity bumper are used, then jounce is limited, but cushioning effect from impact loads is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejounce limiting functionVSAvoidimpact shock transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydraulic fluid within the shock absorber to provide cushioning against impact loads. The fluid's resistance to compression and flow creates a damping effect that absorbs impact energy smoothly, reducing shock transmission to the vehicle body compared to rigid mechanical bumpers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the working fluid under impact conditions (pressure increase, temperature rise, potential phase change) to enhance cushioning effects. These dynamic parameter variations allow the system to provide progressive resistance to impact forces, improving comfort while maintaining jounce limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 damper system effectively absorbs and dissipates impact forces, enabling the use of lighter vehicle components while maintaining driving comfort and controllability, improving fuel efficiency and off-road handling by reducing the mass of the vehicle frame and allowing for larger wheels and lower profile tires.

Implementation Method 1

The damper system effectively absorbs and dissipates impact forces, enabling the use of lighter vehicle components while maintaining driving comfort and controllability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9193241B2Systems and methods for damper having jounce shock

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN OF AMERICA

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are provided for a damper having a jounce shock. The damper includes a top mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular frame and a bottom mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular suspension system. The damper further includes a damper tube assembly disposed between the top mounting portion and the bottom mounting portion. The damper tube assembly includes a jounce shock system and a rod having a first piston and a second piston. The rod is movable within the damper tube assembly from a first position to a second position, and the second piston engages the jounce shock system as the rod approaches the second position.