Clamped Frequency-Dependent Damper Valve Inside the Piston

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional damper assemblies face challenges with frequency-dependent valves being expensive, complex, and requiring additional modifications that increase dead-length and generate contaminants, while also offering limited tuning capabilities and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

A damper assembly with a frequency-dependent valve that includes a tubular FD housing, an FD slider dividing the FD chamber into pressure and displacement chambers, an FD control stack regulating fluid flow, and an FD working disc deflecting to manage fluid flow between compression and rebound chambers, integrated within the piston to provide adaptive damping characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If frequency-dependent valve assemblies are added to existing damper designs, then damping performance at different frequencies is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency-dependent damping performanceVSAvoidvalve assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency-dependent valve functionality is merged into the existing piston structure. The FD valve housing is integrated with the piston body, and the FD slider, control stack, and working disc are incorporated within the piston assembly, eliminating the need for separate add-on valve assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The piston assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides basic damping control through conventional valves and simultaneously provides frequency-dependent damping control through the integrated FD valve components, making the piston a multi-functional element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If add-on frequency-dependent valves are attached to existing dampers, then adaptive damping is achieved, but dead-length of the damper increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptive damping capabilityVSAvoiddamper dead-length
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The FD valve components are nested within the existing piston structure. The FD slider moves within the FD valve housing that is integrated into the piston body, and the working disc is positioned within the piston assembly, allowing frequency-dependent functionality without extending the overall damper length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional bypass holes are drilled in existing dampers for frequency-dependent valves, then valve functionality is achieved, but structural strength is weakened and contaminants are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve functionalityVSAvoidvalve tenon strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The valve functionality is segmented into separate components (FD slider, control stack, working disc) that are assembled within the piston structure rather than requiring integrated drilling of bypass holes through the valve tenon, preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The FD valve housing and slider act as intermediary components that provide fluid flow paths without requiring direct modification of the valve tenon structure, eliminating the need for additional bypass holes that would weaken the tenon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If conventional passive shock absorber valves are used, then结构简单性 is maintained, but damping performance compromise between safety and comfort is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structure simplicityVSAvoiddamping performance adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system transitions from static conventional valves to a dynamic system where the FD slider and working disc respond to pressure differentials and motion frequencies, automatically adjusting damping characteristics without requiring complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances damping performance by allowing high damping forces at low frequencies and low damping forces at high frequencies, improving comfort and road holding without the need for expensive add-ons or complex modifications, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing contaminants.

Implementation Method 1

an FD working disc configured to deflect together with the FD housing for regulating fluid flow between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeflection: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

an FD control stack configured to regulate fluid flow between the intermediate chamber and the FD pressure chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure regulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

an FD slider disposed within the FD housing and dividing the FD chamber into an FD pressure chamber and an FD displacement chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid compartmentation:

Data Source

PatentEP4421348A1Damper assembly with clamped frequency dependent valve
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 BEIJING WEST IND CO LTD
  • EP4421348A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421348A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4421348A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A damper assembly (20) includes a damper tube (22) extending along a center axis (A) and defining a fluid compartment (32, 34). A piston (40) is attached to a damper rod (36) and divides the fluid compartment (32, 34) into a compression chamber (32) and a rebound chamber (34). The piston (40) includes a piston body (60) and a frequency-dependent (FD) valve (90). The piston body (60) defines an intermediate chamber (67) in fluid communication with the rebound chamber (34). The FD valve (90) includes: an FD housing (110) having a tubular shape surrounding an FD chamber (116, 118), an FD slider (102) disposed within the FD housing (110) and dividing the FD chamber (116, 118) into an FD pressure chamber (116) and an FD displacement chamber (118), an FD control stack (92,94, 98, 100) configured to regulate fluid flow between the intermediate chamber (67) and the FD pressure chamber (116), and an FD working disc (120) configured to deflect together with the FD housing (110) for regulating fluid flow between the rebound chamber (34) and the compression chamber (32).