Damper Piston Blowoff Disc Flow Path for Precise Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damper designs in automotive suspension systems lack efficient control over fluid flow rate between subchambers, leading to inadequate damping force regulation and assembly complexity due to fixed passage sizes and orientations.
Innovation Solution
A damper assembly with a piston assembly featuring a body and piston rod having axial grooves and notches, allowing fluid to flow between subchambers through passageways, and blowoff discs that flex to adjust fluid flow based on pressure differentials, providing fine control over fluid transfer rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size passages are used in the piston, then the structure is simple, but the damping force cannot be adjusted and fluid flow control is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod includes a groove that forms a passageway with the inner bore, creating a dynamic fluid flow path that can control damping force. The groove geometry allows adjustment of fluid flow characteristics without requiring multiple fixed passages, enabling adaptable damping while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of fluid flow control by using the groove geometry in the piston rod rather than fixed passages in the piston body. This allows modification of damping characteristics through groove design (depth, width, position) without fundamentally changing the passage structure complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple passages are added to control fluid flow rate, then damping control improves, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove in the piston rod is merged with the inner bore to form an integrated passageway. This combination eliminates the need for separate passages and reduces assembly complexity while providing sufficient fluid flow control capability through the groove geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure serves multiple functions: it forms the fluid passage, controls damping force, and simplifies assembly by eliminating separate passage components. This multi-functionality addresses both fluid flow control needs and assembly complexity concerns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If orientation-dependent passages are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the damper performance varies with orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The groove in the piston rod is positioned and oriented to create asymmetric fluid flow characteristics that compensate for orientation variations. The groove geometry is designed to maintain consistent damping performance regardless of the damper's installation orientation, achieving orientation independence while remaining manufacturable.
4Adaptability or versatility
If exponential resistance increase with speed is used, then damping control is achieved, but fine control over fluid transfer rates is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The groove in the piston rod creates localized fluid flow control with specific geometric characteristics (depth, width, position) that provide fine control over fluid transfer rates. This local quality modification allows precise damping regulation without relying solely on exponential resistance increase, enabling both control and ease of operation.
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 precise damping force adjustment and simplified assembly by allowing fluid flow control independent of orientation, enhancing damping performance and reducing component complexity.
Implementation Method 1
blowoff discs that flex to adjust fluid flow based on pressure differentials
Implementation Method 2
blowoff discs that flex
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A damper assembly includes a pressure tube forming a chamber, a piston assembly disposed in the chamber and dividing the chamber into two subchambers, and a piston rod fixed to the piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a body having an inner bore extending axially through the body. The piston assembly includes a blowoff disc contacting the body at the inner bore and having a throughhole aligned with the inner bore. The piston rod extends through and concentrically contacts the inner bore and the throughhole. The body has a groove extending axially along a length of the inner bore. The groove and the piston rod form a passageway permitting fluid to travel across the body. The blowoff disc has a notch extending from the throughhole and arranged to permit fluid from the passageway to pass across the blowoff disc.