Hydraulic Damper Piston Rod Valving for Independent Compression and Rebound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic dampers have fixed bump and rebound damping characteristics, which are undesirable and impede performance, as they cannot be adjusted, and attempts to adjust low-speed damping characteristics increase oil flow path complexity, reducing responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic damper with a piston rod featuring a fluid passageway and adjustment mechanisms, including a float assembly and adjustable compression and rebound valves, allowing independent adjustment of fluid flow restriction during compression and rebound, utilizing a biasing means like a compression spring to maintain high responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanisms are located around the cylinder in a twin tube set up or along with the remote reservoir to adjust low speed damping characteristics, then the damping characteristics can be adjusted, but the oil flow path is greatly increased, significantly impeding the responsiveness of the damper
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms are nested within the piston rod structure. The piston rod contains internal passages and housing the adjustment mechanisms inside it, allowing the mechanisms to be integrated into the existing compact damper architecture without adding external components that would extend the oil flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the adjustment mechanisms from the external radial dimension (around the cylinder) to the internal axial dimension (within the piston rod). This dimensional repositioning allows adjustment functionality to be incorporated without increasing the radial footprint or extending the oil flow path externally.
2Device complexity
If fixed bump and rebound damping characteristics are used in conventional dampers, then the structure is simple, but the performance is impeded as the damping characteristics cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static fixed damping characteristics into dynamic adjustable characteristics. The piston rod incorporates adjustment mechanisms that allow the damping characteristics to be changed during the damper's operational life, enabling adaptation to different conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod serves multiple functions: it transmits force, houses the fluid passageway, and contains the adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows the damper to maintain structural simplicity while gaining adjustability, as the same component performs multiple roles rather than requiring separate dedicated components.
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 independent adjustment of compression and rebound damping characteristics, improving responsiveness and performance by allowing precise control of fluid flow through the damper, addressing the limitations of fixed damping characteristics in conventional dampers.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic damper converts kinetic energy into heat energy using viscous friction of a non-compressible fluid (such as hydraulic oil)
Implementation Method 2
the float assembly and barriers slidably retained within the fluid passageway and configured to allow fluid to flow through the fluid passageway, while also being driven by the flow of fluid through the fluid passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic damper includes a piston slidable within a cylinder and dividing the cylinder into first and second chambers and a piston rod for driving the piston, the piston rod including a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first and second fluid chambers wherein the piston is slidably moveable along the cylinder in compression and rebound, where compression results in fluid flowing through the passageway from the first to the second fluid chamber, and rebound results fluid flowing through the passageway from the second to the first fluid chamber. An adjustment mechanism located within the fluid passageway includes a compression member and a tapered valve head for adjusting the restriction of fluid flow through the passageway when the piston is in compression and a rebound adjustment member and a tapered valve head for adjusting the restriction of fluid flow through the passageway when the piston is in rebound.