Damping Force Control Valve with Fallback Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional damping force control shock absorbers face issues with maintaining handling stability when electric or mechanical troubles cause system malfunctions, leading to fixed damping force characteristics in the soft mode, which can result in vehicle instability, especially during excessive steering wheel turns.
Innovation Solution
A damping force control valve with an improved inner channel design that adjusts pressure in the pilot chamber using first and second variable orifices, and a back pressure forming channel, allowing the damping force to be maintained in a middle mode without additional restoring means, even when the actuator current is intercepted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional damping force control shock absorbers are operated in soft mode, then ride comfort is improved, but handling stability deteriorates when system malfunction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a fallback channel that automatically activates when the actuator fails, providing a predetermined middle-mode damping force. This pre-configured safety mechanism ensures that even when the primary control system fails, the shock absorber maintains adequate handling stability rather than defaulting to unstable soft mode
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a fallback channel as an intermediary pathway that bypasses the failed actuator control. This fallback channel directly connects the high-pressure and low-pressure regions through a predetermined opening area, serving as a mediator that maintains system functionality when the primary control mechanism fails
2Reliability
If additional restoring means are installed to maintain middle mode damping force, then handling stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fallback function into the existing shock absorber structure by integrating the fallback channel within the valve body. The fallback channel shares the same high-pressure and low-pressure regions as the primary damping channels, eliminating the need for separate restoring mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fallback channel serves multiple functions: it acts as a primary damping channel when the actuator is functional and automatically becomes the active damping pathway when the actuator fails. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated restoring means, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability
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
Ensures handling stability by maintaining a middle damping force mode during system malfunctions, preventing vehicle instability and eliminating the need for additional restoring means, thus reducing product size and operational disturbances.
Implementation Method 1
a back pressure forming channel for making the first fixed orifice and the pilot chamber communicate with each other and controlling the pressure of the pilot chamber
Implementation Method 2
controls a damping force by adjusting pressure of a pilot chamber by first and second variable orifices
Data Source
AI summary
A damping force control valve, which includes a high pressure region in communication with a tension chamber of a cylinder and a low pressure region in communication with a reservoir chamber, and controls a damping force by adjusting pressure of a pilot chamber by first and second variable orifices, the first and second variable orifices having channels controlled to open or close by a spool. The damping force control valve comprises a main valve opened or closed according to pressure of the high pressure region, initial preload and pressure of the pilot chamber, the main valve allowing working fluid to flow from the high pressure region to the low pressure region when being opened; a first fixed orifice formed between the high pressure region and the first variable orifice; and a back pressure forming channel for making the first fixed orifice and the pilot chamber communicate with each other.