Damping Valve with Radially Sealed Outlet Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damper valves for vehicle shock absorbers have complex structures, high leakage losses, and are prone to malfunction due to misaligned components, requiring expensive and difficult manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A damper valve design featuring multiple outlet openings of different sizes, arranged axially offset and sealed radially by a valve slide, with a control pin or differential area to manage pressure and flow, simplifying the structure and reducing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single complex outlet opening is used to achieve hyperbolic control curve, then the damping force control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single complex outlet opening is divided into multiple simpler outlet openings (first, second, third, and fourth outlet openings) with different diameters. Each outlet opening can be independently controlled by the valve slide, allowing the system to achieve variable damping force through combinations of these simpler openings rather than requiring a single complex geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Different outlet openings are positioned at different axial locations and have different diameters, creating local variations in flow characteristics. The valve slide selectively opens or closes specific outlet openings based on the required damping force, allowing local optimization of flow control without requiring complex geometry throughout the entire outlet structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to achieve adjustable damping, then the damping control is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple outlet openings are integrated into a single valve body structure, and the valve slide simultaneously controls all outlet openings through its axial movement. This merging of multiple functions into a unified structure reduces the number of separate components while maintaining adjustable damping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve slide serves multiple functions: it controls the opening degree of all outlet openings, maintains sealing across different pressure zones, and adjusts damping force for various driving conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
3Reliability
If bearing play is increased to prevent misalignment, then the reliability is improved, but the leakage losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve slide design incorporates self-aligning features where the geometry of the outlet openings and the valve slide working surfaces automatically guide proper alignment during operation. The hydraulic pressure distribution also helps maintain correct positioning, eliminating the need for excessive bearing play while preventing jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve slide is designed with equipotential sealing surfaces that ensure uniform pressure distribution across the sealing interface. This equalizes the hydraulic forces acting on the valve slide, preventing misalignment and jamming without requiring large clearance gaps that would cause leakage.
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 design reduces manufacturing complexity, minimizes leakage losses, and allows for adjustable damping force, enhancing vehicle stability and comfort by varying the throttle effect without complex geometric shapes.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet with a stationary coil and a movable armature, wherein the coil is arranged around the pole core and the armature can be moved by the coil in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
at least two outlet openings of different sizes and designed as bores are provided and which can be sealed more or less radially by the valve slide
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a damping valve (1), in particular for shock absorbers of vehicles, with an adjustable damping force, in which differently sized outlet openings (31, 32) arranged between an inflow (Z) and an outflow (A) can more or less be closed in order to obtain a desired damping effect. To this end, the differently sized outlet openings (31, 32) are more or less sealed off radially by means of a valve slide (40). In another embodiment, sudden pressure increases in the damping valve are automatically reduced by means of a differential area function. Due to said invention, said damping valve can be produced easily, has low leakage loss, a low tolerance chain and requires little effort for setting the desired damping.