Direct-Acting Pressure Relief Valve for Stable Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration dampers with pilot-operated pressure relief valves experience force overshoot and oscillation, leading to fluctuations in damping force due to their complex design and the use of check valves, which are sensitive to geometric component tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper with a direct-acting pressure relief valve using a main piston that is actuated by a force actuator in both directions, eliminating the need for pilot-operated valves and check valves, and incorporating adjustable opening forces through geometric adjustments to manage dimensional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pilot-operated pressure relief valve is used, then the pressure relief function is achieved, but force overshoot and oscillation occur leading to unstable damping force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pilot-operated valve mechanism from the pressure relief system. Instead of using a complex pilot valve with pre-stage and main-stage components, the invention employs a simple direct-acting pressure relief valve with a single valve body and valve disc that responds directly to pressure differential forces, thereby eliminating force overshoot and oscillation while maintaining reliable pressure relief functionality.
2Ease of operation
If check valves are used in the pressure relief valve, then fluid flow direction control is achieved, but the damping force becomes sensitive to geometric component tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specially designed valve disc that acts as an intermediary element to control fluid flow direction without requiring check valves. The valve disc incorporates flow direction control functionality through its geometric design and positioning mechanism, eliminating the need for separate check valve components and reducing sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If a complex pressure relief valve design with multiple valves is used, then comprehensive pressure relief functionality is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve functions into a single integrated pressure relief valve assembly. The design combines the pressure relief valve body, valve disc, spring mechanism, and flow direction control elements into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate pilot valves, check valves, and associated components, thereby significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive pressure relief functionality.
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 provides stable damping force without oscillation, reduces complexity, and minimizes the influence of geometric component tolerances, ensuring consistent performance in both compression and rebound stages.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure relief valve is equipped with a first opening force means which is configured to exert an opening force on the main piston in the first actuation direction of the piston
Implementation Method 2
the pressure relief valve is equipped with a second opening force means which is configured to exert an opening force on the main piston in the second actuation direction of the piston
Implementation Method 3
fluid flows from the first working chamber into the second working chamber
Implementation Method 4
fluid flows from the second working chamber into the first working chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an adjustable vibration damper, in particular for a vehicle chassis, comprising a fluid-filled cylinder tube (10) with a piston (2) which is axially movable within the cylinder tube (10) in a first actuation direction (R1) and an opposite second actuation direction (R2) and which divides the cylinder tube (10) into a first working chamber (11) and a second working chamber (21), wherein a pressure relief valve through which the fluid flows is provided for damping the piston movement, wherein the pressure relief valve (100) comprises a main piston (1001) slidably received in a main piston chamber (1002) for opening or closing the pressure relief valve (100), wherein the pressure relief valve (100) is equipped with a first opening force means which is configured to exert an opening force on the main piston (1001) in the first actuation direction of the piston (2).wherein the pressure relief valve (100) is equipped with a second opening force means which is configured to exert an opening force on the main piston (1001) in the second actuation direction of the piston, wherein the second opening force means comprises an auxiliary piston (1009) slidably received in the main piston (1001), and a method for operating a pressure relief valve in a vibration damper according to the invention.