External Bypass Valve Vibration Damper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic vibration dampers for motor vehicles face complexity and cost issues due to the need for protection from excessive volume flow, particularly in twin-tube configurations where the bypass path and valve arrangement complicate the design.
Innovation Solution
The bypass valve is relocated outside the tube elements of the vibration damper, allowing the hydraulic unit and valve to be housed in a separate unit attached to the damper, simplifying the construction and eliminating the need for hose connections, with valves configured as seat valves and preloaded by springs to control fluid flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bypass valve is arranged inside the tube elements of the vibration damper, then the valve can control the volume flow directly within the damper structure, but the construction becomes more complex and the bypass path becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve and hydraulic unit are extracted from the internal tube elements of the vibration damper and relocated to an external housing. This extraction simplifies the internal construction of the damper while maintaining the volume flow control function. The valve is now positioned outside the tube elements, reducing structural complexity and allowing for a more compact and efficient design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bypass valve is arranged inside the tube elements, then the valve can be integrated into the damper structure, but the bypass path length increases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve and hydraulic unit are extracted from the internal tube elements and positioned in an external housing. This extraction shortens the bypass path length, as the fluid no longer needs to travel through the entire length of the tube elements to reach the valve. The simplified construction also reduces manufacturing complexity and production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangement transitions from a longitudinal arrangement within the tube elements to a transverse arrangement in an external housing. This dimensional change allows for a more compact bypass path and simplifies the overall construction, making the device easier to manufacture.
3Device complexity
If the hydraulic unit and valve are arranged separately from the vibration damper, then hose connections are necessary, but the patent arranges them in a housing fastened to the damper to avoid hoses
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic unit and bypass valve are merged into a single housing that is fastened directly to the vibration damper. This integration eliminates the need for separate hose connections, as the hydraulic components are now part of the damper assembly itself. The merging of these components simplifies the overall construction and improves ease of operation.
4Reliability
If the valve is configured as a seat valve with spring preloading, then the valve can effectively control fluid flow, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seat valve is equipped with spring preloading that automatically adjusts the valve opening based on the volume flow requirements. The spring mechanism provides self-regulating control, where the valve opens or closes according to the pressure differential and flow conditions without requiring external control systems. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable fluid flow control while keeping the valve structure relatively simple.
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
This configuration simplifies the vibration damper's construction, reduces production costs, and allows for efficient control of volume flow in both push and pull directions without the need for intermediate tubes, enhancing the damper's operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the valve slide is preloaded by an energy storage, particularly a spring
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic unit can advantageously be configured as a hydraulic pump
Implementation Method 3
the pressure-impingement surface areas of the valve slide are substantially equally dimensioned for an opening pressure and a closing pressure
Implementation Method 4
the valve slide has a restriction via which a pressure difference between opening pressure and closing pressure can be generated
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damper for a motor vehicle with a hydraulic unit and at least one valve for controlling the volume flow to the hydraulic unit, wherein the at least one valve and the hydraulic unit are arranged outside of the tube elements of the vibration damper and a motor vehicle including such vibration damper.