Hydraulic Compression Stop With External Flow Channel Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damper assemblies face challenges in reducing the operational length of compression stop assemblies, which restricts their implementation in suspension systems with side-loaded piston rods, and complicates packaging and handling.
Innovation Solution
The damper assembly incorporates a hydraulic compression stop assembly with a piston sleeve and a necked-down portion in the main tube, featuring axially-spaced holes for fluid communication between the compression chamber and an external flow channel, allowing for reduced operational length and enhanced damping force tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the minimum bearing span of the damper is decreased to reduce the operational length of the compression stop assembly, then the packaging and handling become easier, but the bearing span becomes insufficient for proper operation in suspension systems with side-loaded piston rods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external flow channel that extends radially outward from the main tube through the tubular wall, creating a new spatial dimension for fluid flow. This allows the compression stop assembly to achieve its function with a reduced axial length by utilizing radial space, thereby resolving the contradiction between reduced operational length and sufficient bearing span requirements
2Reliability
If a conventional compression stop assembly is used, then the damper can provide end-of-stroke stopping function, but the operational length and minimum bearing span increase, complicating packaging and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The piston sleeve is nested within the necked-down portion of the main tube, and the external flow channel is integrated into the tubular wall structure. This nested configuration allows the compression stop assembly to achieve end-of-stroke stopping function with compact dimensions, reducing the operational length 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
This design achieves a reduced operational length of the compression stop assembly, simplifies manufacturing and assembly, and provides versatile tuning properties for the damping force, making it suitable for various suspension systems while being cost-efficient and less temperature sensitive.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic compression stop assembly including a piston sleeve disposed in the compression chamber and attached to the piston assembly
Implementation Method 2
The necked-down portion defines a plurality of axially-spaced holes, each providing fluid communication between the compression chamber and the external flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
A damper assembly includes a main tube filled with a working liquid; a piston assembly connected to a rod and slidably disposed within the main tube. The piston assembly divides an interior of the main tube into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. A hydraulic compression stop (HCS) assembly includes a piston sleeve disposed in the compression chamber and attached to the piston assembly. The main tube includes a shoulder and a necked-down portion extending from the shoulder and having a reduced diameter smaller than a diameter of the main tube opposite of the shoulder. The necked-down portion is configured to receive the piston sleeve. A tubular wall is disposed around the necked-down portion and defines an external flow channel outside of the main tube. The necked-down portion defines a plurality of axially-spaced holes each providing fluid communication between the compression chamber and the external flow channel.