Hydraulic Stop Piston and Sleeve for Shock Absorber Bottoming Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorbers experience 'bottoming out' during vehicle wheel and body articulation, leading to abrupt metal-to-metal noise, harsh feedback, and vibrations due to the lack of effective secondary dampening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a secondary dampening assembly featuring a hydraulic stop piston and sleeve with radial movement capabilities and flow grooves to manage fluid flow and resistance, providing additional dampening during compression and rebound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional shock absorbers are used without secondary dampening mechanisms, then the structure remains simple, but bottoming out occurs causing metal-to-metal noise and harsh feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber is divided into multiple functional segments: primary dampening mechanism, secondary dampening assembly with hydraulic stop piston and sleeve, and lockout collar. Each segment handles specific aspects of the dampening process, allowing the system to manage bottoming out forces separately from normal operation forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic stop piston and sleeve act as intermediary components between the rod and outer tube. The flow grooves in the sleeve create fluid resistance that mediates the interaction during extreme compression, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact while maintaining controlled dampening.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If secondary dampening assembly is added to prevent bottoming out, then noise and vibrations are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary dampening assembly is nested within the existing shock absorber structure. The hydraulic stop piston fits within the outer tube, the lockout collar nests on the rod, and flow grooves are integrated into the sleeve wall, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic stop sleeve serves multiple functions: it provides flow resistance through its grooves during compression, acts as a mechanical stop when the piston contacts it, and maintains fluid sealing. The lockout collar similarly provides both dampening and physical limitation functions.
3Reliability
If hydraulic stop piston with flow grooves is used, then fluid flow control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by incorporating flow grooves in the stop sleeve that channel fluid movement. The grooves create controlled resistance to fluid flow, allowing the system to manage compression forces through fluid dynamics rather than purely mechanical contact.
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 secondary dampening assembly effectively absorbs and dissipates forces, reducing noise and vibrations by enhancing the shock absorber's ability to manage extreme movements without compromising rebound performance.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic stop sleeve has an open end for receiving the hydraulic stop piston and a flow groove that extends longitudinally along an inner surface of the hydraulic stop sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The secondary dampening assembly includes a hydraulic stop piston and a hydraulic stop sleeve... effectively absorbs and dissipates forces
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber is disclosed having a secondary dampening assembly for dampening movement of an inner assembly within the shock absorber. The secondary dampening assembly includes a hydraulic stop piston and a hydraulic stop sleeve. The hydraulic stop piston is carried by an extender with a gap defined radially between the hydraulic stop piston and the extender to allow radial movement. The hydraulic stop sleeve has an open end for receiving the hydraulic stop piston and a flow groove that extends longitudinally along an inner surface of the hydraulic stop sleeve.