Leaf Valve Shock Absorber for Quiet Check Valve Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shock absorbers with existing valve configurations generate abnormal noise due to the interaction between the leaf valve component and seating surface during movement, and lack a check valve function, especially in systems with independent extension-stroke and compression-stroke liquid paths.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber design featuring a leaf valve component with a fixed and free end, an opposing surface, and a seating surface that restricts fluid passage when elastically deformed, allowing passage through a clearance between the free end and opposing surface only during specific strokes, and prohibiting passage when the piston speed exceeds a predetermined normal range to function as a check valve while minimizing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the leaf valve component is configured to open and close by elastic deformation in response to shock absorber movement, then the valve can control fluid passage dynamically, but abnormal noise is generated due to repeated contact with the seating surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful contact function by introducing a separate seating surface that engages only under abnormal conditions (excessive piston speed). The normal operation uses clearance flow without seating contact, removing the source of repeated noise-generating contacts while preserving emergency shutdown capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from continuous contact-based control to clearance-based control with selective seating. The leaf valve component operates in a non-contact state during normal movement, changing the physical state from contacted to non-contacted, thereby eliminating noise while maintaining control functionality through differential pressure across the clearance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If no seating surface is provided to avoid contact noise, then abnormal noise is suppressed, but the valve loses its check valve function for independent extension-stroke and compression-stroke liquid paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the seating surface in advance as a standby mechanism that activates only when abnormal conditions occur (excessive piston speed causing leaf valve over-deformation). This preliminary arrangement ensures the check valve function is available when needed without affecting normal quiet operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seating surface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the leaf valve component and the housing. It provides a controlled contact interface that engages only under specific abnormal conditions, mediating between the need for noise-free operation and the requirement for reliable check valve functionality in independent liquid path systems.
3Reliability
If the leaf valve component contacts the seating surface during normal operation, then fluid passage can be reliably restricted, but abnormal noise is generated with each shock absorber movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing fluid passage restriction capability through the clearance flow during normal operation, without requiring full contact-based sealing. The seating surface is prepared as excessive action for abnormal conditions only, ensuring reliable restriction when needed while avoiding noise during normal partial operation.
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 solution effectively suppresses abnormal noise generation and provides a check valve function, ensuring reliable fluid passage control across varying piston speeds, enhancing the operational performance of the shock absorber.
Implementation Method 1
The sub-valve is configured of an annular leaf spring member, and is elastically deformed due to differential pressure to open and close the sub-communicating passage
Implementation Method 2
elastically deformed due to differential pressure
Implementation Method 3
allow passage of the working fluid via a clearance between the free end and the opposing surface
Implementation Method 4
the predetermined amount is set such that the leaf valve component comes into contact with the seating surface when a speed of the piston exceeds an upper limit value of a predetermined normal range in the restricting stroke
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes: a leaf valve component; an opposing surface opposing to the component, the opposing surface being configured to prohibit passage of working fluid in a liquid path where the component is arranged; and a seating surface configured to come into contact with the component and prohibit passage of the working fluid in the liquid path in a case in which the component is elastically deformed by a predetermined amount, wherein, in an allowing stroke, during which the passage of the working fluid is allowed, the component is elastically deformed in a direction away from the seating surface so as to allow the passage of the working fluid, and the predetermined amount is set such that the component comes into contact with the seating surface when the speed of a piston exceeds an upper limit value of a predetermined normal range in a restricting stroke.