Magnetic Valve for Shock Absorbers with Variable Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorbers with preloaded, sprung damper valves face limitations in distinguishing between vehicle-induced and road-induced movements, leading to harsh ride and reduced traction due to premature valve closure and increasing resistance as the valve opens, which affects both compression and rebound damping.
Innovation Solution
A damper valve biased towards the closed position by a continuous magnetic force, which moderates as the valve opens, combined with external mechanical adjustment, allowing for varying magnetic and non-magnetic biasing forces to optimize damping characteristics for different suspension events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a preloaded mechanical spring is used to bias the valve toward the closed position, then the valve provides stiff damping resistance up to a certain threshold, but the spring force increases as the valve opens, causing premature closure and harsh ride
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring system with a magnetic field system. The magnetic valve uses a permanent magnet to provide a continuous biasing force toward the closed position, eliminating the need for a mechanical spring. This substitution allows the damping characteristics to be optimized without the limitations of spring physics, particularly the issue of increasing force as the valve opens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the biasing mechanism from elastic mechanical energy storage (spring) to magnetic field energy (permanent magnet). This parameter change enables a different force-deflection relationship where the magnetic force can be designed to decrease or remain relatively constant as the valve opens, improving ride comfort while maintaining damping effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a preloaded, sprung damper valve is used to damp low-speed compression, then chassis movements are controlled, but the valve closes prematurely during rapid compression events like bumps, transmitting force to the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic valve system replaces the spring-based mechanical system, enabling the valve to remain open longer during rapid compression events. The magnetic biasing force can be precisely engineered to allow the valve to stay open throughout the duration of a bump, improving both reliability of chassis control and speed of response to varying suspension events.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a mechanical spring is used to maintain valve closure, then the valve provides consistent biasing force, but the spring force increases with valve deflection, reducing sensitivity to road-induced movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biasing mechanism from a mechanical spring with linearly increasing force to a permanent magnet system where the magnetic force can be designed to decrease or plateau as the valve opens. This allows the valve to maintain stable biasing while remaining highly sensitive to road-induced movements, as the magnetic force doesn't increase with deflection to counteract the opening motion.
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 solution enhances suspension performance by reducing unwanted chassis movements and improving shock absorption, allowing for longer hydraulic fluid flow during bumps and rapid rebound, thereby enhancing ride quality and traction.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetically permeable valve component, preferably a steel washer or disc, which is attracted by a permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
a piston in a cylinder containing a substantially incompressible fluid. Orifices in the piston and passages leading to a fluid reservoir regulate the flow of oil so as to damp the oscillation of a suspension spring
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber having a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a compression chamber and a rebound chamber in a housing and separated by a piston. The valve has an orifice component and a blocker component, one of which has a permanent magnet, and the other of which has a magnetically permeable material. Upon the application of sufficient fluid pressure, the blocker component is forced away from the orifice component, despite the magnetic bias that tends to attract the two structures. Because the magnetic force decreases as the two components are spaced farther apart, the shock absorber has excellent performance characteristics. Alternatively, a mechanical spring urges the blocker closed, and magnetic attraction between the blocker and a spaced opener mitigates the increased force of the compressed spring tending to close the valve.