Mid-Valve Shock Absorber Assembly for Broad-Range Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shock absorbers and damping valves fail to provide optimal performance across a broad range of shock transmission conditions, particularly in high-speed and high-deformation scenarios, necessitating improved response characteristics and tunability for racing and competition applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a hydraulic shock absorber with a piston assembly featuring a mid-valve piston and auxiliary hydraulic fluid valves, which includes a primary and secondary pair of adjustable valves, allowing for fluid flow regulation through a system of ports, springs, and valving elements to manage shock absorption and damping across varying impact speeds and forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional shock absorber with simple valve assembly is used, then the device complexity is low, but the shock absorption performance across broad range of conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into multiple independent valves (primary compression valve, secondary compression valve, rebound valve) with distinct functions. Each valve handles specific aspects of shock absorption, allowing the system to address broad ranges of shock conditions through coordinated action of multiple specialized components rather than a single complex valve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mid-valve pistons that move radially inward and outward to dynamically alter fluid flow paths between compression and rebound chambers. This radial dimension of motion adds a new degree of freedom to shock absorption control, enabling the system to adapt to varying shock conditions by opening or closing specific flow passages based on impact direction and magnitude
2Adaptability or versatility
If a shock absorber with adjustable valves and fluid feedback loops is implemented, then the tunability and response characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber employs dynamic valve adjustment mechanisms where spring preloads can be modified to change valve opening pressures and flow characteristics. The mid-valve pistons dynamically respond to pressure differentials, automatically opening or closing flow passages based on real-time shock conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the same hardware to handle diverse shock scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-configuration units
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid feedback loops connect the compression and rebound chambers through controlled passages, allowing pressure information from one chamber to influence valve operation in the other. When compression chamber pressure rises during impact, it triggers mid-valve piston movement that opens rebound passages, creating a feedback mechanism that automatically balances forces and optimizes shock absorption based on actual loading conditions
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 enhances shock absorption and damping control, providing improved performance and tunability by regulating fluid flow through a complex system of ports and valving elements, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies in high-speed and high-deformation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring configured to urge the at least one valving element in movable mating and demating relation against the first valve seat and the second valve seat, the at least one valve seat demated from the first valve seat and the second valve seat responsive to fluid pressure in the annular valve chamber compressing the at least one spring
Implementation Method 2
impact force of a moving object is absorbed by causing a piston to displace hydraulic fluid from a cylinder through metering orifices, sprung bodies, fluid feedback loops and/or valves
Implementation Method 3
hydraulic shock absorber and auxiliary hydraulic fluid valve assemblies are provided for tuning and mitigating shock transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber is provided having a cylinder, a piston rod, a piston body, and a valve. The cylinder is configured to receive fluid. The piston body is connected to the piston rod and is configured to reciprocate within the cylinder between a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The valve is provided by the piston body having a fluid flow port, a valve seat, a circumferential valving element, and a spring configured to urge the valve body into the valve seat. A primary damping valve and an auxiliary damping valve are also provided.