Multi-Shaft Shock Absorber Stroke and Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorbers have limited expansion or stroke relative to their fully contracted length and rely on a single shaft, leading to premature wear, especially in vehicles that encounter rough terrain.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-based shock absorber design with multiple sliding shafts and compression chambers, utilizing a separating piston to divide reservoir chambers into gas and fluid compartments, allowing for increased stroke and balanced pressure distribution to reduce wear and enhance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single shaft is used in the shock absorber, then the structure is simple, but the wear on the shaft increases rapidly leading to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The single shaft is divided into multiple shafts (first shaft, second shaft, third shaft, fourth shaft) that work in parallel. Each shaft carries a portion of the load, distributing the stress and reducing wear on individual shafts. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while improving reliability through load distribution.
2Volume of moving object
If the shock absorber uses a conventional single-chamber design, then the structure is compact, but the stroke distance is limited relative to the contracted length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-chamber design to a multi-chamber arrangement where compression chambers are stacked vertically. This dimensional arrangement allows the shock absorber to achieve greater total stroke distance while maintaining a compact overall volume. The multiple chambers enable the piston to travel through each chamber sequentially, accumulating total displacement that exceeds what a single chamber of equivalent volume could provide.
3Length of moving object
If the shock absorber is designed for maximum stroke, then the expansion distance increases, but the connection between wheels and vehicle becomes rigid at maximum extension
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber employs multiple compression chambers with pistons that can move independently within each chamber. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain damping capability even at maximum extension. As one chamber reaches its limit, other chambers continue to provide compliance, ensuring the connection between wheels and vehicle remains flexible rather than rigid throughout the full range of 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
The design increases the distance of expansion or stroke relative to the fully contracted length, reduces wear on components, and maintains a balanced force distribution, improving the shock absorber's ability to absorb vertical movements without becoming a rigid connection, thus enhancing vehicle stability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
Shock absorbers use pneumatic and/or hydraulic forces to reduce the speed at which the vehicle moves in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
Shock absorbers use pneumatic and/or hydraulic forces to reduce the speed at which the vehicle moves
Data Source
AI summary
One example embodiment includes a fluid based shock absorber. The fluid based shock absorber includes a first assembly. The first assembly includes a first compression chamber. The first assembly also includes a first sliding member. At least a portion of the first sliding member is configured to remain within the first compression chamber and the first sliding member is configured to move in a first direction relative to the first compression chamber.