Piston Valve Assembly for Shock Absorber Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piston valve assemblies for shock absorbers require separate components for pressure sensitivity and frequency sensitivity, leading to increased part count and production costs, limiting their application in small- and medium-sized vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A piston valve assembly design that includes a piston rod with a main piston, pressure valve, guide assembly, and disk to control damping force through open and rebound passages, where the guide assembly moves to block passages based on frequency and pressure, preventing continuous pressure increase and optimizing damping force generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are provided for pressure sensitivity and frequency sensitivity, then the damping force control is improved, but the number of parts increases and production cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pressure-sensitive and frequency-sensitive valve structures into a single integrated piston valve assembly. The main piston includes both compression passages with pressure-sensitive control and rebound passages with frequency-sensitive control, eliminating the need for separate components while maintaining both pressure and frequency sensitivity functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both pressure-sensitive damping control and frequency-sensitive damping control through its integrated valve structure. The single assembly handles both compression and rebound strokes with different control characteristics, making it a multi-functional component.
2Reliability
If separate components are provided for pressure sensitivity and frequency sensitivity, then the damping force control is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pressure-sensitive and frequency-sensitive valve structures into one integrated piston valve assembly, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This integration directly lowers production costs while maintaining the required damping force control performance.
3Reliability
If the total length of the piston valve assembly is increased, then the damping force control is improved, but the application to small- and medium-sized vehicles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the guide assembly is positioned within the piston valve assembly, and the inlet hole is integrated into the main piston body. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be compactly arranged, reducing the overall length of the assembly while maintaining all necessary damping force control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement of valve passages and control elements by utilizing radial and axial dimensions efficiently. The compression and rebound passages are arranged in different spatial orientations within the piston, allowing compact packaging of multiple functions without increasing the overall length in the primary direction.
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 design achieves effective damping force control in both high-frequency and low-frequency modes, preventing damping force reduction and fluid bottle necks, while reducing production costs and part count, making it suitable for smaller vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a disk installed on the inlet hole so as to prevent a continuous increase in a pressure of the first pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
the guide assembly moves down toward the lower retainer in a low-frequency mode
Implementation Method 3
a damping force generated by the shock absorber is changed according to an operating speed of the shock absorber
Data Source
AI summary
A piston valve assembly for a shock absorber is disclosed. In a high-frequency mode, a damping force control is achieved through an open passage that is always opened. In a low-frequency mode, a guide assembly moves downward due to an increase in a pressure of a first pressure chamber by a fluid moved through an inlet hole of the first pressure chamber. At this time, the guide assembly blocks the open passage and the damping force control is achieved through only a rebound passage. Consequently, it is possible to solve a fluid bottle neck through a passage formation. A disk is installed on the inlet hole to prevent a continuous increase in the pressure of the first pressure chamber, thereby effectively preventing the reduction of the damping force.