Pressurized Damper Valve for Independent Stroke Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle dampers face challenges in adjusting damping force characteristics independently and instantaneously in both stroke directions due to time lag in valve adjustments, leading to potential cavitation and suboptimal performance, especially during rapid changes in road conditions or driver input.
Innovation Solution
A damper design with a pressurizing element always coupled to the low-pressure side, using a microprocessor-controlled valve and connecting arrangement with non-return valves and a bleed duct, allowing independent adjustment of damping force characteristics in both stroke directions without time lag, and enabling the same valve construction for both compression and return strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common pressure reservoir is used for both damper chambers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damping force characteristics cannot be adjusted independently in both stroke directions
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure reservoir is segmented into two separate reservoirs, one for the compression chamber and one for the return chamber. This segmentation allows independent pressure control and damping force adjustment for each stroke direction, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and independent adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single common pressure reservoir to two separate pressure reservoirs operating in parallel. This dimensional change from one shared resource to two independent resources enables independent damping characteristics while maintaining the overall reservoir-based pressure management approach.
2Speed
If valve adjustment is delayed, then the response time to road conditions is reduced, but cavitation occurs and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The separate pressure reservoirs are pre-charged with damping medium at appropriate pressures before operation. This preliminary action ensures that when valves open rapidly in response to road conditions, pressurized medium is immediately available, preventing cavitation while enabling fast response.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure reservoirs provide a cushion of pressurized damping medium that is prepared in advance. This beforehand cushioning ensures that rapid valve adjustments do not cause pressure drops leading to cavitation, thereby protecting the system while maintaining fast response capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate valves are used for compression and return strokes, then independent damping adjustment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of separate compression and return valves into a single valve assembly that controls flow between the two separate pressure reservoirs and the damper chambers. This merging reduces the number of valve components while maintaining independent damping adjustment capability through the separate reservoir configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both compression and return stroke control through a single device. By combining valve functions while maintaining separate pressure reservoirs, the invention achieves universal valve operation that reduces complexity while preserving independent damping adjustment.
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 ensures continuous positive pressure on the low-pressure side, reducing cavitation and allowing for real-time adjustment of damping force characteristics, optimizing performance in both slow and rapid movements while maintaining a simpler and cost-effective valve construction.
Implementation Method 1
A valve and connecting arrangement couples each of the damper chambers to a pressurizing element common to both of the chambers, so that even in the chamber in which a low pressure prevails there is a positive pressure acting at all times
Implementation Method 2
The present invention generally relates to a device in a vehicle damper that comprises a damping medium-filled damper body in which an element forming a seal against the damper body moves with a reciprocating stroke
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle damper comprises a damping medium-filled damper body in which an element divides the damper body into two chambers. A microprocessor control unit is coupled to one or more valve and connecting arrangements that comprise at least one valve and a number of flow ducts. Respective valves and flow ducts of the valve and connecting arrangement are coupled both to respective damper chambers and a pressurizing element common to both of the chambers so that even in the chamber in which a low pressure prevails there is a positive pressure acting at all times. The valve and connecting arrangements comprise a continuously electrically controlled main valve, a non-return valve and one or more bleed valves.