Remote Valve Damper Layout for Flexible Suspension Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle suspension dampers lack flexibility in damping modes and characteristics, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing and packaging, particularly in vehicles with limited space.
Innovation Solution
A standardized damper design with interchangeable remote valve assemblies, utilizing electromagnetic valves and an accumulator, allows for different damping modes by connecting various remote valve assemblies via hydraulic lines, enabling flexible packaging and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dampers use fixed valving systems incorporated within the piston and base valve assembly, then the damper structure is simple and compact, but the damping modes and characteristics lack flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The valving system is segmented into separate electromagnetic valves mounted on the reserve tube, independent from the piston and base valve assembly. This allows the electromagnetic valves to be selectively activated to provide different damping modes (rebound damping, compression damping, bump damping) without changing the physical structure of the damper body, thus improving adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper transitions from a static valving system to a dynamic one by incorporating electromagnetic valves that can be selectively activated based on operating conditions. The electromagnetic valves enable real-time adjustment of damping characteristics by opening or closing fluid passages in response to control signals, allowing the damper to adapt its behavior dynamically without mechanical reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electromagnetic valves are mounted directly on the damper body, then the damping control is integrated and compact, but the packaging flexibility is reduced in vehicles with limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic valves are extracted from the traditional locations (piston and base valve assembly) and mounted on the reserve tube instead. This repositioning allows the valves to be spaced away from the main damper body, providing greater packaging flexibility to accommodate vehicles with limited space while maintaining all necessary damping functions through hydraulic line connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different damper designs are created to provide different damping modes, then the damping characteristics can be optimized for various applications, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized damper design incorporates multiple electromagnetic valves that can be selectively activated to provide different damping modes and characteristics. By using the same damper body with different valve activation patterns, the system achieves multiple damping functions without requiring multiple different damper designs, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the ability to optimize damping for various applications.
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 provides flexible damping characteristics and manufacturing efficiencies by allowing different damper assemblies to be created using a single standardized design, with the ability to mount the remote valve assembly in various locations, addressing packaging constraints and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
two electromagnetic valves that are mounted to the reserve tube. In accordance with this damper configuration, one of the electromagnetic valves is connected in fluid communication with the reserve tube chamber and the other electromagnetic valve is connected in fluid communication with the second working chamber
Implementation Method 2
The remote valve assembly also includes an accumulator that is connected in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second electromagnetic valves
Implementation Method 3
A piston is slidably disposed within the pressure tube with the piston separating the interior of the pressure tube into first and second working chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A damper including a pressure tube, a piston, and a reserve tube is provided. The piston is arranged inside the pressure tube and divides the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. The reserve tube extends about the pressure tube to define a reserve tube chamber between the pressure tube and the reserve tube. A first damper port is arranged in communication with the second working chamber and a second damper port is arranged in communication with the reserve tube chamber. A remote valve assembly is spaced from the damper. The remote valve assembly includes a first electromagnetic valve that is arranged in communication with the first damper port by a first hydraulic line and a second electromagnetic valve that is arranged in communication with the second damper port by a second hydraulic line. An accumulator is arranged in communication with the first and second electromagnetic valves.