Multi-Stage Shock Absorber Bleed Adjustment for Bottom-Out Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers, including multi-stage jounce control shock absorbers, lack adjustability and are not suitable for diverse driving conditions such as on-road and off-road driving, as they provide a one-size-fits-all solution for damping force, which can lead to inadequate performance in varying terrains like crawling rocks or traversing sand dunes.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber design with multiple compression stages and an adjustable bleed circuit that allows users to customize damping forces by rotating an external adjuster mechanism, enabling the shock absorber to provide varying levels of resistance based on the position-dependent damping medium flow through multiple pistons and a bleed circuit, allowing for greater control over damping characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-stage jounce control shock absorbers are used, then bottoming out is reduced, but adjustability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber incorporates an externally accessible adjuster mechanism that allows users to dynamically change the damping characteristics by rotating an adjuster knob. This adjuster mechanism modifies the bleed circuit opening, enabling the system to adapt to different driving conditions (on-road, off-road, sand dunes, rock crawling) while maintaining the multi-stage jounce control functionality that prevents bottoming out.
2Reliability
If factory-tuned multi-stage jounce control shock absorbers are used, then bottoming out is reduced, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber incorporates an externally accessible adjuster mechanism that allows users to dynamically change the damping characteristics by rotating an adjuster knob. This adjuster mechanism modifies the bleed circuit opening, enabling the system to adapt to different driving conditions (on-road, off-road, sand dunes, rock crawling) while maintaining the multi-stage jounce control functionality that prevents bottoming out.
3Reliability
If damping force is increased for off-road conditions, then bottoming out is prevented, but performance on-road deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjuster mechanism allows users to modify the bleed circuit opening to change damping characteristics. For off-road conditions, the bleed circuit can be closed to provide maximum damping force and prevent bottoming out. For on-road conditions, the bleed circuit can be opened to reduce damping force and improve ride comfort, thus adapting to different driving environments.
4Ease of operation
If damping force is decreased for on-road conditions, then ride comfort is improved, but bottoming out resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjuster mechanism allows users to modify the bleed circuit opening to change damping characteristics. For off-road conditions, the bleed circuit can be closed to provide maximum damping force and prevent bottoming out. For on-road conditions, the bleed circuit can be opened to reduce damping force and improve ride comfort, thus adapting to different driving environments.
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 adjustable design enhances the shock absorber's ability to adapt to different driving conditions by allowing users to tailor damping forces, reducing the likelihood of bottoming out and improving ride comfort across diverse terrains.
Implementation Method 1
Flow of damping medium through the first piston, the second piston, and the piston rod valve assembly during the second compression stage contribute to a second compression damping force
Implementation Method 2
An adjuster mechanism may be configured to adjust the second and third compression damping forces by using a valve, such as a needle and seat valve, for instance, to close, partially open, or completely open the bleed circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber may include an elongated housing that contains damping medium, a piston rod with a first piston that divides the elongated housing into a rebound volume and a first compression volume, a second piston configured to move through a second compression volume, a third piston configured to move through a third compression volume, and a mount cap for the elongated housing. The mount cap may include a bleed circuit that leads from the third compression volume to the first compression volume. The second and third pistons may be configured so as only to be engaged when necessary to prevent the shock absorber from bottoming out in a compression stroke. A user-accessible adjuster mechanism on an outside of the shock absorber can be manipulated to close, open, or partially open the bleed circuit and thereby adjust the damping characteristics of the second and third pistons.