Shock Absorber Body Valve Assembly with Segmented Damping Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers face challenges in smoothly controlling damping force due to excessive increase in high-speed damping force when low-speed damping force is set high, leading to cavitation and distortion in damping force graphs, making it difficult to adjust damping force effectively.
Innovation Solution
A body valve assembly for a shock absorber is designed with a cylinder divided into inner and outer cylinders, featuring multiple passages for fluid flow during compression and rebound strokes, a pilot valve system that opens at specific pressures to manage fluid flow, and a main valve module that adjusts based on pressure ranges to prevent excessive damping force changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single passage is used for working fluid flow during compression and rebound strokes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damping force control precision deteriorates because damping forces of all sections are determined by a single spring constant
Solution Approach 1:
The single passage is segmented into multiple independent passages (first compression passage, second compression passage, rebound passage) with different spring constants. This allows each passage to control damping force in specific speed ranges independently, resolving the contradiction by enabling precise damping control without requiring a single complex adjustable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Different passages are assigned different local qualities (spring constants) to optimize performance in specific operating conditions. The first compression passage has a higher spring constant for high-speed compression, while the second compression passage has a lower spring constant for low-speed compression, allowing each section to be optimized for its specific function.
2Strength
If the rigidity of piston compression side is set high to improve support capability, then the shock absorption capability is improved, but cavitation occurs causing distortion in damping force graph
Solution Approach 1:
The compression function is segmented into two independent compression passages with different rigidity characteristics. The first compression passage handles high-speed compression with higher rigidity, while the second compression passage handles low-speed compression with lower rigidity, preventing cavitation by distributing the compression load appropriately across different speed ranges.
3Device complexity
If a single spring constant is used for the body valve, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates because damping force cannot be smoothly adjusted across different speed sections
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring constant system is segmented into multiple spring constants assigned to different passages. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different operating conditions (low-speed compression, high-speed compression, rebound) without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, as each passage is pre-optimized for its specific function.
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 enhances the adjustability of damping force, preventing rapid changes and improving ride comfort by allowing for two distinct damping paths based on flow rate and pressure, thereby optimizing damping force control.
Implementation Method 1
a pilot valve which is disposed between the valve body and the body retainer, the pilot valve being simultaneously opened to communicate the lower end of the compression passage with the reservoir chamber when the working fluid moves to the pilot chamber during a low-speed compression stroke
Implementation Method 2
a main valve module which is closed in a state of coming into close contact with a bottom surface of the body retainer during the low-speed compression stroke, and is opened when a pressure of the pilot chamber is above a set pressure range during a high-speed compression stroke
Implementation Method 3
a valve body which is installed in a lower end of the inner cylinder and includes at least one compression passage allowing a working fluid to flow from the inner cylinder to the reservoir chamber during a compression stroke and at least one rebound passage allowing the working fluid to flow from the reservoir chamber to the inner cylinder during a rebound stroke
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a body valve assembly for a shock absorber, which is capable of improving ride comfort by improving the degree of freedom of the adjustment in damping force and preventing the damping force from being rapidly changed.