Shock Absorber Bypass Shutter for Higher End-Stroke Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers face challenges in enlarging the closed area where the bypass passage is blocked, limiting the damping force generation near the extension side stroke end, which restricts the extension speed and shock absorption efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber design featuring a movable annular shutter on the piston rod connected to a rod guide via a coil spring, allowing the shutter to close the bypass passage earlier and increase the closed area, and a variable throttle mechanism to adjust damping force by altering the flow passage area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the axial length of the shutter is increased to close the bypass passage earlier, then the closed area is enlarged, but the stopper hits the shutter before hitting the rod guide, limiting further extension
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is made movable in the axial direction by connecting it to the rod guide through an elastic member (coil spring), allowing the shutter position to dynamically adjust during extension. This enables the shutter to close the bypass passage earlier (enlarging closed area) while still permitting the stopper to hit the rod guide at the proper timing, resolving the contradiction between enlarging closed area and maintaining proper extension stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes the positional parameter of the shutter dynamically during operation. As the shock absorber extends, the elastic member allows the shutter to move axially, enabling the system to achieve both early bypass passage closure (larger closed area) and proper stopper engagement with the rod guide, thus resolving the spatial conflict.
2Force
If the shutter closes the bypass passage earlier to enlarge closed area, then damping force is enhanced, but the extension stroke is limited by stopper-shutter contact
Solution Approach 1:
By making the shutter movable through elastic member connection, the system dynamically adjusts the shutter position during extension. This allows the bypass passage to be closed earlier for enhanced damping force while still permitting sufficient extension stroke until the stopper contacts the rod guide, not the shutter.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the shutter and rod guide, allowing relative movement and position adjustment. This intermediary mechanism enables the shutter to close the bypass passage earlier (increasing damping force) while maintaining the proper extension stroke length determined by stopper-rod guide contact.
3Device complexity
If a fixed shutter is used to close the bypass passage, then the structure is simple, but the closed area cannot be enlarged without limiting extension stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic one by connecting it to the rod guide through an elastic member. This adds minimal complexity (one elastic member and connection points) while enabling the shutter to move axially, thereby enlarging the closed area without compromising the extension stroke or requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member introduces dynamic capability to the shutter system with minimal added complexity. The shutter can now move axially to adjust the closed area while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the need for complex actuation mechanisms or multiple components.
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
Enlarges the closed area for enhanced damping force generation, reducing shock at maximum extension and improving ride comfort by adjusting damping forces dynamically, while maintaining component compatibility and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that connects a rod guide mounted on one end portion of the cylinder and the shutter
Implementation Method 2
a damping passage that causes the extension side chamber and the compression side chamber to communicate with each other and gives resistance to the flow of liquid moving therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber includes a bypass passage that is open from the side of a piston rod and causes an extension side chamber and a compression side chamber, which are divided by a piston in a cylinder, to communicate with each other; a shutter that is mounted on an outer circumference of the piston rod to be movable in an axial direction and opens or closes the bypass passage; and a coil spring that connects a rod guide mounted on one end portion of the cylinder and the shutter.