Shock Absorber Bypass Valve for Adjustable Compression Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles, such as side-by-side vehicles, face challenges in varying terrain conditions that require adjustable suspension and shock absorber stiffness to maintain optimal performance, which existing shock absorbers fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber with adjustable compression stiffness, featuring a reservoir base valve, bypass channel, and check valve that allows for adjustment of compression stiffness without tools or disassembly, enabling real-time adaptation to changing terrain conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shock absorber uses a fixed stiffness design, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to varying terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber incorporates a bypass valve that can transition between open and closed positions, dynamically changing the fluid flow path. When the bypass valve opens, hydraulic fluid can flow through the bypass channel, reducing compression stiffness for better comfort on smooth terrain. When closed, fluid flows only through the compression valve, providing higher stiffness for rough terrain, thus enabling real-time adaptation without structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber changes the stiffness parameter by controlling the bypass valve position. The compression stiffness can be adjusted between a higher value (bypass valve closed, fluid flows only through compression valve) and a lower value (bypass valve open, fluid flows through bypass channel and compression valve), allowing the system to adapt to different terrain conditions by changing the flow resistance parameter
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shock absorber allows compression stiffness adjustment, then it can handle varying terrain, but it may affect rebound performance
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber separates the compression and rebound fluid paths into distinct channels. The compression fluid flows through the compression valve and bypass channel, while the rebound fluid flows through a separate rebound valve. This segmentation allows independent control of compression stiffness (via bypass valve) and rebound characteristics (via rebound valve), ensuring rebound performance consistency while enabling compression stiffness adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve acts as an intermediary that directs hydraulic fluid flow based on the motion direction. During compression, the check valve allows fluid to flow through the bypass channel when the bypass valve is open. During rebound, the check valve blocks the bypass channel, forcing fluid through the rebound valve. This intermediary mechanism ensures that compression stiffness adjustment does not interfere with rebound performance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shock absorber requires disassembly for adjustment, then the structure can be simple, but it loses operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber incorporates a self-contained adjustment mechanism where the bypass valve can be controlled by the vehicle operator during operation. The bypass valve may be actuated by a solenoid or manual mechanism integrated into the shock absorber assembly, allowing the operator to adjust compression stiffness without disassembly or external tools, making the system both operationally flexible and easy to adjust
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
Enables the shock absorber to dynamically adjust its stiffness in response to changing terrain, enhancing the vehicle's ability to handle diverse off-road surfaces without the need for disassembly or tool use, thereby improving operational performance.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve disposed in the bypass passage, the check valve being configured to: permit fluid flow through the bypass channel from the first portion to the second portion, and impede fluid flow through the bypass channel from the second portion to the first portion
Implementation Method 2
a bypass valve disposed in the fluid chamber, the bypass valve being configured to selectively control fluid flow through the bypass channel, the bypass valve being selectively movable between at least an open position and a closed position
Implementation Method 3
a reservoir base valve defining passages through which hydraulic fluid passes when the shock absorber is compressed or is rebounding (expending)
Implementation Method 4
By controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through the bypass channel during compression, the compression stiffness of the shock absorber can be adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber assembly with a coil spring and a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a cylinder; a piston rod; a cylinder piston connected to the piston rod; a reservoir fluidly connected to the cylinder, the reservoir and the cylinder defining a fluid chamber for receiving a hydraulic fluid; a reservoir base valve separating the fluid chamber into a first portion and a second portion, the reservoir base valve defining passages fluidly connecting the first and second portions; a bypass channel fluidly connecting the first portion to the second portion; a bypass valve configured to selectively control fluid flow through the bypass channel; and a check valve disposed in the bypass passage and being configured to: permit fluid flow through the bypass channel from the first portion to the second portion, and impede fluid flow through the bypass channel from the second portion to the first portion.