Dual-Tube Shock Absorber Cup Structure for Cost-Controlled Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand to suppress the increase in cost of shock absorbers, particularly those that experience an increase in damping force when a rod reaches a predetermined range during a compression stroke.
Innovation Solution
The shock absorber design includes a tube with an inner chamber, a piston assembly dividing the chamber into two compartments, a piston rod, a cup with a sleeve and a base adapter fixed by press fitting, and valve assemblies to manage fluid flow and damping forces, utilizing a dual-tube configuration with specific valve structures to optimize fluid flow and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dual-tube configuration with cup and base adapter is used to manage damping force, then damping force management is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber is divided into two independent tube systems: a first tube containing a first piston assembly and a second tube containing a second piston assembly with a cup structure. This segmentation allows each tube to handle specific damping functions independently, improving overall damping force management while enabling standardized mass production of modular components to control manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup structure is nested within the second tube, and the base adapter is integrated into the cup assembly. The second piston assembly operates within the nested cup structure, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement. This nesting reduces the overall number of external components and simplifies assembly, thereby controlling manufacturing costs while achieving sophisticated damping force management.
2Reliability
If multiple valve assemblies are added to control fluid flow, then damping force control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first valve assembly and second valve assembly are designed with similar structural principles and functional characteristics. Both valves control fluid flow in their respective tubes using comparable mechanisms, allowing for standardized design and manufacturing. This multi-functionality approach enables sophisticated damping force control across different operating conditions while maintaining consistent, manageable complexity through standardized components.
3Reliability
If a piston assembly divides the inner chamber into multiple chambers, then damping performance is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner chamber of each tube is divided into multiple sub-chambers by the piston assemblies. The first piston assembly divides the first tube's chamber, and the second piston assembly divides the second tube's chamber. This segmentation creates multiple independent fluid chambers that can be controlled separately, improving damping performance through precise fluid flow management while maintaining relatively simple cylindrical chamber structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup structure is nested within the second tube, creating a hierarchical chamber arrangement. The second piston assembly operates within the nested cup structure, further dividing the already segmented chamber. This nested segmentation achieves complex damping performance requirements through layered chamber division while maintaining a compact and organized structural layout.
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 effectively suppresses the increase in cost while maintaining damping force management, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the shock absorber.
Implementation Method 1
a base adapter fixed to the sleeve by press fitting
Implementation Method 2
a piston assembly dividing the inner chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber... configured to enter and exit from the cup
Data Source
AI summary
This shock absorber includes a first valve assembly connected to one end of a tube in an axial direction, a piston assembly dividing an inner chamber of the tube into a first chamber and a second chamber, a piston rod extending from the tube through the first chamber with the piston assembly connected to an intermediate position in the axial direction, a cup provided in the second chamber, and a second valve assembly disposed in the second chamber to be connected to the piston rod and configured to enter and exit from the cup. The cup includes a sleeve disposed in the second chamber with a gap between itself and the tube in a radial direction, and a base adapter fixed to the sleeve by press fitting and provided between the sleeve and the first valve assembly.