Monotube Shock Absorber Cushion for Progressive Rate Build-up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monotube shock absorbers lack a mechanism to provide progressive rate build-up during axial travel of the piston, which affects the absorption of forces between components effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cushion is designed to engage either the piston or the second gas cup end and extend axially into the oil compression chamber for intermittent contact, allowing for progressive rate build-up during piston travel by providing cushioning and adjusting stiffness through varying dimensions and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a monotube shock absorber uses a simple piston and gas cup structure, then the device complexity is low, but the progressive rate build-up during axial travel is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is nested within the gas cup structure, with the cushion positioned inside the gas cup's cylindrical wall. This nested arrangement allows the cushion to provide progressive rate build-up functionality while being integrated into the existing shock absorber structure, thereby improving force characteristics without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is designed with a conical shape that varies in cross-sectional area along its length, creating a progressive resistance as the piston moves axially. This dynamic geometric design allows the cushion to provide increasing force resistance during compression travel, achieving progressive rate build-up through the varying contact area between the cushion and piston.
2Reliability
If a cushion is added to provide progressive rate build-up, then the shock absorption efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion serves multiple functions: it provides progressive rate build-up during compression, acts as a mechanical stop at full compression, and influences the overall stiffness characteristics of the shock absorber. By integrating this multi-functional element into the gas cup assembly, the patent achieves improved shock absorption efficiency without adding separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area, being larger at one end and smaller at the other end, creating localized variations in stiffness. This local quality variation allows different portions of the cushion to engage at different compression stages, providing progressive rate build-up and enhanced shock absorption efficiency through spatially varying mechanical properties.
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 solution enables a progressive rate build-up during axial travel, enhancing the absorption of forces between components, thereby improving the shock absorption efficiency of monotube shock absorbers.
Implementation Method 1
A cushion engaging one of the piston and the second gas cup end and extending axially into the oil compression chamber for intermittent contact with the other of the piston and the second gas cup end
Implementation Method 2
The gas cup has a first gas cup end facing the first housing end of the housing to define a gas chamber between the first gas cup end and the first housing end
Implementation Method 3
The piston defines an oil compression chamber between the compression face and the inner wall of the housing and the second gas cup end and defines an oil return chamber between the return face and the inner wall of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A monotube shock absorber assembly includes a housing (20), a gas cup (32) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20), and a piston (42) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20) to define an oil compression chamber (48) between the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). A cushion (58) engages one of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32) and extends axially into the oil compression chamber (48) for intermittent contact with the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). The cushion (58) is a resilient material and deforms in response to the cushion (58) contacting the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). In a preferred embodiment, the cushion (58) defines a central opening (60) for decreasing the axial stiffness of the cushion (58) and engages the gas cup (32) for intermittent contact with the piston (42). In a preferred embodiment the cushion (58) presents an anchor (72) for retaining the cushion (58) against the piston (42) for intermittent contact with the gas cup (32).