Shock Absorber Damping Adjusters for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers lack the ability to easily adjust compression-side low-speed and high-speed damping forces, as well as extension-side damping force, which are essential for optimal vibration suppression across varying stroke speeds.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber design featuring a cylinder, working fluid chamber, piston rod, tank, reservoir, and communication passage with integrated low-speed and high-speed compression-side damping adjusters, and an extension-side damping adjuster, allowing for independent adjustment of damping forces by altering the resistance through throttle valves and check valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single compression-side damping adjuster is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to separately adjust compression-side low-speed damping force and compression-side high-speed damping force is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The compression-side damping adjustment function is segmented into two independent adjusters: one for low-speed damping force and another for high-speed damping force. This segmentation allows separate adjustment of damping characteristics at different stroke speeds, enabling optimized vibration suppression across varying operating conditions without increasing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If damping adjusters are arranged on the piston rod side, then the adjustment mechanism is simplified, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to limited accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging damping adjusters on the piston rod side (conventional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing all damping adjusters on the tank side. This inversion provides superior accessibility and ease of operation for adjusting damping forces, while maintaining a compact and integrated configuration that does not increase device complexity
3Ease of operation
If multiple damping adjusters are integrated on the tank side, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple damping adjusters (extension-side damping adjuster, compression-side low-speed damping adjuster, and compression-side high-speed damping adjuster) are merged and integrated into a compact arrangement on the tank side. This combining approach improves ease of operation by providing centralized accessibility to all adjustment mechanisms, while the integrated design prevents excessive increase in device complexity
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 precise adjustment of compression-side low-speed, high-speed, and extension-side damping forces, enhancing the shock absorber's ability to manage varying stroke speeds and improve vibration suppression.
Implementation Method 1
a damping force generating mechanism configured to apply resistance to the working fluid passing through the communication passage
Implementation Method 2
a low-speed compression-side damping adjuster configured to change a damping force when a stroke speed is in a low-speed range during compression of the shock absorber
Implementation Method 3
a high-speed compression-side damping adjuster configured to change the damping force when the stroke speed is in a high-speed range during compression of the shock absorber
Implementation Method 4
an extension-side damping adjuster configured to change the damping force during extension of the shock absorber
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber includes: a communication passage configured to cause a working fluid chamber formed in a cylinder to communicate with a reservoir for reserving a working fluid therein; a damping force generating mechanism configured to apply resistance to the working fluid passing through the communication passage; a low-speed compression-side damping adjuster configured to change a damping force when a stroke speed is in a low-speed range during compression; a high-speed compression-side damping adjuster configured to change the damping force when the stroke speed is in a high-speed range, the high-speed range representing higher speed than the low-speed range during compression; and an extension-side damping adjuster configured to change the damping force during extension. The low-speed compression-side damping adjuster, the high-speed compression-side damping adjuster, and the extension-side damping adjuster are attached to a tank side of the cylinder.