Variable Damping Shock Absorber Diaphragm Bypass Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional damping force variable type shock absorbers generate contact noise and have complex structures, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the large number of parts, while they fail to effectively provide a soft damping force to improve ride comfort.
Innovation Solution
A damping force variable type shock absorber design that includes a cylinder with a piston rod, a piston valve, an auxiliary chamber, and first and second damping units forming zigzag bypass passages, allowing fluid deformation at predetermined speeds to generate a soft damping force, thereby reducing noise and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional auxiliary valve with a vertically movable spool is used, then a soft damping force can be provided during high-frequency stroke, but contact noise is generated due to shock caused by vertical movement of the spool
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical spool valve system with a diaphragm-based bypass system. The diaphragm responds to pressure differential across it to open or close the bypass passage, eliminating the need for vertically moving mechanical parts that generate contact noise. The diaphragm flexes in response to pressure changes, providing soft damping force without mechanical shock or contact noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure differential across the diaphragm to control the bypass passage opening. The auxiliary chamber pressure varies with piston movement, automatically regulating the bypass flow without mechanical actuators. This pneumatic/hydraulic control mechanism provides smooth operation without contact noise while maintaining ride comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional auxiliary valve with multiple parts is used, then damping force control is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated resulting in increased manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the diaphragm component, which simultaneously acts as a pressure-sensitive element, a flow control valve, and a structural support. The diaphragm integrates the functions previously requiring separate spool, valve body, and control mechanism parts, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining damping force control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm serves multiple functions: it senses pressure differential, controls bypass flow, provides structural support for the auxiliary chamber, and responds to dynamic conditions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized parts, reducing structural complexity and manufacturing cost while preserving adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If a zigzag bypass passage is formed by the first damping unit, then a soft damping force is generated by allowing fluid deformation, but the passage length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a zigzag (curved) bypass passage configuration instead of a straight passage. This curved path increases the fluid travel distance, allowing more time for fluid deformation and energy dissipation, which generates soft damping force. The curvature of the passage creates additional flow resistance and turbulence that enhances the damping effect while accommodating the increased passage length within the compact auxiliary chamber.
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 design effectively generates a soft damping force during high-frequency strokes, improving ride comfort by varying damping force based on vehicle speed, reducing manufacturing costs, and minimizing noise and structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the first damping unit allowing a deformation according to a flow of a working fluid in a predetermined speed section; the second damping unit allowing a deformation according to the flow of the working fluid in a predetermined speed section
Data Source
AI summary
A damping force variable type shock absorber includes: a piston rod reciprocating within the cylinder; a piston valve connected to the piston rod to partition the cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber; a housing including an auxiliary chamber communicating with a connection passage penetrating an inside of the piston rod in a longitudinal direction of the piston rod, the housing being connected to a lower portion of the piston valve and forming an auxiliary passage connected to the compression chamber disposed thereunder; a first damping unit disposed in an upper side of the auxiliary chamber to form a first bypass passage communicating the connection passage with the auxiliary passage in a zigzag form, the first damping unit allowing a deformation according to a flow of a working fluid in a predetermined speed section; a second damping unit accommodated in the auxiliary chamber and disposed under the first damping unit to form a second bypass passage connected to the first bypass passage, the second damping unit allowing a deformation according to the flow of the working fluid in a predetermined speed section; and a seal unit accommodated in the auxiliary chamber and disposed under the first damping unit to vertically support the second damping unit. Accordingly, it is possible to improve ride comfort by bypassing the working fluid while allowing a deformation along the flow of the working fluid in a predetermined speed section.