Shock Absorber Valve Arrangement With Integrated Fail-Safe Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers face challenges in providing a fail-safe operation without increasing weight or size, which affects damping characteristics and is not compatible with all vehicles due to the need for additional components.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with a first and second spring member that restricts hydraulic fluid flow during active and fail-safe operations respectively, allowing for a compact design that eliminates the need for geometrically defined ports or channels, enabling a smaller form factor and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fail-safe means are added to handle electrical or mechanical malfunction, then reliability is improved, but weight and size increase which affects damping characteristics and vehicle compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fail-safe mechanism with the existing valve structure by integrating a spring member that serves dual purposes: it provides the fail-safe closing function and simultaneously acts as part of the valve's structural framework. This merging eliminates the need for separate fail-safe components, thereby avoiding additional weight while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides fail-safe operation by closing the valve when actuating force is lost, maintains damping characteristics through its mechanical properties, and serves as a structural element within the valve assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
2Reliability
If traditional fail-safe means are added to handle electrical or mechanical malfunction, then reliability is improved, but device size increases which affects vehicle compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The fail-safe mechanism is merged into the existing valve body structure. The spring member is positioned within the valve chamber and integrates with the valve seat and housing, eliminating the need for separate fail-safe assemblies that would increase device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is nested within the valve chamber, utilizing the existing internal space of the valve device. This nesting approach allows the fail-safe mechanism to occupy minimal additional volume while maintaining its functional integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If geometrically defined ports or channels are used to define fluid flow path, then manufacturing is simplified, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid flow path definition from the valve housing geometry and transfers it to the spring member itself. The spring member's physical structure and positioning define the flow channels, eliminating the need for geometrically defined ports in the housing and reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is designed with specific local geometric features that define the fluid flow path. By concentrating the flow path definition in the localized area of the spring member rather than requiring extensive geometric features throughout the housing, the device volume is reduced while maintaining manufacturability.
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 compact valve arrangement allows for efficient regulation of hydraulic fluid flow in both active and fail-safe modes, reducing the size and weight of the valve device while maintaining desirable damping characteristics, making it suitable for vehicles with limited space.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring member adapted to be arranged in a valve chamber of the valve device to be at least partly moveable within the valve chamber in an axial direction to interact with a valve seat to provide a first restriction by which the hydraulic fluid flow is restricted during active control operation
Implementation Method 2
a second spring member adapted to be arranged in the valve chamber to provide a second restriction by which the hydraulic fluid flow is restricted during fail-safe operation
Implementation Method 3
a valve arrangement for regulating a pressure in a hydraulic fluid flow in response to an actuating force during an active control operation and for mechanically regulating said pressure during a fail-safe operation when no actuating force is present
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The application relates to a valve arrangement (1) for regulating a pressure in a hydraulic fluid flow in a valve device (100) in response to an actuating force (F) during an active control operation and for mechanically regulating said pressure during a fail-safe operation when no actuating force (F) is present. The valve arrangement (1) comprises a first spring member (2) adapted to be arranged in a valve chamber (50) of the valve device (100) to interact with a valve seat (42) to provide a first restriction (R1) by which the hydraulic fluid flow (Q1) is restricted during active control operation, and a second spring member (3) adapted to be arranged in the valve chamber (50) to provide a second restriction (R2) by which the hydraulic fluid flow (Q2) is restricted during fail-safe operation, wherein during active control operation, an active control flow channel (50c) is open, and during fail-safe operation, the active control flow channel (50c) is substantially closed by means of the first spring member (2). A valve device (100), shock absorber (1000), and method (S0) of regulating a pressure in a fluid flow in a valve device is also disclosed.