Shock Absorber Flow Path Structure for Wide-Range Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers struggle to effectively adjust damping forces over a large moving speed range of a piston, particularly in medium and high speed ranges.
Innovation Solution
The shock absorber incorporates a second damping force generating portion with multiple flow paths and valves, along with adjustment units to control the force required to open these valves, allowing for precise adjustment of damping forces across various speed ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single damping force generating portion is used, then the structure is simple, but the damping force cannot be adjusted over a large moving speed range
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber divides the damping force generation function into multiple independent portions: a first damping force generating portion (fixed to the cylinder) and a second damping force generating portion (movably disposed in the cylinder). Each portion can independently generate damping forces, allowing the system to achieve adjustable damping characteristics across different piston speed ranges without requiring a completely redesigned single-component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The second damping force generating portion is designed to be movable in the axial direction within the cylinder, allowing its position to change dynamically based on piston movement. This dynamic positioning enables the system to adapt damping characteristics to different operating conditions and speed ranges, transforming a static single-component design into a dynamic multi-component system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow paths and valves are added, then damping force adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping force control system is segmented into multiple independent flow paths (first flow path with first valve and first adjustment unit, second flow path with second valve and second adjustment unit). Each flow path handles specific damping control tasks, allowing independent adjustment of damping forces for different speed ranges without requiring complex interconnections between components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow paths and valves are designed to work together as an integrated damping control system. The first and second flow paths both pass through the piston and work in conjunction to provide comprehensive damping force adjustment across the entire operating range, making each component serve multiple functions in different operating conditions.
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 configuration enables the shock absorber to adjust damping forces over a large moving speed range, improving ride comfort in both medium and high speed ranges while maintaining effective damping in low speed ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the first valve (131) may open the first flow path (121) when a pressure of a chamber (S1) at a first end portion side is equal to or higher than a first pressure (P1)
Implementation Method 2
the second valve (132) may open the second flow path (122) when a pressure of a chamber at the first end portion side is equal to or higher than a second pressure (P2) which is higher than the first pressure
Implementation Method 3
The first adjustment unit (140) may include a first spring (141) which applies a force in a closing direction to the first valve (131)
Implementation Method 4
The second adjustment unit (160) may include a second spring (161) which applies a force in a closing direction to the second valve (132)
Implementation Method 5
The first damping force generating portion (40) may generate a damping force even when the pressure of the chamber (S1) at the first end portion (11t) side is lower than the first pressure (P1)
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber includes a first damping force generating portion which is fixed to a first end portion of a cylinder in an axial direction thereof, a second damping force generating portion which is disposed to be movable in the axial direction in the cylinder. The second damping force generating portion includes a first flow path which passes through a piston in the axial direction, the piston partitioning a space inside the cylinder, a first valve which opens and closes the first flow path, a first adjustment unit which adjusts a force required to open the first valve, a second flow path which is located at a different position from the first flow path and passes through the piston in the axial direction, a second valve which opens and closes the second flow path, and a second adjustment unit which adjusts a force required to open the second valve.