Compact Shock Absorber With Selective Fluid Pathway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorbers require a large number of components and lack compactness, making them less efficient in terms of size and performance.
Innovation Solution
A compact shock absorber design featuring a ring-shaped obturating element around the piston and a fluid pathway system that can selectively switch between open and closed configurations, providing lower fluid resistance when open, allowing for efficient fluid communication between the working and accumulator chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shock absorber designs are used, then reliable damping function is achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve means and obturating element into a single integrated component that combines multiple functions. The ring-shaped obturating element with integrated valve functionality reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the shock absorber's damping reliability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Volume of moving object
If compact dimensions are achieved, then the shock absorber size is reduced, but the fluid pathway efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic fluid pathway system where the second pathway can selectively switch between open and closed configurations. When open, it provides low resistance for efficient fluid communication; when closed, it allows the first pathway to function. This dynamic adaptability maintains fluid pathway efficiency while enabling compact dimensions
3Device complexity
If a single fluid pathway is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different load conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic fluid pathway system where the second pathway can selectively switch between open and closed configurations based on load conditions. The valve means respond to pressure changes, automatically opening or closing the second pathway to optimize fluid communication for different operating conditions, thereby enhancing adaptability without excessive 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
The design achieves compact dimensions with fewer components, offering improved performance and efficiency by modulating resistance forces based on load conditions, enabling effective damping with reduced vibration and increased durability.
Implementation Method 1
a piston assembly comprising a piston mounted for reciprocal sliding movement in the tubular housing, said piston defining within the tubular housing a working chamber and an accumulator chamber
Implementation Method 2
said second fluid pathway having in the open configuration a lower fluid resistance than the first fluid pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber comprises a tubular housing (10), a cover (14), and a piston (34) defining within the tubular housing (10) a working chamber (W) 34g 34h and an accumulator chamber (A). A first fluid pathway (34p, 42, 34g) and a second fluid pathway (46, T, 34f) arranged in parallel connect the working chamber (W) to the accumulator chamber (A). The first fluid pathway establishes a permanent fluid communication between the working chamber (W) and the accumulator chamber (A). A valve assembly comprises an obturating element (44) arranged around the piston (34) and slidable along an axial length of the piston (34). The second fluid pathway comprises a first pathway section (34f) formed through the piston and a second pathway section (46, T) formed between the piston (34) and the obturating element (44). The second fluid pathway is able to selectively assume an open configuration and a closed configuration, and it has a lower fluid resistance than the fluid resistance of the first fluid pathway.