Shock Absorber With Rotating Shutter Passage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers for vehicles cannot freely adjust the damping force variable width of their frequency-dependent mechanisms according to different damping force characteristics, leading to instability in vehicle ride quality and increased size and parts count.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber design featuring a cylinder with a piston and passage area varying mechanism, allowing separate adjustment of the first and second passages to change damping force characteristics, enabling flexible damping force control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed orifice area is used to determine the damping force variable width, then the shock absorber structure is simple, but the damping force variable width cannot be changed freely according to different damping force characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the passage area of the first and second passages variable rather than fixed. The passage area varying mechanism dynamically adjusts the passage areas according to different damping force characteristics, allowing the damping force variable width to be freely changed. This transforms the static orifice area into a dynamic parameter that can adapt to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the damping force control system into multiple independent passages (main passage, first passage, second passage) with independently controllable passage areas. By providing separate passage area varying mechanisms for the first and second passages, the system can independently adjust each passage's contribution to damping force, enabling flexible combination of damping characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the damping force variable width is increased to reduce high-frequency vibrations, then ride quality improves, but the shock absorber size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic adjustment of passage areas to provide multiple damping force characteristics without requiring physically larger components for each characteristic. The passage area varying mechanism allows the same shock absorber structure to adapt its damping properties, enabling high-frequency vibration reduction with appropriate passage area settings while maintaining a compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber is designed with multi-functionality through the passage area varying mechanism, which allows a single device to provide multiple damping force characteristics (hard, medium, soft) and adjust the damping force variable width as needed. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate shock absorbers for different applications, reducing the overall size requirement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate adjustment of first and second passages is implemented, then damping force control flexibility improves, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydraulic circuit into distinct passages (main passage, first passage, second passage) with separate passage area control mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each passage's flow characteristics, providing flexible damping force control by regulating hydraulic fluid flow through different paths based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple damping force control functions into a single integrated shock absorber assembly. By combining the main passage, first passage, second passage, and their respective passage area varying mechanisms within one unit, the design achieves flexible damping control without requiring multiple separate components or assemblies.
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 design allows for smooth damping force transitions and reduced parts count, improving vehicle ride quality and stability while minimizing the shock absorber's size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a main damping valve provided in the main passage to regulate a flow of the hydraulic fluid induced by movement of the piston to generate a damping force
Implementation Method 2
a frequency-dependent mechanism (i.e. a mechanism whereby damping force reduces according to the input vibration frequency)
Data Source
AI summary
A frequency-dependent mechanism provided at the lower end of a piston rod includes a tubular housing displaceable in an inner tube, together with the piston rod as one unit, and further includes a free piston and O-rings. A shutter of a passage area varying mechanism is provided with an axially extending inner hole, orifices, and oil grooves. The opening area between oil holes 3C and the orifices 33B is changed according to the rotational position of the shutter. The opening area between oil holes 3D and 3E and the oil grooves 33C and 33D and the opening area between oil holes 3F and 3G and the oil grooves 33E and 33F are also variably adjusted according to the rotational position of the shutter.