Shock Absorber Hydraulic Stop With Stabilized Piston Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorber assemblies lack effective means to prevent radial deformation of the piston ring, leading to undesirable oil passage and damping characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of stabilizer pins extending axially from the piston ring, which are received by channels in the catchers of the ring guide, preventing radially outward movement and maintaining optimal damping performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the piston ring is allowed to move axially between catchers and retainer, then the damping force can be selectively increased or decreased, but the piston ring may deform radially outward leading to undesirable oil passage and modified damping characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
Stabilizer pins are introduced as intermediary elements that extend radially outward from the piston ring to engage with the channels in the catchers. These pins act as mediators that prevent radial outward deformation of the piston ring while allowing axial movement between blocked and unblocked positions, thus maintaining damping characteristic consistency during adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston ring is segmented by introducing multiple stabilizer pins that divide the ring structure into sections. Each pin independently prevents radial deformation at its location, collectively ensuring the entire piston ring maintains its shape during axial movement, thereby preserving reliable damping characteristics.
2Reliability
If stabilizer pins are added to prevent radial deformation, then damping characteristic consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer pins are merged with the existing piston ring structure, extending directly from it, and integrate with the catcher channels that are already part of the hydraulic stop mechanism. This combining approach adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing radial deformation and ensuring damping characteristic consistency.
3Reliability
If stabilizer pins are received by channels in catchers, then radial outward movement is prevented, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The channels in the catchers are designed with local quality features such as tapered entrances or enlarged entry sections that guide the stabilizer pins into proper alignment during assembly. This localized design feature reduces the overall manufacturing precision requirements while ensuring reliable pin-channel engagement for preventing radial outward movement.
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 solution enhances damping control by preventing radial deformation of the piston ring, ensuring consistent damping characteristics and reducing noise and lag issues, while allowing for easy assembly and mass reduction.
Implementation Method 1
The piston ring is axially moveable between a blocked position in which it axially abuts the retainer to block fluid flow through the channels to provide an increased damping effect
Implementation Method 2
The piston ring further includes a plurality of stabilizer pins extending axially from the ring portion and each received by one the channels of the catchers radially inward of the radially outer portions of the catchers for preventing radially outward movement of the ring portion
Implementation Method 3
The hydraulic stop mechanism provides an additional damping force in response to axial movement of the piston rod
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A shock absorber assembly includes a housing along an axis. A hydraulic stop mechanism includes a retainer extending about and fixed to a piston rod, and a ring guide that has a base portion axially adjacent to the retainer and a plurality of catchers each connected to and spaced axially from the base portion and each having a radially outer portion. Each of the catchers defines a channel. A piston ring is axially moveable along the ring guide between a blocked position wherein the piston ring axially abuts the retainer to close the channels, and an unblocked position wherein the piston ring is axially spaced from the retainer to open the channels. The piston ring further includes a plurality of stabilizer pins extending axially and each received by one of the channels of the catchers radially inward of the radially outer portions of the catchers.