Shock Absorber Valve Assembly for Tunable High-Speed Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shock absorbers and damping valves fail to provide optimal performance across a broad range of shock transmission conditions, particularly in high-speed and high-deformation scenarios, necessitating improved response characteristics and tunability for racing and competition applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a hydraulic shock absorber with a piston assembly featuring a valve system that includes flow ports, annular valve chambers, and spring-actuated valving elements, allowing for adjustable fluid flow paths and diversion angles to manage shock transmission effectively across various impact speeds and forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional shock absorbers are used, then basic shock damping is provided, but optimal performance across broad range of shock transmission conditions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber valve system is divided into multiple independent valving elements (first valving element, second valving element, third valving element) that can operate independently or in combination. Each valving element has its own valve seat and spring assembly, allowing the system to provide different damping characteristics for different shock conditions without requiring a completely different valve design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valving elements are designed to dynamically respond to different shock conditions through spring-actuated mechanisms. The springs (first spring, second spring, third spring) provide progressive resistance that automatically adjusts the valve opening based on the magnitude and speed of the shock input, enabling adaptive performance across varying conditions without external control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single fluid flow path is used, then simple valve structure is maintained, but tunability for different impact speeds and forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the valve system provide different flow characteristics. The first valving element controls flow through a first fluid flow path with specific diversion angle, while the second valving element controls flow through a second fluid flow path with different diversion angle. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize fluid flow for different shock conditions (low-speed vs. high-speed impacts) while maintaining a unified valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flow diversion angles as an additional dimension of control beyond simple valve opening area. By varying the diversion angles of different fluid flow paths, the system can redirect fluid flow in different directions to optimize damping performance for different impact speeds and forces, adding a new degree of freedom to the valve control mechanism.
3Reliability
If fixed valve seats are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but response characteristics for high-speed and high-deformation scenarios are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system employs spring-actuated valving elements that dynamically adjust their position relative to the valve seats based on shock magnitude and speed. The springs provide progressive force that increases with valve opening, creating a dynamic response characteristic that adapts to high-speed and high-deformation scenarios while maintaining reliable sealing when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-actuated valving elements provide inherent feedback mechanisms where the spring force increases as the valve opens, automatically modulating the valve opening based on the shock input. This feedback control enables the valve to provide optimal damping response for different shock conditions without requiring external control systems.
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 the shock absorber's ability to tune and mitigate shock transmission, providing improved performance and tunability across a wide range of conditions, thereby optimizing performance in racing and competition environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring configured to urge the at least one valving element in movable mating and demating relation against the first valve seat and the second valve seat
Implementation Method 2
the at least one valve seat demated from the first valve seat and the second valve seat responsive to fluid pressure in the annular valve chamber compressing the at least one spring
Implementation Method 3
impact force of a moving object is absorbed by causing a piston to displace hydraulic fluid from a cylinder through metering orifices
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber is provided having a cylinder, a piston rod, a piston body, and a valve. The cylinder is configured to receive fluid. The piston body is connected to the piston rod and is configured to reciprocate within the cylinder between a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The valve is provided by the piston body having a fluid flow port, a valve seat, a circumferential valving element, and a spring configured to urge the valve body into the valve seat. A primary damping valve and an auxiliary damping valve are also provided.