Shock Absorber Valve Structure for Durable Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The durability of valves in shock absorbers needs to be improved.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber configuration that includes a cylinder with a working fluid, a piston dividing the cylinder into chambers, a piston rod, and damping force generating mechanisms. The mechanisms include valves that are biased to close the passages, with specific valve designs featuring larger diameters and flexible promotion portions to enhance axial bending and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve diameter is increased to reduce stress, then the durability is improved, but the damping force control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thicker at the upstream end and thinner at the downstream end. This local variation in quality allows the valve to have different mechanical properties at different locations, enabling it to withstand higher stresses while maintaining precise control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The valve combines a rigid main body structure with a flexible promotion portion made of elastic material. This composite structure integrates the strength of rigid materials with the flexibility of elastic materials, achieving both durability and control precision
2Manufacturing precision
If the valve is fixed rigidly from both axial sides, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the stress concentration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates a flexible promotion portion made of elastic material that can deform under stress. This flexible element absorbs stress concentrations while the valve remains firmly positioned by the rigid fixed portions at both axial ends
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design allows for dynamic deformation of the flexible promotion portion in response to varying pressure conditions, while the rigid fixed portions maintain constant positioning. This dynamic adaptability reduces stress concentration without sacrificing positioning accuracy
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 proposed configuration effectively improves the durability of the valves by reducing stress and promoting axial bending, while maintaining the necessary damping force characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a second passage which is provided in parallel to the first passage and through which the working fluid flows from at least one cylinder chamber in accordance with the movement of the piston to pressurize the first damping force generating mechanism in a valve closing direction
Implementation Method 2
at least one second valve includes a flexible promotion portion provided in a part on the radially outer side of the fixed portion to promote axial bending on the radially outer side in relation to the radially inner side
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber includes a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod, a first passage, a first damping force generating mechanism, a second passage, and a second damping force generating mechanism. The first damping force generating mechanism includes a first valve which is fixed from both axial sides on the radially inner side and is disposed to be able to close the first passage and one or more second valves of which a fixed portion on the radially inner side is fixed from both axial ends together with the first valve and which generate a force of biasing the first passage in a valve closing direction. The second valve is formed to have a larger diameter than the inner diameter of a seat portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the first passage and at least one second valve includes a flexible promotion portion.