Shock Absorber Valve Structure for Wide-Range Damping Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shock absorber valve structures are limited in modifying damping force characteristics over a wide range of piston speeds, primarily due to the restricted deflection range of leaf valves, which affects the overall damping performance.
Innovation Solution
The proposed valve structure includes a piston with annular leaf valves and a load application member that adjusts the initial load by modifying the deformation of the second leaf valve's outer peripheral edge, allowing the initial load to be applied at varying radii and magnitudes, thereby controlling the valve-opening pressure and damping force characteristics across a broader range of piston speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the deflection force of leaf valves is changed to modify damping force characteristics, then the damping force can be adjusted, but the modification range is limited to a narrow piston speed range from when leaf valves begin to open until they are fully opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the initial load application position (radius) on the leaf valve rather than changing the leaf valve deflection force itself. By varying the radius at which the initial load is applied, the valve-opening pressure is adjusted, enabling damping force characteristic modification across a wide piston speed range from low to high speeds, thereby resolving the limitation of narrow adjustment range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by applying an initial load to the leaf valve before the piston reaches high speed conditions. This initial load, applied at a specific radius, pre-positions the leaf valve to open at a predetermined pressure threshold, ensuring that damping force characteristics are established across the entire piston speed range rather than only during the narrow transition period when valves open
2Reliability
If a spring is used to bias the valve disc against the valve body, then the valve can be held closed, but the damping force characteristics cannot be modified over a wide range of piston speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed spring bias with an adjustable initial load application system. By changing the radius at which the initial load is applied to the leaf valve, the valve-opening pressure parameter is modified, enabling continuous adjustment of damping force characteristics across wide piston speed ranges while maintaining reliable valve closing function through the controlled initial load
3Adaptability or versatility
If the position at which the initial load acts on the leaf valve is changed, then the valve-opening pressure is changed, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the adjustment mechanism at a specific location on the leaf valve structure. The initial load is applied at different radii (positions) on the leaf valve, creating localized variation in opening pressure without requiring complex global structural changes. This localized approach enables valve-opening pressure adjustment while maintaining overall structural simplicity
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 configuration enables the damping force characteristics to be modified over a wide range of piston speeds, improving riding comfort by ensuring gradual changes in damping force, thus enhancing the shock absorber's performance and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
modifying the deformation of the second leaf valve's outer peripheral edge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve structure of a shock absorber 100 includes a piston 3 to which a first communication passage 3a and a second communication passage 3b are provided, and a load application member 42 that applies an initial load to a first leaf valve 41. The initial load is applied to the first leaf valve 41 within a range between the inside in the radial direction from a first seat part 3f and the outside in the radial direction from an abutting part 3e of the piston 3, the first seat part 3f being positioned on the outside in the radial direction of the first communication passage 3a.