Shock Absorber Valve Disk Abutment via Intermediate Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers with a structure featuring an outer seat, intermediate seat, and inner seat face issues with unsuitable valve properties due to increased valve-opening points caused by variations in seat heights during manufacturing, leading to potential fluid leakage and inadequate damping force characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber design with a piston, cylinder, and damping force-generating mechanism that includes a first disk with a larger diameter than the outer seat, a spring member to press the disk, and a communication unit to control fluid flow, allowing the disk to abut both the inner and outer seats while maintaining a low set load, thereby adjusting valve properties effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the intermediate seat height is decreased to apply set load to the disk, then the disk is pressed against the intermediate seat, but the valve-opening point increases and valve properties become unsuitable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate seat as a mediator between the outer seat and inner seat. The intermediate seat has a height that is lower than both the outer seat and inner seat, creating a stepped structure. This intermediate seat allows the disk to be pressed against it while maintaining a lower set load, preventing the disk from directly contacting the outer seat and causing excessive valve-opening point increase. The intermediate seat thus mediates the force transmission to achieve appropriate valve properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different height levels at different radial positions of the valve structure. The outer seat, intermediate seat, and inner seat have progressively lower heights, forming a stepped configuration. This local variation in height allows the disk to contact different seats at different radial zones, enabling precise control of the set load and valve-opening point characteristics.
2Force
If the disk is pressed against the intermediate seat by spring, then the set load is applied, but the valve-opening point rises and damping force characteristics become inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate seat serves as an intermediary structure that allows the spring to press the disk against it at a controlled position. This prevents the disk from being pressed too far against the outer seat, which would raise the valve-opening point excessively. The intermediate seat thus mediates between the spring force application and the valve opening mechanism to maintain adequate damping force characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the valve structure by introducing an intermediate seat with specific height relationships. The intermediate seat height is set to be lower than both the outer seat and inner seat, creating a stepped configuration that modifies the force-displacement characteristics. This parameter change allows the spring to apply set load effectively while preventing excessive valve-opening point rise, thereby maintaining proper damping force characteristics.
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 design ensures secure abutment of the disk on the outer seat, suppresses the valve-opening point rise, and achieves appropriate valve properties by maintaining a low set load, reducing fluid leakage and enhancing damping force characteristics across varying piston speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member configured to press the first disk toward the outer seat
Implementation Method 2
a damping force-generating mechanism installed at a portion of the passage and configured to control a flow of the working fluid to generate a damping force
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber includes an annular outer seat protruding from a valve main body, an inner seat protruding inward of the outer seat of the valve main body, an intermediate seat disposed between the outer seat and the inner seat of the valve main body and protruding to surround an opening section of a passage, a first disk having a larger diameter than the outer seat and seated on the intermediate seat, a spring member configured to press the first disk toward the outer seat, a second disk stacked on the first disk, and a communication unit configured to bring the passage in communication with a space between the intermediate seat and the outer seat. The first disk starts to be pressed by the spring member to abut the outer seat while abutting the inner seat and the intermediate seat.