Shock Absorber Valve Arrangement Reducing Oscillations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulators in shock absorbers often cause unwanted oscillations and noise due to the reciprocal interaction of regulator forces and opposing forces, leading to discomfort and noise in vehicles during dynamical events.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with a first actuator and pilot valve system, featuring a restriction arrangement and a movable valve member that adjusts flow paths based on stroke direction, providing different flow restrictions to manage damping medium flow effectively between chambers, thereby attenuating unwanted movements and reducing oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple pressure regulator with a single flow restriction is used, then the device complexity is low, but unwanted oscillations and noise occur during dynamical events
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulator is segmented into multiple independent flow restrictions (first flow restriction with area A1, second flow restriction with area A2) instead of using a single restriction. This segmentation allows different flow paths to be controlled independently, preventing the reciprocal interaction of forces that causes oscillations and noise while maintaining structural manageability.
2Device complexity
If a single flow restriction area is used in the pressure regulator, then the device complexity is low, but the damping characteristics are insufficient during different strokes
Solution Approach 1:
Different flow restriction areas (A1 and A2) are assigned to different flow paths based on their specific functional requirements. The first flow restriction with area A1 handles flow during one stroke direction, while the second flow restriction with area A2 handles flow during the opposite stroke direction. This local differentiation optimizes damping characteristics for each stroke without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism.
3Reliability
If a pressure regulator with multiple flow paths is implemented, then the damping characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow restrictions and flow paths are merged into a single integrated pressure regulator body. The first and second flow restrictions are arranged within the same regulator structure, sharing common components such as the valve member and housing. This merging approach provides improved damping characteristics through multiple flow paths while avoiding the complexity of separate independent regulator units.
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 solution effectively adapts flow restrictions to different strokes, reducing unwanted oscillations and noise, and providing improved damping characteristics with low friction, stick slip, and pressure scatter, enhancing vehicle comfort and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first restriction arrangement for restricting a flow of damping medium from the first actuator chamber to the pilot chamber, said first restriction arrangement being arranged to provide a first flow path restricted by a first flow restriction area during a first stroke and to provide a second flow path restricted by a second flow restriction area during the second stroke
Implementation Method 2
a pilot valve being arranged to control the first actuating pressure, the pilot valve having a pilot chamber being in fluid communication with the first actuator chamber
Implementation Method 3
said first valve member being arranged to co-operate with said first restriction arrangement such that the flow of damping medium from the first actuator chamber to the pilot chamber flows via said first flow path when said first valve member is in the first end position and flows via said second flow path when said first valve member is in the second end position
Implementation Method 4
a first actuator having a first actuator chamber communicating with said first chamber and said second chamber, said first actuator, during said first stroke, being arranged to actuate on said main flow of damping medium in response to a first actuating pressure in the first actuator chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A valve arrangement for controlling a main flow of damping medium in a shock absorber from a first chamber to a second chamber during a first stroke and from the second chamber to the first chamber during a second stroke, the valve arrangement comprising a first actuator having a first actuator chamber communicating with said first chamber and said second chamber, said first actuator, during said first stroke, being arranged to actuate on said main flow of damping medium in response to a first actuating pressure in the first actuator chamber; a pilot valve being arranged to control the first actuating pressure, the pilot valve having a pilot chamber being in fluid communication with the first actuator chamber; a first restriction arrangement for restricting a flow of damping medium from the first actuator chamber to the pilot chamber, said first restriction arrangement being arranged to provide a first flow path restricted by a first flow restriction area during a first stroke and to provide a second flow path restricted by a second flow restriction area during the second stroke; and a first sub valve arrangement comprising a first valve member, said first valve member being in a first end position during the first stroke and being in a second end position during the second stroke, wherein said first valve member being arranged to co-operate with said first restriction arrangement such that the flow of damping medium from the first actuator chamber to the pilot chamber flows via said first flow path when said first valve member is in the first end position and flows via said second flow path when said first valve member is in the second end position.