Shock Absorber Valve Arrangement Radial Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements in shock absorbers are susceptible to disturbances due to low adjusting forces, making them unreliable in controlling damping medium flow effectively.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with a main valve member and a control valve member featuring radial holes and an outer volume to distribute pressurized damping fluid around the circumference, minimizing axial disturbing forces and allowing controlled flow restriction through the axial position of the control valve member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slidably arranged control valve member is used to regulate damping fluid flow, then the valve arrangement can control flow between compression and rebound chambers, but the valve member becomes susceptible to disturbance due to low available adjusting force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from axial force application to radial force distribution by introducing radial holes and an outer volume that distributes pressurized damping fluid around the entire circumference of the control valve member. This dimensional change from axial to radial force distribution eliminates the sensitivity to axial disturbing forces while maintaining flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve member is segmented with multiple radial holes distributed around its circumference, allowing the damping fluid to act at multiple points simultaneously. This segmentation distributes the adjusting force radially around the entire circumference, preventing local pressure imbalances and reducing susceptibility to axial disturbing forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure and flow forces act on the valve member to open the flow passage, then the valve responds to piston speed changes, but axial disturbing forces affect the axial position of the valve member
Solution Approach 1:
The invention redistributes the force application from the axial dimension to the radial dimension by introducing radial holes and an outer volume. This allows the valve member to respond to pressure and flow forces while the radial distribution cancels out axial disturbing forces, stabilizing the axial position.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer volume distributes pressurized damping fluid around the entire circumference of the control valve member, creating counterbalancing radial forces that offset axial disturbing forces. This counterweight effect stabilizes the axial position while maintaining responsiveness to piston speed changes.
3Force
If the control valve member has limited adjusting force, then the valve arrangement is sensitive to external forces, but increasing the adjusting force would require larger valve components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the direction of force application from axial to radial by introducing radial holes and an outer volume. This dimensional change allows the valve member to generate sufficient adjusting force through radial pressure distribution without increasing axial component size, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve member is divided into multiple radial segments with distributed holes, allowing the adjusting force to be accumulated radially around the circumference. This segmentation enables high total adjusting force without requiring larger individual valve components.
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 provides a more reliable and dependable valve arrangement by minimizing the impact of flow forces on the control valve member, resulting in improved operational stability and damping control.
Implementation Method 1
The main valve member comprises a first recess at the radial inner end of said radial hole along the main valve members' inner circumference forming an outer volume for holding a damping fluid, so as to spread pressurized damping fluid flowing between said first and second port around substantially the entire circumference of the control valve member
Implementation Method 2
the first flow of damping medium is controlled through the axial position of said first radial hole relative an edge of said outer volume so as to restrict the flow when reducing the orifice of said first radial hole
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arrangement controls a flow of damping medium in a shock absorber. Pressurized damping fluid acts around a whole circumference of the slidable valve member and the impact of flow forces on the slidable valve member is minimized, which vastly decrease the disturbing axial forces and thereby achieves a more dependable valve arrangement with a reliable operation.