Shock Absorber Valve Structure with Variable Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorbers with single flow channels experience rapid changes in damping force at inflection points from low to middle and high velocities, compromising ride comfort by either lowering damping force at low velocities or increasing it exponentially, which affects vehicle stability and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A valve structure with two flow channels, including a variable flow channel, is designed within a shock absorber, where a variable valve assembly moves to control the flow of working fluid between upper and lower chambers, slowing the change in damping force as the piston velocity transitions from low to middle and high velocities, using a hollow housing, connection passages, and elastic valve support units to manage the flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single flow channel is used in the piston valve, then the structure is simple, but the damping force changes rapidly at inflection points from low to middle and high velocities, compromising ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The single flow channel is divided into two separate flow channels: a first flow channel for low velocity flow and a second flow channel for middle and high velocity flow. This segmentation allows independent control of damping characteristics at different velocity ranges, preventing rapid damping force changes at inflection points while maintaining structural manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
A variable valve assembly is introduced that dynamically switches between the first and second flow channels based on piston velocity. The variable valve assembly includes a valve body that moves to open or close different flow paths, enabling the system to adapt damping characteristics to operating conditions and smooth transitions between velocity ranges.
2Reliability
If damping force at low velocity is lowered to improve ride comfort, then ride comfort improves, but damping force at high and middle velocities is also lowered, affecting vehicle stability
Solution Approach 1:
Different flow channels are designed with different damping characteristics tailored to specific velocity ranges. The first flow channel is optimized for low velocity operation with lower damping force to improve ride comfort, while the second flow channel is optimized for middle and high velocity operation with higher damping force to maintain vehicle stability. Each channel's local damping property is independently tuned.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable valve assembly dynamically selects which flow channel is active based on piston velocity. At low velocities, the system uses the first flow channel with lower damping. At middle and high velocities, the variable valve switches to the second flow channel with higher damping. This dynamic switching ensures appropriate damping force is applied at each velocity range without compromising overall performance.
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 design slows the change in damping force curve, improving ride comfort by maintaining appropriate damping forces across velocity transitions, thereby enhancing vehicle stability and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a variable valve body arranged within the inner space of the housing to allow the working fluid to selectively flow between the upper chamber and the lower chamber according to flow velocity of the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
an upper retainer and the lower retainer may be formed of an elastic material which is elastically deformable
Implementation Method 3
a damping device damping impact or vibration applied to an axle from the road surface during driving to improve ride comfort
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a valve structure of a shock absorber which forms flow channels in two directions of working fluid passing through the valve structure so as to slow change of damping force when the moving velocity of a piston is changed between a low velocity and a middle and high velocity and forms one of the two flow channels as a variable flow channel to improve ride comfort of a vehicle. The valve structure includes a piston valve assembly installed at the end of the piston rod and operated to generate damping force varied according to moving velocity of a working fluid, and a variable valve assembly moving together with the piston valve assembly to vary damping force to slow change of a damping force curve when the flow velocity of the working fluid is changed between a low velocity and a middle and high velocity.