Twin-Tube Shock Valving for Soft Mode and Maximum Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional twin tube shocks face limitations in achieving a soft mode setting due to the restrictive valving of the main damping piston, which also governs the maximum damping setting, leading to inadequate softness and limited damping adjustment.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a twin tube shock design with a selectable compression base valve that switches off the fluid connection between the rebound side of the main damping piston and the fluid accumulator in hard mode, allowing independent adjustment of the main damping piston to a non-maximum compression setting, thereby enabling a desired maximum damping setting without limiting the softness of the soft mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the main damping piston uses restrictive valving to achieve maximum damping setting, then the maximum damping capability is improved, but the soft mode operation becomes limited and cannot achieve adequate softness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the damping control into two independent segments: the main damping piston valving and the compression base valve. By segmenting the valving functions, the main damping piston can be optimized for maximum damping while the compression base valve provides additional control for soft mode operation. This allows the system to achieve both high maximum damping capability and adequate softness by adjusting the compression base valve to bypass fluid when soft mode is desired.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression base valve acts as an intermediary component between the fluid accumulator and the main damping piston circuit. It mediates the fluid flow to enable soft mode operation by providing an alternative path that bypasses the restrictive main damping piston valving. This intermediary valve allows the system to transition between hard mode (when compression base valve is closed) and soft mode (when compression base valve is open) without compromising the maximum damping capability of the main damping piston.
2Ease of manufacture
If the main damping piston valving is preset for average use conditions, then the device is easier to manufacture, but it cannot be adapted to varying terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic adjustability through the compression base valve, which can be adjusted to change the damping characteristics in real-time. While the main damping piston valving remains preset for average conditions (maintaining ease of manufacture), the compression base valve provides dynamic adaptation to varying terrain conditions. Users can adjust the compression base valve to achieve softer or firmer damping based on specific terrain requirements, transforming a static system into a dynamically adaptable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes in damping characteristics by adjusting the compression base valve. The preset main damping piston valving maintains consistent manufacturing standards, while the compression base valve allows users to change the effective damping parameters by opening or closing fluid pathways. This parameter adjustment capability enables adaptation to different terrain conditions without requiring multiple preset configurations or complex manufacturing processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fluid connection between rebound side and fluid accumulator is maintained, then the twin tube damping characteristic is achieved, but the maximum damping setting is limited by the restrictive valving
Solution Approach 1:
The invention prepares the system for maximum damping capability by providing a pre-configured compression base valve that can be closed to isolate the fluid accumulator from the main damping piston circuit. This preliminary configuration allows the system to switch between twin tube damping characteristic (when fluid connection is maintained) and maximum damping mode (when compression base valve is closed to prevent fluid bypass). The compression base valve is pre-positioned to enable this transition without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.
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 allows for favorable soft mode operation while maintaining a desired maximum damping setting, providing improved adjustability and performance across varying terrain conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The gas reservoir provides a pressure reservoir source which is useful to cause the piston in the damper chamber to return to a steady state position after a compression event
Implementation Method 2
The damper typically operates by restricting the flow of working fluid across or through the piston as it traverses the chamber to slow the movement of a piston therein
Implementation Method 3
a second adjustable valve disposed in said second fluid pathway, said second adjustable valve for controlling flow of a damping fluid in a first direction along said second fluid pathway from said fluid accumulator volume to said second fluid volume of said damper housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
A fluid damper (10; 2001) comprising: a damper housing (20; 2002) having a first fluid volume (108; 2003) and a second fluid volume (109; 2005); a damping piston (120; 2006) reciprocatingly disposed within said damper housing (20; 2002) and separating said first fluid volume (108; 2003) from said second fluid volume (109; 2005); a piston fluid pathway between said first fluid volume (108; 2003) and said second fluid volume (109; 2005) through said damping piston (120; 2006); a fluid accumulator (30; 2012) having an accumulator fluid volume (6); a first fluid pathway extending between said first fluid volume (108; 2003) and said accumulator fluid volume (6), the first fluid pathway to provide compression characteristics; a second fluid pathway extending between said second fluid volume (109; 2005) and said accumulator fluid volume (6); a first adjustable valve (2016) to adjust a compression characteristic of said fluid damper, the first adjustable valve (2016) controlling a compression fluid flow through said first fluid pathway; and a second adjustable valve (2018) disposed in said second fluid pathway, said second adjustable valve (2018) for controlling flow of a damping fluid in a first direction along said second fluid pathway from said fluid accumulator volume (6) to said second fluid volume (109; 2005) of said damper housing (20; 2002).