Shock Absorber Valve with Adjustable Auxiliary Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorber valves lack the ability to efficiently adjust damping characteristics over a wide range, often requiring lengthy adjustment times and limited by the need for high spring stiffness, which is difficult to achieve in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable valve with one or more auxiliary flow paths that reduce the pressure differential over the valve member, allowing a spring with lower stiffness to maintain the valve in a closed position, and enabling rapid adjustment of damping characteristics through the adjustment of auxiliary flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high spring stiffness is used to maintain valve member in closed position at high opening pressure threshold, then desired damping characteristics are achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
An auxiliary flow path is introduced as an intermediary element between the main flow path components. This auxiliary path allows fluid to bypass the valve member when it is in the closed position, effectively mediating the pressure differential that would otherwise require high spring stiffness to maintain. The auxiliary flow path acts as a pressure relief mechanism, enabling the valve to function reliably without requiring complex high-stiffness spring assemblies.
2Device complexity
If conventional valve designs are used, then simple structure is maintained, but adjustment time and range of damping characteristics are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design incorporates adjustable components that allow dynamic modification of flow characteristics during operation. The auxiliary flow path includes adjustable elements (such as variable orifices or movable components) that can be repositioned to change the degree of opening, enabling rapid adjustment of damping characteristics without requiring complete valve disassembly or lengthy adjustment procedures. This dynamic capability significantly reduces adjustment time while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Volume of moving object
If compact valve design is implemented, then space limitations are addressed, but spring stiffness becomes insufficient to maintain closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary flow path serves as a mediator that compensates for the reduced spring stiffness inherent in compact designs. By providing an alternative flow route that equalizes pressure differentials, the auxiliary path eliminates the need for high spring stiffness, thereby enabling reliable valve positioning within a compact volume. This intermediary mechanism allows the valve to maintain its closed position reliably even with the smaller, lighter springs required for compact applications.
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 adjustable valve allows for more compact designs while achieving desired damping characteristics, enabling faster and wider adjustments of damping fluid flow compared to conventional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the valve member is spring biased into a closed position, in which position the valve member restricts damping fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
In response to damping fluid pressure reaching an opening pressure threshold, thereby resulting in a pressure force on the valve member overcoming the spring force provided by the spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an adjustable valve (1) for a shock absorber. The adjustable valve (1) comprises: a hollow valve body (3) adapted in size and shape to define a hollow space (34, 35), a first flow opening (310), and a second flow opening (341, 342, 343); a valve member (4) arranged within the hollow valve body (3) to divide the hollow space (34, 35) into a main chamber portion (34) and an auxiliary chamber portion (35), the valve member (4) configured to be moveable relative the hollow valve body (3), wherein the adjustable valve (1) further comprises: a first auxiliary flow opening (410) establishing an auxiliary flow path between the main chamber portion (34) and the auxiliary chamber portion (35), a second auxiliary flow opening (350) establishing an auxiliary flow path between the auxiliary chamber portion (35) and an outside of the hollow valve body (3), wherein the adjustable valve (1) is adjustable so that an auxiliary flow opening size ratio is adjustable from a first ratio value to an at least second ratio value different from the first ratio value, said auxiliary flow opening size ratio defined as a ratio of a size of the second auxiliary flow opening to a size of the first auxiliary flow opening. A shock absorber comprising the same and a method of adjusting a fluid flow is also disclosed.