Shock Absorber Valve With Triple Spring Damping Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements for shock absorbers face challenges in achieving desired damping force characteristics due to issues with spring tolerances and space efficiency, often providing acceptable damping in certain stroke intervals while sacrificing quality in others.
Innovation Solution
A triple spring arrangement comprising a coil spring, a first spring, and a second spring, which adjusts the force equilibrium during different stroke intervals, allowing for a compact, simple, and cost-effective solution to regulate damping medium flow between damping chambers, characterized by three distinct damping force regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual spring arrangement (weak and stiff spring) is used to achieve different spring qualities in different stroke parts, then the damping force characteristics are improved, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement is segmented into three distinct springs (first spring, second spring, and coil spring) with different spring constants, where each spring is responsible for providing the primary restoring force in a specific stroke length interval. This segmentation allows the valve arrangement to achieve complex damping force characteristics (slow increase, rapid increase, and slow increase regions) that would be difficult to achieve with a single spring or simpler dual-spring arrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple springs are used to provide desired damping force characteristics across different stroke intervals, then the damping quality is improved, but the space occupied in the shock absorber increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first spring and second spring are arranged concentrically around each other, with the second spring having a larger outer diameter than the first spring. This nested arrangement allows both springs to occupy the same radial space, significantly reducing the overall volume required for the spring arrangement compared to a side-by-side configuration. The coil spring is positioned in the valve member, utilizing the available axial space efficiently.
3Reliability
If springs with precise tolerances are used to achieve reliable damping force characteristics, then the damping quality is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement uses three springs with distinctly different spring constants (the first spring has a first spring constant, the second spring has a second spring constant, and the coil spring has a third spring constant). By changing the parameter of spring constant across multiple springs rather than requiring high precision in a single spring, the system achieves reliable damping force characteristics across different stroke intervals. This approach allows for more relaxed tolerance requirements compared to using a single high-precision spring.
4Device complexity
If a single spring arrangement is used to provide damping force across all stroke lengths, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the damping force characteristics are compromised in certain stroke intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement employs a dynamic spring configuration where the effective spring constant changes based on the stroke length. During the first stroke length interval, the first spring provides the primary restoring force; during the second interval, the second spring becomes dominant; and during the third interval, the coil spring takes over. This dynamic switching between different springs allows the system to adapt its damping characteristics to match the specific requirements of each stroke phase, achieving both simplicity and versatility.
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 triple spring arrangement effectively achieves desired damping force characteristics by adjusting the force equilibrium through the deflection of each spring at specific stroke lengths, ensuring reliable and efficient damping across varying motion speeds, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The spring arrangement comprises a first spring, a second spring and a coil spring arranged between the valve member and a coupling member coupled to the first spring and the second spring
Implementation Method 2
the first spring deflects to adjust said force equilibrium, when the valve member moves more than the first stroke length, the second spring deflects to adjust said force equilibrium, and when the valve member moves beyond a second stroke length greater than the first stroke length, the coil spring compresses to adjust said force equilibrium
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a valve arrangement for a shock absorber. The valve arrangement comprises a valve member axially moveable relative a housing, and a triple spring arrangement including a first spring, a second spring and a coil spring arranged between the valve member and a coupling member coupled to the first spring and the second spring. The valve arrangement is adapted so that when the valve member moves no more than a first stroke length relative a predetermined reference position the first spring deflects to adjust a force equilibrium of the valve member, when the valve member moves more than the first stroke length the second spring deflects to adjust said force equilibrium, and when the valve member moves beyond a second stroke length greater than the first stroke length, the coil spring compresses to adjust said force equilibrium. A shock absorber comprising such a valve arrangement and a method for controlling a damping medium flow in a shock absorber is disclosed as well.