DESC:ADJUSTABLE DAMPING MECHANISM FOR SHOCK ABSORBER
Field of the invention:
The present invention generally relates to a shock absorber and more particularly it relates to a mechanism for adjusting damping force of a shock absorber.
Background of the invention:
Adjustable damping shock absorbers are usually operated with a rigid actuation plunger or a spool mounted on the top end of the damper. These spools are either driven with a motor or manually actuated with a knob. Since online changeovers are expected, manual actuation is redundant and majorly motor operated are in use.
In case of a mono tube shock absorber, both ends are eye-ring / bracket mounted, motor mounting is almost impossible with present options, since the original product does not support this concept and also space package available on the vehicle is limited.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a flexible actuation system to adjust damping force within the available space package and rider’s ease of operation, that will overcome the drawbacks of prior arts.
Objects of the invention:
An object of the present invention is to provide flexible actuation system for adjusting the damping force of a shock absorber.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an additional feature of damping force adjustment as both ends of shock absorber are blocked for mounting.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide economic and easy to install mechanism for damping force adjustment.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides an adjustable damping mechanism for a shock absorber. The shock absorber secured between an upper mounting means and a lower mounting means in a vehicle consists of a sealed outer tube; an inner tube mounted within the outer tube and provided with a base valve at a lower end thereof for passage of shock absorber fluid there through to the outer tube; a piston rod mounted within the inner tube and having one end fitted with a piston head and the other end extending though upper end of the inner tube and the outer tube. The piston head is slidingly mounted within the inner tube. Further, the piston rod of the shock absorber is modified to incorporate a spool there within. In its original position, the lower end of the spool coincides with the lower tip of the piston rod. A spool actuating means is fitted at the other end of the spool through a coupling means. The spool actuating means is configured for pulling in the spool to open a secondary path within the piston rod for oil flow, thereby reducing the damping force; and releasing the spool to regain the original position to close the secondary path, thereby setting the damping force to normal value. The spool actuating means can be an electronically operated flexible cabling configured for pulling and pushing of the spool through the coupler mechanism.
Brief description of the drawings:
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figure 1 shows a shock absorber with system for adjusting the damping force, in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 2 shows detailed view of a spool actuating mechanism, in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed description of the embodiments:
The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.
The present invention provides a flexible actuating mechanism for adjustment of damping force in a shock absorber. A specially designed piston rod incorporates a spool that can be moved to and fro with an actuating mechanism. Movement of the spool opens up a secondary oil path through piston which helps in reducing the damping force. The flexible actuating system of the present invention provides an additional feature of damping force adjustment when both ends of the shock absorber are blocked by mounting means.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein numbers indicated in the bracket represent the components of the invention throughout the description. The table-1 below enlists reference numerals and the corresponding components they indicate.
Table 1:
Ref.No Component Ref.No Component
100 Shock absorber 40 Base valve
5 Outer tube 42 Upper mounting bracket
10 Inner tube 44 Lower mounting means
15 Piston rod 50 Upper mounting means
20 Spring 55 Coupler mechanism
25 first upper end of spring 60 Spool actuating means
30 second lower end of spring 65 Spool
35 Piston head 70 Secondary oil path

Referring to Figure 1 and 2, an adjustable damping mechanism for shock absorber (100). The shock absorber (100) is secured between an upper mounting means (50) and a lower mounting means (44); it includes a coil spring (20) extending between a first upper end (25) and an opposite second lower end (30). The first upper end (25) of the spring (20) is secured to the upper mounting means (50). A cylindrical outer tube (5) having one end secured to the lower mounting bracket (44) is centrally mounted within the coil spring (20). An inner tube (10) is mounted within the outer tube (5) and provided with a base valve (40) at a lower end thereof for passage of shock absorber oil there through to the outer tube (5) during damping. A piston is mounted within the inner tube (10) with a piston head (35) fitted at one end of the piston rod (15) and the other end extending though the inner tube (10) and the outer tube (5). The piston head (35) is slidingly mounted within the inner tube (10).
The piston rod (15) is configured to incorporate a spool (65) there within and other end of the piston rod (15) is modified to accommodate a coupler mechanism (55) and secured to the top mounting bracket (50). The coupler mechanism (15) couples the spool (65) at one end with a spool actuating means (60) at the other end. The spool actuating means (60) is an electronically operated flexible cabling that is capable of pulling or pushing the spool (65) through the coupler mechanism (55). Spool opening and closing mechanism is designed with remote actuation of spool (65) with a solenoid or toggle. When the spool (65) is pulled with the spool actuating mechanism (60), a secondary path (70) for oil flow is opened up and oil flows there through, reducing the damping force. When the spool (65) regains its original position, the secondary path (70) for oil flow is closed and the damping force is set to the normal value. This arrangement for damping force adjustment provides an additional feature of damping force adjustment when both ends of the shock absorber are blocked by mounting means.
Advantages of the invention:
• The adjustable damping shock absorber system (100) provides an additional feature of damping force adjustment for both ends are blocked for mounting shock absorber
• The integrated spool actuation mechanism of the present invention is economic and easy to install. .
• The adjustable damping shock absorber system (100) can be applied to two wheeler mono-shox applications.
The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. An adjustable damping mechanism for a shock absorber (100) secured between an upper mounting means (50) and a lower mounting means (44) in a vehicle, the shock absorber (100) consisting of: a sealed outer tube (5); an inner tube (10) mounted within the outer tube (5) and provided with a base valve (40) at a lower end thereof for passage of shock absorber fluid there through to the outer tube (5); a piston rod (15) mounted within the inner tube (10) and having one end fitted with a piston head (35) and the other end extending though upper end of the inner tube (10) and the outer tube (5); the piston head (35) slidingly mounted within the inner tube (10); the adjustable damping mechanism comprising:
a spool (65) incorporated within the piston rod (15), the spool (65) having lower end coinciding with the lower end of the piston rod (15) in original position; and
a spool actuating means (60) fitted at the other end of the spool (65) through a coupling means (55), the spool actuating means (60) configured for:
pulling in the spool (65) to open a secondary path (70) within the piston rod (15) for oil flow, thereby reducing the damping force; and
releasing the spool (65) to regain the original position to close the secondary path (70), thereby setting the damping force to normal value.
2. The adjustable damping mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spool actuating means (60) is an electronically operated flexible cabling configured for pulling and pushing of the spool (65) through the coupler mechanism (55).
3. The adjustable damping mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spool actuating means (60) is provided with remote actuation with any one selected from a solenoid and a toggle.
Dated this 22nd day of January, 2018

Prafulla Wange
(Agent of Applicant),
(IN/PA-2058)