DESC:ADJUSTABLE DAMPING SHOCK ABSORBER

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to shock absorbers in vehicles and more particularly, to an adjustable damping shock absorber with low velocity control.

Background of the invention:

A prior art design of an adjustable damping shock absorber offers a set of damping force, which in ‘comfort mode’ damping drops down to a minimum value, due to the oil free flow constraint at low velocities. The expected changes in damping force for ‘sport mode’ and ‘comfort mode’ is less effective at low velocities. Even though, the vehicle experiences a dropping effect; it is not experienced since during the comfort mode, the vehicle is at low speed. In case of comfort mode operation at low velocities and high speed running, this phenomenon needs to be improved as a product offering at any velocities and speed.

Accordingly, there exists need to provide low velocity control for the adjustable damping shock absorber, that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks in the prior art.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide better ride handling at all velocities for sport and comfort modes of damping adjustment.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a low velocity control adjustable damping shock absorber. The adjustable damping shock absorber comprises an outer tube, an inner tube filled with oil and a piston. The adjustable damping shock absorber further comprises a piston rod of the piston arranged inside the inner tube, a spool incorporated within the piston rod and a non-return valve that are operably connected operably connected with the piston rod inside the inner tube. The non-return valve comprises an orifice for allowing oil flow there through and a ball and spring arrangement. In an operation, the ball closes and opens depending on pressure of the spring and pressure inside the inner tube for adjusting damping force. Mechanism of the non-return valve is incorporated into the original design of the shock absorber for adjusting damping force. The non-return valve opens only after certain pressure is built during rebound damping stroke. The mechanism of the non-return valve provides better ride handling at all velocities for sport and comfort modes of damping adjustment.

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 horizontal sectional view of a non-return valve in an adjustable damping shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows horizontal sectional view of a piston rod of the adjustable damping shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a graph for damping pickup characteristic of the adjustable damping shock absorber, 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 low velocity control for adjustable damping shock absorber. The present invention provides better ride handling at all velocities for sport and comfort modes of damping adjustment.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, an adjustable damping shock absorber (100) (hereinafter referred as, “the shock absorber (100)”), in accordance with the present invention is shown. The shock absorber (100) comprises of an outer tube (not numbered), an inner tube (not numbered) filled with oil and a piston (not numbered).

In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shock absorber (100) comprises a piston rod (10) of the piston arranged inside the inner tube, a spool (20) incorporated within the piston rod (10) and a non-return valve (30) that are operably connected operably connected with the piston rod (10) inside the inner tube. In an embodiment, the piston rod (10) is configured with a plurality of grooves (5) at appropriate position for arrangement of the non-return valve (30) thereto.

The non-return valve (30) comprises an orifice (22) for allowing oil flow there through and a ball (24) and spring (26) arrangement. In an operation, the ball (24) closes and opens depending on pressure of the spring (26) and pressure inside the inner tube for adjusting damping force.

In case of high velocity, the pressure in the inner tube is more than the spring (26) pressure, so that the ball (24) is pressed and the orifice (22) opens to allow the oil from the inner tube to flow inside the piston rod (10). That means the non-return valve (30) opens only after certain pressure is built during rebound damping stroke pressure to have improved damping.

During low velocities and low damping, the pressure in the inner tube is less; hence the ball (24) has blocked the orifice (22) and is remained in closed condition. That means the non-return valve (30) is remained in closed condition to improve the damping as desired.

In such way, the mechanism of the non-return valve (30) is incorporated into the original design of the shock absorber (100) for adjusting damping force. The mechanism of the non-return valve (30) provides better ride handling at all velocities for sport and comfort modes of damping adjustment.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The non-return valve (30) provides improved comfort damping at low velocities.
2. The non-return valve (30) is an add on feature can be incorporated with existing design with minor modification
3. The mechanism of the non-return valve (30) is applicable for all adjustable damping shock absorber

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. An adjustable damping shock absorber (100) comprising
an outer tube,
an inner tube filled with oil, and
a piston,
characterized in that,
the adjustable damping shock absorber (100) comprises:
a piston rod (10) of the piston arranged inside the inner tube;
a spool (20) incorporated within the piston rod (10); and
a non-return valve (30) operably connected with the piston rod (10) inside the inner tube, the non-return valve (30) comprising,
• an orifice (22) for allowing oil flow there through, and
• a ball (24) and spring (26) arrangement,
wherein, the ball (24) closes and opens depending on pressure of the spring (26) and pressure inside the inner tube for adjusting damping force and providing better ride handling at all velocities for sport and comfort modes of damping adjustment.

2. The adjustable damping shock absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piston rod (10) is configured with a plurality of grooves (5) at appropriate position for arrangement of the non-return valve (30) thereto.

3. The adjustable damping shock absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case of high velocity, the pressure in the inner tube is more than the spring (26) pressure, so that the ball (24) is pressed and the orifice (22) opens to allow the oil from the inner tube to flow inside the piston rod (10) to have improved damping.

4. The adjustable damping shock absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in case of low velocity, the pressure in the inner tube is less, hence the ball (24) has blocked the orifice (22) and is remained in closed condition to improve the damping as desired.

Dated this 24th day of January 2019

Madhavi Vajirakar
(Agent for Applicant)
IN/PA-2337