WE CLAIM

1. A damping force generation structure comprising:
a damping force generation mechanism having a valve seat and configured to
5 generate a damping force; and
a damping force adjustment mechanism having a valve body advanceable and
retractable relative to the valve seat, and configured to be able to adjust the damping force
generated by the damping force adjustment mechanism, wherein:
the damping force generation mechanism and the damping force adjustment
10 mechanism are fixed to each other via a fixing member along an advancing and retracting
direction of the valve body;
the damping force adjustment mechanism includes:
a drive mechanism configured to be able to drive the valve body; and
a coupling member having a first end fixed to the drive mechanism and a
15 second end fixed to the fixing member, thereby coupling the drive mechanism and the fixing
member; and
at least one of a position of the damping force generation mechanism relative to the
fixing member, a position of the coupling member relative to the fixing member, and a position
of the drive mechanism relative to the coupling member is adjustable in the advancing and
20 retracting direction of the valve body by a position adjustment mechanism.
2. The damping force generation structure according to claim 1, wherein
the damping force generation mechanism and the fixing member are integrated.
25 3. The damping force generation structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
the drive mechanism includes a drive shaft configured to advance and retract the
valve body; and
a transmission member which transmits a force generated by the drive mechanism
from the drive shaft to the valve body is disposed between the drive shaft and the valve body.
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4. The damping force generation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the position adjustable by the position adjustment mechanism is regulated by a
regulation member.

5. The damping force generation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the position adjustment mechanism has a female thread and a male thread configured
to be able to mesh with the female thread.
5
6. The damping force generation structure according to claim 5, wherein
the male thread and the female thread are fixed to each other by being located in a
reference position and rotating the male thread or the female thread in a direction of loosening
the male thread and the female thread from the reference position.
10
7. The damping force generation structure according to claim 6, wherein
the reference position is a fully closed position in which the valve body is in contact
with the valve seat, or a fully open position in which an interval between the valve body and
the valve seat is largest.
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8. A shock absorber comprising:
the damping force generation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.