DESC:LIFE INDICATING SYSTEM FOR SHOCK ABSORBER

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to shock absorbers and more particularly, to a life indicating system for gas filled shock absorbers.

Background of the invention

Shock absorbers are essential parts of automobiles. Generally, the shock absorbers are mounted near each wheel of a vehicle. The shock absorber translates kinetic energy from the wheel of the vehicle into thermal energy and reduces the perception of kinetic energy perpendicular to the road surface to the users of the vehicle. For example, if a wheel of a car hits a bump in a road, the kinetic energy perpendicular to the road surface that would be translated by hitting the bump into the passenger compartment of the car is partially or completely dampened by the fluid of the shock absorber(s) attached to the wheel. In addition to providing smoother ride, shock dampers also confirm constant contact of vehicle tyre with road. The road contact of vehicle is important for safe steering of the vehicle. Thus, shock absorbers provide a safer and more comfortable ride for vehicle users.

Generally, the shock absorbers are fit and forget parts in automobiles. However, the oil and seal in the shock absorber has a design life. After the design life, the performance of shock absorber deteriorates leading to handling and ride discomfort. If the shock absorber is not replaced timely, it may lead to poor maneuverability of the vehicle and safety risks associated with it.

Hence, there is a need to develop a system indicating a life of the shock absorber/damper and making the user aware of a need to change the shock absorber/damper to avoid safety risks due to its failure.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to indicate the life of a shock absorber.

Another object of the present invention is to make a user aware of a need to change the shock absorber.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a life indicating system for a shock absorber. The shock absorber comprises an outer tube, an inner tube, a piston rod and a seal assembly. The outer tube is filled with hydraulic fluid like oil and gas. The inner tube is enclosed in the outer tube and filled with hydraulic fluid like oil. The piston rod is enclosed within the inner tube. The seal assembly is arranged for sealing the outer tube and the inner tube to prevent oil and the gas escaping out therefrom and to prevent the dust from entering therein. The life indicating system comprises a sensor and a pointer.

The sensor for example a pressure gauge is coupled to the outer tube of the shock absorber to measure pressure therein. The sensor includes at least three colored sections marked at extreme right, centre and extreme left surfaces thereof. An extreme right colored section for example green colored section of the at least three colored sections indicates safe pressure range. A central colored section for example yellow colored section of the at least three colored sections indicates a lower but safe pressure range. An extreme left colored section for example red colored section of the at least three colored sections indicates an abnormally low pressure range.

The pointer is pivoted centrally at the sensor pointing to the right colored section of the at least three colored sections. The pointer is capable of moving from the right colored section to any one of the central colored section and the extreme left colored section in response to the pressure measured by the sensor to indicate to a user the life of the shock absorber.

Brief description of the drawing

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figure, wherein

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a life indicating system for a shock absorber in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the 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 embodiment.

The present invention provides a life indicating system for a shock absorber. The life indicating system includes a sensor coupled with the shock absorber. The life indicating system indicates a time for replacing the shock absorber of the vehicle.

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

Referring to figure 1, a life indicating system (100) for a shock absorber (50) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The shock absorber (50) comprises an outer tube (40), an inner tube (30), a piston rod (20) and a seal assembly (10). The outer tube (40) encloses the inner tube (30) therein. The outer tube (40) and the inner tube (30) are filled with hydraulic fluids. In an embodiment, the outer tube (40) is filled partially with hydraulic fluids like oil and gas and the inner tube (30) is filled with hydraulic fluid like oil. The piston rod (20) is enclosed within the inner tube (30). The seal assembly (10) is arranged for sealing the outer tube (40) and the inner tube (30) to prevent oil and the gas escaping out therefrom and also to prevent the dust from entering therein.

The life indicating system (100) comprises a sensor (80) and a pointer (70). The sensor (80) is coupled to the outer tube (40) of the shock absorber (50) by either direct mounting onto the outer tube (40) or through a wireless transmitter (not shown) mounted onto the outer tube (40). In an embodiment, the sensor (80) is placed at a dashboard (not shown) of automobiles (not shown) in connection with the outer tube (40) of the shock absorber (50).The sensor (80) is adapted to measure pressure inside the shock absorber (50).

Specifically, the sensor (80) is a pressure gauge. However, it is understood that any other type of sensor placed at a suitable position for measuring any parameter indicating the life of the shock absorber (50) can be used as per various alternate embodiments of the present invention. The sensor (80) includes at least three colored sections (not numbered) marked thereon to divide a surface (not numbered) thereof into three segments.

The at least three colored sections are marked at extreme right, centre and extreme left surfaces of the sensor (80) to show normal, lower but safe and abnormally low ranges of pressure respectively inside the shock absorber (50). Specifically, the at least three colored sections are marked from green to red from extreme right to extreme left to show the life of the shock absorber (50) with yellow in the center showing the life coming to an end. However, it is understood that extreme right, centre and an extreme left surfaces of the sensor (80) can be marked in any color.

In an embodiment, the extreme right colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating a normal pressure range is green in color. The central colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating safe but close to deterioration pressure range is yellow in color. The extreme left colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating abnormally low pressure range is red in color. The abnormally low gas pressure inside the shock absorber (50) may occur due to age related weakening of the seal assembly (10). As the shock absorber (50) ages, the seal assembly (10) weakens resulting in leakage of gas and thus a decline in force. A drop in reaction force or pressure of the shock absorber (50) is used to indicate the age of the shock absorber (50) in a field of a use. The graduation in the pressure gauge (80) is created in a way for a user to understand the status of the shock absorber (50).

The pointer (70) is pivoted centrally at the sensor (80) pointing to the extreme right colored section of the at least three colored sections. The pointer (70) is capable of moving from the extreme right colored section to any one of the central colored section and the extreme left colored section in response to the pressure measured by the sensor (80) to indicate to a user the life of the shock absorber (50). Specifically, the pointer (70) pointing the extreme right colored section indicates normal pressure inside the shock absorber (50). The pointer (70) moves to the central colored section to indicate a decline in the pressure which is still on a safer range. When the pointer (70) is displaying the extreme left colored section or the red section, then the system (100) indicates that the seal assembly (10) has given away with no more gas left and in short period the oil will also leak away. Further, the system (100) indicates a time for replacing the shock absorber (50) of the vehicle.

Advantages of the invention
1. The system (100) clearly indicates the user about the condition of the shock absorber (50) of the vehicle.
2. The system (100) indicates a time for replacing the shock absorber (50) of the vehicle as a failure of the shock absorber (50) leads to poor maneuverability of the vehicle and safety risks associated with it.

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 spirit and scope of the invention.

,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A life indicating system (100) for a shock absorber, the shock absorber (50) having an outer tube (40) filled with hydraulic fluid like oil and gas, an inner tube (30) enclosed in the outer tube (40) and filled with hydraulic fluid like oil, a piston rod (20) enclosed within the inner tube (30) and a seal assembly (10) arranged for sealing the outer tube (40) and the inner tube (30) to prevent oil and the gas escaping out therefrom and to prevent the dust from entering therein, the life indicating system (100) comprising:
• a sensor (80) coupled to the outer tube (40) of the shock absorber (50) to measure pressure therein, the sensor (80) having at least three colored sections marked at a centre, extreme left and extreme right surface thereof, an extreme right colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating a safe pressure range, a central colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating a lower but safe pressure range, and an extreme left colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating an abnormally low pressure range; and
• a pointer (70) pivoted centrally at the sensor (80) pointing to the right colored section of the at least three colored sections, the pointer (70) being capable of moving from the right colored section to any one of the central colored section and extreme left colored section in response to the pressure measured by the sensor (80) to indicate to a user the life of the shock absorber (50).

2. The life indicating system (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the sensor (80) is a pressure gauge.

3. The life indicating system (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the extreme right colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating a safe pressure range is green in color.
4. The life indicating system (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the central colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating a lower but safe pressure range is yellow in color.

5. The life indicating system (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the extreme left colored section of the at least three colored sections indicating abnormally low pressure range is red in color.