DESC:MECHANISM FOR COMPRESSION DAMPING ADJUSTMENT IN SHOCK ABSORBER
Field of the invention:
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle shock absorber and more particularly it relates to adjustment of the compression damping in a vehicle shock absorber not having a bottom knuckle bracket mounting.
Background of the invention:
Normally Shock absorbers are designed and built to dampen average road undulation depending on the actual usage pattern. There are few high end vehicles equipped with manual selection adjustable rebound damping or even with automatic adjustable damping options in the market which are quite expensive. These features are not positioned to cater large amount of medium category of passenger cars.
Due to compact vehicle design, space availability and concept of adjustable compression damping Shock absorbers are almost not available or it is introduced in very few cases that too in high class passenger cars and motorcycles.
Since comfort to rider is becoming a necessity and should be available at affordable price, there is need to provide an adjustable damping system which can be both economical and also can house the system in the available space.
Objects of the invention:
An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for adjusting compression damping in a vehicle shock absorber.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compression damping force adjustment mechanism that is economical and fits in the available space in the vehicle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can adjust the shock absorber compression damping depending upon the rider’s selection of comfort and sport mode for rough and highway road conditions respectively.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a mechanism for compression damping adjustment in a shock absorber. The shock absorber consists of an inner tube mounted within an outer tube and a slidable piston having piston head disposed in the inner tube. The inner tube is provided with a base valve at lower end thereof for allowing passage of shock absorber fluid to the outer tube. The piston head allows reverse flow of shock absorber fluid during damping. Passage of shock absorber fluid through the base valve and through the piston head thus creates a standard damping force. The mechanism for compression damping adjustment is a relief valve fitted on the outer tube. The relief valve consists of a spool and an actuator means for to and fro movement of the spool. The inner tube is configured with an orifice near the base valve; and the relief valve is fitted through the outer tube with its spool covering the orifice on the inner tube. To and fro movement of the spool allows opening and closing of the orifice to control the passage of shock absorber fluid from the inner tube to the outer tube thereby controlling the damping force. During comfort mode, the spool is actuated to open the orifice to allow passage of oil there through, thereby reducing the damping force and during standard or sports mode the spool is actuated to close the orifice to maintain the standard damping force.
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 detailed perspective view of a shock absorber with a mechanism for adjusting compression damping mounted thereon, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows the detailed view of the compression damping adjustment 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 compression damping force adjustment mechanism for a vehicle shock absorber. The mechanism is especially suitable for all other shock absorber models which have bottom knuckle bracket mounting provision in cars. During a compression stroke in normal conditions or sports mode, the shock absorber fluid passes through the base valve and a small amount of it escapes through piston head by reverse flow, creating certain fluid pressure on the base valve. Depending upon the number of rear seat passengers and also the road conditions, the damping force needs to be varied in order to achieve a comfort ride. The adjustable compression damping system of the present invention provides a relief valve opening and closing provision made near the base valve which allows or stops the passage of shock absorber fluid through the inner tube to the outer tube, thereby reducing the oil pressure on base valve assembly or maintaining the damping force.
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 Part Name Ref No Part Name
100 Shock absorber 40 Base valve
5 Outer tube 42 Upper mount
10 Inner tube 44 Lower mount
15 Piston 50 Relief valve
20 Coil spring 55 Actuator means
25 Upper end 60 Orifice
30 Lower end 65 Spool
35 Piston head 70 Flexible cable drive
Referring to Figure 1 and 2, a mechanism for compression damping adjustment in a shock absorber (100) is shown. The shock absorber (100) secured between an upper mount (42) and a lower mount (44) of a vehicle includes a coil spring (20) extending between a first upper end (25) secured to the upper mount (42) and an opposite second lower end (30). A cylindrical outer tube (5) having one end secured to the lower mount (44) is centrally mounted within the coil spring (20). An inner tube (10) having a base valve (40) at a lower end thereof and a piston (15) slidably disposed there within, is mounted within the outer tube (5). The piston (15) is configured with a piston head (35) at one end within the inner tube (10). The other end of the piston (15) extends through the inner tube (10) and further secured to the upper mount (42).
During a compression stroke, the shock absorber fluid passes through the base valve (40) creating damping force and a small amount of shock absorber fluid escapes through piston head (35) by reverse flow. In this mode, the compression force remains normal.
The inner tube (10) is further configured with an orifice (60) near the base valve (40) that allows passage for shock absorber fluid from inner tube (10) to the outer tube (5). A relief valve (50) is provided on the outer tube (5) near the base valve (40). The relief valve (50) comprises of a spool (65) capable of being actuated by an actuator means (55). Actuating the spool (65) to and fro allows opening and closing of the orifice (60) thereby controlling the passage of shock absorber fluid through the inner tube (10) to the outer tube (5).
To meet the conditions in a comfort mode, the spool (65) is actuated to open the orifice (60) and allow the shock absorber fluid to flow to the outer tube (5), to reduce the shock absorber fluid pressure on base valve (40) and thereby reducing the damping force.
To meet the original damper condition or normal mode, the spool (55) is actuated to close the orifice (65) thereby regaining the normal damping force condition.
In an embodiment, the changeover between comfort mode and normal mode by can be operated electronically, so that it can automatically change the Ride modes to Sport and Comfort depending on the Road conditions and Rider option.
Advantages of the invention:
• Feature of automatic ride selection on comfort mode or sport mode
• Also as a Load balancer depending on the number of rear seat passengers
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. A mechanism for compression damping adjustment in a 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; a slidable piston (15) mounted within the inner tube (10) and having one end fitted with a piston head (35) slidingly mounted within the inner tube (10) and the other end extending though upper end of the inner tube (10) and the outer tube (5); the base valve (40) allowing passage of shock absorber fluid there through to the outer tube (5) during damping and the piston head (35) allowing reverse flow of shock absorber fluid during damping, thereby creating a standard damping force; characterized in that,
the inner tube (5) is configured with an orifice (60) near the base valve (40); and
a relief valve (50) having a spool (65) fitted with an actuator means (55) for actuating to and fro movement of the spool (65), is fitted through the outer tube (5) in such a way that spool (65) covers the orifice (60) and actuation of the spool (65) allows opening and closing of the orifice (60) to control the passage of shock absorber fluid from the inner tube (10) to the outer tube (5), thereby controlling the damping force.
2. The mechanism for compression damping adjustment in a shock absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating means are operated mechanically.
3. The mechanism for compression damping adjustment in a shock absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating means are operated electronically.
Dated this 22nd day of January, 2018

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