DESC:
Field of the invention:
The present invention generally relates to a shock absorber with adjustable damping arrangement; and more particularly it relates to a lever operated mechanism for damping adjustment in a shock absorber having both end mounting.
Background of the invention:
Shock absorbers are built with an option of adjusting damping forces resulting in providing an option for rider to select the ride comfort. This feasibility is applicable to shock absorbers where one end is free for mounting the adjustment arrangement, either with fixed mounting or flexible mounting depending on the space available. In case when 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 mechanism for damping adjustment 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 a mechanism for damping adjustment in a shock absorber having mounting arrangement at both ends thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a damping adjustment mechanism integrated with auto switching mechanism mounted on handle for easy operation.
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 a mechanism for damping adjustment in shock absorber of a vehicle. The mechanism is configured within a piston rod (10) secured to a mounting means (50) of the shock absorber. The mechanism comprises a spool (40) integrated with a sealing pin (30) configured near to the mounting means (50) within the piston (10), wherein to and fro movement of the spool (40) opens and closes a orifice hole in the piston rod.

The mechanism further comprises a retracting spring (20) configured along the spool (40), a fulcrum lever (90) mounted in a fulcrum bracket (80) near the sealing pin (30) and an actuating means for actuating the fulcrum lever (90) for to and fro movement of the spool (40).

Specifically, the sealing pin (30) with spool (40) is actuated through the fulcrum lever (90) to open and close the orifice to the required relief path for oil flow.

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 cross sectional view of a lever operated mechanism for damping adjustment in shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 2 shows cross sectional view of piston of a shock absorber fitted with 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 lever operated mechanism for damping adjustment in a shock absorber. The mechanism is being operated by the rider using actuating means operably connected to mechanism of the present invention to adjust the damping required. The mechanism is especially suited for the shock absorber having mounting arrangement at both the ends. The modified design of spool adjustment is developed to have a compact mounting space and feasible to accommodate in both end mounting eyelet models.
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. Table 1 below enlists the reference numerals and their corresponding components.
Table 1
Ref. No. Component Ref. No. Component
10 Piston rod 60 Actuator
20 Retracting spring 70 Motor
30 Sealing pin 80 Fulcrum bracket
40 Spool 90 Fulcrum lever
50 Upper mounting means

Referring to Figure 1 and 2, a mechanism (100) for damping adjustment in a shock absorber is shown.
A shock absorber (not shown) is secured between an upper mounting means (40) and a lower mounting means (not shown) in a vehicle. The shock absorber includes a cylindrical outer tube having one end secured to the lower mounting means and is centrally mounted within a coil spring extending between a first upper end secured to the upper mounting means and an opposite second end.
The shock absorber further comprises an inner tube mounted within the cylindrical outer tube and provided with a base valve at a lower end thereof for passage of shock absorber oil there through to the outer tube during damping.
The shock absorber furthermore comprises a piston rod (10) is mounted within the inner tube with a piston head fitted at one end thereof and the other end extending though the inner tube and the outer tube and is mounted to the upper mounting means (50). Specifically, the piston head is slidingly mounted within the inner tube divides the inner tube into two sections. The piston is configured with piston holes and the piston rod (10) is configured with an orifice to provide relief path for shock absorber fluid from one section to another in the inner tube, during compression and extension strokes.
The mechanism (100) is accommodated in the piston rod (10). The piston rod (10) is fitted with the mounting means (50). In an embodiment, the mounting means (50) is a mounting eyelet.
The piston rod (10) is configured to incorporate a spool (40) integrated with a sealing pin (30) there within with a retracting spring (20). The spool (40) and the sealing pin (30) are mounted to the end near to the mounting means (50).
When the fulcrum bracket swings downwards thru the rotation of actuator ( 60 ), sealing pin ( 30) gets pushed downwards in turn the spool ( 40 ) against the spring action to close the hole in piston rod which gets closed and results in harder damping action. During the retraction action, the actuator reverse the direction and takes the spool and sealing pin into its original position to open the hole in piston to allow oil to pass and provide the required softer damping force for a set ride comfort.
Specifically, to and fro movement of the spool (40) opens and closes the orifice hole in the piston rod (10).
The mechanism (100) further comprises a fulcrum lever (90) mounted in a fulcrum bracket (80) near the sealing pin (30). The mechanism (100) furthermore comprises an actuating means for actuating the fulcrum lever (90) precisely for to and fro movement of the spool (40).
In an embodiment, the actuating means is a motor (70) fitted with an actuator (60). When the sealing pin (30) with the spool (40) is actuated through a precision fulcrum lever (90) operated by the rider of the vehicle, the orifice of the piston rod (10) opens/close to the required relief path for oil flow. The mechanism is accommodated in such a way that options are available to mount the mechanism (100) in either side of the eyelet mounting (50) arrangement.
Advantages of the invention:
• Able to accommodate for shock absorbers with both end mounting arrangement of eyelet or bracket.
• Compact arrangement to fix within the available vehicle mounting envelop
• Integrated with an auto switching mechanism mounted on handle for easy operation
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. A mechanism for damping adjustment in shock absorber of a vehicle, the mechanism configured within a piston rod (10) secured to a mounting means (50) of the shock absorber, the mechanism comprising:
a spool (40) integrated with a sealing pin (30) configured near to the mounting means (50) within the piston (10), wherein to and fro movement of the spool (40) opens and closes a orifice hole in the piston rod;
a retracting spring (20) configured along the spool (40);
a fulcrum lever (90) mounted in a fulcrum bracket (80) near the sealing pin (30); and
an actuating means for actuating the fulcrum lever (90) for to and fro movement of the spool (40),
wherein the sealing pin (30) with spool (40) is actuated through the fulcrum lever (90) to open and close the orifice to the required relief path for oil flow.

2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means (50) is a mounting eyelet.

3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating means is a motor (70) fitted with an actuator (60).