# US 12,215,755 B2 · Restriction for a vibration damper > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,755 B2 - Document ID: US12215755B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/377,461 - Filed: 2021-07-16 - Published: 2022-01-27 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-21 - Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Inventors: Jörg Rösseler; Aleksandar Knezevic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215755B2 ## CPC - F16F 9/512: Means responsive to load action, {i.e. static load} on the damper or {dynamic} fluid pressure {changes} in the damper, {e.g. due to changes in velocity (F16F9/504, F16F9/516 take precedence; non-automatic damper adjustment from a distance using servo control, the servo pressure being created by the flow of damping fluid F16F9/465; self-pumping fluid springs in vehicle suspensions B60G17/044)} - F16F 9/19: with a single cylinder {and of single-tube type} - F16F 9/34: Special valve constructions ({F16F9/44, F16F9/50 take precedence; filtering details F16F9/3285} ; valves in general F16K); Shape or construction of throttling passages - F16F 9/369: {Sealings for elements other than pistons or piston rods, e.g. valves} - F16F 9/48: Arrangements for providing different damping effects at different parts of the stroke ({F16F9/346, F16F9/516} , F16F9/53 take precedence) - F16F 2222/12: Fluid damping - F16F 2224/025: Elastomers - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A damping valve device for a vibration damper is disclosed, the damping valve device comprising a valve body of variable diameter, which is guided by a valve support and, starting from a passage position, adopts a restricting position as a function of a speed of flow of a damping medium within the restriction by a radial closing movement in the direction of a flow guiding surface. The closing movement of the valve body is controlled by at least one damping device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A restriction for a vibration damper, comprising a valve body of a variable diameter, which is guided by a valve support, and, starting from a passage position, the valve body adopts a restricting position as a function of a speed of flow of a damping medium by a radial closing movement in a direction of a flow guiding surface, wherein the closing movement of the valve body is controlled by at least one damping device acting against the valve body as the valve body moves in the direction of the flow guiding surface, wherein the damping device is movable to an engaging position from a home position of the valve body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The restriction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping device is supported on the valve support. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The restriction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping device is movable to an engaging position after a free travel of the valve body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The restriction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping device is formed by at least one elastomer body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The restriction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping device is embodied as a hydraulic damping device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The restriction as claimed in claim 5, wherein the device includes an elastomer body which is embodied as a hollow body that can be filled with damping medium. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The restriction as claimed in claim 5, wherein the valve support has the hydraulic damping device having at least one pressure chamber which is filled with damping medium and in which a displacement body controlled by the valve body performs a working movement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The restriction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressure chamber is formed by the valve body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The restriction as claimed in claim 8, wherein the displacement body is designed as a connecting rod which is mounted on the valve support. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The restriction as claimed in claim 8, wherein a seal is disposed within the valve body, the seal sealing the pressure chamber of the damping device with respect to a pressure chamber disposed within the valve support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The restriction as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a cap and a displacement body connected to the cap, wherein the cap is mounted to the valve support. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The restriction as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a return spring operatively connected to the displacement body to return the displacement body to an initial position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The restriction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping device is supported on a cap of the valve support. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The restriction as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pressure chamber is formed in the cap and a displacement body displaces damping media with respect to the pressure chamber via a restriction opening that is in communication with the pressure chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The restriction as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a return spring operatively connected to the displacement body to return the displacement body to an initial position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The restriction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve body and the valve support form a pressure chamber which is compressed during an expansion movement of the valve body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The restriction as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pressure chamber is bounded by a top side of the valve body and a section of a side wall of an annular groove. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The restriction as claimed in claim 17, wherein annular webs are arranged on the top side and on the side wall, and a gap between the annular webs and opposite wall regions are used for dimensioning a restricting effect. ### Claim 19 A restriction for a vibration damper, comprising a valve body of a variable diameter, which is guided by a valve support, and, starting from a passage position, the valve body adopts a restricting position as a function of a speed of flow of a damping medium by a radial closing movement in a direction of a flow guiding surface, wherein the closing movement of the valve body is controlled by a plurality of damping devices acting against the valve body as the valve body moves in the direction of the flow guiding surface, wherein each of the damping devices are movable to an engaging position at different diameter sizes of the valve body.