US 4,905,799 A · Shock absorber

Abstract

A shock absorber is provided a piston stroke dependent variable shock absorbing characteristics by a first and second flow restrictions associated with a piston. The first and second flow restrictions are arranged in a fluid path for communicating first and second working chambers defined within a shock absorber cylindrical housing in series. The first flow restriction associated with an orifice forming a part of the fluid path and has a predetermined relief pressure, for providing a predetermined first fixed flow restriction rate in response to a pressure difference between the first and second chambers smaller than or equal to the relief pressure and providing a second variable flow restriction rate in response to a pressure difference between the first and second chambers greater than the relief pressure. The second flow restriction is associated with the orifice for providing a third variable flow restriction rate variable depending upon the pressure difference between the first and second chamber.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A valve construction for a hydraulic shock absorber disposed between relatively displaceable first and second members for absorbing energy of relative displacement between said first and second members, comprising:

a valve body disposed between a hollow cylindrical housing for separating the internal space of said housing into a first and second chambers;
means for defining an orifice formed through said valve body for communication between said first and second chambers for permitting fluid flow for balancing fluid pressure between said first and second chambers;
first flow restriction means associated with said orifice and having a predetermined relief pressure, for providing a predetermined first fixed flow restriction rate in response to a pressure difference between said first and second chambers smaller that or equal to said relief pressure and providing a second variable flow restriction rate in response to a pressure difference between said first and second chambers greater than said relief pressure;
and
second flow restriction means, associated with said orifice and arranged in series with said first flow restriction means, for providing a third variable flow restriction rate variable depending upon the pressure difference between said first and second chamber.

2 more elements

A hydraulic shock absorber to be disposed between a first and second members relatively movable to each other for absorbing an energy causing relative movement between said first and second members, comprising:

a hollow cylindrical housing filled with a working fluid, said cylindrical housing being mechanically associated with said first member for axial movement therewith;
a piston disposed within the internal space of said cylindrical housing for separating the internal space of said cylindrical housing into first and second working chambers, said piston being mechanically associated with said second member for axial movement therewith;
means for defining an orifice formed through said piston for communication between said first and second chambers for permitting fluid flow for balanacing fluid pressure between said first and second chambers;
first flow restriction means associated with said orifice and having a predetermined relief pressure, for providing a predetermined first fixed flow restriction rate in response to a pressure difference between said first and second chambers smaller than or equal to said relief pressure and providing a second variable flow restriction rate in response to a pressure difference between said first and second chambers greater than said relief pressure;
and
second flow restriction means, associated with said orifice and arranged in series with said first flow restriction means, for providing a third variable flow restriction rate variable depending upon the pressure difference between said first and second chamber.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shock absorber

Life of this patent

Shock absorber

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18