US 6,318,525 B1Granted

Shock absorber with improved damping

AssigneeMarzocchi S.p.A.

InventorsLoris Vignocchi, Sandro Musiani

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The present invention provides a shock absorber having improved damping. On the base of the shock absorber there is fastened the bottom of a barrel on which rests the counter-acting spring which urges in expansion the piston of the shock absorber. The barrel contains damping fluid and has a piston which is axially movable with lateral seal. The shock absorber also has an external secondary flow dampening device which is connected to the base of the shock absorber via a tube. In the strut base, and the connecting appendage there is a plug adjustment which moves laterally and limits an alternative path of flow for the liquid through the base flow damper and the piston flow damper respectively. By acting on the plug adjustments it is possible to adjust the braking level in expansion of the strut. Each flow damper also is affixed with a shim. The shim on the piston flow damper will flex at an appropriate pressure in the expansion phase, thereby damping the reaction of the strut to expansion. Alternatively the shim at the base flow damper will flex at an appropriate pressure in the compression phase damping the reaction of the strut to compression.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A shock absorber providing improved dampening during compression and expansion thereof, wherein said shock absorber comprises:

first damping means comprising a barrel, upper and lower mounts, a strut base for receiving the lower end of said barrel, damping fluid, and a helical coil spring acting in compression and expansion of said shock absorber;
and
second damping means comprising a container having an elastic member positioned therein for limiting said flow of said damping fluid into said container;
wherein said first damping means comprises an adjustable plug, a plug adjustment means for controlling the position of said adjustable plug, at least one shim, and a spring loaded pin having a hole for allowing the flow of said damping fluid;
wherein said first and second damping means control the flow of said damping fluid within said shock absorber during compression and expansion;
wherein said first damping means is connected to said second damping means at said base via a tube through which said damping fluid flows during compression and expansion of said shock absorber;
wherein said adjustable plug controls the flow of said damping fluid;
wherein said shim restricts said flow of said damping fluid during expansion;
and
wherein said spring loaded pin restricts movement of said plug adjustment means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/306,899Filed 7 May 1999
Granted: 20 Nov 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B60G 17/0272
Mechanical springs regulated by fluid means: the mechanical spring being a coil spring
B60G 15/063
The spring being arranged around the damper: characterised by the mounting of the spring on the damper
F16F 9/096
Where gas is in a chamber with a flexible wall: comprising a hydropneumatic accumulator of the membrane type provided on the upper or the lower…
F16F 9/34
Details: special valve constructions ; Shape or construction of throttling passages