Damping force control type hydraulic shock absorber

A damping force control type hydraulic shock absorber comprising:

• a cylinder having hydraulic fluid sealed therein;
• a piston slidably fitted in said cylinder;
• a piston rod having a first end connected to said piston, and having a second end extending outside of said cylinder;
• an extension hydraulic fluid passage for allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow therethrough in response to an extension sliding movement of said piston;
• a compression hydraulic fluid passage for allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow therethrough in response to a compression sliding movement of said piston;
• and
• a pilot-operated damping force control valve in one of said extension hydraulic fluid passage and said compression hydraulic fluid passage, and being operable to generate damping force by controlling flow of the hydraulic fluid in said one of said extension hydraulic fluid passage and said compression hydraulic fluid passage, said pilot-operated damping force control valve including:
• a plurality of main damping valves having valve opening characteristics different from each other;
• and
• a single pilot control valve for controlling a pilot pressure of each of said plurality of main damping valves.