The present invention provides a shock absorber capable of improving responsiveness during an extension stroke without leading to an increase in an axial length. A shock absorber includes a chamber provided on a one-side end of a pilot valve and disposed in communication with a cylinder upper chamber, a communication passage configured to establish communication between the chamber and a cylinder lower chamber via a compression-side passage, and a check valve configured to permit hydraulic fluid in the communication passage to flow into the cylinder lower chamber during an extension stroke.

A shock absorbing and height adjusting structure includes an inner tube, a lower piston assembly and an upper piston assembly. The inner tube includes an upper end, a lower end opposite to the upper end, and an inner space for accommodating a gas. The lower piston assembly includes a lower piston movably inserted into the inner tube, and a lower passage disposed at the lower piston. The upper piston assembly includes an upper piston movably inserted into the inner tube. When the lower passage is opened, the lower piston is moved relative to the lower end, and when the upper piston is forced, the upper piston has movement relative to the upper end toward the lower end to compress the gas.

An electrically controlled valve (1) for a shock absorber (2). The valve comprises a piston (7) providing a primary fluid channel (10) for damping fluid. A piston holder (5) is provided with an internal secondary fluid channel (11) for damping fluid. Fluid flow (23) through the secondary fluid channel is controlled by a spool (12) movable within the piston holder (5) by means of an electrically controlled actuator (13). Fluid flow (23) through the secondary fluid channel (11) is controlled by restriction at the inlet of the secondary fluid channel (11), said inlet comprising one or more radial holes through the piston holder.

A damper valve with an adjustable effective stiffness of a shim. The damper valve includes a piston. The piston has a fluid path formed therethrough. A shim is disposed proximate the fluid path formed through the piston. A stiffness adjustment feature is coupled to the shim, and the shim is disposed between the piston and the stiffness adjustment feature. The stiffness adjustment feature is configured to adjust the effective stiffness of the shim without affecting a preload applied to the shim.

A hydraulic damper including a high frequency valve assembly for reducing the level of damping force provided by the hydraulic damper during a rebound stroke during high frequency and/or low amplitude events.

A damping force variable shock absorber of the present disclosure is disclosed. The damping force variable shock absorber includes a cylinder having an inner tube and an outer tube filled with a fluid, a housing coupled to a lower end of a piston rod located inside of the inner tube and forming a connection passage therein, a magnet member provided inside the housing, a plunger moving by magnetic force of the magnet member, a first piston valve coupled to the outside of the housing to divide a compression chamber from a rebound chamber, and a second piston valve provided in the housing, wherein the connection passage is provided such that at least a part of the fluid flowing toward the first piston valve is bypassed to the second piston valve side by the opening and closing of the plunger.

A valve piston arrangement for a vibration damper has an electrically controllable valve for regulating flow and a hydraulic valve unit, which includes at least one hydraulic valve and is hydraulically connected in series to the electrically controllable valve. The electrically controllable valve and the at least one hydraulic valve of the hydraulic valve unit are surrounded by a shared housing, which is provided for arrangement on a piston rod of the vibration damper. The housing forms at least one first opening for communication with a first working chamber of vibration damper and at least one second opening for communication with a second working chamber of vibration damper. A flow path between the at least one first opening and the at least one second opening is guided within the shared housing over the electrically controllable valve and the at least one hydraulic valve of the hydraulic valve unit.

A piston assembly for a damper includes a main piston disposed on a center axis. A piston rod is attached to the main piston. A regulator extends between the piston rod and the main piston defining a compartment. The regulator has at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture. A restrictor divides the compartment into a first and second portion. An actuator having a core is disposed in the first portion movable between an opened and a closed position. The restrictor includes a sleeve disposed in the compartment and attached to the regulator. The sleeve defines a hole in fluid communication with the first and second portions and flares outwardly in the first portion toward the regulator to define a slanted edge extending at an oblique angle relative to the center axis to allow the working fluid to flow smoothly thereby limiting noises generated.

A hydraulic vibration damper having an inner tube arranged in a container; a piston arranged such that it is axially movable in the inner tube and the internal space of which is divided into a first working chamber and a second working chamber; a sealing element via which the piston rests against the inner tube in order to seal the first and second working chambers against one joining the first and second working chambers and arranged on the piston; and a bottom valve arranged on an axial end section of the inner tube in order to join the second working chamber to a compensation space formed between the container and the inner tube. The bottom valve projects axially into the second working chamber with a section. The piston has an operating position, in which same radially surrounds the section of the bottom valve projecting into the second working chamber.

A valve arrangement for a vibration damper, as may be used on a vehicle. The vibration damper can be a telescopic suspension fork leg of a motorbike, or a shock absorber for a vehicle with more than one track, for example an automobile. The valve arrangement is for a vibration damper that has a valve housing with an annular valve seat, and is configured to receive damping fluid, and further having a valve piston arranged in an axially displaceable manner relative to the valve seat in an inner space of the valve housing. The valve piston has a main valve which has a flexible circular valve disc which can be removed from contact with a contact surface side on the valve seat. The valve disc is arranged on the valve piston by a guide pin, such that it can be moved axially relative to the latter and is guided radially.