INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC VALVING CONTROL FOR SHOCK ABSORBER

Abstract

This invention pertains to hydraulic cylinders or shock absorbers, and a method of controlling the operation and flow of fluid within them. Specifically, this invention relates to use of a coil and valve mounted onto a shock shaft and mounting eyelet absorber or vehicle body) within a shaft and mounting eyelet of a damping assembly that utilizes electronically controlled inputs to regulate operational forces, essentially turning the shaft assembly into a solenoid.

Claims

1. A shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, comprising: A shock absorber body composed of a cylinder and a cylinder mounting eyelet A shock shaft assembly, going into and out of the shock absorber body, composed of: A main shaft composed of the shaft, rubber bumper, lock nuts, and push rod; A mounting eyelet composed of electronic mounting, coil, bearing, and retainers; A piston composed of a machined valve with O-rings and band, shims, and mounting valve; A valve piston holder and mounting to the push rod; A solenoid assembly comprising: Terminals connecting said solenoid assembly with external electronic control unit; A coil located within said mounting eyelet, controlled by said external electronic control unit; A connecting rod running within said main shaft, controlled by said coil, and controlling said valve; Wherein the fluid path of said shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, are electronically controlled by said solenoid assembly built into said shock shaft assembly.

2. The shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, according to claim 1 comprising: A reservoir composed of the reservoir body, floating piston or bladder, and cap; A bridge, connecting the shock absorber body to the reservoir.

3. The shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein: The said shock absorber body is a twin-wall cylinder.

4. The shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, according to one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein: The said mounting eyelet is offset from the main shaft axis.

5. The shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, according to one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein: The said valve is a poppet type valve.

6. The shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, according to one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein: The said valve is a piloted spool type valve.

7. The shock absorber, or hydraulic cylinder, according to one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein: The said valve is a non-piloted spool type valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A clear understanding of the shock with the shock shaft with solenoid summarized above may be had by examining the figures below. The figures display and reference the assembly, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. Accordingly:

[0010] FIG. 1: Illustrates a shock with the shock shaft with solenoid system built into it, utilizing a spool type valve, in closed position.

[0011] FIG. 2: Illustrates a shock with the shock shaft with solenoid system built into it, utilizing a poppet type valve, in opened position.

[0012] FIG. 3: Illustrates a twin tube shock with the shock shaft with solenoid system built into it, utilizing a poppet type valve, in closed position.

[0013] FIG. 4: Illustrates a shock with the shock shaft with solenoid system built into it, utilizing a spool type valve, in closed position, with an offset mounting eyelet and housing for the coil.

[0014] FIG. 5: Illustrates a shock with the shock shaft with solenoid system built into it, utilizing a poppet type valve, in closed position, with an offset mounting eyelet and housing for the coil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Furthermore, the term hydraulic suspension cylinders refers to any damper cylinder, such as a shock or devices similar to a shock, while eyelet refers to the mounting of the shock or hydraulic suspension cylinder's shaft to a chassis mounting point.

[0016] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein

[0017] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

[0018] A shock shaft with a solenoid built into it and its use within a shock is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0019] The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

[0020] The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments. FIG. 1 depicts a shock absorber and its components, where (1) is the bridge connecting the main body (2A) to the reservoir (1A). Shock shaft (6) features a spool valve (3A) that controls flow with a piston (4) mounted to it. The spool valve (3A) is controlled by a coil (7), that is connected by connecting rod (5) and is internally mounted to mounting eyelet (8A). The coil (7) is connected and controlled by an external electronic control unit through terminals (9) outside of the mounting eyelet (8A). The spool valve (3A) controls shims (10).

[0021] When in operation, the coil within the mounting eyelet receives electronic input through the terminals, it then pushes the control rod into the spool valve. The spool valve then opens, effecting the shims and controlling flow of fluid through the piston. This modifies the fluid path, increasing or decreasing the response characteristics. How much the valve opens are controlled by the input received by the coil.

[0022] In addition to a spool valve, a poppet type valve, which can be piloted or nonpiloted, can also be utilized as seen in FIG. 2, similar to FIG. 1 shows a shock absorber and its components, where (1) is the bridge connecting the main body (2A) to the reservoir (1A). Shock shaft (6) features a piloted poppet valve (3B) that controls flow with a piston (4) mounted to it. The poppet valve (3B) is controlled by a coil (7), that is connected by connecting rod (5) and is internally mounted to mounting eyelet (8A). The coil (7) is connected and controlled by an external electronic control unit through terminals (9) outside of the mounting eyelet (8A). The piloted poppet valve (3B) controls shims (10). This system works similarly to the spool type.

[0023] The shock shaft with solenoid built into it is designed to work with many styles of hydraulic cylinders, such as the shocks depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as well as twin tube body (2B) shocks depicted in FIG. 3. This design offers an efficient and compact way of electronically controlling the flow of fluid. As it is all contained within the shaft, rather than a different part of the shock. It provides nearly stepless fluid control with efficient performance.

[0024] The location of the coil in the shaft also allows for alternate mounting eyelet placements, as seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. To allow for mounting on certain applications, the mounting eyelet (8B) is offset from the shock shaft (6), with the coil (7) still in line with the shock shaft (6) and operating the solenoid system.