SHOCK ABSORBER

Abstract

A shock absorber having an outer tube, an inner tube disposed coaxially in the outer tube and a piston reciprocally mounted in the inner tube. The interior of the inner tubes forms a working chamber for hydraulic oil while an annular replenishment chamber is formed between the inner and outer tubes. An improved base plate and base cage assembly facilitates fluid flow from the replenishment chamber to the working chamber during an extension cycle of the shock absorber.

Claims

1. A base valve assembly able to be used in conjunction with a shock absorber of a type having an outer tube, an inner tube, and a piston reciprocally mounted in an interior of the inner tube, the base valve assembly regulating fluid flow between an annular outer replenishment chamber between the outer tube and the inner tube and an inner working chamber formed by the interior of the inner tube, the base valve assembly comprising: a base plate, a base cage positioned on the base plate, the base cage having a first set of fluid passageways which fluidly connect the inner working chamber to the outer replenishment chamber upon a compression stroke of the piston, and a second set of fluid passageways which fluidly connect the outer replenishment chamber to the inner working chamber upon an extension stroke of the piston, a first base valve mounted to the base cage which opens the first set of fluid passageways during the compression stroke of the piston, and a second base valve mounted to the base cage which opens the second set of fluid passageways during the extension stroke of the piston, wherein the second set of fluid passageways comprises a plurality of arcuate elongated slots formed through the base cage so that ends of the arcuate elongated slots are closely adjacent each other.

2. The base valve assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the first set of fluid passageways comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes formed through the base cage.

3. The base valve assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the first set of fluid passageways is positioned radially inwardly of the second set of fluid passageways.

4. The base valve assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the base cage is generally cylindrical in shape having two ends, and wherein the base valve assembly comprises a compression cycle valve attached to one end of the base cage and an extension valve attached to the other end of the base cage.

5. The base valve assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the base cage has an inner end and an outer end, and comprising a replenishment fluid passageway formed between the outer end of the base cage and the base plate to fluidly connect the second set of fluid passageways to the outer replenishment chamber, and wherein an inside wall of the second set of fluid passageways extends outwardly on the outer end of the base cage relative to a radially outer end of the replenishment fluid passageway.

6. The base valve assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein a portion of the outer end of the base cage positioned radially outwardly from the second set of fluid passageways is planar or slopes axially inwardly from an outer end of the second set of fluid passageways and to an outer periphery of the base cage.

7. The base valve assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the radially outermost edge of the outer end of the base cage is rounded.

8. The base valve assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the base plate comprises a frustoconical deflector wall aligned with the second set of fluid passageways, the frustoconical deflector wall sloping radially outwardly from an axial inner end and towards an axial outer end as a deflector.

9. A shock absorber comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube mounted within the outer tube to form an annular outer replenishment chamber between the outer tube and the inner tube; a piston reciprocally mounted in an interior of the inner tube, wherein the interior of the inner tube comprises an inner working chamber; and a base valve assembly that regulates fluid flow between the annular outer replenishment chamber and the inner working chamber, wherein the base valve assembly includes: a base plate, a base cage positioned on the base plate, the base cage having a first set of fluid passageways that fluidly connect the inner working chamber to the outer replenishment chamber upon a compression stroke of the piston, and a second set of fluid passageways that fluidly connect the outer replenishment chamber to the inner working chamber upon an extension stroke of the piston, a first base valve mounted to the base cage which opens the first set of fluid passageways during the compression stroke of the piston, and a second base valve mounted to the base cage which opens the second set of fluid passageways during the extension stroke of the piston, wherein the second set of fluid passageways comprises a plurality of arcuate, elongated slots formed through the base cage so that ends of the arcuate elongated slots are closely adjacent each other.

10. The shock absorber as defined in claim 9 wherein the first set of fluid passageways comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes formed through the base cage.

11. The shock absorber as defined in claim 10 wherein the first set of fluid passageways is positioned radially inwardly of the second set of fluid passageways.

12. The shock absorber as defined in claim 9 wherein the base cage is generally cylindrical in shape having two ends, and wherein the base valve assembly comprises a compression cycle valve attached to one end of the base cage and an extension valve attached to the other end of the base cage.

13. The shock absorber as defined in claim 9 wherein the base cage has an inner end and an outer end, and comprising a replenishment fluid passageway formed between the outer end of the base cage and the base plate to fluidly connect the second set of fluid passageways to the outer replenishment chamber, and wherein an inside wall of the second set of fluid passageways extends outwardly on the outer end of the base cage relative to a radially outer end of the replenishment fluid passageway.

14. The shock absorber as defined in claim 13 wherein a portion of the outer end of the base cage positioned radially outwardly from the second set of fluid passageways is planar or slopes axially inwardly from an outer end of the second set of fluid passageways and to an outer periphery of the base cage.

15. The shock absorber as defined in claim 14 wherein the radially outermost edge of the outer end of the base cage is rounded.

16. The shock absorber as defined in claim 9 wherein the base plate comprises a frustoconical deflector wall aligned with the second set of fluid passageways, the frustoconical deflector wall sloping radially outwardly from an axial inner end and towards an axial outer end as a deflector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0021] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a shock absorber utilizing the base valve assembly of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the base valve assembly;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the base valve assembly;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a top elevational view illustrating the base cage assembly;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view illustrating the oil flow during a compression cycle; and

[0027] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the oil flow during an extension cycle of the shock absorber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0028] With reference to FIG. 1, a shock absorber 20 is shown of the type used in automotive light vehicles, such as cars, light trucks, etc. The shock absorber 20 includes an outer tube 22 and an inner tube 21 which is coaxially disposed within the outer tube 22. The inner and outer tubes 21 and 22 are secured together at both their upper end 24 and lower end 26. The inner tube 21 thus divides the outer tube 22 into two distinct fluid chambers, namely a cylindrical working chamber 28 formed by the interior of the inner tube 21, and an annular replenishment chamber 30 formed in between the inner and outer tubes 21 and 22. A base valve assembly 32, which will be shortly described in greater detail, controls the fluid flow between the replenishment chamber 30 and the working chamber 28.

[0029] A piston 34 having its outer periphery sealed to the inner periphery of the inner tube 21 is reciprocally slidably disposed within the working chamber 28 of the inner tube 21. A piston rod 36 is attached to the piston 34 and this piston rod 36 extends outwardly through an opening in the upper end 24 of the shock absorber 20.

[0030] In use, an upper end 38 of the piston rod 36 is attached to the chassis of the vehicle. Conversely, the lower end 26 of the shock absorber 20 is attached to the vehicle suspension system so that the lower end 26 of the shock absorber 20 moves vertically in unison with the suspension system and thus with the wheels for the automotive vehicle. Any conventional mechanism, such as a bracket 40, may be used to attach the lower end 26 of the shock absorber 20 to the suspension system.

[0031] The piston 34 also contains through orifices 35 to permit fluid flow between an upper and a lower portion of the working chamber 28. These orifices may be valved and are conventional in construction.

[0032] With reference now to FIG. 2, the base valve assembly 32 is there shown in greater detail. The base valve assembly 32 includes a base plate 50 which is generally cylindrical in shape having an outer end 52 and an inner end 54. The base plate 50 is attached to the lower end of the outer tube 22 thus fluidly sealing the lower end of the outer tube 22.

[0033] A cylindrical base cage 56 has its outer or lower end 58 supported by the base plate 50. An upper end 60 of the base cage 56 is open to the working chamber 28.

[0034] With reference now to FIG. 4, the base cage 56 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid passageways 62 which extend between the axial ends 58 and 60 of the base cage 56. Similarly, a plurality of arcuate slots 64 are also formed axially between the ends 58 and 60 of the base cage 56. These slots 54 form a second set of axially extending fluid passageways through the base cage 56 and are positioned radially outwardly from the first set of passageways 62.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 4, the ends of adjacent slots 64 are positioned closely adjacent each other so that only very narrow webs 66 on the base cage 56 separate the slots 64 from each other. Consequently, these slots 64 establish free communication through the base cage 56.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 3, a first base valve 70 is attached to the base cage 56 so that the base valve 70 overlies the first set of passageways 62 on the outer end 58 of the base cage 56. The base valve 70 is secured in position by a bolt 72. However, in the event of a compression cycle of the shock absorber, i.e. when the pressure within the working chamber 28 increases due to the downward movement of the plunger 34, the increased pressure in the working chamber 28 causes the base valve 70 to open, as shown in FIG. 5, and allow fluid flow from the working chamber 28, through side openings 71 (FIG. 2) in the base cage 56 and to the replenishment chamber 30 as shown by arrows 74.

[0037] With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 6, a second base valve 75 is secured by a nut 77 to the base cage 56 so that the valve 75 extends over the slots 64 but has openings aligned with the passageways 62. During an extension event, the pressure within the working chamber 28 is reduced. This, in turn, causes the second base valve 75 to open and permit fluid flow from the replenishment chamber 30 to the main chamber 38 as shown by arrows 76.

[0038] In order to reduce flow resistance from the replenishment chamber 30 and to the working chamber 28 during an extension cycle, an inner wall 80 of each slot 64 in the second set of fluid passageways extends downwardly past the opening which forms the slot. In addition, a lower surface 82 of the base cage 56 extending radially outwardly from an outer wall 84 of the slot 74 extends radially outwardly or slopes upwardly from the slot 74. Consequently, the fluid flow of the hydraulic fluid from the replenishment chamber 30 to the working chamber 28 is generally unimpeded and, indeed, the inner wall 80 of the slot 74 directs the flow up through the slots 74.

[0039] Still referring to FIG. 6, an outer peripheral edge 86 of the base cage 56 is also rounded in order to facilitate fluid flow from the replenishment chamber 30 and to the working chamber 28 during an extension cycle.

[0040] Still referring to FIG. 6, in order to further direct the fluid flow from the replenishment chamber 30 and up through the slots 74 during an extension cycle, a frustoconical surface 90 is formed on the base 50 which is aligned with the slot 64. This frustoconical surface 90 also slopes axially downwardly and radially outwardly from its inner end and to its outer end so that, during an extension cycle, the surface 90 reflects and directs the hydraulic oil towards the slots 64 in the base cage 56.

[0041] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a design for a base valve assembly for a shock absorber which reduces flow restrictions during an extension cycle for the shock absorber. By thus reducing the flow restrictions, hysteresis of the shock absorber is improved which increases the overall performance of the shock absorber.

[0042] Having described our invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.