FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic damper or shock absorber adapted for use in a suspension system such as the systems used for automotive vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hydraulic damper having a frequency dependent passive valving system that provides softer damping characteristics with high frequency road inputs in both rebound and compression strokes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional prior art hydraulic damper or shock absorber comprises a cylinder defining a working chamber having a piston slidably disposed in the working chamber with the piston separating the interior of the cylinder into an upper and a lower working chamber. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends out of one end of the cylinder. A first valving system is incorporated for generating damping force during the extension or rebound stroke of the hydraulic damper and a second valving system is incorporated for generating damping force during the compression stroke of the hydraulic damper.

[0003] Various types of damping force generating devices have been developed to generate desired damping forces in relation to the frequency of the inputs from the roads over which the vehicle travels. These frequency dependent selective damping devices provide the ability to have softer damping characteristics with higher frequency road inputs. These softer damping characteristics lead to a more effective isolation of the vehicle body from unwanted disturbances. Typically these frequency dependent damping devices operate only during an extension or rebound movement of the hydraulic damper or shock absorber. Thus, there is a need for a frequency dependent selective damping device that provides the ability to have softer damping characteristics in both rebound and compression movements of the hydraulic damper or shock absorber in response to the higher frequency road inputs.

[0004] The continued development of hydraulic dampers includes the development of frequency dependent damping devices that function in both an extension or rebound movement and a compression movement of the hydraulic damper or shock absorber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure provides the art with a frequency dependent hydraulic damper or shock absorber that provides soft damping in both rebound and compression strokes of the hydraulic damper or shock absorber. Soft damping is provided for the higher frequency road inputs in both the extension and/or rebound stroke and the compression stroke of the hydraulic damper or shock absorber.

[0006] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 is an illustration of an automobile using shock absorbers incorporating the frequency dependent damping device in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a monotube shock absorber incorporating the frequency dependent damping device in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view illustrating the piston assembly of the shock absorber shown in Figure 1 during a compression stroke of the shock absorber; and

[0011] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view illustrating the piston assembly of the shock absorber shown in Figure 1 during an extension stroke of the shock absorber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses.

[0013] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in Figure 1 a vehicle incorporating a suspension system having the frequency dependent shock absorbers in accordance with the present disclosure which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. Vehicle 10 includes a rear suspension 12, a front suspension 14 and a body 16. Rear suspension 12 has a transversely extending rear axle assembly (not shown) adapted to operatively support the vehicle's rear wheels 18. The rear axle assembly is operatively connected to body 16 by means of a pair of shock absorbers 20 and a pair of helical coil springs 22. Similarly, front suspension 14 includes a transversely extending front axle assembly (not shown) to operatively support the vehicle's front wheels 24. The front axle assembly is operatively connected to body 16 by means of a second pair of shock absorbers 26 and by a pair of helical coil springs 28. Shock absorbers 20 and 26 serve to dampen the relative motion of the unsprung portion (i.e. front and rear suspensions 12 and 14, respectively) and the sprung portion (i.e. body 16) of vehicle 10. While vehicle 10 has been depicted as a passenger car having front and rear axle assemblies, shock absorbers 20 and 26 may be used with other types of vehicles or in other types of applications such as vehicles incorporating independent front and/or independent rear suspension systems. Further, the term "shock absorber" as used herein is meant to refer to dampers in general and thus will include MacPherson struts.

[0014] Referring now to Figure 2, shock absorber 20 is shown in greater detail. While Figure 2 shows only shock absorber 20, it is to be understood that shock absorber 26 also includes the piston assembly described below for shock absorber 20. Shock absorber 26 only differs from shock absorber 20 in the way in which it is adapted to be connected to the sprung and unsprung portions of vehicle 10. Shock absorber 20 comprises a pressure tube 30, a piston assembly 32 and a piston rod 34. [0015] Pressure tube 30 defines a fluid chamber 42. Piston assembly 32 is slidably disposed within pressure tube 30 and divides fluid chamber 42 into an upper working chamber 44 and a lower working chamber 46. A seal 48 is disposed between piston assembly 32 and pressure tube 30 to permit sliding movement of piston assembly 32 with respect to pressure tube 30 without generating undue frictional forces as well as sealing upper working chamber 44 from lower working chamber 46. Piston rod 34 is attached to piston assembly 32 and extends through upper working chamber 44 and through an upper end cap 50 which closes the upper end of pressure tube 30. A sealing system 52 seals the interface between upper end cap 50 and piston rod 34. The end of piston rod 34 opposite to piston assembly 32 is adapted to be secured to the sprung portion of vehicle 10. In the preferred embodiment, piston rod 34 is secured to body 16 or the sprung portion of vehicle 10. Pressure tube 30 is filled with fluid and it includes a fitting 54 for attachment to the unsprung portion of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment fitting 54 is secured to the unsprung portion of the vehicle. Thus, suspension movements of the vehicle will cause extension or compression movements of piston assembly 32 with respect to pressure tube 30. Valving within piston assembly 32 controls the movement of fluid between upper working chamber 44 and lower working chamber 46 during movement of piston assembly 32 within pressure tube 30.

[0016] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, piston assembly 32 is attached to piston rod 34 and comprises a piston body 60, a compression valve assembly 62, an extension or rebound valve assembly 64 and a frequency dependent valve assembly 66. Piston rod 34 includes a reduced diameter section 68 located on the end of piston rod 34 disposed within pressure tube 30 to form a shoulder 70 for mounting the remaining components of piston assembly 32. Piston body 60 is located on reduced diameter section 68 with compression valve assembly 62 being located between piston body 60 and shoulder 70 and with rebound valve assembly 64 being located between piston body 60 and a threaded end 72 of piston rod 34. A retaining nut 74 is threadingly or slidingly received on threaded end 72 or reduced diameter section 68 of piston rod 34 to secure piston body 60, compression valve assembly 62 and extension or rebound valve assembly 64 to piston rod 34. Piston body 60 defines a plurality of compression flow passages 76 and a plurality of rebound flow passages 78.

[0017] Compression valve assembly 62 comprises a compression valve plate 80, a valve stop 82 and a spring 84. Valve plate 80 is disposed adjacent to piston body 60 to cover the plurality of compression flow passages 76. Valve stop 82 is disposed adjacent shoulder 70 and spring 84 is disposed between valve plate 80 and valve stop 82 to bias valve plate 80 against piston body 60. During a compression stroke of shock absorber 20, fluid pressure builds up in lower working chamber 46 until the fluid pressure applied to valve plate 80 through compression flow passages 76 overcomes the load provided by spring 84. Valve plate 80 will move away from piston body 60 and compress spring 84 to open compression flow passages 76 to allow fluid to flow from lower working chamber 46 to upper working chamber 44 as shown by arrow 86 in Figure 3.

[0018] Rebound valve assembly 64 comprises one or more valve plates 88, a spring seat 90 and a spring 92. Valve plates 88 are disposed adjacent to piston body 60 to cover the plurality of rebound flow passages 78. Spring seat 90 is disposed immediately adjacent valve plates 88. Spring 92 is disposed between spring seat 90 and retaining nut 74 to bias spring seat 90 against valve plates 88 and valve plates 88 against piston body 60. Retaining nut 74 is threaded or slidingly received onto threaded end 72 or reduced diameter section 68 of piston rod 34 to retain valve plates 88 against piston body 60 to close rebound flow passages 78 using spring 92 and spring seat 90. During an extension stroke of shock absorber 20, fluid pressure builds up in upper working chamber 44 until the fluid pressure applied to valve plates 88 through rebound flow passages 78 overcomes the load provided by spring 92. Valve plates 88 will move away from piston body 60 and compress spring 92 to open rebound flow passages 78 to allow fluid to flow from upper working chamber 44 to lower working chamber 46 as shown by arrow 94 in Figure 4.

[0019] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, frequency dependent valve assembly 66 is illustrated. Frequency dependent valve assembly 66 comprises a housing assembly 1 10 and a piston assembly 1 12. Housing assembly 1 10 includes an upper housing 1 14, a middle housing 1 16 and a lower housing 1 18. Upper housing 1 14 is threadingly or otherwise attached to the end of piston rod 34. Middle housing 1 16 is threadingly or otherwise attached to upper housing 1 14. Lower housing 1 18 is threadingly or otherwise attached to middle housing 1 16.

[0020] Piston assembly 1 12 includes a piston 120, a first spring 122, a second spring 124, a first valve body 126 and a second valve body 128. First valve body 126 defines a first calibrated aperture 130 and second valve body 128 defines a second calibrated aperture 132. Piston assembly 1 12 is disposed within a fluid chamber defined by housing assembly 1 10. Piston 120 separates the fluid chamber into a lower fluid chamber 134 and an upper fluid chamber 136. A washer 138 is disposed between upper housing 1 14 and middle housing 1 16 to define a radial fluid passage 140.

[0021] Piston rod 34 defines a radial fluid passage 142 which communicates with upper working chamber 44 and an axial fluid passage 144. Upper housing 1 14 defines an axial fluid passage 146 which is in fluid communication at one end with axial fluid passage 144 and is in fluid communication with an axial fluid passage 148 defined by washer 138. Axial fluid passage 148 is in fluid communication with radial fluid passage 140 which is in fluid communication with an axial fluid passage 150 extending between upper housing 1 14 and middle housing 1 16. Axial fluid passage 150 is in fluid communication with a radial fluid passage 152 defined by middle housing 1 16 which is in fluid communication with an axial fluid passage 154 which is defined by piston 120 which is in fluid communication with a radial fluid passage 156 defined by middle housing 1 16. Radial fluid passage 156 is in fluid communication with lower working chamber 46. Thus, a bypass fluid passage between upper working chamber 44 to lower working chamber 46 bypassing piston body 60 illustrated by arrow 200 is formed through passages 142, 144, 146, 134, 148, 150, 152, 154 and 156. Control of the amount of fluid flow between upper working chamber 44 and lower working chamber 46 through fluid passage 200 is accomplished by the movement of piston 120 which closes radial fluid of passage 152 during a rebound stroke and which closes off radial fluid passage 156 during a compression stroke as discussed below.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates fluid flow during a compression stroke of shock absorber 20. During a compression stroke, fluid pressure in lower working chamber 46 and in compression flow passages 76 increases. The fluid pressure in compression flow passages 76 will increase until the biasing load on valve plate 80 increases to the point that spring 84 is compressed and valve plate 80 is lifted entirely off of piston body 60 to fully open compression flow passages 76 as illustrated by arrow 86. Compression valve assembly 62 is a passive valve assembly with a firm damping characteristic.

[0023] At the beginning of the compression stroke, prior to the opening of compression valve assembly 62, fluid will flow through fluid passage 200 of frequency dependent valve assembly 66. The fluid pressure in lower working chamber 46 will react against second valve body 128 and the compression of second spring 124 will begin. As second spring 124 is compressed, fluid will flow between second valve body 128 and lower housing 1 18 and through a fluid passage 158 defined between second valve body 128 and middle housing 1 16 into lower fluid chamber 134. Fluid pressure will react against piston 120 to move piston 120 upward as illustrated in Figure 3. Fluid in upper chamber 136 will be forced to flow through first calibrated aperture 130 due to the movement of piston 120. The upward movement of piston 120 will progressively close off radial fluid passage 156 which will progressively reduce the fluid flow through fluid passage 200.

[0024] Thus, for high frequency movements of frequency dependent valve assembly 66 in compression there will be two flow paths as illustrated by arrows 86 and 200. The high frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66 causes piston 120 to move only a small distance. Because of the high frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66, fluid flow through first calibrated aperture 130 will be limited thus limiting the amount of movement of piston 120. The size of first calibrated aperture 130 will control the movement of piston 120 and thus the frequency profile at which frequency dependent valve assembly 66 reacts. The small movements of piston 120 will have little effect on the flow through flow path 200 thus creating a soft damping characteristic. During a low frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66, piston 120 will move a larger more significant distance. Because of the low frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66, fluid flow through first calibrated aperture 130 will increase due to the lower frequency of movement. This larger movement of piston 120 will begin the gradual closing of radial fluid passage 156 which will cause the gradual closing of fluid path 200. The smooth closing of fluid path 200 will provide a smooth transition from an initially soft damping to a firm damping condition for shock absorber 20. The slow closing of fluid passage 200 by the movement of piston 120 will provide the smooth transition.

[0025] Figure 4 illustrates fluid flow during a rebound or extension stroke of shock absorber 20. During a rebound or extension stroke, fluid pressure in upper working chamber 44 and in rebound flow passages 78 increases. The fluid pressure in rebound flow passages 78 will increase until the biasing load on valve plate 88 increases to the point that spring 92 is compressed and valve plate 88 is lifted entirely off of piston body 60 to fully open rebound flow passages 78 as illustrated by arrow 94. Rebound valve assembly 64 is a passive valve assembly with a firm damping characteristic.

[0026] At the beginning of the rebound stroke, prior to the opening of rebound valve assembly 64, fluid will flow through fluid passage 200 of frequency dependent valve assembly 66. The fluid pressure in upper working chamber 44 will react against first valve body 126 and the compression of first spring 122 will begin. As first spring 122 is compressed, fluid will flow between first valve body 126 and middle housing 1 16 and through a fluid passage 160 defined between first valve body 126 and middle housing 1 16 into upper fluid chamber 136. Fluid pressure will react against piston 120 to move piston 120 downward as illustrated in Figure 3. Fluid in lower chamber 134 will be forced to flow through second calibrated aperture 132 due to the movement of piston 120. The downward movement of piston 120 will progressively close off radial fluid passage 152 which will progressively reduce the fluid flow through fluid passage 200.

[0027] Thus, for high frequency movements of frequency dependent valve assembly 66 in rebound there will be two flow paths as illustrated by arrows 94 and 200. The high frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66 causes piston 120 to move only a small distance. Because of the high frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66, fluid flow through second calibrated aperture 132 will be limited thus limiting the amount of movement of piston 120. The size of second calibrated aperture 132 will control the movement of piston 120 and thus the frequency profile at which frequency dependent valve assembly 66 reacts. The small movements of piston 120 will have little effect on the flow through flow path 200 thus creating a soft damping characteristic. During a low frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66, piston 120 will move a larger more significant distance. Because of the low frequency movement of frequency dependent valve assembly 66, fluid flow through second calibrated aperture 132 will increase due to the lower frequency of movement. This larger movement of piston 120 will begin the gradual closing of radial fluid passage 152 which will cause the gradual closing of fluid path 200. The smooth closing of fluid path 200 will provide a smooth transition from an initially soft damping to a firm damping condition for shock absorber 20. The slow closing of fluid passage 200 by the movement of piston 120 will provide the smooth transition.

[0028] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.