Patent · US Expired

Step motor actuated continuously variable shock absorber

US5934422A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 17, 1997
Grant dateAug 10, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 17, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16F9/185
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A shock absorber includes the typical fluid valving in the piston and in the base valve assembly which is designed to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber. A stepper valve assembly includes a bypass fluid passage between the upper working chamber and the reserve chamber which when opened provides a soft damping characteristic during an extension movement of the shock absorber. The stepper valve assembly also includes a bypass fluid passage between the lower working chamber and the reserve chamber which when opened provides a soft damping characteristic during a compression movement of the shock absorber. The stepper valve assembly selectively opens and closes the bypass fluid passages to adapt the shock absorber to changing vehicle conditions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.