Vibration damper with variable damping force

Details Vibration damper with variable damping force Vibration damper with variable damping force

1999-03-08

2001-03-27

Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)

Brakes

Internal-resistance motion retarder

Motion damped from condition detected outside of retarder

C188S281000, C267S191000, C280S124160, C280S124106

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206152

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a vibration damper with variable damping force.
2. Description of the Prior Art
German reference DE 44 03 196 A1 describes, in
FIGS. 3
a
to
3
c
, a vibration damper with variable damping force in which the extent of the change in the damping force depends on the deflection distance. This involves a load-dependent damping force modification that only functions in connection with a spring-and-damper unit, because a vehicle suspension spring or stop buffer must act as the actuator. In compact cars, as a rule, the vibration damper is a spring-and-damper unit. However, mid-sized and large vehicles are often also equipped with vibration dampers in the form of axle dampers. In this case, the vehicle suspension spring that acts as the actuator for load-dependent damping force modification is omitted.
Alternatively, of course, an adjustable damping valve with electric activation can be used, as
FIG. 5
of the aforementioned reference discloses. However, vibration dampers of this type entail considerable expense, especially with respect to ensuring reliability in the event of system failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a vibration damper with damping force adjustment means that can be used as an axle damper and can finction independently of an energy supply.
Pursuant to this object one aspect of the present invention resides in a vibration damper having an adjustable damping valve that has, during equilateral deflection and rebound travel of the piston rod on a vehicle axle or during unilateral rebound travel, a damping force setting that is smaller than the damping force of the further damping valves of the vibration damper. This results in clearly improved comfort, compared to conventional vibration dampers, especially during equilateral deflection on an axle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, during unilateral deflection travel of the piston rod on a vehicle axle, the damping force setting of the adjustable damping valve is greater than the damping force setting of the further damping force valves. In the vibration damper, a pumping effect is created, which aligns the vehicle via the vibration damper.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1954196 (1934-04-01), Breer et al.
patent: 2718285 (1955-09-01), Largay, Jr.
patent: 5013061 (1991-05-01), Fujimura et al.
patent: 5219414 (1993-06-01), Yanaoka
patent: 5509512 (1996-04-01), Grundei
patent: 5529153 (1996-06-01), Smith
patent: 5987366 (1999-11-01), Jun
patent: 5988607 (1999-11-01), Beck
patent: 6015030 (2000-01-01), Grundei
patent: 44 03 196 (1994-08-01), None

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