JP7051543B2 - Valves and shock absorbers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a valve and an improvement of a shock absorber provided with the valve.

Conventionally, a valve has been used, for example, to resist the flow of liquid generated when the shock absorber expands and contracts to generate a damping force. Further, such a valve is provided with an annular valve body having one of the inner circumference and the outer circumference as a fixed end fixed to the valve case and the other as a free end that can move to both sides in the axial direction. There is a free end having a gap formed on the outer circumference or the inner circumference to allow the passage of liquid (for example, Patent Document 1).

According to the above configuration, in the speed region where the expansion / contraction speed (piston speed) of the shock absorber is low and the valve body does not bend, the gap formed in the outer circumference or the inner circumference of the free end of the valve body is maintained in a narrow state. However, when the piston speed of the shock absorber increases and the end of the valve body on the free end side bends, the gap formed on the outer circumference or the inner circumference of the free end becomes wider. Therefore, the damping coefficient of the shock absorber when the piston speed increases becomes small, and the damping force characteristic of the shock absorber becomes a characteristic depending on the speed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-76937, FIG.

Here, in the valve shown in FIG. 8 of JP-A-2-76937, the end portion on the fixed end side of the valve body is pressed by the spacer, and the contact portion where the spacer and the valve body abut is pressed. The valve body bends with the edge on the free end side as the fulcrum. Further, the valve is provided with a valve stopper so that the amount of bending of the valve body can be limited.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional valve, as shown in FIG. 11, the liquid is confined in the room r3 surrounded by the valve body 800 and the valve stopper 900 in a state where the valve body 800 is in contact with the valve stopper 900 and is fully opened. Therefore, the opening / closing behavior of the valve body 800 may become unstable.

Specifically, when the valve body 800 is fully opened, the pressure in the room r3 rises momentarily, and the liquid in the room r3 leaks from between the valve body 800 and the valve stopper 900 to the outside of the valve body 800. May not fully open, but the valve body 800 may not fully open. On the contrary, when the valve body 800 in the fully opened state tries to close, the pressure in the room r3 may drop momentarily, and the valve body 800 may be delayed in closing.

Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a valve capable of stabilizing the opening / closing behavior of a valve body, and a shock absorber provided with the valve.

Valves that solve the above problems include a valve case, an annular valve body whose outer peripheral end is a free end that can move to both sides in the axial direction with respect to the valve case, and a free end that is located on the outer peripheral side of the valve body. It includes an annular facing surface that can face each other with a gap, and is interposed between the facing portion provided in the valve case, the valve stoppers located on one or both sides in the axial direction of the valve body, and the valve body and the valve stopper. , An annular seat that serves as a fulcrum for the deflection of the valve body, and a passage that communicates to the outside the room surrounded by the valve body and the valve stopper when the valve body bends and comes into contact with the valve stopper. Is formed by the groove formed in the valve stopper, and the end on the inner peripheral side of the valve stopper in the groove is formed on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral end of the spacer. Other valves that solve the above problems include a valve case, an annular valve body in which one of the inner peripheral end and the outer peripheral end is a free end that can move to both sides in the axial direction with respect to the valve case, and a valve body. An annular facing surface that is located on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side and can face the free end with a gap, the facing portion provided in the valve case, and the valve stoppers located on one or both sides in the axial direction of the valve body. It is equipped with a passage that communicates the room surrounded by the valve body and the valve stopper to the outside when the valve body bends and comes into contact with the valve stopper, and the valve body is laminated with a plurality of leaf valves having different outer diameters or inner diameters. In addition, a plurality of leaf valves are in contact with the valve stopper at different positions in the radial direction, and are laminated on the leaf valve that abuts on the valve stopper on the most free end side of the plurality of leaf valves. A notch is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the leaf valve that comes into contact with the valve stopper. Still other valves that solve the above problems are a valve case fixed to a rod, an annular valve body whose outer peripheral end is a free end that can move to both sides in the axial direction with respect to the valve case, and a valve body. The valve body includes an annular facing surface that is located on the outer peripheral side and can face the free end with a gap, the facing portion provided in the valve case, the valve stoppers located on one or both sides in the axial direction of the valve body, and the valve body. The room surrounded by the valve body and the valve stopper when it bends and comes into contact with the valve stopper is provided with a passage that communicates to the outside of the valve stopper with which the valve body abuts, and is arranged on one side in the axial direction of the valve body. The valve stopper is a piston nut that fixes the valve body. According to this configuration, since the room and its outside are communicated with each other by a passage, the valve body is not opened and closed without the liquid being trapped in the room and the valve body not being fully opened or being delayed from being fully opened. The behavior can be stabilized.

Further, in the above valve, it is preferable that the passage is formed by a groove or a hole formed in the valve stopper. According to this configuration, it is easy to increase the flow path area of the passage, and the differential pressure inside and outside the room can be reduced. Therefore, the valve body can be smoothly opened and closed, and the vibration of the valve body can be suppressed to suppress the generation of abnormal noise.

Further, in the above valve, it is preferable that the passage is formed by a groove or a hole formed in the valve body. According to this configuration, when the valve is used to generate the damping force of the shock absorber, the groove or hole can be a tuning element for generating the desired damping force in the shock absorber.

Further, the shock absorber includes a cylinder, a rod that is movably inserted into the cylinder in the axial direction, and the valve. It is good to give resistance with a valve. According to this configuration, when the shock absorber expands and contracts and the cylinder and the rod move relative to each other in the axial direction, the damping force due to the resistance of the valve can be exerted.

According to the valve of the present invention and the shock absorber provided with the valve, the opening / closing behavior of the valve body can be stabilized.

It is a vertical sectional view which showed the shock absorber provided with the damping valve which is the valve which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially enlarged view which showed the part of FIG. 1 enlarged. It is a partially enlarged view which showed a part of FIG. 2 by further enlargement. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a state when the outer peripheral portion of the valve body of FIG. 3 is bent upward in the figure. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a state when the outer peripheral portion of the valve body of FIG. 3 is bent downward in the figure. It is a bottom view or the plan view which looked at the 1st and 2nd valve stopper of the damping valve which is a valve which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the valve body side. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which showed the 1st modification of the damping valve which is a valve which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and has shown the changed part enlarged. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which showed the 2nd modification of the damping valve which is the valve which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and has shown the changed part enlarged. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which showed the 3rd modification of the damping valve which is the valve which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and has shown the changed part enlarged. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which showed the 4th modification of the damping valve which is a valve which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and has shown the changed part enlarged. It is a partial enlarged view which showed the state when the outer peripheral part of the valve body of a conventional valve was bent upward in the figure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals, given throughout several drawings, indicate the same part or the corresponding part.

As shown in FIG. 1, the valve according to the embodiment of the present invention is a damping valve V embodied in the piston portion of the shock absorber D. The shock absorber D is interposed between the vehicle body of a vehicle such as an automobile and the axle. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper and lower parts of the shock absorber D shown in FIG. 1 are simply referred to as "upper" and "lower" unless otherwise specified.

The attachment target of the shock absorber provided with the valve according to the present invention is not limited to the vehicle and can be appropriately changed. Of course, the top and bottom of the shock absorber in the mounted state can be appropriately changed according to the mounting target. Specifically, the shock absorber D of the present embodiment may be attached to the vehicle in the same orientation as in FIG. 1, or may be attached to the vehicle in an upside down orientation.

Subsequently, the specific structure of the shock absorber D will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the shock absorber D has a bottomed cylindrical cylinder 1, a piston 2 slidably inserted into the cylinder 1, a lower end connected to the piston 2, and an upper end outside the cylinder 1. It is provided with a piston rod 3 that protrudes toward.

A bracket (not shown) is provided at the upper end of the piston rod 3, and the piston rod 3 is connected to one of the vehicle body and the axle via the bracket. On the other hand, a bracket (not shown) is also provided on the bottom portion 1a of the cylinder 1, and the cylinder 1 is connected to the other of the vehicle body and the axle via the bracket.

In this way, the shock absorber D is interposed between the vehicle body and the axle. When the wheels vibrate up and down with respect to the vehicle body, such as when the vehicle travels on an uneven road surface, the piston rod 3 moves in and out of the cylinder 1, the shock absorber D expands and contracts, and the piston 2 moves inside the cylinder 1. Move up and down (axial).

Further, the shock absorber D includes an annular cylinder head 10 that closes the upper end of the cylinder 1 and slidably supports the piston rod 3. On the other hand, the lower end of the cylinder 1 is closed by the bottom portion 1a. In this way, the inside of the cylinder 1 is a closed space. The free piston 11 is slidably inserted on the side opposite to the piston rod 3 when viewed from the piston 2 in the cylinder 1.

A liquid chamber L is formed on the upper side of the free piston 11 in the cylinder 1, and a gas chamber G is formed on the lower side. Further, the liquid chamber L is divided into an extension side chamber L1 on the piston rod 3 side and a compression side chamber L2 on the piston 2 side by the piston 2, and liquids such as hydraulic oil are contained in the extension side chamber L1 and the compression side chamber L2, respectively. It is filled. On the other hand, the gas chamber G is filled with a gas such as air or nitrogen gas in a compressed state.

Then, when the piston rod 3 retracts from the cylinder 1 when the shock absorber D is extended and the internal volume of the body-integrated cylinder of the retracted piston rod 3 increases, the free piston 11 moves upward in the cylinder 1 and the gas chamber G To expand. On the contrary, when the piston rod 3 invades the cylinder 1 when the shock absorber D contracts and the internal volume of the body-integrated cylinder of the invaded piston rod 3 decreases, the free piston 11 moves downward in the cylinder 1. Reduce the gas chamber G.

Instead of the free piston 11, a bladder, a bellows, or the like may be used to partition the liquid chamber L and the gas chamber G, and the configuration of the movable partition wall serving as the partition can be appropriately changed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the shock absorber D is a single rod, single cylinder type, and when the shock absorber D expands and contracts, the gas chamber G is expanded or contracted by the free piston (movable partition wall) 11 to enter and exit the cylinder 1. The volume of the piston rod 3 is compensated. However, the configuration for this volume compensation can also be changed as appropriate.

For example, the free piston (movable partition wall) 11 and the gas chamber G are eliminated, and an outer shell is provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 1 to make the shock absorber a double cylinder type. Then, a reservoir chamber for storing the liquid may be formed between the cylinder 1 and the outer shell, and the volume may be compensated in this reservoir chamber. Further, the reservoir chamber may be formed in a tank separately placed from the cylinder 1.

Further, piston rods may be provided on both sides of the piston to make the shock absorber a double rod type. In such a case, the volume compensation itself of the piston rod can be eliminated.

Subsequently, the piston 2 is configured to have two valve cases held by nuts 30 on the outer circumference of the piston rod 3. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish between the two valve cases, the valve case in which the main valve bodies 6 and 7 described later are laminated is referred to as the main valve case 4, and the other valve case to which the valve body 8 described later is attached is simply referred to as the valve case 5. do.

As described above, the piston 2 of the present embodiment functions as a valve case for attaching a valve body such as a main valve body 6, 7 or a valve body 8, and constitutes a damping valve V together with the valve body or the like. There is. Hereinafter, the configuration of the damping valve V will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main valve case 4 includes an annular main body portion 4a and a cylindrical skirt portion 4b protruding downward from the lower end outer peripheral portion of the main body portion 4a. The main body 4a is formed with passages 4c and 4d on the extension side and the compression side that are opened on the inner peripheral side of the skirt portion 4b and penetrate the main body portion 4a in the axial direction. Further, on the lower side (compression side chamber L2 side) of the main body portion 4a, the extension side main valve body 6 that opens and closes the outlet of the extension side passage 4c is laminated, and the upper side of the main body portion 4a (extension side chamber L1). On the side), a main valve body 7 on the compression side that opens and closes the outlet of the passage 4d on the compression side is laminated.

The main valves 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side are laminated leaf valves in which a plurality of elastically deformable leaf valves are laminated. Then, the extension-side main valve body 6 is opened when the shock absorber D is extended and the piston speed is in the medium-high speed range, and the extension-side passage 4c is filled with the liquid flowing from the extension-side chamber L1 to the compression-side chamber L2. Give resistance to the flow. On the other hand, the main valve body 7 on the compression side opens when the shock absorber D contracts and the piston speed is in the medium-high speed range, and the liquid flows through the compression side passage 4d from the compression side chamber L2 to the extension side chamber L1. Give resistance to.

Further, among the plurality of leaf valves constituting the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side, the outer peripheral portion of the first leaf valve located on the side of the main valve case 4 has notches 6a, respectively. 7a is formed. When the piston speed is in the low speed range and the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side are closed, the liquid passes through the orifice formed by the notches 6a and 7a and the extension side chamber L1 and the compression side chamber L1 and the compression side chamber. Go back and forth with L2. Resistance is provided to the flow of the liquid by the orifices (notches 6a, 7a).

The orifice formed by the notches 6a, 7a allows bidirectional flow of liquid. Therefore, one of the notches 6a and 7a formed in the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side may be omitted. Further, the method of forming the orifice can be appropriately changed. For example, a stamp may be formed on the valve seat on which the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side or the compression side are taken off and seated, and an orifice may be formed by this stamp. Further, the orifice may be replaced with a choke. Further, the main valves 6 and 7 attached to the main valve case 4 for generating the damping force in the middle and high speed range in the shock absorber D may be other than the laminated leaf valve, for example, a poppet valve or the like. ..

Subsequently, the valve case 5 has an annular fitting portion 5a that fits on the inner circumference of the skirt portion 4b of the main valve case 4, and a tubular case portion that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral portion of the lower end of the fitting portion 5a. Includes 5b. The space between the fitting portion 5a and the skirt portion 4b is closed by the seal 50, and the fitting portion 5a is opened on the inner peripheral side of the case portion 5b and penetrates the fitting portion 5a in the axial direction. A continuous passage 5c is formed. On the other hand, the first valve stopper 9 is housed in the case portion 5b, and the valve body 8 is laminated on the lower side of the first valve stopper 9.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve body 8 of the present embodiment is configured to have three laminated leaf valves 8a, 8b, 8c, and can be elastically deformed. The outer diameter of the central leaf valve 8b among these three leaf valves 8a, 8b, 8c is larger than the outer diameter of the leaf valves 8a, 8c located at both upper and lower ends. The spacers 80 and 81 are interposed between the valve body 8 and the first valve stopper 9, and between the valve body 8 and the nut 30, respectively.

In the present embodiment, each of the spacers 80 and 81 is an annular plate whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of each leaf valve 8a, 8b, 8c constituting the valve body 8, and the valve body 8 is an inner peripheral portion thereof. Is fixed to the valve case 5 in a state of being sandwiched between the spacers 80 and 81. On the other hand, the outer peripheral side of the spacer 8 with respect to the spacers 80 and 81 can move up and down (axially) with the outer peripheral edge of the contact portion between the spacers 80 and 81 and the valve body 8 as a fulcrum.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the inner peripheral end (inner peripheral end) of the valve body 8 mounted on the valve case 5 is a fixed end 8d that does not move with respect to the valve case 5. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the central leaf valve 8b located at the outer peripheral end (outer peripheral end) of the valve body 8 is a free end 8e that can move up and down (both sides in the axial direction) with respect to the valve case 5.

Further, at the tip of the case portion 5b in the valve case 5, an annular facing portion 5d protruding from the inner circumference of the case portion 5b to the inside in the radial direction (the central axis side of the shock absorber D) is provided, and the facing portion thereof is provided. The valve body 8 is housed on the inner peripheral side of 5d. Then, in an extremely low speed region where the piston speed is close to 0 (zero), such as when the shock absorber D starts to move, the valve body 8 does not bend and is maintained in the initial mounting state (FIG. 3).

In this way, when the valve body 8 is not bent, the free end 8e of the valve body 8 faces the facing surface 5e formed on the inner circumference of the facing portion 5d with a predetermined gap P (FIG. 3). .. In the present embodiment, the gap P formed between the facing surfaces 5e facing each other and the free end 8e of the valve body 8 is very narrow, and the opening area of the gap P is the above-mentioned main valve bodies 6 and 7. It is smaller than the opening area of the total orifice formed by the notches 6a and 7a formed in.

On the other hand, when the shock absorber D is extended and the piston speed is in the low speed range or the medium and high speed range, the outer peripheral portion of the valve body 8 moves upward or downward as shown in FIGS. It bends and the free end 8e shifts up and down from the facing surface 5e. Then, the opening area of the gap formed between the free end 8e of the valve body 8 displaced vertically and the facing surface 5e is larger than the opening area of the orifice formed by the notches 6a and 7a.

Further, when the piston speed is in the low speed range or the high speed range, when the valve body 8 bends and its free end 8e moves upward, the outer peripheral portion of the valve body 8 abuts on the first valve stopper 9. The free end 8e is prevented from moving further upward (FIG. 4). Further, when the valve body 8 bends to the opposite side and its free end 8e moves downward, the outer peripheral portion of the valve body 8 hits the nut 30 and the free end 8e moves further downward. It is blocked (Fig. 5).

As described above, the nut 30 of the present embodiment has a function as a piston nut for fixing the damping valve V to the piston rod 3 and also as a valve stopper for limiting the amount of bending of the valve body 8. ing. Hereinafter, the portion of the nut 30 that limits the amount of bending of the valve body 8 downward is referred to as a second valve stopper 90.

The state in which the valve body 8 comes into contact with the first valve stopper 9 or the second valve stopper 90 and the valve body 8 is prevented from further bending is referred to as a state in which the valve body 8 is fully opened. Further, it is said that the valve body 8 closes the process of returning from such a state to a state in which the valve body 8 does not bend and its free end 8e faces the facing surface 5e.

When one nut 30 has a function as a piston nut and a function as a valve stopper as in the present embodiment, the number of parts of the shock absorber D can be reduced. However, it goes without saying that the piston nut and the second valve stopper may be formed separately.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90 are annular, respectively, and a groove 9a is formed along the radial direction at the end of each valve stopper 9, 90 on the valve body 8 side. , 90a are formed. The number and arrangement of the grooves 9a and 90a are arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, the eight grooves 9a and 90a extending radially are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first and second valve stoppers 9, 90, respectively. Have been placed.

Each groove 9a of the first valve stopper 9 is formed from the middle of the radial direction of the first valve stopper 9 to the outer peripheral edge of the first valve stopper 9. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the valve body 8 bends upward and comes into contact with the first valve stopper 9, the liquid flows between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the contact portion in each groove 9a. You can come and go through.

In other words, each groove 9a of the first valve stopper 9 forms a room r1 surrounded by the valve body 8 and the first valve stopper 9 when the valve body 8 bends and comes into contact with the first valve stopper 9. It constitutes a passage t1 communicating with the outside.

According to the above configuration, when the valve body 8 bends and comes into contact with the first valve stopper 9, the liquid in the room r1 is discharged to the outside of the room r1 through the passage t1. On the contrary, when the valve body 8 separates from the first valve stopper 9, the liquid outside the room r1 is supplied into the room r1 through the passage t1. In this way, since the room r1 and the outside thereof are communicated with each other by the passage t1, the liquid is trapped in the room r1 and the valve body 8 cannot be fully opened upward, or the valve body 8 is closed from the state where the valve body 8 is fully opened upward. There is no delay.

Similarly, each groove 90a of the second valve stopper 90 is formed from the middle of the second valve stopper 90 in the radial direction to the outer peripheral edge of the second valve stopper 90. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the valve body 8 bends downward and comes into contact with the second valve stopper 90, the liquid flows between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the contact portion in each groove 90a. You can come and go through.

In other words, each groove 90a of the second valve stopper 90 forms a room r2 surrounded by the valve body 8 and the second valve stopper 90 when the valve body 8 bends and comes into contact with the second valve stopper 90. A passage t2 communicating with the outside is configured.

According to the above configuration, when the valve body 8 bends and comes into contact with the second valve stopper 90, the liquid in the room r2 is discharged to the outside of the room r2 through the passage t2. On the contrary, when the valve body 8 separates from the second valve stopper 90, the liquid outside the room r2 is supplied into the room r2 through the passage t2. In this way, since the room r2 and the outside thereof are communicated with each other by the passage t2, the liquid is trapped in the room r2, and the valve body 8 cannot be fully opened downward or the valve body 8 is fully opened downward. There is no delay in closing.

In the present embodiment, when the valve body 8 is bent, the outer peripheral portion of the central leaf valve 8b comes into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the first or second valve stoppers 9, 90. The grooves 9a and 90a are formed from the outer peripheral edge of the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90 to the inner peripheral side from the contact portion between the valve body 8 and the first or second valve stoppers 9, 90. ing. Therefore, when the valve body 8 comes into contact with the first or second valve stoppers 9, 90, the chambers r1 and r2 and the outside thereof can be communicated with each other by the passages t1 and t2 formed by the grooves 9a and 90a.

However, it goes without saying that the positions of the grooves 9a and 90a can be changed according to the contact positions between the valve body 8 and the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90. For example, in the grooves 9a and 90a, assuming that the outer peripheral end of the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90 is the tip and the inner peripheral end is the end, the valve body 8 is the first and second valve stopper 9. When the tip of the groove 9a, 90a is on the outer peripheral side of the contact portion in the case of contacting the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral edge of, 90, the tip is the first and second valve stoppers 9, 90. It may be on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral edge of the.

Further, the central leaf valve 8b and the leaf valves 8a, 8c overlapping the upper side or the lower side thereof abut on the first or second valve stoppers 9, 90, and the valve body 8 and the first and second valve stoppers are in contact with each other. When there is a possibility that the 9 and 90 come into contact with each other at a plurality of positions, the ends of the grooves 9a and 90a may be located on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral ends of the leaf valves 8a and 8c located at both ends. The valve body 8 may be configured to have at least one leaf valve.

Further, the configurations of the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90 can be changed as appropriate. For example, a step may be formed on the valve body 8 side of the first and second valve stoppers 9, 90, or the first and second valve stoppers 9, 90 may be formed by combining a plurality of annular members having different outer diameters. Alternatively, the valve body 8 may be supported at different positions in the radial direction at different heights. In such a case, it is sufficient that grooves are formed in each of the portions of the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90 that come into contact with the valve bodies.

Further, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the free end 8e in the initial mounting state where the valve body 8 is not bent is larger than the diameter of the outer peripheral edges of the first and second valve stoppers 9, 90. Therefore, when the valve body 8 comes into contact with the first (second) valve stopper 9 (90), the first (first) (first) rather than the gap formed between the free end 8e of the valve body 8 and the facing surface 5e. The gap formed between the valve stopper 9 (90) of the second) and the facing surface 5e becomes smaller, and it is possible to suppress the flow of liquid in the gap.

Hereinafter, the operation of the shock absorber D provided with the damping valve (valve) V according to the present embodiment will be described.

When the shock absorber D is extended, the piston 2 moves upward in the cylinder 1 to compress the extension side chamber L1, and the liquid in the extension side chamber L1 passes through the extension side main valve body 6 and the valve body 8 to the compression side chamber. Move to L2. Resistance is provided to the flow of the liquid by the extension side main valve body 6, the orifice formed by the notches 6a, 7a of each main valve body 6, 7 or the valve body 8, so that the extension side chamber The pressure of L1 rises, and the shock absorber D exerts an extension damping force that hinders the extension operation.

On the contrary, when the shock absorber D contracts, the piston 2 moves downward in the cylinder 1 to compress the compression side chamber L2, and the liquid in the compression side chamber L2 passes through the valve body 8 and the compression side main valve body 7. Move to the extension side chamber L1. Resistance is applied to the flow of the liquid by the main valve body 7 on the compression side, the orifice formed by the notches 6a and 7a of the main valve bodies 6 and 7, or the valve body 8, so that the compression side chamber L2 The pressure of the shock absorber D rises, and the shock absorber D exerts a compression side damping force that hinders the contraction operation.

Then, in the present embodiment, the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side are opened according to the piston speed, and the outer peripheral portion (end portion on the free end 8e side) of the valve body 8 is bent up and down. Therefore, the shock absorber D can generate a speed-dependent damping force depending on the piston speed.

More specifically, when the piston speed is in the extremely low speed range close to 0, the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side are closed, and the valve body 8 does not bend and its free end 8e faces the facing surface 5e. ing.

When the piston speed is in the extremely low speed region when the shock absorber D is extended, the liquid passes through the notches 6a and 7a of the main valves 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side and enters the skirt portion 4b from the extension side chamber L1. The gap P that flows in and flows downward in the middle of FIG. 2 between the communication passage 5c, the first valve stopper 9 and the case portion 5b, and is formed between the free end 8e and the facing surface 5e of the opposing valve bodies 8. It flows out from (FIG. 3) to the compression side chamber L2.

On the contrary, when the piston speed is in the extremely low speed region when the shock absorber D is contracted, the liquid is formed from the gap P between the free end 8e and the facing surface 5e of the valve body 8 facing each other from the compression side chamber L2 to the case portion 5b. It flows inward, flows upward in the communication passage 5c between the first valve stopper 9 and the case portion 5b, and extends from the notches 6a and 7a of the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side. It flows out to the concubine L1.

As described above, the opening area of the gap P formed between the free end 8e of the opposing valve bodies 8 and the facing surface 5e is very small. Therefore, when the piston speed is in the extremely low speed range, the shock absorber D is used. The damping force in the extremely low speed region due to the resistance when the liquid flows through the gap P is exhibited.

Further, when the piston speed becomes high and the piston speed is high and the piston speed is in the low speed range, the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side are closed, but the outer peripheral portion of the valve body 8 (the end on the free end 8e side). The portion) bends downward when it expands and upwards when it contracts, and the free end 8e of the valve body 8 and the facing surface 5e shift up and down. Then, the opening area of the gap formed between them becomes larger than the opening area of the orifice formed by the notches 6a and 7a.

Therefore, when the piston speed is in the low speed range, the shock absorber D exerts a damping force in the low speed range due to the resistance of the orifice formed by the notches 6a and 7a of the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side. It will be demonstrated. Then, when the piston speed shifts from the extremely low speed region to such a low speed region, the damping coefficient of the shock absorber D becomes smaller.

Further, when the piston speed is further increased and the valve body 8 escapes from the low speed range and is in the medium and high speed range, the outer peripheral portion of the valve body 8 is of course bent upward or downward, and the main valve body 6 on the extension side is not only bent upward or downward. When it opens and contracts, the main valve body 7 on the compression side opens.

In the present embodiment, when the extension side main valve body 6 is opened, the outer peripheral portion of the main valve body 6 bends downward, and the liquid can pass through the gap formed between the outer peripheral portion and the main valve case 4. It will be like. Similarly, when the main valve body 7 on the compression side is opened, the outer peripheral portion of the main valve body 7 bends upward, and the liquid can pass through the gap formed between the outer peripheral portion and the main valve case 4.

Therefore, when the piston speed is in the medium-high speed range, the shock absorber D exerts a damping force in the medium-high speed range due to the resistance of the gap created by opening the main valves 6 and 7 on the extension side or the compression side. Then, when the piston speed shifts from the low speed range to such a medium and high speed range, the damping coefficient of the shock absorber D becomes small.

It should be noted that the amount of deflection of the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side may be restricted in the middle of the medium and high speed range. In such a case, the damping coefficient increases again at the speed at which the amount of deflection of the main valve bodies 6 and 7 on the extension side and the compression side becomes maximum.

Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the damping valve (valve) V according to the present embodiment and the shock absorber D provided with the damping valve V will be described.

The damping valve (valve) V according to the present embodiment includes a valve case 5, an annular valve body 8 having an outer peripheral end having free ends 8e that can move to both sides in the axial direction with respect to the valve case 5, and a valve body 8 thereof. The facing portions 5d provided on the valve case 5 including the annular facing surface 5e which is located on the outer peripheral side of the 8 and can face the free end 8e with a gap P, and are located on both sides of the valve body 8 in the axial direction, respectively. The first and second valve stoppers (valve stoppers) 9, 90 are provided.

Further, the damping valve (valve) V according to the present embodiment is a room r1 surrounded by the valve body 8 and the first valve stopper 9 when the valve body 8 bends and comes into contact with the first valve stopper 9. A passage t1 that communicates to the outside and a passage t2 that communicates to the outside the room r2 surrounded by the valve body 8 and the second valve stopper 90 when the valve body 8 bends and comes into contact with the second valve stopper 90. To prepare for.

According to the above configuration, since the rooms r1 and r2 and the outside thereof are communicated with each other by the passages t1 and t2, the liquid is confined in the rooms r1 and r2, and the valve body 8 cannot be fully opened or the valve body 8 is completely opened. The opening / closing behavior of the valve body 8 can be stabilized without delaying closing from the state of being closed.

In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral end of the valve body 8 is a fixed end 8d and the outer peripheral end is a free end 8e, and the facing portion 5d is located on the outer peripheral side of the valve body 8, but on the contrary. The inner peripheral end of the valve body may be a free end and the outer peripheral end may be a fixed end, and a facing portion may be provided on the inner peripheral side of the valve body.

Further, in the present embodiment, the facing surface 5e is formed on the valve case 5 itself, and the facing portion 5d including the facing surface 5e and the fitting portion 5a on which the valve body 8 is laminated are integrally molded. Therefore, the number of parts of the damping valve V can be reduced to facilitate the assembly work. However, the facing portion 5d including the facing surface 5e and the valve case including the fitting portion 5a may be individually formed and then assembled and integrated.

Further, in the present embodiment, valve stoppers 9 and 90 are provided on both sides of the valve body 8 in the axial direction, respectively, and passages t1 and t2 are formed in both valve stoppers 9 and 90, respectively. A valve stopper 9 (90) having a passage t1 (t2) on only one side in the direction may be provided. Further, in the case where the valve stoppers 9 and 90 are provided on both sides of the valve body 8 in the axial direction, the opening / closing behavior of the valve body 8 is provided by providing the passage t1 (t2) only in one of the valve stoppers 9 (90). If is stable, the passage t2 (t1) of the other valve stopper 90 (9) may be omitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the passage t1 communicating the room r1 surrounded by the valve body 8 and the first valve stopper 9 to the outside is formed by the groove 9a formed in the first valve stopper 9. .. Similarly, a passage t2 communicating the room r2 surrounded by the valve body 8 and the second valve stopper 90 to the outside is formed by a groove 90a formed in the second valve stopper 90.

When the valve body 8 is used for generating a damping force in an extremely low speed region as in the present embodiment, the leaf valve constituting the valve body 8 is generally extremely thin. Therefore, as compared with the case where the grooves 9a and 90a for forming the passages t1 and t2 are provided in the valve body 8, those provided in the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90 as in the present embodiment. It is easy to form deep grooves 9a and 90a, and the passage area of the passages t1 and t2 can be increased.

Here, when there is no passage t1 and t2, or when the passage area of the passages t1 and t2 is very narrow, the pressure in the chambers r1 and r2 increases when the valve body 8 is fully opened, and the chambers r1 and r2 There is a pressure difference inside and outside. Then, a force in the valve closing direction acts on the valve body 8 to counteract the valve opening operation. On the contrary, when the valve body 8 moves from the fully opened state to the closing direction, the pressure in the chambers r1 and r2 decreases, and a pressure difference is generated inside and outside the chambers r1 and r2. Then, a force in the valve opening direction acts on the valve body 8 to counteract the valve closing operation.

Therefore, if a pressure difference is generated inside and outside the chambers r1 and r2, the smooth opening / closing operation of the valve body 8 is hindered. Further, the valve body 8 may vibrate and generate an abnormal noise depending on the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the rooms r1 and r2.

On the other hand, as described above, if the grooves 9a and 90a are formed in the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90, the flow path area of the passages t1 and t2 can be increased, so that the inside and outside of the chambers r1 and r2 can be increased. The pressure difference that occurs can be reduced. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the valve body 8 can be smoothly opened and closed, and the vibration of the valve body 8 can be suppressed to suppress the generation of abnormal noise.

It should be noted that such an effect can be obtained by forming passages t1 and t2 in the first and second valve stoppers 9 and 90. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a hole 9b may be formed in the first valve stopper 9A, and the passage t1 may be formed by the hole 9b. Further, in such a case, when the valve body 8 is configured to have a plurality of leaf valves, a gap P for generating a damping force in an extremely low speed region is formed between the valve body 8 and the facing surface 5e. By facing the opening of the hole 9b to the portion of the leaf valve of the main) exposed from the other leaf valves, it is possible to prevent the closing delay of at least the central leaf valve and prevent the generation of the damping force in the extremely low speed region from being delayed. And, of course, such a configuration may be applied to the second valve stopper 90.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a groove 8f may be formed on the upper side of the valve body 8A, and the passage t1 may be formed by the groove 8f. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a groove and a hole for forming the passage t1 in the first valve stopper 9B facing the groove 8f.

Further, since the rigidity of the valve body 8A changes according to the position, number, and shape of the grooves 8f, when the groove 8f is provided, the groove 8f becomes a tuning element for exerting a desired damping force on the shock absorber. It also becomes. Of course, the groove 8f may be formed on the lower side of the valve body 8A, and the groove 90a of the second valve stopper 90 may be eliminated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a hole 8g may be formed in the valve body 8B so as to penetrate the valve body 8B in the axial direction, and passages t1 and t2 may be formed by the hole 8g. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide grooves and holes for forming passages t1 and t2 in both the first and second valve stoppers 9B and 90A located on both the upper and lower sides of the valve body 8B.

Further, in a state where the free end 8e of the valve body 8B faces the facing surface 5e, the liquid can pass through the passages t1 and t2 in addition to the gap formed between them. Therefore, the damping force in the extremely low speed region changes according to the size of the hole 8g. Therefore, when the hole 8g is provided, the hole 8g also serves as a tuning element for causing the shock absorber to exert a desired damping force.

Further, in the case where the passages t1 and t2 are formed by the holes 8g penetrating the valve body 8B and the valve body 8B is configured to have a plurality of leaf valves, a pole is formed between the valve body 8B and the facing surface 5e. By forming a hole 8g in the part exposed from the other leaf valves in the central (main) leaf valve that forms the gap P for generating the damping force in the low speed range, at least the closing delay of the central leaf valve is prevented and the extremely low speed range is prevented. It is possible to prevent the generation of the damping force of the above from being delayed.

As described above, the configuration for forming the passages t1 and t2 can be appropriately changed. These changes are possible regardless of whether the inner peripheral end or the outer peripheral end of the valve body 8 is a free end, and of course, whether or not the facing portion 5d is integrally molded with the valve case 5. It is possible regardless.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the valve body 8C is configured to have a plurality of leaf valves 8a, 8b, 8c having different outer diameters, and the plurality of leaf valves 8a, 8b are located at different positions in the radial direction. When abutting on one valve stopper 9B, the leaf valve 8a which is laminated on the leaf valve 8b which abuts on the first valve stopper 9B on the outermost peripheral side and abuts on the first valve stopper 9B on the inner peripheral side thereof. It is preferable to form a notch 8h on the outer peripheral portion.

According to the above configuration, even when a plurality of leaf valves 8a and 8b come into contact with the first valve stopper 9B at different positions in the radial direction, it is possible to prevent the room r1 from being partitioned by the leaf valve 8a.

When a plurality of leaf valves 8b and 8c abut on the second valve stopper 90 at different positions in the radial direction, they are laminated on the leaf valve 8b that abuts on the second valve stopper 90 on the outermost side and more than that. A notch may be formed in the outer peripheral portion of the leaf valve 8c that abuts on the second valve stopper 90 on the inner peripheral side.

Further, when the inner peripheral end of the valve body is a free end, the valve body is configured to have a plurality of leaf valves having different inner diameters, and the plurality of leaf valves are located at different positions in the radial direction. When abutting on the valve stopper, a notch may be formed on the outer peripheral portion of the leaf valve which is laminated on the leaf valve which abuts on the valve stopper on the innermost peripheral side and which abuts on the valve stopper on the outer peripheral side.

In this way, if a notch is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the leaf valve that is laminated on the leaf valve that abuts on the valve stopper on the most free end side and abuts on the valve stopper, the valve body has its inner peripheral end as the free end. Even in this case, even if the outer peripheral end is a free end, it is possible to prevent the room from being partitioned by the leaf valve. In addition, instead of the notch, a groove or a hole may be provided to prevent the room from being partitioned.

Such a change is possible regardless of whether or not the facing portion 5d is integrally molded with the valve case 5, and of course, it depends on the configuration of the passages t1 and t2 communicating the rooms r1 and r2 and the outside thereof. It is possible. Specifically, in FIG. 10, the passage t1 is formed by the groove 8f formed in the valve body 8, and the passage t1 has a groove or a hole formed in the valve stopper, or the valve body in the axial direction. It may be formed by a hole penetrating through.

Further, the shock absorber D of the present embodiment includes a cylinder 1, a piston rod 3 movably inserted into the cylinder 1 in the axial direction, and a damping valve (valve) V. Then, the damping valve (valve) V imparts resistance to the flow of liquid generated when the cylinder 1 and the piston rod 3 move relative to each other in the axial direction. Therefore, when the shock absorber D expands and contracts and the cylinder 1 and the piston rod 3 move relative to each other in the axial direction, the damping force due to the resistance of the damping valve (valve) V can be exerted.

Further, the damping valve (valve) V of the present embodiment has a main valve case 4 in which the passages 4c and 4d are formed, and main valve bodies 6 and 7 which are laminated on the main valve case 4 to open and close the passages 4c and 4d. And prepare. The passages 4c and 4d of the main valve case 4 are connected in series with the gap P formed between the free end 8e of the valve body 8 and the facing surface 5e.

As described above, when the damping valve V is configured by having the main valve bodies 6 and 7 and the valve body 8, the region of the piston speed at which the valve body 8 is flexed and the piston that opens the main valve bodies 6 and 7 are formed. Since each speed region can be set, the damping force characteristic of the shock absorber D can be set in detail.

However, the valve body 8 does not necessarily have to be used in combination with the main valve bodies 6 and 7. In the above description, the region of the piston speed is an extremely low speed region in which the valve body 8 does not bend and the main valve bodies 6 and 7 are maintained in a closed state, and the valve body 8 bends but the main valve body. 6 and 7 are divided into a low speed region which is a closed region and a medium and high speed region which is a region where the valve body 8 bends and the main valve bodies 6 and 7 open. However, the region of the piston speed may be divided in any way, and the threshold value of each region can be arbitrarily set.

Further, the damping valve (valve) V according to the present embodiment is embodied in the piston portion mounted on the piston rod 3 of the shock absorber D. However, the rod that goes in and out of the cylinder does not necessarily have to be the piston rod to which the piston is attached, and the position where the damping valve V is provided is not limited to the piston portion. For example, as described above, when the shock absorber has a reservoir chamber and the volume of the piston rod entering and exiting the cylinder is compensated in this reservoir chamber, the damping valve V is provided in the middle of the passage communicating the inside of the cylinder and the reservoir chamber. May be provided.

Of course, these changes can be made regardless of whether the inner peripheral end or the outer peripheral end of the valve body 8 is a free end, and whether the facing portion 5d is integrally molded with the valve case 5. It is possible regardless of the configuration of the passages t1 and t2 that communicate the chambers r1 and r2 surrounded by the valve body 8 and the first and second valve stoppers to the outside thereof.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, they can be modified, modified, and modified as long as they do not deviate from the claims.

D ... shock absorber, P ... gap, r1, r2 ... room, t1, t2 ... passage, V ... damping valve (valve), 1 ... cylinder, 3 ... rod (Piston rod), 5 ... Valve case, 5d ... Facing part, 5e ... Facing surface, 8,8A, 8B, 8C ... Valve body, 8a, 8b, 8c ... Leaf valve, 8e ... free end, 8f ... groove, 8g ... hole, 8h ... notch, 9,9A, 9B ... first valve stopper (valve stopper), 9a ... groove, 9b ... hole, 90, 90A ... second valve stopper (valve stopper), 90a ... groove

Claims (6)

With the valve case,
An annular valve body whose outer peripheral end is a free end that can move to both sides in the axial direction with respect to the valve case.
An annular facing surface located on the outer peripheral side of the valve body and capable of facing the free end with a gap, and a facing portion provided in the valve case.
Valve stoppers located on one or both sides of the valve body in the axial direction,
An annular seat that is interposed between the valve body and the valve stopper and serves as a fulcrum for the deflection of the valve body.
It is provided with a passage that communicates the valve body and the room surrounded by the valve stopper to the outside when the valve body bends and comes into contact with the valve stopper.
The passage is formed by a groove formed in the valve stopper.
A valve characterized in that the end on the inner peripheral side of the valve stopper in the groove is formed on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral end of the spacer. With the valve case,
An annular valve body in which one of the inner peripheral end and the outer peripheral end is a free end that can move to both sides in the axial direction with respect to the valve case.
An annular facing surface located on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the valve body and capable of facing the free end with a gap, and a facing portion provided in the valve case.
Valve stoppers located on one or both sides of the valve body in the axial direction,
It is provided with a passage that communicates the valve body and the room surrounded by the valve stopper to the outside when the valve body bends and comes into contact with the valve stopper.
The valve body is configured by stacking a plurality of leaf valves having different outer diameters or inner diameters, and the plurality of leaf valves are in contact with the valve stopper at different positions in the radial direction.
Among the plurality of leaf valves, a notch is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the leaf valve that is laminated on the leaf valve that abuts on the valve stopper on the most free end side and that abuts on the valve stopper. valve. The valve case fixed to the rod and
An annular valve body whose outer peripheral end is a free end that can move to both sides in the axial direction with respect to the valve case.
An annular facing surface located on the outer peripheral side of the valve body and capable of facing the free end with a gap, and a facing portion provided in the valve case.
Valve stoppers located on one or both sides of the valve body in the axial direction,
It is provided with a passage that communicates the room surrounded by the valve body and the valve stopper to the outside of the valve stopper with which the valve body abuts when the valve body bends and comes into contact with the valve stopper .
A valve characterized in that the valve stopper arranged on one side in the axial direction of the valve body is a piston nut for fixing the valve body to the rod. The valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the passage is formed by a groove or a hole formed in the valve stopper. The valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the passage is formed by a groove or a hole formed in the valve body. Cylinder and
A rod that is movably inserted into the cylinder in the axial direction,
The valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided.
The valve is a shock absorber characterized by providing resistance to the flow of liquid generated when the cylinder and the rod move relative to each other in the axial direction.

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