METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR POSITION SENSITIVE SUSPENSION DAMPING

摘要

An apparatus and system are disclosed that provide position sensitive suspension damping. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid-filled cylinder. A vented path in the piston may be fluidly coupled to a bore formed in one end of the piston rod, creating a flow path for fluid to flow from a first side of the piston to a second side of the piston during a compression stroke. The flow path may be blocked by a needle configured to engage the bore as the damping unit is substantially fully compressed, thereby causing the damping rate of the damping unit to increase. In one embodiment, the piston includes multiple bypass flow paths operable during the compression stroke or the rebound stroke of the damping unit. One or more of the bypass flow paths may be restricted by one or more shims mounted on the piston.

主权项

1. A vehicle suspension damper comprising:
a cylinder having a compression chamber and a rebound chamber and containing at least a portion of a piston rod having a piston attached thereto, wherein the piston borders each of the compression chamber and the rebound chamber and a bore extends inwardly of the piston and the piston rod from an end of the piston rod facing the compression chamber; a damping fluid within the cylinder, the damping fluid moveable inwardly and outwardly of the bore; a needle extending inwardly of the cylinder and having an end thereof positioned for receipt within the bore during at least a portion of the movement of the piston in the direction of the compression chamber; and a valve disposed at the opening of the bore in the end of the piston rod configured to receive the needle therethrough.