Shock Absorber

A shock absorber utilizes an internal passage design and cooperates with at least one flow-restricting member and elastic member to change the flow speed and displacement during the extension and retraction of the shock absorber, so as to make the extending and retracting speeds of the shock absorber different for buffering the shake wave to the house, thus reducing the force shaking the house in the earthquake.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shock absorber, and more particularly to a shock absorber which can defeat the inertia to slow the energy compression speed and increase the energy release speed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Taiwan is located at the active plate boundary between the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Sea plate. The huge pressure generated by the collision between the two plates will cause earthquake, and different quake-hit areas in the same earthquake will have different situations.

So far, Taiwan has certain knowledge about earthquake, but is still unable to forecast precisely where and when the quake occurs is going to happen. Living in such an unstable geological environment, we can't stop an earthquake, but we can do something to reduce the damage caused by it.

The owner of this application, with many years of technology and experiences in the field of shock absorber, has developed a shock absorber which can solve the above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a shock absorber, which can defeat the inertia displacement of the shock absorber to slow the retracting speed to absorb energy and increase the extending speed to release the energy.

In order to achieve the above objective, the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention comprises a driving member, a first flow-restricting member, a holder and a second flow-restricting member.

the driving member includes a driven rod and a piston, one end of the driven rod is assembled with one end of the piston, the piston is formed with a flow-restricting passage. The first flow-restricting member includes a through hole for insertion of the piston, and a flow-restricting portion for cooperating with the flow-restricting passage of the piston. The holder includes an inner tube, a first leak-proof member, a second leak-proof member, a positioning member and an outer tube, the inner tube is used for insertion of the piston of the driving member, both ends of the inner tube are engaged with the first leak-proof member and the second leak-proof member to define a first inner space, the first leak-proof member is provided for insertion of the driven rod of the driving member, the second leak-proof member includes at least one flow-restricting passage, one end of the flow-restricting passage penetrates one end of the second leak-proof member, and the other end of the flow-restricting passage penetrates a side of the second leak-proof member. One end of the positioning member is assembled with one end of the second leak-proof member. The first leak-proof member, the inner tube and the second leak-proof member are disposed in the outer tube and define a second inner space. The flow-restricting passage of the second leak-proof member communicates with the first inner space and the second inner space, respectively. The second flow-restricting member includes a through hole and a flow-restricting portion, the through hole is provided for insertion of the positioning member and assembled with the leak-proof member, and the flow-restricting portion of the second flow-restricting member is provided for cooperating with the second leak-proof member.

To summarize, the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:

The buffer liquid in the shock absorber utilizes the flow-restricting passage, the flow-restricting portion of the first flow-restricting member, the flow-restricting passage of the second leak-proof member and the flow-restricting portion of the second flow-restricting member to cooperate with the first inner space and the second inner space to change the flow speed, respectively to change the flow speed by ways of changing the inner flow passages; and under the condition that the second flow-restricting is restricted by the positioning member, the distance between the second flow-restricting member and the second leak-proof member can be changed with the movement of the piston, when the shock absorber retracts, the speed at which the buffer liquid flows from the first inner space to the second inner space will decrease, when the shock absorber extends, the speed at which the buffer liquid flows from the second inner space to the first inner space will increase, so that the retracting speed of the shock absorber is smaller than the extending speed of the shock absorber. The shock absorber retracts more slowly to absorb energy, and the shock absorber extends more quickly to release energy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a shock absorber in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first cross-sectional view of the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a second cross-sectional view of the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates how the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention is used;

FIG. 5 illustrates the state of the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention before the earthquake occurs;

FIG. 6 illustrates the state of the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention after the earthquake occurs; and

FIG. 7 illustrates that the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention is assembled with springs.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be clearer from the following description when viewed together with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a shock absorber in accordance with the present invention comprises: a driving member 10, a first flow-restricting member 20, a holder 30, a second flow-restricting member 40 and an elastic member 50.

The driving member 10 includes a connecting head 11, a driven rod 12 and a piston 13.

The connecting head 11 is formed with a radial restricting hole 111 at one end thereof, and the other end of the connecting head 11 is axially defined with an assembling portion 112 in the form of an inner threaded hole.

The driven rod 12 is formed at one end thereof with a first assembling portion 121 which is in the form of an outer threaded portion for screwing with the assembling portion 112 of the connecting head 11, and formed at the other end thereof with a second assembling portion 122 which is in the form of an inner threaded hole to be matched with the piston 13.

The piston 13 has one end formed with an assembling portion 131 in the form of an outer threaded portion to be screwed with the second assembling portion 122 of the driven rod 12. Around the outer surface of the piston 13 are defined three spaced-apart grooves 132 for accommodation of two stopping members 133 and a wear-resistance member 134, respectively. The stopping members 133 and the wear-resistance member 134 are all O rings. The piston 13 is axially formed with an eccentric flow-restricting passage 135.

The first flow-restricting member 20 is a flat piece being axially defined with a central through hole 21 for insertion of the assembling portion 131 of the piston 13, and at the outer edge of the first flow-restricting member 20 is formed a flow-restricting portion 22. When the assembling portion 131 of the piston 13 is assembled with the second assembling portion 122 of the driven rod 12, the flow-restricting member 20 is pressed onto the piston 13 by the driven rod 12 in such a manner that the flow-restricting portion 22 of the first flow-restricting member 20 cooperates with the flow-restricting passage 135.

The holder 30 includes an inner tube 31, a first leak-proof member 32, a second leak-proof member 33, a positioning member 34 and an outer tube 35.

The inner tube 31 is used for axial insertion of the piston 13 of the driving member 10, such that the piston 13 is in contact with the inner surface 31 of the holder 30 via the stopping members 133 and the wear-resistance 134.

The first leak-proof member 32 is axially defined with a through hole 321 in which are disposed a bush 322, a stopping member 323 and a guiding member 324, respectively, which are all O rings. The through hole 321 of the first leak-proof member 32 is provided for axial insertion of the driven rod 12 of the driving member 10 in such a manner that the first leak-proof member 32 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the driven rod 12 by the bush 322, stopping member 323 and guiding member 324. Around the outer surface of the first leak-proof member 32 are defined two spaced-apart grooves 325 for accommodation of two stopping members 326, respectively, which are O rings. One end of the first leak-proof member 32 is engaged with one end of the inner tube 31, and the outer surface of the first leak-proof member 32 abuts against one end inner surface of the outer tube 35.

The second leak-proof member 33 is defined in the outer surface thereof with two spaced-apart grooves 331 for accommodation of two stopping members 332 which are all O rings. One end of the second leak-proof member 33 is defined with an assembling portion 333 which is cylinder-shaped. Around the outer surface of the second leak-proof member 33 is formed a groove 334 for accommodation of a stopping member 335. The second leak-proof member 33 is further provided with two flow-restricting passages 336 that are not connected to each other. One end of each of the flow-restricting passages 336 penetrates one end of the second leak-proof member 33, and the other end of each of the flow-restricting passages 336 penetrates a side of the second leak-proof member 33. The other end of the second leak-proof member 33 is axially defined with a connecting head 337 which is formed with a radial restricting hole 338.

The positioning member 34 has one end to be axially assembled with the assembling portion 333 of the second leak-proof member 33. The assembling portion 333 of the second leak-proof member 33 is engaged with the other end of the inner tube 31, and the outer surface of the second leak-proof member 33 abuts against the other end inner surface of the outer tube 35.

Both ends of the inner tube 31 are engaged with the first leak-proof member 32 and the second leak-proof member 33 to define a first inner pace A. Subsequently, the first leak-proof member 32, the inner tube 31 and the second leak-proof member 33 are placed into the outer tube 35. The outer surface of the first leak-proof member 32 is in contact with one end inner surface of the outer tube 32 via the stopping members 326, and the outer surface of the second leak-proof member 33 is in contact with the other end inner surface of the outer tube 35 via the stopping members 332 in such a manner that a second inner space B is defined between the inner tube 31 and the outer tube 35. In addition, one end of each of the flow-restricting passages 336 of the second leak-proof member 33 communicates with first inner space A, and the other end of each of the flow-restricting passages 336 of the second leak-proof member 33 communicates with the second inner space B.

The second flow-restricting member 40 is a flat piece being axially defined with a central through hole 41 for insertion of the positioning member 34, and at the outer surface of the second flow-restricting member 40 is formed with a flow-restricting portion 42. When the positioning member 34 is inserted through the through hole 41 of the second flow-restricting member 40 and then assembled with the assembling portion 333 of the second leak-proof member 33, the second flow-restricting member 41 is pressed onto the second leak-proof member 33 by the positioning member 34 in such a manner that the flow-restricting portion 42 of the second flow-restricting member 40 cooperates the flow-restricting passage 336 of the second leak-proof member 33.

The elastic member 50 is a spring mounted on the positioning member 34. One end of the elastic member 50 elastically abuts against the positioning member 34, and the other end of the elastic member 50 elastically abuts against the second leak-proof member 33.

The first inner space A and the second inner space B of the holder 30 are both pre-filled with an appropriate amount of buffer liquid. The restricting hole 111 of the connecting head 11 of the driving member 10 and the restricting hole 338 of the connecting head 337 of the second leak-proof member 33 respectively cooperate with positioning pieces and screws to position the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention between two beams (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), so that when the beams are subjected to external force to shake (please refer to FIG. 6), the driving member 10 and the holder 30 of the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention will extend and retract axially.

When the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention retracts, the driving member 10 will utilize the driven rod 12 to drive the piston 13 to move axially from the first leak-proof member 32 to the second leak-proof member 33 in the inner tube 31, so that the buffer liquid between the piston 13 and the second leak-proof member 33 will be compressed to press the second flow-restricting member 40 to abut against assembling portion 333 of the second leak-proof member 33 closely. As a result, the speed at which the buffer liquid in the first inner space A flow to the second inner space B will decrease.

While the piston 13 moves forwards, under the condition that the first inner space A is fixed, the buffer liquid in the space defined between the piston 13 and the second leak-proof member 33 will move toward the space defined between the first leak-proof member 32 and the piston 13. The flow of the buffer liquid will be restricted by the flow-restricting passage 135 of the piston 13 and the flow-restricting portion 22 of the first flow-restricting member 20, and the flow speed of the buffer liquid can be changed by changing the inner flow passage space.

When the shock absorber in accordance with the present invention extends, the driving member 10 will utilize the driven rod 12 to drive the piston 13 to move axially from the second leak-proof member 33 to the first leak-proof member 32 in the inner tube 31, and the buffer liquid between the piston 13 and the first leak-proof member 32 will be compressed by the piston, so that the second flow-restricting member 40 will not be pressed to abut against the assembling portion 333 of the second leak-proof member 33 closely. As a result, the speed at which the buffer liquid in the second inner space B flow to the second inner space B through the flow-restricting passage 336 of the second leak-proof member 33 will increase.

While the piston 13 moves forwards, under the condition that the first inner space A is fixed, the buffer liquid in the space defined between the piston 13 and the first leak-proof member 32 will move toward the space defined between the second leak-proof member 33 and the piston 13. The flow of the buffer liquid will be restricted by the flow-restricting passage 135 of the piston 13 and the flow-restricting portion 22 of the first flow-restricting member 20. By such arrangements, the flow-restricting passage 135 of the piston 13 and the flow-restricting portion 22 of the first flow-restricting member 20 can provide such a flow speed that the inertia displacement of the shock absorber can be defeated to decrease the retracting speed of the shock absorber to absorb energy and increase the extending speed of the shock absorber to release the energy. The flow speed of the buffer liquid can be changed by changing the inner flow passage space.

Referring to FIG. 7, the piston 13 is provided with an elastic member 60 at each of two ends thereof in the first inner space A. The elastic members 60 are provided to retain and position the shock absorber for preventing the shock absorber from being shaken to deform uncontrollably.

The above shock absorber is applicable to houses, motorcycles, cars or mechanical equipments.

While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shock absorber comprising:

a driving member including a driven rod and a piston, the driven rod being formed at one end thereof with an assembling portion, the piston being formed at one end thereof with an assembling portion to be assembled with the assembling portion of the driven rod, the piston being axially formed with a flow-restricting passage;
a first flow-restricting member including a through hole and a flow-restricting portion, the assembling portion of the piston being inserted through the through hole of the first flow-restricting member, and the flow-restricting member being positioned on the piston by the driven rod in such a manner that the flow-restricting portion of the first flow-restricting member cooperates with the flow-restricting passage of the piston;
a holder including an inner tube, a first leak-proof member, a second leak-proof member, a positioning member and an outer tube, the inner tube being used for insertion of the piston of the driving member, the first leak-proof member being axially defined with a through hole for insertion of the driven rod of the driving member, one end of the first leak-proof member being engaged with one end of the inner tube, an outer surface of the first leak-proof member abutting against one end inner surface of the outer tube, one end of the second leak-proof member being engaged with the other end of the inner tube, an outer surface of the second leak-proof member abutting against the other end inner surface of the outer tube, the second leak-proof member including at least one flow-restricting passage, one end of the flow-restricting passage penetrating one end of the second leak-proof member, and the other end of the flow-restricting passage penetrating a side of the second leak-proof member, one end of the positioning member being assembled with one end of the second leak-proof member, the inner tube, the first leak-proof member and the second leak-proof member defining a first inner space, the first leak-proof member, the inner tube and the second leak-proof member being disposed in the outer tube and defining a second inner space, the flow-restricting passage of the second leak-proof member communicating with the first inner space and the second inner space, respectively; and
a second flow-restricting member including a through hole and a flow-restricting portion, the through hole of the second flow-restricting member being provided for insertion of the positioning member and assembled with the second leak-proof member in such a manner that the flow-restricting portion of the second flow-restricting member cooperates with the flow-restricting passage of the second leak-proof member.

2. The shock absorber as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an elastic member between the positioning member and the second leak-proof member, the elastic member being mounted on the positioning member, one end of the elastic member elastically abutting against the positioning member, and the other end of the elastic member elastically abutting against the second leak-proof member.

3. The shock absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembling portion of the driven rod of the driving member is in the form of an inner threaded hole, the assembling portion of the piston of the driving member is in the form of an outer threaded portion, around an outer surface of the piston are defined at least two spaced-apart grooves for accommodation of stopping members and wear-resistance members, respectively;

an inner surface of the inner tube of the holder is in contact with the stopping members and wear-resistance members of the piston of the driving member, the through hole of the first leak-proof member is provided with a bush, a stopping member and a guiding member, the first leak-proof member of the holder is brought into contact with an outer surface of the driven rod by the bush, stopping member and guiding member, around the outer surface of the first leak-proof member is defined at least one groove for accommodation of at least one stopping member, around the outer surface of the second leak-proof member is defined at least one groove for accommodation of at least one stopping member, one end of the second leak-proof member is defined with an assembling portion for assembling with one end of the positioning member, the assembling portion of the second leak-proof member is engaged with the inner tube; and
the positioning member is inserted through the second flow-restricting member and then assembled with the assembling portion of the second leak-proof member, so that the second flow-restricting member is positioned on the second leak-proof member by the positioning member.

4. A shock absorber comprising:

a driving member including a driven rod and a piston, the driven rod being assembled with the piston, the piston including a flow-restricting passage;
a first flow-restricting member being mounted on the piston and including a flow-restricting portion, the flow-restricting member being positioned on the piston by the driven rod in such a manner that the flow-restricting portion of the first flow-restricting member cooperates with the flow-restricting passage;
a holder including an inner tube, a first leak-proof member, a second leak-proof member, a positioning member and an outer tube, the inner tube being used for insertion of the piston of the driving member, the first leak-proof member being axially defined with a through hole for insertion of the driven rod of the driving member, one end of the first leak-proof member being engaged with one end of the inner tube, an outer surface of the first leak-proof member abutting against one end inner surface of the outer tube, one end of the second leak-proof member being engaged with the other end of the inner tube, an outer surface of the second leak-proof member abutting against the other end inner surface of the outer tube, the second leak-proof member including at least one flow-restricting passage, one end of the flow-restricting passage penetrating one end of the second leak-proof member, and the other end of the flow-restricting passage penetrating a side of the second leak-proof member, one end of the positioning member being assembled with one end of the second leak-proof member, the inner tube, the first leak-proof member and the second leak-proof member defining a first inner space, the first leak-proof member, the inner tube and the second leak-proof member being disposed in the outer tube and defining a second inner space, the flow-restricting passage of the second leak-proof member communicating with the first inner space and the second inner space, respectively; and
a second flow-restricting member being provided for insertion of the positioning member and assembled with the second leak-proof member, the second flow-restricting member including a flow-restricting portion, between the positioning member and the second leak-proof member is disposed an elastic member mounted on the positioning member, one end of the elastic member elastically abutting against the positioning member, and the other end of the elastic member elastically abutting against the second leak-proof member, the second flow-restricting member cooperates with the flow-restricting passage of the second leak-proof member.

5. The shock absorber as claimed in claim 4, wherein the driven rod is formed at one end thereof with an assembling portion, the piston is formed at one end thereof with an assembling portion to be assembled with the assembling portion of the driven rod, the piston is axially formed with the flow-restricting passage.

6. The shock absorber as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

the driven rod of the driving member is in the form of an inner threaded hole, the piston of the driving member is in the form of an outer threaded portion, around an outer surface of the piston are defined at least two spaced-apart grooves for accommodation of stopping members and wear-resistance members, respectively;
an inner surface of the inner tube of the holder is in contact with the stopping members and wear-resistance members of the piston of the driving member, the through hole of the first leak-proof member is provided with a bush, a stopping member and a guiding member, the first leak-proof member of the holder is brought into contact with an outer surface of the driven rod by the bush, stopping member and guiding member, around the outer surface of the first leak-proof member is defined at least one groove for accommodation of at least one stopping member, around the outer surface of the second leak-proof member is defined at least one groove for accommodation of at least one stopping member, one end of the second leak-proof member is defined with an assembling portion for assembling with one end of the positioning member, the assembling portion of the second leak-proof member is engaged with the inner tube; and
the positioning member is inserted through the second flow-restricting member and then assembled with the assembling portion of the second leak-proof member, so that the second flow-restricting member is positioned on the second leak-proof member by the positioning member.

7. A shock absorber comprising a driving member, a first flow-restricting member, a second flow-restricting member and an elastic member; wherein:

the driving member includes a connecting head, a driven rod and a piston, the connecting head is formed with a radial restricting hole at one end thereof, and the other end of the connecting head is axially defined with an assembling portion in the form of an inner threaded hole, the driven rod is formed at one end thereof with a first assembling portion which is in the form of an outer threaded portion for screwing with the assembling portion of the connecting head, and formed at the other end thereof with a second assembling portion which is in the form of an inner threaded hole to be matched with the piston, the piston is formed at one end thereof with an assembling portion in the form of an outer threaded portion to be screwed with the second assembling portion of the driven rod, around an outer surface of the piston are defined three spaced-apart grooves for accommodation of two stopping members and a wear-resistance member, respectively, the stopping members and the wear-resistance member are all O rings, the piston is axially formed with an eccentric flow-restricting passage;
the first flow-restricting member is a flat piece being axially defined with a central through hole for insertion of the assembling portion of the piston, and at an outer edge of the first flow-restricting member is formed a flow-restricting portion, When the assembling portion of the piston is assembled with the second assembling portion of the driven rod, the flow-restricting member is pressed onto the piston by the driven rod in such a manner that the flow-restricting portion of the first flow-restricting member cooperates with the flow-restricting passage;
the holder includes an inner tube, a first leak-proof member, a second leak-proof member, a positioning member and an outer tube, the inner tube is used for axial insertion of the piston of the driving member, such that the piston is in contact with an inner surface of the holder via the stopping members and the wear-resistance, the first leak-proof member is axially defined with a through hole in which are disposed a bush, a stopping member and a guiding member, respectively, which are all O rings, the through hole of the first leak-proof member is provided for axial insertion of the driven rod of the driving member in such a manner that the first leak-proof member is brought into contact with the outer surface of the driven rod by the bush, stopping member and guiding member, around an outer surface of the first leak-proof member are defined two spaced-apart grooves for accommodation of two stopping members, respectively, which are O rings, one end of the first leak-proof member is engaged with one end of the inner tube, and the outer surface of the first leak-proof member abuts against one end inner surface of the outer tube, the second leak-proof member is defined in an outer surface thereof with two spaced-apart grooves for accommodation of two stopping members which are all O rings, one end of the second leak-proof member is defined with an assembling portion which is cylinder-shaped, around the outer surface of the second leak-proof member is formed a groove for accommodation of a stopping member, the second leak-proof member is further provided with two flow-restricting passages that are not connected to each other, one end of each of the flow-restricting passages penetrates one end of the second leak-proof member, and the other end of each of the flow-restricting passages penetrates a side of the second leak-proof member, the other end of the second leak-proof member is axially defined with a connecting head which is formed with a radial restricting hole, the positioning member has one end to be axially assembled with the assembling portion of the second leak-proof member, the assembling portion of the second leak-proof member is engaged with the other end of the inner tube, and the outer surface of the second leak-proof member abuts against the other end inner surface of the outer tube, both ends of the inner tube are engaged with the first leak-proof member and the second leak-proof member to define a first inner pace, subsequently, the first leak-proof member, the inner tube and the second leak-proof member are placed into the outer tube, the outer surface of the first leak-proof member is in contact with the one end inner surface of the outer tube via the stopping members, and the outer surface of the second leak-proof member is in contact with the other end inner surface of the outer tube via the stopping members in such a manner that a second inner space is defined between the inner tube and the outer tube, one end of each of the flow-restricting passages of the second leak-proof member communicates with first inner space, and the other end of each of the flow-restricting passages of the second leak-proof member communicates with the second inner space;
the second flow-restricting member is a flat piece being axially defined with a central through hole for insertion of the positioning member, and at an outer surface of the second flow-restricting member is formed with a flow-restricting portion, when the positioning member is inserted through the through hole of the second flow-restricting member and then assembled with the assembling portion of the second leak-proof member, the second flow-restricting member is pressed onto the second leak-proof member by the positioning member in such a manner that the flow-restricting portion of the second flow-restricting member cooperates with the flow-restricting passage of the second leak-proof member; and
the elastic member is a spring mounted on the positioning member, one end of the elastic member elastically abuts against the positioning member, and the other end of the elastic member elastically abuts against the second leak-proof member;

8. The shock absorber as claimed in claim 7, wherein the piston is provided with an elastic member at each of two ends thereof in the first inner space, the elastic members of the piston are provided for retaining and positioning the shock absorber.

Patent History
Publication number: 20100011681
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 21, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 21, 2010
Inventor: Wei-Hua Chiang (Hsinchu County)
Application Number: 12/176,528
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Dynamic Force Generator (52/167.2)
International Classification: E04B 1/98 (20060101);