Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston assembly including a first disc, a second disc, and a piston body including first and second surfaces and first and second fluid passages, a first circumferential wall surrounding the first fluid passage, and a first circumferential land positioned at a distal end of the first circumferential wall. The first circumferential land is located away from the first surface and the first disc is selectively driven into engagement with the first circumferential land. A second circumferential wall surrounds the second fluid passage and includes an angled notch in fluid communication with the second fluid passage. A second circumferential land is positioned at a distal end of the second circumferential wall between the first surface and the first circumferential land. The second disc includes a first portion in sealing engagement with the second circumferential land and a second portion spaced apart from the piston body.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle including a pressure tube defining a fluid chamber, a piston body disposed within the fluid chamber, and a valve assembly. The piston body divides the fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston body defines a first bleed passage and a first blowoff passage that each extend through the piston body between the upper working chamber and the lower working chamber. The valve assembly includes a restriction disc including a ring, a first finger extending radially outward from the ring, and a second finger extending radially outward from the ring. The first finger is configured to cover the first bleed passage, the first finger having a first bleed orifice, wherein the first bleed orifice remains open regardless of position of the restriction disc. The second finger is configured to at least partially cover the first blowoff passage.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle including a pressure tube, a piston rod, and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a first disc, a second disc, and a piston body. The piston body includes first and second surfaces and first and second fluid passages. The piston body further includes a first circumferential land surrounding the first fluid passage and a second circumferential land surrounding the second fluid passage. The first circumferential land is located a first distance from the first surface. The first disc is selectively driven into engagement with the first circumferential land. The second circumferential land is located a second distance from the first surface. The second circumferential land is between the first surface and the first circumferential land. The second disc includes a first portion in sealing engagement with the second circumferential land and a second portion spaced apart from the piston body.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a rod elongated along an axis. The damper assembly includes a body supported by the rod, the body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body and the rod define a passage between the body and the rod, the passage extending from the first surface of the body to the second surface of the body.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle including a pressure tube defining a fluid chamber, a piston body disposed within the fluid chamber, and a valve assembly. The piston body divides the fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston body defines a first bleed passage and a first blowoff passage that each extend through the piston body between the upper working chamber and the lower working chamber. The valve assembly includes a restriction disc including a ring, a first finger extending radially outward from the ring, and a second finger extending radially outward from the ring. The first finger is configured to cover the first bleed passage, the first finger having a first bleed orifice, wherein the first bleed orifice remains open regardless of position of the restriction disc. The second finger is configured to at least partially cover the first blowoff passage.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle including a pressure tube defining a fluid chamber, a piston disposed within the fluid chamber and including a fluid passage, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a restriction disc, an orifice disc, a fulcrum disc, and a check disc. The restriction disc includes a first ring, a first finger, and a first orifice. The first finger covers the fluid passage. The orifice disc includes a second ring, a second finger, and a second orifice. The second finger overlaps the first finger, and the second orifice is aligned with the first orifice. The check disc includes a third ring and a third finger above the second finger. The fulcrum disc has a fourth ring. Modifying the outer diameter of the third ring and the outer diameter of the fourth ring alters a damping response of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle including a pressure tube, a piston rod, and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a first disc, a second disc, and a piston body. The piston body includes first and second surfaces and first and second fluid passages. The piston body further includes a first circumferential land surrounding the first fluid passage and a second circumferential land surrounding the second fluid passage. The first circumferential land is located a first distance from the first surface. The first disc is selectively driven into engagement with the first circumferential land. The second circumferential land is located a second distance from the first surface. The second circumferential land is between the first surface and the first circumferential land. The second disc includes a first portion in sealing engagement with the second circumferential land and a second portion spaced apart from the piston body.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a rod elongated along an axis. The damper assembly includes a body supported by the rod, the body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body and the rod define a passage between the body and the rod, the passage extending from the first surface of the body to the second surface of the body.

Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle including a pressure tube, piston assembly, and stroke dependent damper assembly. The stroke dependent damper assembly is coupled to a piston rod at a position below the piston assembly. The stroke dependent damper assembly includes a disc chamber that slidably receives a flexible floating disc. The disc chamber has proximal and distal chamber surfaces, which can include holes. The flexible floating disc is moveable between a first position where it contacts the proximal chamber surface and a second position where it contacts the distal chamber surface. The proximal chamber surface defines a proximal tapered cavity and the distal chamber surface defines a distal tapered cavity. The flexible floating disc is resilient and can flex into the proximal tapered cavity or the distal tapered cavity when it makes contact with the proximal chamber surface or the distal chamber surface.

Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle including a pressure tube, piston assembly, and stroke dependent damper assembly. The stroke dependent damper assembly is coupled to a piston rod at a position below the piston assembly. The stroke dependent damper assembly includes a disc chamber that slidably receives a flexible floating disc. The disc chamber has proximal and distal chamber surfaces, which can include holes. The flexible floating disc is moveable between a first position where it contacts the proximal chamber surface and a second position where it contacts the distal chamber surface. The proximal chamber surface defines a proximal tapered cavity and the distal chamber surface defines a distal tapered cavity. The flexible floating disc is resilient and can flex into the proximal tapered cavity or the distal tapered cavity when it makes contact with the proximal chamber surface or the distal chamber surface.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston disposed within a pressure tube. A valve assembly is attached to the piston. The valve assembly defines a first fluid flow through an always open fluid passage; a second fluid flow due to elastic deformation of a valve disc of the piston assembly; and a third fluid flow due to movement of the entire valve disc away from the piston. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is designed to be pre-assembled at an off-line and/or off-site location.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston disposed within a pressure tube. A valve assembly is attached to the piston. The valve assembly defines a first fluid flow through an always open fluid passage; a second fluid flow due to elastic deformation of a valve disc of the piston assembly; and a third fluid flow due to movement of the entire valve disc away from the piston. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is designed to be pre-assembled at an off-line and/or off-site location.