초록 ▼

A two-stage shock absorber having a pressure tube within which a valve assembly is slidably disposed. A piston rod is attached to the valve assembly and extends out of the pressure tube. In a first embodiment, a ring which is slidably disposed within the pressure tube engages the valve assembly afte

A two-stage shock absorber having a pressure tube within which a valve assembly is slidably disposed. A piston rod is attached to the valve assembly and extends out of the pressure tube. In a first embodiment, a ring which is slidably disposed within the pressure tube engages the valve assembly after a specified amount of movement of the valve assembly with respect to the pressure tube In both an extension and compression movement of the shock absorber. The engagement of the ring with the valve assembly reduces the fluid flow through the valve assembly to switch the shock absorber from soft damping to firm damping. In a second embodiment, the ring switches the shock absorber from soft damping to firm damping only during an extension movement.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A two-state shock absorber comprising:a pressure tube;a piston rod slidably disposed within said pressure tube;a valve assembly attached to said piston rod and slidably disposed within said pressure tube, said valve assembly providing a first and a second fluid flow path

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A two-state shock absorber comprising:a pressure tube;a piston rod slidably disposed within said pressure tube;a valve assembly attached to said piston rod and slidably disposed within said pressure tube, said valve assembly providing a first and a second fluid flow path during movement of said valve assembly within said pressure tube, said first and second flow paths of said valve assembly providing a low resistance to the movement of said valve assembly; andan independent ring disposed within said pressure tube, said valve assembly being movable between a first position spaced from said independent ring and a second position engaging said independent ring to close one of said first and second flow paths when movement of said valve assembly exceeds a specified distance, said closing of one of said first and second flow path providing a high resistance to the movement of said valve assembly, said valve assembly normally being located in said first position.