Adjacent baffle design for shock absorber
View Patent ↗A dual tube shock absorber includes a baffle located in the reservoir chamber to define a non-linear flow path within the reservoir chamber. The baffle extends between the pressure tube and the reservoir tube such that the non-linear flow path is the only flow path between two portions of the reservoir chamber. One embodiment is a T-shaped baffle, and another embodiment has a base section and an upright section with a wire being embedded in the base section.
1. A shock absorber comprising:
a pressure tube forming a working chamber;
a piston slidably disposed within said working chamber, said piston body dividing said working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;
a piston rod attached to said piston body, said piston body extending through one end of said pressure tube;
a reservoir tube surrounding said pressure tube to form a reservoir chamber between said reservoir tube and said pressure tube;
a base valve assembly disposed between said working chamber and said reservoir chamber; and
a baffle helicoidally wound within said reservoir chamber, said baffle engaging said pressure tube and said reserve tube to define helical flow channel between a first portion of said reservoir chamber and second portion of said reservoir chamber.
2. The shock absorber according to claim 1 wherein said first portion of said helical flow channel is adjacent said base valve assembly.
3. The shock absorber according to claim 1 wherein said baffle comprises a baffle spring.
4. The shock absorber according to claim 1 wherein said baffle has a T-shaped cross section.
5. The shock absorber according to claim 4 wherein said T-shaped cross section includes a base section engaging said pressure tube and an upright section engaging said reservoir tube.
6. The shock absorber according to claim 4 wherein said baffle comprises an elastomeric material.
7. The shock absorber according to claim 1 wherein said baffle includes a base section and an upright section.
8. The shock absorber according to claim 7 wherein said baffle includes a wire disposed within said base section.
9. The shock absorber according to claim 7 wherein said base section engages said pressure tube and said upright section engages said reservoir tube.
10. The shock absorber according to claim 7 wherein said baffle comprises an elastomeric material.
11. The shock absorber according to claim 1 wherein said baffle comprises an elastomeric material.
12. A shock absorber comprising:
a pressure tube forming a working chamber;
a piston slidably disposed within said working chamber, said piston body dividing said working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;
a piston rod attached to said piston body, said piston body extending through one end of said pressure tube;
a reservoir tube surrounding said pressure tube to form a reservoir chamber between said reservoir tube and said pressure tube;
a base valve assembly disposed between said working chamber and said reservoir chamber; and
a baffle disposed within said reservoir chamber, said baffle defining a non-linear flow channel between a first portion of said reservoir chamber and second portion of said reservoir chamber, said non-linear flow channel being the only flow channel between said first and second portions of said reservoir chamber; wherein
said baffle has a T-shaped cross section.
13. The shock absorber according to claim 12 wherein said T-shaped cross section includes a base section engaging said pressure tube and an upright section engaging said reservoir tube.
14. The shock absorber according to claim 12 wherein said baffle comprises an elastomeric material.
15. A shock absorber comprising:
a pressure tube forming a working chamber;
a piston slidably disposed within said working chamber, said piston body dividing said working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;
a piston rod attached to said piston body, said piston body extending through one end of said pressure tube;
a reservoir tube surrounding said pressure tube to form a reservoir chamber between said reservoir tube and said pressure tube;
a base valve assembly disposed between said working chamber and said reservoir chamber; and
a baffle disposed within said reservoir chamber, said baffle defining a non-linear flow channel between a first portion of said reservoir chamber and second portion of said reservoir chamber, said non-linear flow channel being the only flow channel between said first and second portions of said reservoir chamber; wherein
said baffle includes a base section and an upright section; and
said baffle includes a wire disposed within said base section.
16. A shock absorber comprising:
a pressure tube forming a working chamber;
a piston slidably disposed within said working chamber, said piston body dividing said working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber;
a piston rod attached to said piston body, said piston body extending through one end of said pressure tube;
a reservoir tube surrounding said pressure tube to form a reservoir chamber between said reservoir tube and said pressure tube;
a base valve assembly disposed between said working chamber and said reservoir chamber; and
a baffle disposed within said reservoir chamber, said baffle defining a non-linear flow channel between a first portion of said reservoir chamber and second portion of said reservoir chamber, said non-linear flow channel being the only flow channel between said first and second portions of said reservoir chamber; wherein
said baffle includes a base section and an upright section; and
said baffle comprises an elastomeric material.