Compression sensitive suspension dampening
A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.
1. A component for a vehicle suspension, said component comprising:
an upper leg tube;
a lower leg tube telescopically coupled to said upper leg tube;
a spring disposed in at least one of said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube and configured to provide a spring force which resists telescopic compression of said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube;
a first fluid chamber containing a first fluid, said first fluid chamber containing at least said spring, wherein said lower leg tube at least partially defines said first fluid chamber;
a second fluid chamber containing a second fluid, said second fluid chamber being disposed at least partially around said first fluid chamber; and
a dynamic seal positioned to separate said first fluid chamber from said second fluid chamber.
2. The component of claim 1 , wherein said dynamic seal fully isolates said first fluid chamber from said second fluid chamber during movement.
3. The component of claim 1 , wherein said first fluid is incompressible.
4. The component of claim 1 , wherein said second fluid is compressible.
5. The component of claim 4 , wherein as said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube are telescopically compressed said second fluid acts to resist further compression.
6. The component of claim 1 further comprising: at least one annular bushing disposed between said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube.
7. The component of claim 6 , wherein said annular bushing is formed to allow said second fluid to flow past.
8. The component of claim 6 , wherein said annular bushing is lubricated by said second fluid.
9. A component for a vehicle suspension, said component comprising:
an upper leg tube;
a lower leg tube telescopically coupled to said upper leg tube;
a spring disposed in at least one of said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube and configured to provide a spring force which resists telescopic compression of said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube;
a first fluid chamber containing a first fluid that is incompressible, said first fluid chamber containing at least said spring;
a second fluid chamber containing a second fluid that is compressible, said second fluid chamber being disposed at least partially around said first fluid chamber; and
a dynamic seal positioned to isolate said first fluid chamber from said second fluid chamber.
10. The component of claim 9 , wherein said lower leg tube at least partially defines said first fluid chamber.
11. The component of claim 9 , wherein as said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube are telescopically compressed said second fluid acts to resist further compression.
12. The component of claim 9 further comprising: at least one annular bushing disposed between said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube.
13. The component of claim 12 , wherein said annular bushing is formed to allow said second fluid to flow past.
14. The component of claim 12 , wherein said annular bushing is lubricated by said second fluid.
15. A component for a vehicle suspension, said component comprising:
an upper leg tube;
a lower leg tube telescopically coupled to said upper leg tube;
a spring disposed in at least one of said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube and configured to provide a spring force which resists telescopic compression of said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube;
a first fluid chamber that is at least partially defined by said lower leg, said first fluid chamber containing a first fluid that is incompressible, said first fluid chamber containing at least said spring;
a second fluid chamber containing a second fluid that is compressible, said second fluid chamber being disposed at least partially around said first fluid chamber; and
a dynamic seal positioned to isolate said first fluid chamber from said second fluid chamber.
16. The component of claim 15 , wherein as said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube are telescopically compressed said second fluid acts to resist further compression.
17. The component of claim 15 further comprising: at least one annular bushing disposed between said upper leg tube and said lower leg tube.
18. The component of claim 17 , wherein said annular bushing is formed to allow said second fluid to flow past.
19. The component of claim 17 , wherein said annular bushing is lubricated by said second fluid.