Patent ID: 6119830
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
An acceleration sensitive shock absorber comprising:an inner tube containing shock absorber fluid for connection to one portion of a vehicle;an outer tube around the inner tube defining an annular fluid reservoir therebetween;a piston in the inner tube dividing the interior of the tube into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, for connection to another portion of a vehicle;inertia valve means for changing the stiffness of the shock absorber when the shock absorber is subjected to acceleration, the stiffness being greater upon lower acceleration and smaller upon higher acceleration; andmeans for maintaining the inertia valve means open after acceleration has decreased in response to fluid flow through the valve means, comprising a fluid flow port through the wall of the inner tube and an annular clearance between the inertial mass and a portion of the inner tube downstream from the port, the clearance having a smaller flow area than the port when the port is partly open, the annular clearance also comprising a tapered surface for changing the clearance area as a function of inertia mass position; and whereinthe inertial valve means comprises an inertial mass mounted in the annular reservoir for opening or closing the port.