Patent ID: 6951267

Claim:
A damping-force variable shock absorber comprising: a cylinder having an inner wall; a piston rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the piston rod being mounted inside said cylinder and configured for linear movement relative to said cylinder; an orifice valve plate having a plurality of valve holes, the orifice valve plate being configured and mounted about said piston rod such that said plurality of valve holes form a circle about said piston rod; a rotary valve plate having a plurality of radially-protruding projections, said rotary valve plate being mounted about said piston rod so as to be rotatable with respect to said piston rod and said orifice valve plate, said rotary valve plate having a first rotating state with respect to said orifice valve plate such that said plurality of valve holes define a first opening, said rotary valve plate having at least a second rotating state with respect to said orifice valve plate such that said plurality of valve holes define at least a second opening different from the first opening; and a guide means for rotating rotary valve plate between said first rotating state and said at least second rotating state relative to said orifice valve plate, the guide means being between said rotary valve plate and said cylinder; wherein said guide means comprises a tip formed on at least one of said projections of said rotary valve plate, and a plurality of guide grooves formed at said inner wall of said cylinder, wherein further said tip is engaged with at least one of said guide grooves.