Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling damping in a shock absorber based on the relative acceleration between the shock main body and the piston rod extended from the shock main body. The shock absorber has a reservoir compartment and a fluid-filled internal chamber divided into a compression compartment and a rebound compartment by a movable piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends through a seal in the rebound end of the internal chamber. The shock absorber contains flow passages connecting, and normally allowing fluid to flow between, the reservoir compartment, the compression compartment and the rebound compartment. Fluid flow in the flow passages, which is directly related to the relative motion between the shock main body and the piston rod assembly, is allowed or inhibited based on the relative acceleration between shock absorber components. Control of the flow of fluid through the flow passages, which in turn inhibits or allows relative motion between the shock main body and the piston rod assembly, is accomplished through the use of mechanisms sensitive to passive differential accelerational forces acting on various components of the shock absorber.

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First Claim