An investigation of the effects of shock absorber valve parameters on damping force used for a heavy commercial vehicle

Shock absorbers are used in a wide range of applications from automotive to white goods sector, from motorcycles to heavy vehicles. Shock absorbers are expected to provide both safety and comfort. The design of the valves, which assume the main function of the dampers and determine the damping force, is of paramount importance in order to meet these limiting working conditions at optimum value. The expectations of heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers from the suspension system change with the improvement of road conditions and advances in technology. They demand that the shock absorber parts should be both cheaper and higher performing products as in many parts in the developing competitive conditions. For this purpose, it is necessary to better understand the operating principle of the damper and in particular the valve assemblies which assume the main task by forming the damping force. In this thesis, the working principle of the shock absorber and the valves which assume the main task are explained. The effect of design parameters of a damper valves that generate high damping forces for heavy commercial vehicles and the effect of the subparts of the valve assembly on the damping force are emphasized. The details of the valve parts which have a direct effect on damping are explained in the scope of the study. The parameter changes and the damping force measurement method have been determined. Within the scope of the study, the effects of changes in valve parameters on damping force were observed as a result of tests with prototype parts and obtained values and graphs were presented.