DEVELOPMENT OF LEVER-VANE SHOCK ABSORBERS WITH ENHANCED FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES USING GRAPH THEORY

Abstract

In modern transport engineering, torsion bar suspensions are widely used due to the efficiency of torsion bars, which operate under torsion. Since they only store and release elastic energy, energy dissipation is particularly important, traditionally provided by hydraulic shock absorbers that reduce vehicle body oscillations and improve ride comfort. Modern suspensions include piston and gas shock absorbers with translational motion, as well as lever-vane shock absorbers with rotational motion. Existing shock absorbers exhibit force–velocity characteristics; however, current requirements demand alternative operational characteristics that conventional passive designs cannot achieve. Active damping systems can provide such characteristics, but their high cost and energy consumption limit practical use. Therefore, the synthesis of passive hydraulic shock absorbers with enhanced functional capabilities is highly relevant. This work proposes a method for synthesizing a new lever-vane shock absorber based on modified kinematic graphs, enabling a direct relationship between the displacement of the moving element and the operational characteristic. Two design variants were developed, incorporating additional mechanical control loops in the form of hinge-lever or cam mechanisms. Modeling and 3D design implementation confirmed the operability of the designs, the ability to achieve various nonlinear operating characteristics, and the effectiveness of damping control compared with conventional shock absorbers. Comparative analysis showed that Variant A exhibits smaller torsion angles and direction-dependent damping, while Variant B has larger angles and direction-independent damping; both variants provide an optimal balance between functionality and manufacturing complexity.