Method and apparatus for controlling shock absorbers

• US 5,123,671 A
• Filed: 03/14/1991
• Issued: 06/23/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Incorporated (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Monroe Auto Equipment Company
• Inventors: Steed, David, Driessen, Jan, Vanroye, Bert
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US07/669,503
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 280/840, 280/703, 280/707, 280/714, 280/DIG. 1, 267/64.25, 364/424.05, 188/299
• US Class Current: 280/5.519
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/08 Characteristics of fluid dampers adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/102 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/206 Body oscillation speed; Body vibration frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/5182 Fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/02 Retarders, delaying means, dead zones, threshold values, cut-off frequency, timer interruption
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/04 Means for informing, instructing or displaying
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/08 Failure or malfunction detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/16 Integrating means, i.e. integral control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/18 Automatic control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/26 Electromagnets; Solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/602 high pass
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/604 low pass
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/916 Body Vibration Control
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/46 allowing control from a distance , i.e. location of means for control input being remote from site of valves, e.g. on damper external wall attachment of valve units to cylinders F16F9/325
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/466 Throttling control, i.e. regulation of flow passage geometry F16F9/464, F16F9/465 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The apparatus includes a shock absorber having a pressure cylinder which forms a working chamber and a first and second portion. A first sensor is used to generate an electrical signal in response to whether the shock absorber is in compression or rebound. A second sensor is used for determining the movement of the body on the automobile. An electronic control module is used for generating an electrical control signal in response to the outputs of the first and second sensors. A solenoid is used for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber. A piston assembly disposed within the pressure cylinder defines the first and second portions of the working chamber. The piston assembly includes a valve body and first and second unloaders adapted to control the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber. At least one of the unloaders being located external to the valve body.

Claims

1. An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile comprising:

a hydraulic damper having a pressure cylinder, said pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid;

a piston assembly disposed between said first and second portions of said working chamber, said piston assembly including a piston valve body having a first and second flow passage in fluid communication with said first and second portions of said working chamber, said piston assembly having a first unloader acting on a first spring disk for controlling the flow of damping fluid through said first flow passage during compression, said first unloader movable between a first position for biasing said first spring disk so as to restrict flow through said first flow passage and a second position displaced from said first spring disk for permitting increased flow through said first flow passage, said piston assembly further including a second unloader acting on a second spring disk for controlling the flow of damping fluid through said second flow passage during rebound, said second unloader movable between a first position for biasing said second spring disk so as to restrict flow through said second flow passage and a second position displaced from said second spring disk for permitting increased flow through said second flow passage;

first sensor means for determining whether said shock absorber is in compression or rebound, said first sensor means operable to generate a first electrical signal in response thereto;

second sensor means for determining movement of the body of said automobile, said second sensor means operable to generate a second electrical signal in response thereto;

means for generating an electrical control signal in response to said first and second electrical signals, said means for generating an electrical control signal including an electronic control module having microprocessor means operable to receive said first and second electrical signals, said microprocessor means being operable to compare movement of the body of said automobile to a first threshold range, said microprocessor means being further operable to generate firm damping during compression of said hydraulic damper when movement of the body of said automobile exceeds said first threshold range, said microprocessor means operable to generate firm damping during rebound of said hydraulic damper when movement of the body of the automobile is below said first threshold range; and

electrical controllable flow means for regulating the flow of damping fluid between said first and second portions of said working chamber in response to said electrical control signal, said electrical controllable flow means including a plunger operable to generate firm damping during compression and rebound of said hydraulic damper while maintaining the position of said plunger with respect to said electrical controllable flow means.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said first sensor means comprises a position sensor for generating said first electrical signal corresponding to the axial position of said piston assembly relative to said pressure cylinder.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first sensor means comprises a pressure sensor having a first surface communicating with the damping fluid stored in said first portion of said working chamber, said pressure sensor further having a second surface communicating with the damping fluid stored in said second portion of said working chamber.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said pressure sensor is operable to receive damping fluid from said second portion of said working chamber through said electrical controllable flow means.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pressure sensor is disposed within said pressure cylinder.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second sensor means comprises an accelerometer.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said accelerometer is disposed within said pressure cylinder.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 7, wherein said electrical controllable flow means comprises a solenoid, said solenoid operable to regulate the flow of damping fluid between said first and second portions of said working chamber.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said microprocessor means is operable to cause said hydraulic damper to generate firm damping during compression and rebound when the discrete fourier transform of said first electrical signal exceeds a predetermined value.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said microprocessor means is operable to cause said hydraulic damper to generate firm damping during compression and rebound when the amplitude of the output of said first sensor means exceeds a first threshold value.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said microprocessor means prevents firm damping during both compression and rebound of said hydraulic damper when said first electrical signal is within a second threshold range.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said microprocessor means is operable to sequentially change the damping characteristics of four shock absorbers.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said microprocessor means is operable to deliver a pulse width modulated signal to said electrical controllable flow means.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first flow passage provides fluid communication between said second portion of said working chamber and said first spring disk, and wherein said second flow passage provides fluid communication between said first portion of said working chamber and said second spring disk.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second unloaders and its respective spring disk are located external to said piston valve body.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first unloader includes bleed valve means for permitting a predetermined amount of damping fluid to flow from said second portion to said first portion of said working chamber prior to said first unloader moving to said second position displaced from said first spring disk.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said bleed valve means is operable to only permit fluid flow during firm damping in compression.

18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said bleed valve means includes a third flow passage formed in said valve body in fluid communication with said first and second portions of said working chamber, and a third spring disk for controlling flow of damping fluid through said third flow passage, whereby during compression, damping fluid concurrently acts within said first and third flow passages such that said third spring disk is movable to a displaced position for permitting flow through said third flow passage prior to said first unloader moving to said second position.

19. A method for regulating the flow of damping fluid between first and second portions of the working chamber of a direct acting hydraulic shock absorber, said shock absorber being disposed between the sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle and having a piston assembly axially disposed within a pressure cylinder, said method comprising the steps of:

sensing whether said shock absorber is in compression or rebound;

sensing the vertical velocity of the sprung portion of said vehicle;

delivering damping fluid to electrical controllable flow means for regulating the flow of damping fluid between said first and second portions of said working chamber, said electrical controllable flow means comprising a plunger operable to be disposed in first and second positions; and

regulating the flow of damping fluid between said first and second portions of said working chamber by said electrical controllable flow means in response to the first and second sensed signals, said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid includes the step of generating firm damping during compression and rebound of said shock absorber when said plunger is disposed in said first position, said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid further includes the steps of comparing the vertical velocity of said sprung portion to a first threshold range, generating firm damping during compression of said shock absorber when the vertical velocity of said sprung portion exceeds said first threshold range, and generating firm damping during rebound of said shock absorber when the vertical velocity of said sprung portion is below said first threshold range.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said piston assembly is disposed between said first and second portions of said working chamber, said piston assembly including a piston valve body having a first and second flow passage in fluid communication with said first and second portions of said working chamber, said piston assembly having a first unloader normally biasing a first spring disk for restricting the flow of damping fluid through said first flow passage to generate firm damping during compression of said shock absorber, and said piston assembly having a second unloader normally biasing a second spring disk for restricting the flow of damping fluid through said second flow passage to generate firm damping during rebound of said shock absorber;

a first flow path between said first portion of said working chamber and said second unloader for generating soft damping during compression when said plunger is in said second position; and

a second flow path between said second portion of said working chamber and said first unloader for generating soft damping during rebound when said plunger is in said second position.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid further comprises the step of disposing said plunger in said second position for counteracting the normal biasing force acting on said first spring disk by displacing said first unloader assembly away from said first spring disk in response to the pressure of the damping fluid acting on said first unloader from within said second flow path, and wherein said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid further comprises the step of disposing said plunger in said second position for counteracting the normal biasing force acting on said second spring disk by displacing said second unloader assembly away from said second spring disk in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said second unloader from within said second flow path.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said step of sensing whether said shock absorber is in compression or rebound includes the step of sensing the position of said piston assembly relative to said pressure cylinder and the step of recording the output of a position sensor secured to said piston assembly.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said step of sensing whether said shock absorber is in compression or rebound includes the step of sensing the pressure differential between said first and second portions of said working chamber and the step of recording the output of a pressure sensor in fluid communication with said first and second portions of said working chamber.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said pressure sensor is operable to receive damping fluid from said second portion of said working chamber through said electrical controllable flow means.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of sensing the vertical velocity of the sprung portion of said vehicle comprises the step of recording the output from an accelerometer.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid comprises the step of causing said shock absorber to generate firm damping during compression and rebound of said shock absorber when the discrete fourier transform of said differential pressure between said first and second portions of said working chamber exceeds a threshold value, and wherein said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid further comprises the step of causing said shock absorber to generate firm damping during compression and rebound of said shock absorber when the amplitude of the output of said pressure sensor exceeds a threshold value.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid further comprises the step of preventing firm damping during both compression and rebound of said shock absorber when an electrical signal generated in response to said pressure differential between said first and second portions of said working chamber is within a second threshold range.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of regulating the flow of damping fluid comprises the step of delivering a pulse width modulated signal to said electrical controllable flow means.

29. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of metering a predetermined amount of damping fluid from said second portion to said first portion of said working chamber through a third flow passage in said valve body so as to increase the displacement of said piston valve assembly prior to said first unloader generating firm damping during compression.

30. An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile relative to a wheel of said automobile, said damping apparatus having a pressure cylinder with a reciprocating piston assembly disposed therein operable to divide the working chamber formed by said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said damper apparatus comprising:

a valve body having first and second flow passages for providing fluid communication between said first and second portions of said working chamber;

first valve means for controlling the flow of damping fluid through said first flow passage from said second portion to said first portion of said working chamber during compression, said first valve means having a first spring disk for regulating the flow of fluid through said first flow passage, and a first unloader adapted to normally bias said first spring disk for restricting flow through said first flow passage, said first unloader operable to overcome the normal biasing force applied to said first spring disk in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said first unloader so as to permit increased flow through said first flow passage;

second valve means for controlling the flow of damping fluid through said second flow passage from said first portion to said second portion of said working chamber during rebound, said second valve means having a second spring disk for regulating the flow of fluid through said second flow passage, and a second unloader adapted to normally bias said second spring disk for restricting flow through said second flow passage, said second unloader operable to overcome the normal biasing force applied to said second spring disk in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said second unloader for permitting increased flow through said second flow passage;

electrical controllable flow means operable to control the actuation of said first and second valve means, said electrical controllable flow means comprising a solenoid having a plunger operable to be displaced in first and second positions, said plunger operable to control the flow of damping fluid between said first unloader and said second unloader;

a first flow path between said first portion of said working chamber and said second unloader through said electrical flowable control means;

a second flow path between said second portion of said working chamber and said first unloader through said electrical controllable flow means; and

means for controllable activating said electrical controllable flow means for generating firm damping during compression and rebound by displacing said plunger to said first position.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said first flow passage of said valve body defines an upper outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said first portion of said working chamber, and said second flow passage defines a lower outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said second portion of said working chamber.

32. The apparatus as set forth in claim 31 wherein a lower surface of said first spring disk is positioned adjacent said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage, said first unloader engaging an upper surface of said first spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises first biasing means acting on said first unloader for normally biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

33. The apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein an upper surface of said second spring disk is positioned adjacent said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage, said second unloader engaging a lower surface of said second spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises second biasing means acting on said second unloader for normally biasing said second spring disk toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

34. The apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said plunger is operable to control the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths.

35. The apparatus as set forth in claim 34 wherein said plunger is operable to permit the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths when said plunger is disposed in said second position, and said plunger is operable to restrict the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths when said plunger is in said first position.

36. The apparatus as set forth in claim 35 wherein said first unloader forms a first pressure chamber in fluid communication with said second flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said first pressure chamber is pressurized, whereby the fluid pressure acting within said first pressure chamber overcomes the normal biasing force exerted by said first biasing means such that said first unloader is displaced away from said upper surface of said first spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for generating soft damping during compression, and wherein said second unloader forms a second pressure chamber in fluid communication with said first flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said second pressure chamber is pressurized, whereby said pressure acting within said second pressure chamber overcomes the normal biasing force exerted by said second biasing means such that said second unloader is displaced from said lower surface of said second spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for generating soft damping during rebound.

37. The apparatus as set forth in claim 33 further comprising third biasing means provided between said upper surface of said first spring disk and said first unloader for biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage when said plunger is displaced to said first position.

38. The apparatus as set forth in claim 33 further comprising fourth biasing means provided between said lower surface of said second disk spring and said second unloader for biasing said second disk spring toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage when said plunger is displaced to said first position.

39. The apparatus as set forth in claim 33, wherein said first unloader includes bleed valve means for permitting a predetermined amount of damping fluid to flow from said second portion to said first portion of said working chamber prior to said first unloader moving to said second position displaced from said first spring disk.

40. The apparatus as set forth in claim 39, wherein said bleed valve means is operable to only permit fluid flow during firm damping in compression.

41. The apparatus as set forth in claim 40, wherein said bleed valve means includes a third flow passage formed in said valve body in fluid communication with said first and second portions of said working chamber, and a third spring disk for controlling flow of damping fluid through said third flow passage, whereby during compression, damping fluid concurrently acts within said first and third flow passages during compression such that said third spring disk is movable to a displaced position for permitting flow through said third flow passage prior to said first unloader moving to said second position.

42. The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 further comprising a position sensor for sensing the axial position of said piston relative to said pressure cylinder.

43. The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 further comprising a pressure sensor having a first surface communicating with the damping fluid stored in said first portion of said working chamber, said pressure sensor further having a second surface communicating with the damping fluid stored in said second portion of said working chamber.

44. The apparatus as set forth in claim 43 wherein said pressure sensor is operable to receive damping fluid through said electrical controllable flow means, and wherein said pressure sensor is disposed within said pressure cylinder.

45. The apparatus as set forth in claim 44 further comprising an accelerometer operable to sense the movement of the body of said automobile.

46. The apparatus as set forth in claim 45 wherein said accelerometer is disposed within said pressure cylinder.

47. The apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said means for controllably actuating said electrical control signal comprises and electronic control module having a microprocessor.

48. The apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said microprocessor is operable to compare the movement of the body of said automobile to a first threshold range, said microprocessor being further operable to generate firm damping during compression of said shock absorber when the movement of the body of said automobile exceeds said first threshold range, said microprocessor operable to generate firm damping during rebound of said shock absorber when the movement of the body of the automobile is below said first threshold range.

49. An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile relative to a wheel of said automobile comprising a shock absorber, said shock absorber having a pressure cylinder with a reciprocating piston disposed therein operable to divide the working chamber formed by said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said shock absorber comprising:

a piston valve body having first and second flow passages for providing fluid communication between said first and second portions of said working chamber;

a first spring disk for controlling the flow of fluid through said first flow passage from said second portion to said first portion of said working chamber;

a first unloader movable between a first position normally biasing said first spring disk for restricting flow through said first flow passage and a second position, said first unloader adapted to move to said second position in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said first unloader so as to permit increased flow through said first flow passage;

first biasing means for applying the normal biasing force on said first unloader so as to bias said first unloader to said first position;

a second spring disk for controlling the flow of fluid through said second flow passage from said first portion to said second portion of said working chamber;

a second unloader movable between a first position normally biasing said second spring disk for restricting flow through said second flow passage and a second position, said second unloader adapted to move to said second position in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said second unloader so as to permit increased flow through said second flow passage;

second biasing means for applying the normal biasing force on said second unloader so as to bias second unloader to said first position;

electrical controllable flow means operable to control the movement of said first and second unloaders, said electrical controllable flow means comprising a solenoid having a plunger operable to be displaced in first and second positions, said plunger operable to control the position of said first and second unloaders by controlling the flow of damping fluid between said first unloader and said second unloader;

a first flow path between said first portion of said working chamber and said second unloader through said electrically controllable flow means

a second flow path between said second portion of said working chamber and said first unloader through said electrically controllable flow means; and

means for controllably activating said electrical controllable flow means for generating firm damping during compression and rebound by displacing said plunger to said first position whereby said first and second unloaders are biased to their respective first positions, said electrically controllable flow means generating soft damping during compression and rebound by displacing said plunger to said second position, whereby said plunger is operable to permit the flow of fluid through said first flow path for biasing said second unloader to said second position and said plunger is operable to permit the flow of fluid through said second flow path for biasing said first unloader to said second position.

50. The apparatus as set forth in claim 49 wherein said first flow passage of said valve body defines an upper outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said first portion of said working chamber, and said second flow passage defines a lower outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said second portion of said working chamber.

51. The apparatus as set forth in claim 50 wherein a lower surface of said first spring disk is positioned adjacent said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage, said first unloader engaging an upper surface of said first spring disk, and wherein said first unloader acts on said first spring disk for biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

52. The apparatus as set forth in claim 51 further comprising bleed valve means for metering damping fluid to said first portion of said working chamber for delaying said first unloader from moving to said first position during compression, said bleed valve means including a bleed disk positioned adjacent an upper outlet end portion of a third flow passage extending through said valve body and third biasing means acting on said bleed disk to normally bias said bleed disk for restricting flow through said third flow passage, whereby damping fluid concurrently acts within said first and third flow passages during compression such that said third spring disk is movable to a displaced position for permitting flow through said third flow passage prior to said first unloader moving to said second position.

53. The apparatus as set forth in claim 51 wherein an upper surface of said second spring disk is positioned adjacent said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage, said second unloader engaging a lower surface of said second spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises second biasing means for biasing said second unloader to said first position whereby said second unloader acts on said second spring disk for biasing said second spring disk toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

54. The apparatus as set forth in claim 53 wherein said first unloader forms a first pressure chamber in fluid communication with said second flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said first pressure chamber is pressurized whereby the fluid said pressure acting within said first pressure chamber overcomes the biasing force exerted by said first biasing means for displacing said first unloader to said second position, whereby increased flow is permitted through said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for generating soft damping during compression.

55. The apparatus as set forth in claim 54 wherein said second unloader forms a second pressure chamber in fluid communication with said first flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said second pressure chamber is pressurized whereby said pressure acting within said second pressure chamber overcomes the biasing force exerted by said second biasing means for displacing said second unloader to said second position, whereby increased flow is permitted through said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for generating soft damping during rebound.

56. The apparatus as set forth in claim 55 further comprising third biasing means provided between said upper surface of said first spring disk and said first unloader for biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage.

57. The apparatus as set forth in claim 56 further comprising fourth biasing means provided between said lower surface of said second disk spring and said second unloader for biasing said second disk spring toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage.

58. A piston assembly for use in a hydraulic damper adapted for damping the movement of the body of an automobile relative to a wheel of said automobile, said piston assembly disposed for reciprocating motion within a pressure cylinder and operable to divide the working chamber formed by said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said piston assembly comprising:

a piston valve body having a first and second plurality of flow passages for providing fluid communication between said first and second portions of said working chamber;

a first spring disk located adjacent an upper portion of said valve body and adapted to control the flow of fluid through said first flow passage from said second portion into said first portion of said working chamber;

first biasing means for biasing said first spring disk toward said upper portion of said valve body;

a first unloader located above said first spring disk and operable to overcome the biasing force applied by said first biasing means to said first spring disk in response to the pressure of damping fluid within a first pressure chamber formed within said first unloader;

a second spring disk located adjacent a lower portion of said piston valve body for controlling the flow of fluid through said second flow passage from said first portion into said second portion of said working chamber;

second biasing means for biasing said second spring disk toward said lower portion of said valve body;

a second unloader located below said second spring disk and operable to overcome the biasing force applied by said second biasing means on said second spring disk in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting within a second pressure chamber formed within said second unloader;

a first flow path between said first portion of said working chamber and said second pressure chamber within said second unloader; and

a second flow path between said second portion of said working chamber and said first pressure chamber within said first unloader.

59. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 58 further comprising flow control means operable to selectively permit or restrict the flow of damping fluid between said first and second pressure chambers, said flow control means selectively controlling the flow of fluid between said first and second flow paths.

60. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 59 wherein said flow control means comprises a solenoid having a plunger operable to be displaced in first and second positions, said plunger operable to control the fluid pressure acting within said first and second pressure chambers by controlling the flow of damping fluid between said first flow path and said second flow path, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for controllably activating said flow control means for generating firm damping during compression and rebound by displacing said plunger to said first position for restricting fluid flow through said second flow path and said first flow path respectively, said electrically controllable flow means generating soft damping during compression and rebound by displacing said plunger to said second position whereby said plunger is operable to permit the flow of fluid through said second and first flow paths respectively.

61. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 60 wherein said first flow passage of said valve body defines an upper outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said first portion of said working chamber, and said second flow passage defines a lower outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said second portion of said working chamber.

62. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 61 wherein a lower surface of said first spring disk is positioned adjacent said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage, said first unloader engaging an upper surface of said first spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises first biasing means acting on said first unloader for normally biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

63. The apparatus as set forth in claim 62 further comprising bleed valve means for metering damping fluid to said first portion of said working chamber for delaying said first unloader moving to said first position during compression, said bleed valve means including a bleed disk positioned adjacent an upper outlet end portion of a third flow passage extending through said valve body and third biasing means acting on said bleed disk to normally bias said bleed disk for restricting flow through said third flow passage, whereby damping fluid concurrently acts within said first and third flow passages during compression such that said third spring disk is movable to a displaced position for permitting flow through said third flow passage prior to said first unloader moving to said second position.

64. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 62 wherein an upper surface of said second spring disk is positioned adjacent said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage, said second unloader engaging a lower surface of said second spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises second biasing means acting on said second unloader for normally biasing said second spring disk toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

65. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 62 wherein said first unloader forms said first pressure chamber in fluid communication with said second flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said first pressure chamber is pressurized, whereby the fluid pressure acting within said first pressure chamber overcomes the biasing force exerted by said first biasing means such that said first unloader is displaced in a direction away from said upper surface of said firs spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for generating soft damping during compression.

66. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 65 wherein said second unloader forms said second pressure chamber in fluid communication with said first flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said second pressure chamber is pressurized, whereby said pressure acting within said second pressure chamber overcomes the biasing force exerted by said second biasing means such that said second unloader is displaced in a direction away from said lower surface of said second spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for generating soft damping during rebound.

67. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 66 wherein said plunger is operable to permit the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths when said plunger is disposed in said second position, and said plunger is operable to restrict the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths when said plunger is in said first position.

68. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 60 further comprising third biasing means provided between an upper surface of said first spring disk and said first unloader for biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage when said plunger is displaced to said firs position.

69. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 68 further comprising fourth biasing means provided between a lower surface of said second disk spring and said second unloader for biasing said second disk spring toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage when said plunger is displaced to said first position.

70. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 60, wherein at least one of said first and second unloaders and its respective spring disk are located external to said piston valve body.

71. The apparatus as set forth in claim 60, wherein said first unloader includes bleed valve means for metering a predetermined amount of damping fluid from said second portion to said first portion of said working chamber prior to said first unloader moving to said second position displaced from said first spring disk.

72. The apparatus as set forth in claim 71, wherein said bleed valve means is operable to only permit fluid flow during firm damping in compression.

73. The apparatus as set forth in claim 72, wherein said bleed valve means includes a third flow passage formed in said valve body in fluid communication with said first and second portions of said working chamber, and a third spring disk for controlling flow of damping fluid through said third flow passage, whereby damping fluid concurrently acts within said first and third flow passages during compression such that said third spring disk is movable to a displaced position for permitting flow through said third flow passage prior to said first unloader moving to said second position.

74. A piston valve assembly for use in a hydraulic damping apparatus for controllably damping the movement of the body of an automobile relative to a vehicle, said piston assembly disposed within the pressure cylinder and operable to divide the working chamber formed by said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said piston assembly comprising:

a valve body member having a first and second plurality of flow passages for providing fluid communication between said first and second portions of said working chamber;

a first spring disk for controlling the flow of fluid through said first flow passage from said second portion into said first portion of said working chamber;

a first unloader assembly located above said first spring disk and adapted for normally biasing said first spring disk into engagement with an upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for restricting flow therethrough so as to generate firm damping during compression;

first chamber means formed within said first unloader for applying a hydraulic force on said first unloader in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting within said first chamber means, said hydraulic force counteracting the normal biasing of said first unloader so as to displace said first unloader from said first disk spring to permit increased flow through said outlet end portion of said first flow passage for generating soft damping during compression;

a second spring disk for controlling the flow of fluid through said second flow passage, said second spring disk engaging a lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for controlling the flow of fluid from said first portion to said second portion of said working chamber;

a second unloader acting on a lower surface of said second spring disk opposite said outlet end portion and normally biasing said second spring disk to engagement therewith for restricting fluid flow through said second flow passage for generating firm damping during rebound;

second chamber means formed within said second unloader for applying a hydraulic force on said unloader in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting within said second chamber means, said hydraulic force counteracting the normal biasing of said second unloader so as to displace said second unloader from said second disk spring to permit increased flow through said second flow passage for generating soft damping during rebound;

a first flow passage between said first portion of said working chamber and said second chamber means;

a second flow passage between said second portion of said working chamber and said first chamber means; and

flow control means operable to control the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths for controlling the communication of fluid between said first and second chamber means.

75. The piston valve assembly as set forth in claim 74 wherein said flow control means comprises a solenoid having a plunger operable to be displaced in first and second positions, said plunger operable to control the fluid pressure acting within said first and second chamber means by controlling the flow of damping fluid between said first and second flow paths, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for controllably activating said flow control means for generating firm damping during compression and rebound by displacing said plunger to said first position, said electrically controllable flow means generating soft damping during compression and rebound by displacing said plunger to said second position.

76. The piston valve assembly as set forth in claim 75 wherein said first flow passage of said valve body defines an upper outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said first portion of said working chamber, and said second flow passage defines a lower outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said second portion of said working chamber.

77. The piston valve assembly as set forth in claim 76 wherein a lower surface of said first spring disk is positioned adjacent said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage, said first unloader engaging an upper surface of said first spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises first biasing means acting on said first unloader for normally biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage.

78. The piston valve assembly as set forth in claim 77 wherein an upper surface of said second spring disk is positioned adjacent said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage, said second unloader engaging a lower surface of said second spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises second biasing means acting on said second unloader for normally biasing said second spring disk in a direction toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage.

79. The piston valve assembly as set forth in claim 78 wherein said first chamber means is in fluid communication with said second flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said first chamber means is pressurized whereby the fluid pressure acting within said first chamber means overcomes the biasing force exerted by said first biasing means such that said first unloader is displaced in a direction away from said upper surface of said first spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for generating soft damping during compression, and wherein said second chamber means is in fluid communication with said first flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said second chamber means is pressurized, whereby said pressure acting within said second chamber means overcomes the biasing force exerted by said second biasing means such that said second unloader is displaced in a direction away from said lower surface of said second spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for generating soft damping during rebound.

80. The apparatus as set forth in claim 74, wherein said first unloader includes bleed valve means for metering a predetermined amount of damping fluid from said second portion to said first portion of said working chamber prior to said first unloader moving to said second position displaced from said first spring disk.

81. The apparatus as set forth in claim 80, wherein said bleed valve means includes a third flow passage formed in said valve body in fluid communication with said first and second portions of said working chamber, and a third spring disk for controlling flow of damping fluid through said third flow passage, whereby damping fluid concurrently acts within said first and third flow passages during compression such that said third spring disk is movable to a displaced position for permitting flow through said third flow passage prior to said first unloader moving to said second position.

82. The piston valve assembly as set forth in claim 79 wherein said plunger is operable to permit the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths when said plunger is disposed in said second position, and said plunger is operable to restrict the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths when said plunger is in said first position.

83. The piston valve assembly as set forth in claim 82 further comprising third biasing means provided between said upper surface of said first spring disk and said first unloader of biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage, and fourth biasing means provided between said lower surface of said second disk spring and said second unloader for biasing said second disk spring toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage.

84. A piston assembly for use in a hydraulic damping apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile relative to a wheel of said automobile, said piston assembly disposed within a pressure cylinder comprising:

a valve body dividing a working chamber formed by said pressure cylinder into first and second portions, said valve body having a first and second plurality of flow passages for providing fluid communication between said first and second portions of said working chamber;

first unloader means for controlling the flow of fluid from said second portion into said first portion of said working chamber through said first flow passage, said first unloader means movable between a first normally biased position for restricting flow through said first flow passage to a second position for permitting increased flow through said first flow passage in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said first unloader means from said second portion of said working chamber;

second unloader means for controlling the flow of fluid from said first portion into said second portion of said working chamber through said second flow passage, said second unloader means movable between a first normally biased position for restricting flow through said second flow passage to a second position for permitting increased flow through said second flow passage in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said second unloader means from said first portion of said working chamber;

a first flow path between said first portion of said working chamber and said second unloader means; and

a second flow path between said second portion of said working chamber and said first unloader means.

85. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 84 further comprising bleed valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from said second portion into said first portion of said working chamber through a third flow passage, said bleed valve means movable between a first position restricting flow through said third flow passage to a second position permitting flow through said third flow passage in response to the pressure of damping fluid acting on said bleed valve means from said second portion of said working chamber during compression of the damping apparatus.

86. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 84 further comprising flow control means operable to control the flow of damping fluid through said first flow path and said second flow path, said flow control means including a plunger movable between a first position wherein flow of damping fluid is permitted through said first and second flow passages and a second position for preventing the flow of damping fluid through said first and second flow paths

87. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 86 wherein said first flow passage of said valve body defines an upper outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said first portion of said working chamber, and said second flow passage defines a lower outlet end portion for delivering fluid to said second portion of said working chamber.

88. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 87 wherein a lower surface of said first spring disk is positioned adjacent said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage, said first unloader engaging an upper surface of said first spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises first biasing means acting on said first unloader for normally biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

89. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 88 wherein an upper surface of said second spring disk is positioned adjacent said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage, said second unloader engaging a lower surface of said second spring disk, and wherein said apparatus further comprises second biasing means acting on said second unloader for normally biasing said second spring disk toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

90. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 89 wherein said first unloader forms said first pressure chamber in fluid communication with said second flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said first pressure chamber is pressurized, whereby the fluid pressure acting within said first pressure chamber overcomes the biasing force exerted by said first biasing means such that said first unloader is displaced in a direction away from said upper surface of said first spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage for generating soft damping during compression, and wherein said second unloader forms said second pressure chamber in fluid communication with said first flow path such that when said plunger is displaced to said second position said second pressure chamber is pressurized, whereby said pressure acting within said second pressure chamber overcomes the biasing force exerted by said second biasing means such that said second unloader is displaced in a direction away from said lower surface of said second spring disk whereby increased flow is permitted through said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage for generating soft damping during rebound.

91. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 90 further comprising third biasing means provided between an upper surface of said first spring disk and said first unloader for biasing said first spring disk toward said upper outlet end portion of said first flow passage when said plunger is displaced to said first position and fourth biasing means provided between a lower surface of said second disk spring and said second unloader for biasing said second disk spring toward said lower outlet end portion of said second flow passage when said plunger is displaced to said first position.

92. The piston assembly as set forth in claim 91, wherein at least one of said first and second unloaders and its respective spring disk are located external to said piston valve body.