Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

• US 10,040,329 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2016
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Ericksen, Everet Owen, Cox, Christopher Paul, Tsiaras, Philip, Larson, Mark, Galasso, Mario, McLellan, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Yuen H
• Application Number:
  US15/275,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20170008363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/016 characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input B60G17/017 takes precedence
• 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 2202/24 Fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/41 Dampers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/202 Piston speed; Relative velocity between vehicle body and wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/204 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/208 of wheel rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/252 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/33 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/34 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/39 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/41 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/44 Steering speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/5182 Fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/62 Seat occupation; Passenger presence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/63 Location of the center of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/102 : stepwise
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/11 : Damping valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/02 : Retarders, delaying means, dead zones, threshold values, cut-off frequency, timer interruption
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/187 : Digital Controller Details and Signal Treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/20 : Manual control or setting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/26 : Electromagnets; Solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/70 : Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 : Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/014 : Pitch; Nose dive
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/91 : Suspension Control
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/512 : Means responsive to load action, i.e. static load on the damper or dynamic fluid pressure changes in the damper, e.g. due to changes in velocity F16F9/504, F16F9/516 take precedence; non-automatic damper adjustment from a distance using servo control, the servo pressure being created by the flow of damping fluid F16F9/465; self-pumping fluid springs in vehicle suspensions B60G17/044
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/5126 : Piston, or piston-like valve elements F16F9/504 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform a method for controlling vehicle motion, said method comprising:

accessing a set of control signals, wherein a first control signal of said set of control signals comprises a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle, a second control signal of said set of control signals comprises a set of values associated with at least one user-induced input, wherein a vehicle suspension damper is coupled with a frame of said vehicle;

comparing said measured vehicle speed value with a stored predetermined vehicle speed threshold value that corresponds to said vehicle, to achieve a vehicle speed value threshold approach status;

comparing said set of values associated with said at least one user-induced input with a stored predetermined user-induced input threshold value, to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status;

monitoring a state of a valve within said vehicle suspension damper, wherein said state of said valve controls a damping force within said vehicle suspension damper;

based on at least one of said vehicle speed value threshold approach status and said user-induced input threshold value approach status, determining a control mode for said vehicle suspension damper; and

according to said control mode and based on said monitoring, regulating damping forces within said vehicle suspension damper by actuating said valve to adjust to a desired state, such that a tilt of said frame is reduced.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said at least one user-induced input comprises:

a movement of a steering wheel.

3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said at least one user-induced input comprises:

a movement of a brake.

4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said at least one user-induced input comprises:

a movement of a throttle.