Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment

• US 10,145,435 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2016
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Galasso, Mario, Wootten, Dennis K., Franklin, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US15/211,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20160319899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 280 6151, 280 6157, 280 6159, 267 6416, 267 6419, 267 6421, 267 6423, 267 6424, 188301, 188318, 1883191, 1883192, 18832213, 1883222
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/27 wherein the fluid is a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/10 and mechanical damper or dynamic damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/12 and fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0523 Regulating distributors or valves for pneumatic springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/152 Pneumatic spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/93 Tools used for adjustments
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/142 Visual Display Camera, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/28 with pivoted chain-stay
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/003 Dampers characterised by having pressure absorbing means other than gas, e.g. sponge rubber
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/0209 Telescopic F16F9/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/3292 Sensor arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/34 Special valve constructions F16F9/44, F16F9/50 take precedence; filtering details F16F9/3285 ; valves in general F16K; Shape or construction of throttling passages
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/43 Filling or drainage arrangements, e.g. for supply of gas filling vessels with, or discharging from vessels, compressed, liquefied, or solidified gases F17C
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle

Abstract

A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.

Claims

1. An assembly for adjusting a gas pressure of a shock absorber, said assembly comprising:

a bracket configured to be removably mounted on a damper body of said shock absorber; and

a bleed valve coupled to said bracket, said bleed valve configured to be removably coupled to a fill valve of said shock absorber, said bleed valve for bleeding gas from said shock absorber as said shock absorber is compressed, said bleed valve further configured to be disposed in an initially open position, said bleed valve further comprising;

a plunger, said plunger extending from said bleed valve, said plunger

disposed to be depressed when said damper body moves a sufficient distance with respect to another portion of said shock absorber, depression of said plunger closing said bleed valve; and

a sag mode valve configured to override said bleed valve, said sag mode valve having a first position in which said sag mode valve prevents gas from passing through said bleed valve, even when said bleed valve is in said initially open position, said sag mode valve having a second position which allows gas to pass through said bleed valve when said bleed valve is in said initially open position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket further comprises:

a holder, said holder configured to hold said bleed valve and retain said bleed valve is a desired position with respect to said shock absorber.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said bracket further comprises:

a retention member, said retention member configured to retain said plunger of said bleed valve in a depressed or closed position in order to prevent additional gas from passing through said bleed valve after it is desired to close said bleed valve.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said retention member is further configured to rotate about an end point towards a center of said holder, such that said retention member is able to engage said plunger thereby preventing the plunger from moving after said plunger is depressed.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said retention member further comprises:

a spring; and

a spring member configured to bias said spring, such that spring retains said retention member in a position where said retention member engages said plunger.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly further comprises:

a shock absorber position sensor coupled to said shock absorber; and

an electronically controlled pressure relief valve within said bleed valve, said electronically controlled pressure relief valve configured to enable said bleed valve to be electronically controlled to adjust gas pressure of said shock absorber to a desired level based upon readings received from said shock absorber position sensor.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said shock absorber position sensor further comprises:

a gas spring pressure sensor; and

a processor coupled to receive data from said gas spring pressure sensor, said processor configured to calculate axial position of said shock absorber based on information selected from the group consisting of;

a compression ratio of said shock abosorber, a pressure of a gas spring of said shock absorber, and gas compression laws.

8. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising:

an automated pump configured to be coupled to said fill valve of said shock absorber, said automated pump further configured to receive information regarding gas pressure of said shock absorber such that said automated pump is able to adjust said gas pressure of said shock absorber based upon said information.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said bleed valve further comprises:

a Schrader type valve including a valve stem; and

a lever arm, said lever arm retaining said valve stem of said Schrader valve in an open position until said plunger is depressed and engages said lever arm thereby causing said lever arm to release said valve stem from said open position.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said bleed valve further comprises:

a spring steel latch for retaining said lever arm in a position where said lever arm has released said valve stem from said open position.

11. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a shock absorber pressure sensor coupled to said bleed valve;

an electronic control/processing unit coupled to said shock absorber pressure sensor; and

a user interface coupled to said electronic control/processing unit, said user interface having controls to enable user interaction therewith.

12. The assembly of claim 11 where said electronic control/processing unit further comprises:

connection means for communicatively coupling said electronic control/processing unit to another computer system to enable communications selected from the group consisting of;

a programming download, a data download, a data upload, and standard computer operation information.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket further comprises:

a fastening member for retaining said bracket in a circular shape, said fastening member configured for affixing said bracket to said damper body.

14. A shock absorber adjustment assembly comprising:

a bracket configured to be removably coupled to said shock absorber; and

a bleed valve coupled to said bracket, said bleed valve configured to be removably coupled to a fill valve of said shock absorber, said bleed valve comprising;

a plunger coupled to said bleed valve;

a sag mode valve configured to override said bleed valve; and

a lock out member and a second lock out member for preventing operation of said bleed valve.

15. The shock absorber adjustment assembly of claim 14 wherein said bleed valve further comprises:

a lever arm configured to hold said bleed valve in an open position until engaged by said plunger.