Suspension structure with internal height sensor assembly
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a compartment;
a cord within the compartment;
a reel assembly that winds the cord as the height of the compartment decreases, and unwinds the cord as the height of the compartment increases; and
a sensor circuit that senses winding and unwinding of the cord to determine a height of the compartment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to a suspension structure that includes an internal height sensor assembly. The height sensor assembly monitors the height of the structure, i.e., the distance between first and second sides of the suspension structure. If the height changes, the height sensor assembly may provide this information to a control circuit so that adjustments to the spring constant of the suspension structure can be made. The height sensor assembly may include a reel assembly attached to a first side of the suspension structure, and a cord wound about the reel assembly and attached to a second side of the suspension structure. Detectable elements on the reel assembly or the cord may facilitate height measurements via a sensor circuit. Alternatively, the height sensor assembly may include a magnetic sensor that detects a position of a magnet which moves in response to winding or unwinding of the cord.
53 Citations
50 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a compartment;
a cord within the compartment;
a reel assembly that winds the cord as the height of the compartment decreases, and unwinds the cord as the height of the compartment increases; and
a sensor circuit that senses winding and unwinding of the cord to determine a height of the compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A suspension structure for a vehicle comprising:
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an air compartment including first and second sides that can move relative to one another; and
means for determining a distance between the first and second sides, the means being housed within the compartment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a suspension structure comprising a compartment, a cord within the compartment, a reel assembly that winds the cord as the height of the compartment decreases, and unwinds the cord as the height of the compartment increases, and a sensor circuit that senses winding and unwinding of the cord to determine a height of the compartment; and
a control circuit that controls a spring constant of the suspension structure based on output of the sensor circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A vehicle comprising:
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a vehicle frame;
an axle mechanically connected to the vehicle frame via one or more suspension structures, wherein at least one of the suspension structures includes a compartment, a cord within the compartment, a reel assembly that winds the cord as the height of the compartment decreases, and unwinds the cord as the height of the compartment increases, and a sensor circuit that senses winding and unwinding of the cord to determine a height of the compartment. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method comprising:
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internally determining a distance between a first side of a suspension structure and a second side of a suspension structure by sensing winding and unwinding of a cord about a reel assembly; and
adjusting a spring constant associated with the suspension structure based on the determined distance. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A system comprising:
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a suspension structure comprising a compartment, a cord within the compartment, a reel assembly that winds the cord as the height of the compartment decreases, and unwinds the cord as the height of the compartment increases, and a sensor circuit that senses winding and unwinding of the cord to determine a height of the compartment; and
a control circuit that displays values indicative of output of the sensor circuit.
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46. An apparatus comprising:
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a compartment;
a cord within the compartment;
a reel assembly that winds the cord as the height of the compartment decreases, and unwinds the cord as the height of the compartment increases, wherein the real assembly includes a magnet and threading, the threading engaging another threading such that the magnet of the reel assembly moves laterally as the cord winds or unwinds; and
a sensor circuit that senses positioning of the magnet to determine a height of the compartment.
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47. A suspension structure comprising:
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a compartment defining a sprung side and an non-sprung side;
a cord within the compartment;
a reel assembly attached to the sprung side of the compartment that winds the cord as the height of the compartment decreases, and unwinds the cord as the height of the compartment increases; and
a sensor circuit that determines a height of the compartment based on the winding and unwinding of the cord.
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48. A method comprising:
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internally determining a distance between a first side of a suspension structure and a second side of a suspension structure by sensing lateral motion of a magnet caused by winding and unwinding of a cord about a reel assembly; and
adjusting a spring constant associated with the suspension structure based on the determined distance.
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49. A suspension structure comprising:
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a compartment;
a cord within the compartment;
a reel assembly including a magnet, the reel assembly being attached to the suspension structure inside the compartment to wind the cord as a height of the compartment decreases, and unwind the cord as the height of the compartment increases, wherein winding and unwinding of the cord causes reel assembly to move about a threading and thereby cause movement of the magnet; and
a sensor circuit that determines a height of the compartment based on a position of the magnet.
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50. A suspension structure comprising:
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a compartment;
a cord within the compartment;
a spool including a magnet, the spool being spooled on a threading, wherein the cord is attached to the spool such that when a height of the compartment changes the spool rotates about the threading; and
a sensor circuit that determines a height of the compartment based on a position of the magnet.
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Specification