METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER

• US 20150081171A1
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Ericksen, Everet Owen, Cox, Paul, Galasso, Mario, McLellan, Matt, Tsiaras, Philip, Larson, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,452,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/37
• 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, wherein at least a first control signal of the set of control signals includes a set of values associated a pressure applied to a vehicle component of a vehicle; accessing a set of predetermined vehicle component base-level pressure values associated with the vehicle component; comparing the set of values associated with a pressure applied to the vehicle component with the set of predetermined vehicle component base-level pressure values; based on said comparing, calculating an approximate shift in a center of gravity of the vehicle; monitoring a state of at least one valve; and based on the calculating and the monitoring, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper that, if actuated, would compensate the vehicle for the shift in the center of gravity.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the 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 measured wheel speed value associated with a movement of a wheel of said vehicle, a third control signal of said set of control signals comprises a measured vehicle suspension damper position value of a movement of a vehicle suspension damper of said vehicle and a fourth control signal of said set of control signals comprises a measured vehicle suspension damper velocity value associated with said movement of said vehicle suspension damper, wherein said vehicle suspension damper is coupled with a frame of said vehicle;

comparing said measured vehicle speed value, said wheel speed value, said vehicle suspension damper position value and said vehicle suspension damper velocity value with corresponding predetermined vehicle speed threshold values, predetermined wheel speed threshold values, vehicle suspension damper position threshold values and predetermined vehicle suspension damper velocity threshold values, respectively, to achieve threshold approach statuses;

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

based on said threshold approach statuses, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper; and

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

2. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the 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, and wherein 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 predetermined vehicle speed threshold value that corresponds to said vehicle, to achieve an speed value threshold approach status;

comparing said set of values associated with said at least one user-induced input with a 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 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 at least one vehicle suspension damper; and

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

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

a movement of a steering wheel.

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

a movement of a brake.

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

a movement of a throttle.

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

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

accessing a set of release thresholds associated with a brake position and a brake velocity of said at least one user-induced input;

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

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

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

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

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

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

accessing a set of release thresholds associated with a throttle position and a throttle velocity of said at least one user-induced input;

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

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

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

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

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

accessing a set of control signals, wherein at least a first control signal of said set of control signals comprises a set of values associated a pressure applied to a vehicle component of a vehicle, wherein at least one vehicle suspension damper is coupled to a frame of said vehicle;

accessing a set of predetermined vehicle component base-level pressure values associated with said vehicle component;

comparing said set of values associated with a pressure applied to said vehicle component with said set of predetermined vehicle component base-level pressure values;

based on said comparing, calculating an approximate shift in a center of gravity of said vehicle having occurred;

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

based on said calculating and said monitoring, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper that, if actuated, would compensate said vehicle for said shift in said center of gravity; and

according to said control mode, regulating damping forces within said at least one vehicle suspension damper by actuating said at least one valve to adjust to a desired state, such that said base-level center of gravity is approximately restored.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein said pressure applied to said vehicle component comprises:

a pressure applied to a seat of said vehicle.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein said pressure applied to said vehicle component comprises:

a pressure applied to a cargo bay of said vehicle.

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

accessing a set of control signals, wherein at least a first control signal of said set of control signals comprises a measured acceleration value associated with a movement of a vehicle component of a vehicle, wherein said vehicle component is coupled with a frame of said vehicle via at least one vehicle suspension damper;

accessing a set of freefall acceleration threshold values;

comparing said measured acceleration value with said set of freefall acceleration threshold values;

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

based on said comparing, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper; and

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

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

accessing a set of control signals, wherein at least a first control signal of said set of control signals comprises a measured location information associated with a location of a vehicle, wherein a vehicle suspension damper is coupled with a frame of said vehicle, wherein at least a second control signal of said set of control signals comprises measured environmental information;

accessing a set of date values;

comparing said measured environmental information with predetermined environmental threshold values;

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

based on said measured location information, said set of date values and said comparing, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper; and

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