Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

• US 10,807,433 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2018
• Issued: 10/20/2020
• 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
• Application Number:
  US16/051,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20180339567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 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 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.