Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

• US 9,452,654 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• 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:
  US14/466,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20150081171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 processor, cause the processor 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 measured wheel speed value, said measured vehicle suspension damper position value and said measured vehicle suspension damper velocity value with corresponding predetermined vehicle speed activation threshold value, predetermined wheel speed activation threshold value, predetermined vehicle suspension damper position activation threshold value and predetermined vehicle suspension damper velocity activation threshold value, respectively, to achieve activation threshold approach statuses;

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

based on said activation threshold approach statuses, determining a control mode for said vehicle suspension damper;

according to said control mode and based on said monitoring, when at least one activation threshold value is exceeded, regulating damping forces within said vehicle suspension damper by actuating said at least one electronic valve to adjust said vehicle suspension damper to an exceeded threshold state, such that a tilt of said frame is reduced;

comparing said measured vehicle speed value, said measured wheel speed value, said measured vehicle suspension damper position value and said measured vehicle suspension damper velocity value with corresponding predetermined vehicle speed hold threshold value, predetermined wheel speed hold threshold value, predetermined vehicle suspension damper position hold threshold value and predetermined vehicle suspension damper velocity hold threshold value, respectively, to achieve hold threshold approach statuses, wherein said corresponding hold threshold value is less than said corresponding activation threshold value of respective vehicle speed, wheel speed, vehicle suspension damper position and vehicle suspension damper velocity; and

utilizing a hold logic to hold said vehicle suspension damper at said control mode at said exceeded threshold state when the at least one said activation threshold value is no longer exceeded, and discontinuing said hold logic when all of said hold threshold values are also no longer exceeded.