Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9452654-B2
Application number	US-201414466831-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 22, 2014
Priority date	Jan 7, 2009
Publication date	Sep 27, 2016
Grant date	Sep 27, 2016

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.

First claim

What we claim is:

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.

Assignees

• Fox Factory Inc

Inventors

• Ericksen Everet Owen
• Cox Christopher Paul
• Tsiaras Philip
• Larson Mark
• Galasso Mario
• Mclellan Matt

Classifications

• B60G2600/70

  Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control · CPC title

• B60G17/018

  characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method · CPC title

• B60G17/08

  Characteristics of fluid dampers (adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53) · CPC title

• F16F9/5126

  Piston, or piston-like valve elements (F16F9/504 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60G2500/11

  Damping valves · CPC title