IP Library Granted Patent US 10,814,689
Granted Patent B2
US 10,814,689 · App. 16/042,563 · Granted Oct 27, 2020

Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen (Santa Cruz, CA); Christopher Paul Cox (Capitola, CA); Philip Tsiaras (Scotts Valley, CA); Mark Larson (Santa Cruz, CA); Mario Galasso (Sandy Hook, CT); Matt McLellan (Fremont, CA)
Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
B60G17/016B60G17/015B60G17/018B60G17/08F16F9/512F16F9/5126B60G2202/24B60G2206/41B60G2400/104B60G2400/202B60G2400/204B60G2400/208B60G2400/252B60G2400/33B60G2400/34B60G2400/39B60G2400/41B60G2400/44B60G2400/5182B60G2400/62B60G2400/63B60G2500/10B60G2500/102B60G2500/11B60G2600/02B60G2600/187B60G2600/20B60G2600/26B60G2600/70B60G2800/012B60G2800/014B60G2800/91
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,814,689
App. No.
16/042,563
Granted
Oct 27, 2020
Kind
B2
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 (19)

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

comparing said set of values associated with said at least one user-induced input with a stored 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 of said valve controls a damping force of 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 vehicle suspension damper by actuating said valve to adjust said vehicle suspension damper to a desired state, such that a tilt of said frame is reduced.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprising:

holding said at least one vehicle suspension damper in said desired state for a period of time wherein said period of time begins when a first threshold value is determined to have been exceeded and ends when a second threshold value is determined to have been exceeded.

3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 2 , wherein said method further comprising:

tracking said period of time for which said at least one vehicle suspension damper is held in said desired state.

4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprising:

establishing a period of time for said at least one vehicle suspension damper to settle down before a compression mode of said at least one vehicle suspension damper is set to a firm setting.

5. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein said at least one user-induced input comprises:

a movement of a steering wheel.

6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein said at least one user-induced input comprises:

a movement of a brake.

7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein said at least one user-induced input comprises:

a movement of a throttle.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2025
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 073270/0027 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: FOX FACTORY, INC.
Reel/Frame 059704/0224 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2022
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 059616/0435 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2020
From: ERICKSEN, EVERET OWEN; COX, CHRISTOPHER PAUL; TSIARAS, PHILIP; LARSON, MARK; GALASSO, MARIO; MCLELLAN, MATT
To: FOX FACTORY, INC.
Reel/Frame 054381/0778 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 5, 2019
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049388/0585 →