IP Library Granted Patent US 10,336,149
Granted Patent B2
US 10,336,149 · App. 16/051,245 · Granted Jul 2, 2019

Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,336,149
App. No.
16/051,245
Filed
Jul 31, 2018
Granted
Jul 2, 2019
Kind
B2
Examiner
WONG, YUEN H
Art Unit
3667
USPC
701/37
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 (11)

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 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 a pressure applied to an area of a vehicle component inside a cabin of said vehicle, wherein said vehicle component and 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, when 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.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein said pressure applied to said vehicle component comprises:

a pressure applied to a seat of said vehicle.

3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein said pressure applied to said vehicle component comprises:

a pressure applied to a cargo bay of said vehicle.

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 →
Cited By (8)
US 12,257,871 US 12,371,122 US 12,377,699 US 12,491,961 US 12,504,053 US 12,504,054 US 12,583,276 US 12,698,818