IP Library Granted Patent US 11,660,924
Granted Patent B2
US 11,660,924 · App. 16/424,334 · Granted May 30, 2023

Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen (Woodland, CA); Christopher Paul Cox (Capitola, CA); Philip Tsiaras (Dacula, GA); 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 11,660,924
App. No.
16/424,334
Granted
May 30, 2023
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 (24)

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 at least one value associated with at least one user-induced input, said vehicle having at least one vehicle suspension damper coupled to a frame of said vehicle;

accessing at least one release threshold associated with said at least one user-induced input;

comparing said at least one value associated with said at least one user-induced input with a predetermined user-induced input threshold value, to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status;

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 user-induced input threshold value approach status and said at least one release threshold, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper; and

according to said control mode and based on said monitoring, regulating said damping force 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.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1 wherein said at least a first control signal of said set of control signals is selected from the group consisting of: acceleration, tilt, pitch, roll, and velocity.

3. 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 at least one value associated with at least one user-induced input, said vehicle having at least one vehicle suspension damper coupled to a frame of said vehicle;

accessing at least one release threshold associated with said at least one user-induced input;

comparing said at least one value associated with said at least one user-induced input with a predetermined user-induced input threshold value, to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status;

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;

determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper; and

according to said control mode and based on said monitoring, regulating said damping force within said at least one vehicle suspension damper by actuating said at least one valve to control a tilt of said frame.

4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 3 wherein said at least a first control signal of said set of control signals is selected from the group consisting of: acceleration, tilt, pitch, roll, and velocity.

5. 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 at least one value associated with at least one user-induced input, said vehicle having at least one vehicle suspension damper coupled to a frame of said vehicle;

accessing at least one release threshold associated with said at least one user-induced input;

comparing said at least one value associated with said at least one user-induced input with a predetermined user-induced input threshold value, to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status;

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 user-induced input threshold value approach status and said set of release thresholds, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper; and

according to said control mode and based on said monitoring, regulating said damping force within said at least one vehicle suspension damper by actuating said at least one valve to affect a tilt of said frame is reduced.

6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 5 wherein said at least a first control signal of said set of control signals is selected from the group consisting of: acceleration, tilt, pitch, roll, and velocity.

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 059588/0805 →
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 Mar 13, 2020
From: FOX FACTORY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 052163/0728 →