IP Library Granted Patent US 11,173,765
Granted Patent B2
US 11,173,765 · App. 16/425,240 · Granted Nov 16, 2021

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 11,173,765
App. No.
16/425,240
Granted
Nov 16, 2021
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 (8)

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 a pressure applied to a vehicle component of said vehicle, wherein 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 said 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 approximate shift in said center of gravity; and

according to said control mode, 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 said center of gravity is approximately restored.

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 →