US 12,371,122 B2
Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper
Everet Ericksen, Woodland, CA (US); Robert C. Fox, Scotts Valley, CA (US); David Batterbee, Buckingham (GB); and John Marking, El Cajon, CA (US)
Assigned to Fox Factory, Inc., Duluth, GA (US)
Filed by Fox Factory, Inc., Duluth, GA (US)
Filed on Jan. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/407,270.
Application 14/690,267 is a division of application No. 13/843,704, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, granted, now 9,033,122, issued on May 19, 2015.
Application 18/407,270 is a continuation of application No. 17/716,919, filed on Apr. 8, 2022, granted, now 11,866,120.
Application 17/716,919 is a continuation of application No. 16/838,484, filed on Apr. 2, 2020, granted, now 11,681,652.
Application 16/838,484 is a continuation of application No. 16/224,516, filed on Dec. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,723,409, issued on Jul. 28, 2020.
Application 16/224,516 is a continuation of application No. 15/599,469, filed on May 19, 2017, granted, now 10,160,511, issued on Dec. 25, 2018.
Application 15/599,469 is a continuation of application No. 14/690,267, filed on Apr. 17, 2015, granted, now 9,663,181, issued on May 30, 2017.
Application 13/843,704 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/485,401, filed on May 31, 2012, abandoned.
Application 13/843,704 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/189,216, filed on Jul. 22, 2011, granted, now 9,239,090, issued on Jan. 19, 2016.
Application 13/485,401 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/175,244, filed on Jul. 1, 2011, granted, now 8,627,932, issued on Jan. 14, 2014.
Application 13/485,401 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/010,697, filed on Jan. 20, 2011, granted, now 8,857,580, issued on Oct. 14, 2014.
Application 13/843,704 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/684,072, filed on Jan. 7, 2010, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/709,041, filed on Oct. 2, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/667,327, filed on Jul. 2, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/645,465, filed on May 10, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/491,858, filed on May 31, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/361,127, filed on Jul. 2, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/296,826, filed on Jan. 20, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/143,152, filed on Jan. 7, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2024/0308618 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. F16F 9/348 (2006.01); B60G 17/08 (2006.01); B62K 25/08 (2006.01); F16F 9/46 (2006.01); F16F 9/512 (2006.01); B62K 25/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62K 25/08 (2013.01) [B60G 17/08 (2013.01); F16F 9/465 (2013.01); F16F 9/5126 (2013.01); B62K 2025/044 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle suspension damper comprising:
a primary valve;
a pilot valve assembly, said pilot valve assembly comprising:
an adjustable pilot spool configured for controlling a pressure inside said primary valve;
a bleed passage; and
a flow control orifice for limiting flow through into said bleed passage, said flow control orifice for limiting fluid flow through said bleed passage during compression of said vehicle suspension damper, said flow control orifice limiting a boost force exerted by said primary valve;
an externally-adjustable adjuster, wherein said pilot valve assembly meters fluid to said primary valve, and movement of said externally-adjustable adjuster varies an effective orifice size of said adjustable pilot spool, said externally-adjustable adjuster disposed at a top cap of said vehicle suspension damper, and wherein said adjuster moves said primary valve in response to a current delivered from a power source;
a set of shims coupled to said primary valve, wherein a position of said adjustable pilot spool corresponds to an increase of pressure inside said primary valve and an increase of said boost force on said set of shims by said primary valve;
a damper cylinder;
a base valve assembly;
an elastic bladder;
a first fluid flow path configured for providing a first fluid pathway for a movement of a first portion of said fluid through and between said damper cylinder, said base valve assembly, and said elastic bladder, wherein during at least one of a compression and a rebound of said vehicle suspension damper, said first portion of said fluid flows through said first fluid flow path, and during a damping of said compression and said rebound, said pilot valve assembly at least partially obstructs said first fluid flow path;
a set of shims coupled to said base valve assembly, wherein a position of said pilot valve assembly corresponds to an increase of pressure inside said base valve assembly and an increase of an axial force on said set of shims by said base valve assembly.