公开(公告)号：US06296092B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-02

申请号：US09422867

申请日：1999-10-21

Applicant: John Marking ,  Douglas E. Brewer ,  Robert C. Fox

Inventor： John Marking ,  Douglas E. Brewer ,  Robert C. Fox

IPC: F16F902

CPC classification number: F16F9/067 ,  F16F9/0209 ,  F16F9/3235 ,  F16F9/34 ,  F16F9/43 ,  F16F9/48

Abstract: The present invention is directed to shock absorbers, including position-sensitive shock absorbers (2) in which the position-sensitive damping can be different during compression and rebound strokes, and shock absorbers (60) with damping adjusters (80, 118) which vary the damping provided during compression and rebound strokes. The position-sensitive shock absorber includes a cylinder (4) within which a piston (122) is movably mounted for movement between the first and second ends of the cylinder. Bypass openings (24-32) open into the cylinder interior (6) at axially spaced-apart positions. The bypass openings are coupled by a bypass channel (38). A flow valve (40, 42) may be positioned along the bypass channel permitting fluid flow from the first opening to the second opening and restricting fluid flow from the second opening to the first opening. A pressurized gas container (18) may be fluidly coupled to the cylinder interior with a movable barrier (14) separating the pressurized gas container and the cylinder interior.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及减震器，包括位置敏感的减震器（2），其中位置敏感阻尼在压缩和回弹冲程期间可以是不同的，以及具有阻尼调节器（80,118）的减震器（60），其变化 在压缩和回弹冲程期间提供阻尼。 所述位置敏感型减震器包括气缸（4），活塞（122）可移动地安装在所述气缸内，以便在气缸的第一和第二端之间移动。 旁路开口（24-32）在轴向间隔开的位置处开启到气缸内部（6）。 旁路开口通过旁路通道（38）耦合。 流动阀（40,42）可以沿着旁通通道定位，允许流体从第一开口流到第二开口并限制流体从第二开口流到第一开口。 加压气体容器（18）可以与分离加压气体容器和气缸内部的可移动屏障（14）流体地联接到气缸内部。

公开(公告)号：US06360857B1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-26

申请号：US09521255

申请日：2000-03-08

Applicant: Robert C. Fox ,  John Marking

Inventor： Robert C. Fox ,  John Marking

IPC: F16F9516

CPC classification number: F16F9/461 ,  F16F9/3485 ,  F16F9/466 ,  F16F9/516

Abstract: A shock absorber comprises an adjustment component movable in two degrees of freedom. When the adjustment component is adjusted within one of its degrees of freedom of movement, a characteristic, such as the compression damping, is adjusted and when the adjustment component is adjusted within the other of its degrees of freedom of movement another characteristic, such as the rebound damping, is adjusted. The invention extends to a method of adjusting the operation of a shock absorber.

Abstract translation: 减震器包括可在两个自由度上移动的调节部件。 当调节部件在其自由度的一个自由度内调节时，调整诸如压缩阻尼的特性，并且当调节部件在其自由度的另一个内被调整时，另一个特性，例如 回弹阻尼，调整。 本发明延伸到一种调节减震器的操作的方法。

公开(公告)号：US09103401B2

公开(公告)日：2015-08-11

申请号：US12123184

申请日：2008-05-19

Applicant: Robert C. Fox

Inventor： Robert C. Fox

IPC: F16F9/34 ,  F16F9/44 ,  F16F9/512

CPC classification number: F16F9/5126 ,  F16F9/44 ,  F16F9/512

Abstract: A damper includes a piston rod, a damping piston, at least one cylinder containing a damping liquid, a fixed partition member for partitioning the interior of the damper into two liquid chambers, a pressure source, and a valve in communication with the pressure source which reacts as a function of the pressure. The valve can also be in communication with additional forces, such as mechanical spring forces, which can be adjustable. The valve can include a pressure intensifier. The valve generates fluid flow resistance during flow of liquid in a first direction through the partition member. The fluid flow resistance in the first direction varies according to the amount of force communicated to the valve by the pressure source and any additional forces. The partition member can include means for providing low-resistance return flow of liquid in a second direction.

Abstract translation: 阻尼器包括活塞杆，阻尼活塞，至少一个容纳阻尼液体的气缸，用于将阻尼器内部分隔成两个液室的固定分隔构件，压力源和与压力源连通的阀， 作为压力的函数反应。 阀也可以与附加的力连通，例如可以调节的机械弹簧力。 阀可以包括增压器。 阀在第一方向流过分隔件时产生液体流动阻力。 第一方向上的流体流动阻力根据由压力源传递到阀的力的大小和任何额外的力而变化。 分隔构件可以包括用于在第二方向上提供液体的低阻回流的装置。

公开(公告)号：US07703585B2

公开(公告)日：2010-04-27

申请号：US10237333

申请日：2002-09-05

Applicant: Robert C. Fox

Inventor： Robert C. Fox

IPC: F16F9/34

CPC classification number: B62K25/04 ,  B60G15/12 ,  B60G17/0523 ,  B60G2300/12 ,  B60G2500/20 ,  B62K2025/048 ,  B62K2201/08 ,  F16F9/0209 ,  F16F9/0236 ,  F16F9/06 ,  F16F9/3257 ,  F16F9/46 ,  F16F9/461 ,  F16F13/002 ,  F16F2228/066

Abstract: An integrated and self-contained suspension assembly having a gas spring integrated with a shock absorber (damper) is described. The rigid gas cylinder of the air spring is divided into a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber. A flow port connects the first and second gas chambers, and can be manually opened or closed by valve and a simple one-quarter turn rotation of an external knob to instantly switch the gas spring between two different spring rates. The different spring rates are functions of the separate or combined volumes of the two gas chambers. The integrated suspension assembly is compactly packaged and self-contained, i.e., does not require any externalities, such as gas sources or electricity, to operate.

Abstract translation: 描述了具有与减震器（阻尼器）集成的气弹簧的集成且独立的悬架组件。 空气弹簧的刚性气瓶分为第一气室和第二气室。 流动端口连接第一和第二气室，并且可以通过阀门手动打开或关闭，以及外部旋钮的简单四分之一圈转动，以立即将气弹簧切换到两个不同的弹簧刚度之间。 不同的弹簧速率是两个气室的单独或组合体积的函数。 集成的悬挂组件被紧凑地包装并且是独立的，即不需要任何外部性，例如气源或电力来操作。

公开(公告)号：US20090236807A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-24

申请号：US12407610

申请日：2009-03-19

Applicant: Dennis K. Wootten ,  Robert C. Fox ,  David Haugen

Inventor： Dennis K. Wootten ,  Robert C. Fox ,  David Haugen

IPC: B60G17/04 ,  F16F5/00 ,  F16F9/34

CPC classification number: F16F9/063 ,  B60G17/048 ,  B60G2202/152 ,  B60G2300/12 ,  B60G2500/2064 ,  B60G2500/22 ,  B60G2600/21 ,  F16F9/486

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for use in vehicle suspension. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatus useful for variable spring rate and/or variable damping rate vehicle suspension. In one embodiment, a shock absorber for a vehicle includes a gas spring having first and second gas chambers. The first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. The shock absorber further includes a fluid isolated damper for regulating the speed of travel throughout both portions of travel.

Abstract translation: 本发明的实施例一般涉及用于车辆悬架的方法和装置。 本发明的具体实施方案涉及可用于可变弹簧速率和/或可变阻尼速率车辆悬架的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，用于车辆的减震器包括具有第一和第二气室的气弹簧。 在减震器的第一行进部分期间利用第一室，并且第一和第二室在第二部分行程期间都被使用。 减震器还包括用于调节行进两个部分的行进速度的流体隔离阻尼器。

公开(公告)号：US07520372B2

公开(公告)日：2009-04-21

申请号：US11852675

申请日：2007-09-10

Applicant: Robert C. Fox

Inventor： Robert C. Fox

IPC: F16F9/504 ,  F16F9/34

CPC classification number: F16F9/504 ,  B62K25/04 ,  B62K25/08 ,  B62K25/286 ,  B62K2025/048 ,  F16F9/064 ,  F16F9/34 ,  Y10T29/494

Abstract: A damper including an inertia valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber is disclosed. In these embodiments, the damper has at least one chamber that at least partially surrounds two other chambers.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种阻尼器，其包括可在打开位置和关闭位置之间运动的惯性阀，以选择性地改变减震器的压缩阻尼率。 在这些实施例中，阻尼器具有至少部分地围绕两个其它腔室的至少一个腔室。

公开(公告)号：US06581948B2

公开(公告)日：2003-06-24

申请号：US10043079

申请日：2002-01-09

Applicant: Robert C. Fox

Inventor： Robert C. Fox

IPC: B62K2508

CPC classification number: B62K25/08 ,  B62K25/04 ,  B62K25/286 ,  B62K2025/048 ,  F16F9/096 ,  F16F9/504

Abstract: A dampener including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature which operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The dampener may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

公开(公告)号：US10036443B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-31

申请号：US13022346

申请日：2011-02-07

Applicant: Mario Galasso ,  Joseph Franklin ,  Andrew Laird ,  Robert C. Fox

Inventor： Mario Galasso ,  Joseph Franklin ,  Andrew Laird ,  Robert C. Fox

IPC: F16F9/32 ,  B62K25/04 ,  B62K25/28

CPC classification number: F16F9/3264 ,  B62K25/04 ,  B62K25/286 ,  F16F2228/08

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of a system for vehicles comprising a vehicle suspension, a sensor operable to measure an operational characteristic of the vehicle suspension, and a processor in communication with the sensor that is operable to suggest an operational setting of the vehicle suspension in response to an input from the sensor corresponding to the operational characteristic. A method for adjusting a suspension of a vehicle may comprise receiving suspension data with a processor, calculating a suspension setting suggestion with the processor, communicating the suspension setting suggestion to a user interface device, and adjusting the suspension based on the suspension setting suggestion.

公开(公告)号：US08607942B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-17

申请号：US13555364

申请日：2012-07-23

Applicant: William Becker ,  Robert C. Fox ,  Dennis K. Wootten

Inventor： William Becker ,  Robert C. Fox ,  Dennis K. Wootten

IPC: F16F9/504

CPC classification number: F16F9/504 ,  B62K25/08 ,  F16F9/06 ,  F16F9/18 ,  F16F9/34 ,  F16F9/446

Abstract: A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种现代的悬挂阻尼器，例如包括惯性阀和减压特征的减震器或悬挂叉。 减压特征包括可旋转的调节旋钮，其允许乘员“即时”外部调节压力释放阈值，而不使用工具。

公开(公告)号：US08464850B2

公开(公告)日：2013-06-18

申请号：US11560403

申请日：2006-11-16

Applicant: Robert C. Fox

Inventor： Robert C. Fox

IPC: F16F9/34

CPC classification number: B62K25/08 ,  B62K2025/048 ,  F16F9/068 ,  F16F9/43 ,  F16F9/462

Abstract: A gas spring curve control valve for a adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device is described. The valve allows for selection from among at least four spring curves and can be packaged in small spaces/devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rotary cam having grooves and lobes that interact with spring loaded ball bearings and an external adjuster knob are used to easily change the gas spring curve “on-the-fly” and with minimal user effort.

Abstract translation: 描述了一种用于可调节体积的气体加压装置的气弹簧曲线控制阀。 该阀允许从至少四个弹簧曲线中进行选择，并且可以被封装在小空间/装置中。 在本发明的一个示例性实施例中，具有与弹簧加载的球轴承和外部调节器旋钮相互作用的槽和凸角的旋转凸轮被用于容易地“即时”地改变气体弹簧曲线并且以最小的用户努力。