Motion Damped From Condition (e.g., Bump, Speed Change) Detected Outside Of Retarder Patents (Class 188/266.1)
  • Patent number: 11305601
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a suspension apparatus includes: an acquisition section which acquires a stroke amount of the suspension apparatus disposed between a vehicle body and a wheel to damp vibration propagated from the wheel; a calculation section which calculates a stroke velocity based on the stroke amount; and a damping force control section which controls damping force of the suspension apparatus based on the stroke velocity. The calculation section includes a first calculation section which differentiates the stroke amount by use of a first time constant as a time constant, to thereby calculate a first stroke velocity, and a second calculation section which differentiates the stroke amount by use of a second time constant larger than the first time constant as a time constant, to thereby calculate a second stroke velocity, and calculates the stroke velocity based on the first stroke velocity and the second stroke velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Junya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11305600
    Abstract: A controller 10 as a generation mechanism control portion includes a base control portion 15 that determines a lower limit value on an instruction signal (i.e., a base instruction value) that serves as a lower limit on a force to be generated by a variable damper 6 (a force generation mechanism) according to at least a running speed of a vehicle. The base control portion 15 corrects the base instruction value by a base instruction value calculation portion 28 based on a result of a determination about a road surface output from a road surface determination portion 26 (i.e., a result of detection by a road surface state detection portion). A vehicle behavior control apparatus is configured to variably control a damping force characteristic of the variable damper 6 according to a road surface state with use of an instruction value output from the controller 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryusuke Hirao, Nobuyuki Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 11279194
    Abstract: A damper with a main damper assembly includes a damper tube with a damping fluid. A main working piston divides a main fluid chamber into a piston rod side and a non-piston rod side. The main fluid chamber has an upper zone, a lower zone and a mid-zone. A secondary damper assembly with a secondary working piston is in fluid communication with the main damper assembly. When the main working piston travels in the mid-zone, fluid is caused to pass through the main working piston and the secondary working piston to generate a first damping force and when the main working piston travels in either of the upper and lower zone, fluid is caused to pass only through the main working piston to generate a second damping force, wherein the first damping force is less than the second damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN OF AMERICA INC., THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Alexander Dixon, Bill Bryant, Chad Smith, Clayton Kantner
  • Patent number: 11254180
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control system includes: a sensor for detecting an acceleration or an angular velocity of a sprung mass structure of the vehicle; and a controller configured to: calculate a first sprung parameter being a velocity or a displacement of the sprung mass structure from the sensor detection value; apply a high pass filter to the first sprung parameter to acquire a second sprung parameter; and control travel of the vehicle based on the second sprung parameter. The controller changes strength of the high pass filter according to an offset level representing a magnitude of an offset component of the first sprung parameter. Regarding a first offset level and a second offset level higher than the first offset level, the high pass filter is stronger in a case of the second offset level than in a case of the first offset level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Furuta
  • Patent number: 10823251
    Abstract: Seat-damping devices, systems, and methods for damping vibrations are disclosed. A fail-safe permanent magnet is used with an electromagnet to create damping of induced vibrations in a seat-damping device using magnetorheological, electrorheological, magnetically responsive powders and other magnetically responsive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron McCullough, Michael Jarzomski, Richard Wilder
  • Patent number: 10597095
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprising dampening movement of a cab supported by a chassis according to at least one dampening component; receiving plural inputs from at least one sensor and a seat suspension system; and based on the received plural inputs, causing an adjustment to the dampening movement of the cab according to the at least one dampening component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J Hamilton, Daniel Soldan
  • Patent number: 10539203
    Abstract: A replacement indicator for a shock absorber includes a pressure sensor which monitors pressure of operating fluid inside the shock absorber. The replacement indicator includes an indicative mechanism operatively coupled with the pressure sensor. The indicative mechanism includes an indicator component coupled to the shock absorber. The indicator component gets displaced relative to an outer surface of the shock absorber when the pressure of the operating fluid drops below a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kunkel
  • Patent number: 10449822
    Abstract: A suspension control system includes: a suspension, a damping force of which fluctuates in accordance with a control amount; and a control unit controlling the damping force by determining the control amount. The control unit executes a control amount correction process of determining the control amount by combining a base control amount and a correction control amount. The control unit executes the control amount correction process such that the damping force becomes smaller than a base damping force regardless of a stroke speed in the case where a requested damping direction is an upward direction, and executes the control amount correction process such that the damping force becomes larger than the base damping force regardless of the stroke speed in the case where the requested damping direction is a downward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Furuta
  • Patent number: 10000104
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a damper system for a vehicle. The damper system may have an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber including a rod guide assembly, a pressure tube, a reserve tube and an electromechanical valve. The electromechanical valve may be disposed in a valve cavity within the shock absorber. An integrated electronic system may be included which has a power drive electronics. The power drive electronics is electrically coupled to the electromechanical valve. The integrated electronic system is disposed along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pressure tube, and at a location radially outwardly of the pressure tube adjacent the rod guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Scott S. Dunaway, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Matthew L. Roessle, Matthew R. Schelosky
  • Patent number: 9944147
    Abstract: An improved shock absorber which is capable of absorbing higher pressures created by larger deflections in the roadway and absorbing lower pressures created by smaller deflections in the roadway. The second mechanism involves the use of a first and second chamber which may expand to absorb the force of roadway defections. Additional components such as a valve, pump, tilt control unit and CPU may be used to regulate the operation of the chambers. The mechanism for absorbing lower pressures and smaller deflections may be turned on or off depending on the desires of the user. In particular, where low profile tires are used, the user may desire a stiffer suspension, and a stiffer shock absorber in a curve. In such case, it may be desirable to turn off the portion designed to absorb smaller deflections so that the car will not “roll” when going around a curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: S. Gregory Smith
  • Patent number: 9909669
    Abstract: A linear valve drive for connection to a valve body having a valve seat and at least one flow passage with at least one inlet and at least one outlet, comprises a drive housing with a drive unit accommodated therein, an actuating element axially shiftable by the drive unit and coupled with a valve closing element to be pressed against the valve seat, and optionally closing the flow passage, and a supporting unit surrounding the actuating element, which is designed to be attached to the valve body. A spring system loaded by actuating the linear valve drive is provided at the supporting unit, which in dependence on the compression path has different spring rates. Furthermore, a correspondingly equipped valve is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Beck, Manuel Kraft, Juergen Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9879746
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shock absorber having a pressure tube forming a pressure chamber. A piston rod is disposed within the pressure chamber. A reserve tube defines a reserve chamber adjacent the pressure tube. A rod guide assembly is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and the pressure chamber and houses a plurality of digital valves. Each one of the digital valves includes a component which is moveable between an open state and a closed state, and thus helps to control a fluid flow between the pressure chamber and the reserve chamber. An electronic control system is disposed on a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and controls actuation of the digital valves. At least one additional valve is associated with one of the digital valves for further controlling a flow of fluid between the pressure chamber and the reserve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Keil, Matthew L. Roessle
  • Patent number: 9732823
    Abstract: An electromagnetic damper is attached to a vehicle and causes oscillation damping force using a motor driven with energy from a power source. The electromagnetic damper includes an electrical circuit that causes a coil of the motor to be short-circuited in a state where the energy from the power source to the motor is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takafumi Kato
  • Patent number: 9506521
    Abstract: A shock absorber system, including: a hydraulic shock absorber configured to generate a damping force with respect to a relative movement of a sprung portion and an unsprung portion; a damping-force changer configured to change the damping force; and a controller configured to determine a damping-force index and to control the damping-force changer, wherein the controller is configured to determine, as the index, a required application force to be applied to the sprung portion for damping its movement in an up-down direction, according to a determination rule in which the required application force has the same direction as a direction of a speed of the sprung portion in the up-down direction when the sprung speed is relatively small and acceleration of the sprung portion in the up-down direction is relatively large in a situation in which the direction of the speed and a direction of the acceleration are mutually different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ippei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9469968
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment suggested in the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method of controlling a work machine of a work vehicle. The apparatus for controlling a work machine of a work vehicle suggested in the present disclosure measures a speed of a work vehicle, converts an input signal of a joystick into an output current for controlling a proportional valve (P/V) for operating a work machine (for example, a boom and a bucket), compares the speed of the work vehicle with a reference speed, and advances or delays an end time point or an operation time point of the work machine, thereby controlling an impact applied to the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang Seok Park
  • Patent number: 9347514
    Abstract: A magnetic viscous fluid damper includes: a cylinder; a piston that is slidably interposed within the cylinder; two fluid chambers that are partitioned by the piston; a hollow rod that is coupled to the piston; an electromagnetic coil that is formed with a magnet wire wound around the piston; two lead wires that extend from both ends of the magnet wire; and a coil assembly in which the electromagnetic coil and the two lead wires are embedded in a mold resin. The piston includes a hollow first core coupled to the rod and a second core that sandwiches the coil assembly with the first core. The two lead wires are passed through the inside of the first core and are electrically continuous with an electric wire passed through the inside of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Saito
  • Patent number: 9309946
    Abstract: A cylinder with a shock absorbing function which can detect a position of a piston rod reciprocating in a cylinder tube and has a function of absorbing shock produced by the piston rod at its stroke end includes: a pair of piston valve sheets provided in a piston unit; a piston valve configured to reciprocate within a range between the piston valve sheets; a slider made of a nonmagnetic material slidably fitted onto the piston rod; a valve piston provided in the piston unit; a magnet holder ring attached to the piston rod so as to be positioned between the piston unit and the slider; and a magnetism detector provided on an outer periphery of the cylinder tube and configured to detect a position of the piston rod by detecting magnetism generated by the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisatoshi Odaka, Atsushi Satou, Yoshio Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8997951
    Abstract: An actively controlled colloidal damper having controllable damping characteristics. The damper has a cylinder (2); a piston (4) reciprocatably guided and supported by the cylinder (2) and forming a closed space (3) in cooperation with the cylinder (2); a porous body (8) having a large number of fine holes and received in the closed space (3); operation liquid (7) received in the closed space (3) together with the porous body (8), flowing into the fine holes in the porous body (8) when the pressure in the closed space (3) is increased, and flowing out of the fine holes when the pressure in the closed space (3) is decreased, and pressure regulation means, such as a servo value (6) and a pump device (10), for regulating the pressure in the closed space (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: School Juridical Person of Fukuoka Kogyo Daigaku
    Inventor: Claudiu Valentin Suciu
  • Publication number: 20150075928
    Abstract: A self-compensating tube assembly is disclosed for use in a doctor blade holder. The self-compensating tube assembly includes a tube including a membrane that encloses a liquid with a substantially invariable bulk modulus of elasticity, density and viscosity; and chatter responsive for providing any of monitoring means of blade chatter through pressure, damping of blade chatter, and minimizing blade chatter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Kadant Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Johnson, David Leeman, Allen Brauns
  • Patent number: 8960386
    Abstract: A damping arrangement comprises a drive member arranged to be driven for angular movement relative to a housing by a motor, and a damping device independent of the motor and operable to damp oscillating motion of the drive member relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Richard Hadley, David John Connors
  • Publication number: 20140236355
    Abstract: The invention concerns in general the technical field of robotics and automation. Especially the invention concerns a structure for improving a shock tolerance of a robot or other positioning system. More specifically, the invention discloses a mounting element structure for increasing shock tolerance in a robot. The mounting element structure includes a first surface (201) and a second surface (202) towards a robot tool element, wherein the first and second surfaces (201; 202) are configured to be connected with a string assembly (203). The string assembly is configured to, under exposure of external force exceeding a predetermined level, to reduce the damage caused by the force by deforming the shape of the string assembly (203).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 8770592
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle having a damper and a first and second springs mounted coaxially around the damper and a preload adjuster for partially compressing at least one of the springs independently of the compression stroke. In one embodiment the preload adjuster is remotely controllable. In another embodiment the shock absorber includes an additional mechanism for preloading at least one of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Cox
  • Publication number: 20140182959
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating vibrations in the header of a vehicle to reduce acoustic noise. The apparatus includes a fluid damper configured to be coupled to a header of a vehicle and an accelerometer for sensing vibrations in the header and providing a signal to adjust the fluid damper thereby attenuating the vibrations. A method is provided which includes receiving a signal indicating a vibration in a header of a vehicle and adjusting a fluid damper coupled to the header in response to the signal thereby attenuating the vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: MARK A. STEBBINS, SHAWN G. QUINN, CHRISTOPHER A. STIRLEN
  • Patent number: 8757333
    Abstract: A vibration damping method on a vehicle wheel suspension is provided in which, in a hydraulic vibration damper, the damping force increases highly progressively as a function of the piston speed, especially in the range of a piston speed of essentially 0 to 2 m/s, increasing at first slowly and essentially linearly and then especially beyond a piston speed of essentially 2 m/s increasing highly progressively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Pfaffenzeller, Heinrich Stein, Mirco Hauke, Hubert Strobl
  • Patent number: 8701845
    Abstract: A suspension device (S) comprises: an actuator (A) including a motion conversion mechanism (T) for converting rotational motion of a screw nut (1) to linear motion of a threaded shaft (2), and a motor (M) connected to the screw nut (1); and a fluid pressure damper (D) connected to the threaded shaft (2), wherein the threaded shaft (2) is formed in a cylindrical shape, a connecting shaft (30) for connecting a rod (31) or a cylinder (32) of the fluid pressure damper (D) to the threaded shaft (2) is inserted into the threaded shaft (2), and the connecting shaft (30) is connected to an end, opposite to the fluid pressure damper, of the threaded shaft (2). Accordingly, the connection between the actuator and the hydraulic damper is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8694210
    Abstract: A saddle riding type vehicle that reduces steering pull of a handle caused by a disturbance and also prevents degradation in a steering feeling includes a detector that detects a steering angle of a steering shaft, a steering damper, and a control device. The steering damper is arranged around the steering shaft and includes an electromagnet, a magnetic member, and a magnetic fluid stored in a gap between the electromagnet and the magnetic member. The control device includes a steering angular velocity determiner adapted to determine a steering angular velocity based on a steering angle detected by the detector, an instructor adapted to instruct a supply of current to the electromagnet for a first reference time when the determined steering angular velocity exceeds a first reference velocity and to instruct a stopping or reduction of the current supply after the first reference time elapses, and a driver that supplies the electromagnet with current in response to an instruction from the instructor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Negoro, Nobuo Hara
  • Patent number: 8657083
    Abstract: A method for damping relative movements occurring between a first and a second part of a work vehicle during advance of the vehicle, which parts are interconnected by means of at least one hydraulic actuator, includes detecting at least one operation parameter of the vehicle, determining whether a damping condition is present based on the detected operation parameter and if the determined damping condition is present, controlling a displacement of a variable displacement hydraulic motor arranged downstream of the actuator in such a way that energy from a hydraulic fluid transmitted from the actuator is converted to a rotational energy in the motor, and transmitting the recovered energy from the motor to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Bo Vigholm
  • Patent number: 8469164
    Abstract: A damper (D1) comprising an actuator A connected to a sprung member (B) side of a vehicle, the actuator having a motion converting mechanism (T) for converting a linear motion into a rotational motion and a motor (M) to which the rotational motion resulting from the conversion by the motion converting mechanism (T) is transmitted; a hydraulic damper (E), the hydraulic damper (E) having a cylinder (C), a piston (P) inserted slidably into the cylinder (C) and defining two pressure chambers within the cylinder (C), and a rod (R) connected at one end thereof to the piston (P), the linear motion of the actuator (A) being transmitted to one of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C), the other of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) being connected to an unsprung member (W) side of the vehicle; a spring (1) accommodated within one of the two pressure chambers and biasing the hydraulic damper (E) in a damper compressing direction; and a spring (2) accommodated within the other pressure chamber and biasing the hydraulic damper
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuhiro Kondo, Hirofumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8469162
    Abstract: A piston with a piston rod coupled thereto is inserted in a cylinder, which sealingly contains oil. An oil flow generated by movement of the piston is controlled by a damping force generation mechanism, thereby generating a damping force. A separator tube is disposed around the cylinder, and the oil is transmitted to the damping force generation mechanism through a branch tube integrally formed on a cylindrical sidewall of the separator tube. The branch tube is tapered at the outer circumferential portion thereof with the outer diameter thereof reducing toward the distal end of the branch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nishimura, Jin Yamasaki, Shinichi Kagawa, Tetsuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8457841
    Abstract: An analytical methodology for the specification of progressive optimal compression damping of a suspension system to negotiate severe events, yet provides very acceptable ride quality and handling during routine events. In a broad aspect, the method provides a progressive optimal unconstrained damping response of the wheel assembly with respect to the body. In a preferred aspect, the method provides a progressive optimal constrained damping response of the wheel assembly with respect to the body, wherein below a predetermined velocity a conventional damper force is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Knoll, William Golpe, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Chandra S. Namuduri, Flavio Nardi, Jihan Ryu, Raviraj U. Nayak
  • Patent number: 8398091
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle, including: an electromagnetic actuator configured to generate an actuator force and including a sprung-side unit supported by a sprung portion, an unsprung-side unit supported by an unsprung portion, a screw mechanism, and an electromagnetic motor; a connecting mechanism including a support spring for permitting one of the sprung-side and unsprung-side units to be floatingly supported as a floating unit by a unit-floatingly support portion that is one of the sprung and unsprung portions by which the floating unit is supported; and a controller including a sprung-vibration-damping control portion and a relative-vibration-damping control portion that is configured to execute a relative-vibration damping control for damping a vibration of the floating unit caused by the structure in which the floating unit is floatingly supported by the support spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Inoue, Takuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8393445
    Abstract: A valve (1) comprises a spring arrangement comprising a stiff (5) and a weak spring (6). The weak spring (6) has the form of a thin, circular disc having a first spring surface (6?) and a second spring surface (6?), and an inner spring part (6a) and an outer spring part (6b) substantially separated from each other with cavities (6c), yet at two points, at least, connected with legs (6d). The effect of the connection is that the outer spring part (6b) and the inner spring part (6a) can deflect in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ohlins Racing AB
    Inventor: Lars Sönsteröd
  • Patent number: 8286982
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension system for a bicycle of the type that comprises: a frame (1); a front fork (6) comprising a front damper (8); a swing arm (16) hinged to the frame (1) and a rear damper (25); and at least one shock sensor (30), said sensor (30) being connected to a monitoring unit (28) controlling the front damper (8) and/or rear damper (25) on the basis of the signal sent by said sensor (30); said system is noteworthy in that the front damper (8) and/or rear damper (25) is a variable-compression damper that has at least three positions, an open position in which compression is greatest, a closed position in which compression is zero, and a so-called medium position; and in that it has, as a minimum, means for detecting pedaling called pedaling sensors (29) connected to the monitoring unit (28) which, when pedaling is not detected by the pedaling sensor (29), sets the damper (8, 25) compression command to the open position and, when pedaling is detected by the pedaling sensor (29)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Cycles Lapierre
    Inventors: Pierre-Geoffroy Plantet, Emmanuel Antonot, Remy Gribaudo
  • Publication number: 20120247888
    Abstract: Shock absorbers of left and right front wheel suspensions and shock absorbers of left and right rear wheel suspensions each are constituted by a damping force adjustable hydraulic shock absorber provided with a frequency response unit. An actuator of a damping force variable mechanism provided to the shock absorber is driven and controlled by a controller. The controller variably adjusts the damping force between the soft side and the hard side by the damping force variable mechanism according to a vertical vibration when a vehicle body vertically vibrates at a low frequency. The controller does not adjust the damping force when the vehicle body vibrates at a higher frequency than the low frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi CHIKUMA, Ryusuke Hirao, Nobuyuki Ichimaru, Masaaki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8261892
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, John C. Ulicny, Gary L. Jones, James C. O'Kane
  • Publication number: 20120186920
    Abstract: An electrical shock absorber 20 of the present embodiment includes a motor 21, which is rotated by approaching and separating motions between sprung and unsprung members which approach and separate from each other; and an electric circuit 50, which connects the electric terminals of the motor 21 so as to cause current to flow through the motor 21. The electric circuit 50 includes P-channel JFETs 56, 60. The gate of the P-channel JFET 56, 60 is connected to one electric terminal of the motor 21, and the source of the P-channel JFET 56, 60 is connected to the other electric terminal of the motor 21. Therefore, the induced voltage is applied to the gate. The induced voltage represents the stroke speed of the electrical shock absorber 20. Therefore, the gate voltage VGS is changed on the basis of the above-mentioned relative speed such that the gate voltage VGS increases with the stroke speed of the electrical shock absorber 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8127900
    Abstract: An electromagnetic shock absorber including: (a) a wheel-side member; (b) a body-side member movable relative to the wheel-side member; and (c) a damping force generator with an electromagnetic motor including stationary and movable elements movable relative to each other. The damping force generator can generate, based on a force generated by the motor, a damping force acting against a relative movement of the wheel-side member and the body-side member. The motor has an axis extending in a both-members-relative-movement direction as a direction of the above-described relative movement. The stationary element is supported by the wheel-side member via an elastic body, to be movable relative to the wheel-side member in the both-members-relative-movement direction. The electromagnetic motor allows relative movement of the stationary element and the movable element upon movement of the stationary element relative to the wheel-side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8078360
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a variable damping force damper comprises first and second low-pass filters for cutting off high frequency components of a target current of the damper, where the first and second low-pass filters have different response characteristics. The control apparatus further comprises a low-pass filter selection unit for selecting one of the first and second low-pass filters based on at least one of the dynamic state of the vehicle body and the road surface condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigenobu Sekiya
  • Patent number: 8042818
    Abstract: An electric damper which does not transmit unbalance wheel vibration to a vehicle body is provided. A low-pass cutoff frequency setting unit and a high-pass cutoff frequency setting unit respectively set the cutoff frequencies for band-stop filters to a frequency band corresponding to unbalance wheel vibration based on a signal indicating a vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor, and a function as a band-stop filter comprising a low-pass filter computation unit, a high-pass filter computation unit and an adder is computed for a displacement rate of the vertical motion of a wheel calculated by a differentiating unit in a damper control unit. A damper control amount computation unit calculates a control amount of controlling an electric motor for a motor-driven damper based on the calculated filtered displacement rate, and outputs a control signal to a motor driving unit through a driving circuit output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Yamawaki, Yasuo Shimizu, Katsuji Watanabe, Atsuhiko Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20110254241
    Abstract: A zero-turn mower comprising a zero-turn mower frame, a front axle coupled to the zero-turn mower frame, first and second caster wheel assemblies, and first and second front shock assemblies. The front shock assemblies rotatably and telescopically couple the caster wheel assemblies to the front axle, thereby providing vertical shock absorption. The front axle may be a floating axle that is pivotably coupled to the mower frame and/or the shock assemblies may define an internal spring-receiving chamber that is substantially isolated from the external environment. Such a zero-turn mower may provide a smoother ride and may require less maintenance and repair than conventional zero-turn mowers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Alan F. Piontek
  • Publication number: 20110233943
    Abstract: A motion restriction device is provided for selectively preventing movement of a structural member. The motion restriction device includes a container abutting against the structural member. The container is at least partially filled with a velocity-dependent material that transitions between a fluid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity below a predetermined threshold to permit movement thereof and a solid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity above a predetermined threshold to block movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Krystof Peter Jankowski, Ehab Kamal, Lynn Dadeppo
  • Patent number: 7992692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylinder which has hollow portion therein; a piston rod which is inserted through an upper side of the cylinder and has a groove pattern having plurality of convex portions and concave portions which are alternately formed; a piston valve which is connected with a lower end of the piston rod so as to be reciprocated in the cylinder and has a fluid passing hole which is formed in an up and down direction; a rod guide which closes up an upper end of the cylinder tightly and guides an up-down movement of the piston rod and which has a through-hole at a side portion thereof; and a sensor module which is installed to the rod guide so as to detect a movement of the piston rod by using a variation in magnetic field generated when the piston rod is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: S & T Daewoo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Rak Lee, Jae-Woo Park, Min-Ho Chin, Chang-do Huh
  • Patent number: 7926820
    Abstract: A stabilizer control apparatus includes a stabilizer bar including both ends supported by right and left wheels of a vehicle, respectively, and an intermediate portion supported to a vehicle body by first and second supporting members, and a switching device arranged between one of the first and second supporting members and the vehicle body and including a cylinder member, a tubular piston member, a spring member, and an engaging/disengaging mechanism. The switching device switches over the spring member from an extendable/retractable position to a neutral position and vice versa. The engaging/disengaging mechanism allows the piston member to axially move relative to the cylinder member when the spring member is in the extendable/retractable position and prevents the piston member from axially moving relative to the cylinder member when the spring member is retained in the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiya Taneda, Shuuetsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7913822
    Abstract: A shock assembly includes a first tube having a cylindrical wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. A second tube is received within the first tube and includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A piston assembly is received within the second tube and includes a piston rod and a piston that is selectively movable relative to the first tube and the second tube. A height-sensing device is disposed within the first tube between the inner surface of the first tube and the outer surface of the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Edward Haney, Scott A. Bone, James M. Stevens, Christopher W. Olsen, Joel Donahue
  • Patent number: 7900754
    Abstract: The invention provides a rotating tub washer with an on-off binary damper system for damping a problematic movement between the washer frame and the rotating tub. The on-off binary damper system has a friction pad and a housing friction damper surface, with the friction pad in contact with said housing friction damper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: J. David Carlson
  • Publication number: 20100276906
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damping assembly operatively connected to an actuator; a controller for controlling movement of said actuator whereby a damping rate of said damping assembly is adjusted by movement of the actuator; and a signal generating device remote from said damping assembly, which device, in use, provides an output electric signal representing a desired user adjustment to the damping rate of said damping assembly, said controller adapted to receive said electric signal and control said actuator to adjust said damping rate according to said electric signal, whereby said damping rate may be remotely altered during use of said vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Robert C. Fox, Robert Kaswen, David M. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20100170759
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy absorber device (1) for damping the movements of a load support (2) relative to a stationary base (3), said load support being connected to the stationary base (3) via a hydromechanical connection. The device comprises automatic and self-contained setting means serving firstly to adapt under static conditions to the weight of the loads supported by the support (2), and secondly under dynamic conditions, e.g. in the event of a sudden movement of the crash type, to subject the subassembly comprising the support (2) and the loads to acceleration or deceleration values that are below a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventor: Gerard GUILLON
  • Patent number: 7748506
    Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 7690667
    Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 7673726
    Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews