Shock Shaft Rebound Circuits for On-the-Fly Damping Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock assemblies lack the ability to modify rebound characteristics on the fly for enhanced personal comfort and vehicle performance, necessitating rebuilding of internal valving mechanisms for adjustment.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of first and second fluid rebound circuits within the shaft assembly, allowing manual and electronic adjustment of rebound damping characteristics without rebuilding the internal valving mechanism, utilizing a variable spring rate mechanism and valve-controlled fluid circuits for both rebound and compression events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If internal valving mechanisms are rebuilt for adjustment, then rebound characteristics can be modified, but device complexity and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverebound characteristics adjustmentVSAvoidinternal valving mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adjustment function from the internal valving mechanism and relocates it to an external adjuster assembly. This allows rebound characteristics to be modified by adjusting external components (blowout adjusters, spool positions) rather than rebuilding internal valving, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock assembly is segmented into distinct functional modules: the main shock body with internal valving, and external adjuster assemblies that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows modification of rebound characteristics without affecting the internal valving mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while enabling versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If internal valving mechanisms are rebuilt for adjustment, then rebound characteristics can be modified, but production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverebound characteristics adjustmentVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock assembly is manufactured with pre-configured internal valving and external adjuster mechanisms in a standard configuration. Rebound characteristics can then be adjusted on-the-fly during use or maintenance without requiring time-consuming rebuilding operations, significantly improving production efficiency while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The external adjuster assemblies enable users to modify rebound characteristics themselves without requiring specialized rebuilding facilities or extensive technical expertise. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex rebuilding operations and reduces production time and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual adjustment capability is added, then user control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjuster mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The external adjuster assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide manual adjustment capability for rebound characteristics, maintain sealing integrity with the shock body, and enable both blowout and spool adjustments through integrated mechanisms. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables on-the-fly adjustment of rebound damping characteristics, enhancing comfort and performance without requiring disassembly, and integrating with various vehicle types and applications.

Implementation Method 1

first and second valve-controlled fluid circuits for rebound damping adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic damping: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

valve-controlled fluid circuits for both rebound and compression events

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure control: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

variable spring rate mechanism and valve-controlled fluid circuits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250313055A1Valve-controlled fluid circuits for rebound damping adjustment

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 FOX FACTORY INC

AI summary

A dual function fluid adjuster assembly. The dual function fluid adjuster assembly has a first adjuster assembly for adjusting a first rebound fluid circuit and a second adjuster assembly for adjusting a second rebound fluid circuit. At least a portion of the first adjuster assembly is at least partially housed within a shaft assembly, and at least a portion of the second adjuster assembly is at least partially housed within the shaft assembly.