Manual Suspension Tune Selection for Stable Terrain Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle suspension systems face challenges in adjusting suspension characteristics without deleterious effects on other aspects of damper operation and vehicle performance, particularly when transitioning between different terrains.

Innovation Solution

An active valve system with sensors and a manually operated switch allows for on-the-fly adjustments of suspension settings based on terrain conditions, using a smartphone app to quickly swap between predefined suspension tunes via Bluetooth communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If active suspension adjustments are made to modify suspension characteristics for different terrain, then ride comfort and performance are improved, but deleterious effects occur on other aspects of damper operation and vehicle performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension characteristic adjustmentVSAvoiddamper operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is divided into multiple independent damping circuits (compression and rebound circuits) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows specific terrain responses to be adjusted without affecting overall damper operation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts damping characteristics in real-time based on terrain conditions and rider input. The active valve system modifies suspension firmness and softness on-the-fly, providing terrain-specific optimization while maintaining stable damper operation through controlled dynamic changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment mechanisms are used to change suspension settings, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension setting adjustmentVSAvoidswitch and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manually operated switch integrates multiple functions: selecting different terrain modes (smooth, moderate, rough), adjusting damping characteristics, and communicating with the active valve system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate controls, improving ease of operation while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The switch acts as an intermediary between the rider and the complex active valve system. It translates simple rider inputs (terrain type selection) into sophisticated suspension adjustments, shielding the user from system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250326266A1Selecting different suspension tunes via a manually operated switch

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 FOX FACTORY INC

AI summary

A system and method to select and implement a suspension tune is disclosed. The system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of suspension tunes. A suspension controller configured to implement one of the plurality of suspension tunes for at least one suspension component of a vehicle. A manually operated switch to receive a user input, the manually operated switch configured to navigate between the plurality of suspension tunes, and, based on the user input, designate a different one of the plurality of suspension tunes to be implemented by the suspension controller.