Patent ID: 6418360
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: B60G,B62J,G01M

Abstract:
For a vehicle having a rider support frame coupled to at least the wheel assembly by a vehicle suspension, the vehicle suspension having a compression circuit and a rebound circuit to allow the wheel assembly to move relative to the rider support frame, sensor structure for measuring the compression and rebound of the vehicle suspension, the sensor structure comprising:a transducer mountable adjacent such rider support frame, the transducer being configured to transmit a detection signal; a target mountable adjacent such wheel assembly and configured to receive the detection signal transmitted by the transducer and to return a response signal; wherein the transducer is further configured to receive the response signal from the target, and wherein a time delay between the transmission of the output signal by the transducer and the reception of the return signal by the transducer is proportional to a distance between the transducer and the target; and wherein the transducer is further configured to generate one or more output signals corresponding to the time delay; wherein the sensor structure further comprises a variable length conduit having a proximal end connected adjacent such rider support frame, and a distal end connected adjacent such wheel assembly, and where the detection signal and the response signal propagate at least partially within the conduit.