US 11,702,019 B2
Damper interface device
Thomas J. Sawarynski, Jr., Livonia, MI (US); and Daniel S. Collins, Grass Lake, MI (US)
Assigned to Off-Road Research LLC, Farmington Hills, MI (US)
Filed by Off-Road Research LLC, Farmington Hills, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/779,589.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/800,437, filed on Feb. 2, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0247336 A1, Aug. 6, 2020
Int. Cl. B60R 16/023 (2006.01); B60G 17/0185 (2006.01); B60G 17/018 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 16/0232 (2013.01) [B60G 17/018 (2013.01); B60G 17/0185 (2013.01); B60R 16/0238 (2013.01); B60G 2400/90 (2013.01); B60G 2600/08 (2013.01); B60G 2600/73 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A damper interface device (DID) comprising:
a microcontroller including a memory and a processor;
at least one algorithm stored to the memory;
a DID connector configured to connect the microcontroller to a vehicle network of a vehicle;
wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive messages from the vehicle network via the DID connector;
wherein the messages include at least one input message directed to a suspension controller; and
wherein the at least one algorithm is executed by the processor to:
identify the at least one input message as directed to the suspension controller;
parse the at least one input message for response requirements;
determine contents of a response to the at least one input message;
wherein the contents of the response emulate a response of the suspension controller;
generate a response message including the contents of the response;
wherein the microcontroller is configured to output the response message to the vehicle network via the DID connector;
wherein:
the contents of the response comprise a condition state of a semi-active damper; and
the condition state indicates a functional status of the semi-active damper.