GB2292614A - A device for detecting the level of a vehicle - Google Patents
A device for detecting the level of a vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2292614A GB2292614A GB9515427A GB9515427A GB2292614A GB 2292614 A GB2292614 A GB 2292614A GB 9515427 A GB9515427 A GB 9515427A GB 9515427 A GB9515427 A GB 9515427A GB 2292614 A GB2292614 A GB 2292614A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- sensor device
- control arm
- level
- sensor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G17/00—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load
- B60G17/015—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
- B60G17/019—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
- B60Q1/06—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
- B60Q1/08—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle automatically
- B60Q1/10—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle automatically due to vehicle inclination, e.g. due to load distribution
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
- B60G2204/11—Mounting of sensors thereon
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
- B60G2204/11—Mounting of sensors thereon
- B60G2204/116—Sensors coupled to the suspension arm
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
- B60G2204/14—Mounting of suspension arms
- B60G2204/143—Mounting of suspension arms on the vehicle body or chassis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/40—Auxiliary suspension parts; Adjustment of suspensions
- B60G2204/41—Elastic mounts, e.g. bushings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
- B60G2400/05—Attitude
- B60G2400/051—Angle
- B60G2400/0516—Angular position of a suspension element
- B60G2400/05162—Angular position of a suspension element the element being a suspension arm
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
- B60G2400/25—Stroke; Height; Displacement
- B60G2400/252—Stroke; Height; Displacement vertical
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2401/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of sensors based on the principle of their operation
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
Abstract
A device for detecting the level of a vehicle uses a swivelling type sensor which avoids the necessity of using a number of components in order to construct the lever linkage, and provides a easy to assemble cost-competitive design, by having the axis of rotation (7) of the sensor device (6) concentric to the drive link axle (5) about which the drive link (1) of one wheel suspension swivels during springing in and out.
Description
1 A device for detecting the level of a vehicle 2292614 The invention
relates to a device f or detecting the level of a vehicle having a pivoting sensor device.
Rotation angle sensors are being used increasingly in motor vehicles for the detection and adjustment of the level of a vehicle.
Typical applications f or such rotation angle sensors are, for example, electronic level adjustment, all-round level adjustment and static and dynamic headlight range control, for example for gas discharge lamps.
In the case of the abovementioned applications the exact level of the vehicle has to be established, following which the values ascertained for the level of a control and/or regulating device are used to initiate suitable measures, for example adjustment of the headlights for headlight range control.
For detecting the level of a vehicle it is known to scan a lever rod assembly by means of a sensor fitted on the vehicle, in which case the position of one lever of the lever rod assembly, which can also be described as a lever linkage, is scanned by the sensor. In the course of this the characteristic obtained from the control kinematics of the lever rod assembly is evaluated.
However, the above-described a lever has the disadvantage components is necessary in order assembly.
Moreover, depending on the available fitting space, problems can occur, since flawless kinematics have to be represented within the available fitting space. In particular, attention must be paid to the avoidance of extended positions or locking up of the lever rod assembly.
Complex direction changes are therefore often necessary, so that the manufacture and fitting of such a lever rod assembly is relatively timeconsuming.
Another factor is that, since different fitting spaces scanning of a position of that a multiplicity of to construct a lever rod 2 are present, f or example f or the f ront axle and the rear axle of a motor vehicle, different components are often required, with the result that different kinematics have to be achieved.
A method and a device for adjusting a level adjustment unit of a vehicle is known from DE-OS 39 19 040. The level adjustment unit in this case has a control mechanism which is capable of diagnosis. In a diagnosis mode a "level adjustment" function is called up and sets the ride height of the vehicle through manual measurement and stepwise control of an adjusting device for increasing or reducing the ride height. If the ride height is correct, the actual value of the ride height is taken over as the future desired ride height value, and the diagnosis is broken off.
DE-OS 43 09 226, published later, discloses a vehicle level sensor having two interconnected components disposed so that they are movable relative to each other, one component being connected to the chassis of the vehicle, while the other component is connected to the wheel suspension, and having a measuring device for determining the change of position between the components. This produces a sensor which is small in size, permits spatial movement and produces the most accurate measurement results possible. The measuring device used is a magnetoresistive sensor, consisting of a magnetic-field-sensitive detecting element and a permanent magnet, the components being connected to each other by a ball- and-socket joint consisting of a ball socket and a ball head inserted in the ball socket, and the magnetic-field-sensitive detecting element and the permanent magnet being disposed opposite each other in the ball head and the region of the ball socket.
The present invention seeks to provide a device for detecting the level of a vehicle which eliminates the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art, in particular which can be manufactured and fitted simply and at low cost.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for detecting the level of a vehicle, having a 3 pivoting sensor device, wherein, when installed on a vehicle, the axis of rotation of the sensor device is disposed concentrically relative to a pivotal axis of a control arm, about which pivotal axis the control arm is pivotable during compression and rebound travel of the vehicle suspension.
The entire lever linkage is dispensed with through the sensor device being disposed concentrically relative to the axis of a control arm, with the result that the device according to the invention can be manufactured and fitted simply and at low cost.
The sensor of the device according to the invention thus directly picks up every rotating movement of the control arm about its pivot axes, so that the level of a vehicle can be established simply, in particular if several of the devices according to the invention are provided.
Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are now described below with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows the detail IV of Fig. 3 in an enlarged view.
Fig. 1 represents a section through a suspension of a control arm 1 of a wheel suspension of a vehicle.
The control arm 1 in this case is rotatably mounted by means of a screw 2 in a control arm console 3 fixed to the body.
A rubber bearing 4, which compensates for movements of the control arm 1 at right angles to the axis of rotation 5 of the control arm, is provided between the screw 2 and the control arm 1. Fitted at the threaded end of the screw 2 is a sensor device 6, consisting of a fixed, i.e. immovable, 4 component 6a and a movable component 6b.
The axis of rotation 7 of the movable component 6b of the sensor device 6 in this case is disposed concentrically relative to the axis of rotation 5 of the control arm.
The fixed component 6a of the sensor device 6 is screwed in a simple manner onto the thread of the screw 2, thereby achieving a simple f ixing of the fixed component 6a.
The movable component 6b of the sensor device 6 is connected to the control arm 1 by means of a spring element, which in the present embodiment is in the form of a leaf spring 8.
The axial and radial play of the partially very soft rubber bearing 4 is compensated for by means of the leaf spring 8. The movable component 6b can therefore move only about its axis of rotation 7. All other movements of the control arm 1 relative to the movable component 6b are absorbed or compensated for by the leaf spring 8.
A line 9 leads from the fixed component 6a of the sensor device 6 to an evaluation device (not shown), in which the individual positions of the sensor devices 6 fitted on the vehicle are evaluated.
An adjusting device 10 is provided for precise adjustment of the sensor device 6. In the present embodiment the adjusting device 10 is provided as a bore, opening, cutout or the like in the movable component 6b of the sensor device 6, and a pin (not shown) can be inserted through the bore, opening, cut-out or the like, in order to carry out an accurate adjustment of the sensor device 6.
The adjustment of the sensor device 6 serves to fix a known defined position between the fixed component 6a and the movable component 6b of the sensor device 6, out of which rotating movements of the control arm 1 are measured.
A second embodiment of a device for detecting the level of a vehicle is described with reference to Fig. 2.
The view of Fig. 2 also shows a section through a bearing f or a control arm 1 of a wheel suspension of a vehicle. The same reference symbols are used below for components already introduced in connection with the description of Fig. 1.
The fundamental construction of the device corresponds to that already described in connection with Fig. 1. However, the line 9, unlike that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, in this case leads into the movable component 6b of the sensor device 6, while the f ixed component 6a of the sensor device 6 is again fixed on the screw 2.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the adjusting device is in the form, of an adjusting lug 10, by means of which a fixed position of the fixed component 6a in relation to the movable component 6b of the sensor device 6 can be set without any problem.
A third embodiment of a device for detecting the level of a vehicle is illustrated in Fig. 3. Here again, the same reference symbols will be used below for components already introduced in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.
The fundamental construction of the present embodiment corresponds to that of Fig. 2. Here again the line 9 is fixed on the movable component 6b of the sensor device 6. The fixed component 6a, which is shown in an enlarged view in Fig. 4, has an adjusting lug 10, which has to be f lush with a second adjusting lug 10a on the movable component 6b in order to adjust the f ixed component 6a relative to the movable component 6b. Fig. 4 also shows a magnet 11, which is disposed on the head piece of the fixed component 6a of the sensor device 6. When the control arm makes a pivoting movement about its axis 5, the magnetic field created by the magnet changes, and this is recorded by the movable component 6b. On the basis of the changes in the magnetic f ield, a certain angle of rotation of the control arm 1 about the axis 5 of the control arm can thus be inferred, so that the current level of the vehicle can also be established in this way.
The sensor device can function according to the principle of magnetorestriction. This makes use of the fact that the electrical resistance of a ferromagnetic layer 6 depends on the angle between the direction of the current flow in the ferromagnetic layer and the direction of magnetization.
However, the sensor device 6 can, of course, also function in other ways. All that is important here is that the axis of rotation 7 of the sensor device 6 should be disposed concentrically relative to or as an extension of the axis 5 of the control arm.
7
Claims (11)
1.
A device f or detecting the level of a vehicle, having a pivoting sensor device, wherein, when installed on a vehicle, the axis of rotation of the sensor device is disposed concentrically relative to a pivotal axis of a control arm, about which pivotal axis the control arm is pivotable during compression and rebound travel of the vehicle suspension.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the sensor device is in two component parts, one component of the sensor device being operatively connected to the body of the vehicle, while a further component of the sensor device is connected to said control arm.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor device has an adjusting device.
4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the adjusting device is in the form of an adjusting lug.
5. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the adjusting device is in the form of an adjusting pin.
6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor device functions by the principle of magneto-restriction.
7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor device is adapted to be fixed on the vehicle by means of a screw connection.
8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the sensor device is adapted to be fixed on the vehicle together with a rubber bearing bush of the control arm.
8
9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein at least one component of the sensor device is connected to the rubber bearing bush of the control arm by means of a spring element.
10. A device according to Claim 9, wherein the spring element is in the form of a leaf spring.
11. A device for detecting the level of a vehicle, having a pivoting sensor device, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19944429856 DE4429856C1 (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1994-08-23 | Vehicle level discriminator |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9515427D0 GB9515427D0 (en) | 1995-09-27 |
| GB2292614A true GB2292614A (en) | 1996-02-28 |
Family
ID=6526338
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9515427A Withdrawn GB2292614A (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1995-07-27 | A device for detecting the level of a vehicle |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE4429856C1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2723888A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2292614A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2010513116A (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2010-04-30 | ツェットエフ フリードリヒスハーフェン アクチエンゲゼルシャフト | Wheel suspension used in vehicles |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19831248C2 (en) | 1998-07-11 | 2002-09-19 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Sensor arrangement on a wheel suspension for a vehicle |
| FR2858673B1 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2007-04-27 | Soc Technologie Michelin Stm | ELASTIC ASSEMBLY JOINT AND USE THEREOF FOR MEASURING MOVEMENT OR EFFORT |
| DE102004039781B4 (en) * | 2004-08-16 | 2007-03-29 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Ball joint for a motor vehicle |
| DE102005041045B4 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2016-06-30 | Volkswagen Ag | Level sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle |
| DE102007028265A1 (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2008-12-18 | Ipgate Ag | Rotational angle sensor for determining rotary angle between lever and carrier of lever system, has sensor unit for detecting position of connection unit or target arranged at connection unit, relative to sensor housing and/or sensor unit |
| DE102010030406B4 (en) | 2010-06-23 | 2017-10-26 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Twist-beam axle for a vehicle |
| DE102019109939A1 (en) * | 2019-04-15 | 2020-10-15 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Device for visualizing the deflections of an elastomer bearing |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4838563A (en) * | 1987-05-27 | 1989-06-13 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Mounting structure for vehicle height sensor |
| US4978848A (en) * | 1988-04-12 | 1990-12-18 | Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Suspension control system for a motor vehicle |
| EP0617260A1 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1994-09-28 | Hella KG Hueck & Co. | Level sensor for vehicles |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1176981A (en) * | 1957-05-25 | 1959-04-17 | Improvement in elastic bonds with infinite flexibility | |
| US3727941A (en) * | 1971-12-08 | 1973-04-17 | Gen Motors Corp | Automobile levelizer control unit |
| GB2028513B (en) * | 1978-06-23 | 1983-04-27 | Atsugi Motor Parts Co Ltd | Vehicle level detector |
| JPS6030565B2 (en) * | 1981-02-09 | 1985-07-17 | アイシン精機株式会社 | vehicle height adjustment device |
| DE3534211A1 (en) * | 1985-09-25 | 1987-03-26 | Pfister Gmbh | MOTOR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING IT |
| GB2229006A (en) * | 1989-03-10 | 1990-09-12 | Jaguar Cars | Rotary position transducer |
| DE3919040A1 (en) * | 1989-06-10 | 1990-12-13 | Porsche Ag | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING A LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE |
| DE4209205C2 (en) * | 1992-03-21 | 1994-07-07 | Helag Electronic Gmbh | Angle sensor |
-
1994
- 1994-08-23 DE DE19944429856 patent/DE4429856C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1995
- 1995-07-27 GB GB9515427A patent/GB2292614A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-08-21 FR FR9509950A patent/FR2723888A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4838563A (en) * | 1987-05-27 | 1989-06-13 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Mounting structure for vehicle height sensor |
| US4978848A (en) * | 1988-04-12 | 1990-12-18 | Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Suspension control system for a motor vehicle |
| EP0617260A1 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1994-09-28 | Hella KG Hueck & Co. | Level sensor for vehicles |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2010513116A (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2010-04-30 | ツェットエフ フリードリヒスハーフェン アクチエンゲゼルシャフト | Wheel suspension used in vehicles |
| US8179128B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2012-05-15 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Wheel suspension for a vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4429856C1 (en) | 1995-09-07 |
| FR2723888A1 (en) | 1996-03-01 |
| GB9515427D0 (en) | 1995-09-27 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6879240B2 (en) | Ball joint with integrated angle sensor | |
| US6566864B1 (en) | Angular position sensor for vehicle suspension | |
| US6367348B1 (en) | Adjustable brake, clutch and accelerator pedals | |
| US6322275B1 (en) | Device for mounting a distance sensor on a motor vehicle | |
| US6962355B2 (en) | Active toe angle adjustment mechanism | |
| GB2292614A (en) | A device for detecting the level of a vehicle | |
| US7429977B2 (en) | Joystick controller | |
| KR920004478B1 (en) | Transmission shift control assembly | |
| US7585082B2 (en) | Mirror and angle detection device | |
| US6568837B2 (en) | Motorized headlamp adjuster | |
| CN114442731B (en) | Spherical surface sealing type three-degree-of-freedom operating lever | |
| JPH04232129A (en) | Position generator for accelerator pedal | |
| US7354170B2 (en) | Vehicular mirror having tilt angle detection rod with swing axis | |
| JPH0536750Y2 (en) | ||
| US20050039564A1 (en) | Pedal assembly for a vehicle including a non-contact position sensor | |
| JP2006513095A (en) | 180 degree adjuster | |
| JP2000509347A (en) | Manually adjustable mirror | |
| CN217804219U (en) | Vehicle suspension system with sensor | |
| JPS6037856Y2 (en) | Car mirror device | |
| KR20040000172A (en) | rear suspension system for automotive vehicles | |
| JP3724887B2 (en) | Valve opening detector | |
| KR100391492B1 (en) | An electro-accelerator pedal systems | |
| US6282801B1 (en) | Non-handed horizontal adjustor mechanism | |
| Kato et al. | Development of hall effect device based height sensor | |
| JPH0665019U (en) | Vehicle height sensor |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |