JP2007099158A - Vehicle height adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily adjust vehicle height in case of adjusting vehicle height at the time of loading and unloading. <P>SOLUTION: A smart entry system 50 that is applied to passenger cars or commercial vehicles is used. On a portable machine 55 to operate the smart entry system, an operation button for vehicle height adjustment (manual operation member 56) is provided, so that it achieves a remote control function for this vehicle height adjustment device. Vehicle height can thus be adjusted by remote control without newly providing a separate remote device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to remote control of a vehicle height adjustment device for a vehicle.

  The vehicle height adjusting device is provided between the wheel and the vehicle body, and changes the vehicle height, which is the relative height of the vehicle body with respect to the wheel, and the vehicle height changing device by controlling the vehicle height changing device. And a vehicle height adjustment control device for adjustment. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, in a vehicle height adjustment device in which automatic adjustment and manual adjustment of vehicle height are selectively performed, the vehicle height adjustment control device can operate in an automatic adjustment mode and a manual adjustment mode. Yes, in the automatic adjustment mode, the actual vehicle height is automatically adjusted to the set vehicle height even if there are changes in the number of passengers and loading capacity, and in the manual adjustment mode, it is adjusted to the height according to the operation of the vehicle height switch. The

  In the automatic adjustment mode, the set vehicle height is a predetermined height at the start of the vehicle height adjustment, and the vehicle height in the manual adjustment mode adjusted by the operation of the vehicle height switch is determined at the time of adjustment according to the operation. It is done. Conventionally, this vehicle height switch is provided in the driver's seat, and the vehicle heights such as High, Normal, and Low are set according to the traveling state such as the traveling road surface and the vehicle speed. For example, when traveling on a rough road, the vehicle height is set to High, and the lower surface of the vehicle body is raised so that it can travel while avoiding obstacles on the road surface. Also, for commercial vehicles that handle relatively light loads such as wagon cars and one-bock cars, this height switch is used to adjust the height of the vehicle when loading / unloading luggage from the rear door, that is, the back door. It is also used when adjusting In passenger cars, it is also used for loading and unloading heavy luggage such as golf bags and travel bags in the rear trunk room.

In Patent Document 2, the vehicle height can be manipulated in detail using a wireless remote controller during loading and unloading work on a large truck using an air suspension.
JP 2004-17728 A JP 2005-119438 A

  According to the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, in a commercial vehicle handling a relatively light load such as a wagon car or a one-bock car, when loading / unloading luggage from a rear door, that is, a back door, or in a passenger car When adjusting the height of the vehicle when loading / unloading luggage from the trunk room, the loading / unloading operator (driver) must return to the driver's seat to use the vehicle height switch provided in the driver's seat. It was necessary to operate and travel to the back of the vehicle to load and unload luggage from the back door or trunk room again.

  On the other hand, when using a truck remote control as described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to consider a large number of operation buttons and emergency switches because safe and detailed operations are required. For this reason, a large separate remote control device dedicated to the vehicle height adjusting device is required, which is inconvenient to carry.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a vehicle height adjustment device that can be easily operated for loading and unloading luggage from the rear trunk room and back door of a passenger car or commercial vehicle. Technical issue.

  In order to solve the above problem, the technical means taken in the invention of claim 1 includes a vehicle height changing device that changes the vehicle height, which is a relative height of the vehicle body with respect to the wheels, and a control of the vehicle height changing device. A vehicle height adjustment device comprising a vehicle height adjustment control device for adjusting the vehicle height by means of the vehicle height adjustment control device, wherein the vehicle height adjustment control device is a signal from a portable device that performs unlocking or locking of the opening / closing body provided in the vehicle by wireless communication. The vehicle height adjusting device has a portable device operation mode for controlling the vehicle height changing device based on the vehicle height.

Further, the technical means taken in the invention of claim 2 is to adjust the vehicle height by controlling the vehicle height changing device for changing the vehicle height, which is the relative height of the vehicle body with respect to the wheels, and the vehicle height changing device. A vehicle height adjustment device comprising: a vehicle height adjustment control device, wherein the vehicle height adjustment control device has a back door interlocking mode for controlling the vehicle height changing device in conjunction with opening and closing of a vehicle back door. Is a vehicle height adjusting device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle height adjusting apparatus according to the first aspect, a manual operation member is mounted on the portable device, and a signal from the portable device is generated by the operation of the manual operation member. It is output to a vehicle height adjustment control device, and the vehicle height changing device is controlled.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the set vehicle height set includes a set value for traveling and a set value for loading and unloading luggage. The vehicle height is adjusted to a set value for loading and unloading the luggage by operating the manual operation member.

  According to the invention of claim 1, a system for unlocking or locking an opening / closing body such as a door provided in a vehicle by wireless communication, that is, a vehicle height changing device based on a signal from a portable device of a smart entry system. By providing a portable device operation mode to be controlled, the driver only needs to carry this one portable device, and the vehicle height adjustment for loading and unloading luggage can be remotely operated. For this reason, when loading and unloading luggage from the driver's seat, it is possible to work with a posture that matches your height by setting the height of the vehicle where you can work easily by pressing the button. This will prevent back pain and back pain, and will enable safe and efficient loading and unloading operations.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when the back door is opened for loading / unloading the luggage, the vehicle height is adjusted to the preset loading / unloading vehicle height in conjunction with opening / closing of the back door. Avoid extra operations for work. In addition, when the smart entry system portable machine is equipped with an open / close function for the electric open / close back door, it is possible to instruct the opening / closing of the back door and the height adjustment of the loading / unloading of the baggage at the same time only by the back door opening / closing signal. Therefore, the portable device of the smart entry system can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the operation button (manual operation member) for adjusting the vehicle height is provided on the portable device, the vehicle height adjustment from the portable device can be realized by operating this operation button. . In this case, if the operation space of the portable device has a margin, an operation button dedicated to vehicle height adjustment may be provided. On the other hand, when there is not enough space in the operation space of the portable device, the vehicle height may be adjusted by operating in common with existing operation buttons (for example, a door lock button and a door unlock button). .

  According to invention of Claim 4, it has the setting value for driving | running | working and the setting value for loading / unloading of a load as set vehicle height set, and for loading / unloading of a baggage by operation of a manual operation member Since the vehicle height is adjusted to the set value, once the set value for loading and unloading is set, the vehicle height is adjusted to the same position every time, so it is necessary to adjust the position once. It is convenient for loading and unloading.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a pneumatic vehicle height adjusting device will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a pneumatic vehicle height adjusting device. In FIG. 1, a solid line connecting each component indicates a connection of a pipeline that supplies and discharges air as a fluid, and a two-dot chain line connecting each component indicates an electrical connection.

  First, the configuration of the pneumatic circuit in the pneumatic vehicle height adjusting device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle height changing device 10 includes a front wheel air suspension 11F (hereinafter simply referred to as a front suspension 11F) and a rear wheel air suspension 11R (hereinafter simply referred to as a rear suspension 11R) as a pair of left and right suspensions. ) Is provided. These front and rear suspensions 11F and 11R are respectively installed between a front wheel 12F and a rear wheel 12R of the vehicle and a vehicle body (not shown).

 The front and rear suspensions 11F and 11R are each provided with a chamber 14, a diaphragm 15, and an air piston 16, and a space (air chamber 17) sealed by these is formed. In the air chamber 17, air serving as an air spring is sealed between the vehicle body and the front and rear suspension arms 13F and 13R so as to be discharged. The front and rear suspensions 11F and 11R supply and discharge air to and from the air chambers 17 to displace the distance between the corresponding front and rear wheels 12F and 12R and the vehicle body, that is, the vehicle height.

 Between the front suspension arm 13F of the front wheel suspension 11F and a vehicle body frame (not shown) and between the rear suspension arm 13R of the rear suspension 11R and the same frame, a front wheel height sensor 30F and a rear wheel as a vehicle height sensor, respectively. A vehicle height sensor 30R is installed. These front and rear wheel height sensors 30F and 30R detect vehicle heights on the corresponding front wheel 12F side and rear wheel 12R side, respectively. In the embodiment, the vehicle height sensors 30F and 30R are provided on both the front wheel 12F side and the rear wheel 12R side, but may be provided only on the front wheel 12F side or the rear wheel 12R side, or each front wheel 12F. Or the structure provided in each rear wheel 12R may be sufficient, and it does not specifically limit.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the air chambers 17 formed in the front and rear suspensions 11 </ b> F and 11 </ b> R are connected to a single main pipeline 20 via corresponding suspension pipelines 19. The suspension pipe 19 and the main pipe 20 constitute a supply / discharge pipe for supplying and discharging air to the front and rear suspensions 11F and 11R.

 As a first valve that opens and closes in the middle of the corresponding suspension pipe 19 on the main pipe line 20 side of the front and rear suspensions 11F and 11R, and allows the main pipe line 20 and the air chamber 17 to communicate with each other. A front suspension valve 31F and a rear suspension valve 31R are provided. These front and rear suspension valves 31F and 31R are normally closed electromagnetic valves that open when energized and close when deenergized.

 As shown in FIG. 1, a filter 22 that allows air to flow into the main pipeline 20 is provided at one end of the main pipeline 20 and at the end opposite to the suspension pipeline 19. An intake side of a compressor 23 driven by an electric motor 21 is connected to the suspension pipeline 19 side of the filter 22 in the middle of the main pipeline 20. When the electric motor 21 is operated, the compressor 23 compresses the air sucked through the filter 22 and supplies the compressed air as the compressed fluid to the main pipeline 20.

 A dryer 24 that removes moisture from the compressed air supplied from the compressor 23 is disposed in the middle of the main pipeline 20 and on the suspension pipeline 19 side of the compressor 23. Further, an exhaust pipe 25 serving as a connecting pipe is connected in the middle of the main pipe 20 and between the compressor 23 and the dryer 24. The exhaust pipe 25 is provided with an exhaust valve 32 that enables the air in the main pipe 20 (in the air chamber 17) to be exhausted to the atmosphere. The exhaust valve 32 is a normally closed electromagnetic valve, similar to the suspension valves 31F and 31R, and opens when energized to permit the movement of only one air, that is, the air in the main line 20 Only allow outflow to the atmosphere.

 In addition, an air supply line 26 serving as a connection line is connected in the middle of the main line 20 and between the dryer 24 and the front and rear suspension valves 31F and 31R. A high-pressure tank 27 serving as a storage tank is connected to one end of the air supply line 26 and the end opposite to the main line 20. The high-pressure tank 27 is a tank that stores the compressed air supplied from the compressor 23 so as to be supplied. The high-pressure tank 27 is provided with a pressure sensor 34 that detects the air pressure in the tank.

 In the middle of the air supply line 26, between the high-pressure tank 27 and the main line 20, the supply as a second valve that enables or disables communication between the high-pressure tank 27 and the main line 20 by opening and closing. An air valve 33 is installed. The air supply valve 33 is a normally closed electromagnetic valve, similar to the suspension valves 31F and 31R, and opens when energized and closes when not energized.

 Next, the electrical configuration of the pneumatic vehicle height adjusting device will be described below.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle height changing device 10 is provided with a vehicle height adjustment control device 40. The vehicle height adjustment control device 40 includes a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (write / read only memory), and the like (not shown).

 The CPU performs various arithmetic processes for controlling the vehicle height changing device 10. The ROM stores various control programs and various control data for controlling the vehicle height changing device 10. In other words, the ROM stores vehicle height data for a vehicle height (standard vehicle height, normal vehicle height) that stabilizes the operation status of the vehicle, a high vehicle height, a low vehicle height, or a set vehicle height that is arbitrarily set by the driver. And used as reference vehicle height data indicating the reference vehicle height H for control. The RAM temporarily stores calculation data necessary for the CPU to execute various calculation processes based on various control programs stored in the ROM.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle height adjustment control apparatus 40 includes an electric motor 21, an exhaust valve 32, a pressure sensor 34, an air supply valve 33, suspension valves 31F and 31R, front and rear wheel height sensors 30F and 30R, The high switch 41, the display device 42, the smart unit 52, and the back door courtesy switch 60 are electrically connected to each other via an input / output interface (not shown).

 The front and rear wheel vehicle height sensors 30F and 30R output the detection signal SGH to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 via corresponding interfaces. The vehicle height adjustment control device 40 (CPU) calculates the vehicle height at that time (actual vehicle height) based on the detection signal SGH. The pressure sensor 34 outputs the detection signal to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 via a corresponding interface. The vehicle height adjustment control device 40 (CPU) calculates the pressure (actual pressure) in the high-pressure tank 27 at that time based on the detection signal.

 Further, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40, based on the signals from the vehicle height switch 41, the smart unit 52, and the back door courtesy switch 60, from among the vehicle height data stored in the ROM, the high vehicle height, the normal vehicle height, Vehicle height data such as Low vehicle height is selected and set as a reference vehicle height H as a control target and its reference vehicle height data. Then, the front and rear suspensions 11F and 11R are set so that the vehicle maintains the reference vehicle height H based on the actual vehicle height obtained from the detection signals SGH of the front and rear wheel vehicle height sensors 30F and 30R and the selected reference vehicle height data. Controls the air supply / discharge operation. In addition, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 determines that the air pressure in the high pressure tank 27 is the reference pressure based on the actual pressure in the high pressure tank 27 obtained from the detection signal of the pressure sensor 34 and the reference pressure data stored in the ROM. The air supply operation to the high-pressure tank 27 is controlled so as to maintain the above.

 That is, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 outputs a drive signal to the electric motor 21 to drive and control the compressor 23. Further, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 outputs a valve opening signal to each of the suspension valves 31F and 31R, the exhaust valve 32 and the air supply valve 33, and energizes each of the suspension valves 31F and 31R, the exhaust valve 32 and the air supply valve 33. Then, the air supply / discharge operation in the vehicle height changing device 10 is controlled.

 The vehicle height switch 41 is provided in the driver's seat, and the vehicle height such as High, Normal, and Low can be selected in accordance with the operation of raising / lowering the vehicle height, or the operation of stopping, and the traveling state such as the traveling road surface and the vehicle speed. It is configured by a possible switch (not shown). Normal is a standard vehicle height, and a vehicle height such as High set higher than that or Low set low can be selected by the driver. The vehicle height selection signal selected by the vehicle height switch 41 is output to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. The vehicle height adjustment control device 40 receives the selection signal received from the vehicle height data stored in the ROM. Select the data that matches the standard vehicle height data.

  The vehicle height adjustment control device 40 outputs information under control to the display device 42, and the display device 42 displays the information on a lamp or display (not shown) to show the driver.

  A smart entry system 50 capable of various vehicle operations without key operations is mounted on a vehicle body (not shown). The smart entry system 50 provides the portable device 55 with an ID code (identification code), and collates the ID code registered in the smart unit 52 with the ID code of the portable device 55, thereby performing various operations without performing key operations. It is a system that permits and starts operation.

  The smart unit 52 outputs a set vehicle height selection signal and a vehicle height adjustment start / stop operation signal to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40, and controls the locking and unlocking of a door lock (not shown). A door locking / unlocking permission signal is output to 51, and the opening / closing body control device 51 controls locking / unlocking of a door lock device (not shown).

  The smart unit 52 includes a smart ECU 53 that performs arithmetic processing and a smart tuner 54 that receives radio waves from the portable device 55. The portable device 55 has an operation button (manual operation member 56) for performing locking / unlocking of the door lock, setting of the set vehicle height, and starting and stopping of the vehicle height adjustment. The operation signal is transmitted as a radio wave from the portable device 55 and received by the smart tuner 54 provided in the smart unit 52. The signal received by the smart tuner 54 is verified by the smart ECU 53 together with the registered ID code, and the received signal is determined. The door control device 51 receives a signal for permitting locking / unlocking of the door lock. A set vehicle height setting and an operation signal are output to the adjustment control device 40.

  The back door courtesy switch 60 operates in accordance with opening / closing of a back door (not shown), and outputs a signal indicating whether the back door is closed or opened to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. Then, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 controls the actual vehicle height of the vehicle to a designated vehicle height when the back door is opened, and controls the actual vehicle height of the vehicle to return to the standard vehicle height when the back door is closed. .

 Next, the vehicle height adjusting method of the pneumatic vehicle height adjusting device will be described below. Note that the rear wheel side vehicle height adjustment and the front wheel side vehicle height adjustment are performed according to the same vehicle height adjustment method, and therefore, a duplicate description thereof is avoided, and only the rear wheel side vehicle height adjustment is described below.

 The vehicle height adjustment control device 40 operates as an automatic adjustment mode when the vehicle height switch 41 and the manual operation member 56 of the portable device 55 are not operated. The reference vehicle height as a control target is normally set to normal (standard vehicle height).

 Now, the vehicle height changing device 10 maintains the standard vehicle height state. At this time, since the opening signals are not input to the suspension valves 31F and 31R, the exhaust valve 32, and the air supply valve 33, the air pressure in the high-pressure tank 27 and the vehicle height on the front and rear wheels side are the respective reference pressures. It is maintained at the reference vehicle height H.

 Here, when luggage or the like is loaded on the trunk provided on the rear wheel side of the vehicle, the vehicle height (actual vehicle height) on the rear wheel side is lowered from the reference vehicle height H by the load. Then, the rear wheel vehicle height sensor 30 </ b> R outputs a detection signal SGH having a value smaller than the reference vehicle height H data stored in the ROM to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. When a detection signal SGH having a value smaller than the reference vehicle height H data is input, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 first sets the rear wheel side vehicle height (actual vehicle height) to the reference vehicle height H. The suspension valve 31R and the air supply valve 33 are energized, and then the suspension valve 31R and the air supply valve 33 are opened. Then, the compressed air in the high-pressure tank 27 is supplied into the air chamber 17 of the rear suspension 11R via the air supply valve 33, the air supply conduit 20, the rear suspension valve 31R, and the suspension conduit 19, and the rear wheel side Increase vehicle height.

 When the vehicle height on the rear wheel side reaches the reference vehicle height H by the supply of the compressed air, the rear wheel vehicle height sensor 30R outputs a detection signal SGH opposite to the reference vehicle height H to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. Then, when a detection signal SGH opposite to the reference vehicle height H is input, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 stops energization to the rear suspension valve 31R and closes the rear suspension valve 31R. As a result, the rear suspension 11R and the main pipe line 20 are disconnected from each other, the air in the air chamber 17 is maintained, and the actual vehicle height on the rear wheel side is maintained at the reference vehicle height H.

 On the other hand, the air pressure of the high-pressure tank 27 is lower than the reference pressure by the amount of compressed air supplied to the rear suspension 11R. Therefore, the pressure sensor 34 outputs a detection signal having a value smaller than the reference pressure to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. Accordingly, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 puts the rear suspension valve 31R into a non-energized state (closed circuit), and then outputs a drive signal to the electric motor 21 based on the input detection signal of the pressure sensor 34. 23 is driven to supply compressed air into the high-pressure tank 27. When the air pressure in the high-pressure tank 27 reaches the reference pressure by the supply of the compressed air, the pressure sensor 34 outputs a detection signal opposite to the reference pressure to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. When a detection signal opposite to the reference pressure is input, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 stops energization of the air supply valve 33 and closes the air supply valve 33. At the same time, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 stops the output of the drive signal of the electric motor 21 and stops the operation of the compressor 23.

 On the other hand, when a load or the like is dismounted from the trunk of the vehicle on which the vehicle height adjustment has been performed, the vehicle height on the rear wheel side rises from the reference vehicle height H, and the rear wheel vehicle height sensor 30R becomes higher than the reference vehicle height H. Is output to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. When the detection signal SGH having a value larger than the reference vehicle height H is input, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 energizes the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32 and opens the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32. . When the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32 are energized and opened, the air in the rear suspension 11R (air chamber 17) flows out to the low pressure side. That is, in order from the rear suspension 11R, the exhaust gas is discharged from the exhaust port 25a through the corresponding suspension pipeline 19, main pipeline 20, dryer 24 and exhaust valve 32 to the atmosphere, and the actual vehicle height on the rear wheel side decreases.

 When the actual vehicle height on the rear wheel side reaches the reference vehicle height H due to exhaust in the air chamber 17, the rear wheel vehicle height sensor 30 </ b> R outputs a detection signal SGH opposite to the reference vehicle height H to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. To do. When the detection signal SGH opposite to the reference vehicle height H is input, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 stops energizing the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32, and closes the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32. Let As a result, the rear suspension 11R and the main pipe line 20 are disconnected from each other, the air in the air chamber 17 is maintained, and the actual vehicle height on the rear wheel side is maintained at the reference vehicle height H.

 Next, the operation of the manual adjustment mode by the driver's operation will be described. In commercial vehicles and passenger cars, the portable device 55 that locks and unlocks the door lock of the vehicle is generally carried by the driver, so the loading and unloading work here is performed by the driver. The following explanation will be explained as a driver.

 When the driver operates the vehicle height switch 41, a signal for raising or lowering the vehicle height, a signal for selecting or stopping the vehicle height, or a signal for selecting a vehicle height such as High, Normal, or Low, is adjusted from the vehicle height switch 41. It is output to the control device 40.

 When a signal for raising the vehicle height is received, the rear suspension valve 31R and the air supply valve 33 are energized, and the rear suspension valve 31R and the air supply valve 33 are opened. Then, the compressed air in the high-pressure tank 27 is supplied into the air chamber 17 of the rear suspension 11R via the air supply valve 33, the air supply conduit 20, the rear suspension valve 31R, and the suspension conduit 19, and the rear wheel side Increase vehicle height.

 When a signal for lowering the vehicle height is received, the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32 are energized, and the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32 are opened. When the rear suspension valve 31R and the exhaust valve 32 are energized and opened, the air in the rear suspension 11R (air chamber 17) flows out to the low pressure side. That is, in order from the rear suspension 11R, the exhaust gas is discharged from the exhaust port 25a through the corresponding suspension pipeline 19, main pipeline 20, dryer 24 and exhaust valve 32 to the atmosphere, and the actual vehicle height on the rear wheel side decreases.

 When the operation stop signal is received, the energization to the rear suspension valve 31R, the air supply valve 33 and the exhaust valve 32 is stopped, and the rear suspension valve 31R, the air supply valve 33 and the exhaust valve 32 are closed. As a result, the rear suspension 11R and the main pipe line 20 are disconnected from each other, the air in the air chamber 17 is retained, and the actual vehicle height on the rear wheel side is maintained as it is. The vehicle height in this state can be stored in the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 as an arbitrarily set vehicle height.

 When a signal of a selected set vehicle height such as High, Normal, Low, or an arbitrarily set set vehicle height is received, these set vehicle heights are set as the reference vehicle height H, and the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 Automatically controls the vehicle height changing device 10 by the same operation as the automatic adjustment mode.

 When a back door (not shown) is opened, the back door courtesy switch 60 is activated and a signal is transmitted to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. When the signal of the back door courtesy switch 60 is received, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 sets a preset vehicle height as a reference vehicle height H, and the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 operates in the same manner as the automatic adjustment mode described above. Thus, the vehicle height changing device 10 is automatically controlled.

 When the back door is closed, the back door courtesy switch 60 operates and a signal is transmitted to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40. When the signal of the back door courtesy switch 60 is received, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 sets the standard vehicle height as the reference vehicle height H as preparation for traveling, and the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 is the same as the automatic adjustment mode described above. The vehicle height changing device 10 is automatically controlled by the operation.

 Next, the operation of the manual adjustment mode by the operation button (manual operation member 56) provided on the portable device 55 will be described.

 When the operation button (manual operation member 56) is operated for locking / unlocking the door lock of the vehicle, a door lock locking / unlocking signal is emitted from the portable device 55, and the smart tuner 54 receives the signal. Transmits a signal to the smart ECU 53. The smart ECU 53 verifies the registered ID code and determines a processing method. Then, the smart unit 52 outputs a door lock locking / unlocking permission signal to the opening / closing body control device 51. The opening / closing body control device 51 that has received a signal for permitting locking / unlocking of the door lock performs locking or unlocking of a door lock (not shown).

 When the operation button (manual operation member 56) for performing the operation of increasing / decreasing the vehicle height or stopping, or selecting High, Normal, Low, etc. is operated, these signals are similar to the above-described operation. A signal is transmitted from the smart unit 52 to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 via the portable device 55, the smart tuner 54, and the smart ECU 53. The vehicle height adjustment control device 40 that has received the signal performs the same operation as in the case of the operation with the vehicle height switch 41, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

 In the case of loading and unloading work, the actual vehicle height that is optimal for the work varies depending on the state of the load to be handled and the physique requirements of the driver. For tall drivers, it is desirable that the height of the vehicle is high because the loading and unloading work can be carried out without bending the back. For short drivers, it may be better to have a lower vehicle height. Also, when using a truck for carrying goods, it is easier to work near the height of the truck.

 The optimal vehicle height for the loading and unloading operation of the load is as follows. When the vehicle height is raised or lowered by the operation button (manual operation member 56) to reach the optimum vehicle height, the vehicle height is raised or lowered. The vehicle height data at that time is arbitrarily set in the ROM of the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 by the driver performing the predetermined button operation on the operation button (manual operation member 56). It is stored as vehicle height data for the set vehicle height.

 If arbitrary data is stored as vehicle height data, the operation button (manual operation member 56) can be operated to an optimal vehicle height for loading and unloading work only by operating an ON or OFF button. That is, when the operation button (manual operation member 56) of the portable device 55 is operated, a signal is transmitted from the smart unit 52 to the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 via the smart tuner 54 and the smart ECU 53. Upon receiving the signal, the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 sets the vehicle height data of the set vehicle height arbitrarily set by the driver stored in the ROM as the reference vehicle height H, and the vehicle height adjustment control device 40 The vehicle height changing device 10 is automatically controlled by the same operation as the automatic adjustment mode.

 According to the vehicle height changing device 10 described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) In the above embodiment, since the remote operation button for adjusting the vehicle height is added to the smart entry system 50 for locking / unlocking the door lock of the vehicle, the dedicated remote operation device for adjusting the vehicle height is used. It is not necessary to provide a portable device 55 that is small and easy to carry. Thus, the driver can operate even with the baggage, and the loading / unloading operation for the commercial vehicle and the passenger car such as the loading / unloading of the baggage to the store, golf bag or travel bag can be easily performed.

 (2) Further, in the above embodiment, since an arbitrary vehicle height for loading and unloading luggage can be set, the actual vehicle height that matches the driver by the operation button (manual operation member 56) of the portable device 55 is obtained. Can be executed with a button operation. This improves the posture of the driver when loading and unloading luggage and is effective in preventing back pain and the like.

 (3) In the above embodiment, since the vehicle height adjustment can be automatically performed in conjunction with the opening / closing of the back door of the vehicle, the driver does not need an operation for the vehicle height adjustment and is set in advance. Since the actual vehicle height of the optimum loading / unloading work can be realized, the loading / unloading work of the driver becomes more efficient.

  In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.

-In the above embodiment, the vehicle height adjustment on the rear wheel side has been described, but the vehicle height adjustment on the front and rear wheels side, the vehicle height adjustment only on the rear wheel side, the vehicle height adjustment only on the front wheel side, etc. It may be configured.

In the above embodiment, the pneumatic vehicle height adjusting device (air suspension device) that uses air as the fluid and adjusts the vehicle height with the compressed air has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and fluids other than air The vehicle height may be adjusted by (for example, hydraulic oil).

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the pneumatic vehicle height adjustment apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle height change apparatus, 11F ... Front wheel suspension (front suspension), 11R ... Rear wheel air suspension (rear suspension), 12F ... Front wheel, 12R ... Rear wheel, 13F ... Front suspension arm, 13R ... Rear suspension arm, 14 ... Chamber, 15 ... Diaphragm, 16 ... Air piston, 17 ... Air chamber, 19 ... Suspension pipe, 20 ... Main line, 21 ... Electric motor, 22 ... Filter, 23 ... Compressor, 24 ... Dryer, 25 ... Exhaust line, 25a ... Exhaust port, 26 ... Air supply line 27 ... High pressure tank, 30F ... Front wheel height sensor, 30R ... Rear wheel height sensor, 31F ... Front suspension valve, 31R ... Rear suspension valve, 32 ... Exhaust valve 33 ... Air supply valve 34 ... Pressure sensor 40 ... Vehicle height adjustment control device 41 ... Vehicle height switch 42 ... Display device 50 ... Smart entry system , 51 ... Opening and closing body control device, 52 ... Smart unit, 53 ... Smart ECU, 54 ... Smart tuner, 55 ... Portable machine, 56 ... Manual operation member, 60 ... Back door courtesy switch

Claims (5)

In a vehicle height adjusting device comprising a vehicle height changing device that changes the vehicle height, which is a relative height of the vehicle body with respect to the wheels, and a vehicle height adjustment control device that adjusts the vehicle height by controlling the vehicle height changing device,
The vehicle height adjustment control device has a portable device operation mode for controlling the vehicle height change device based on a signal from a portable device that performs unlocking or locking of an opening / closing member provided in the vehicle by wireless communication. Vehicle height adjustment device. In a vehicle height adjusting device comprising a vehicle height changing device that changes the vehicle height, which is a relative height of the vehicle body with respect to the wheels, and a vehicle height adjustment control device that adjusts the vehicle height by controlling the vehicle height changing device,
The vehicle height adjustment control device has a back door interlocking mode for controlling the vehicle height changing device in conjunction with opening / closing of a back door of the vehicle. The vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 1,
A manual operation member is mounted on the portable device, and a signal from the portable device is output to the vehicle height adjustment control device by operation of the manual operation member, and the vehicle height change device is controlled. A vehicle height adjusting device characterized by the above. The vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 1,
As set vehicle height, it has a set value for traveling and a set value for loading and unloading luggage,
A vehicle height adjusting device that adjusts the vehicle height to a set value for loading and unloading of luggage by operating the manual operation member. A vehicle height changing device that is provided between the wheels and changes the vehicle height, which is the relative height of the vehicle body with respect to the wheels, and a vehicle height adjustment control that adjusts the vehicle height by controlling the vehicle height changing device. A vehicle height adjustment control device that automatically adjusts the actual vehicle height to the set vehicle height,
The set vehicle height has a set value for driving and a set value for loading and unloading luggage.
When the signal of the back door courtesy switch indicating the opening / closing of the back door of the vehicle indicates open, the actual vehicle height is controlled to the set value for loading / unloading of the load, and when the signal of the back door courtesy switch indicates closing The vehicle height adjusting device is characterized in that it is controlled to a set value for traveling.

Images