JP2013166444A - Suspension device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a change in the reaction force property of a suspension device, concerning improvement of the suspension device that stores gas and serves as a suspension spring (an air spring).SOLUTION: A vehicle includes a suspension device that includes: an expandable/contractable suspension device body F mounted between a vehicle body and wheels of the vehicle and consisting of an outer tube 1 and an inner tube 2 which is inserted into the outer tube 1 in a retractable manner; and a gas chamber A formed inside the suspension device body F and inflatable/deflatable with the expansion/contraction of the suspension device body F, wherein gas stored in the gas chamber A generates reaction force depending on the expansion/contraction amount of the suspension device body F. A gas supply means 3 is provided for supplying the gas to the gas chamber A to adjust a pressure in the gas chamber A when the pressure in the gas chamber A is reduced during the travel of the vehicle.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a suspension device.

  In general, a suspension device is interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel in a transportation device such as an automobile or a motorcycle, and suppresses an expansion and contraction movement accompanying the shock absorption by a suspension spring that absorbs an impact caused by road surface unevenness. A shock absorber is provided to prevent the impact from the road surface from being transmitted to the vehicle body.

  For example, the suspension device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a front fork that suspends a front wheel of a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a motorcycle, and includes an air chamber that can be expanded and contracted as the front fork expands and contracts.

  The gas enclosed while being compressed in the air chamber generates a reaction force corresponding to the amount of expansion and contraction of the front fork, and functions as a suspension spring (air spring) that absorbs the impact caused by road surface unevenness.

JP 2011-174502 A

  However, in the suspension device provided with the air chamber as described above, it is possible to reduce the weight by removing the suspension spring made of a metal coil spring, but heat generation due to expansion and contraction of the suspension device during traveling of the vehicle, Because the gas expands and contracts due to changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure (elevation), and the internal pressure of the air chamber changes, the reaction force characteristics of the suspension device change greatly during travel of the vehicle.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to supply a gas to the air chamber in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber during traveling of the vehicle, to suppress the internal pressure of the air chamber from being excessively lowered, and to change the reaction force characteristics of the suspension device. It is to provide a suspension device that can be suppressed.

  Means for solving the above problem is a suspension device body that is interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel in a vehicle, and that can be expanded and contracted by an outer tube and an inner tube that is inserted into and retracted into the outer tube, An air chamber formed inside the suspension device body and capable of expanding and contracting as the suspension device body expands and contracts, and the gas contained in the air chamber generates a reaction force corresponding to the amount of expansion and contraction of the suspension device body. The generated suspension device includes gas supply means for receiving a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber while the vehicle is running and supplying gas to the air chamber to adjust the internal pressure of the air chamber.

  According to the present invention, the internal pressure of the air chamber may be excessively reduced during the traveling of the vehicle by providing the gas supply means for supplying the gas to the air chamber in response to the decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber during the traveling of the vehicle. It is possible to suppress the change in the reaction force characteristic of the suspension device while the vehicle is running.

It is explanatory drawing which simplified and showed the inside of the suspension apparatus main body in 1st embodiment of the suspension apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the gas supply means and gas discharge means in 1st embodiment of the suspension apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the gas supply means and gas discharge means in 2nd embodiment of the suspension apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the gas supply means and gas discharge means in 3rd embodiment of the suspension apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the gas supply means and gas discharge means in 4th embodiment of the suspension apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the gas supply means and gas discharge means in 5th embodiment of the suspension apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the gas supply means and gas discharge means in 6th Embodiment of the suspension apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a suspension device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals given throughout the several drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts.

  In the present embodiment, the suspension device is interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel in a vehicle, and as shown in FIG. 1, an outer tube 1 and an inner tube 2 inserted into the outer tube 1 so as to be able to appear and retract. And a suspension body F that can be expanded and contracted, and an air chamber A that is formed inside the suspension body F and can be expanded and contracted as the suspension body F expands and contracts, is accommodated in the air chamber A. The gas generates a reaction force corresponding to the amount of expansion / contraction of the suspension device main body F.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the suspension device receives gas pressure drop in the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle, supplies gas to the air chamber A, and adjusts the internal pressure of the air chamber. 3 is provided.

  Hereinafter, the suspension device will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension device is a front fork used in a straddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle, and is interposed between a vehicle body and a front wheel of the straddle-type vehicle. Has been.

  And in the said suspension apparatus main body F which consists of the outer tube 1 and the inner tube 2, it forms between the cap member 10 and the bottom member 20 which block | close the upper and lower opening in FIG. A sealing member 11 that closes the cylindrical gap is attached, and the interior of the suspension device main body F is partitioned from the outside (atmosphere side).

  Furthermore, a shock absorber D that suppresses expansion and contraction of the suspension device main body F is accommodated inside the suspension device main body F. Since the configuration of the shock absorber D is well known, although not shown in detail, the shock absorber D can stand up in the cylinder 12 while standing on the cylinder 12 suspended from the cap member 10 and the bottom member 20. A rod 21 to be inserted, a piston 22 held at the tip of the rod 21 and slidably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 12, and a free contact slidably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 12 on the cap member side (upper side in FIG. 1). And a piston 23.

  The cylinder 12 is divided into two chambers R1 and R2 filled with working fluid and partitioned by the piston 22, a chamber R2 on the piston side (upper side in FIG. 1), and the free piston 23. A cylinder internal air chamber R3 is formed. Further, the cylinder internal air chamber R3 accommodates gas while being compressed, and pressurizes the piston-side chamber R2 via the free piston 23. 1 shows a state in which the cylinder internal air chamber R3 is partitioned from the air chamber A formed outside the shock absorber D, the cylinder internal air chamber R3 and the air chamber A may be communicated with each other.

  Further, the piston 22 is formed with a flow path 22a that communicates the two chambers R1 and R2, and a damping force generating means V that provides resistance to the working fluid that passes through the flow path 22a. .

  Therefore, when the rod 21 appears and disappears in the cylinder 12 as the suspension apparatus main body F expands and contracts, the one chamber R1 (R2) is pressurized, and the working fluid in the one chamber R1 (R2) passes through the flow path 22a. Therefore, the shock absorber D generates a damping force due to the resistance of the damping force generating means V, and can suppress the expansion and contraction motion of the suspension device main body F.

  Further, since the free piston 23 moves up and down in FIG. 1 in accordance with the change in the cylinder volume corresponding to the rod volume that appears and disappears in the cylinder 12, the change in the cylinder volume can be compensated for in the cylinder air chamber R3.

  Returning to the inside of the suspension apparatus main body F, an air chamber A is formed outside the shock absorber D. The gas chamber A functions as a suspension spring (air spring) that encloses the gas while being compressed and generates a reaction force and constantly urges the suspension device main body F in the extending direction.

  And since the air chamber A expand | swells at the time of expansion | extension of the suspension apparatus main body F from which the inner tube 2 pulls out from the outer tube 1, the internal pressure of the air chamber A falls and the reaction force by gas becomes small. On the other hand, since the air chamber A contracts when the suspension apparatus main body F in which the inner tube 2 enters the outer tube 1 is compressed, the internal pressure of the air chamber A increases and the reaction force due to the gas increases.

  Furthermore, since the internal pressure of the air chamber A changes due to the heat generated by expansion and contraction of the suspension device while the vehicle is running, and the gas expands and contracts due to changes in temperature and pressure (elevation), the suspension device according to the present embodiment is As shown in FIG. 2, the gas supply means 3 that supplies a gas to the air chamber A in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle, and the internal pressure of the air chamber A during the traveling of the vehicle Gas discharge means 4 for discharging gas from the air chamber A, and when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P, the change in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle is p1 ≦ P ≦ p2. This is adjusted for the purpose, and the reaction force characteristic of the suspension device is prevented from changing greatly.

  The gas supply means 3 contains a gas which contains gas and has an internal pressure equal to a target minimum internal pressure (p1) during travel of the vehicle in the air chamber A, and gas from the tank 30 to the air chamber A. And a supply passage 31 for supplying water.

  The supply passage 31 is provided with a check valve 32, which opens when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is lower than the internal pressure of the tank 30, and communicates with the supply passage 31. When the internal pressure of the air chamber A is equal to or higher than the internal pressure of the tank 30, the supply passage 32 is closed by closing. For this reason, the gas passing through the supply passage 31 is only allowed to move from the tank side to the air chamber side and is prevented from backflow.

  In addition, although the well-known structure can be employ | adopted suitably for the structure for making the internal pressure of the said tank 30 into p1, in this Embodiment, the compressor 50 which sends gas to the tank 30, and the tank 30 And a relief valve 51 that opens to the atmosphere when the internal pressure exceeds p1, and maintains the internal pressure of the tank 5 at p1.

  An air filter 52 is provided on the upstream side of the compressor 50 to prevent dust and dust from entering the tank 30 and the air chamber A. Further, between the compressor 50 and the tank 30, there are provided a dryer 53 for drying the gas sent out from the compressor 50 and a check valve 54 for preventing the gas from flowing back from the tank 30 to the compressor side. It has been.

  Subsequently, the gas discharge means 4 is provided with a discharge passage 40 for releasing the gas in the air chamber A to the atmosphere. The discharge passage 40 opens when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P> p2. A relief valve 41 is provided that opens the air through the discharge passage 40 and closes the discharge passage 40 when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P ≦ p2.

  Hereinafter, the effect of the suspension apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In the suspension device of the present embodiment, the check valve is connected to the supply passage 31 that communicates the tank 30 and the air chamber A that are set so that the internal pressure becomes the target minimum internal pressure (p1) of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle. 32 is provided, the check valve 32 is opened when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P <p1 during traveling of the vehicle, and gas can be supplied from the tank 30 to the air chamber A.

  That is, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the gas is supplied from the tank 30 to the air chamber A in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle, and the internal pressure of the air chamber A is prevented from being excessively lowered. It becomes possible.

  In addition, the suspension device of the present embodiment includes a relief valve 41 that opens to the atmosphere when the internal pressure of the air chamber A becomes higher than the target maximum internal pressure (p2) of the air chamber A while the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the air chamber A from becoming too high.

  Therefore, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, even if the gas expands or contracts due to heat generation due to expansion and contraction of the suspension device during traveling of the vehicle and changes in temperature and pressure (elevation), the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle. Since the change in the internal pressure can be set to p1 ≦ P ≦ p2, the change in the reaction force characteristic of the suspension device can be suppressed, and the riding comfort of the vehicle can be stabilized.

  Further, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the gas is supplied from the tank 30 to the air chamber A when the suspension device main body F where the internal pressure of the air chamber A becomes the lowest during traveling of the vehicle. Is set to the target minimum internal pressure (p1) of the air chamber A, and the load on the tank 30 can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in a part of the configuration of the gas supply means, and the other configurations and the effects thereof are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, here, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the other components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gas supply means 3A according to the present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that it contains a gas and the internal pressure is the target minimum internal pressure (p1 during traveling of the vehicle in the air chamber A). ) And a supply passage 31 for supplying gas from the tank 30 to the air chamber A.

  The supply passage 31 is provided with a check valve 32 similar to that of the first embodiment, and further provided with an opening / closing valve 33 that opens when the suspension device body F is fully extended and communicates with the supply passage 31. Yes. It should be noted that the check valve 32 can be omitted if the on-off valve 33 only allows the gas passing through the supply passage 31 to move from the tank side to the air chamber side and prevents backflow. The configuration for allowing only the gas passing through the supply passage 31 to move from the tank side to the air chamber side can be selected as appropriate.

  Subsequently, the on-off valve 33 is a mechanical operation valve that opens and closes in conjunction with the movement of the free piston 23 of the shock absorber D, and the free piston 23 is at the maximum extension of the suspension device main body F located on the lower side in FIG. While opening and communicating with the supply passage 31, when the free piston 23 moves upward in FIG. 1 as the suspension device main body F is compressed, the supply passage 31 is closed and shut off.

  That is, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the supply passage 31 that communicates the tank 30 and the air chamber A, which is set so that the internal pressure becomes the target minimum internal pressure (p1) of the air chamber A during vehicle travel, is described above. Since the on-off valve 33 and the check valve 32 are provided, the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P <when the suspension device main body F is fully extended and the on-off valve 33 is opened while the vehicle is running. At the time of p1, the check valve 32 is opened, and gas can be supplied from the tank 30 to the air chamber A.

  Therefore, also in the suspension device of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the gas is supplied from the tank 30 to the air chamber A in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle. It becomes possible to suppress that the internal pressure of this falls too much.

  Further, since the suspension device of the present embodiment includes the gas supply means 3A and the gas discharge means 4 similar to that of the first embodiment, the heat generated by the expansion and contraction of the suspension device during traveling of the vehicle. Even if the gas expands or contracts due to changes in temperature or atmospheric pressure (elevation), the change in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle can be set to p1 ≦ P ≦ p2, so that the reaction force characteristics of the suspension device It is possible to stabilize the ride comfort of the vehicle.

  Further, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the open / close valve 33 is opened when the suspension device main body F is fully extended when the vehicle travels, and the internal pressure of the air chamber A at this time is increased. Since gas is supplied from the tank 30 to the air chamber A when P <p1, the internal pressure of the tank 30 may be set to the target minimum internal pressure (p1) of the air chamber A to reduce the load on the tank 30. It becomes possible to do.

  Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the gas supply means, and the other configurations and the effects are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, here, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the other components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the gas supply means 3B according to the present embodiment is set so as to contain gas and the internal pressure is always higher than the target minimum internal pressure (p1) during travel of the vehicle in the air chamber A. And a supply passage 31a for supplying gas from the high-pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A.

  The supply passage 31a is supplied with a check valve 32a that allows only gas to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side, and is opened in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A while the vehicle is running. An on-off valve 35 communicating with the passage 31a is provided. It should be noted that the check valve 32a can be omitted if the on-off valve 35 allows only gas passing through the supply passage 31a to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side and prevents backflow. The configuration for allowing only the gas passing through the supply passage 31a to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side can be selected as appropriate.

  Subsequently, the opening / closing valve 35 is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes by the energy of the electromagnet, and the gas supply means 3B includes a sensor (not shown) that detects the internal pressure of the air chamber A and a value detected by the sensor. And a control device (not shown) for opening and closing the on-off valve 35.

  In this embodiment, the control device opens the on-off valve 35 and communicates with the supply passage 31a until the internal pressure of the air chamber A during the traveling of the vehicle is P <p1 until P = p1. On the other hand, when the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle is P ≧ p1, the energization is not performed and the on-off valve 35 is closed to shut off the supply passage 31a.

  That is, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A is determined based on the fact that the internal pressure of the air chamber A becomes P <p1 while the vehicle is traveling, and the target minimum internal pressure ( The gas can be supplied from the high-pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A by opening the on-off valve 35 until p1). Note that the criterion for determining the decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle is not limited to the above, and a target minimum internal pressure, maximum internal pressure, average value, etc. in the air chamber A can be appropriately selected.

  Therefore, in the suspension device according to the present embodiment, the gas is supplied from the high-pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A due to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A while the vehicle is running, and the internal pressure of the air chamber A is too low. It becomes possible to suppress.

  In addition, since the suspension device of the present embodiment includes the gas supply means 3B and the gas discharge means 4 similar to that of the first embodiment, heat is generated due to expansion and contraction of the suspension device while the vehicle is traveling. Even if the gas expands or contracts due to changes in temperature or atmospheric pressure (elevation), the change in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle can be set to p1 ≦ P ≦ p2, so that the reaction force characteristics of the suspension device It is possible to stabilize the ride comfort of the vehicle.

  Further, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the high-pressure tank 34 is set to the above-described value in order to detect that the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P <p1 while the vehicle is running and to supply the gas to the air chamber A. What is necessary is just to set larger than the target minimum internal pressure (p1) of the air chamber A, and it becomes possible to reduce the load to the high pressure tank 34.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the gas supply means and the gas discharge means, and the other configurations and the effects thereof are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, here, a configuration different from that of the embodiment will be mainly described, and the other components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the gas supply means 3C according to the present embodiment accommodates gas and has an internal pressure of the target minimum internal pressure during traveling of the vehicle in the air chamber A (similar to the third embodiment). The high pressure tank 34 is set to be always larger than p1), and the supply passage 31a for supplying gas from the high pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A is provided.

  As in the third embodiment, the supply passage 31a includes a check valve 32a that allows only gas to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side, and an air chamber while the vehicle is traveling. An open / close valve 35 is provided that opens in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of A and communicates with the supply passage 31a. It should be noted that the check valve 32a can be omitted if the on-off valve 35 allows only gas passing through the supply passage 31a to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side and prevents backflow. The configuration for allowing only the gas passing through the supply passage 31a to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side can be selected as appropriate.

  Subsequently, the gas discharge means 4C according to the present embodiment is provided with a discharge passage 40 for releasing the gas in the air chamber A to the atmosphere, and the gas flows into the discharge flow path 40 from the air chamber side to the atmosphere side. A check valve 42 that only allows the valve to move to the open position and an open / close valve 43 that opens in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during travel of the vehicle and communicates with the discharge passage 40 are provided. It should be noted that the check valve 42 can be omitted if the on-off valve 43 only allows gas passing through the discharge passage 40 to move from the air chamber side to the atmosphere side and prevents backflow. In addition, a configuration for allowing only the gas passing through the discharge passage 40 to move from the air chamber side to the atmosphere side can be appropriately selected.

  Subsequently, the on-off valves 35 and 43 in the gas supply means 3C and the gas discharge means 4C are electromagnetic valves that open and close by the energy of the electromagnet, and the gas supply means 3C and the gas discharge means 4C A sensor (not shown) that detects the internal pressure of the air chamber A during expansion and a control device (not shown) that opens and closes the on-off valves 35 and 43 based on the value detected by the sensor are shared.

  In the present embodiment, this control device is energized when the value detected by the sensor during traveling of the vehicle is P <p1, and the internal pressure of the air chamber A when the suspension device body F is fully extended is P. = Open the on-off valve 35 until it reaches p1 and connect the supply passage 31a. On the other hand, when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P ≧ p1, except when the suspension device main body F is fully extended, The on-off valve 35 is closed and the supply passage 31a is shut off.

  Further, the control device is energized when the value detected by the sensor during the traveling of the vehicle is P> p1, and the on-off valve until the internal pressure of the air chamber A when the suspension device F is fully extended reaches P = p1. 43 is opened, and the discharge passage 40 is communicated. On the other hand, when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is not P1 when the suspension device main body F is extended to the maximum extent or P ≦ 1, the on-off valve 43 is closed and discharged. The passage 40 is blocked.

  That is, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the air chamber A (the minimum internal pressure of the air chamber A) when the suspension device main body F is most extended during traveling of the vehicle is P <p1, P> p1. Based on the above, it is judged whether the internal pressure of the air chamber A has decreased or increased while the vehicle is running, and the open / close valve 35 is opened to supply gas from the high pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A or The gas in the chamber A can be released to the atmosphere. Note that the reference for determining the internal pressure decrease or internal pressure increase in the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle is not limited to the above, and a target maximum internal pressure, average value, etc. in the air chamber A can be appropriately selected.

  By providing the above-described configuration, in the suspension device according to the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the air chamber A is reduced during traveling of the vehicle, and the gas is supplied from the high pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A. It is possible to prevent the air pressure from being lowered too much, and to prevent the air pressure in the air chamber A from being increased by receiving the increase in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during the traveling of the vehicle and releasing the air by the on-off valve 43.

  Therefore, even if the gas expands and contracts due to the heat generated by the expansion and contraction of the suspension device during traveling of the vehicle, the temperature and the atmospheric pressure (elevation), the internal pressure of the air chamber A when the suspension device main body F is fully expanded during the traveling of the vehicle. Since (the minimum internal pressure of the air chamber A) can be adjusted to P = p1, it is possible to suppress a change in the reaction force characteristic of the suspension device and to stabilize the riding comfort of the vehicle.

  Further, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, during traveling of the vehicle, it is detected that the internal pressure of the air chamber A at the maximum extension of the suspension device body F is P <p1, and the maximum of the suspension device body F is detected. Since the on-off valve 35 is opened at the time of extension, the internal pressure of the high-pressure tank 34 may be set larger than the target minimum internal pressure (p1) of the air chamber A, and the load on the high-pressure tank 34 can be reduced. Become.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the gas supply means and the gas discharge means, and the other configurations and the effects thereof are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, here, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the other components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the gas supply means 3D according to the present embodiment is set so as to contain gas and the internal pressure is always higher than the target minimum internal pressure (p1) during travel of the vehicle in the air chamber A. And a supply passage 31a for supplying gas from the high-pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A.

  The supply passage 31a is provided with a check valve 32a that only allows gas to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side. For this reason, the gas passing through the supply passage 31a is only allowed to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side and is prevented from backflow.

  Subsequently, the gas discharge means 4D according to the present embodiment includes a discharge passage 40 for releasing the gas in the air chamber A to the atmosphere, and the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P> in the discharge passage 40. There is provided a relief valve 44 which opens when p1 and communicates with the discharge passage 40 to open to the atmosphere, and closes and shuts off the discharge passage 40 when the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P ≦ p1.

  Furthermore, the supply passage 31a and the discharge passage 40 are opened and closed upstream of the relief valve 44 (on the air chamber side) so that the supply passage 31a and the discharge passage 40 are simultaneously communicated by opening when the suspension device main body F is fully extended. A valve 60 is provided. Note that the check valve 32a can be omitted if the gas passing through the supply passage 31a is allowed to move only from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side by the on-off valve 60 and the backflow is prevented. A configuration for allowing only the gas passing through the supply passage 31a to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side can be selected as appropriate.

  Subsequently, the on-off valve 60 is a mechanical operation valve that opens and closes in conjunction with the movement of the free piston 23 of the shock absorber D, and the free piston 23 is at the maximum extension of the suspension device main body F located on the lower side in FIG. While opening and communicating the supply passage 31a and the discharge passage 40, when the free piston 23 moves upward in FIG. 1 as the suspension device main body F is compressed, the supply passage 31a and the discharge passage 40 are closed.

  That is, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, when the suspension device main body F is fully extended during traveling of the vehicle, the on-off valve 60 is opened and the supply passage 31a and the discharge passage 40 are communicated. When the internal pressure of A is P <p1, the check valve 32a is opened to supply gas from the high pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A. When the internal pressure of the air chamber A is P> p1, the gas in the air chamber A is relief valve 44. Can be opened to the atmosphere.

  Therefore, by providing the above configuration, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the gas is supplied from the high-pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle. It is possible to suppress the internal pressure from being excessively lowered and to prevent the internal pressure of the air chamber A from being excessively increased by receiving the increase in the internal pressure of the air chamber A and releasing the air through the relief valve 44 while the vehicle is running.

  Therefore, even if the gas expands and contracts due to heat generation due to expansion and contraction of the suspension device during traveling of the vehicle, and changes in temperature and pressure (elevation), the internal pressure of the air chamber A when the suspension device main body F is fully extended (the minimum of the air chamber A) (Internal pressure) can be adjusted to P = p1, so that it is possible to suppress a change in the reaction force characteristic of the suspension device and to stabilize the riding comfort of the vehicle.

  Further, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, during traveling of the vehicle, when the suspension device main body F is fully extended and the internal pressure of the air chamber A becomes P <p1, gas is supplied from the high pressure tank 34 to the air chamber A. Therefore, the internal pressure of the high pressure tank 34 may be set to be larger than the target minimum internal pressure (p1) of the air chamber A, and the load on the high pressure tank 34 can be reduced.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the gas supply means and the gas discharge means, and the other configurations and the effects thereof are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, here, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the other components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the gas supply means 3E and the gas discharge means 4E according to the present embodiment include a pressure accumulation tank 70 that contains gas, and a supply / discharge passage 71 that communicates the pressure accumulation tank 70 and the air chamber A. The pump 72 provided in the supply passage 71 is shared.

  Further, although not shown, the gas supply means 3E and the gas discharge means 4E share a sensor that detects the internal pressure of the air chamber A and a control device that drives the pump 72 based on the value detected by the sensor. ing.

  The control device receives a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during the traveling of the vehicle and drives the pump 72 to send gas from the accumulator tank 70 to the air chamber A, while the internal pressure of the air chamber A during the traveling of the vehicle. In response to the rise, the pump 72 is driven to send gas from the air chamber A to the pressure accumulating tank 70. It should be noted that the reference for determining the decrease or increase in the internal pressure of the air chamber A during traveling of the vehicle can be selected as appropriate, such as the target minimum internal pressure, maximum internal pressure, and average value in the air chamber A.

  By providing the above-described configuration, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the air chamber A is reduced during the traveling of the vehicle, gas is supplied from the pressure accumulation tank 70 to the air chamber A, and the internal pressure of the air chamber A is increased. It is possible to suppress the pressure from falling too much, and also to prevent the internal pressure of the air chamber A from rising too much by exhausting the gas from the air chamber A to the pressure accumulating tank 70 in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the air chamber A while the vehicle is running. It becomes.

  Therefore, even if the gas expands or contracts due to changes in temperature or pressure (elevation) due to the expansion and contraction of the suspension system while the vehicle is running, the change in the reaction force characteristics of the suspension system is suppressed and the ride comfort of the vehicle is stabilized. Is possible.

  Further, in the suspension device of the present embodiment, the timing for driving the pump 72 can be selected as appropriate. However, in order to suppress the load on the pump 72, the suspension device main body during traveling of the vehicle It is preferable to supply the gas to the air chamber A by driving the pump 72 when F is fully extended or in the vicinity thereof.

  Further, in this case, in order to prevent the internal pressure of the air chamber A from acting on the pump 72 when the pump 72 is not driven, although not shown in the drawing, on the air chamber side of the pump 72 in the supply / exhaust flow path 71. It is preferable to provide an on-off valve that opens in conjunction with the driving of the pump 72 and opens the on-off valve only when the pump 72 is driven to allow the supply / discharge passage 71 to communicate.

  Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that modifications, variations and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

  For example, the suspension device according to the above-described embodiment is a front fork used for a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a motorcycle, but may be used for other transportation equipment such as an automobile.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure of the buffer D accommodated in the suspension apparatus main body F is not restricted above, You may employ | adopt the buffer of what kind of structure.

  Further, the gas discharge means 4 of the first to third embodiments may be replaced with the gas discharge means 4C of the fourth embodiment, and the gas supply means 3C of the fourth embodiment is changed to the first to third. You may replace with the gas supply means 3, 3A, 3B in any one of 3rd embodiment.

  In addition, the on-off valves 33 and 60 of the second and fifth embodiments are mechanically operated valves that are opened and closed by the free piston 23, but are not limited thereto, and may be electromagnetic valves.

A Air chamber D Buffer F Suspension device main body R1, R2 Room R3 Cylinder air chamber V Damping force generating means 1 Outer tube 2 Inner tube 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E Gas supply means 4, 4C, 4D, 4E Gas discharge means 10 Cap member 11 Seal member 12 Cylinder 20 Bottom member 21 Rod 22 Piston 23 Free piston 30 Tank 31, 31a Supply passage 32, 32a, 42, 54 Check valve 33, 35, 43, 60 Open / close valve 34 High pressure tank 40 Discharge passages 41, 44, 51 Relief valve 50 Compressor 52 Air filter 53 Dryer 70 Accumulation tank 71 Supply / discharge passage 72 Pump

Claims (14)

A suspension device body which is interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel in a vehicle and which includes an outer tube and an inner tube which can be inserted into and retracted into the outer tube, and is formed inside the suspension device body. In the suspension device comprising an air chamber that can be expanded and contracted with expansion and contraction of the suspension device main body, and the gas accommodated in the air chamber generates a reaction force according to the amount of expansion and contraction of the suspension device main body,
A suspension device comprising gas supply means for adjusting the internal pressure of the air chamber by supplying a gas to the air chamber in response to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber during traveling of the vehicle.   The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply means supplies gas when the suspension device main body is fully extended.   3. The gas discharge device according to claim 1, further comprising a gas discharge unit configured to discharge a gas from the air chamber and adjust an internal pressure of the air chamber in response to a rise in the internal pressure of the air chamber during traveling of the vehicle. Suspension system. The gas supply means includes a tank configured to contain gas and have an internal pressure equal to a target minimum internal pressure during travel of the vehicle in the air chamber, and a supply passage for supplying gas from the tank to the air chamber. With
The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas passing through the supply passage is only allowed to move from the tank side to the air chamber side.   The check valve is provided in the supply passage, and the check valve opens when the internal pressure of the air chamber is lower than the internal pressure of the tank, and communicates with the supply passage. 4. The suspension device according to 4.   6. The suspension device according to claim 4, wherein the supply passage is provided with an on-off valve that opens when the suspension device main body is fully extended and communicates with the supply passage. The gas supply means stores gas and supplies a gas to the air chamber from the high pressure tank that is set so that the internal pressure is always higher than a target minimum internal pressure during traveling of the vehicle in the air chamber. And a supply passage for
The gas passing through the supply passage is only allowed to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side, and the supply passage is subjected to a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber while the vehicle is running. 3. The suspension apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an on-off valve that opens and communicates with the supply passage. The on-off valve is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes by the energy of an electromagnet, the sensor for detecting the internal pressure of the air chamber by the gas supply means, and a control device for opening and closing the on-off valve based on a value detected by the sensor And
The control device opens the on-off valve until the value detected by the sensor is lower than the target minimum internal pressure during traveling of the vehicle in the air chamber and becomes equal to the target minimum internal pressure, and communicates the supply passage. The suspension apparatus according to claim 7.   The gas discharge means includes a discharge passage for releasing the gas in the air chamber to the atmosphere, and when the internal pressure of the air chamber becomes higher than a target maximum internal pressure during traveling of the vehicle, 9. The suspension device according to claim 3, further comprising a relief valve that opens to open to the atmosphere through the discharge passage.   The gas discharge means includes a discharge passage for releasing the gas in the air chamber to the atmosphere, and the gas passing through the discharge passage is only allowed to move from the air chamber side to the atmosphere side. The open / close valve is provided in the discharge passage to open the valve in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the air chamber during traveling of the vehicle and communicate with the discharge passage. Suspension system. The both on-off valves in the gas supply means and the gas discharge means are electromagnetic valves that are opened and closed by the energy of an electromagnet, and the gas supply means and the gas discharge means are the gas at the time of maximum extension of the suspension device body. A sensor that detects the internal pressure of the chamber and a control device that opens and closes each of the on-off valves based on a value detected by the sensor;
The control device is energized when a value detected by the sensor is lower than a target minimum internal pressure during travel of the vehicle in the air chamber, and the internal pressure of the air chamber when the suspension apparatus is fully extended is the target air pressure. Open and close the gas supply means until it becomes equal to the minimum internal pressure, and communicate the supply passage,
When the value detected by the sensor is higher than the target minimum internal pressure, the discharge of the gas discharge means is performed until the internal pressure of the air chamber at the maximum extension of the suspension device body becomes equal to the target minimum internal pressure. The suspension device according to claim 7 or 10, wherein a valve is opened to communicate with the discharge passage. The gas supply means stores gas and supplies a gas to the air chamber from the high pressure tank that is set so that the internal pressure is always higher than a target minimum internal pressure during traveling of the vehicle in the air chamber. The gas passing through the supply passage is only allowed to move from the high-pressure tank side to the air chamber side,
The gas discharge means includes a discharge passage for releasing the gas in the air chamber A to the atmosphere, and the discharge passage opens when the internal pressure of the air chamber is higher than the target minimum internal pressure. A relief valve is provided to open the atmosphere
An on-off valve is provided upstream of the relief valve in the supply passage and the discharge passage, and is opened when the suspension device is fully extended to communicate the supply passage and the discharge passage simultaneously. Item 4. The suspension device according to item 3. The gas supply means and the gas discharge means include a pressure accumulation tank that contains gas, a supply / discharge passage that communicates the pressure accumulation tank and the air chamber, a pump provided in the supply / discharge passage, and an internal pressure of the air chamber. And a control device that drives the pump based on the value detected by the sensor,
While the vehicle is running, the control device drives the pump by receiving a decrease in the internal pressure of the air chamber and sends gas from the pressure accumulation tank to the air chamber, while driving the pump by receiving an increase in the internal pressure of the air chamber. 4. The suspension device according to claim 3, wherein gas is sent from the air chamber to the pressure accumulation tank.   A mechanically operated valve in which a shock absorber is housed in the suspension device main body, the shock absorber includes a free piston that moves as the suspension device main body expands and contracts, and the on-off valve opens and closes as the free piston moves. The suspension device according to claim 6 or 12, characterized in that

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