JPH05178139A - Control method for air suspension of seat and control device for air suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the ability and safety of a person getting on and off a vehicle when seated on an air suspension seat. CONSTITUTION:A bypass different from a changing over control valve 54 is separately provided with an air supplying solenoid valve 66 and an exhaust discharging solenoid valve 68 which severally have an orifice larger in diameter than that of the valve 54. The solenoid valves 66, 68 are controlled in their opening and closing under fixed conditions apart from the changing over control valve 54 to make the rapid supply and discharge of compressed air from a compressor 16 to an air spring 14 possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention controls the supply and discharge of compressed air to and from the air spring in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of links, and automatically adjusts the internal pressure of the air spring to accommodate the load on the seat. The present invention relates to a seat air suspension control method and an air suspension control device that maintain the above suspension force.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, under an upward biasing force (suspension), an upper frame on which a seat is placed is suspended and supported with respect to a lower frame, and shock, vibration, etc. transmitted to the floor surface. A seat suspension mechanism that attenuates is mounted on a seat of a vehicle or the like.

As a suspension seat of this type, for example, an air spring is used to maintain the seat height (hip point) at a predetermined position (neutral position) regardless of the weight of the seated person. A so-called air suspension mechanism is known.

In such an air suspension mechanism, usually, a stretchable link consisting of a pair of inner link arms and outer link arms assembled in a substantially X shape is interposed between the upper frame and the lower frame. In addition, an air spring that biases each link arm in the rising direction is provided, for example, between the upper frame and the lower frame. Then, the biasing force from the air spring acts as a suspension force to the upper frame with respect to the lower frame, and under the suspension force from the air spring,
An air suspension mechanism is configured so that the upper frame, that is, the seat can be suspended and supported.

Here, as the air suspension mechanism,
For example, a configuration in which the supply and discharge of compressed air to an air spring can be automatically adjusted by varying the seat height is widely known. In such a configuration, normally, a switching control valve that switches between supply and discharge of compressed air is an air spring,
The switching control valve can be switched according to the height of the seat by the switching means that is interposed between the air supply sources and that is composed of a cam or the like that interlocks with the expansion and contraction of the link.

Then, the internal pressure of the air spring is adjusted by the switching of the switching control valve that is linked to the expansion and contraction of the link, and the seat is maintained in a predetermined neutral position under the internal pressure corresponding to the load of the seat.

[0007]

By the way, in such an air suspension mechanism, the seat is maintained in the neutral position under the suspension force of the air spring corresponding to the load. The seat is maintained in the neutral position under the suspension force of the air spring corresponding to the weight of the driver.

Therefore, when the seated person tries to separate the buttocks from the seat when getting off the vehicle, the unloaded seat follows the buttocks of the seated person under the suspension force at the time of sitting. There is a risk that the seated person will be lifted up and hinder the occupant from getting off.

Here, the neutral position of the seat is usually set in advance on the basis of the height (eye point) of the seated person's viewpoint, and therefore tends to be relatively high. Therefore, in the driver seat, a sufficient distance cannot be secured between the seat and the steering wheel, and the thigh of the seated person comes into contact with the steering wheel when getting off the vehicle, which impairs the safety of the seated person when getting off the vehicle. There is fear.

Further, in the non-seated state, that is, in the unloaded state of the seat, the suspension force is set to be extremely small. Therefore, when the passenger gets on the vehicle, the seat temporarily sinks due to the load applied due to the sitting. Therefore, the seated person is likely to lose balance, and there is a risk that the safety of the seated person will be impaired when riding.

Then, the seat depressed by sitting is
Due to the supply of compressed air from the air supply source accompanying the switching of the switching control valve, the internal pressure of the air spring is increased and the seat is returned to the neutral position.

However, in the known structure, since the internal pressure of the air spring is finely adjusted under the supply and exhaust of compressed air by the switching control valve, the flow path of the compressed air of the switching control valve, that is, the orifice. Are usually formed to have a small diameter. Therefore, it takes a considerable time from the depression due to sitting to the return to the neutral position, and the sitting posture cannot be stabilized quickly and easily.

In other words, in the known configuration, it is unavoidable that the ease of getting on and off the vehicle and the safety of the occupant when getting on and off the vehicle are reduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat air suspension control method and an air suspension control device for improving the getting on / off property and safety of a seated person.

[0015]

To achieve this object, according to the seat air suspension control method of the present invention, a rapid supply of compressed air to an air spring is performed by a bypass separate from the switching control valve. , Exhaust is possible.

That is, according to the present invention, the air supply source,
The opening and closing of the air supply solenoid valve and the exhaust solenoid valve having a large orifice diameter provided in the bypass between the air springs are controlled by switch operation under predetermined conditions. In addition to the switching of the switching control valve, each electromagnetic valve is opened and closed to enable rapid supply and rapid exhaust of compressed air into the air spring.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat air suspension control device 10 according to the present invention supplies the compressed air from the air supply source 16 to the air spring 14 of the air suspension mechanism 12 so as to discharge the compressed air. It is configured so that the suspension force can be automatically adjusted to maintain the seat 18 in a predetermined neutral position.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the air suspension mechanism 12 includes, for example, a pair of inner link arms 20.
a, a telescopic link 20 consisting of an outer link arm 20b
Is equipped with. An upper frame (upper frame) 22 on which the seat 18 is mounted is attached to a lower frame (lower frame) 24 fixed to a vehicle floor or the like so as to be able to move up and down via a link 20, and the suspension from the air spring 14 is suspended. An air suspension mechanism 12 that suspends and supports the seat under force is configured.

The link 20 is assembled into a substantially X-shape which can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction by connecting (pivoting) the link arms 20a and 20b at substantially the center by means of a pivot pin 26 such as a stepped bolt. The upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24 are arranged separately on the left and right sides. Then, between the front ends of the inner link arms 20a arranged on the left and right, and the outer link arms 20a.
Between the front ends of 20b is the (front) connecting rod 2
The rear ends of the inner link arms and the rear ends of the outer link arms are connected by (rear) connecting rods 32 and 33, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front end and the rear end of the inner link arm 20a of the link 20 assembled as described above have a lower frame 2
4 is attached to the front end of the upper frame 22, and the front end of the outer link arm 20b is attached to the front end of the upper frame, and the rear end of the lower frame is attached to the rear end of the lower frame. It is interposed between the frame and the lower frame.

Here, in such a link 20,
For example, the connecting rods 32, 33 at the rear ends of the link arms 20a, 20b are pivotally attached to the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24, respectively, while the connecting rods 28, 29 at the front ends of the link arms are the lower frames, The rollers are attached to the upper frame via rollers 36 so as to be movable back and forth. The roller 36 is, for example, rotatably provided at each end of the connecting rods 28 and 29, and is rotatably provided inside the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24, which are roller guides 38, respectively.

In such a configuration, the link arms 20a, 20
The front end of b, that is, the front end 20F of the link 20 is formed as a movable end of the link that moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the base end (rear end) 20R of the link. The movable ends (front end) 20F are moved to the base end (rear end) by the rotation of the link arms 20a and 20b around the rear connecting rods 32 and 33 accompanied by the rolling of the rollers 36, that is, the expansion and contraction of the link 20. ) It moves forward and backward with respect to 20R and the connecting rod 2 of the upper frame 22
It guarantees that the distance between the connecting rods 28 and 33 of the lower frame 24 is 9,32 and 9,32, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper frame 22 and a lower frame 24
A shock absorber 40 capable of attenuating shocks, vibrations, and the like acting on the above is installed and pivotally mounted between the upper frame and the lower frame. The shock absorber 40 is pivoted by pivotally attaching one end and the other end of the upper frame 22 to the bracket 46 and the lower frame 24 to the bracket 48 by means of pivot pins 42 and 43 formed of stepped bolts. Installed as possible.

In such a configuration, the upper frame with respect to the lower frame 24
The shock absorber 40 expands and contracts while swinging according to the degree of elevation of 22 to absorb and damp shocks, vibrations, etc. that act on the upper and lower frames, and transmit shocks, vibrations, etc. to the seated person. Sufficiently restrained.

The shock absorber 40 has a known structure, and since the structure is not the purpose of the present invention, it will not be described in detail.

Then, for example, a pair of brackets 50 and 52 are installed and fixed between the left and right sides of the upper frame 22 and between the inner link arms 20a on the left and right sides, respectively, and the air spring 14 is provided between the pair of brackets. It is stretched. In such a configuration, the biasing force from the air spring 14 is applied to the upper frame by utilizing the expansion and contraction of the link 20 as the suspension force for the upper frame 22 with respect to the lower frame 24, and the suspension force from the air spring is also added. And, the upper frame, that is, the seat 18, is suspended,
Supported.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the air spring 14 of such an air suspension mechanism 12 is connected to the air supply source 16 via, for example, a switching control valve 54, and compressed air by the switching control valve 54 is compressed. The internal pressure of the air spring, that is, the suspension force can be adjusted by switching between supply and exhaust. A compressor is usually used as the air supply source 16.

The switching control valve 54 is, for example, the air supply control valve 5
6. The exhaust control valve 58 is formed in combination. As the air supply control valve 56 and the exhaust control valve 58 of the switching control valve, for example, the communication between the inflow port (IN) and the outflow port (OUT) can be switched by switching the operation pins 56a and 58a by pressing and releasing the pressing force. Spring-offset 2-port 2-position valves are available.

The inlet (IN) of the air supply control valve 56 is connected to the compressor (air supply source) 16, and the outlet (OUT) of the air supply control valve 56 is, for example, a check valve 60. Via the inlet (IN) of the exhaust control valve 58 and the air spring 14, they are branched and connected.

An air spring formed by such a switching control valve 54
The switching of the supply of compressed air to 14 and the switching of exhaust is performed, for example, by switching means 62 that is linked to the expansion and contraction of link 20. As the switching means 62, for example, a pivot pin of the link 20 is used.
A cam that is rotatably attached to 26 can be used.
The engagement with the engagement pin 64 protruding from the inner surface of the inner link arm 20a enables the link 20 to rotate in association with the expansion and contraction of the link 20. The switching control valve 54 includes operation pins 56a and 58a.
Is fixed to, for example, the outer link arm 20b so as to face the cam surface of the cam 62.

In such a structure, the rotation of the cam (switching means) 62 accompanying the expansion and contraction of the link 20 presses one of the operation pins 56a and 58a on the corresponding side of the switching control valve 54. The internal pressure of the air spring, that is, the suspension force is adjusted according to the load of the seat 18 by switching the supply and exhaust of compressed air to the air spring 14, and the seat 18 is automatically adjusted by the suspension force. It can be maintained in a predetermined neutral position.

The neutral position of the seat 18 is usually set in advance with reference to the height (eye point) of the seated person's line of sight.

When the seat is lifted from the neutral position due to, for example, vibration of the vehicle while traveling or separation of the occupant's buttocks from the seat 18, the cam 62 is rotated by the extension of the link 20 to operate the exhaust control valve. The pin 58a is pressed. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the inflow port (IN) and the outflow port (OUT) of the exhaust control valve 58 communicate with each other, and the compressed air of the air spring 14 is discharged from the exhaust control valve outflow port to the atmosphere, By reducing the internal pressure in the air spring, the suspension force from the air spring is reduced and the seat 18 is lowered.

Then, as the air spring 14 is depressurized, the link
When 20 is reduced and the pushing force of the operation pin 58a by the cam 62 is released, as shown in FIG. 1, the inlet (I) of the exhaust control valve 58 is
N), the outlet (OUT) is blocked, the release of compressed air from the air spring is prevented, and the seat 18 is maintained in the neutral position, for example, under the suspension force under no load condition. ..

On the other hand, on the contrary, for example, due to the vibration during traveling or the action of the load from the unloaded state,
When is depressed from the neutral position, the operation pin 56a of the air supply control valve 56 is pressed by the rotation of the cam 62 accompanying the reduction of the link 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the inlet (IN) and the outlet (OUT) of the air supply control valve 56 communicate with each other, and the compressed air from the compressor 16 flows in the forward direction through the check valve 60 to generate air. The suspension force of the air spring is increased by the internal pressure of the air spring that is supplied to the spring 14
18 is raised.

Then, the link is accompanied by the pressurization of the air spring 14.
When 20 extends and the pushing force of the operation pin 56a by the cam 62 is released, the inlet (IN) and the outlet (OUT) of the air supply control valve 56 are shut off. Then, the supply of compressed air from the compressor 16 to the air spring 14 is blocked, and the compressed air that has flowed into the air spring is confined, so that the seat 18 responds to, for example, the load (weight) from the seated person. The neutral position is maintained under the suspension force.

That is, according to such a configuration, the cam 62
By switching the switching control valve 54 by the, the internal pressure of the air spring 14 is automatically adjusted, and the seat 18 is maintained in the neutral position under the suspension force corresponding to the load of the seat.

As the air suspension mechanism 12, a well-known structure can be used as it is, and the air suspension mechanism automatically adjusts the internal pressure of the air spring to move the seat 18 under the corresponding suspension force. The structure is not limited to that shown in the figure, as long as the predetermined neutral position can be maintained.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, in the seat air suspension control apparatus 10 of the present invention, a bypass other than the switching control valve 54 is formed between the air spring 14 and the compressor 16, and the air Supply of a large amount of compressed air to the spring, air supply solenoid valve 66 capable of exhaust, exhaust solenoid valve 68
Are provided in each bypass. Further, according to the air suspension control device 10 of the present invention, a large amount of compressed air is supplied to and exhausted from the air spring 14 by the air supply solenoid valve 66 and the exhaust solenoid valve 68, whereby the seat 18 is rapidly moved up and down. It is possible.

As the air supply solenoid valve 66 and the exhaust solenoid valve 68,
For example, a 2-port 2-position solenoid valve that can switch between communication between the inlet (IN) and outlet (OUT) and shutoff by turning the current on and off can be used. And has a large-diameter orifice (not shown) through which a large amount of compressed air can flow.
The inlet (IN) of the air supply solenoid valve 68 is the compressor 16
Is connected to the air spring 14, the outlet (OUT) of the air supply solenoid valve and the inlet (IN) of the exhaust solenoid valve 68 are connected to the air spring 14, and each solenoid valve is provided.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the solenoid valve for air supply is shown.
The exhaust electromagnetic valve 68 is electrically connected to a power source, for example, a battery (BATT) of an automobile or the like via relay contacts RL1a and RL2a of the control relays RL1 and RL2. In the air suspension control device 10, the control relay RL
Corresponding relay contact RL1a, R due to energization and deenergization of 1, RL2
By switching L2a, that is, by turning on / off the supply current from the battery, the air supply solenoid valve 66 and the exhaust solenoid valve 68 can be operated and controlled.

The control circuit 70 controls the energization and deenergization of the control relays RL1 and RL2, for example. The control circuit 70 processes the input information, and under the control signal corresponding to the information, the control relay RL1,
It is configured to be able to activate and deactivate RL2. As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 70 is connected to, for example, a vehicle battery and can be operated under the current from the battery.

For example, when the control signal from the control circuit 70 urges the control relay RL2 in the initial state of the air suspension control device 10 shown in FIGS. The relay contact RL2a is switched. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the inlet (IN) and the outlet (OU) of the exhaust solenoid valve 68 are
T) are communicated with each other, the orifice of the exhaust solenoid valve is opened, a large amount of compressed air of the air spring 14 is released into the atmosphere through the exhaust solenoid valve 68, and as the air spring rapidly depressurizes. The seat 18 is rapidly lowered.

Further, in the initial state shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the control relay RL1 is energized by the control signal from the control circuit 70, the corresponding relay contact RL1a is switched, and as shown in FIG. Inlet of solenoid valve 66 for air supply
The (IN) and outlet ports (OUT) communicate with each other and the orifice of the solenoid valve for air supply is opened. Then, a large amount of compressed air from the compressor 16 is supplied to the air spring 14 via the electromagnetic valve 66 for air supply, and the seat 18 is rapidly raised due to the rapid pressurization of the air spring.

That is, according to the present invention, the air supply solenoid valve
66, the suspension force from the air spring 14 is rapidly adjusted by controlling the opening / closing of the exhaust solenoid valve 68, and the seat 18
It is possible to move up and down rapidly.

Here, for example, when the seat 18 is rapidly lowered from the neutral position while the exhaust electromagnetic valve 68 is opened, the switching control valve 54 is operated by the rotation of the cam 62 accompanying the reduction of the link 20. The pin 56a is pressed, and as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6, the inlet (IN) of the air supply control valve 56,
There is communication between the outlets (OUT). However, the orifice of the air supply control valve 56 has a smaller diameter than the orifice of the exhaust solenoid valve 68, and the compressed air from the air spring 14 pressurizes the check valve 60 in the opposite direction, so the compressor is compressed.
The supply of compressed air from 16 to the air spring is sufficiently suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air suspension control device 10 of the present invention is provided with, for example, a door detecting means 72, a seating detecting means 74 and a neutral detecting means 76, and outputs the signals output from the respective detecting means. Originally, it is configured to control opening / closing of the air supply solenoid valve 66 and the exhaust solenoid valve 68. The door detecting means 72, the seating detecting means 74 and the neutral detecting means 76 are respectively connected to the control circuit 70, the information output from each detecting means is appropriately processed by the control circuit, and the control relays RL1, RL2 are energized,
De-energization, that is, opening / closing of the air supply solenoid valve 66 and the exhaust solenoid valve 68 is controlled.

The door detecting means 72 is provided, for example, so as to be able to detect the opening / closing of a door (not shown) corresponding to the seat 18, and detects the presence / absence of the entry / exit operation by the opening / closing of the corresponding door. As the door detecting means 72, for example, a door switch for a room lamp that is turned on when the door is opened can be used, and a predetermined signal can be output to the control circuit 70 when the door switch is turned on when the corresponding door is opened. ing.

Further, in the present invention, attention is paid to the fact that setting the seat 18 in the lowered position facilitates the getting on / off operation, and lowers the seat when the corresponding door for the getting on / off operation is opened. It is configured to raise the seat when the corresponding door is closed.

The seating detection means 74 is provided so as to be able to detect the presence or absence of seating on the seat 18, for example. As the seating detection means 74, for example, a belt switch that is turned on by fastening a pair of buckles and a tongue (neither of which is shown) of the seat belt can be used, and a predetermined signal can be generated by turning on the belt switch when fastening the seat belt. It can be output to the control circuit 70.

Further, the neutral detecting means 76 is provided so as to detect the neutral position of the seat 18 adjusted by the switching control valve 54. As the neutral detecting means 76, for example, a push-type switch (neutral switch) of an automatic return type can be used, and a predetermined signal can be output to the control circuit 70 by turning on the neutral switch when the seat 18 is returned to the neutral position. Is becoming

Air suspension control device 10 having the above configuration
A seat air suspension control method according to the above will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, the seated person is seated.
It is judged whether or not the user is seated at 18, that is, whether or not the belt switch flag Fb is set (1) by fastening the seat belt (102).

For example, assuming that there is a seated person on the seat 18 and the seat is maintained in the neutral position under the suspension force corresponding to the seating, it is assumed that the initial state is the set state (1) of the flag Fb. By (1
In 02), first, it is determined to be YES. Then, next, the door switch flag F is opened under the opening of the corresponding door.
It is determined whether d is set (1) (104).

At this time, in the reset (0) state of the flag Fd associated with the closing of the corresponding door, NO is continued.
Is judged. When the flag Fd is set (1) by opening the corresponding door, YE is set in (104).
It is judged to be S, and then it is judged again whether the flag Fb is set (1) (106). Here, until the flag Fb is reset (0) by releasing the fastening of the seat belt, it is continuously determined to be YES here.

When the flag Fb is reset (0) by releasing the fastening of the seat belt, it is judged as NO in (106), and the exhaust gas is discharged by switching the relay contact RL2a accompanying the energization of the control relay RL2. The solenoid valve 68 is turned on, the inlet (IN) and outlet (OUT) of the exhaust solenoid valve are connected, and the large-diameter orifice is opened (108). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a large amount of compressed air of the air spring 14 is released into the atmosphere via the exhaust electromagnetic valve 68, and the seat 18 is rapidly lowered by the rapid decrease in the internal pressure of the air spring. ..

When the passenger dismounts at the lowered position of the seat 18 as described above, the seated person can easily dismount without the seat being lifted up as the user leaves the seat. Also, sheet 18
Since a sufficient distance can be secured between the steering wheel and the steering wheel and the like, the getting-off of the seated person is not disturbed by the steering wheel.

After lowering the seat 18, as shown in FIG. 8, the corresponding door is closed and the flag Fd is reached.
It is determined (110) whether the has been reset (0). For example, when the user leaves the seat 18 in the lowered position and closes the corresponding door upon completion of getting off the vehicle, the flag Fd is reset (0) and YES is determined in (110). Then, by switching the relay contact RL2a associated with the deenergization of the control relay RL2, the exhaust solenoid valve 68 is turned off and the large diameter orifice is immediately closed, and the air spring 14
The release of compressed air from is blocked (112).

When the exhaust solenoid valve 68 is closed,
Next, by switching the relay contact RL1a associated with the energization of the control relay RL1, the air supply solenoid valve 66 is turned on, and the large diameter orifice of the air supply solenoid valve is opened (114). Then,
As shown in FIG. 7, the compressed air from the compressor 16
A large amount is supplied to the air spring 14 via the air supply solenoid valve 66,
The sheet 18 is rapidly raised by the rapid pressurization of the internal pressure of the air spring.

When the seat 18 rises, as shown in FIG. 8, it is next determined whether or not the seat has reached the neutral position, that is, the neutral setting flag Fn is set.
(1) It is judged whether or not (116). Here, due to the pressurization of the air spring 14, the determination is NO until the seat 18 reaches the neutral position, and the compressor is
Compressed air from 16 is continuously supplied to the air spring.

Then, when the seat 18 reaches the neutral position, the flag Fn is set (1) to (1
If the answer in 16) is YES, the control relay RL1
The switching of the relay contact RL1a associated with the de-energization of turns the air supply solenoid valve 66 off and immediately closes the large diameter orifice of the air supply solenoid valve (118). Then, the compressor 16
The supply of compressed air from the air spring 14 to the air spring 14 is blocked, and the compressed air in the air spring is reliably contained, so that the seat 18 is released from the air spring corresponding to the load, that is, the unloaded state. It is maintained in the neutral position under the suspension force (see Fig. 1).

That is, in such a structure, when any of opening of the corresponding door and fastening of the seat belt is detected in the operation at the time of getting off the vehicle, the seat 18 is set to the lowering position, so that the lowering position is set. It is possible to get off easily at. Then, after getting off, when the corresponding door is closed, the seat 18 returns to the neutral position and is maintained under the corresponding suspension force.

In the non-seated state on the seat 18, first, in (102) of FIG. 8, it is determined to be NO, and then whether the flag Fd is set (1), that is, the corresponding door. It is then determined (120) whether the has been opened. Here, for example, if the corresponding door is opened due to the passenger's getting on / off operation, YES is determined in (120), and the corresponding relay contact RL associated with the energization of the control relay RL2.
By switching 2a, the exhaust solenoid valve 68 is turned on, and the large-diameter orifice of the exhaust solenoid valve is opened (122).

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a large amount of compressed air in the air spring 14 is released into the atmosphere through the exhaust solenoid valve 68, and the seat 18 is rapidly depressurized by the internal pressure of the air spring.
Is rapidly lowered. It should be noted that if the passenger gets on the seat 18 in such a lowered position, that is, sits down, the seat does not suddenly sink.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, whether or not the corresponding door is closed and the flag Fd is reset (0), the seat belt is fastened when the seated person is seated, and the flag Fb is set ( 1) It is judged whether or not it has been done (124). Here, the completion of the seating accompanying the boarding operation is judged, and the opening of the orifice of the exhaust solenoid valve 68 is continued until either the reset (0) of the flag Fd or the set (1) of the flag Fb is detected. (124).

When the seating completion is detected by detecting at least one of the closing of the corresponding door and the fastening of the seat belt, if YES is determined in (124), the control relay RL2 is deenergized. , Corresponding relay contact
By switching RL2a, the exhaust solenoid valve 68 is turned off,
The large-diameter orifice of the exhaust solenoid valve is immediately closed (1
26).

When the exhaust solenoid valve 68 is turned off,
Next, by switching the relay contact RL1a associated with the energization of the control relay RL1, the air supply solenoid valve 66 is turned on, and the large diameter orifice of the air supply solenoid valve is opened (114). Then,
As shown in FIG. 7, the compressed air from the compressor 16
A large amount is supplied to the air spring 14 via the air supply solenoid valve 66, and the seat 18 is rapidly raised by the rapid increase in the internal pressure of the air spring.

When the seat 18 is lifted, as shown in FIG. 8, next, it is judged whether the flag Fn is set (1) by the arrival of the seat at the neutral position (116). Then, by the setting (1) of the flag Fn accompanying the arrival of the seat 18 to the neutral position,
If YES is determined, switching the relay contact RL1a associated with deenergization of the control relay RL1 turns off the air supply solenoid valve 66 and immediately closes the large diameter orifice of the air supply solenoid valve (118). ..

As a result, the supply of compressed air from the compressor 16 to the air spring 14 is blocked, and the compressed air in the air spring is reliably contained, so that the seat 18 is in the seated state, that is, the weight of the seated person. The neutral position is maintained under the suspension force of the air spring (see Fig. 1).

That is, in such a structure, when the corresponding door is opened during operation during boarding, the seat 18 is set to the lowered position, so that the passenger can easily get on the lowered position. When the seated state is recognized by, for example, closing the corresponding door or fastening the seat belt after riding, the seat 18 returns to the neutral position and is maintained under the corresponding suspension force.

When the seat 18 is not seated,
After opening the corresponding door, for example, if the door is closed without getting on, it is determined as NO in (120) of FIG. 8 and the large-diameter orifice of the exhaust electromagnetic valve 68 is immediately closed (1
26). Then, by pressing the air spring 14 by (114) to (118), the seat 18 is returned to the neutral position, and is maintained in the neutral position under the corresponding suspension force.

That is, in such a configuration, the seat 18 is returned to the neutral position with the closing of the door regardless of whether or not the seat is seated after the corresponding door is opened.

As described above, according to the seat air suspension control method of the present invention, the opening / closing control of the air supply solenoid valve 66 and the exhaust solenoid valve 68 provided in the bypass between the air spring 14 and the compressor 16 is controlled. The rapid supply and exhaust of compressed air to the air spring, that is, the rapid lifting and lowering of the seat 18 is thereby possible. Then, in the operation at the time of getting on and off the vehicle, the seat 18 is lowered by opening the corresponding door, and by raising the seat after getting on and off the vehicle,
The seat is returned to the neutral position and maintained under the corresponding suspension force.

In other words, since the seat 18 can be taken in and out of the seat 18 in the descending position of the seat, it is possible to reliably prevent the seat from being lifted up when the passenger dismounts and the seat being depressed when the passenger dismounts. Therefore, seating on the seat 18, that is, getting on and off the automobile or the like can be easily performed, and the getting on and off property can be sufficiently improved.

Further, it is possible to surely prevent the steering wheel or the like from obstructing getting on and off the vehicle and losing the balance when getting on the vehicle, so that the safety of the seated person is sufficiently improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the solenoid valve for air supply 6
6, Air spring 1 under control of opening / closing of solenoid valve 68 for exhaust
By supplying and exhausting compressed air to the seat 4, the seat 18 can be rapidly moved up and down. That is, the seat 18 can be raised and lowered in a short time, and the seat 18 can be lowered when getting off the vehicle, and the seating posture after getting on the vehicle can be set quickly and easily. for that reason,
From this point as well, it is possible to sufficiently improve the entry / exitability.

Further, since the presence / absence of an operation at the time of getting on / off the vehicle, the presence / absence of a seat, etc. are detected by opening / closing the corresponding doors, fastening a seat belt, etc., there is no complication in raising / lowering the seat 18 and setting operation. , The operability is sufficiently improved.

According to the seat air suspension control device 10 of the present invention, the above-described air suspension control method can be appropriately performed, and the seat 18 can be quickly moved up and down in response to the getting on and off of a seated person. .. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently improve the occupancy and safety of the seated person.

Here, in the embodiment, the seating is detected by fastening the seat belt, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the seating sensor built in the seat cushion 78 as shown by the chain line in FIG. The seating detection means 74 may be 80.

As such a seating sensor 80, for example, a pressure-sensitive type structure capable of detecting seating of a seated person by sensing pressure can be used. The seating sensor is controlled by, for example, a dashed line in FIG. Connected to circuit 70. According to such a configuration, the seating of the seated person on the seat 18 can be detected by sensing the pressure of the seated person. Therefore, even if the seating sensor is used to detect the seated person, similar effects can be obtained. Yes.

Further, the seating detecting means is not limited to one of the belt switch and the seating sensor 80, and the seating detecting means may be a combination of both.
74 may be configured. In such a configuration, seating on the seat 18 can be detected by turning on at least one of the belt switch and the seating sensor 80.

That is, since the seating posture that cannot be detected by the seating sensor 80 or the seating of a pregnant woman whose seat belt is difficult to fasten can be detected by either the belt switch or the seating sensor, the air suspension control is performed. It is possible to reliably prevent malfunctions and detections of the device 10.

Although the seating sensor 80 is embodied as a pressure sensitive type here, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the occupant sensor may be formed of a capacitance type.

In the embodiment, the presence or absence of an operation at the time of getting on and off the vehicle is detected by opening and closing the corresponding door, and the seat 18 is lifted and lowered. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The seat may be moved up and down by a dedicated operation switch or the like.

However, if the seat 18 is moved up and down under the corresponding opening and closing of the door, no troublesome switch operation is required, so that the air suspension control device 10 having excellent operability can be easily obtained.

Although the seat air suspension control device of the present invention is suitable for a driver seat of an automobile or the like, the present invention is not limited to this. An assistant seat or a seat of another vehicle, for example, a train, an airplane, a ship, etc. It may be attached to the seat.

The above-mentioned embodiments are for explaining the present invention and do not limit the present invention in any way.
It goes without saying that the present invention includes all those which are modified or modified within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0089]

As described above, according to the air suspension control method for a seat according to the present invention, it is possible to rapidly ascend and descend the seat by rapidly supplying and exhausting compressed air to the air spring, and when getting on and off the vehicle. The seat is moved up and down under the predetermined condition in. Therefore, the seat can be taken in and out of the seat when the passenger gets on and off, and it is possible to prevent the seat from being lifted up when the passenger gets off and the seat being depressed when getting on the passenger. Therefore, seating on the seat, that is, getting on and off the vehicle, etc., can be easily performed, and the getting on and off property is sufficiently improved.

Further, it is possible to surely prevent the steering wheel or the like from obstructing getting on and off the vehicle and losing the balance when getting on the vehicle, so that the safety of the seated person is sufficiently improved.

According to the present invention, the air supply solenoid valve,
By rapidly supplying and exhausting compressed air to the air spring under the control of opening and closing of the exhaust solenoid valve, the seat can be rapidly moved up and down. Therefore, the seat can be quickly lowered and lowered when the passenger dismounts and the seating posture can be set easily after getting on and off by a short time ascending and descending of the seat. ..

Further, since the presence / absence of operation at the time of getting on / off the vehicle, the presence / absence of seating, etc. are detected by opening / closing the corresponding doors, fastening the seat belts, etc., there is no complication in raising / lowering the seat and setting operation. The operability is sufficiently improved.

According to the seat air suspension control apparatus of the present invention, the above-described air suspension control method can be appropriately performed, and the seat can be quickly moved up and down in response to the getting on and off of the seated person. Therefore, the boarding / alighting property and the safety of the occupant can be sufficiently improved.

Further, if the seating detection means is formed by the combination of both the belt switch and the seating sensor, the seatbelt switch can be used even when the seating posture cannot be detected by the seating sensor or when a pregnant woman or the like who has difficulty in fastening the seatbelt is seated. Any of the seating sensors can detect the presence or absence of seating.
Therefore, malfunctions and detections can be reliably prevented, and operability and
Safety is further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a connection diagram of a seat air suspension control device according to the present invention in a neutral position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the air suspension mechanism in the neutral position of the seat.

FIG. 3 is a connection diagram of a seat air suspension control device in a raised position based on a neutral position.

FIG. 4 is a connection diagram of a seat air suspension control device in a lowered position based on a neutral position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an air suspension control device for a seat.

FIG. 6 is a connection diagram of a seat air suspension control device at the time of rapid exhaustion by an exhaust solenoid valve.

FIG. 7 is a connection diagram of a seat air suspension control device at the time of rapid air supply by an air supply solenoid valve.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a seat air suspension control method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Seat air suspension control device 12 Air suspension mechanism 14 Air spring 16 Air supply source (compressor) 18 Seat 54 Switching control valve 56 Air supply control valve 58 Exhaust control valve 66 Air supply solenoid valve 68 Exhaust solenoid valve 70 Control circuit 72 Door detecting means (door switch) 74 Seating detecting means (belt switch) 76 Neutral detecting means 80 Seating detecting means (seating sensor)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A switching device arranged between an air supply source and an air spring.
The control valve uses the bias force as a suspension force for the seat
Supply of compressed air from the air supply source to the air spring
Switch between supply and exhaust, adjust the internal pressure of the air spring, and
A seat that maintains the suspension force corresponding to the load of the seat.
In the air suspension control method, the switching control is provided by bypass between the air supply source and the air spring.
It has a larger orifice diameter than the control valve
Open and close the solenoid valve for air supply and the solenoid valve for exhaust that enable distribution.
Controlled by operating switches under specified conditions
In addition to switching the switching control valve, each solenoid valve is opened and closed.
Rapid squeezing of compressed air into the air spring
And a seat that enables rapid exhaust
Air suspension control method. 2. A switching control valve disposed between the air supply source and the air spring switches between supply and exhaust of compressed air from the air supply source to the air spring that applies a biasing force to the seat as a suspension force. A seat air suspension control method for maintaining a suspension force corresponding to a seat load by adjusting an internal pressure of a spring. Solenoid valve for air supply, which detects the neutral position of the air supply and is provided in the bypass between the air supply source and the air spring and has a larger orifice diameter than the switching control valve to enable rapid flow of compressed air. The opening / closing of the solenoid valve for control is controlled separately from the switching of the switching control valve according to the respective detection conditions, so that the occupant of the seated person can be seated when the door is opened / closed. Upon detection of getting off the vehicle, the exhaust solenoid valve is opened, the compressed air in the air spring is rapidly exhausted to the atmosphere, and the seat is lowered.At the same time, the seat is lowered and the seat is closed. The air supply solenoid valve is opened by at least one of the detections, and compressed air from the air supply source is rapidly supplied to the air spring until the neutral position is detected, enabling the seat to be raised. And seat air suspension control method. 3. An air supply source which is provided in a bypass separate from a switching control valve between an air supply source and an air spring and has an orifice diameter larger than that of the switching control valve to enable rapid flow of air. A solenoid valve and a solenoid valve for exhaust, a door detection means for detecting opening / closing of the corresponding door, a seating detection means for detecting whether or not a seat is seated on the seat, and a neutral detection means for detecting a neutral position of the seat, It is equipped with a control circuit that processes the input information and controls the opening and closing of the air supply solenoid valve and exhaust solenoid valve. When the door is detected to open, the exhaust solenoid valve is opened and the air spring is opened. The compressed air inside is rapidly exhausted to the atmosphere to lower the seat, and at the same time, detecting the closing of the door and / or the seating at the seat lowering position, the solenoid valve for air supply is activated. Release, to the neutral position is detected, the compressed air from the air supply source is rapidly supplied to the air springs, air suspension control system of the sheet raising the sheet. 4. A belt switch, wherein the seating detection means is turned on by fastening a buckle and a tongue of a seat belt;
The seat air suspension control device according to claim 3, which is formed by at least one of a seating switch which is built in the seat cushion and is turned on when the seat cushion is seated.