JPS5897509A - Vehicular height regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make horizontal attitude maintainable in such a way that a vehicular height regulator is installed on either side of front or rear wheels, and the constitution is made up such that the height of wheels equipped with the vehicular height regulator may follow changes of the height of the other wheels on the basis of the result from detection of the height of the front and rear wheels. CONSTITUTION:When a vehicular height sensor 20 of front wheels 1 is in its high range, and a vehicular height sensor 21 of rear wheels 2 is in lower position than its intermediate range, ''1'' signal output is given from the both sensors 20, 21, an exhaust valve 16 is closed, a motor 8 is driven, high pressure air is fed from a compressor 7 to left and right shock absorbers 6 of the rear wheels, and the height of the rear wheel is increased. When the height of the rear wheels 2 comes up to its high range, output signals are turned out to ''0'' (zero), the motor 8 is stopped, and the heights of front and rear wheels are equalized. And when the height of the front wheels 1 comes dow, on the contrary the exhaust valve 16 is opened, exhaust air is exhausted from the shock absorbers 6 of the rear wheels 2, and the vehicular height of the rear wheels 2 can be decreased. In such a constitution, regardless of cargo load, the vehicular height can be constantly maintained at a horizontal level.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle adjustment device used in vehicles such as automobiles.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle height adjustment device that can compensate for changes in vehicle posture due to changes in vehicle load and maintain the vehicle posture almost horizontally regardless of changes in load. However, it is Q-.

The invention will now be described in detail by way of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a vehicle height adjustment device according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates the left and right front wheels, and 2 indicates the left and right rear wheels, respectively. The front wheel 1 is connected to the vehicle body by a suspension system including a strut device 3, a coil spring 4, and the like. The rear wheel 2 is supported by the axle housing 5, and the rear wheel 2 is supported by the axle housing 5. It is connected to the vehicle body by a suspension @pupil that includes an l1llII type shock absorber 6, etc. The vehicle height adjustable shock absorber is a well-known shock absorber equipped with a pneumatic adjustment means, and changes its effective length by supplying air pressure to the air chamber to adjust the height of the rear wheel 2. is designed to be adjusted.

7 indicates a near compressor that generates air pressure for adjusting the vehicle height. The near compressor 7 is selectively driven by an electric motor 8. The near compressor 7 is connected to the air chambers of the left and right shock absorbers 6 via a conduit 9, a joint 10, a conduit 111, a joint 12, and an l pipe 13, 14, and supplies air pressure to the air chambers. .

Guide to fitting 10! One end of the cough conduit 15 is connected, and an exhaust valve 16 is connected to the other end of the cough conduit. This exhaust valve 16 is composed of a normally open solenoid valve, and only conducts electricity when the solenoid 17 is energized. 15 to the atmosphere.

Electric current is supplied to the electric motor 8 and the solenoid 17 from a battery power source 18, and the energization control is performed by a control device 19. The control device 19 controls the energization of the electric motor 8 and the solenoid 17 according to the vehicle height of the front wheels detected by the front wheel vehicle height sensor 20 and the vehicle height of the rear wheels detected by the rear wheel vehicle height sensor 21. It is supposed to be done. It should be noted that energization control of the electric motor 8 is performed by controlling opening and closing of a relay switch 22 provided in its power supply circuit by a control device 19.

The front wheel height sensor 20 is configured as a rotary detector, and its detection lever 24 is connected to the stabilizer bar 23 of the front wheel suspension system via link elements 25a and 25b, and detects the amount of vertical displacement of the vehicle body as the amount of rotational displacement of the stabilizer bar. It is designed to detect the height of the vehicle at the front wheels.

An example of this front wheel height sensor 20 is shown in FIG.

The front wheel height sensor 20 includes a fixed case 28 to which a photocoupler 27 is fixed, and a rotating member 30 that is connected to the shaft 29 of the detection lever 24 and rotates as the detection lever 249 rotates.
Contains. The rotating member 30 has a blind member 31
is attached, and when the vehicle height of the front wheels is lower than a predetermined value, the cough plug-in member 31 moves together with the rotating member 30 to a position that crosses the optical path of the photocoupler 27.
On the other hand, when the vehicle height is higher than the predetermined value, the photocoupler 27 rotates together with the rotation member 30 to a position that does not cross the optical path of the photocoupler 27. As a result, the photocoupler 27 of the front wheel vehicle height sensor 20 outputs a "0" signal when the vehicle at the front wheel is lower than a predetermined value (low region).
When the vehicle height is higher than a predetermined value (high range), a "1" signal is output.

The rear wheel height sensor 21 is configured as a rotary detector, and its detection lever 39 is connected to the axle housing 5 via a link 11I26, and detects the amount of vertical displacement of the axle housing with respect to the vehicle body. It is designed to detect the vehicle height.

One embodiment of the rear wheel height sensor 21 is shown in FIG. The rear wheel height sensor 21 includes three photocouplers 3.
2.33.34 is fixed, and a rotating member 36 that is connected to the shaft 35 of the detection lever 39 and rotates together with the rotating member 36. Two blind members 37a and 37b are provided that selectively block the optical paths of the photocouplers 32 to 34 depending on the moving angle. Three photocouplers 32~
34 generates a "1" or "ON" signal in combinations as shown in Table 1 depending on the vehicle height at the rear wheel 2.

Table 1 As can be seen from Table 1, this rear wheel height sensor 21 can detect the vehicle height in five stages. In Table 1, the first height region is the region where the vehicle height is higher than the intermediate region, the second height region is the region where the vehicle height is higher than the first high region, and the first low region is the intermediate region. A low region where the vehicle height is lower is shown, and a second low region is a region where the vehicle height is lower than the first low region.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the sequence control logic circuit of the control device 19. This logic circuit has four input terminals 41-43 and two NOR gates 44.
45, six NAND gates 46 to 51, and four NAND gates
OT gates 52-56 and two AND gates 57.5
8 and two output terminals 59 and 60;
0 is connected to the photocoupler 27 of the front wheel height sensor 20, input terminal 41 is connected to the photocoupler 32 of the rear wheel height sensor 21, input terminal 42 is connected to the photocoupler 33, input terminal 43
are connected to the photocoupler 34, and the output terminal 5
9 is connected to the relay switch 22, and the output terminal 60 is connected to the solenoid 17. This logic circuit outputs the combinations shown in Table 2 based on the signals applied to the four input terminals 40 to 43, that is, according to the vehicle height of the front wheels and the vehicle height of the rear wheels. “1” at terminal 59.60
” signal or “0” signal.

Table 2 When the signal at the output terminal 56 is a 1" signal, the relay switch 22 is closed and the motor 8 is energized; when the signal at the output terminal 59 is an "O" signal, the relay switch 22 is opened and the motor 8 is energized. The energization to the output terminal 6 is stopped, and the output terminal 6
When the 0 signal is a "1" signal, the solenoid 17 is energized, and when the signal at the output terminal 60 is a "0" signal, the solenoid 17 is de-energized.

Next, the operation of the vehicle co-adjustment device having the above-mentioned configuration will be explained.

First, a case will be described in which the vehicle height of the front wheels 1 is in a high range, that is, when the output signal of the photocoupler 27 of the front wheel vehicle height sensor 21 is a "1" signal. At this time, the rear wheel height sensor 21
The vehicle height of rear wheel 2 detected by
When in the low region or the second low region, a "1" signal appears at the output terminal 59, and a "0" signal appears at the output terminal 6o. Therefore, at this time, the electric motor 8 is operated with the exhaust valve 16 closed, and the near compressor 7 is driven. As a result, the near compressor 7 generates high pressure air,
The high-pressure air is supplied to the air chambers of the left and right shock absorbers 6, respectively. As a result, the effective length of the shock absorber 6 increases, and the vehicle height at the rear wheel 2 increases. When the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 reaches the first height range due to this increase in vehicle height, a "0" signal appears at each of the output terminals 59 and 60, and the operation of the electric motor 8 is stopped while the exhaust valve 16 remains closed. The drive of the near compressor 7 is stopped, and the near compressor 7
stops generating high-pressure air, and the effective lengths of the left and right shock absorbers 6 stop increasing. As a result, the back of the rear wheel 2 is maintained at the first height region. At this time, the vehicle's attitude is almost horizontal. Further, when the ratio ^ of the front wheel 1 is in the high range and the ratio ^ of the rear wheel 2 is in the second island region, a "0" signal appears at the output terminal 59, and a "0" signal appears at the output terminal 60. 1” signal appears. At this time, the exhaust valve 16 opens with the electric motor 8 stopped, and the air pressure supplied to the air chambers of the left and right shock absorbers 6 is exhausted Bd, reducing the effective length of the shock absorbers 6. . As a result, the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 decreases, and when the vehicle height reaches the first height range, a "0" signal appears at each of the output terminals 59 and 60, and the operation of the electric motor 8 is stopped while the exhaust valve 16 closes. As a result, the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 is maintained in the first height region, and the attitude of the vehicle is maintained substantially horizontal.

Next, when the vehicle height of the front wheel 1 is in the low range, that is, the output signal of the photocoupler 27 of the front wheel vehicle height sensor 20 is "0".
Explain when it is a signal.

At this time, when the vehicle height of the rear wheels 2 detected by the rear wheel vehicle height sensor 21 is in the intermediate range, the first high range, or the second high range, a "0" signal appears at the output terminal 59, and the output is A "1" signal appears at terminal 60. Therefore, in these cases, when the operation of the electric motor 8 is stopped, the exhaust valve 1 is closed.
6 opens, and the air pressure supplied to the air chambers of the left and right shock absorbers 6 is discharged. As a result, the effective length of the left and right shock absorbers 6 is reduced, and the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 is reduced. As a result, when the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 reaches the first low range, the signals at the output terminals 59 and 60 both become "0" signals, and the exhaust valve 16 closes. As a result, the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 is maintained in the first low range, and the attitude of the vehicle is maintained substantially horizontal. Further, when the vehicle height of the front wheels 1 is in the low range and the vehicle height of the rear wheels 2 is in the second low range, a "1" signal appears at the output terminal 59, and a "0" signal appears at the output terminal 60. appears. At this time, the exhaust valve 16
The electric motor 8 is operated with the valve closed, and the near compressor 7 is driven. The high pressure air generated by the drive of the near compressor 7 is delivered to the left and right shock absorbers 6.
The effective length of these shock absorbers increases, and the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 increases accordingly. When the vehicle height at the rear wheel 2 increases and reaches the first low range, the signals at the output terminals 59 and 60 both become "0" signals, and the electric motor 8 is activated with the exhaust valve 16 closed. Driving is stopped and the vehicle height at the rear wheels 2 is maintained in the lowest range. As a result, the attitude of the vehicle is kept almost horizontal.

In the embodiment described above, the vehicle height is detected in stages by the front wheel height sensor and the rear wheel height sensor, but the vehicle height is adjusted to a higher level in order to keep the vehicle attitude horizontal. If it is necessary to control the vehicle height, a front wheel height sensor and a rear wheel height sensor that can detect the vehicle height in more stages may be used, and if it is necessary to control the vehicle posture more strictly, the front wheel height sensor and rear wheel height sensor may be used. , a front wheel height sensor and a rear wheel height sensor configured to continuously detect the vehicle height may be used.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a vehicle height adjusting means was provided on the rear wheel side, and the vehicle height of the rear wheel was adjusted according to the height of the front wheel. However, the vehicle height adjustment means may be provided on the front wheel side, and the vehicle height of the front wheels may be adjusted in accordance with the vehicle height of the rear wheels.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited thereto and that various embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It would be obvious for

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the vehicle height adjustment device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front wheel height adjustment diagram used in the vehicle height adjustment device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing one embodiment of the sensor; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a logic low path for sequence control of a control device used in a vehicle height adjustment device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Front wheel, 2...Rear wheel, 3...Strut device, 4...Fustle spring, 5...Axle housing. 6... Shock absorber, 7... Near compressor. 8... Electric motor, 9... Conduit, 10... Joint, 11
···conduit. 12...Joint, 13-15...Ill, 16...
exhaust valve. 17...Solenoid, 18...Battery power supply, 19
...Control device, 20...Front wheel height sensor, 21...
・Rear wheel height sensor, 22...Relay switch, 23・
・・Stabilizer bar, 24-・Detection lever, 25a
, 25b. 26...Link ruled element, 27...Photocoupler, 2
8... Fixed case, 29... Shaft, 30... Rotating member, 31... Blind member, 32-34... Photo coupler. 35... Shaft, 36... Moving member, 37a, 37a
...Blind member, 38...Fixed case, 39.
...Detection lever, 40-43...Input terminal, 44.4
5...NOR gate, 46-51...NAND gate, 52-56...NOT gate, 57.58-...
AND gate. 59.60--Output terminal

Claims (1)

[Claims] A vehicle height detection device that detects the vehicle height of the front wheels and the rear wheels, a vehicle height adjustment means that adjusts the vehicle height of either the front wheels or the rear wheels, and a vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detection device. Based on the vehicle height, the vehicle height adjustment means is arranged so that the vehicle height at the wheel on the side where the vehicle height adjustment means is installed follows the change in the vehicle height at the wheel on the side where the vehicle height adjustment means is not installed. A vehicle height adjustment device comprising a control device for controlling the operation of a vehicle height adjustment means.