Vehicle height adjustment device

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle height adjustment device that can easily readjust the vehicle height even after the vehicle height adjustment is prohibited. In order to solve the above problem, the vehicle height adjustment device includes: a vehicle height adjustment unit that adjusts the vehicle height; a prohibition mode setting unit that sets a prohibition mode that prohibits the vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle height adjustment unit; a first prohibition release unit that releases the prohibition mode of the prohibition mode setting unit; and a second prohibition release unit that allows the vehicle height adjustment unit to perform vehicle height adjustment during the period when the prohibition mode setting unit sets the prohibition mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle height adjusting device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a vehicle height adjustment device which is configured to lower the vehicle height when the ignition switch is turned off, wherein, for example, a prohibition mechanism is included for prohibiting the vehicle height adjustment when the ignition switch is turned off when it is determined that the vehicle is in the process of transportation by detecting the transportation hook (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to this vehicle height adjustment device, the transportation hook is provided, and after the vehicle is fixed, the vehicle height will not be lowered even if the ignition switch is turned off. Therefore, the fixing of the vehicle during transportation is prevented from being accidentally loosened.

[0003] [Prior technical literature]

[0004] (Patent Document)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-126812 Summary of the invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, sometimes even if the vehicle height is set to a specific height using a vehicle height adjustment device, subsequent system factors or environmental factors may cause the vehicle height to change unexpectedly. For example, when the vehicle's suspension is a pneumatically controlled air suspension, if an air leak occurs during the transportation of the vehicle, the vehicle height may change from a specific height. In addition, when the vehicle is transported for a long time, changes in the temperature of the environment in which the vehicle is located may also cause the vehicle height to change. If the vehicle height is lower than the set height, the vehicle may come into contact with metal fittings on the floor of the transport mechanism (transport vehicle or transport ship). If the vehicle height is higher than the set height, the vehicle may come into contact with the roof of the transport mechanism.

[0008] In the above-mentioned background technology, when the vehicle height is accidentally lowered, in order to readjust the vehicle height to the original height, the transport hook must be removed from the vehicle so as to temporarily release the vehicle height adjustment prohibition mode implemented by the prohibition mechanism. Since the transport hook needs to be installed on the vehicle again after adjusting the vehicle height, the operation of readjusting the vehicle height is very cumbersome.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle height adjustment device capable of easily re-adjusting the vehicle height even after the vehicle height adjustment is prohibited.

[0010] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0011] (1) The vehicle height adjustment device of the present invention (for example, the vehicle height adjustment device 1 described below) includes: a vehicle height adjustment unit (for example, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 described below) for adjusting the vehicle height; a prohibition mode setting unit (for example, the prohibition mode setting unit 3 described below) for setting a prohibition mode for prohibiting the use of the aforementioned vehicle height adjustment unit for vehicle height adjustment; a first prohibition release unit (for example, the first prohibition release unit 4 described below) for releasing the aforementioned prohibition mode by the aforementioned prohibition mode setting unit; and a second prohibition release unit (for example, the second prohibition release unit 5 described below) for allowing the aforementioned vehicle height adjustment unit to perform vehicle height adjustment during the period in which the aforementioned prohibition mode is set by the aforementioned prohibition mode setting unit.

[0012] (2) In the vehicle height adjustment device described in (1) above, the vehicle height adjustment unit may be configured to be adjustable to at least two vehicle heights, including a first vehicle height when the vehicle is not set to the prohibition mode, and a second vehicle height when the vehicle is set to the prohibition mode, and when the second prohibition release unit is activated while the vehicle is set to the prohibition mode, the vehicle height is adjusted to the second vehicle height.

[0013] (3) In the vehicle height adjustment device described in (1) or (2) above, the first prohibition release unit may also be composed of an interface connected to an external device (for example, the special tool 10 described below) for performing the aforementioned prohibition mode release indication, and the second prohibition release unit may be configured to be activated by turning on the vehicle's ignition switch (for example, the ignition switch 20 described below), so that the vehicle height adjustment device can perform vehicle height adjustment.

[0014] (4) In the vehicle height adjustment device described in (3), when the second prohibition release unit starts to be activated, the vehicle height adjustment unit may perform vehicle height adjustment while a driving source of the vehicle (for example, a driving source 30 described below) is in operation.

[0015] (Effects of the Invention)

[0016] According to the above (1), even when the vehicle height unexpectedly changes under the condition of the prohibition mode in which the vehicle height adjustment is prohibited by the prohibition mode setting unit during vehicle transportation, the vehicle height adjustment unit can be made to adjust the vehicle height by using the second prohibition release unit different from the first prohibition release unit. Therefore, according to the vehicle height adjustment device, the vehicle height can be easily readjusted even after the vehicle height adjustment is prohibited.

[0017] According to the above (2), when the second vehicle height set under the condition of the prohibition mode changes unexpectedly, the second prohibition release unit is activated to adjust the vehicle height so as to return to the second vehicle height. Therefore, when the vehicle height changes due to environmental factors or system factors during vehicle transportation, the vehicle height can be readjusted extremely easily without moving the vehicle.

[0018] According to the above (3), even if the prohibition mode is set, the operator can easily perform the vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle height adjustment unit by simply turning on the ignition switch of the vehicle without using any external equipment.

[0019] According to the above (4), since the vehicle height is adjusted under the condition that the driving source of the vehicle is in operation, the vehicle height adjustment can be performed simply without using an external device. When the driving source of the vehicle is an internal combustion engine, since the vehicle height adjustment is not performed when the internal combustion engine is not driven, excessive consumption of the battery installed in the vehicle can be prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a vehicle height adjusting device according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing the flow of a vehicle height adjustment process in a transport mode performed by the vehicle height adjustment device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a vehicle height adjusting device according to an embodiment.

[0023] The vehicle height adjustment device 1 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) and controls the suspension of the vehicle to adjust the vehicle height. Specifically, when the suspension is pneumatic, the vehicle height adjustment device 1 controls the amount of air in the suspension to adjust the vehicle height. When the suspension is hydraulic, the vehicle height adjustment device 1 controls the amount of oil in the suspension to adjust the vehicle height. The vehicle height adjustment device 1 can be mounted on the vehicle as a dedicated device for controlling the suspension to adjust the vehicle height, or it can be composed of an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle.

[0024] The vehicle height adjustment device 1 includes a vehicle height adjustment unit 2 , a prohibition mode setting unit 3 , a first prohibition canceling unit 4 , and a second prohibition canceling unit 5 .

[0025] The vehicle height adjustment unit 2 outputs a command for adjusting the vehicle height (a control value of the amount of air or the amount of oil) to the suspension to adjust the vehicle height. The vehicle height adjustment unit 2 has a plurality of setting values ​​for different vehicle heights stored in a storage unit not shown. The plurality of vehicle heights include a vehicle height set in a normal mode in which the vehicle is traveling normally (hereinafter referred to as the first vehicle height), and a vehicle height set in a transport mode in which the vehicle is transported on a transport vehicle or a transport ship (hereinafter referred to as the second vehicle height). In addition, the plurality of vehicle heights may also include one or more vehicle heights that are different from the first vehicle height and the second vehicle height and that can be selected by the user. When adjusting the vehicle height, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 outputs a command for adjusting the vehicle height to the suspension based on the setting value of any vehicle height selected from these plurality of vehicle heights.

[0026] The prohibition mode setting unit 3 sets a prohibition mode in which the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 cannot perform the vehicle height adjustment. While the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 is set to the prohibition mode by the prohibition mode setting unit 3, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 does not output a command for adjusting the vehicle height to the suspension, except when the vehicle height adjustment is performed by the function of the second prohibition release unit 5 described below.

[0027] For example, when the vehicle height is adjusted at a vehicle manufacturing plant or dealer, the prohibition mode setting unit 3 outputs a prohibition mode setting (ON) and release (OFF) command to the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 based on setting and release instructions from an operator input via the following interface (I / F).

[0028] The first prohibition release unit 4 instructs the prohibition mode setting unit 3 to release the prohibition mode. The first prohibition release unit 4 of the present embodiment is composed of an interface (I / F) connected to a special tool 10. The special tool 10 is a dedicated external device including a computer terminal, etc., which is operated by an operator. The special tool 10 performs various instructions including setting and releasing the prohibition mode on the vehicle height adjustment device 1. When there is an input to release the prohibition mode from the special tool 10, the first prohibition release unit 4 as an interface (I / F) instructs the prohibition mode setting unit 3 to release the prohibition mode.

[0029] The first prohibition release unit 4 may also be composed of an interface (I / F) different from the interface (I / F) of the special tool 10 when the prohibition mode is set. In addition, the first prohibition release unit 4 is not limited to being composed of the above-mentioned interface (I / F). The first prohibition release unit 4 may also be composed of a physical switch that can be operated by the operator, for example.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the prohibition mode is set when the vehicle height is adjusted to the second vehicle height in the transport mode of the vehicle by the vehicle height adjustment unit 2. That is, when the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 is set to the prohibition mode, it can be said that the vehicle is set to the second vehicle height. When the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 is not set to the prohibition mode, the vehicle is set to the first vehicle height or any vehicle height among the vehicle heights except the second vehicle height.

[0031] The second prohibition release unit 5 can make the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 perform vehicle height adjustment while the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 is set to the prohibition mode. That is, when the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 is set to the prohibition mode by the prohibition mode setting unit 3, the second prohibition release unit 5 outputs a command to the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 to temporarily release the prohibition mode so as to enable vehicle height adjustment.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the second prohibition release unit 5 of the present embodiment is configured to be activated by the turning-on operation of the vehicle's ignition switch 20 as a trigger. The turning-on operation of the ignition switch 20 causes the driving source 30 of the vehicle to operate. When the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine driven by combustion of fuel such as gasoline and diesel, the driving source 30 is the internal combustion engine. When the vehicle includes an electric motor driven by electricity, the driving source 30 is the electric motor.

[0033] Next, refer to Figure 2 The flowchart shown in the figure explains the process flow performed by the vehicle height adjusting device 1 in the transport mode of the vehicle. Before setting the transport mode, it is assumed that the vehicle height is set to the first vehicle height in the normal mode.

[0034] First, in the transport mode, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 adjusts the vehicle height from the first vehicle height to the second vehicle height. Here, the second vehicle height is set higher than the first vehicle height in the normal mode so that the vehicle does not come into contact with metal fittings of the floor, etc. The second vehicle height in the transport mode is adjusted by input operation of a special tool 10 or the like connected to the vehicle height adjustment device 1 in a manufacturing plant or the like. Furthermore, based on an instruction from the special tool 10 or the like, the prohibition mode setting unit 3 is set to ON, thereby setting the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 to the prohibition mode (ON) in which the vehicle height adjustment cannot be performed (step S1).

[0035] During the transportation of the vehicle adjusted to the second vehicle height, the operator observes the vehicle state and confirms the gap between the vehicle body and the metal fittings of the floor and the ceiling. After the vehicle arrives at the transportation destination (such as a dealer), the vehicle height is returned to the first vehicle height in the normal mode at the transportation destination. At this time, the special tool 10 is reconnected to the interface (I / F) of the vehicle height adjustment device 1, and the prohibition mode is released by the input operation of the special tool 10 performed by the operator. Therefore, after setting the prohibition mode, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 uses the input operation of the special tool 10 performed via the interface (I / F) (first prohibition release unit 4) to determine whether the prohibition mode is released (step S2).

[0036] In step S2, when it is determined that the prohibition mode is released (OFF) (step S2: YES), the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 adjusts the vehicle height from the second vehicle height in the transport mode to the first vehicle height in the normal mode (step S3). Thus, the transport mode ends and the transport mode setting is released.

[0037] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the prohibition mode has not been released (OFF) (step S2 : NO), the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 determines whether there is a command from the second prohibition release unit 5 (step S4 ).

[0038] In detail, during the transportation of the vehicle, if the environmental factors or system factors cause the vehicle height to be lower than or higher than the second vehicle height, the gap between the vehicle body and the metal fittings of the floor and the ceiling changes. When it is confirmed that the gap has changed, the operator turns on the ignition switch 20 of the vehicle to restore the vehicle height to the second vehicle height. If the ignition switch 20 is turned on, the second prohibition release unit 5 is activated. As a result, a command to temporarily release the prohibition mode to enable vehicle height adjustment is output from the second prohibition release unit 5 to the vehicle height adjustment unit 2. In other words, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 determines whether there is a prohibition mode temporary release command from the second prohibition release unit 5 during the period set to the prohibition mode, thereby determining whether the vehicle height has changed from the second vehicle height during transportation, that is, whether the operator has instructed to restore to the second vehicle height.

[0039] When there is no inhibition mode temporary release command from the second inhibition release unit 5 (step S4 : No), the process returns to step S2 .

[0040] When the ignition switch 20 is turned on and the prohibition mode temporary release command is issued from the second prohibition release unit 5 (step S4: Yes), the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 adjusts the vehicle height toward the second vehicle height to restore the vehicle height to the second vehicle height (step S5).

[0041] In detail, if the ignition switch 20 is turned on, the driving source 30 of the vehicle is activated. While the driving source 30 of the vehicle is in operation, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 performs an action to restore the vehicle height to the second vehicle height. When the driving source 30 is an internal combustion engine, the driving source 30 in operation refers to a state in which the internal combustion engine is in operation (a state in which the internal combustion engine is rotating). In this state, since the rotation of the generator connected to the internal combustion engine generates electricity, the load on the 12V battery mounted on the vehicle caused by the power consumption for vehicle height adjustment can be reduced. When the driving source 30 is an electric motor, the driving source 30 in operation refers to the ready state of the vehicle (an activation state of a device for operating the electric motor).

[0042] In step S5, after the vehicle height returns to the second vehicle height, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 is set to the prohibition mode (ON) again. Thereafter, the process from step S2 is repeated until the vehicle reaches the transport destination, that is, until the prohibition mode is determined to be released in step S2.

[0043] As described above, according to the vehicle height adjustment device 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved. That is, the vehicle height adjustment device 1 of the present embodiment includes: a vehicle height adjustment unit 2 for adjusting the vehicle height; a prohibition mode setting unit 3 for setting a prohibition mode for prohibiting the vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle height adjustment unit 2; a first prohibition release unit 4 for releasing the prohibition mode of the prohibition mode setting unit 3; and a second prohibition release unit 5 for allowing the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 to adjust the vehicle height during the period when the prohibition mode is set by the prohibition mode setting unit 3. Thus, during vehicle transportation, even under the condition that the prohibition mode for prohibiting the vehicle height adjustment by the prohibition mode setting unit 3, when the vehicle height changes unexpectedly, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 can be adjusted by using the second prohibition release unit 5 different from the first prohibition release unit 4. Therefore, even after the vehicle height adjustment is prohibited, the vehicle height can be easily readjusted.

[0044] The vehicle height adjustment unit 2 of this embodiment is configured to be adjustable to at least two vehicle heights, including a first vehicle height (vehicle height in normal mode) when the prohibition mode is not set, and a second vehicle height (vehicle height in transport mode) when the prohibition mode is set, and is configured to adjust the vehicle height to the second vehicle height when the second prohibition release unit 5 is activated during the prohibition mode. Thus, when the second vehicle height set under the prohibition mode condition unexpectedly changes, the vehicle height is adjusted to the second vehicle height by activating the second prohibition release unit 5, so that when the vehicle height changes due to environmental factors or system factors during vehicle transportation, the vehicle height can be readjusted extremely easily without moving the vehicle.

[0045] The first prohibition release unit 4 of the present embodiment is composed of an interface connected to a special tool 10, which is an external device for issuing a prohibition mode release instruction, and the second prohibition release unit 5 is configured to be activated by turning on the ignition switch 20 of the vehicle, so that the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 can perform vehicle height adjustment. Therefore, even if the prohibition mode is set, the operator can simply perform vehicle height adjustment using the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 by turning on the ignition switch 20 of the vehicle without using the special tool 10.

[0046] When the second prohibition release unit 5 is activated, the vehicle height adjustment unit 2 of the present embodiment performs vehicle height adjustment while the driving source 30 of the vehicle is in operation. Thus, since the vehicle height is adjusted under the condition that the driving source 30 of the vehicle is in operation, the vehicle height adjustment can be performed simply without using an external device such as the special tool 10. When the driving source 30 of the vehicle is an internal combustion engine, since the vehicle height adjustment is not performed when the internal combustion engine is not driven, excessive consumption of the battery mounted on the vehicle can be prevented.

[0047] Reference numerals

[0048] 1 Vehicle height adjustment device

[0049] 2 Vehicle height adjustment unit

[0050] 3. Prohibition mode setting section

[0051] 4 First prohibition release unit (interface)

[0052] 5 Second prohibition lifting department

[0053] 10 Special tools (external equipment)

[0054] 20 Ignition switch

[0055] 30 Drive source

Claims

1. A vehicle height adjustment device, comprising: Vehicle height adjustment unit, for adjusting vehicle height; a prohibition mode setting unit for setting a prohibition mode for prohibiting the vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle height adjustment unit; a first prohibition release unit configured to release the prohibition mode of the prohibition mode setting unit; and The second prohibition release unit enables the vehicle height adjustment unit to perform vehicle height adjustment during the period in which the prohibition mode setting unit sets the prohibition mode. The vehicle height adjustment unit is configured to be adjustable to at least two vehicle heights, including a first vehicle height when the vehicle is not set to the prohibition mode by the prohibition mode setting unit, and a second vehicle height when the vehicle is set to the prohibition mode by the prohibition mode setting unit, and when the second prohibition release unit is activated during the period when the prohibition mode is set to the prohibition mode by the prohibition mode setting unit, the vehicle height is readjusted to the second vehicle height.

2. The vehicle height adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein: The first prohibition release unit is composed of an interface connected to an external device for issuing the prohibition mode release instruction. The second prohibition release unit is configured to be activated by turning on an ignition switch of the vehicle to enable the vehicle height adjustment unit to adjust the vehicle height.

3. The vehicle height adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein: When the second prohibition release unit is activated, the vehicle height adjustment unit performs vehicle height adjustment while the driving source of the vehicle is in operation.

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