Vehicle supension height adjustment

Abstract

There is a control system 100 for a front suspension height adjustment mechanism 104 of a vehicle 100, a suspension height adjustment system 150, a vehicle, a method and computer readable instructions

Description

The present disclosure relates to vehicle suspension height adjustment; in particular suspension height 5 adjustment for the front end of a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a control system for a front suspension height adjustment mechanism, to a suspension height adjustment system, to a vehicle, to a method and to computer readable instructions BACKGROUND 10 It is known to provide storage spaces including specific load spaces in vehicles. Typically, such load spaces are at the rear of the vehicle and are known as a boot or a trunk. In the past, and again more recently, these loads spaces can be found at the front of the vehicle. Front load spaces in a vehicle may be referred to as a front trunk or a “frunk”. 15 It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system for a front suspension height adjustment mechanism, a suspension height adjustment system, a vehicle, a method and computer readable instructions.as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a control system for a front suspension height adjustment mechanism of a vehicle, the vehicle having a front trunk, the control system configured to determine, in response to a front trunk open request signal and in dependence on a sensor signal, that an area 25 surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction; and configured to output an adjustment signal for instructing the front suspension height adjustment mechanism to adjust the height of the suspension at the front end of vehicle. In this way, a user of the vehicle may more easily access the front trunk of the vehicle. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system for a front suspension height 30 adjustment mechanism at a front end of a vehicle, the vehicle having a front trunk, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system comprising: input means for receiving a front trunk open request signal from a user of the vehicle, and for receiving a sensor signal from a sensor array configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle; processing means arranged to determine, in response to the front trunk open request signal and in dependence on the sensor signal, that the area 35 surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction; output means for outputting an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism in dependence on the processing means determining the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction, wherein the adjustment signal instructs the front suspension height adjustment mechanism to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle. In this way, the height of the front trunk can be adjusted to allow a user to have improved access thereto. 40 05 07 24 The control system comprises one or more controllers collectively comprising at least one electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving an input signal; and at least one memory device electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor and having instructions stored therein; and wherein the at least one electronic processor is configured to access the at least one memory device and execute the instructions 5 thereon so as to: control system fora front suspension height adjustment mechanism at a front end of a vehicle, the vehicle having a front trunk, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system comprising: input means for receiving a front trunk open request signal from a user of the vehicle, and for receiving a sensor signal from a sensor array configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle; processing means arranged to determine, in response to the front trunk open request signal and in 10 dependence on the sensor signal, that the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction; output means for outputting an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism in dependence on the processing means determining the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction, wherein the adjustment signal instructs the front suspension height adjustment mechanism to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle. In an embodiment, the input means are configured to receive the front trunk open request signal from a user device. The user device may be a key fob, user personal communication device or the like. In this way, the invention is not limited to use with an inboard front trunk activation mechanism. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a suspension height adjustment system, comprising: a control system as described herein; and a front suspension height adjustment mechanism. In this way, the suspension height adjustment system can allow for improved user access to the front trunk. In an embodiment, the invention suspension height adjustment system comprises comprising a sensor array. 25 In this way, the suspension height adjustment system can gather the data to be used in determining if the front suspension should be lowered. Optionally, the sensor array may comprise a computer vision sensor. Such a sensor may comprise an image sensor. In this way, the invention may use computer vision techniques and / or image processing techniques 30 for identifying obstructions. In an embodiment, the sensor array may comprise an ultrasonic sensor. Such a sensor is another useful sensor for use in detecting obstructions. 35 Optionally, the sensor array may comprise a radar sensor. In this way, a further option for detecting obstructions can be provided. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a control system or a suspension height adjustment system as described herein. 05 07 24 Optionally, the sensor array may comprise a sensor located at a wing mirror of the vehicle. Optionally, the sensor array may comprise a sensor located at a bumper (fender) of the vehicle, for example a front bumper. Optionally, the sensor array may comprise a sensor located at a front corner of the vehicle. Optionally, the sensor array may comprise a sensor located at a wheel arch of the vehicle. In these ways, the sensor array 5 may cover the area at the front of the vehicle where potential obstructions may be located. Optionally, the front suspension height adjustment mechanism is configured to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle by 20mm to 70mm, and in an example, by 30 to 60 mm. In this way, the height of the front trunk may be adjusted to suit a wide variety of users. 10 According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving a front trunk open request signal from a user of the vehicle; receiving a sensor signal from a sensor array configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle; determining, in response to the front trunk open request signal and in dependence on the sensor signal, that the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 15 is free of obstruction; outputting an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism in dependence on the processing means determining the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction, wherein the adjustment signal instructs the front suspension height adjustment mechanism to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle. In an embodiment, the method comprises lowering the front end of the vehicle in dependent on the adjustment signal. According to an additionally aspect of the invention, there is provided computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method as described herein. 25 Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway and / or combination, 30 unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. 35 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 40 Fig. 1 (a) shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 17^ZO so Fig, 1(b) shows a block diagram of the vehicle of Fig, 1(a); Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b). The vehicle 100 has a front storage space referred to as a front trunk 102, which may also be referred to as a “frunk”. As shown in Figure 1(b), the vehicle 100 includes a control system 200 for a front suspension height adjustment mechanism 104. The control system 200 and the front suspension height adjustment mechanism 104 may be included in a suspension height adjustment system 150 of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 also comprises a sensor array 160. The sensor array 160 may form part of the suspension height adjustment system 150 or may be configured to provide sensor data to the suspension height adjustment system 150. With reference to Figure 2, there is illustrated a block diagram of the control system 200. The control system 100 comprises one or more controllers 202. The control system 200 is configured to receive a front trunk open request signal and to receive a sensor signal from a sensor array. The front trunk open request signal is received from a user of the vehicle 100, and may be received directly or indirectly. The sensor array (not shown) is configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100. The control system 200 as illustrated in Figure 1 comprises one controller 202, although it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative. The controller 202 comprises processing means (not shown) and memory means (not shown). The processing means may be one or more electronic processing device which operably executes computer-readable instructions. The memory means may be one or more memory device. The memory means is electrically coupled to the processing means. The memory means is configured to store instructions, and the processing means is configured to access the memory means and execute the instructions stored thereon. The control system 200 comprises an input means and an output means. The input means may comprise an electrical input of the control system 200, which may in turn be connected to a suitable electrical input of the controller 202. The output means may comprise an electrical output of the control system 200, which may in turn be connected to a suitable electrical output of the controller 202. The input means is arranged to receive a sensor signal from the sensor array. The sensor signal is an electrical signal which is indicative of the presence of obstruction in the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100. The input means is arranged to receive a front trunk open request signal. The front trunk open request signal is indicative of a request to 4 05 07 24 open the front trunk 102. The front trunk open request signal may be generated as result of a user input, may be generated by another control system with the vehicle 100, or may come from another suitable source. The front trunk open request signal may be generated by a user via a user device, such as a key fob, personal communications device, or other suitable user device. The control system 200 may operate according to the 5 method described herein in relation to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3, but is not limited thereto. The output means is arranged to output an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism. The adjustment signal may be is indicative of the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 being free of obstruction, or indicative of the presence of a partial obstructions. The adjustment signal is 10 for controlling the front suspension height adjustment mechanism 104 to lowerthe suspension at the front end of vehicle 100. The control system 200 may operate according to the method described herein in relation to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3, but is not limited thereto. Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown flow chart illustrating a method, indicated generally by the reference 15 numeral 300, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented using a control system 200 as described herein in relation to Fig. 2 but is not limited thereto. The method 300 comprises, at block 302 receiving a front trunk open request signal from a user of the vehicle 100. At block 304, the method comprises receiving a sensor signal from a sensor array configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100. The method 300 comprises, at block 306, determining that the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 is free of obstruction. The determining may be carried out in response to the front trunk open request signal and in dependence on the sensor signal. At block 308, the method comprises outputting an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism. The adjustment signal may be output in dependence on the processing means determining the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 is free of obstruction. The adjustment signal instructs the front suspension 25 height adjustment mechanism 150 to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle 100. As described in relation to Fig. 1 (b), the vehicle 100 further comprises a sensor array 160. The sensor array 160 may be included in the suspension height adjustment system 150 or may simply interact therewith. The sensor array 160 may comprise a number of different types of sensors. The sensors of the sensor array 160 30 may be considered as perception sensors, suitable for detecting an object in certain locations in relation to the front of the vehicle 100. The object may include a person, animal, or an inanimate object such as a curb, street furniture, debris, toy, ball, or the like. The sensor array 160 may include an image sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor and other suitable perception sensors. The image sensor may be suitable for providing images for use in computer vision tasks. 35 Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown another view of the vehicle 100 illustrating some example locations of sensors within the sensor array 160. The individual sensors are labelled 160a - 160e. A first sensor 106a is shown as located on the right wing mirror of the vehicle 100, a second sensor 160b may be located at the left wing mirror of the vehicle 100, a third sensor 160c may be located at a front bumper of the vehicle 100, a fourth 40 sensor 160d may be located at a front corner of the vehicle 100, and a fifth sensor 160e may be located at a front wheel arch of the vehicle 100. It will be understood that the sensor array 160 may include additional or few sensors than described here. In use, a user of the vehicle 100 may wish to access a storage space in the front of the vehicle 100. The front 5 storage space or front load space may be referred to as front trunk 102 or trunk. When the vehicle 100 is parked, the suspension of the vehicle 100 may be at a setting that holds the front of the vehicle 100 at a relatively high elevation above the ground. In such cases, it may be difficult for a user to reach into the front trunk 102, and or reach the back of the front trunk 102. Therefore, the present invention allows for the vehicle suspension to be safely lowered when the front trunk 102 is to be accessed, to improve a user’s reach into the 10 front trunk 102 area. In that situation, when a user wishes to access the front trunk 102, they operate a front trunk opening operating mechanism such as a button, lever or the like. Such an operating mechanism may be located in the vehicle 100 and / or may be located in a user device, such as a key fob or an app on the user’s personal communication device. Operation of the front trunk opening operating mechanism generates the front trunk open request signal. 15 When the front trunk open request signal is received, the control system 200 determines if the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 is free of obstruction. This determination is in dependence on the sensor signal from the sensor array 160 configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100. The area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 may include areas directly under the vehicle 100 and areas adjacent thereto, and areas in the wheel arch of the vehicle 100. By determining if the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 is free of obstruction, the present invention allows prevention of damage from the lowering or lowered vehicle 100 to people, animals or objects. Furthermore, it allows prevention of damage to parts of the vehicle 100 if they were lowered onto an obstruction. 25 The control system 200 may request, or otherwise access, the sensor signal in dependence on receipt of the front trunk open request signal. The sensor signal may comprise raw sensor data, partially processed sensor data, or highly processed data. In each case, the control system 200 may further process and analyse the sensor data to facilitate the determination of the presence of an obstruction. In an example of highly processed data, pixel data from an image sensor is analysed for object detection such that the sensor signal provided to 30 the control system 200 includes a specific indication that an object has been detected. Alternatively, the control system 200 may receive the pixel data in the sensor signal, such that the pixel data is then analysed by the control system 200. The sensor signal may comprise sensor data from individual sensors, and / or may comprise sensor data combined from a plurality of sensors. 35 The control system 200, in receipt of the sensor signal, analyses the data comprised in the sensor signal and determines if there is an obstruction in the area at or around the front of the vehicle 100. In this way, it may be determined if the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 is free of obstruction. The analysis of the data received from the sensor array 160 in the sensor signal may use any suitable techniques for identifying an obstruction, for example, techniques used in autonomous driving modes, image analysis, Al analysis, and 40 other suitable techniques as will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. 05 07 24 05 07 24 If the control system 200 determines that the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 is free of obstruction, then an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism 104may be output. The adjustment signal instructs the front suspension height adjustment mechanism 104to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle 100. The front suspension may be lowered by between 20mm and 5 70mm, and in an example, by between 30mm and 60 mm. If the control system 200 determines that the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle 100 is not free of obstruction, then no adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism 104may be output. The control system 200 may output an error message to indicate that it is not possible to lower the front 10 suspension. The control system 200 may be configured to indicate where the obstruction as been identified. In this way, a user may be able to remove the obstruction, and / or move the vehicle 100, such that the front suspension can be lowered. If the control system determines that there is an obstruction is present in the area of relevance but that the 15 size of the obstruction is such that some adjustment of the height of the suspension is possible in a safe manner, then the control system 200 may output a partial adjustment signal. The partial adjustment signal may comprise a distance by which the suspension may be lowered. In this way, the front suspension may be lowered by 30mm when it would normally be lowerable by up to 60mm. Other signals or data may be analysed before the adjustment signal is output to facilitate reliable operation of the vehicle 100 and its components. For example, the control system 200 may verify that the vehicle 100 has sufficient resources to lower and raise the front suspension. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without 25 departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A control system for a front suspension height adjustment mechanism at a front end of a vehicle, the vehicle having a front trunk, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system 5 comprising:input means for receiving a front trunk open request signal from a user of the vehicle, and for receiving a sensor signal from a sensor array configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle;processing means arranged to determine, in response to the front trunk open request signal10 and in dependence on the sensor signal, that the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction;output means for outputting an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism in dependence on the processing means determining the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction,15 wherein the adjustment signal instructs the front suspension height adjustment mechanism tolower the suspension at the front end of vehicle.

2. A control system according to claim 1 wherein the input means are configured to receive the front trunk open request signal from a user device.

3. A suspension height adjustment system, comprising:a control system according to any preceding claim; anda front suspension height adjustment mechanism.25 4. A suspension height adjustment system as claimed in claim 3 comprising a sensor array.

5. A suspension height adjustment system according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the sensor array comprisesa computer vision sensor.30 6. A suspension height adjustment system according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the sensor arraycomprises an ultrasonic sensor.

7. A suspension height adjustment system according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the sensor array comprises a radar sensor.

358. A suspension height adjustment system according to any of claims 3 to 7 wherein the sensor array comprises a sensor located at a wing mirror of the vehicle.

9. A suspension height adjustment system according to according to any of claims 3 to 8 wherein the 40 sensor array comprises a sensor located at a bumper of the vehicle.05 07 2410. A suspension height adjustment system according to any of claims 3 to 9 wherein the sensor array comprises a sensor located at a front corner of the vehicle.

11. A suspension height adjustment system according to any of claims 3 to 10 wherein the front 5 suspension height adjustment mechanism is configured to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle by 30 to 60 mm.

12. A vehicle comprising a control system according to any of claims 1 or 2 or a suspension height adjustment system according to any one of claims 3 to 11.1013. A method, comprising:receiving a front trunk open request signal from a user of the vehicle;receiving a sensor signal from a sensor array configured to monitor the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle;15 determining, in response to the front trunk open request signal and in dependence on the sensorsignal, that the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction;outputting an adjustment signal to the front suspension height adjustment mechanism in dependence on the processing means determining the area surrounding the front end of the vehicle is free of obstruction, wherein the adjustment signal instructs the front suspension height adjustment mechanism to lower the suspension at the front end of vehicle.

14. A method according to claim 13 comprising lowering the front end of the vehicle in dependent on the adjustment signal.25 15. Computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform amethod according to any of claims 13 to 14.05 07 24

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